Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – MICHELLE BACHELET, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that the pandemic had ripped the mask off the deadly realities of discrimination and that today the medical impact of the pandemic was far from over, while its effects on economies, freedoms, societies, and people had only just begun. She continued With despair and suffering escalating in every region, now was the time to bring people real hope that there would be swift, meaningful and positive change.
Antonio Guterres, secretary general of United Nations said in his speech that, Human rights are our bloodline; they connect us to one another, as equals. Human rights are our lifeline; they are the pathway to resolving tensions and forging lasting peace. Human rights are on the frontline; they are the building blocks of a world of dignity and opportunity for all – and they are under fire very day.
He continued, We must also step up the fight against resurgent neo-Nazism, white supremacy and racially and ethnically motivated terrorism. The danger of these hate-driven movements is growing by the day. Let us call them what they are: White supremacy and neo-Nazi movements are more than domestic terror threats. They are becoming a transnational threat.
These and other groups have exploited the pandemic to boost their ranks through social polarization and political and cultural manipulation.
Today, these extremist movements represent the number one internal security threat in several countries.
Individuals and groups are engaged in a feeding frenzy of hate — fundraising, recruiting and communicating online both at home and overseas, travelling internationally to train together and network their hateful ideologies.
Guterress said, We see the undermining of democracy, the use of brutal force, arbitrary arrests, repression in all its manifestations. Restrictions of civic space. Attacks on civil society. Serious violations against minorities with no accountability, including what has rightly been called ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population. The list goes on.
Today, I call on the Myanmar military to stop the repression immediately. Release the prisoners. End the violence. Respect human rights, and the will of the people expressed in recent elections.
I welcome the resolution of the Human Rights Council, pledge to implement your request, and express my full support to the people of Myanmar in their pursuit of democracy, peace, human rights and the rule of law.
People around the world are relying on us to secure and protect their rights.
With the pandemic shining a spotlight on human rights, recovery gives us an opportunity to generate momentum for transformation.
Now is the time to reset. To reshape. To rebuild. To recover better, guided by human rights and human dignity for all.
I am convinced it is possible – if we are determined and if we work together
