UN Geneva - Multimedia Newsroom : HRC - Press Conference: President of the Human Rights Council ahead of 58th session

[Other language spoken]

Good morning everyone, and welcome to this press conference on the 58 regular session of the Human Rights Council starting this coming Monday.

We're very pleased to have with U.S.

ambassador Joel Blauber, the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva.

I don't think I need to introduce you, Mr Lauber.

He's a well known figure here on the international Geneva scene, but he's speaking to you today in his capacity as President of the Human Rights Council.

So as usual, if you have any questions regarding Swiss foreign policy or any issues related to bilateral relations with Switzerland, I will kindly advise you to contact the Swiss Mission.

But without further ado, Ambassador Lauper, the floor is yours.

Thank you very much, Pascal.

Good morning to everybody here and online.

Thank you very much for attending this press briefing.

Colleagues, if I may, before I start as a president of the Human Rights Council, I would like to say a few words about the veteran reporter, Lisa Schlein, who I was informed this morning sadly passed away earlier this week.

As you probably know, Lisa filed her last story for Voice of America on the 1st of February, just a few days back in fact, and that she did well into her 9th decade, which is really a testament to her timeless commitment.

The story she filed shone a light on sexual violence currently taking place in the DRC, demonstrating that Lisa was always fearless in exposing human rights abuses wherever they take place.

Her award-winning reporting about the United Nations and in particular the work of the Human Rights Council was invaluable during the decades Lisa worked in Geneva.

We all shall miss her, her unique voice and her probing style.

Ioffer my and my team's sincere condolences to her family and to her friends.

May her memory be a blessing.

Thank you very much.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank you very sincerely the members of the of the media.

As you know, the publicity the Council brings to the world on issues of human rights is key.

The inclusiveness of the Council is one of its strength.

But you members of the media, through your interest, through your reporting, you essentially contribute to that.

And I want to take this opportunity, my first encounter with you in this capacity as President of the Human Rights Council, to to thank you very much for that and to express also that we, we are fully aware of how difficult your task has become in recent years.

I also want to say that I'm very thankful to those who elected me to this position.

I believe it reflects confidence not just in me, but certainly also in Switzerland as a member country.

You probably know that about 20 years ago Switzerland played a very active role in the design of the Human Rights Council.

And since it's creation, Switzerland contributed to making it a strong and effective forum for promoting and protecting human rights everywhere in the world.

Now, before turning to the 58 session, allow me to say a few words on my priorities for this year, 2025, this year of my presidency.

These priorities will include, and that's really the main mandate of the President of the Human Rights Council.

The, the, the smooth operation of the Council.

Of course, we do this with the help of the secretariat, the President, a small office, some of the members of the office are here for, for colleagues in fact.

And then we do this, of course, with the help of the secretariat.

Beyond that, I will also very much focus on what I call the reclaiming some of the diplomatic space.

I can maybe say a few words later what I mean, but it essentially means that I feel, not least during the COVID experience when we were forced to withdraw and, and, and instead of negotiate and meet to read statements to each other from our bedrooms or our kitchen, we want to catch up.

I feel we need more opportunities to have conversations among diplomats, to listen to each other, to understand each other's positions, to find common ground and to do so in informal settings.

And it is my ambition as president to, to, to support that and to also create formats in order to do that.

And I feel a strong interest from from my colleagues, from all the states here in Geneva.

I also will continue efforts for greater efficiency and focus of the Council, focus on the mandate really, and never forgetting that what we do here in Geneva has to have an impact for the people on the ground, the ones who really are the the holders of these rights that are our mandate.

I want to further enhance the central role of the Council and its expertise in the the human rights architecture of the United Nations, but also beyond in cooperation with other United Nations agencies, special organisations here in Geneva, but also in in New York, in in other duty stations, Vienna, Nairobi, etcetera.

The the Human Rights Council is the main intergovernmental body on human rights.

It brings together an extremely **** level of expertise about human rights.

We should participate.

We'll share that with other parts of the system.

And last but definitely not least, I pledge to continue efforts to institutionalise, to reaffirm gender equality and non discrimination in the work of the Council, through the work of the Council as well as to ensure the accessibility of our work for persons with disabilities.

These just some of the ambitions, targets, objectives, I said for myself for this year.

Now to the 58 session.

The upcoming session runs for six weeks.

It will start, as you know, next Monday the 24th of February and go on all the way through Friday the 4th of April.

The liquidity situation of the United Nations place certain limits on the work of the Council.

My colleagues in the Council's Bureau, the Vice presidents and I will make all efforts to ensure our programme of work is completed on time, which means that's not so hard for us.

This ambassador start meetings on time, trying to make the best use of meeting time to be really as as efficient as possible.

