High-level open debate on “UN peacekeeping operations: peace operation and human rights”.
– High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet
Addressing the the Security Council’s first formal meeting on human rights in peace operations, High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said, “only action to address the human rights violations inflicted on people can prevent the recurrence of conflict.”
The High Commissioner told the Council that as the COVID crisis deepens the work by human rights components “to support peace operations’ delivery of their mandate, and to address root causes of conflict and instability, is becoming even more crucial.”
Bachelet said, “human rights are central to the Council’s mandate to maintain international peace and security” and pointed out that “12 UN peace operations – six peacekeeping and six special political missions – have human rights components.”