Remarks at Symposium to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Remarks by Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator

Tuesday 5th December 2023, 13:00 - 16:30

Landmark Hotel Vientiane

Excellency, Mr. Bounleua Phandanouvong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Representatives from the Government, academia, civil society and development partner organizations

Ladies and gentlemen:

This year, we mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. So in 2023, December 10th – the Human Rights Day – is a culmination of a year-long global campaign on advocating for action on human rights.

It is my privilege to be delivering remarks at this very important symposium today, and I thank all of you for being here today in a show of solidarity and support for human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was unanimously adopted by the Member States of the UN General Assembly in 1948 following three decades of war and violence. Member States agreed on a set of universal, inalienable and indivisible human rights.

For 75 years, the Universal Declaration has been the guiding light for advancing equality, fundamental freedoms and justice in the world. It has done so by:

• Providing a global framework for laws and policies at international, national and local levels;
• Inspiring a global movement of shared humanity through dialogue within and among communities; and
• Empowering individuals to advocate for their rights.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Today it is difficult to see these achievements amid the many crises around the globe unfolding in front of our eyes. They challenge the very foundation on which the Declaration is built:

• Humanitarian aid is obstructed, preventing it from reaching people in need in Gaza;
• The rising prices of food, fertilizers and fuel due to the war in Ukraine impacts the most vulnerable everywhere;
• Cyber-crime, a surge in hate speech, disinformation and misinformation encroaching on the right to privacy and freedom of expression; and
• The Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss forces millions of people to flee their homes, with those living in small island nations and least developed countries hit the hardest.

This is why we must continue to remind ourselves of the values enshrined in the UDHR, which remain ever more relevant today. Next week, Member States will be meeting at a high-level event in Geneva and share their pledges for a vision of human rights. I would like to acknowledge the Government of Lao PDR for attending this important event.

While the year-long campaign concludes this month, the efforts are setting the stage for the Summit of the Future in 2024, where Member States will reaffirm their commitments and enhance cooperation to better address present and future global challenges.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Today let us celebrate efforts made by the Government of Lao PDR, and, in particular, recognizing the partnership between the Department of Treaty and Law (DTL), and development partners, on human rights.

Lao PDR began disseminating the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Plan of Action, containing the supported recommendations received during the 3rd cycle in March this year.

Since then, considerable efforts have been made at central and provincial levels to increase understanding of the UPR process and to enhance capacities towards the fulfilment of its recommendations. The UN and development partners remain committed to supporting the implementation of the National Plan of Action ahead of the review in the 4th UPR cycle in 2025.

Several initiatives in thematic areas, such as the inter-relation between human rights and the environment, and human rights and education, are ongoing. I wish to commend the National University of Lao PDR and its Faculty of Law and Political Science for incorporating human rights education into its curriculum. This is a welcome move, and we encourage extending it to school curricula as well.

Dear friends and colleagues:

In the face of challenges we see, we cannot afford to despair. In everything that we do, we must look for the building blocks of a just and equal society.

We will continue to act with a rights-based approach in mind, ensuring that the most vulnerable and marginalized are not left behind. This is the very foundation of our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

We are together today in solidarity of spirit, and our partnership counts for a lot. Let us reaffirm our commitment to the Universal Declaration – to doing what’s right – and accelerate our collective advocacy and action to create a world where the rights of everyone are treated with respect.