EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrellthis Wednesday he argued: States cannot use “national sovereignty” as an argument for not wanting to talk about respect for Human Rights We are aware that there is still much to be done to ensure that all people are free and equal on their own lands.
In his speech at a high-level conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Borrell acknowledged that he often received the same reaction he received when he brought up this issue in his travels. Human Rights to Your Interlocutors “Do not interfere in my internal affairs” anyone “mind your own business”.
But he argued: “This is our business everywhere, because Human Rights are not an internal matter and States cannot hide behind national sovereignty.” “National sovereignty is no protection against this,” claiming that “all human beings have the same value and that one right is linked to the realization of others.”
The High Representative noted the achievements made in the 75 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration, such as giving women the vote, ending colonialism or ending totalitarianism, but acknowledged that there was still much to be done.
“There are still huge problems”He emphasized that currently there is “massive inequality, extremism, populism, hate speech, the devastating impact of climate change, the crazy pace of digital development, crises everywhere.”
Do more for future generations
“We must do more for young people and future generations”He emphasized that they must “understand and believe that Human Rights define our humanity and that there can be no solution without the protection of Human Rights.”
According to Borrell, “young people need to understand this, but maybe they take it for granted depending on where they live.” But he cautioned that they need to have a broader vision of the world and understand that “a large portion of humanity still lives without the rights we accept as universal.”
The High Representative recalled that the Universal Declaration begins with some “sacred” words: “Every human being is born free and equal in dignity and rights.” But “this hasn’t been true for years and We are still a long way from this simple statement becoming reality for millions of people around the world.“he lamented. “This should be our commitment,” he concluded.