Mr. Livingstone Sewanyana – United Nations Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order
as the World marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights I would like to welcome the efforts the Foundation of dialogue and solidarity of the United Nations and to commend you for convening such an important forum to mark the 75th anniversary of the UDHR on the theme the future of peace and human rights in West Asia. As we Mark the 75th anniversary of the UDHR the world needs to rededicate itself with values and aspirations that were expressed in this very important document when it was adapting on 10th of December at 1948. For us to realize peace and respect for human rights, states must rededicate themselves to ensuring peace and security within their borders and at the same time within the region. West Asia can be seen as a region that has made tremendous progress in times of economic development. However, there is need to promote peace and security in this region.
Many of the countries in this region have been afflicted with conflicts and some undergoing conflicts at the moment. For us to ensure peace and respect for human rights in West Asia, those countries that are currently afflicted with the conflict must redouble their efforts towards peace. We must promote peaceful means to ensure stability of our countries and the enjoyment of human rights for our people. The universal declaration of human rights calls up on all people all walks of life to ensure that the values that are expressed are observed and appealed by all.
FODASUN is making a very important contribution to these efforts. Within the United Nations it’s also important that as we look towards the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we address the current global threats and challenges. among these is the necessity of peace and security the necessity of foster and enabling environment for everyone to enjoy his rights we need to address the question of climate change we need to address the use of intellect and current Technologies and also as much as possible ensure that states have hold the concept of multilateralism.
Increasingly we are seeing countries exercising unilateral powers over others and imposing unilateral sanctions against them which calls an implicit suffering do these people. Iran is one of those countries currently facing sanctions. and we invite the United Nations as well as member states to ensure that we embrace multilateralism as a way of addressing the current democracy deficit. Iran in particular reunite those efforts towards appointing the rights of its citizens and ensure that it continues to be a respected member of the global community.
As we seek to advance the values and aspirations of our people we also need to promote the right served determination of those communities that are not at some form of subjugation. And if we invite all consult people to ensure that even those who might be oppressed those who are vulnerable within our communities and even dispersed to express themselves and also allow the opportunity to access these necessities that would ultimately ensure they doing mates all their right and their individual dignity.
Another mandate that I hold as the United Nations independent expert from the Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, I have been invited to shed light on all those matters that have a bear on issues of equity, equality and democratic development as required in the paragraph 14 of the resolution setting up these mandates. And the paragraph 14 of the resolution requires me to contribute to all efforts that aim at strengthening the respect for human rights democracy rule of law in the entire world.
It is in this regard that I have been able and have continuously raised those coincides that have a bear on the global peace and security international finance and good governance the needy to embrace multilateralism and also increasingly to appalled the rights of the youth and create spaces necessary for them to actively participate in decision making. I hope this conference will be addressing some of these challenges and make proposals towards the resolution. It is in this regard that once again I want to thank FODASUN for your efforts and I aid you to continue. I look forward to hearing more about the work that you are doing and invite you to double your efforts. I invite you also to spread the message within West Asia so that all citizens in this region can enjoy the best and the highest attainable standard of living. As expressed within the sustainable Development Goals I also aid you to use the forthcoming UN summit of the future to express your aspirations and coincides as a region so that we need that framework we can now develop an agenda that we will ensure equity and equality and democratic development for all. I thank you.
