“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in the history of human rights”

The President of the Republic spoke at the opening ceremony of the event, where she stressed the importance of promoting the defence of human rights in all areas. “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in the history of human rights,” she said, stressing that this document, adopted 75 years ago, continues to inspire us to always strive to ensure freedom, equality and dignity for all people. She also presented the presidential award for human rights work, which she bestowed for the first time as President of the Republic of Slovenia yesterday on a long-time human rights advocate and head of the PIC Legal Centre for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment. “We must always encourage people who go the extra mile to stand up for human rights,” she explained.

The President looked back at the time since the adoption of the Declaration and noted that much has been done in the field of human rights during this period, and that progress was clear in many areas. She also highlighted the establishment of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights thirty years ago as an important step in the protection of human rights at the global level. At the same time, she noted that the work is not yet complete. “Human rights are not enjoyed equally by all”, she said, adding that there are still many challenges ahead. She also referred to what is happening in Gaza, which, in her view, is “an assault on humanity and a real crisis of human rights”.

The President also highlighted rights based on the environment and climate change as one of the most important categories of human rights: the right to a clean and healthy environment, the right to water, and the right to clean air. She reiterated her recent appeal at COP28 in Dubai not to treat human rights and climate change separately.

In her closing remarks, the President expressed her concern about the slow progress in guaranteeing women's rights and called for equality in all areas. She concluded her address by expressing her support and gratitude “to all human rights and women's rights activists around the world. It is our duty not to let you down.”

Next, the President chaired a round table discussion titled “The Future of Human Rights and Digital Technologies”, in which the participating high-level representatives discussed issues related to ensuring the central role of human rights in the rapid development and use of digital technology. President Pirc Musar called for a responsible, human-centred and human rights-based approach to the development and use of new and emerging technologies. “The use of such technologies must fully respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms that apply in both the physical and virtual worlds,” she stressed. The Slovenian President is convinced that artificial intelligence has enormous potential for our economies, societies and planet. “When used well, AI can increase efficiency and enable better resource management, climate change mitigation, responses to disasters and productive economic transformation. We should thus be thinking about focusing digital investments more on solving societal problems and common global challenges. If used appropriately, digital innovation can help overcome barriers to achieving our Sustainable Development Goals, from tackling climate change to promoting gender equality,” the President explained.

Alongside the event, the President of the Republic of Slovenia held bilateral meetings with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. She spoke to both of them about the need to guarantee the human rights of all people, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other circumstance. The President reaffirmed her support for their work and efforts to build a better world for all.
Later in the day, the President visited the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross, where she met with its President, Mirjana Špoljarić Egger.