The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, warned this Sunday of the growing threat posed by inequality, authoritarianism and armed conflicts to the rights and freedoms of the planet’s population.
Guterres made these remarks this Sunday during his speech commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“The world is losing its way,” Guterres said.
“Conflicts are spreading with virulence. Poverty and hunger are increasing. Inequalities are becoming deeper, climate change has become a humanitarian crisis, authoritarianism is increasing, civil space is decreasing, the means of communications are under siege, gender equality is a distant dream and women’s reproductive rights are going backwards,” lamented the UN Secretary General.
All of these crises threaten the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, according to the UN official.
“All human beings are born free and equal in their dignity and rights,” said Guterres, adding that this principle must be “the roadmap to end wars, heal divisions and promote a life of peace and dignity for all.” “.
“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights shows us the way to resolve tensions, exercise common values and create the security and stability that our world so longs for,” said the UN Secretary General.
In this sense, Guterres called on UN Member States to “strengthen their commitment to the timeless values” reflected in the Declaration, especially in view of the Future Summit, which will take place in September 2024, in which leaders world events will discuss new social developments, cultural and economic aspects to follow during the next decade.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, also affirmed this Sunday the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“Now more than ever is the time for Human Rights,” he noted, stating that the Declaration “is not only a historical document, but a living testimony” of the humanity we share, “a timeless guide.”
In the opinion of the High Commissioner, the world is currently suffering from levels of violent conflict not seen since the end of the Second World War, with worsening inequalities, increased discrimination and hate speech, impunity, increased divisions and polarization, in addition to the climate emergency.
“This further highlights the need to take stock, learn lessons and jointly outline a vision for the future based on human rights. The Universal Declaration offers the promise that we are all born with equal rights and dignity and a plan of action. This “This event constitutes a moment of great reflection to jointly seek common solutions focused on human rights,” Türk highlighted.
Source: TSF
