Albares defends human rights as a pillar of democracy in Geneva (UN)

Albares, who was speaking today at Spain's first regular session as a member of the Council, which has been running for 20 years, said that Spain's objective will be to maintain the credibility and legitimacy of this body as a central part of the system for the promotion and protection of human rights, at a complex crossroads for all multilateralism.

The minister declared that multilateralism is our best tool and considered that this Human Rights Council should be a voice for victims, for human rights defenders and for civil society. 

Albares made special mention of women, of whom she said that there would be no peace without their full participation in decision-making, and recalled that Spain's foreign policy is a feminist one. At the same time, he reaffirmed our determination to continue to fight against all discrimination, especially against those who suffer even criminal persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

During his speech, the minister also wished​ to verbalise Spain's support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a guarantor of accountability, as well as Spain's support for the mechanisms established by the Human Rights Council aimed at providing recognition, truth, memory, justice and reparation to victims.

Albares anticipated that Spain will continue to defend a foreign policy with its own identity, based on respect for international humanitarian law and human rights, and that we will continue to demand compliance with the same conviction in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria and Sudan.

The minister also hoped that the International Conference on Financing for Development, which Spain will organise this year in Seville, will make a decisive contribution to reducing the financing gap of the 2030 Agenda.

Photos from the event can be viewed here.