Warning of the risk of eroding human rights achievements

Geopolitical instability and rifts in international diplomatic and economic relations are adding further headwinds to efforts to ensure equal rights globally.

The 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HURC) took place in Geneva (Switzerland) from September 11 to October 13, in the context of continuous pandemics, conflicts and natural disasters in many regions, threatening to erase the achievements in hunger eradication and poverty reduction that the world has achieved in more than half of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. More than ever, the international community needs to unite, act quickly and decisively, to help all people enjoy a better life.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk delivers his opening remarks at the 54th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. (Source: AFP)

The big challenges

At the first sessions and discussions of the 54th Session, the Human Rights Council acknowledged that never before has the world faced so many intertwined challenges as it does today. From wars, natural disasters, epidemics to geopolitical tensions, all are causing major obstacles to efforts to bring a safe and happy life to people.

At the beginning of the Global Human Rights Update Report presented at the opening session of the Session, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk affirmed that people everywhere have the right to an adequate standard of living, including food, access to health care, education, economic prospects, a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and a justice and security system that protects their rights. But time and time again, they are being deprived of these rights.

Of the 17 sustainable development goals set by the United Nations eight years ago, “Eradicate poverty” and “Zero hunger” were the first two important goals. However, as the deadline for achieving these goals in 2030 approaches, there are still 800 million people who are hungry. The 2023 Global Report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) predicts that nearly 600 million people will be chronically malnourished by the end of this decade.

The “red alert” regions for hunger are Africa and the Caribbean – where the majority of people struggle to put food on the table. These are also two of the regions most severely affected by climate change, with unusually severe natural disasters affecting crops. Global food security has also been precarious in recent times due to conflicts and extreme weather events.

Across the Middle East and North Africa, people are facing unprecedented water scarcity. An estimated 83% of the region’s population lacks access to clean water. By 2030, per capita water availability will fall below the threshold of absolute scarcity. This is compounded by climate change, pollution, poor governance, and underinvestment in infrastructure by governments.

2022-2023 continues to witness many security and political instabilities in many regions of the world. In persistent security hotspots such as Afghanistan, Gaza Strip, and Pakistan, escalating violence has not only claimed many lives, including children, but also deprived people of opportunities to study, work, and develop equally. Meanwhile, since 2020, the West and Central Africa region has been shaken by 7 coups in Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon. Political turmoil will certainly exacerbate poverty and underdevelopment in these countries.

Instability and conflict have also led to another serious crisis – the migrant crisis. In the first nine months of this year, more than 2,300 migrants were reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean, including more than 600 off the coast of Greece in June. Those lucky enough to reach safe shores are starving, living in unsanitary refugee camps, and without work. Women and children face even greater risks, including sexual abuse and labor exploitation. The fate of migrants is as adrift as the boats they are on, as countries pass the buck on their responsibility to take them in. For them, this is not a life but an existence without any proper rights.

The fate of migrants is as uncertain as the ships that carry them, as countries shift responsibility for accepting asylum seekers. (Source: Lapresse)

It would be wrong to suggest that human rights violations only occur in less developed regions. The report points out that the United States and many European countries are experiencing a housing crisis, with many low-income individuals and families unable to afford rent. This explains the growing number of homeless people. According to the latest figures, Europe has nearly 1 million people living on the streets, mostly young people, up nearly 30% from 2021. This situation brings with it other human rights violations such as unemployment, social evils and abuse.

Global human rights are also being undermined by growing inequality. At both the national and international levels, the widening gap between rich and poor not only destroys trust, but also undermines efforts to find solutions. It is important to ensure that all international institutions and multilateral discussions reflect the needs of all stakeholders, not just the interests of major powers.

The figures and updates from the Human Rights Council sessions paint a picture of human rights around the world that is not very rosy. The challenges that are hindering the protection of human rights are the result of many intertwined factors. Therefore, the world needs to have a common will and put aside differences to achieve the common goal of putting human interests above political and economic ambitions. As High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has emphasized, “no challenge facing countries can be solved in isolation”. Providing people with enough food, clean water and housing must go hand in hand with the goal of educating them and ensuring them a stable political and security environment in which to live and fair opportunities for development.

Some of the highlights of the discussion

In a world of divisions and conflicts, tensions and contradictions are further exacerbated by unilateral sanctions. The Human Rights Council devoted a dialogue session to this issue, warning that the abuse of unilateral sanctions prevents States from fulfilling their obligations to ensure the right to development, life, health and equality for their people.

The Special Rapporteur on the negative impacts of coercive measures and unilateral sanctions on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Alena Douhan, said that the world is facing a growing number of unilateral sanctions, both primary and secondary, applied by both governments and non-governmental organizations. This has prevented millions of people from accessing basic necessities, health care and humanitarian aid, with the humanitarian situation in Syria being a prime example.

Ms. Douhan warned that unilateral coercive measures and sanctions constitute a serious violation of human rights, emphasizing the right to the highest attainable level of physical and mental health. The Human Rights Council noted that sanctions may be necessary in some cases, but that unilateral sanctions should not impede the enjoyment of human rights in sanctioned countries.

Another key issue raised at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council is the promotion and implementation of the right to development under Sustainable Development Goal 16, in the context of the world gradually recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. The report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights focuses on three areas: access to Covid-19 vaccines and medicines as well as intellectual property; financial support and debt relief; the role and responsibility of international financial institutions in promoting and protecting human rights, including the right to development.

The report highlights the inequities in vaccination coverage across many regions during the pandemic. While some countries have a surplus of vaccines, with people having received at least one booster shot, many African countries have seen a majority of people not receive their first dose. This disparity not only costs lives, but also undermines trust in multilateralism and international cooperation mechanisms.

In this regard, Viet Nam has actively contributed initiatives to address health inequalities and ensure that all people have equal access to health care. As a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, Viet Nam has put forward two initiatives within the framework of the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, related to the human right to vaccination.

However, in some underdeveloped areas, people do not have the opportunity to be fully vaccinated, not only against Covid-19 but also against many other dangerous diseases. Inequality in vaccine access arising from the recent Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of promoting equitable access to vaccination. Vietnam, together with representatives from Brazil, WHO and GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization), called on the UN Human Rights Council and partners to promote multilateral cooperation to ensure safe and equitable distribution of vaccines and vaccination for all people globally, especially vulnerable groups.

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai and the Vietnamese delegation with the President and 3 Vice Presidents of the 2023 UNSC and a number of Ambassadors from other countries at the closing session of the 54th Session of the UNSC.

During the General Debate on Human Rights at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on September 20, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai - Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva spoke about the right to vaccination, emphasizing the importance of vaccines as well as the link between vaccination and human health rights.

During its final session in 2023, the Human Rights Council will also discuss other issues such as systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent, modern forms of slavery, the rights of older persons, religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, etc. Human rights violations can occur anywhere and in many forms, not just in poor areas. In addition to the impacts of the pandemic and climate change, countries’ lack of commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals is part of the reason for the global human rights setback. It may take many years for current human rights issues to improve. But if the world does not unite and urgently step up efforts to ensure human rights, the risk of human rights achievements being erased will increase.

As the world faces many divisions, multilateral efforts with the UN Human Rights Council at its core play a key role in ensuring equitable, high-quality, affordable and timely access to vaccines for all. Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai’s statement on the right to vaccination received official support and co-sponsorship from many countries, demonstrating the legitimacy and urgency of Vietnam’s initiative to promote the right to vaccination, in the context of many potential risks of dangerous epidemics.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-dong-nhan-quyen-khoa-54-canh-bao-nguy-co-xoi-mon-thanh-tuu-nhan-quyen-247066.html