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Opening remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n H.E. Mr Dennis Francis,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n to the GA informal meeting on UDHR75 and the 爆料网 Human Rights Prize award ceremony<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Friday 15 December<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [As Delivered]<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Your Excellency, Antonio Guterres, 爆料网 Secretary-General,<\/i><\/p>\n Your Excellency,\u00a0<\/i>Volker Turk, High-Commissioner for Human Rights,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \n Today, we come together to commemorate a monumental achievement – one that resonates not only within the walls of this institution, but that echoes through the rich mosaic of humanity.<\/p>\n \n Seventy-five years ago, the visionary adoption of what Eleanor Roosevelt aptly \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 referred to as “the international Magna Carta for all people, everywhere” took place in this General Assembly.<\/p>\n \n Borne out of the ashes of humanity\u2019s darkest chapters \u2014 the Holocaust, the shadows of two world wars, and the stolen lives that lingered in their wake \u2014 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stands as an enduring cornerstone, its relevance and universality reverberating through the corridors of time.<\/p>\n This landmark document indeed marked a pivotal juncture, where nations, irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and histories, joined hands to affirm “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”<\/p>\n It underscored that human rights are inherent to every existence, transcending origin, cultural identity, religious beliefs, or any other distinctions.<\/p>\n \n This decisive moment highlighted the formidable force that human rights carry, emphasizing their inalienability, indivisibility, inseparability, and interconnectedness.<\/p>\n \n The Universal Declaration proclaimed the inherent dignity and intrinsic worth of every human being, without caveats or conditions of any kind.<\/p>\n \n This milestone not only laid the foundation for international, national, and regional human rights instruments, but continues to serve as a timeless beacon for its advocates worldwide.<\/p>\n \n Today, we commemorate this important anniversary amid unprecedented challenges \u2014interlocking crises and conflicts straining the achievement of human rights and perturbing the very essence of our multilateral system and demanding our unwavering resolve to fulfill the promise of the Declaration.<\/p>\n \n Regrettably, 75 years after the UDHR adoption, millions of people around the globe continue to endure the denial of their most basic human rights.<\/p>\n \n But \u2013 ensuring the universal fulfillment of these rights is critical to the sustenance of peace and security.<\/p>\n \n As articulated in the preamble of the Universal Declaration, \u201cdisregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind\u201d.<\/p>\n \n We must act on what we already know: human rights violations are the proverbial canary in the coalmine, the signal of the impending threat of conflict.<\/p>\n \n Excellencies,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \n Alarming pushbacks against human rights, including surges in hate speech and hate crime, setbacks in women’s and children’s rights, and emerging challenges, such as the climate crisis and digital transformation, demand our collective attention.<\/p>\n \n In this climate of proliferating conflicts and heightened global polarization, this 75th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary serves as an opportunity for introspection and a renewed call for action.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s anniversary should prompt reflection and a genuine recommitment to do better; to address shortcomings and emerging challenges.<\/p>\n \n Where have we fallen short in upholding the Universal Declaration\u2019s goals and principles? How did this impact the most vulnerable? What have we learnt from tragedies?<\/p>\n \n Excellencies,<\/i><\/p>\n Later this morning, we will\u00a0honour\u00a0<\/span>the recipients of the 2023 United Nations Human Rights Prize, acknowledging the pivotal role of civil society organizations and human rights defenders.<\/p>\n \n But in doing so, we are reminded that the primary responsibility of respecting, protecting, and indeed, fulfilling human rights lies pre-eminently with states, and with those who govern them.<\/p>\n \n We must optimize upcoming high-level events, such as the Summit of the Future in 2024, to fulfill the promise of the Universal Declaration and deliver on peace, progress, prosperity, and sustainability for all.<\/p>\n \n Seventy-five years after its adoption, we stand at a critical crossroads.<\/p>\n \n This is a time for action to ensure that human rights transcend mere slogans, empowering individuals to claim back their rights, our entitlement to which are and must be deemed sacrosanct.