Monday 25 February, 2013
The Rt Hon Baroness Warsi
Address at the High Level Segment of the Human Rights Council 22nd Session, Geneva
Introduction
1. Mr President, Madam High Commissioner
2. It is an honour to be here and to address such a distinguished audience.
3. Let me first thank the High Commissioner for her comprehensive and
valuable speech. I would again like to voice the UK’s strong support
for the work of your Office. And Madam High Commissioner, I am fully
committed to ensuring your independence to continue to champion human
rights across the globe.
4. I’m delighted to be here to share with you our ambitions for 2013 and
to underline our commitment to the important work of the Human Rights
Council. In this respect, I am immensely proud that the UK is standing
for re-election to this Council in November this year.
Achievements in 2012
5. Last year was memorable for the UK. The London Olympic and Paralympic
Games showcased our capital city and our sporting talent. We saw
athletes from all around the world competing under the Olympic
principles of equality and non-discrimination.
6. Human rights are based on the same principles of universality,
inclusion and non-discrimination. We were therefore delighted to launch
an agreement between Brazil, Russia and the Republic of Korea as future
hosts of the Games to promote respect for human rights.
7. I see universality as one of the fundamental principles of human
rights. That’s why I am a strong champion of the Universal Periodic
Review. In May 2012, the UK approached its own review in a spirit of
openness and transparency. We strive to be a powerful example of a
country that upholds these rights, judging ourselves by the highest
standards and taking corrective action where we fall short. The UPR’s
real strength is in giving and receiving genuine and thoughtful
feedback.
8. That’s why I encourage all states to engage constructively. And why
we will again present a cross regional statement on improving the UPR
this session with partners Brazil and Morocco.
9. And last year we continued to champion issues where greater
international focus and leadership is needed. Preventing Sexual Violence
in conflict is one such example.
10. We in Britain think that the international community must do more to
protect victims. Do more to prevent the use of rape and sexual violence
in conflict. Provide better support to survivors. And end the culture
of impunity for these crimes.
11. This has got to stop.
12. The Foreign Secretary is leading the charge on this campaign, including during the UK’s G8 Presidency.
Ambitions for 2013
13. In 2013, as in 2012, we face another challenging year.
14. The atrocities in Syria remain foremost in our minds. We cannot stand by and allow this situation to continue.
15. I want to be clear. Those responsible for the worst violations and
abuses must be held to account, including through the International
Criminal Court.
16. That’s why I strongly support the work of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria.
17. I remain extremely concerned about reports of systematic and
widespread human rights abuses in DPRK, particularly the continued use
of political prison camps. During this Council, the EU and Japan will
present a resolution which will call for an end to these abhorrent
practices.
18. I fully support that aim. We urgently need an independent
investigation into the most severe human rights violations, supporting
the work of the Special Rapporteur.
BURMA
19. While I recognise the real progress made in Burma, I echo the calls
of the Special Rapporteur for the government to translate its positive
commitments on human rights into action.
20. We are very conscious of the problems in Rakhine State. Our Minister
of State for Asia, Hugo Swire, visited Rakhine in December and was one
of the first Western ministers to do so. And only last week, I visited
the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh.
21. There is a desperate need for stronger security and more effective
coordination of all humanitarian assistance and work to address
impunity. But most importantly the Burmese government needs to resolve
the issue of Rohingya citizenship.
22. In Kachin State, I am encouraged by the recent reduction in fighting
and agreement by both sides to pursue political dialogue in the context
of a wide process of national reconciliation. We will support this.
That’s why I hope the government will sign a host country agreement and
open a country office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
23. Sri Lanka will continue to attract a huge amount of attention both
in my own country and others. The discussion at this Council will be in
the spirit of support towards reconciliation in Sri Lanka. But the task
now is to make concrete progress. Implementing the Lesson Learned and
Reconciliation Commission will be a crucial step towards improvement in
Sri Lanka’s human rights record.
24. On Iran, the British government strongly supports a renewal of the
mandate for the Special Rapporteur. We remain concerned by the serious
and widespread violations perpetrated by the Iranian government.
25. As last year, the UK’s focus in 2013 will also extend to thematic concerns that affect individuals globally.
26. Such as the promotion of Freedom of religion or belief. I do not
believe that this debate is polarised. As a British Muslim, I cannot
accept that this is a dividing line between the West and the rest of the
world.
27. I believe we can build a shared understanding of what needs to be
done to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief for all, and
to combat intolerance. I am sure that we can all also agree that
innocent lives lost through violence, whatever the provocation, cannot
be right.
28. As Minister for Human Rights it’s a topic that I have made a
priority and I give my personal commitment to working hard towards
achieving consensus. That’s why I held a cross regional meeting of
Ministers in London last month. Because through strong political
leadership, I think we can bring about long term change in attitudes and
behaviour.
Britain’s election to the Council
29. I hope you can see from our commitment that UK wants to play an
active role in the Council. Progress in all these areas requires a
vocal, active and ambitious Human Rights Council. Through leadership,
focus and diligence we can continue to strengthen this important body.
We depend on its members to be bold and to hold to account those who
commit the most serious violations, wherever they occur.
30. The UK is once again standing for election to the Human Rights
Council because of our longstanding commitment to human rights, because
of our belief in the UN human rights system, and because of our genuine
ambition to promote and protect human rights around the world.
Conclusion
31. I believe that UK support can make a difference in the areas I have highlighted today, and in so many others.
32. But we all have a responsibility to protect those who are more vulnerable.
33. It is in the hands of the Human Rights Council to ensure that the
highest standards of fundamental rights and freedoms are realised for
each and every person wherever they may be.
34. Thank you Mr President, Madam High Commissioner.
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