Fajon na Svetu OZN za človekove pravice: Molk ob kršitvah ni nevtralnost — je sokrivda

SLOVENIA, February 24 - Addressing the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Minister Tanja Fajon drew attention to the serious threats confronting human rights in the 21st century. “We must stand up for human rights every day, especially in the world we live in today. They will only survive if we defend them and defending them today takes courage.”

This is also why Slovenia has joined the Global Alliance for Human Rights. “Human rights do not disappear overnight – they erode every time we tolerate discrimination, excuse impunity or simply look the other way,” Minister Fajon added.

This is the third time that Slovenia has served on the UN Human Rights Council. It has assumed its mandate with the firm conviction that leadership in the field of human rights must be principled rather than selective, and courageous rather than calculated. In her address to the high-level segment, Minister Fajon stated: “Silence in the face of violations is not neutrality – it is complicity.” At a time when the world is beset by conflict and violence, from Gaza to Sudan and from Myanmar to Afghanistan, consistent efforts to uphold international law are more important than ever. She also referred to Ukraine, reaffirming Slovenia’s continued support for the country, and stressed that any peace built on impunity is merely a pause before the next atrocity.

Minister Fajon underlined Slovenia’s strong commitment to human rights and to multilateralism. She expressed support for the UN Human Rights Council and for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in their efforts to address violations, promote justice and prevent future atrocities. “The real question is not whether the human rights protection system is under pressure, but whether we are prepared to defend it even when doing so is politically challenging. Institutions do not fail because they are imperfect – they fail when we stop defending them,” she stressed, referring to the broader challenges facing fundamental values and multilateralism.

Over the past 20 years, the UN Human Rights Council has demonstrated its capacity to respond effectively to human rights violations worldwide and to develop new international human rights standards. At a time when human dignity is under threat in many parts of the world, the Council’s work carries not only legal and political weight, but also profound moral responsibility. Minister Fajon emphasised the importance of adequate, sustainable and predictable funding for the UN’s human rights pillar. In discussions on UN reform, effectiveness must not be strengthened at the expense of universality. The chronic underfunding of the core human rights pillar is a political, not a technical, issue. Human rights are not a subsidiary element of the United Nations – they constitute its very foundation. In this spirit, Slovenia supports the Global Alliance for Human Rights and stands ready to engage actively in its work.

With regard to Slovenia’s priorities within the Human Rights Council, the Minister highlighted the importance of amplifying women’s voices, safeguarding their rights and supporting their leadership across all areas of public life. The full, equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes enhances the resilience, accountability and democratic governance of societies. She further stressed the need to strengthen the protection of the rights of older persons, so that they may fully enjoy their rights and participate actively in society. “Human rights belong to all from birth until death; a person's dignity and identity do not diminish with age,” she said. Addressing the implementation of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Minister Fajon noted that environmental degradation affects everyone, particularly the most vulnerable.

On the margins of the session, the Minister attended a high-level event organised by Slovenia in partnership with UN Women and other partner countries under the title Advancing Human Rights and Equality: Investing in Women’s Political Leadership in Multilateralism. She reaffirmed Slovenia’s commitment to the equal participation of women and men in the decision-making processes of international organisations. She reiterated Slovenia’s determination to ensure equal opportunities for women and men, emphasising that this requires appropriate and targeted measures. The full involvement of women and their equal participation in political deliberations benefit societies. The Minister also reiterated Slovenia’s support for initiatives aimed at achieving equal representation of women in leadership positions within the United Nations. “The time has come for a female UN Secretary-General,” she said.

During her visit to Geneva, Minister Fajon held bilateral talks with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and the foreign ministers of Palestine, Liechtenstein, Kyrgyzstan and the Maldives.

The 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council is taking place from 23 February to 2 April 2026, with Slovenia participating as a member for the 2026–2028 term.