<\/p>\n \n Moving forward, let us individually and collectively rededicate ourselves to human rights, transforming the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration into a dynamic, living reality for all, without exception, everywhere.<\/p>\n \n The Universal Declaration’s principles must remain our North Star, both guiding and illuminating our path towards a future where the full enjoyment of human rights is not just an aspiration but an undeniable reality for every individual across the globe.<\/p>\n \n Because we are all human, and equal in rights, every life matters, without-distinction.<\/p>\n \n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Opening remarks by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr Dennis Francis, to the GA informal meeting on UDHR75 and the 爆料网 Human Rights Prize award ceremony Friday 15 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Remarks of the President of the General Assembly<\/p>\r\n H.E Dennis Francis<\/p>\r\n GA plenary meeting on the Monday, 30 October 2023<\/p>\r\n As Delivered<\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\nPresident of the International Criminal Court, Judge Piotr Hofmanski,<\/i><\/i>\r\n\r\nExcellencies,<\/i>\r\n\r\nDistinguished Delegates,<\/i>\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/i>\r\n\r\nToday we gather to consider the annual report of the\u00a0International Criminal Court (ICC) \u2013 a\u00a0 critical pillar of the international legal order.\r\n\r\nThe ICC stands as a perennial symbol of our shared commitment to justice and humanity\u2019s greatest aspirations.\r\n\r\nIt serves as an emphatic reminder that\u00a0no one \u2013 I repeat, no one \u2013 should be exempt from accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,\u00a0and that regardless of their status, position or location, perpetrators of such crimes will invariably face the weight of justice.\r\n\r\nIndeed, when it comes to the most egregious crimes against humanity,\u00a0 accountability knows no exceptions and justifiably so.\r\n\r\nIn those grave and heinous cases \u2013 when national legal systems prove unable or unwilling to bring perpetrators to justice \u2013 the ICC must step in.\r\n\r\nAccordingly, the ICC stands as a testament to our unshakeable resolve to end impunity, and moreover, to deter others from the commission of such crimes in the future.\r\n\r\nThe Court is indeed a truly unique embodiment of our collective resolution to upholding the principles of justice and accountability.\r\n\r\nI express my\u00a0 fulsome appreciation to the Court for its diligent efforts,\u00a0 as indeed to its judges and its prosecutor, as well as to the dedicated staff who have laudibly committed themselves to the pursuit of justice \u2013 and indeed, to what is\u00a0right<\/i>.\r\n\r\nThe report highlights both the progress and the challenges faced by the ICC this year, specifically as regards the prevention and punishment of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.\r\n\r\nThese principles are fundamental to our global vision of peace and are integral to our mission of maintaining international peace and security, promoting respect for human rights, and delivering justice to those who have suffered the gravest injustices.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen,<\/i>\r\n\r\nWe must acknowledge that the Court operates in a multifaceted international landscape.\r\n\r\nIts jurisdiction spans cases where state parties have brought situations to the attention of the Court, including situations referred by the United Nations Security Council.\r\n\r\nWhile it may present a unique set of challenges \u2013this duality in referral mechanisms underscores the importance of international cooperation.\r\n\r\nDespite these challenges, the hope for universal ratification of the Rome Statute, and the Kampala amendments, serve as a profound affirmation of the ICC's enduring commitment to justice.\r\n\r\nAs more countries join and support the ICC, the bold ambition of ending impunity for the most serious crimes becomes increasingly realistic to achieve.\r\n\r\nAs we engage in this discussion, let us remember the voices of the victims, whose suffering must compel us to take meaningful action.\r\n\r\nI underscore the\u00a0need for universal cooperation with the court among 爆料网 Member States in our common pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.\r\n\r\nI call upon States to support the ICC where it faces constraints in its pursuit of justice, including predictable funding to effectively undertake its investigations and prosecutions.\r\n\r\nIn line with the fundamental principle of complementarity, States should cooperate\u00a0with the ICC and with each other in investigations and prosecutions, including by sharing information and evidence to uphold the rule of law and ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes.\r\n\r\nLet us remain committed to strengthening the international legal framework and ensuring that the ICC continues to fulfill its essential role in our global efforts to prevent impunity and injustice and to promote lasting peace.\r\n\r\nI thank you and look forward to a fruitful discussion on this important matter.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Report of the International Criminal Court,<\/p>\r\n