Baroness Warsi addresses the High Level Segment of the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council

The Rt Hon Baroness Warsi

Address at the High Level Segment of the Human Rights Council 22nd Session, Geneva

Monday 25 February, 2013

Introduction

1. Mr President, Madam High Commissioner

2. It is an honour to be here and to address such a distinguished audience.

3. Let me first thank the High Commissioner for her comprehensive and valuable speech. I would again like to voice the UK’s strong support for the work of your Office. And Madam High Commissioner, I am fully committed to ensuring your independence to continue to champion human rights across the globe. 

4. I’m delighted to be here to share with you our ambitions for 2013 and to underline our commitment to the important work of the Human Rights Council. In this respect, I am immensely proud that the UK is standing for re-election to this Council in November this year.   

Achievements in 2012

5. Last year was memorable for the UK. The London Olympic and Paralympic Games showcased our capital city and our sporting talent. We saw athletes from all around the world competing under the Olympic principles of equality and non-discrimination.

6. Human rights are based on the same principles of universality, inclusion and non-discrimination. We were therefore delighted to launch an agreement between Brazil, Russia and the Republic of Korea as future hosts of the Games to promote respect for human rights.   

7. I see universality as one of the fundamental principles of human rights. That’s why I am a strong champion of the Universal Periodic Review. In May 2012, the UK approached its own review in a spirit of openness and transparency. We strive to be a powerful example of a country that upholds these rights, judging ourselves by the highest standards and taking corrective action where we fall short. The UPR’s real strength is in giving and receiving genuine and thoughtful feedback. 

8. That’s why I encourage all states to engage constructively. And why we will again present a cross regional statement on improving the UPR this session with partners Brazil and Morocco. 

9. And last year we continued to champion issues where greater international focus and leadership is needed. Preventing Sexual Violence in conflict is one such example. 

10. We in Britain think that the international community must do more to protect victims. Do more to prevent the use of rape and sexual violence in conflict. Provide better support to survivors. And end the culture of impunity for these crimes. 

11. This has got to stop. 

12. The Foreign Secretary is leading the charge on this campaign, including during the UK’s G8 Presidency.

Ambitions for 2013

13. In 2013, as in 2012, we face another challenging year.

14. The atrocities in Syria remain foremost in our minds. We cannot stand by and allow this situation to continue.

15. I want to be clear. Those responsible for the worst violations and abuses must be held to account, including through the International Criminal Court. 

16. That’s why I strongly support the work of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria.

17. I remain extremely concerned about reports of systematic and widespread human rights abuses in DPRK, particularly the continued use of political prison camps. During this Council, the EU and Japan will present a resolution which will call for an end to these abhorrent practices. 

18. I fully support that aim. We urgently need an independent investigation into the most severe human rights violations, supporting the work of the Special Rapporteur.

BURMA

19. While I recognise the real progress made in Burma, I echo the calls of the Special Rapporteur for the government to translate its positive commitments on human rights into action. 

20. We are very conscious of the problems in Rakhine State. Our Minister of State for Asia, Hugo Swire, visited Rakhine in December and was one of the first Western ministers to do so. And only last week, I visited the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh.

21. There is a desperate need for stronger security and more effective coordination of all humanitarian assistance and work to address impunity. But most importantly the Burmese government needs to resolve the issue of Rohingya citizenship.

22. In Kachin State, I am encouraged by the recent reduction in fighting and agreement by both sides to pursue political dialogue in the context of a wide process of national reconciliation. We will support this. That’s why I hope the government will sign a host country agreement and open a country office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

23. Sri Lanka will continue to attract a huge amount of attention both in my own country and others. The discussion at this Council will be in the spirit of support towards reconciliation in Sri Lanka. But the task now is to make concrete progress. Implementing the Lesson Learned and Reconciliation Commission will be a crucial step towards improvement in Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

 

24. On Iran, the British government strongly supports a renewal of the mandate for the Special Rapporteur. We remain concerned by the serious and widespread violations perpetrated by the Iranian government. 

25. As last year, the UK’s focus in 2013 will also extend to thematic concerns that affect individuals globally. 

26. Such as the promotion of Freedom of religion or belief. I do not believe that this debate is polarised. As a British Muslim, I cannot accept that this is a dividing line between the West and the rest of the world.

27. I believe we can build a shared understanding of what needs to be done to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief for all, and to combat intolerance. I am sure that we can all also agree that innocent lives lost through violence, whatever the provocation, cannot be right. 

28. As Minister for Human Rights it’s a topic that I have made a priority and I give my personal commitment to working hard towards achieving consensus. That’s why I held a cross regional meeting of Ministers in London last month. Because through strong political leadership, I think we can bring about long term change in attitudes and behaviour.

Britain’s election to the Council

29. I hope you can see from our commitment that UK wants to play an active role in the Council. Progress in all these areas requires a vocal, active and ambitious Human Rights Council. Through leadership, focus and diligence we can continue to strengthen this important body. We depend on its members to be bold and to hold to account those who commit the most serious violations, wherever they occur.

30. The UK is once again standing for election to the Human Rights Council because of our longstanding commitment to human rights, because of our belief in the UN human rights system, and because of our genuine ambition to promote and protect human rights around the world. 

Conclusion

31. I believe that UK support can make a difference in the areas I have highlighted today, and in so many others. 

32. But we all have a responsibility to protect those who are more vulnerable.

33. It is in the hands of the Human Rights Council to ensure that the highest standards of fundamental rights and freedoms are realised for each and every person wherever they may be.

34. Thank you Mr President, Madam High Commissioner.