UN General Assembly
2018

I will now touch on two very important and intertwined aspects of today’s world: human rights and humanitarian challenges. Any violation of human rights poses a threat to democracy and the rule of law and represents a step towards possible conflict. At a time when we are commemorating the seventieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the twenty-fifth of the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the twentieth of the adoption of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, we are witnessing an increasing number of examples of grave human rights violations around the world. It is unacceptable that we remain silent about this fact. In addressing these situations, we acknowledge the important role of the Human Rights Council and the need for it to be more efficient and effective in its functions in order to build on the results achieved so far. A strong and determined commitment to taking a progressive approach to human rights is necessary, as is improving our record in adhering to the highest standards at all levels.