Human rights: UN High Commissioner Volker Türk met MEPs today

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Volker Türk spoke before MEPs on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Human Rights for the first time this term.

During the meeting, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and MEPs discussed topical issues, current conflicts, and the global challenges facing human rights and democracy.

Volker Türk said he was concerned at the fact that the legitimacy of human rights, democracy and the rule of law is being called into question around the world, and at the risk of polarising public debate on these issues.

He also warned against the rise of online disinformation, socio-economic inequalities and hate speech, racism, and discrimination. He referred to International Holocaust Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camp and the importance of remembrance.

The High Commissioner also addressed developments in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine, as well as issues relating to the rights of women, LGBTQI+ people and minorities, and the treatment and reception of migrants and refugees. He referenced the risks associated with climate change and EU leadership in that field, the importance of European legislation in creating and maintaining an open and safe digital space for all, and the power of European economies to defend human rights such as the right for food, education or a decent housing.

In their questions, several MEPs highlighted the worrying human rights situation in the world. They questioned the High Commissioner on ways to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and the European Parliament, as well as the importance of defending the universality of human rights, cooperating to support international justice mechanisms, the right to reparation for victims, and accountability for war crimes. A number of MEPs also referred to International Holocaust Day.

Several MEPs voiced their concerns about the decline in migrant rights and the right of asylum around the world, and the rise of hate speech online and in public debate. Other MEPs spoke of the ongoing situations in Gaza, Syria, Ukraine and Belarus, and the cases of human rights activists sentenced to death in Iran, Uighurs imprisoned in Thailand, the difficulties faced by civil society in Azerbaijan, and the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Quotes

David McAllister (EPP, DE), Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee declared: “The protection of human rights requires a collective effort and goes hand in hand with the promotion of an international rules-based order. The principles in the United Nations Charter are not optional. They are a universal obligation for all. In light of a prevailing tense geopolitical context and the decline of democracy worldwide, it is in the interest of us all that the human rights pillar of the United Nations continues to receive the necessary political and financial support to carry out its important work. In today's exchange with High Commissioner Volker Türk, we underlined the European Parliament's commitment to safeguard these principles – within the EU and beyond.”

Mounir Satouri (The Greens/EFA, FR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights declared: "History teaches us many painful lessons about what happens when we take human rights for granted. We cannot make this mistake again and we need to defend human rights wherever and whenever they are violated. This requires strong, daily cooperation between the EU and UN including all its agencies, and with partners across the world."