A/HRC/32/43
hold her consultation in the Pacific, closer to the small island developing States that were
often left out of international discussions mainly because of their remote location and the
difficulty of travelling there.
A.
Panel presentations and discussion on human rights and international
solidarity
33.
The first panel discussion addressed international human rights law and international
solidarity, along with international cooperation and the duty of States regarding the
realization of human rights. These presentations brought out a number of key points,
including the fact that a right to international solidarity could be understood as a
transformative toolkit, in the spirit of the new Sustainable Development Goals, for the
implementation of international cooperation in the best interest of all, leaving no one
behind. Solidarity was said to be part of the values of democratic societies and ultimately
also reflected in the practices of States at the regional and international levels. From the
perspective of international relations, there could be more than one understanding of the
incentives or motivations of States with regard to cooperating in the field of human rights.
From that followed the suggestion that it was important, while reviewing the draft
declaration, to reflect on what incentives could be given to motivate States to uphold
international solidarity. It was highlighted that, generally, agreements on solidarity only
lasted as long as they benefited the parties engaged. For example, States might use
advocacy for human rights to increase soft power, or might perceive solidarity and human
rights as a means of enhancing their prestige or image.
34.
The second panel focused on climate change and common but differentiated
responsibilities, protecting cultural heritage from the adverse effects of climate change,
international solidarity and the global partnership for development, accountability for
international development funds, regional solidarity in relation to the Framework for
Pacific Regionalism, and national solidarity and the role of civil society in building
resilience. The presentations touched on various issues relevant to the Pacific region, some
of them also linked to global issues. The view was expressed that the principle of common
but differentiated responsibility with regard to environmental degradation, which embodied
the principle of international solidarity, was a source of tension among States in the United
Nations system. The notion of extraterritorial obligations of States also meant holding those
responsible for environment-related crises in other countries accountable, including the
so-called “big polluters” that were domiciled within those States. It was highlighted that
environmental degradation could have an irreversible impact, leading to the loss of not only
tangible cultural heritage, but also intangible cultural heritage, such as living traditions,
through the movement and displacement of populations. Relocation of communities was
identified as a possible cause of the loss of traditional cultural practices, collective identity
and a sense of belonging. Moreover, the preservation of the cultural heritage of local
communities was said to be a critical element in building resilience linked to disaster
management and adaptation in response to extreme climate conditions. Adaptation also
required a change in the way States interacted with each other; a right to international
solidarity would provide lasting guiding standards. Examples were given of the work being
done by Vanuatu to strengthen institutional capacity and good governance, including
mechanisms for international aid accountability, through the insertion of anti-corruption
clauses in aid agreements and the improvement of financial management and transparency
concerning public aid. The Framework for Pacific Regionalism, adopted in 2014, was
presented. It was underscored that the Framework articulated a regional vision integrating a
set of regional values to guide policymaking and implementation, including the promotion
and protection of human rights, to achieve the four goals of economic growth, sustainable
development, good governance and security. Key features of that framework included the
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