UN Chief Addresses Opening of the 55th Human Rights Council | United Nations

Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, at the Opening and High-Level Segment of the 55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (26 February – 05 April 2024).

In conflicts across the world, nations and their governments are ignoring “the rule of law and the rules of war” enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and the UN Charter, an alarming development highlighted by United Nations chief António Guterres at the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva today (26 Feb).

Rules of war and human rights must be upheld, the Secretary-General said, as global divisions and disinformation threaten the UN’s founding principles

“From Ukraine to Sudan to Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gaza, parties to conflict are turning a blind eye to international law, the Geneva Conventions and even the United Nations Charter. The Security Council is often deadlocked and able to act on the most significant peace and security issues of all time,” he said.

Guterres added that “the Council's lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and on Israel's military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October has severely - but perhaps fatally -undermined its authority. The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods.”

In addressing these urgent crises and advocating for other significant human rights challenges globally, Guterres underscored the upcoming Summit of the Future, convening at UN Headquarters in September, as an occasion for Member States to reaffirm their dedication to fostering peace and security grounded in human rights.

Guterres also announced a new framework for integrating human rights in all aspects of the UN’s work, called the UN Agenda for Protection. “To support states in meeting their obligations” he said, “I am launching a system-wide United Nations Agenda for Protection, together with High Commissioner for Human Rights. Under this Agenda, the United Nations, across the full spectrum of our work, will act as one to prevent human rights violations, and to identify and respond to them when they take place. That is the Protection Pledge of all United Nations bodies to do their utmost to protect people.”

Echoing warnings that international humanitarian law and even the UN Charter were coming under increasing threat around the world, the President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, told the Human Rights Council that it was time for all global citizens to “do our part”.

“Across the globe, the inhuman brutality and suffering must stop. We must not simply stand-by as callous observers, less we be seen as complicit in the expanding web of dehumanization. No! We must do our part. The decisive role of this august Council is crucial in our collective efforts.”

Referring to the war in Gaza where “the suffering of innocent civilians has reached an unbearable tipping point – with over 90 per cent of the population displaced, teetering on the brink of starvation”, Mr. Francis insisted on the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. “In the name of humanity, we the United Nations, must vehemently use our commanding platforms to speak up and to speak out louder in demand for an immediate humanitarian cease fire in the Gaza Strip and for the opening of corridors to render urgently needed assistance and care to the 1.5 million displaced and unhoused Palestinians.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a stark warning about “attempts to undermine the legitimacy and work of the United Nations and other institutions. They include disinformation that targets UN humanitarian organizations, UN peacekeepers and my Office.” Türk added that “the UN has become a lightning rod for manipulative propaganda and a scapegoat for policy failures. This is profoundly destructive of the common good, and it callously betrays the many people whose lives rely on it.”

In an effort to transform societies and the global community, the UN Rights Chief also announced the launch of "Human Rights: A Path for Solutions", a vision statement which sets out eight key messages to guide renewed action for peace; economies that work for people and planet; effective governance; and guardrails for digital and scientific progress.