Remarks during the presentation of the UN Human Rights Appeal 2023

20 January, 2023

Delivered by H.E. Mr. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent representative

Distinguished High Commissioner,

Armenia thanks you and your able team for the preparation and presentation of United Nations Human Rights Appeal for 2023.

This is an important year for the Human Rights. We commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of two landmark documents. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was the first human rights treaty unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, on 9 December 1948. A day later the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted.

Certainly, these are milestone anniversaries that that can be best commemorated through enhancing the effectiveness of the implementation of Conventions worldwide, or as you mentioned, High Commissioner, to bring the promise of Human Rights conventions to life. We also believe that more can be done through broad partnership and meaningful cooperation. To make the UN extensive human rights machinery work, it needs, indeed, to receive sustainable funding. I am glad to emphasize that it has already been for many years in row that Armenia was enlisted among the UN honor roll of States that have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30 days due period specified in Financial Regulations.

Armenia shares your views, Mr. High Commissioner, on the interlinkage of the peace and human rights. In this regard, the decisive actions of the Office can be crucial in addressing the human rights violations inflicted upon people affected by the conflict situations. The human rights and fundamental freedoms should be respected, protected and promoted without distinction of any kind.

In this context, Armenia believes that the OHCHR should multiply its prevention efforts aimed at leveraging human rights in reducing the risks of conflicts, violence and humanitarian crisis situations. We strongly believe that the OHCHR should remain ceased of this matter also on the ground. In this regard, we particularly appreciated your reference, High Commissioner, to search activities that enhance the early warning capacity of the Office. The UN and its agencies have been bestowed with a universal mandate and should enjoy unconditional, unimpeded, unhindered and unfettered access to the people in need.

Distinguished High Commissioner, I wish you and your collaborators every success in all your endeavors in fulfilling your challenging tasks in an environment that the UN Secretary General has recently pinned as the “gravest level of geopolitical division and mistrust in generations”. We look forward in supporting you in the year ahead, and we count on your strong leadership.

I thank you․

MFA RA
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