His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the GCC countries adopt the principle of mediation as a diplomatic tool for resolving armed conflicts and protecting human dignity and rights, providing an environment where fundamental rights are respected and communities thrive in security and peace.
This was stated during his recorded speech at the opening of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Geneva.
At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency the Secretary General congratulated the President and members of the bureau on their election to chair the Human Rights Council, wishing them success in managing the council's affairs.
He also thanked the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Volker Turk, and his colleagues in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their continuous efforts to support the work of the council.
He pointed out that this session is held in a year of historical significance, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Charter, describing it "a moment that calls us all to reflect on the common obstacles and challenges, many of which we have overcome in our pursuit of preserving human dignity and rights,"
His Excellency further added: "At the same time, it imposes on us the necessity of working diligently to restore trust in our international system and unify our collective will to promote those rights, especially in light of the declining respect for international charters and norms and the double standards in their application,"
He continued: "A clear example of this is the ethnic cleansing, killing, and injury of over 160,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, by the Israeli occupation forces, without any sense of humanity or moral responsibility, and in full view of the international community,"
Besides, His Excellency emphasised the steadfast and firm position of the GCC in supporting the Palestinian cause and reaching a solution based on ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Additionally, His Excellency the Secretary General indicated that the GCC pays high attention to enhancing and protecting human rights by adopting many unified systems and guiding principles, with its member states following a comprehensive and continuous approach to developing their legislative and institutional framework related to human rights.
"This is based on human values and noble rights derived from our noble religion, and in commitment to the principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," His Excellency explained, adding: "We adopt the principle of the right to development as a fundamental concept for the sustainability and preservation of human rights, and we work to cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms while respecting the diversity of human rights concepts and the value differences among various peoples and communities,"
His Excellency expressed concern over the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and the spread of hate speech, calling for international efforts to counter this dangerous phenomenon and build an alternative culture based on tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
Moreover, His Excellency stressed that regional and international conflicts and armed struggles are the main cause of human suffering, through which "we witness, with great sorrow, serious violations of human dignity and rights in various forms,"
Furthermore, he highlighted the joint statement by the GCC countries, endorsed by 137 nations at the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which commemorated the 25th anniversary of the UN's Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.
In conclusion, His Excellency praised the vital and important role played by those working in humanitarian and relief organisations, expressing concern over the dangers faced by humanitarian workers, and calling for their protection in conflicts according to international law and taking necessary measures to ensure accountability for these serious violations committed against them.
He underscored the need to renew full support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which represents a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees. He urged the international community to provide the necessary resources to ensure the continuation of UNRWA's vital humanitarian, educational, and health services, which are crucial for regional stability and human rights protection.