HRC58: Human rights and multilateralism are essential to global peace and justice, say over 70 States

In a significant joint statement delivered at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), the ‘Friends of Multilateralism’ – a group coordinated by the Netherlands, Albania, Chile and Kyrgyzstan – sound the alarm about attacks on human rights law and institutions at a time of escalating global conflicts and crises. A renewed commitment to human rights and multilateralism is essential to peace, justice, and sustainable and inclusive development at the national and global levels, they say. 

 ISHR was pleased to work with a range of States and other partners in developing and promoting the joint statement, through which States pledge, among other things, to:

• promote, support and cooperate with international human rights law and institutions, the rules-based international order, and a multilateral system that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive for rights holders
• create a safe and enabling environment for civil society, and engage robustly to prevent and address acts of intimidation, reprisals or sanctions against human rights mechanisms and those cooperating with them
• prioritise securing adequate, sufficient and sustainable funding for the UN human rights pillar
• advance human rights both through technical assistance and capacity-building, as well as accountability for gross and systematic rights violations.

‘ISHR welcomes this initiative,’ said ISHR Executive Director Phil Lynch. ‘It comes at a time of unprecedented attacks on the international human rights system by a range of authoritarian actors. In response, it is imperative that States come together in a coordinated manner, increase their individual and collective political and financial investment in human rights and multilateralism, and avert a future of lawlessness and raw power. Now is the time for solidarity, unity and doubling down in our shared work for freedom, equality and justice,’ Lynch concluded. 

Joint Statement on importance of multilateral human rights cooperation – delivered at the UN Human Rights Council under Item 8 on 27 March 2025

On behalf of a core group consisting of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Albania, Chile and Kyrgyzstan, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of more than 70 States, representing all five regional groups.

High Commissioner Türk stated at the start of this HRC session: ‘Our world is going through a period of turbulence and unpredictability, reflected in growing conflict and divided societies. We cannot allow the fundamental global consensus around international norms and institutions, built painstakingly over decades, to crumble before our eyes.’ 

High Commissioner, you are right to sound the alarm. 

With this joint statement, as  HRC members, observers and candidate countries, we reaffirm our commitment to multilateral human rights cooperation and in particular the mandate of this Human Rights Council. We are committed to the success and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council and convinced that the Council is invaluable in promoting and protecting human rights worldwide and in addressing the crises of our times.

As Friends of Multilateralism, we call upon all States to join us to:

• renew our commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation, guided by the UN Charter and the principles of trust, equity, solidarity and universality
• commit to and ensure the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights and the rule of law, transparency and independent institutions, which are indispensable to global peace, security and development
• reaffirm that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated
• support the rules-based international order, and a multilateral system that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive for rights holders, and adequately resourced and fit for purpose
• cooperate in good faith with OHCHR, the Council and its mechanisms, as well as other rights-based mechanisms
• strive to create a safe and enabling environment for civil society, and engage robustly to prevent and address acts of intimidation, reprisals or sanctions against human rights mechanisms and those cooperating with them
• prioritise securing adequate, sufficient and sustainable funding for the UN human rights pillar
• work to fulfill the Council’s mandate through technical assistance and capacity-building, as well as receiving from the High Commissioner ‘early warning’ information about patterns of violations, taking early preventive action, and advancing accountability for gross and systematic rights violations.

These commitments of basic principle will strengthen our efforts to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies with accountable institutions at all levels that uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. 

We call on all Member States to join us in making these commitments a reality. 

Thank you.

List of signatories: Albania, Chile, Kyrgyzstan, The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Morocco, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Japan, The Maldives, Mongolia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Thailand, Vanuatu, Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom