Statement by ASG Brands Kehris at event marking 75th Anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN Peacekeeping, and UN Special Political Missions

Uniting for Peace and Human Rights: The 75th Anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Peacekeeping, and Special Political Missions

Opening Remarks by the
Assistant Secretary-General for human Rights, Ilze Brands Kehris

A warm welcome to this event which our Office, the Office of the High Commissioner, is delighted to co-convene together with DPPA and DPO to mark the 75th anniversaries of three milestone events in the history of the Organization: The first Special Political Mission through a UN envoy to try to mediate peace; the first deployment of UN peacekeepers; and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

All occurred in 1948, only three years after the adoption of the UN Charter. Its drafters had placed fundamental rights and freedoms at the heart of the Charter because they saw how violations of human rights had made the Second World War possible and, therefore, understood their essential role in preventing further war and conflict. The Charter, through its Principles and Purposes, sets out that protecting human rights reinforces the UN’s peace and security objectives. As the Secretary-General has said, the Declaration is the best prevention tool we have – along with the treaties derived from it.

The Universal Declaration is an enduring testament to our shared commitment to the fundamental dignity and equality of all individuals. Its principles and ideals have guided nations, inspired countless individuals and freedom movements across the world. It forms the foundation of international human rights law. Today we have an opportunity to reaffirm our joint commitment to upholding the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including in and through peacekeeping and special political missions.

The centrality of human rights in the peace and security agenda is well recognized in cornerstone UN documents – including the 2000 Brahimi report; the Secretary-General’s 2005 In Larger Freedom report; the Secretary-General’s 2015 report on future of peace operations – laying the foundations of multidimensional and integrated peacekeeping.

As underscored by the Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights of 2020, all UN staff everywhere – be they uniformed or civilian – have a responsibility to promote and protect human rights through their functions and are expected not only to uphold human rights but also to advance human rights through their activities.

Peacekeeping operations and special political missions serve as critical mechanisms in preventing conflicts, facilitating political transitions and supporting peacebuilding efforts. In these contexts, human rights can play a transformative role by fostering inclusive societies, strengthening the rule of law and addressing the root causes of conflicts.

Where these missions are deployed, human rights have proved to be an enabler of the peace and security agenda by ensuring that the UN’s approach to political engagement is also seen through the frame of its impact on the human rights of the entire population.

A good example is the strong support that peace operations have provided to transitional justice processes to ensure that political transitions are accompanied by the necessary mechanisms of accountability, truth seeking and reparations, for instance in DRC, CAR, Mali, and South Sudan. Another example is the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy that aims at constructive engagement with security forces and positively influencing their behavior, their awareness and their accountability. For almost two decades, human rights have been a standard component of most peace operations, contributing – as we shall hear – to the overall mandates of the operation to promote sustainable peace. This integration is regulated by a landmark 2011 joint policy between OHCHR and the departments of Peace Operations, Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Operational Support.

Human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy within missions is critical. Reporting on human rights violations and abuses can serve as a catalyst for justice, accountability, and redress for victims. It contributes to prevent future violations and promotes a culture of human rights and respect for the rule of law.

There is also an increasing recognition of the importance of human rights in mediation efforts and the work of SPMs. In this regard, I wish to acknowledge the ongoing cooperation between DPPA and OHCHR on the role of human rights in mediation.

We meet at a moment when our High Commissioner, Volker Türk, through his Human Rights 75 Initiative, is seeking to strengthen the way in which human rights are integrated and leveraged within the wider work of the United Nations System. It also comes as we prepare for the Summit of the Future, where a proposed New Agenda for Peace will look at ways in which to update and strengthen the UN’s peace and security apparatus.

We know the challenges that persist. In many conflict and post-conflict situations, human rights violations continue unabated. We must address sexual and gender-based violence, protect freedom of expression and assembly, combat discrimination, promote economic, social, and cultural rights, and ensure the protection of human rights in the digital age. We can only succeed by working together, by fully leveraging our respective mandates and areas of expertise, in the interest of human dignity and peace for all.

Thank you.