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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Mr<\/span>.\u00a0Dennis Francis,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Human Rights Prize award ceremony<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Friday 15 December<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [As Delivered]<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \n As we gather here today to celebrate the 75th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the\u00a0Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/b>, we stand on the shoulders of those who predated us in tirelessly championing this noble cause.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The enduring spirit of the Declaration thrives through the invaluable contributions and steadfast commitment of human rights defenders, whose determination and unwavering integrity translates its principles into a living and relevant reality.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, we come together to applaud and pay much deserved tribute to the exceptional individuals and organizations awarded the 2023 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Human Rights Prize.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This prestigious award \u2013 established by the General Assembly in 1966 \u2013 is a testament to the continued and outstanding achievements in the field of human rights.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On behalf of the membership of the United Nations, and indeed on my own behalf, I congratulate this year’s recipients selected by a Special Committee under the guidance of my predecessor, H. E. Csaba K\u0151r\u00f6si, and esteemed members, including H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva, H.E. Mr. V\u00e1clav B\u00e1lek, H.E. Mr. Antonio Manuel Revilla Lagdameo, and Ms. Milena Costas, with the invaluable support of the OHCHR as its Secretariat.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To these laureates, I extend my heartfelt\u00a0congratulations<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your steadfast commitment to the promotion of human rights, justice, and equality has earned you a place among the distinguished recipients of this esteemed award.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your dedication to human rights \u2013 even in the face of formidable challenges, reprisals, and sometimes life-threatening dangers inherent to your line of work \u2013 is truly commendable.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is, therefore, with deep respect and gratitude that we honour you today.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Human rights defenders are the voice \u2013\u00a0I repeat, the voice\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 of the voiceless, advocating against injustice for the powerless.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This award not only celebrates your accomplishments but sends a resounding message of support to all human rights defenders globally \u2013 particularly, at a time when multifaceted crises and tragedies are proliferating around the world, and many of you are putting your lives on the line to fight for what is right, for all.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You are, therefore, the true heroes \u2013 and your actions demonstrate that positive and impactful change is always possible where there is selfless perseverance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this regard, I call on States to desist from any inhibitions to your work \u2013 and to ensure adequate protection against any act of intimidation or reprisals against those who cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A safe and respectful environment is essential to maintain good collaboration between civil society actors and the United Nations, its procedures and mechanisms.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In closing, I would like to reiterate the words of\u00a0Eleanor Roosevelt<\/b>, who eloquently stated:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf we observe these rights, for ourselves and for others, we will find it is easier to build peace because war destroys all human rights and freedoms, so in fighting for those, we fight for peace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As President of the General Assembly, I call on each recipient to remain steadfast in your convictions \u2013 and to never waver in your important advocacy for human rights.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let your actions inspire others \u2013 and may the legacy of your work to usher in a world where the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are not only upheld but cherished, to infinity.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Congratulations<\/span>\u00a0once again.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And, once again, thank you for your invaluable contributions to the advancement of human rights.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Mr.\u00a0Dennis Francis, at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Human Rights Prize award ceremony Friday 15 December [As Delivered] As we gather here today to celebrate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Remarks of the President of the General Assembly<\/p>\r\n H.E Dennis Francis<\/p>\r\n GA plenary meeting on the Monday, 30 October 2023<\/p>\r\n As Delivered<\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\nPresident of the International Criminal Court, Judge Piotr Hofmanski,<\/i><\/i>\r\n\r\nExcellencies,<\/i>\r\n\r\nDistinguished Delegates,<\/i>\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/i>\r\n\r\nToday we gather to consider the annual report of the\u00a0International Criminal Court (ICC) \u2013 a\u00a0 critical pillar of the international legal order.\r\n\r\nThe ICC stands as a perennial symbol of our shared commitment to justice and humanity\u2019s greatest aspirations.\r\n\r\nIt serves as an emphatic reminder that\u00a0no one \u2013 I repeat, no one \u2013 should be exempt from accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,\u00a0and that regardless of their status, position or location, perpetrators of such crimes will invariably face the weight of justice.\r\n\r\nIndeed, when it comes to the most egregious crimes against humanity,\u00a0 accountability knows no exceptions and justifiably so.\r\n\r\nIn those grave and heinous cases \u2013 when national legal systems prove unable or unwilling to bring perpetrators to justice \u2013 the ICC must step in.\r\n\r\nAccordingly, the ICC stands as a testament to our unshakeable resolve to end impunity, and moreover, to deter others from the commission of such crimes in the future.\r\n\r\nThe Court is indeed a truly unique embodiment of our collective resolution to upholding the principles of justice and accountability.\r\n\r\nI express my\u00a0 fulsome appreciation to the Court for its diligent efforts,\u00a0 as indeed to its judges and its prosecutor, as well as to the dedicated staff who have laudibly committed themselves to the pursuit of justice \u2013 and indeed, to what is\u00a0right<\/i>.\r\n\r\nThe report highlights both the progress and the challenges faced by the ICC this year, specifically as regards the prevention and punishment of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.\r\n\r\nThese principles are fundamental to our global vision of peace and are integral to our mission of maintaining international peace and security, promoting respect for human rights, and delivering justice to those who have suffered the gravest injustices.\r\n\r\nLadies and Gentlemen,<\/i>\r\n\r\nWe must acknowledge that the Court operates in a multifaceted international landscape.\r\n\r\nIts jurisdiction spans cases where state parties have brought situations to the attention of the Court, including situations referred by the United Nations Security Council.\r\n\r\nWhile it may present a unique set of challenges \u2013this duality in referral mechanisms underscores the importance of international cooperation.\r\n\r\nDespite these challenges, the hope for universal ratification of the Rome Statute, and the Kampala amendments, serve as a profound affirmation of the ICC's enduring commitment to justice.\r\n\r\nAs more countries join and support the ICC, the bold ambition of ending impunity for the most serious crimes becomes increasingly realistic to achieve.\r\n\r\nAs we engage in this discussion, let us remember the voices of the victims, whose suffering must compel us to take meaningful action.\r\n\r\nI underscore the\u00a0need for universal cooperation with the court among Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Member States in our common pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.\r\n\r\nI call upon States to support the ICC where it faces constraints in its pursuit of justice, including predictable funding to effectively undertake its investigations and prosecutions.\r\n\r\nIn line with the fundamental principle of complementarity, States should cooperate\u00a0with the ICC and with each other in investigations and prosecutions, including by sharing information and evidence to uphold the rule of law and ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes.\r\n\r\nLet us remain committed to strengthening the international legal framework and ensuring that the ICC continues to fulfill its essential role in our global efforts to prevent impunity and injustice and to promote lasting peace.\r\n\r\nI thank you and look forward to a fruitful discussion on this important matter.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Report of the International Criminal Court,<\/p>\r\n