Ávarp á ráðstefnu á alþjóðlega mannréttindadeginum
Lokaávarp á ráðstefnu Alþjóðamálastofnunar Háskóla Íslands, Mannréttindastofnun Háskóla Íslands og utanríkisráðuneytisins: Mannréttindi og réttlæti á tímum loftslagsbreytinga
Kæru gestir.
Það er ánægjulegt að vera með ykkur í hér á þessum hátíðisdegi. Mannréttindi eru hornsteinn í utanríkisstefnu Íslands og því er vert að halda upp á mannréttindadaginn með þessum hætti. Langar mig að þakka þátttakendum í pallborðsumræðum sérstaklega fyrir ykkar framlag. Hins vegar veit ég að enskumælandi þátttakendur eru einnig með okkur og því mun ég skipta yfir á ensku.
Let me start by thanking our keynote speakers and distinguished panellists for an informative discussion here today. I am delighted to address you on this pertinent issue during my second week in office as Foreign Minister.
Today, on the International Human Rights Day, we celebrate the universal values of equality, justice, and freedom, and reflect on how we can continue to make the vision of an equal and just world a reality.
More than 70 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that proclaimed that everyone is born free and equal in dignity and rights, no matter their identity, beliefs, or circumstances. This milestone document is the cornerstone of our current international human rights architecture and laid the foundation for our own European Convention on Human Rights. These documents provide a guiding light for our work still today, not least when we face a common foe like a global pandemic.
Unfortunately, we have seen serious challenges to human rights, multilateralism and democratic values in recent times. We are witnessing an increase in religious intolerance, nationalism and racism, and notably in homophobia, transphobia and biphobia too widely. Many of the basic rights, we may have thought to be secured and guaranteed, have been challenged. It is vital that we speak and fight these trends with the tools we have at our disposal.
To that end, Iceland has and will continue to raise its voice for LGBTI individuals all around that world. I am pleased to announce here today that Iceland is substantially increasing its support to protecting and defending the human rights and fundamental freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex persons around the world. We have decided to double our contribution to the unique Global Equality Fund next year and will make a considerable contribution to the UN Free and Equal campaign for the next three years. Both the Fund and the Campaign do crucial work to increase the protection and rights of LGBTI individuals.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the discussion today has shown, the biggest challenge we collectively face in the longer term is the impact we are having on our environment and climate. We are also increasingly aware of the serious implications climate change and environmental degradation can have for the full enjoyment of human rights.
This government has taken a firm stance on this issue and one of the government’s priorities is to make Iceland a leader in combating climate change.
Such efforts include measures to support communities with mitigation and adaptation against the effects of climate change, which remains a strategic priority in Iceland’s Development Cooperation. We work towards, inter alia, sustainable use of natural resources, with increased use of geothermal energy and other renewable energy sources, recovering land quality, and the protection and sustainable management of the oceans and waters. We are also firmly committed to our responsibility to respect, protect and promote human rights in all climate change-related actions.
Another aspect of Iceland‘s contribution is the provision of clean water and sanitation for poor communities in our partner countries. In the past decade to Itis not only vital for enhancing resilience to climate change in coming years, but a human rights issue in its own right. Access to water also provides foundations for gender equality and sustainable livelihoods.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is clear, that climate change and environmental degradation pose a risk to the lives and the wellbeing of individuals and communities across the globe. Those in marginalized and vulnerable situations, including women, girls, and indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected.
This global challenge needs global solutions. I therefore welcome the increased attention in the multilateral fora given to the negative effects of environmental change and climate change and their impact on the enjoyment of human rights across the globe. This includes the recently adopted resolution of the Human Rights Council recognizing that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right.
It is worth noting in this context that during its term on the Human Rights Council, one of Iceland´s priorities was the impact of environmental change, including climate change, on human rights.
Looking ahead, Iceland will continue to make the link between human rights and the environment and climate change in our work in development cooperation, but also through our work at the Council of Europe and the United Nations.
In closing, I wanted to thank you for allowing me to address you today.
An open dialogue and exchange of ideas are fundamental to the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, this is what makes this event so important – to engage in a public discourse, to learn from each other, about different perspectives and experiences.
I thank you.
Ávarpið var flutt á ráðstefnu Alþjóðamálastofnunar Háskóla Íslands, Mannréttindastofnun Háskóla Íslands og utanríkisráðuneytisins: Mannréttindi og réttlæti á tímum loftslagsbreytinga sem fram fór í Veröld - húsi Vigdísar, 10. desember 2021.