High Commissioner Urges Sudanese Generals To Cease the Violence and Return To Political Talks, and Calls on Those with Influence in the International Community to End the Tragedy and Increase Financial Support to Humanitarian Agencies

AFTERNOON 12 September 2023

Chair of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua Accuses the President and Others of Carrying Out Acts that Constitute Prima Facie the Crime against Humanity of Persecution on Political Grounds

Human Rights Council Starts General Debate on the High Commissioner’s Global Update

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held an interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Sudan. It then heard an oral update by the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, and started a general debate on the High Commissioner’s global update. The Council also held a minute of silence in honour of those who had lost their lives recently in Libya and Morocco.

Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said since the conflict began, the people of Sudan had been caught up in an endless cycle of violence generated by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, with no reprieve in sight. At least 1,500 civilians had been killed, more than 5.1 million were uprooted from their homes, and more than one million were seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. The pointless conflict, and the decades of military dictatorship before it, had shown that military rule would not bring stability to Sudan. It was time for the two generals to cease the violence, to return to political talks, and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. There needed to be a coordinated political will, engagement and cooperation from those with influence in the international community to bring an end to the tragedy, as well as a massive increase in financial support to the humanitarian agencies.

Radhouane Nouicer, the High Commissioner’s Designated Expert on Human Rights in Sudan, said since the last meeting in June, he had been seeking a sign of hope regarding the end of this senseless conflict, expecting a scenario of peace and reconciliation: he had ended up empty handed. More than five months had passed since the outbreak of the fighting, since which there had not been a single day without human casualties, destruction, uprooting, violations of human rights, all in total disregard of international laws and principles. The reports received from Darfur and testimonies supplied by refugees echoed the horror and devastation witnessed in Darfur 20 years ago. There was an urgent need for an international cohesive and forceful programme to bring the conflict to an end. Given the specificities of the conflict, neither side would be able to claim victory, thus the longer it went on, the more civilians would suffer.

Khalifa Ahmed Khalifa Ahmed, Prosecutor General of Sudan, said the violations and crimes committed by the rebel Rapid Support militia violated the principles of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including extrajudicial killing, looting, targeting of civilians, abduction, torture, forced displacement, rape, sexual violence, and assault on civilian objects, places of worship and hospitals. Sudan thanked the countries that had enacted sanctions against the rebel militia, including the United States. The priority for Sudan now was to end the rebellion, to put a ceasefire in place, to ensure humanitarian access, and to allow for the return of 5 million displaced people. Sudan looked towards the Council and its relevant mechanisms, including the High Commissioner and the Designated Expert, to provide technical support and capacity building.

In the discussion, some speakers said it was important to silence the guns and reach a ceasefire to allow humanitarian relief to come through. The authorities were urged to engage in dialogue and allow a peaceful transition. A number of speakers expressed concern for the reports of large-scale attacks on civilians and civilian areas, including on the basis of ethnicity, with horrific reports of widespread sexual and gender-based violence, targeted killings, forced displacement and steady weaponisation of militias. There were credible reports that violations and abuses which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity continued to be committed. Some speakers said relations between States must be based on universal respect for sovereignty, non-interference in domestic affairs, and genuine cooperation. The resolution leading to this meeting was yet another attempt of the hegemonistic countries to use human rights as an instrument for political pressure, with the imposition of monitoring mechanisms. Only through genuine dialogue and cooperation with the genuine consent of the country concerned could there be genuine headway made in human rights.

Speaking on Sudan were Côte d’Ivoire on behalf of the African Group, European Union, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Libya on behalf of the Arab Group, United Kingdom on behalf of a group of countries, Iceland on behalf of a group of countries, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, United Nations Women, Qatar, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Bahrain, Italy, Costa Rica, Libya, France, Ukraine, United States, Japan, Jordan, Iraq, Netherlands, Switzerland, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, United Nations Children’s Fund, New Zealand, China, Canada, Romania, Russian Federation, Australia, United Kingdom, Morocco, Yemen, Algeria, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Senegal, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Belgium, Uganda, Zambia, Montenegro, Burundi, Niger, Belarus, Syria, Togo, Eritrea, South Sudan, Chad, Tunisia and Iran.

Also speaking were East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, International Service for Human Rights, Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, International Bar Association, and Human Rights Information and Training Centre.

The Council then heard an oral update by the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua.

Jan-Michael Simo, Chair of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, said since April 2018, President Ortega, Vice President Murillo and others, had been carrying out acts that constituted prima facie the crime against humanity of persecution on political grounds. The crimes were met with total impunity and all the State’s apparatus was put to use for this purpose. Today, the overall human rights situation had become aggravated, with an escalation of persecution of dissent by the Government. Nicaragua was being stripped of its intellectual capital and critical voices, leaving the country’s prospects and development on hold. The violations were perpetrated at the highest level of the State, jointly with other government-controlled institutions. The Group of Human Rights Experts urged the Government of Nicaragua to immediately allow unconditional access by neutral and independent verification bodies to detention centres where real or perceived opponents were being detained. The international community should extend sanctions against institutions and individuals involved in the commission of human rights violations and international crimes, including against those targeting Nicaragua’s university sector.

Nicaragua, speaking as the country concerned, said Nicaragua did not accept, and had a lack of knowledge about the ill-named Group of Experts on Nicaragua. The resolution creating the group had been imposed unilaterally and was a strategy to interfere in a free and dignified State like Nicaragua. This forum should abide by the principles on which it was created. Non-selectivity should be prioritised, and it should not take up the rancid interventionist actions by some members of the Council. The sources lacked objectivity and impartiality, forgetting the genuine truth of the Nicaraguan people. People in Nicaragua enjoyed the right to a safe life, to health care, education and infrastructure, which united a vibrant, supportive and peaceful country.

At the end of the meeting, the Council started a general debate on the High Commissioner’s global update, as delivered on Monday, 11 September.

Some speakers called upon all States to recognise the inalienable rights of peoples to sovereignty and independence. Grave abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms were still taking place in many countries worldwide, with particular effect on the rights of women and girls, climate migrants and refugees: all States should boost international cooperation and solidarity to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the impact of climate change on human rights. Respect for human rights and international humanitarian law must be upheld. Those responsible for committing war crimes and grave human rights violations must be held accountable. One speaker said all kinds of double standards that undermined human rights were rejected, and expressed concern for the proliferation of unilateral mechanisms that pretended oversight over certain States, especially when they did not enjoy the support of that State.

Speaking in the discussion were Zimbabwe on behalf of a group of countries, Spain on behalf of the European Union, Côte d'Ivoire on behalf of the African Group, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Venezuela on behalf of a group of countries, Cabo Verde on behalf of a group of countries, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and Libya on behalf of the Arab Group.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-third regular session can be found here.

The next meeting of the Council will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 13 September, when it will continue its general debate on the global update of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Minute of Silence for those who Lost their Lives in Libya and Morocco

Qatar took the floor to address the situation due to the floods in Libya, and called the conscience of the world to the plight of people of the world who faced humanitarian challenges. The Council must express that it was one body, and stand in solidarity in times when others required support. Qatar stood in solidarity with its brothers, and asked the Council to stand for a minute of silence for those who had lost their lives in Libya and Morocco.

The Council observed a minute of silence.

Libya expressed its thanks for those who expressed sympathy and stood in honour of those who had died, as well as to those countries that had extended aid to Libya. The catastrophic number of lives lost and enormous destruction in terms of roads, dams and residential areas could not be understated. The Libyan people would overcome and rebuild their country thanks to the will of the faithful. He asked for the support of all to help with rescuing those who were under the ruins.

Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Update of the High Commissioner on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan

Opening Statements

VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said this Friday, Sudan would mark five months of futile suffering, death, loss and destruction. Since the conflict began, the people of Sudan had been caught up in an endless cycle of violence generated by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, with no reprieve in sight. His staff had travelled to Chad and Ethiopia in June and July to gather first-hand information from people who had fled the violence in Sudan. Their testimonies underscored the scale and brutality of the conflict. Stories had been heard of family members being killed or raped; relatives arrested without reason; of disappeared loved ones; and of piles of abandoned bodies in the streets. At least 1,500 civilians had been killed, according to the Ministry of Health, although the actual figure was likely much higher. More than 5.1 million were uprooted from their homes and more than one million were seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. More than 7.4 million children were without safe drinking water and at least 700,000 were at risk of severe acute malnutrition. Despite repeated promises by both sides, nobody had been held to account.

In the past week, more than 103 civilians had been killed during military operations by both parties in Khartoum and Omdurman. At least 51 people were killed just two days ago by airstrikes in the Janoob Al Hazim district in south Khartoum, one of the highest tolls in a single incident since fighting started. In the Khartoum area, three quarters of hospitals had to close because they were occupied, damaged by shelling, or faced severe shortages of medical supplies. Mr. Türk deplored the widespread arbitrary detention of civilians by both parties, with hundreds of thousands of people being held incommunicado in appalling conditions. At least 500 people were reported to have disappeared in Khartoum alone.

In West Darfur, ethnically motivated attacks perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces and allied Arab militia had resulted in the deaths of hundreds of “non-Arab” civilians, primarily from Masalit communities. On 21 August, more than 39 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in Darfur by shells that exploded close to their hiding place under a bridge. Mr. Türk was deeply concerned by the calls made by the Sudanese Armed Forces to arm civilians, including by Major-General Al-Burhan.

Refugees fleeing the conflict had mostly been welcomed by neighbouring countries, but faced precarious living conditions in overcrowded sites, and shortages of vital services, such as healthcare, food and shelter. Mr. Türk was concerned about the treatment of Sudanese refugees who had fled further north, especially in Tunisia and Libya, where dangerous anti-migrant and anti-refugee sentiment was witnessed. Mr. Türk said he was repulsed to hear of the ongoing epidemic of conflict-related sexual violence. As of 10 September, the Office had received credible reports of 45 incidents, involving at least 95 victims, including 75 women, one man and 19 children. The majority of perpetrators – around 78 per cent - had been men in Rapid Support Forces uniform or armed men affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization had documented 56 attacks on health care facilities. At least 19 humanitarian workers had been killed, making Sudan one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a humanitarian. The pointless conflict, and the decades of military dictatorship before it, had shown that military rule would not bring stability to Sudan. It was time for the two generals to cease the violence, to return to political talks, and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. There needed to be a coordinated political will, engagement and cooperation from those with influence in the international community to bring an end to the tragedy, as well as a massive increase in financial support to the humanitarian agencies.

RADHOUANE NOUICER, the High Commissioner’s Designated Expert on Human Rights in Sudan, said the High Commissioner in his presentation had provided the members of the Council with a comprehensive overview of the tragic situation prevailing in Sudan. He did not have more positive developments to report. Since the last meeting in June, he had been seeking a sign of hope regarding the end of this senseless conflict, expecting a scenario of peace and reconciliation: he had ended up empty handed. At this stage, there was no sign of peace, of hope, or of justice. More than five months had passed since the outbreak of the fighting, since which there had not been a single day without human casualties, destruction, uprooting, violations of human rights, all in total disregard of international laws and principles. Many conflict-affected regions were running out of food. Strikes on civilian areas continued with no precautions whatsoever. The health sector was decimated, the economy had collapsed, sexual violence was on the rise, and targeted arrests, torture and killings continued to be reported against human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and other activists.

Moreover, there was a growing trend of ethnic-based acts of violence in some regions, and worrying signs of many party-affiliated groups and militias becoming gradually involved in the conflict, fighting alongside one party or another: this could sharpen inter-communal tension and trigger further conflict between communities in such an ethnically diversified country.

