The UN General Assembly’s 73rd session in New York opened on 18 September, marking the world’s most important meeting, that incudes high profile sessions on topics including urgent human rights issues such as, the ongoing Syria crisis, the Rohingya genocide, North Korea and Iran.
The opening event kicks off two weeks of events and discussions on some of the most contentious human rights issues of the year. The annual general debate is scheduled to take place due to take place on 25 September. The meeting marks a crucial moment on the international stage, at the time when human rights violations grow and become more grave, whether they happen at the hands of state or non-state actors.
Secretary general Antonio Guterres opened with rousing words:
“Excellency’s, we have a busy session ahead of us. We need action for peacekeeping, gender parity, financing for the 2030 agenda, empowerment for the world’s young people, urgent steps to end poverty and conflict and much else. I encourage you to invite your leaders to come to next week’s high-level week ready to be bold and ready to forge solutions for our global challenges.
“At a time of fragmentation and polarisation, the world needs this assembly to show the value of international cooperation.”
High-Level talks
High-level talks include a global peace summit being held in the honour of Nelson Mandela taking place on 24 September. The aim of the summit will be to conclude with a political declaration signed by member states.
But it is the annual general debate, scheduled to take place on the 25 September that is on the minds of the world. Last year’s general debate saw controversial moments when US President Donald Trump made some belligerent comments towards North Korea and Iran in the meeting. His misplaced tone was met with surprise last year, at the annual meeting that is regarded as one that represents the pinnacle of international diplomacy. A year on and Trump’s global audience may approach his speech with more scepticism and some suggest that his second appearance at the UN, “could make America lose even more political clout on the global stage.”
America’s harder positions on Iran, the Human Rights Council and Palestine are key areas for discussion as analysts consider how far President Trump’s more nationalist, unilateral approach to diplomacy can drive US foreign relations. The withdrawal of US funding from the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) called into question the US’s role as a broker of peace in the protracted conflict. The UNRWA has worked for almost 70 years servicing Palestinian refugees, but withdrawal of US funding puts the continuation of that work in jeopardy.
Debate topics
This year’s annual general debate is a crucial moment in international diplomacy, mostly due to a number of significant crises taking place on the world stage.
Rohingya Genocide
The human rights abuses in Myanmar extend threefold; not only do the ethnic cleansing and humanitarian issues needed urgently addressing, but so do freedoms such as the clampdown of free speech and free press in the country, recently highlighted during the case of two Reuters journalists sentenced to seven years in prison in on baseless charges for their coverage of the Rohyinga massacres. The looming refugee crisis, that has been created in neighbouring Bangladesh due to the thousands that try to flee death or torture, is yet another humanitarian issue created by the crisis in Myanmar.
It was only last month that the abuses happening in Myanmar were highlighted by the UN who called on the government of the nation to be held accountable for
“one of the world’s worst humanitarian and human rights crises.”
Human rights campaigners are looking at the UN meeting as a serious opportunity for the rights abuses to be addressed head on. Head of the UN Office of Amnesty International, Sherine Tadros said,
“World leaders meeting next week at the General Assembly in New York have a golden opportunity to send a strong message and pave the way for justice for the Rohingya and for ethnic minorities under attack in northern Myanmar.”
Syria, Iran and North Korea
After warning that Syria could be the century’s “worst humanitarian catastrophe”, talks on how to move the Syria crisis closer towards a lasting peace will be at the top of the agenda. In addition, there will be a focus on the human cost and casualties caused by the protracted war, the concern over what the UN have called “unprecedented” levels of displacement in what many see as the final stages of the 7- year- long war.
Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president’s appearance at the UN meeting is itself causing contention with those calling for him to ensure he offers a message of peace and reconciliation. Similarly, after President Trump’s attempt at rapprochement with North Korea last year, talks are expected to be somewhat different to past talks.
South Korea has also made moves to close the gap between themselves and North Korea. Just this week in Pyongyang South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and both vowed to bring peace to their region.
IOHR wishes the UNGA a successful session and encourages world leaders and the international community to ratify the political declaration that they will sign this week and move swiftly toward decisive actions for peace and stability.