The 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva is officially opened by Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro. This council matters, that human rights matters; multilateral cooperation remains indispensable in navigating our shared challenges. It reaffirms the faith on human rights’ fundamental, in the dignity and worth of human persons in equal rights of men and women as well of nations: large and small. Let this session serve as a renewed call to listen; to corporate; to act and to mark the Council’s rise to the demands of the moment.
Volker Türk – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized that 24 February 2026 marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – four interminable & agonizing years. Civilian casualties have soared and Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy and water infrastructure could amount to international crimes. He emphasizes the fighting needs to end and urges both parties to focus on human rights and justice in any ceasefire or peace agreement.
Annalena Baerbock – UN President General Assembly: ‘silence, action or even inaction is a choice’; I am calling for ‘action’ because history teaches us that large systems rarely collapse in one dramatic moment. They erode slowly, rule by rule, commitment by commitment, with those who should defend them – keep on staying silent – until one day what seemed permanent simply vanishes. This is the reason why it needs all of us to protect and defend and champion the 3(three) UN principles: peace and security, development and human rights. Inspired by the spirit of all athletes from all over the world participating in 2026 Olympics and Para-Olympics winter games in Cortina, Italy. Their diversities show us again what we can achieve when we come together despite our differences or especially the cause of diversity. To compete fiercely yet fairly on the same playing field, governed by the same rules, always in mutual respect that a life is alive, that a human being is a human being.
António Guterres – UN Secretary General; encourages the Council to stay as the voice and shield for all those in need, the place that helps end the board and brutal assault on human rights because a world that protects human rights protects itself. Never let human rights’ erosion become accepted prizes for political expediency or geopolitical competition for the power to write a new rule book in which the vulnerable have no rights and the powerful have no limits.
Related link:
Ukraine: 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since 2022 – Briefing | United Nations
Ukraine, United Kingdom & others on Ukraine – Joint Security Council Media Stakeout | United Nations
