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Future of the UN and multilateralism must be grounded in human rights: UN experts
06 January 2025
GENEVA – Human rights must be restored as the foundation for an inclusive, peaceful and sustainable future for all, a group of independent human rights experts said today.
In the face of growing global challenges, the experts* adopted a joint declaration during the 30th Annual Meeting of Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Chairpersons of Working Groups of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council from 9-13 December 2024.
The declaration echoes concerns raised during the 2024 Summit of the Future, where the adoption of the Pact for the Future outlined a renewed vision for multilateralism. While calling for stronger integration of human rights across the UN initiatives, the experts affirmed that human rights must regain their central place in shaping the world’s future.
“Human rights are not mere words collated in various Conventions or Declarations; they are the anchor on which everyone can rely for freedom, peace, security and sustainable development,” the experts said. “Human rights should be our common DNA to build trust between the UN and the people we serve, regardless of identity, location and situation.”
They highlighted numerous pressing crises – armed conflicts, poverty, inequalities and discrimination, including based on disability, health conditions, gender, race and ethnicity, shrinking civic space, corruption, the rise of transnational criminality, climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, the impact of new technologies, especially digital technologies and artificial intelligence in all spheres of life, and forced displacement and migration – and underscored the role of human rights in addressing these challenges. They called for practical and robust measures to protect people, rebuild institutions and support transitional justice processes.
The experts voiced concerns about efforts to undermine their standing and independence within the UN system. They also warned that political will is essential to defend UN institutions and mechanisms, which are increasingly under attack while implementing their mandates. Special Procedures mandate holders, in particular, face personal attacks, with threats also directed at their families.
The declaration called for decisive action to address the severe underfunding of the UN’s human rights pillar, which receives only about 5% of the regular budget. “We call on States to live up to the expectations enshrined in the Pact for the Future and ensure that the human rights system gets the resources it needs,” the experts said.
They reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for a fair, peaceful and rights-based future, calling on governments and stakeholders to ensure the full integration of human rights into the implementation of all global goals and commitments.
“We stand ready to help forge a common vision in which human rights are the fertile ground on which fair, peaceful and democratic societies can be built,” they said.
The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
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