As the world prepares to mark Human Rights Day 2024Mr. Türk reflects on “a time when human rights were not only violated but also increasingly instrumentalized.”
He highlighted three important issues for the international community: the rise of armed conflict, the rise of disinformation and long-term security neglect.
Increasing armed conflicts
Mr. Türk noted the erosion of respect for international law in the conduct of hostile activities, and “the the apparent indifference of powerful actors in the face of countless casualties and suffering.”
He pointed to the ongoing crises in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and Haiti as clear examples.
The loss of life has been enormous over the past 12 months. Particularly in Haiti, The violence claimed the lives of more than 5,000 peopleincluding 184 people this past weekend in a grisly gang-instigated massacre.
Mr. Türk also emphasized the indiscriminate use of weapons such as anti-personnel mines and nuclear threats. “We need to stop the flow of weapons,” he emphasized.
“Countries need to make every effort to make it harder, not easier, to use such terrible weapons in the first place,” he stressed.
The High Commissioner called for an end to militarized approaches to security, calling on countries to prioritize reconciliation, negotiation and peacebuilding.
The rise of misinformation
Mr. Türk sounded the alarm about the rapid spread of false information, which he described as a tool to sow division, undermine human rights defenders and distort reality.
He specifically called out “anti-human values,” noting the dangerous rise in blaming minorities for depriving people of their economic, social and cultural rights.
“Those in leadership positions must stop behavior that ‘dehumanizes’ entire communities, breeds hatred and violence, and fosters racist and racist ideologies,” he stressed. toxic racism, including white supremacism.”
Three-planet crisis
The High Commissioner emphasized the urgent need to address three planetary crises – climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss – alongside global inequality.
Despite legal obligations to prevent foreseeable harm, some countries are scaling back their climate commitments, endangering the long-term security of their populations.
Mr. Türk called on countries to mobilize the leadership and political energy necessary to “address this massive, ongoing and worsening disaster.”
However, he also praised civic efforts, especially the people “calling on their leaders to work for equality, justice and peace with their voices and votes.”
Invest in human rights
Mr. Türk called attention to the funding shortfall plaguing international human rights organizations, which receive less than 5% of the United Nations’ regular budget.
He called on countries to ensure adequate resources for the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), warns that financial constraints undermine vital efforts to protect human dignity.
Concluding his statement, the High Commissioner declared: “On this Human Rights Day, I invite you and all of us to build and support alliances in our lives, cities, communities and workplaces. yourselves to protect the human rights and dignity of each person.”
