High Commissioner addresses Martin Ennals Award ceremony

Thank you for the invitation to speak tonight. I am honoured to be here and to continue the friendship that the Martin Ennals Awards and my Office have built together over many years.

The strength of the human rights movement lies with those who fight for these rights.

These awards pay tribute to human rights defenders’ tireless work, their service to humanity, and their resolve to ensure dignity and fundamental freedoms for all.

The stories of this ceremony’s three laureates tonight exemplify the essence of the defence for human rights. 

Amidst the most difficult circumstances, their work has given a voice to the voiceless. In their strive for the rights to liberty and due process, or to health and access to information, or to truth and justice or for the fundamental right to life, they have contributed to improving the futures of thousands of human beings.

Thank you all for your resolve, your energy and your vision.

Friends,

2023 is an important year of anniversaries for human rights defenders. It marks 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that laid out a global vision of human rights and human dignity, and that energised the world in unity and celebration of justice and equality for everyone, everywhere.

Another, lesser known document also marks its 25th year of existence: the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders – a document that has helped ensure recognition of the courageous efforts of human rights defenders.

The people who bring the UDHR’s vision to life.

Regrettably, we cannot talk about the work of human rights defenders without being cognisant of the ever-present dangers they face.

I saw this first-hand working with UNHCR, where I met countless refugees, many of whom had been forced to flee due to their stance for the promotion and protection of human rights.

Around the world, human rights defenders continue to be intimidated, attacked, imprisoned and killed on a far too regular basis.

It is insufficient to simply say these attacks on freedom must stop.

We need transformative action.

Every day, in all corners of the globe, the powerful voices of human rights defenders are advancing our societies to be fairer, more free and more equal.

They are helping us tread the path towards a brighter future.

 A future with global justice and sustainable peace at its core.

It is our collective responsibility to protect them, to listen to them, and to celebrate their commitment and contribution to human rights and human dignity.

In this anniversary year – together with this human rights community - I am determined to take this transformative action. I will use my voice to push for a renewed, joint effort to make good on the commitments these two landmark instruments embody. And I have made it standard practice to meet with human rights defenders during my official visits to countries around the world.

I recently called on Member States to release all people arbitrarily detained for exercising their human rights – we continue to follow up with Member States on that call and hope that, by year end, many will have been released.

My Office will also redouble efforts to bring voices of human rights defenders to the fore, and to celebrate them in all their diversity, together with our partners.

I congratulate today’s laureates – for effecting change, for bringing hope and for inspiring new generations of human rights defenders. Your determination to speak the truth and protect others will help build peace and as well as open and free societies. And it will demonstrate that human rights have no borders – they can never be stopped, and they must never be silenced.

Thank you.