Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić led a Croatian delegation at the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the most important international forum for the promotion and protection of human rights.
In her address, Pejčinović Burić highlighted the key role of human rights in the UN system, as well as their fundamental role in building sustainable peace, security and sustainable development, protecting the environment, and building inclusive and progressive societies. She said that the Human Rights Council was a place of constructive dialogue and cooperation and a reference point for all deprived, abused and disenfranchised people in the world.
Pejčinović Burić stressed the preventive role and constructive efforts of the Council, which have led to the adoption of the first joint resolution of the European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on the status of human rights in Myanmar in September 2018. In that regard, she underlined the importance of prosecuting human rights violations and crimes against humanity. She also expressed concern about continued grave violations of human rights in crisis areas such as North Korea, Venezuela, Yemen, Syria and Eritrea.
The minister wrapped up her address by emphasizing that the protection and promotion of human rights was the main obligation and priority of the Croatian government. She voiced her belief that ethnic and cultural diversity, mutual respect and tolerance are key factors that contribute to strong development of societies, adding that the Croatian government attaches great importance to protecting the rights of ethnic minorities.
On the margins of the UNHRC session, Pejčinović Burić held a bilateral meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. They expressed concern about human rights violations across the world, and discussed the activities of Croatia as a vice-chair of the UNHRC.
Pejčinović Burić also held bilateral talks with foreign ministers Maria Ubach Font of Andorra, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson of Iceland and Ignazio Cassis of Switzerland, as well as with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.