High Commissioner addresses International Ombudsman Institute conference

I thank the International Ombudsman Institute for the invitation to address this World Conference.

Human rights are under pressure. Crises and conflicts around the world are inflicting an unbearable toll on civilians and on humanity. Climate change and disasters are increasing, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable people.

Divisions, polarizing rhetoric and outright xenophobia are tearing societies apart, while some political leaders seek to undermine the rule of law.

And human rights mechanisms are under assault.

Yet human rights principles bind us in times of peril and point the way forward.

The theme of this conference – “Act together for our tomorrow” – speaks to this reality. Ombudspersons and national human rights institutions help to protect our universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.

They carry out the often arduous – but crucial – tasks of addressing imbalances of power, and helping to correct injustices caused by maladministration.

Your work is essential to improving public services by identifying systemic failings, and by ensuring that governance becomes more transparent and more accountable.

You are an important link between the institutions of the State and the population, thus for a renewed, refreshed social contract.

Recently, my Office launched "Human Rights: A Path for Solutions" – the distillation of the lessons that we took from our global year of commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This vision sets out eight messages that can put humanity on a path to a more peaceful and equal world.

Among them is good governance.

Supporting the rule of law, including by empowering Ombudspersons and National Human Rights Institutions, is in the best interest of every State. Ending impunity and properly addressing people’s grievances minimizes the risk of insecurity and conflict.

Your institutions play a crucial role in this endeavour by protecting people against abuse of power, and by upholding the right to good administration.

I am acutely aware that many of you are working in challenging circumstances.

Across the world, we are witnessing mounting restrictions on civic spaces and fundamental rights. Repressive laws are spreading, attempting to silence critical voices, journalists or human rights defenders, and to limit both criticism and access to information.

But we have also seen signs of progress when it comes to the rule of law.

I was encouraged by the European Court of Human Rights ruling last month in favour of a group of Swiss women suing their government for failure to implement measures to prevent climate change. This decision is just the latest in a growing body of jurisprudence by national and regional courts brought by people demanding action on climate change.

In March, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José ruled that a State that fails to protect people from toxic pollution must be held accountable and provide reparations to those harmed.

Several national courts in Europe have also ordered governments to take action on climate change in line with human rights law and standards.

Human rights law is the practical guide that helps us navigate new challenges – including the threats generated by rapid and unregulated progress in digital technologies. Policies and regulations governing scientific and technological advances, such as artificial intelligence, must be aligned with obligations under human rights law and grounded in respect for human dignity.

Your institutions can play a role in monitoring and assessing the impact of the use of artificial intelligence on the rule of law, democracy and human rights, and in proposing actions to address the lack of national regulatory laws and frameworks.

Colleagues,

In order to make sure that human rights commitments are translated into governance structures and into practice in people’s lives, your institutions are vital.

The work that you carry out is also invaluable to the human rights bodies of the United Nations, whether that is the treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, or my own Office. We are committed to supporting your mandates and independence in line with the Paris and Venice principles, and your efforts to uphold the rule of law.

We also support the need for more awareness-raising activities on your roles and functions to ensure that people are better informed about your mandates and your contributions to the effective realization of the rule of law and respect for the principles of justice and equality.

Thank you for your work and for your commitment and resolve. I wish you productive discussions.