Experts sound alarm over unilateralism, shrinking protections, global instability

Deadly attacks on civilians, war spreading to an entire region and growing geopolitical tensions are just some of the challenges grappled with at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Officials and experts are sounding the alarm over issues including unilateralism, shrinking protections, and global instability.

In his address to the Human Rights Council on Feb 23, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres painted a dire scene, warning that human rights are "under a full-scale attack around the world". "The rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force," he said.

The session, held from Feb 23 to March 31, took place as the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran. The conflict, now entering its fifth week, has killed and injured thousands in Iran and beyond. It's also spread across the region and reverberated around the world, driving up fuel prices.

Experts are warning of the detrimental impact unilateralism is having on human rights. Mao Junxiang, executive director of Central South University's Human Rights Center, sees unilateralism and anti-globalization as key obstacles.

"These trends hinder the pace of global development, posing significant challenges to global economic and social progress," he said, noting that the Global South is facing its most severe challenges since the end of the Cold War.

This year's session coincided with the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development — a major theme of discussions.

Mao stressed that "development is the key to solving all problems" and that "the realization of all human rights depends on development". He criticized the Western approach to marginalizing the right to development, attributing this to a historical disregard for economic, social, and cultural rights and a reluctance to acknowledge the historical debts they owe to the Global South. He noted that the increased focus on the right to development reflects the growing voice and influence of developing countries.

Wei Xiaoxu, associate professor at Jilin University's School of Law, noted that the Global South's focus on key issues such as the right to development, the digital divide, and climate-related challenges underscores its ability to unite and address shared difficulties it faces.

The only way to protect human rights globally is to ensure all nations participate, decide, and benefit equally, making sure the voices and demands of the Global South are genuinely heard, he added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at a high-level segment of the session, said that "to live a happy life is the greatest human right, and development holds the key to achieving it". He urged the international community to prioritize the right to development and mobilize resources to promote development, enhancing well-being and making human rights progress visible, tangible and accessible.

Wei said the comments shift the conversation from abstract political ideals to the practicalities of human life, positioning happiness as the paramount human right. He suggested this approach would lead to more action in protecting human rights.

Mao said that China's emphasis on the right to development is consistent with its own human rights stance. It's a necessary correction to the imbalances in protecting human rights, addressing the most pressing global human rights challenges, he added.

"The international community needs to promote results-oriented reform of the UN human rights mechanisms to enhance the mechanisms' effectiveness and thereby increase their credibility and authority," Mao said. "It is essential to strengthen multilateral mechanisms that are based on fairness and cooperation, reduce institutional space for self-serving and confrontational approaches, and push back against the politicization and manipulation of human rights."