As I mentioned, the the first session of this year is of course also the main session, which starts traditionally with a **** level segments, **** level segment during the first three days of the session, when a number of dignitaries will address the Council.

At this point, I think we have around 120 speakers that have registered.

Most of them will be in Geneva, Some will do this via video, but most of them will be here during the 58th session.

We will also receive more than 80 reports to be considered.

Look at more than 40 country situations and around 50 thematic human rights issues.

We have a number of reports and updates from 7 investigative mechanisms.

I just quickly want to to mention them, one on South Sudan, on Nicaragua, on Iran, on Syria, on Venezuela, on Ukraine and on Belarus.

On the 3rd of March, the **** Commissioner for Couture will present his oral global update, always a highlight of of every session.

Will he give an overview on how he, how the **** Commissioner Office evaluates, sees the human rights situation around the world?

And separately he will also he or his representatives will update the council on a number of counter situations.

[Other language spoken]

I'm just one in a few.

Among others, we have the occupied policy and territory on the list, Myanmar, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But as I said, it's it's a fairly extensive list.

The Council also features a number of panel discussions, 9 actually, on diverse human rights issues.

I want to draw your attention on one in particular.

On the first day of the **** Level segment, on Monday, we will hold the annual **** Level panel discussion on mainstreaming human rights, which this year will focus on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

This discussion will include the President of the General Assembly of the UN, the Executive Director of UN Women, the **** Commissioner.

Of course, for Couture, we will have the Secretary General of Ankita, Rebecca Greenspan on the panel, the Secretary General of the ITU and the chair of the SIDO Committee, and the first Chinese woman in space.

I understand she participates by video, but not from space.

I think she will be on the ground when she and she does that.

We have a number of special procedures mandates holders that will report to the Council in the main session, 22 of them.

And I, I want to take this opportunity to, to underline again the importance of these mechanisms of these special mandates holders.

They really are, they have a two way function.

They are the eyes and the ears of the Council on the ground.

They go to the situations, to the countries, but they also bring a message of the council to the people on the ground, to the people concerned with violations, disrespect of human rights.

So there are very, very important sort of communication channel between us here in the meeting rooms in headquarters of Geneva and the people out there around the world.

As always, there is a **** number of resolutions that will be negotiated that will keep diplomats busy.

So far we have 29 draught resolutions that have been announced covering all aspects of human rights, civil, political, economic, social, cultural rights.

They may be more in preparation.

20 of these 29 draught resolutions are the result of of of initiatives taken by groups core sponsorships which is always a good sign because usually these groups are composed of countries from several regions.

So have an inter cross regional approach that already helps to then find a a common ground and and ideally consensus on this resolution.

At the end of the negotiations, we have two new topics brought forward by by resolution draught.

Resolutions 1 were brought forward by Algeria and six other states on anti personal minds and the impact on human rights and the other one submitted by Morocco and three other states on women in diplomacy and human rights.

So this a bit of an overview on what to expect for these next six weeks.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the four Vice presidents and I will do our utmost to ensure that the proceedings of these 58 sessions will be conducted in a climate of respect, objectivity, and inclusiveness.

That's an issue very important, very dear to my heart, that we have a certain serenity, even when discussion sometimes get a bit emotional, that we respect each other, that we, as I said, listen to each other in the room.

As always, there are a number of resources available to guide your engagement with the session.

I was I have a copy here of the famous AUZ guide.

I hope it will be maybe proof proof useful too.

Although I realise most of you are very, very familiar with the Council and its proceedings.

There's a visual directories with the who's of who's.

There is this get application and there's a there's a newsletter of the Human Rights Council.

Of course, for those who still haven't signed up to it, please do.

I read it with great interest and if you have any specific questions, the Secretariat is always here to help you out.

I will, as I've done in my other role as the Swiss Ambassador, always have an open door.

As I said in the beginning, your work is extremely important to us.

I will do my best to be available with my team to make your work as easy as possible so you're able to spread the good word about the good work of the Council there.

Thank you very much and I'm open for questions.

[Other language spoken]

We will take questions in English and French, the two working language of the UN press corps in Geneva.

So we'll start with questions in the room if there's any.

And yes, Perejo, Jean.

France Press.

[Other language spoken]

Of the conference.

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Merci questions from Antonio Boto FA Spanish News agency online.

[Other language spoken]

I was going to ask about the United States and Israel, but you already answered.

So I'm going to ask about Argentina.

They say they are considering to to quit the Human Rights Council.

Are they in talks with you for in this, in this regard?

Are they going to participate finally in the session?

[Other language spoken]

I haven't heard anything specific.

Again, the only thing I can say I would encourage all countries to really be here and participate.

