“Upholding Human Rights and Values” in the UNECE region at HLPF 2024

We are excited to share the meeting report from our recent side event, “Upholding Human Rights and Values: Navigating Threats to Peace, Democracy, Climate Action, and Civil Society,” held on 9th July 2024 as part of the HLPF, which we helped organise in our role as ECE-RCEM Governing Body. Read the full report here.

This insightful event explored the complex challenges facing human rights in UNECE member states amidst the preparation for the Pact of the Future. With contributions from esteemed speakers and panelists, we delved into issues such as the impact of populist rhetoric, the importance of civil society, and practical approaches to safeguard democratic principles and climate action.

Event highlights

• Populist rhetoric and authoritarian policies – We discussed the rise of nationalist agendas and how they endanger the core values of modern societies, exemplified by laws in countries like Russia and Georgia that restrict civil society and freedom of association.
• Civic engagement – Richard Blewitt from the British Red Cross highlighted how civic action rooted in local concerns can drive meaningful change, sharing examples from Ethiopia’s opening of civic space to the global compact on migration.
• Human rights challenges – Rosalyn Park from The Advocates for Human Rights spoke on setbacks like Uganda’s laws on “aggravated homosexuality” and Poland’s rollbacks on reproductive rights, emphasizing the importance of ongoing advocacy and legal frameworks.
• Environmental activism – Özlem Altıparmak’s research from Turkey showcased the significant role of women in environmental protests, highlighting the intersection of gender and environmental justice.
• Grassroots movements – Ana Muradashvili from Georgia shared her experiences with the Foreign Agents Law and its implications for local activists and NGOs, underscoring the need for vigilance and solidarity.

Key takeaways

• The need to educate the public on disinformation tactics and build unconventional alliances to counteract anti-democratic trends.
• The importance of supporting local struggles and ensuring that funding empowers grassroots initiatives.
• The value of shared strategies and successes in overcoming challenges to human rights and democracy

We invite you to read the full report to gain a deeper understanding of the discussions and key takeaways:

Read the full report: Upholding Human Rights and Values (9 July 2024) 

WECF’s engagement in organising this event has been carried out under the WomenPower2030 project. The project is funded by the European Union. The contents of the event are the sole responsibility of ECE-RCEM and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.