22 February 2021
The Human Rights Council this morning began its high-level segment, hearing addresses by dignitaries from 21 countries.
States outlined their national efforts to promote and protect human rights, challenges facing the multilateral order, and human rights violations globally. Many dignitaries highlighted the scale and scope of the challenges that States faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the deteriorating situation of refugees around the world. They outlined their national programmes in combatting COVID-19 and concurred that global challenges such as the pandemic required a multilateral response. In that light, the role of the Council was more important than ever. Some speakers outlined other issues like the importance of the rights of girls and women, gender equality, domestic violence, the death penalty, and issues around digital space, and warned of the danger stemming from far right nationalism and white supremacy which were becoming international threats.