In portion question the Catherine Fionc and the Franceman Cats.

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Question from Nick ******* Bruce from The New York Times Online Nick.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you for taking my question and thank you for the briefing.

Ambassador, I, I wonder if you feel the credibility of the Council is weakened by the withdrawal or the decision of the United States to disengage.

I mean, the United States, which has previously, you know, held the position as being one of the Champions of, of, of human rights globally.

And how would you push back the narrative from the US or from the Trump administration that is critically weakened by inherent bias against Israel and served as a platform for authoritarian and rights abusing regimes?

[Other language spoken]

Look, I, I really feel that there is a great level of, of awareness of the importance of, of human rights.

All has always been and is all is also today.

Human rights are about human dignity, about human freedom, about justice.

Human rights are essential for the prosperity and and the stability of any society.

And human rights are essential in the relations between nations, for peace, between nations, for sustainable development around the world, because the States recognise that and accept that they have established a whole architecture of norms and and institutions, starting of course, with the United Nations in 45, the Universal Declaration in 48, a number of fundamental instruments that have proven their worth over over time.

The Human Rights Council today is only 20 years old and not even, but it has established itself as the most important body for intergovernmental exchanges on, on human rights issues.

Is, is widely recognised in that.

So again, I, I think the reputation of the, the Council is clear, the importance of the Council, the importance of the issue, the importance of the mandate of the Council, it's clear.

And I can but encourage everybody to, to, to, to bring in their own positions, their own concerns, their own priorities and, and to share them with the rest of the world in, in this council on this platform.

Sun Ying from Guangming Daily, please.

[Other language spoken]

President, there are many topics on the agenda regarding Ukraine and Russia.

What role will the HRC play in dealing with the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, especially since Trump and Putin recently had a dialogue?

Not sure whether there was a question, but it is indeed one of the strength of the Council that in each session Member States decide to discuss a great many number of issues.

And usually which issues of of urgency of actuality, be it a situation in a certain country or a development that has another development, social, economic, that has an impact on human rights, will be brought before the Council either in a formal setting or in the number of side events we have here.

That's one of the great advantages.

It will be, it will come up here, it will be discussed here and again countries, other stakeholders have an opportunity to to, to bring this to the poor public awareness, shine the light on these developments and bring their position and exchange their position with others.

Thank you Liang Tong from the China Economic Daily.

[Other language spoken]

Laba, if I'm right, this very evening, Mr.

Laba, you would be delivering a.

Speech in the building nearby Mason Della takes on the issue of the politicalization of the HRC.

I'm not too absolutely right.

So on behalf of all the journalists who will not have the luxury of attending this evening session, may I ask you to kindly do us a favour by giving us a teaser about what you're going to say and what's what's your take on this issue against the background of of the priority, you say, of encouraging the diplomats of more engagement.

Thanks ordered for those who attend.

I thought it was a public event.

Actually, it's the, it's the opening of the semester at the Geneva Academy and they kindly invited me and gave me an opportunity to speak about an issue that has intrigued me for a long time.

This tension of the is the, is the council mostly a legal body, a body of law, or is it a political body?

And and again, please don't publish before tonight or else we they're they're not coming, but it gives it will be give me an opportunity to to to make a plea.

Also, on the one hand, I think some of the instruments and some part of the mandate have clear elements or normative and, and monitoring elements.

So the council has the possibility to influence the development on the normative side of human rights and is also has the mandate to monitor the implementation of human rights.

However, the Council doesn't have legally binding the power to make legally binding decisions, it doesn't have treaty making power, and it also doesn't have the power to impose or sanction violations of human rights.

I also have come to the conclusion long ago that of course, and I'm sure you agree, the Council is essentially a political body through its composition, through the way we elect members, through the way debates are held.

I don't think that's a problem.

[Other language spoken]

I, I think that there is AII strongly believe, and I said it here already, in the power of, of public awareness of publicity and in the power of debate.

The strength of the Council is precisely is to shed the light on concerns, on developments that we should address because human rights are a danger or not sufficiently respected, or there are developments out there that need a response in in how we think about human rights.

And I very much believe in the power of public debate that that the people come together, exchange ideas on the one hand, really try to find to come together common ground, but also already to disagree, you know, respect each other, listen to each other, because disagreement in the over time will will lead to progress.

That's what I believe are the strength of the council.

And that's a bit some of the things I will I will try to bring across tonight, motivating the students that are there, the future diplomats, the future activists, the future politicians to engage on issues of human rights and to engage with the council.

[Other language spoken]

We'll take a question from Robin Millard from AFP Online just on the.

United States again, the United States was always a big player in the Council, whether they were a member or an observer.

