Human Rights Watch urged the new UN Human Rights Commissioner to “not let victims of abuse down as it did in Sri Lanka,” in its opening statement at the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
“Governments are primarily responsible for protecting human rights but when the fail the UN and its member states must act decisively and unequivocally to prevent abuse. Often the UN intervenes too late when a crisis is already underway or it fails to adequately confront perpetrators to secure the protection of civilians,” Human Rights Watch added.
The statement noted concern that “migrants and refugees as well as ethnic minorities are victims of xenophobic and racist violence,” and “are also disproportionately impacted by abusive counter terrorism measures.”
Human Rights Watch ended by highlighting the need to protect human rights defenders across the world and their reliance on the UN Human Rights Council and international community for support.
“Governments are primarily responsible for protecting human rights but when the fail the UN and its member states must act decisively and unequivocally to prevent abuse. Often the UN intervenes too late when a crisis is already underway or it fails to adequately confront perpetrators to secure the protection of civilians,” Human Rights Watch added.
The statement noted concern that “migrants and refugees as well as ethnic minorities are victims of xenophobic and racist violence,” and “are also disproportionately impacted by abusive counter terrorism measures.”
Human Rights Watch ended by highlighting the need to protect human rights defenders across the world and their reliance on the UN Human Rights Council and international community for support.