UNRC Opening Remarks on the occasion of International Human Rights Day

Monday 12 December 2022

Bishkek, Park Hotel

Distinguished Representatives of the Government,

Members of Parliament,

Heads of the National Human Rights Institutions,

Chairperson of the Election Commission,

Esteemed civil society representatives,

Excellencies and other members of the international community,

My fellow UN Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a distinct pleasure to welcome you all here today, on behalf of the UN system in Kyrgyzstan, to mark International Human Rights Day and commemorate the 74th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We just heard the High Commissioner for Human Rights refer to the document as a miraculous text. And miraculous it is in many ways:

• First, it reflects the enormous wisdom and foresight of World Leaders, following the horrific experience of World War II, to recognize the centrality of the dignity of the individual and the need to guarantee the rights of everyone everywhere as a foundation for peace and justice in the world;
• Second, it was that very same wisdom of World Leaders that guided them to search for common ground on what should be the essence of the document, despite the division into Eastern and Western blocks – a colossal task at that time, which can all but serve as example as we hopefully see the end of current ongoing armed conflict and war in parts of this region and beyond;
• Third, it is indeed the reflection of a global vision of rights and freedoms for everyone, everywhere. A global vision also because the drafting committee was composed of highly renowned individuals from eight nations, mindful of geographic representation and defeating the view held today in some quarters that human rights are a “Western concept”: Canada, Chile, China, France, Lebanon the UK, the US and the then USSR.
• Fourth, the Declaration - which outlined a vision, an aspiration, a dream if you want - was translated into a multilateral human rights protection architecture with more than 70 international treaties and into almost all existing Constitutions around the world. The Kyrgyz Republic is not an exception – its 2021 Constitution contains a vast range of human rights and freedoms that echo those of the Declaration. 
• Fifth, and maybe most importantly for the translation of the Declaration into reality for the citizens in any country, the Declaration characterised the rights it outlined in its 30 articles, in addition to being equal, as inalienable and indivisible:

            * Inalienable means these rights are not “granted”, but are inherent to each and every individual from birth

            * Indivisible means all are equally entitled to all of the rights, which are inseparably intertwined. We cannot successfully promote and protect one right if others are disregarded. Or in other words: There is no dichotomy between civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights.  As an illustration: We see people across the world, including in the Kyrgyz Republic, peacefully protest to claim their rights, for example, to an adequate standard of living, to voice their opinion or to demand an end to corruption. One cannot fully enjoy the right to health or education, to freedom of assembly or freedom of speech, without the right to claim it, including through peaceful protest, when the right is being restricted.  

• Lastly, it’s miraculous because of its timelessness: The Declaration and its resulting treaty body is at least as relevant today as it was in 1948.

Testimony to this is an interesting detail: As per the Guinness book of records, being translated in some 580 languages and dialects, the Declaration is the most translated document in the world. This underscores the universality and the power of its words to resonate strongly across cultures and societies.

It is available in Kyrgyz language since 1998. [show booklet and inform that the Declaration is available in three languages outside]. I invite you all to take a copy and carry it with you to consult the text and be inspired by the vision of world leaders and the drafting committee……Because we need to feel this inspiration again, today more than ever given that the Declaration’s aspirations have never in the 74 years of its existence been faced with as many challenges as today: War and conflict, rising inequalities as a result of Covid-19, the planetary triple crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, shrinking civic space and defamation of human rights defenders, to mention just a few.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is therefore more than timely, that on the occasion of this year’s Human Rights Day, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has launched a year-long global campaign of activism under the slogan “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”, which will culminate in the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Declaration in 2023.  

Today’s event is designed as a contribution to this campaign, facilitating dialogue among all those who have a key role to play in the protection and advancement of human rights: Government, elected officials at all levels, National Human Rights Institutions and the society as a whole. Without a whole-of-society and a whole of Government approach, not only the Declaration and its resulting treaties, but also the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals and its underlying aim to leave no one behind will not be fulfilled.   

Dear Friends,  

The Kyrgyz Republic has a lot to contribute to the Year of Action at the global, regional and national level, on the basis of progress achieved since independence:

The Government has over time strengthened cooperation with the UN Human Rights Mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review, several UN Treaty Bodies, and UN Special Procedures. In 2019, Kyrgyzstan became the first country in the world to eliminate statelessness. The country has been recently re-elected for the third time to the UN Human Rights Council.

I have noted that the Cabinet of Ministers has recently approved a National Human Rights Action Plan for 2022-2024. I encourage national authorities to anchor its implementation in outstanding recommendations by UN Human Rights Mechanisms (including the most recent recommendations adopted by the UN Human Right Committee on 3 November) - and in regular cooperation with civil society. I am also glad that the Action Plan elaborated by the inter-agency working group (with participation of civil society) is ready to implement the recommendations of the UN Committee against Torture of 2021. Additionally, the new National Gender Equality Strategy was endorsed and a new Action Plan on Follow up to the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is also in the making.

As the Declaration underlines, “Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms”. As UN, we stand ready to continue to support our partners in the implementation of these important plans in close cooperation and dialogue with civil society. In this context, allow me to also express my gratitude to UNDP and OHCHR for co-sponsoring this event.

Above described steps demonstrate Kyrgyzstan’s strong desire and readiness to participate in global multilateral human rights processes. Equally importantly, during her 30 years of independence, Kyrgyzstan has nurtured a solid foundation for civic engagement, which played a key role in the consolidation of democracy, pluralism and socio-economic development. Also, during several crisis affecting the nation in the past years such as during the COVID-19 pandemic or the events in Batken region this September, among other, we witnessed the power of civil society mobilization to complement the government’s efforts and alleviate the plight of those in need. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we have gathered in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue.

I especially look forward to hearing recommendations on how we all, jointly, can promote the respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights for the benefit of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic. The role of civil society in this dialogue is crucial: without a counterpart, a dialogue remains a monologue.

One year from now, when celebrating the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we will take stock of our achievements.

It will be a year where Kyrgyzstan can shine the path for its people to hope for a better future for themselves and for their children:

A future where each opinion matters, and each voice is heard.

A future where all people are equal and no-one is left behind.

A future where people enjoy inclusive governance, transparency and human rights.

I invite all our counterparts in the Kyrgyz Republic to join our campaign to promote the universality of human rights and turn each day of the year into a Human Rights Day. Thank you.

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