[ad_1]
United Nations, 11 December (PTI) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he publicly emphasized the importance of safeguarding civic space and protecting human rights defenders as well as environmental activists during his recent visits to India and Vietnam.
Guterres concluded by saying: “One of the key messages that I have clearly got and that I have tried to convey very clearly is that human rights must be at the center of all environmental issues, the work of the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)” this week in Montreal Press conference at the COP15 Biodiversity Conference.
Read also | Hawaii volcano alert level lowered for observation – USGS – Latest tweet from Reuters.
“One aspect that worries me more is related to the persecution of human rights defenders in general, but also environmental activists,” he added.
He was answering a question about the government’s crackdown on environmental protests.
“During my visits in preparation for COPS, namely in India and Vietnam, I had the opportunity to publicly stress the importance of not only ensuring civic space, the openness of civic space, but especially the protection of human rights defenders and human rights defenders, environmental activism home. They play an extremely important role,” Guterres said.
It was “totally unacceptable” for them to be victims of human rights violations, the UN secretary-general added, “We know that some of them are in prison, some have been threatened and some have even lost their lives.
“Not only because of the government, but also because some economic interests consider obstacles to the achievement of their profit goals to be totally unacceptable, because profit based on the destruction of nature is the exact opposite of what we are talking about here,” Guterres said.
Guterres visited India from October 18-20 and met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of November’s climate change conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Speaking to students at IIT Bombay, Guterres said India’s voice in the international arena can only gain authority and credibility through a strong commitment to inclusiveness and respect for human rights at home.
India has previously rejected criticism from foreign governments and human rights groups over allegations that civil liberties have been eroded in the country.
The Indian government claims that India has well-established democratic practices and sound institutions to guarantee the rights of all.
Guterres traveled from India to Vietnam, where he said “human rights are at the heart of unleashing the best in our societies” and building solidarity and promoting inclusion, equality and growth.
“They guaranteed freedom. They ensured lasting stability,” he said.
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
[ad_2]
Source link