In assessing the information collected, essentially from victims, family members and witnesses of violations and abuses, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights applied its methodology based on triangulation of sources, objectivity, and full respect of its mandate. Information and testimonies were verified and corroborated from other reliable sources. As indicated by the High Commissioner, his staff had conducted failed visits to Ethiopia and Chad, and to areas of internally displaced persons in the country. Other visits were being planned. The facts and findings of these missions were being and would continue to be collected, consolidated and analysed, and would be shared with the Council in writing at the next session.

However, based on information gathered, verified and corroborated so far, it was clear that serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws had been committed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and to a much larger extent by the Rapid Support Forces. The reports received from Darfur and testimonies supplied by refugees echoed the horror and devastation witnessed in Darfur 20 years ago. There was an urgent need for an international cohesive and forceful programme to bring the conflict to an end. Given the specificities of the conflict, neither side would be able to claim victory, thus the longer it went on, the more civilians would suffer. There was an urgent need to put an end to the prevailing sense of impunity in Sudan. The humanitarian community must scale up its operations to aid the people of Sudan.

KHALIFA AHMED KHALIFA AHMED, Prosecutor General of Sudan, said a national committee had been formed to investigate the violations committed by the rebel Rapid Support militia. The violations and crimes committed by the rebel militia violated the principles of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including extrajudicial killing, looting, targeting of civilians, abduction, torture, forced displacement, rape, sexual violence and assault on civilian objects, places of worship and hospitals. These atrocities and flagrant violations in West Darfur had led to the death of the Governor of the state, Khamis Abkar, and the forced displacement of its population.

Based on Sudanese national laws, Mr. Ahmed, acting in his capacity as Prosecutor General, had made the decision to form subcommittees with broad powers to investigate violations that took place throughout Sudan. Sudan thanked the countries that had enacted sanctions against the rebel militia, including the United States. Sudan also appreciated the statements issued during the year by the Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the joint statement issued by the Special Rapporteurs of the Special Procedures section in August. The reports issued by Amnesty International and other organizations that condemned the crimes of the rebel militia were also appreciated. Sudan called on countries to take similar measures, and to classify the militia as a terrorist group.

The priority for Sudan now was to end the rebellion, to put a ceasefire in place, to ensure humanitarian access, and to allow for the return of 5 million displaced people. Sudan was optimistic about the Jeddah talks, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the United States. The National Commission would continue investigations. It was hoped the Council would continue work through the High Commissioner and the Designated Expert. Sudan looked towards the Council and its relevant mechanisms, including the High Commissioner and the Designated Expert, to provide technical support and capacity building.

Discussion

In the discussion, some speakers said that the efforts of international actors to resolve the crisis in Sudan were welcomed. It was important to silence the guns and reach a ceasefire to allow humanitarian relief to come through. The authorities were urged to engage in dialogue and allow a peaceful transition. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should continue technical assistance to Sudan.

Some speakers expressed concern for the reports of large-scale attacks on civilians and civilian areas, including on the basis of ethnicity, with horrific reports of widespread sexual and gender-based violence, targeted killings, forced displacement – including as an objective of the conflict - and steady weaponisation of militias. The rising number of civilian deaths attributable to the disproportionate use of aerial bombardment by the parties to the conflict was also of grave concern. There were credible reports that violations and abuses which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity continued to be committed, particularly in Darfur, and speakers were appalled by the brutality and total disregard shown by the warring parties towards civilians, underlining the importance of accountability for all violations and abuses being committed throughout Sudan, recalling that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court was undertaking investigations with respect to incidents occurring within the current hostilities in Darfur.

A number of speakers said all parties to the conflict must immediately end the fighting; protect civilians; guarantee full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access; and resume the transition to democracy and civilian rule. Speakers strongly condemned the continued refusal of the parties to the conflict to seek a peaceful solution. A lasting ceasefire must be brokered without delay to guarantee the protection of the people of Sudan, whose safety, security and unity continued to be endangered, and to allow space for mediation and an inclusive political dialogue to take place. The lives, livelihoods and access to basic necessities of the people of Sudan were all threatened, and efforts must be made to end the cycle of violence which had persisted for decades. The violence had to stop now. All parties to the conflict must agree and adhere to an immediate ceasefire and civilians needed to be protected.

