Human Rights Council 34: UK Explanation of Voting on the resolution on the effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights
This UK statement was delivered during discussion of the resolution during the 34th session of the Human Rights Council on 23 March 2017.
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
Yesterday, terror struck on the streets of London. It was not the first time. And London was but the latest target of a scourge that many in this room know only too well. This time it was directed at the home of our democracy, the mother of Parliaments, in the heart of our capital city. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we are grateful for the messages of solidarity and support received.
The attack was designed to weaken the values our Parliament represents – democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law.
We are united in working together to defeat those who would harm our shared values. Values of democracy, tolerance and the rule of law. Values symbolised by the Houses of Parliament. Values that we will always champion and seek to uphold.
The only way to defeat those who seek to destroy our way of life is to protect the very values which are under attack.
Here, in the Human Rights Council, we should come together to give a clear and united message to those who would seek to undermine those values. A clear message that they will not succeed; they are doomed to fail. And we will continue to defend the spirit of freedom, liberty and human rights upon which our society is founded.
We regret that this resolution, L9, does not send this clear message.