Portugal calls for stronger, better-funded human rights pillar at the Human Rights Council
At the high-level segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Portugal reaffirmed its firm commitment to multilateralism and to a strong, independent and adequately funded human rights pillar.
Opening her statement in Portuguese, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ana Isabel Xavier stressed the interconnection between human rights, peace and development, and called for equal support to the UN’s three pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights.
The Secretary of State warned that chronic underfunding is undermining the effectiveness of the Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Procedures, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, and further reiterated Portugal’s support for elevating the Human Rights Council to a main body of UN.
Together with Brazil, Portugal will table a triennial resolution on mental health and human rights, promoting rights-based and inclusive approaches. The Secretary of State underlined that this commitment to human rights and dialogue also underpins Portugal’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2027-2028.
