In post at the UN in Geneva since April this year, Ambassador Julian Braithwaite spoke with UNA-UK about the UK's work in protecting and promoting human rights at the UN.
Having been the UK’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva for a few months now, what are your initial impressions about working at the Human Rights Council (HRC) and how, if at all, has it been different to what you expected?
During my second HRC session, I’ve obtained a real insight into how some of the world comes together to discuss the most pressing human rights issues. As an elected member of the HRC and permanent member of the Security Council, the UK attaches great importance to the rules-based international order and to the UN’s role at the heart of that system. At my first session, the UK played a leading role calling for a resolution on South Sudan, paving the way for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send a mission to the country. Despite the difficult negotiations and national sensitivities, we were able to mobilise the HRC and reach consensus.
The UK leads the core group on Syria in the Council. Through the Commission of Inquiry, we have been able to keep the Council’s spotlight on the serious human rights violations that continue to be committed by the Assad regime in Syria, and the escalating abuses by the extremists groups like ISIL/Daesh.
As the HRC marks its tenth anniversary in 2016, I think we should seize the opportunity to reflect on the Council’s achievements and what could be done differently. I would like to see a more nimble Council able to respond quickly to emerging situations (such as Burundi), more closely linked to the peace and security dimensions of the UN in New York. To achieve this, I think we need fewer mandates and working groups, and we need to work better across the Council’s regional groups.
The UK’s efforts in the Council should also be seen in the context of our engagement across the 37 agencies, funds and other bodies that give Geneva its unique and essential place in the international system. The UK channels over £2 billion a year to the agencies, funds and bodies based in Geneva, and is among one the top donors to each of them.
While seeking election for its 2014-16 term, the UK made a number of voluntary pledges in its Council candidacy. Now at the midway point, which of these pledges has the UK made the most progress on, and which, in your view, have been the most challenging to fulfil?
Some notable successes include our work on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI), and ‘women and girls’. 80 per cent of UN member states have now endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict – a remarkable achievement, and reflection of a shared determination to address this issue. The Prime Minister’s Girl Summit created renewed momentum to tackle child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), and female genital mutilation. We also worked with a core group of countries to pass the first substantial HRC resolution on CEFM in June. In terms of challenges: it`s not always easy to secure strong support for our priorities within the Council. But we will continue to support a robust approach to tackling the most egregious human rights situations.
One of the UK’s priorities, as well as UNA-UK’s, has been to see the Council and its mechanisms strengthened, in particular the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). How important is it for the UK to lead by example on this?
The UPR has the potential to bring about real change on the ground. But this requires a willingness on all sides to support the process. This is why the UK took such care to engage openly and seriously in our own review, and why we have submitted a voluntary mid-term report on our own implementation. It is also why we speak at every other state’s review, and we have led the charge in promoting best practice – making fewer, better recommendations. We have been proud to work alongside others in this effort, particularly Morocco. Above all, the UPR is about how states own the process. The UPR should not be something that happens to them. What matters is keeping up momentum between reviews – the policies, laws and initiatives that make a real difference to the situation on the ground.
Much of the Council’s work in the last few years has been dominated by a number of major global crises, perhaps most dramatically, in Syria, but also Gaza, the Central African Republic and elsewhere. How have these crises affected the UK’s efforts to promote and protect human rights?
These crises demand the attention, resources and commitment of the international community, and the UK steps up to play its role. Take Syria for example, where we have led efforts in Geneva and New York to keep the spotlight on the horrendous human rights situation and supported initiatives to find a political solution. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to Syria, allocating over £1 billion since 2012 to help vulnerable people in Syria and refugees in the region. The Department for International Development has allocated £9.5 million to support local capacity and contribute to longer term stability once the fighting stops. Our approach is shaped by an awareness that human rights at risk and eroded during times of conflict and crises must also be protected when stability is established if we are to find sustainable solutions for peace and lay the foundation for a stable and pluralistic Syria in the future.
The UK views the rules-based international order as central to how we respond to crises, and we are clear that we must be tireless in our efforts to find solutions, moving from crises to conflict prevention towards stability, anchored on the promotion and protection of universal human rights, including through accountability. The Sustainable Development Goals agreed this week in New York will also be vital in making human rights an even more integral element of development efforts.
Related to this, how can the UK strengthen cooperation between the Human Rights Council and other relevant UN bodies, in particular the Security Council? Is this something you’ve discussed with Ambassador Rycroft, who is also new in post at the UK Mission in New York?
One of the first things I did was to discuss how Geneva and New York could support one another better. This is not new, but working with the Director for Multilateral Policy in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, we decided to reaffirm our commitment to pursuing a more holistic approach across the UN. By working more closely together, we can have bigger impact across the rules-based international order, as demonstrated through UN momentum on the DPRK and the response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa.
The UN’s three pillars are mutually reinforcing – emerging human rights concerns are often an early warning sign of risks to peace and security; while development and human rights protection need to work hand in hand to promote stable, prosperous countries that avoid conflict and crises – prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.
The UK has already stated its intention to run for another three-year term next year. What will be the UK’s main priorities looking forward, and how can we ensure that the Council continues to protect those on the frontline of human rights worldwide?
Advancing human rights is an incremental process which demands consistency and commitment. We will continue to support universal human rights, pushing for a determined response by the Council to the gravest violations and abuses, and harnessing new opportunities to drive forward the agenda.
Our approach will be shaped around three broad themes, covering all human rights: democratic values and the rule of law; strengthening the rules-based international system; and human rights for a stable world. We look forward to engaging with UNA-UK on our re-election over the coming months and hearing your views.
To end on a lighter note, can you tell us what has been your most enjoyable moment in Geneva so far?
It happens every morning, on my way to work. On one side of me lies Mont Blanc, often shining in the sun. On the other, the UN's Palais des Nations, on the shores of the lake. And I think about all the dramas and crises this remarkable place has seen, the important international work that happens here every day on refugees, pandemic preparedness, human rights, the global economy and much more, and the privilege of being Britain's representative to such a place, at such a time.
Photo: © UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
