Minister Radulović on the virtual Session of the UN Human Rights Council: Montenegro committed to enhancement of human rights

Minister of Foreign Affairs Đorđe Radulović participated today in the 46. Session of the UN Human Rights Council, held in a virtual format. In the first place, he congratulated to Nazhat Shameem Khan on her election for the President of Human Rights Council, during its 15. cycle, wishing her a successful mandate.

Minister Radulović pointed out, during his speech, that all countries in the world are facing with the unprecedented crisis that is influencing on all the segments of our lives, thus making all the social consequences of pandemic unable to be perceived in total. Particularly distressing circumstance, as he noted, represents the fact that the current crisis has pointed out the sensitivity of human rights, predominantly towards vulnerable groups as well as the necessity of their additional protection without any delay.

“Our success in confronting with those challenges depends predominantly on our will to act united”, underlined the Head of Montenegrin diplomacy.

Accordingly, principles that protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law must be at the core of every activity, plan, and policy for the effective crisis management and common recovery from the crisis itself. Thus, as he stated, Montenegro welcomes development of policies that are securing universal and equal approach to health care, especially in domain of the ongoing necessity for vaccines against coronavirus, so making the availability of it to everyone under equal conditions of paramount importance.

In these unique circumstances, the Human Rights Council role is particularly important in regard to safeguarding of mechanisms, that will address all the enormous crisis in context of human rights protection, stated Minister Radulović. “Montenegro wants to strengthen its contribution to this body activities, that is why we have submitted our candidature for the participation in the Council for the period 2022-2024”, highlighted Minister Radulović.

The Head of Montenegrin diplomacy highlighted that Montenegro conducts all activities continuously with the objective of enhancement of the institutional and legislative framework within the human rights field, stating that we are openly cooperating with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. He pointed out that priorities of Montenegro in the Council are the integral part of our European agenda, focused on rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, and that reforms we are conducting in context of EU accession are complementary to Agenda 2030 goals. Minister Radulović added that we are remaining committed to reforms regarding the gender equality and elimination of all forms of violence against women, reduction of social differences and discrimination, promotion and protection of rights of LGBTI groups, migrants, Roma and other minorities, as well as persons with disabilities. “We are aware of our accomplishments but of our challenges and risks as well, when it comes to securing of human rights protection, thus it is necessary to work further on achieving additional results”, Minister Radulović concluded.