Bachelet urges urgent action to strengthen resilience and protect people’s rights

14 Septembre 2020

Geneva, Switzerland, 14 septembre (Infosplusgabon) – In view of sharply escalating suffering and turmoil across the world, human rights principles, norms and actions offer effective solutions to build stronger resilience to shocks, and counter despair, by preventing social, economic and political instability, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Monday.

Opening the 45th session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner noted "at this critical moment in world history, with poverty and tensions shooting up and a sharp decline in many people's hope for a better life," human rights guidance will help States and people weather the crisis.

In her global human rights update, Bachelet called for urgent action to heighten resilience and protect people's rights.

“Policies that deliver universal and equal access to social protections and health care; institutions which promote respect for the views and rights of all members of society; and laws that require accountable policing and access to justice help to avert the escalation of tensions and grievances into violence and conflict.

“This human rights-based approach supports greater social and economic resilience. It is the foundation of prosperity and political stability. And it protects vulnerable people from the worst impacts of crises,” she emphasised.

“At this critical moment in world history ­– with poverty and tensions shooting up and a sharp decline in many people's hope for a better life – human rights norms provide the tested guidance that can help States de-escalate grievances, deliver appropriate protection, establish a sound foundation for development and security, and ensure justice, freedom and rights.”

According to Bachelet, COVID-19 is a fast-moving and global health crisis that has collided with many slower, and more entrenched, political, social and economic crises around the world.

“Those multiple underlying fractures, which have made us more vulnerable to this virus – and create entry points for its harms – result primarily from political processes that exclude people's voices, as well as gaps in human rights protection,” she said.

She underlined that it is the responsibility of international human rights bodies to promote those measures that will help States better protect the well-being of their peoples, and to cooperate with States to ensure they fulfil their obligations in this regard.

Bachelet pointed out that in many of the country situations there are important opportunities for these bodies to assist States to devise human rights-based action that can de-escalate tensions; support sustainable development; and preserve people's well-being.

Turning to Africa, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights mentioned challenging situations in Western Sahara, Mali, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia and Cote d’Ivoire.

“We continue remote monitoring of the situation in Western Sahara, where we last conducted technical missions five years ago. Such missions are vital to identify critical human rights issues on all sides and contribute to preventing the escalation of grievances. I look forward to discussing the parameters of a new visit with all parties in the near future,” she said.

On Mali, she stated that it is vital that human rights be upheld, including during security operations, particularly given the extreme fragility of the security situation. She demanded that all those illegally detained in relation with the events of 18 August should be released, and all continuing discussions of transitional political arrangements should have the fundamental rights of all Malians at their core, to ensure they work to prevent further conflict.

“I am concerned by the economic impact of recently adopted sanctions, in a context where extreme poverty, conflicts and insecurity – and climate hazards such as floods and droughts – are creating great hardship and deteriorating humanitarian conditions,” she said.

Bachelet drew the Council's attention to increasing repression of the democratic and civic space, in what is becoming “a deeply deteriorated environment for human rights” in Tanzania.

“With elections approaching next month (on 28 October), we are receiving increasing reports of arbitrary arrests and detention of civil society actors, activists, journalists and members of opposition parties,” she charged.

According to Bachelet, among the many laws that have restricted civic space online and offline in recent years, the recent Miscellaneous Amendments Act (No. 3) of 2020 undermines strategic litigation and seeks to block government accountability for human rights violations.

“Further erosion of human rights could risk grave consequences, and I encourage immediate and sustained preventive action. I also call on the Government to uphold the rights of all refugees, and to ensure that any return of refugees be conducted in safety, in dignity and on a voluntary basis,” she said.

Despite notable efforts in recent years to bring about meaningful human rights-based reforms in Ethiopia, Bachelet said the killing of an Oromo singer and activist in July triggered protests and inter-communal violence across the country. “My Office is ready to support a thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigation by the Government into the killing and subsequent violence, and to support the Government’s ongoing legislative reforms.”

In Burundi, the human rights chief said that steps taken since July to arrest and prosecute members of the ruling party youth wing, senior police officers and local administrators who have allegedly committed extortion and other crimes are encouraging.

“However, since elections in May, our reports continue to indicate politically motivated arrests and detentions, as well as the burning of houses of opposition party members. I firmly encourage the authorities to guarantee due process and fair trials, and to uphold human rights. These are the most effective way to prevent conflict,” she stated.

Regarding Somalia, Bachelet said that she was alarmed by an increase in reports of sexual violence against women, girls and boys, with minimal investigation.

She called on the Somali authorities to swiftly adopt the Sexual Offenses law that was approved by Cabinet two years ago. I am encouraged by last week’s decision to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate the killings of journalists.

“It is essential that all States acknowledge and protect the right of their people to freely express their views, and that they protect journalists from arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, harassment, intimidation and physical attacks, including murder,” she urged.

Meanwhile, Bachelet reported to the Council that her Office continues to strengthen its presence on the ground in the Sahel region, including in the context of the G5 Sahel Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Compliance Framework.

In August 2020, the UN Human Rights Office issued a report outlining the advancement of the work with G5 Sahel Joint military forces to implement human rights compliance in their military operations. It also noted the security, political, operational, logistical and administrative challenges that remain, and outlined the way ahead for this innovative initiative.

“We continue to support the Joint Force in developing and strengthening its internal monitoring and accountability aimed at preventing human rights violations in the context of Joint Force operations. Recent allegations of human rights violations by armed forces in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger emphasise the urgent need for decisive action in this respect,” she said.

Bachelet was concerned that the electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire has begun amid a tense political context and a backdrop of pre-existing triggers of violence related to issues of nationality, toxic regional and ethnic divides, economic inequalities, discrimination and impunity for past crimes.

“The rifts in society are likely to widen with the intensification of the political campaign and hardening of positions. We also note an increase in hate speech on social media. I urge the authorities to ensure that the human rights of everyone are fully protected and respected in this important election period,” she added.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/PGV/GABON2020

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