Speech by ICRC president at Human Rights Council

Speech by Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The 10-year anniversary of this Council is a moment to take stock, to look back, and to look forward.

I am happy to see that the key political assumption from the creation of this Council 10 years ago has proven correct: a series of moderate improvements in composition, voting conditions, functionalities and working modalities, agreed upon through broad consensus of the international community, has transformed the Human Rights Council (HRC) into a more legitimate and a more effective body.

I would like to congratulate the Presidents of the Councils for ably steering this critical body and for the momentous achievements. In international relations, one decade is not a long time. And yet, in this time, this Council has succeeded in multifaceted reforms and transformations, most notably, making the Universal Periodic Review a standard process, with 100% participation and an increasing amount of States accepting recommendations.

The importance of this Council has become unquestionable, and that is a major success in itself. Yet looking ahead, more needs to be done, as basic rights are still violated and people are suffering through war and violence, discrimination and exclusion throughout the world.

The ICRC will continue to do its utmost to assist and protect people, through law, policy and operations, as is our role under international humanitarian law. The Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner operate under different normative frameworks, modalities and principles, but I am deeply convinced that a sound balance of complementarity and cooperation between the two spheres, will benefit the international system as a whole.

As conflicts become longer and effects on people, public services and infrastructure more serious, it is key to expand protection systems at all levels. Essential services like health, education and justice administration, will continue to make the difference between dignified living conditions and unacceptable situations.

I look forward to continuing to work with the Council, with the High Commissioner and all of you, for the most vulnerable people.

Thank you.