The humanitarian needs were enormous, some speakers stressed. All parties to the conflict must respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law and facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. The international community, including humanitarian programmes, must step up efforts to provide aid to the population and people of Sudan. Sudan had consistently cooperated with the Council - the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights must maintain its technical cooperation efforts to allow Sudan to protect and promote the rights and fulfil the needs of its people, putting the country on the right path towards democratic transition and the rule of law. The international community must redouble its efforts in order to respond to the current needs, and send messages to help achieve political consensus and stability during the transition period, culminating in free and fair elections. One speaker said the consent of the country concerned must be taken into account when establishing a new mandate or new mechanisms in its regard.

Some speakers said they were convinced that Sudan was capable of resolving its issues on its own, and only required support from the international community in as much as it requested that support. Relations between States must be based on universal respect for sovereignty, non-interference in domestic affairs, and genuine cooperation. The resolution leading to this meeting was yet another attempt of the hegemonistic countries to use human rights as an instrument for political pressure, with the imposition of monitoring mechanisms. Only through genuine dialogue and cooperation with the genuine consent of the country concerned could there be genuine headway made in human rights: this was why Sudan required further support to allow it to achieve lasting peace and the full achievement of human rights of all its people.

Among questions raised were: what meaningful steps could the Council take to ensure accountability for the atrocities committed in Sudan since the start of the current conflict; given the dire situation and the lack of access to Sudan, what tools did the Council have at its disposal to best protect the human rights of people in Sudan; how could the international community protect the work and lives of humanitarian workers and other civil society actors; how could the international community support the people of Sudan in returning Sudan to a democratic path; what could States do most effectively to fulfil their accountability and protection responsibilities in the context of ensuring a just and peaceful transition to peace; and how could the international community help to reduce the impacts on the civilian population of Sudan, in particular the impacts of sexual violence on women and girls?

Concluding Remarks

VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in concluding remarks, expressed his deep solidarity with the people of Sudan. He could not imagine what life was now like for the people who lived there. It was clear that there needed to be a ceasefire in Sudan, and a political roadmap which brought the two warring parties together, and was inclusive of all of society. There also needed to be civilian transition as quickly as possible. The humanitarian situation was harrowing and protection of humanitarian aid was an absolute necessity. When it was known what needed to be done, why was it not happening? This situation was festering on in the absence of clear political leadership. This needed to be a political priority in all capitals to bring an end to the conflict. There needed to be bigger global engagement, including by the Security Council, when it came to this issue.

Mr. Türk said the conflict had massive regional ramifications. Sudan needed to be moved up on the political agenda, and there needed to be more creativity to bring the conflict to an end. Accountability had been missing over the past few decades, and it was clear that the Council needed to insist on this. This needed to be done through monitoring, documenting and reporting, and also through evidence preservation. The International Committee of the Red Cross was currently looking into some situations, and Mr. Türk hoped there would be coverage of the whole country. He was grateful for some of the visas granted by the Sudanese authorities, but a lot more was needed. The Office would return in March with a detailed report, with accountability at the forefront. He hoped there would not be a repeat of the discussion, and that action would be taken.

Oral Update by the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua

Presentation of Oral Update

JAN-MICHAEL SIMO, Chair of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, said since April 2018, President Ortega, Vice President Murillo and others had been carrying out acts that constituted prima facie the crime against humanity of persecution on political grounds. The crimes were met with total impunity and all the State’s apparatus was put to use for this purpose. Today, the overall human rights situation in Nicaragua had become aggravated with an escalation of persecution of dissent by the Government. The conditions of persons arbitrarily detained remained unverified by independent and neutral entities. The Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua was also documenting the Government’s efforts to extend its control over Nicaraguans outside of its territory. The Group had observed the intentional and severe deprivation of economic and social rights, in particular the right to education and academic freedom. Today, the university sector of Nicaragua as a whole no longer had independent institutions. Nicaragua was being stripped of its intellectual capital and critical voices, leaving the country’s prospects and development on hold.

