High Commissioner: Civil society is essential to equality, fairness, justice, and a more peaceful world

Distinguished participants, dear friends,

It is a pleasure to address this tenth edition of Italy’s Human Rights Festival, marking the 80^th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and the 70^th anniversary of Italian membership.

Throughout those 70 years, Italy has been a steadfast supporter of multilateral solutions and a strong voice at the United Nations, defending peace, sustainable development, and human rights.

Italy’s position on the global stage reflects its long tradition of robust dialogue and open civic space.  

From fighting organized crime to standing up for refugees and migrants, Italy’s civil society organizations, trade unions, journalists and activists have been fundamental to defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

That work is even more essential at this difficult moment for people and for human rights.

Eighty years after the founding of the United Nations, some 120 conflicts rage, from Sudan to Ukraine, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Myanmar to Gaza, with a devastating impact on civilians.

Even in countries that are supposedly at peace, many people are suffering from economic insecurity. Jobs are unstable and salaries buy less.

Climate chaos is already upon us, and the most vulnerable are suffering its deadly consequences.

Refugees and migrants are demonized and scapegoated.  LGBTIQ+ people face harassment and violence simply for being who they are. Women and girls are subjected to pervasive discrimination, abuse and even femicide.

And new technologies, which could help to solve many of our global challenges, are being misused to manipulate, surveil and control.

Your focus today is on the role of the United Nations in these turbulent times.

My response is that our founding principles are more important than ever.

Today’s conflicts and tensions are clear evidence of what happens when countries ignore the United Nations Charter and international law; when force prevails over reason and compassion; when might is right and there is no protection for the vulnerable.

Around the world, civil society, journalists, climate activists, students and academics are on the frontlines of these trends – and are paying a high price.

Criticism is being criminalized, and civic space is stifled in some countries, often under vaguely defined threats to national security.

All governments have an obligation to protect the rights to freedom of movement, privacy, liberty, and to a fair trial, and to protect people against arbitrary detention.

Distinguished participants, dear friends,

Events like this are a valuable antidote to today’s rising tensions. 

We need to come together, share our strategies, celebrate our successes, and protect those who are protecting human rights.

Multilateral solutions are essential and possible, when States show political will. The Pact for the Future that was agreed last year, is a global agreement to update multilateralism and modernize international cooperation to address the realities of today and tomorrow.

Civil society played an important part in drafting the Pact. Your voices will be essential to implementing it in a way that reinforces the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

More recently, States reached consensus on a draft agreement on a more equitable, just and rights-based response to future pandemics.

Again, civil society was an important driver for progress.

The meaningful participation of civil society in decision-making unlocks equality, fairness, and justice, helping to build a more peaceful world. 

Your voices count, and my Office stands with you on every step of the journey.

I wish you a successful Human Rights Festival.