Poland in the UN

On the first day of his stay in Geneva, the Polish Foreign Minister  held a speech at the High Level Segment  of the Conference on Disarmament. “Activities in support of disarmament, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and arms control are indispensable elements of global stabilization and security. Regardless of the current deadlock, the Conference on Disarmament remains the key body set up to initiate and run disarmament negotiations,” underlined the minister. He also stressed that being a member of the Conference on Disarmament, Poland supports the promotion of disarmament, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and arms control. He set the priority on the quick opening of negotiations of the Treaty to prohibit production of fissile material for military purposes (FMCT). The minister also noted that this year’s key event for Poland is the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Minister Czaputowicz also attended the Ministerial Meeting of the “Alliance for Multilateralism” initiative together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Heiko Maas and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Ives Le Drian. The Alliance for Multilateralism is an informal forum of countries discussing the strengthening of multilateral mechanisms based on international law. Its purpose is to reflect on the reforms and modernization of international institutions in the areas of international humanitarian law and human rights.

During the “Human Rights Situation in Crimea and Ukrainian Hostages of the Kremlin” ministerial panel, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz took part in a discussion together with the foreign ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine on the situation in Crimea. “Poland is deeply concerned with the human rights situation in Crimea and the repressive policy of the occupying Russian administration”, said the top Polish diplomat. At the same time he underlined his satisfaction with Russia’s decision to free political prisoners held in its territory.

Minister Czaputowicz also visited the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and met its Director General Fabiola Gianotti as well as Polish scientists working at the Organisation. He thanked Polish scientists for their commitment and underlined that they are the best showpieces of Poland available abroad and contribute to building our positive image across the world. Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also expressed hope that the experience they gain at CERN will translate into stronger national research potential.

On the second day of his visit, the chief of Polish diplomacy made a national statement during the High Level Segment of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council. He underlined that Poland started its membership of the Human Rights Council for the third time. The admission of our country to the membership of this key international human rights body constitutes  both: recognition for Poland as a country committed to promoting international law and human rights, as well as a challenge for Polish diplomacy.

The protection of freedom of religion or  belief is Poland’s key priority at the Human Rights Council. In this context, the minister announced that Warsaw will host a ministerial on freedom of religion to be organised jointly with the United States in July this year. Poland will also support the groups most vulnerable to human rights abuse, in particular children and persons with disabilities. Minister Czaputowicz also stressed the special importance that Poland, an active participant in the work on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, attaches to the protection of children’s rights‎. In his address, Poland’s top diplomat underlined the support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and expressed deep concern over the human rights situation in Crimea, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, and Myanmar. 

In the margins of the Council’s session, Poland, jointly with the UK, organised a high-level meeting on freedom of religion or belief. “We all agree that freedom of religion or belief is one of the most endangered human rights today”, said Minister Czaputowicz.

Minister Jacek Czaputowicz met also with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malki. They discussed the state of play of bilateral cooperation, the current prospects for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the opportunities for the international community, taking into account the UN’s role, to engage in stabilizing the situation in the region.

 

fot. Sebastian Indra / MFA