The violations were perpetrated at the highest level of the State, jointly with other government-controlled institutions. The seriousness of these violations, in conjunction with the other crimes documented to date, perpetrated by reason of the political identity of the group targeted, led the Group to conclude that these constituted prima facie the crime against humanity of persecution on political grounds. As a new line of investigation, the Group was looking into alleged violations against indigenous and Afro-descendant persons.

The Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua urged the Government of Nicaragua to immediately allow unconditional access by neutral and independent verification bodies to detention centres where real or perceived opponents were being detained, and reiterated its call to the Government of Nicaragua to cooperate with the Group and grant access to the country. The international community should, relating to those deprived of their nationality or forced to leave Nicaragua, ensure fair and efficient access to identification, referral and status determination procedures. As far as possible, it should facilitate their assimilation and naturalisation. It should also extend sanctions against institutions and individuals involved in the commission of human rights violations and international crimes, including against those targeting Nicaragua’s university sector. Finally, the international community should assess current and future development cooperation to Nicaragua with an aim to strengthen a plural and diverse range of actors in higher education, to ensure the right to education and academic freedom.

Statement by Country Concerned

Nicaragua, speaking as a country concerned, said Nicaragua did not accept, and had a lack of knowledge about the ill-named Group of Experts on Nicaragua. The resolution creating the Group had been imposed unilaterally and was not supported by most members of the Council. This was a strategy to interfere in a free and dignified State like Nicaragua. This forum should abide by the principles on which it was created. Non-selectivity should be prioritised, and it should not take up the rancid interventionist actions by some members of the Council. The sources lacked objectivity and impartiality, forgetting the genuine truth of the Nicaraguan people. People in Nicaragua enjoyed the right to a safe life, to health care, education and infrastructure, which united a vibrant, supportive and peaceful country. The country had achieved many successes. Nothing would hold Nicaragua back from continuing to change the country for the common good of all.

General Debate on the High Commissioner’s Global Update

The High Commissioner for Human Rights presented his global update to the Council on Monday, 11 September, and a summary can be found here.

General Debate

Some speakers called upon all States to recognise the inalienable rights of peoples to sovereignty and independence. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should continue to draw attention to repeated violations of international law. Some speakers said grave abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms were still taking place in many countries worldwide, with particular effect on the rights of women and girls, climate migrants and refugees: all States should boost international cooperation and solidarity to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the impact of climate change on human rights. Concern was expressed for the lack of resources and the budgetary constraints faced by the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. The economic rights of billions were affected by climate change: social rights were being undermined by incidents of religious and ethnic discrimination. Efforts must be made to ensure that ethnic hatred was not whipped up and that human rights were respected.

Some speakers said respect for human rights and international humanitarian law must be upheld. Those responsible for committing war crimes and grave human rights violations must be held accountable. The Council must work towards security, accountability and justice for refugees and internally displaced persons, including through safe and voluntary return to their home countries and regions. Prosperity and justice depended on the protection of human rights for all, and the effects of climate change and water shortages required the adoption of necessary policies and measures within Governments and institutions to sustainably manage resources. There was a need for international coordinated cooperation to deal with the issue of discrepancies and disruptions in the food chain. Joint multilateral work must be done to create policies to promote development whilst protecting human dignity.

One speaker rejected all kinds of double standards that undermined human rights, and expressed concern about the proliferation of unilateral mechanisms that pretended oversight over certain States, especially when they did not enjoy the support of that State, a clear violation of the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter which prioritised respect and prioritisation of the human rights of all, without discrimination of any kind. There was nothing better than national ownership in all processes aiming at the strengthening of human rights at the national level.