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In a recent meeting, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasized the importance of human rights in preventing conflict and instability. He highlighted that full compliance with human rights is the best way to address inequalities, unaddressed grievances, and exclusion, which are often the root causes of instability and conflict. Mr.Türk emphasized that an unwavering human rights lens and strong human rights action lead us towards sustainable peace and development while building trust.
The UN rights chief noted that human rights are essential at every stage of the peace continuum, spanning prevention, conflict, and resolution. He cited examples such as the current crisis in Haiti and Sudan, where early warning signals have pointed persistently to the destructive impact of inequalities, corruption, and exclusion on trust and stability. In Haiti, for instance, Mr.Türk emphasized that the State's lack of capacity to fulfill human rights has eroded people's confidence, calling for a robust response to the current lawlessness, which he describes as a human rights emergency.
Mr.Türk also highlighted the importance of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, and press freedom in building trust, ending conflict, and establishing sustainable peace. He noted that participation has been crucial to building trust in Colombia, following the signing of the peace deal that ended five decades of conflict between the authorities and the FARC-EP militia group.
As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, Mr.Türk underscored the importance of press freedom and the protection of journalists. Human rights, justice, and press freedom will be the best guides towards reconciliation and sustainable peace in Colombia, as well as in other parts of the world.
In conclusion, Mr.Türk reminded the Security Council that human rights provide the best antidote to prevent conflict and instability, stressing the need for strong human rights action and an unwavering human rights lens based on norms that have been tried and tested. The comprehensive advancement of all human rights will build trust and help to prevent conflict and promote lasting peace.
18/5/2023
