45th regular session of the Human Rights Council

Interactive Dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet

 

15 September 2020

 

Statement of Portugal

Speaking time – 90 seconds

Madam President,

Madam High Commissioner,

We are living challenging times for human rights.

COVID brought new challenges. The crisis is impacting disproportionally the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and adding layers of vulnerability to persons already more vulnerable and discriminated.

Adding to this, we continue to assist to worrying trends and gross human rights violations throughout the world, such as: rising extremisms and intolerance; crackdowns on civil society and political opponents; suppression of civil liberties; disregard for the rule of law; arbitrary arrests, torture and enforced disappearances.

In times like this, your independent and strong voice is even more important.

We reiterate our thanks for your committed leadership and Portugal’s support to your Office. This is extended to special procedures and Treaty Bodies. Their functioning has been badly affected by COVID and they also need to continue performing their mandates independently.

An effective and credible Human Rights Council is in our view largely determined by its capacity to react to human rights violations and to uphold human rights.

Therefore, Madam High Commissioner, we are concerned about the budget crisis of your Office, which obliges to postpone a few mandated activities. We particularly regret the postponement of the seminar on access to medicines and vaccines. In the context of the pandemic we are living in discussing this topic from a human rights approach would have deserved prioritization. Nevertheless, we thank the information your Office has provided and fully trust your capacity to manage this difficult situation in the best possible way.

Thank you.

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