Poland in the UN

The High Level Segment launches the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, which takes place from February 22 to March 23 at the Palace of Nations in Geneva. Due to the limitations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the session will be held mainly virtually. In his previously recorded speech, the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Andrzej Duda discussed the consequences of the pandemic for human rights in the world, the situation in Belarus, recent events in Russia and human rights in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

At the outset, the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. A. Duda, emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic has become the most pressing challenge for the international community and that access to health care and health security have been raised to the level of basic human rights. He also stressed that the international community cannot allow the pandemic to increase divisions in the world.

Referring to the situation in Belarus, the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. A. Duda, noted that the scale of repression of the Belarussian regime was more than alarming and called on the authorities to move to the policy of dialogue. The policy of repressions against its own society is also the approach - as the President underlined- of the authorities of the Russian Federation as demonstrated by massive detentions of peaceful protesters after the arrest of Alexei Navalny and his co-workers. In the context of the human rights situation in the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces or under the control of Russia-backed separatists, the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. A. Duda, once again confirmed Poland's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Further on in his speech, the President of the Republic of Poland. A. Duda raised the issue of freedom of religion or belief as one of the fundamental human rights, recalling in this context the growing phenomenon of discrimination and persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. The President also stressed that freedom of religion or belief should be better protected by the international community. In this context, he recalled the resolution International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, adopted by the UNGA in August 2019 on the initiative of Poland.

The President also referred to the need to guarantee freedom of expression in the field era of digital revolution and emphasized Poland's commitment to protect the most vulnerable,  including children, older persons and persons with disabilities.