25/06/2024 Session
"The art of resolving disputes through peaceful means of de-escalation and of peacemaking seems to have become lost. Wars never stay contained, they spill over borders and into future generations fostering cycles of grievances and hatred if their causes remain unaddressed. And yet, despite our promises of 'never again', here we are", UN High Commissioner for human rights Volker Türk said today adressing the Parliamentary Assembly.
"I believe that we can rise to the challenge ahead of us by going back to basics, being guided by his history, by practising the art of the de-escalation, by keeping the channels of communication open, by ensuring that our multilateral institutions are used as spaces for meaningful dialogue even on the most sensitive issues and in the face of the staunchest disagreements", he added.
"We can and must learn from each other because nobody is perfect. And in those discussions, turn to human rights as our guide to help navigate the complexities and difficulties", Mr Türk stressed.
The international legal normative and institutional framework, Mr Türk said, "set up as states and underpinned by universal principles is a factor of stability among the chaos. The focus now of utmost urgency must be on ensuring that these norms and standards are applied evenly to everyone, everywhere, in the service of peace. And in the shadow of the monsters of conflict, of violence and hatred, we must hold firmly to these core principles so painstakingly developed over years, and by learning lessons from the past to look to a better future".
"The leadership of institutions like the Council of Europe is critical in this joint endeavour", Mr Türk concluded.