Human Rights Council 36: UK statement on the High Commissioner's oral update
UK statement delivered during the general debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered on 12 September 2017.
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
I would like to begin by thanking the High Commissioner or his comprehensive statement yesterday and the role he plays in shining a spotlight on the most serious human rights situations.
The UK welcomes the international investigation into the Kasai violence in the DRC, mandated at HRC35. We urge the government to cooperate with the investigation, to hold to account those responsible.
The UK is deeply concerned by the steps taken by the Government of Maldives towards resumption of the death penalty, threatening to end the de facto moratorium of over 60 years. We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances.
In Sri Lanka, we welcome the Government’s recent step towards operationalising the Office of Missing Persons. We continue to urge the government to deliver on Resolution 34/1.
The human rights situation in Yemen remains a serious concern. We welcome the reports by the Yemen National Commission and OHCHR. A political solution to the conflict is the only sustainable way to bring stability. We continue to support the UN Special Envoy to Yemen in facilitating a credible peace process.
We remain concerned by worsening restrictions on freedom of association and expression in Vietnam and the imprisonment of two prominent human rights defenders. It is important that the government creates space for civil society.
While recognising the challenges caused by the appalling attempted coup, we share the High Commissioner’s concerns about Turkey’s human rights situation. We hope steps can be taken to release detained civil society representatives and to lift the State of Emergency, sending a strong signal of Turkey’s commitment to human rights.
Finally, we are deeply concerned by the high and increasing death toll associated with the “war on drugs” in the Philippines, and with police who have been associated with deaths being protected and rewarded. All deaths should be investigated promptly, thoroughly and impartially. We are also concerned by continued threatening rhetoric towards human rights defenders.