Italy aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity.
We reaffirm the centrality of Human Rights in our foreign policy and we firmly believe in the unique role of the Human Rights Council for the promotion of human rights worldwide.
We fully support the High Commissioner and his Office, the Special Procedures – that have a “standing invitation” to Italy -, the Treaty Bodies and all other Mechanisms.
We express our commitment to contributing to the efficiency of the work of the Council and reiterate our long-standing support to all the efforts and initiatives led by the HRC Chairs aiming at ensuring a well-functioning and well-resourced Human Rights Council.
We are living in times when the respect for human rights is being challenged to an unprecedented extent, and we must prioritize the persons in the most vulnerable situations (including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities and LGBTIQ+ persons).
We must continue to stand up for gender equality, women empowerment and women’s rights, and fight all forms of gender-based discrimination and violence, including harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriages and female genital mutilation, also on the basis of National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security. Our action would not be possible without the irreplaceable role of the civil society organizations.
2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the mandate of UN Special Representative for Children and armed conflict: we strongly reiterate our support to this mandate and to all other initiatives to advance children’s rights.
This year marks also 15 years since the adoption of the first GA Resolution on the universal moratorium on the use of the of death penalty and we will spare no efforts to get an ever wider support to the 9th UNGA Resolution currently under discussion.
Italy believes in the necessity to preserve the rule of law as a way to promote peace and prevent conflicts, in accordance with SDG 16. We also reiterate the centrality of economic, civil and social rights in the work of the Council and the importance to address the new emerging challenges, including the adoption of a human rights based approach to climate-action and to ensure that human rights apply equally online and offline and are adequately protected in the digital era.
Thank you.
