A/HRC/32/43
through the application of non-recognition and non-cooperation with state and non-state
actors who were in violation of international human rights standards. Concrete examples
were provided to illustrate the assertion that the evolution of international solidarity was at
an important crossroads. The point was also made that solidarity was just as essential to
implementing two other principles presently not covered in the draft declaration: common
but differentiated responsibilities for the global environment, and responsibility-sharing
with regard to refugees. Both of those principles were significant in the context of the
Middle East and North Africa region, which had the largest forcibly displaced population in
the world, as had already been the case even before the Syrian conflict. There was an urgent
need for solidarity and the honouring of international commitments under the United
Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951. It was highlighted that the
majority of refugees in the current crisis were being helped by the poorer nations of the
world; those least able to do so were the ones taking action.
41.
The four priority areas of ASEAN were delineated as including migration,
particularly irregular migration, environmental issues, territorial conflicts and the rising
threat of terrorism in the region. It was said that a right to international solidarity might face
a negative fate if not reconciled with the principle of sovereignty. It was pointed out that
there was no explicit reference to regional organizations and mechanisms in the current
draft, be they supranational or intergovernmental, which should be considered and more
explicitly identified as duty bearers, with a view to enhancing their role in promoting
international solidarity. It was stressed that valuable lessons could be learned from the
experiences of other regions in dealing with those issues. Further suggestions were made to
include relevant provisions from regional mechanisms. Reference was made to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, especially to its provision stipulating that “the free
disposal of wealth and natural resources shall be exercised without prejudice to the
obligation of promoting international economic cooperation based on mutual respect,
equitable exchange and the principles of international law”.
42.
The presentations in the second panel were on the role of national human rights
institutions in the promotion of international solidarity; solidarity and environmentally
sustainable development goals; and women and children in cross-border migration. During
the discussions, it was pointed out that the role of national human rights institutions could
be of particular importance with regard to preventive solidarity to safeguard human rights,
particularly in three areas: education and awareness raising, engagement in legislative and
policymaking processes, and monitoring. Attention was called to the importance of linking
the work of national human rights institutions at the international and regional levels and
enhancing cross-border networks of national human rights institutions. The view was
expressed that the environment should be perceived as a global public good and that related
issues should be addressed with the active involvement of all parties through partnerships
based on equal and cooperative relationships. The need for the response of civil society to
global issues to be coordinated and strong partnerships developed at the grass-roots level,
with a view to more effectively promoting the realization of sustainable development goals
and international solidarity from the ground up, was further underscored. The presentation
of international solidarity with regard to migration focused on the phenomenon labelled as
the externalization of borders, whereby some States required neighbouring countries to
exercise migration control in order to contain the influx of migrants. It was argued that this
type of partnership led to human rights violations and should therefore be denounced as
undesirable solidarity.
16
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