So could you say a little bit more about some of the things that United the United States brought to the Council, things that will now be missed now that they're not going to participate?

[Other language spoken]

You know, the human rights, the choice, the United States through their particular history and their role in history, of course, are an important voice when it comes to human rights.

But there's also, you know, this approach it within the United Nations that every member state has a voice and every member state's contribution is important.

So I really cannot.

But again, on the line that I encourage every state, every Member State of the United Nations to to come be active, engage, bring their points of view, bring their concerns, bring their priorities and participate in the discussion.

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[Other language spoken]

Question from Matthias Sanders online.

Matthias, you have the floor.

Thanks for taking my question.

Was just wondering, Ambassador, but if you could give us a little look behind the scenes, like what is the ambience like at the council currently?

We've talked about a couple of very political issues and I was wondering what kind of impact that had on how people interact with each other, talk to each other and meet each other.

[Other language spoken]

And I have to say, I'm, I'm very encouraged by what I've heard from from colleagues, not just since since January.

Of course, this, this mandate as President gives me the opportunity to to make my rounds, to talk to the different geographical or other groups, the individual delegations.

I, I, I wanted from the beginning, I, I told them I want to be very transparent.

So my intentions that I have, for instance, this, this ambition of reclaiming diplomatic space.

I made this clear from the beginning.

I, I want to have reactions from colleagues and the response is extremely positive.

I feel that many colleagues in Geneva share that frustration that we brought with us from this, this COVID.

That we, we want to have more space to be able to really discuss on the issues.

I, I, I feel especially ambassadors, in spite of very busy agendas as we are dealing with many issues in Geneva, labour, trade, intellectual property, health, etcetera.

The, the Human Rights Council is very **** on, on everybody's agenda.

I have very good response when I invite colleagues for small format informal discussions.

So I'm, I'm, I'm quite optimistic in spite of areas of, let me say diplomatically variety of use.

Again, I think that's not a negative.

I think that that really is positive for the discussion.

I'm, I'm, I'm quite, I'm quite optimistic and encouraged by what I hear from colleagues.

[Other language spoken]

John Zaracostas from The Lancet and Franz Mankat as well.

[Other language spoken]

Sir, if you think.

The Council sometimes is an echo chamber because of the.

Failure of other.

Organisations in Geneva to.

Act with some hard.

Issues, whether it's disarmament or toxic waste or health issues, and how much.

Does its credibility.

Depend on the quality of the thematic rapporteurs of the day.

[Other language spoken]

I, I think we see instances where issues are brought to the Council that because they are not being successfully dealt with in other bodies.

Although I feel I couldn't point out a particular initiative or, or, or issue being brought for the council where you can clearly say this has nothing to do with human rights because, you know, that's the nature of human rights.

If you have a conflict, human rights are violated.

If you have a dramatic economic situation, human rights are, are violated or at least under ******.

So there's for, for many, many of all of these issues of these developments, there is actually a link to the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Council has this capacity to deal with a lot of issues.

We have to be careful.

We have to be careful about our workload and putting the agenda at the, at the front also may mean to, to refocus some work of the council.

The, the, the expertise I think is, is, is very important.

It is very important that when we discuss issues that we actually know what we're discussing about.

So there again, I agree with you, the role of the special rapporteurs is, is really extremely important.

They bring us some of the technical expertise that we need tennis diplomats to be able to to have a a discussion about the issue.

[Other language spoken]

There is in this context I would like to also outline the importance of civil society.

Civil society being non governmental organisations, mostly dealing with human rights issues, but also for instance academia or even the private sector, just as an example.

There's a lot of talk about the impact of modern technology now on human rights.

Of course, artificial intelligence, others, neuroscience, issues like that.

I mean, with all respect to diplomats, we know diplomats can talk about anything and everything, but we need technical expertise to be able then to make informed decisions on, on what the impact of these developments is on human rights and how best to protect human rights or use technology to promote human rights.

So we need, we need technical expertise in the discussion.

And again, sorry for being a bit long, but the the the way the Council is organised and set up and designed allows precisely these exchanges in formal or informal settings to bring this this technical expertise into the discussion.

[Other language spoken]

Do we have any more questions from the room?

[Other language spoken]

Ambassador, maybe you have some concluding remarks before we wrap up.

No, not nothing new, Nate.

Thanks, nothing new.

But thank you again very much for your interest and thank you very much for doing your work.

And if throughout the session or after, we can be in any way helpful to facilitate your work.

Not trying to influence, I completely respect, of course, the independence of the media, but on technical issues, please let us know.

Your work is, is important to us.

Thank you very much.

Marcia Schulauber just pour happened.

[Other language spoken]

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HRC - Press Conference: President of the Human Rights Council ahead of 58th session - 19 February 2025