Human Rights Council 37th Session (26 February-23 March 2018)
High-level panel discussion
Seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and twenty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
Intervention by Ireland
28 February 2018
Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.
Mr President,
We thank the distinguished panellists for their insights, and welcome the opportunity to participate in this important discussion on commemorating and enhancing the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
The significance of these two instruments cannot be over-stated. The UDHR fundamentally changed the way in which people perceived and understood the protection of human rights and the obligations that countries have in this regard.
Similarly, the adoption of the VDPA provided a vital recognition that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated.
The fundamental values enshrined in both instruments remain as essential to human dignity and equality as ever. Yet in many respects, their implementation remains sorely lacking. The increase in reprisals, attacks on human rights defenders and restrictions on civil society space in recent years is a matter of particular concern. Equally, any rhetoric which seeks to undermine the basic principles enshrined in the UDHR and the VDPA is unacceptable and must be rejected by the international community.
We strongly support all UN efforts to celebrate the anniversary of these two core human rights instruments and to highlight their continuing importance in today’s world. We particularly welcome the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, through its ‘Stand Up For Human Rights’ campaign, to “highlight what the Universal Declaration means for people in their everyday lives.”
We would welcome the views of the panellists on how best to raise awareness of the Universal Declaration and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action amongst young people, during this anniversary year and beyond.
Thank you.
