Africa-Press – Angola. The Permanent Representative of Angola to the United Nations (UN) in New York, Francisco José da Cruz, highlighted the role of the Human Rights Council in an increasingly challenging geopolitical context, in which respect for human rights is declining and discrimination and inequality are increasing.
The diplomat made these statements on behalf of the President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, Philémon Yang, at the opening of the plenary meeting of the body, which examined the Report of the Human Rights Council.
Francisco da Cruz said that the debate on human rights is taking place at a time when civilians are being killed daily in conflicts around the world.
“International law, including international human rights law, is being used as a weapon to gain political advantage and not as a shield to protect those on the front lines of crises,” he stressed.
In this context, he considered the role of the Human Rights Council to be fundamental in safeguarding and defending the rights and dignity of all members of the human family.
According to Ambassador Francisco José da Cruz, human rights constitute one of the three pillars of the United Nations, being essential to the global mission of guaranteeing a fair, safe and equitable world.
“With the adoption of the Future Pact and its annexes, we reaffirm our commitment to defend human rights for everyone, everywhere,” he stressed.
Francisco José da Cruz noted that the deterioration of human rights is most visible in the Middle East, where the scale of destruction has led to intolerable suffering in Gaza, a growing death toll in Lebanon and renewed risks of conflagration across the region.
The diplomat stressed that despite all these challenges, the Human Rights Council continued to address a number of recurring and emerging human rights issues, while also responding to urgent situations.
“We must renew our commitment to defending
timeless principles of the Declaration of Human Rights, as we committed to do last year as we commemorated the 75th anniversary since its adoption by the General Assembly,” he said.
The Angolan diplomat conveyed Philémon Yang’s full commitment to supporting the efforts of the Human Rights Council.
Angola holds one of the vice-presidencies of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.
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