Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights through Dialogue and Cooperation and a group of countries.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and non-interference in their internal affairs are important principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms of international relations. These principles are essential for upholding multilateralism and international fairness and justice. They are the basis for dialogue and exchange among Member States on an equal footing in United Nations agencies, including the Human Rights Council.

At present, the Human Rights Council has become increasingly politicized and polarized. Human rights are frequently used as a pretext for interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, which undermines international cooperation. Country-specific mechanisms were established against the wishes of the countries concerned, some of which are even duplicated. During this session, there are a total of 12 country-specific interactive dialogues under agenda items 2 and 4, all targeting developing countries.

This tendency has seriously undermined the Human Rights Council’s reputation and credibility, and eroded the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs, with a great deal of resources wasted without any results. In terms of the efficiency and rationalization of the Human Rights Council and the UN liquidity crisis, we need to seriously consider first assessing the necessity and rationality of country-specific mechanisms.

The United Nations General Assembly resolution 60/251 gives clear guidance on how to reflect upon the lessons of the Commission on Human Rights and fulfill the role of the Human Rights Council. We call on all parties to respect the consensus reached therein:

Firstly, to abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and follow the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity, and cooperation and genuine dialogue in advancing the work of the Human Rights Council, rejecting double standards and politicization.

Secondly, to treat all human rights, civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights, including the right to development in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis.

Thirdly, to strengthen the capacity of Member States to promote and protect human rights through constructive dialogue and cooperation, including the provision of technical assistance and capacity-building, human rights education and learning as well as advisory services, in consultation with as well as with the consent of Member States concerned.

The Human Rights Council is not a forum for confrontation and pressure. Instead, it should play its due role in promoting and protecting human rights by building trust and promoting cooperation among countries through genuine dialogue and exchange.

Thank you, Mr. President.