RC Anders Pedersen on Decreasing Inequalities & Enhancing Human Rights in Jordan

Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and gentleman,

I would like to express my appreciation for being invited to speak at this Conference celebrating Human Rights Day. As you know, Human Rights Day honors annually the adoption of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights in 1948. This year’s theme is “Equality”. All human, all equal: Rebuild better, fairer, greener. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration stipulates - “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

The principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims at “leaving no one behind”.

Successive financial, humanitarian and the latest health crises have hampered the realization of the 2030 Agenda and, please allow me to single out one group here, have had a long-lasting and multidimensional impact on millions of young people worldwide.

Unless their rights are protected through access to quality education, training, mental health support, decent jobs and social protection, the “COVID generation” runs the risk of falling prey to mounting inequality and poverty.  Women have also been severely affected, through job losses, facing increased gender-based violence and lacking political participation, - as are persons with disabilities, people living in poverty, older persons, migrants and refugees. 

The 2030 Agenda, underpinned by human rights, provides a comprehensive blueprint for sustainable recovery from the pandemic and to further advance the realization of human rights for all people everywhere, without discrimination.

In 2022, the UN in Jordan urges for a renewed commitment to realizing human rights and the 2030 Agenda. The realization of the 2030 Agenda should be grounded in meaningful participation, safe-guarding civic space, freedom of expression and association, the right to peaceful assembly, access to information, social dialogue, transparency and accountability. I encourage the Government to engage in dialogue with independent voices, and to view media freedoms, and the promotion of all civic freedoms, as a vital foundation for sound public policies and decision-making.

The Government of Jordan will present its assessment of progress made in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through submitting a Voluntary National Review report to the United Nations in July 2022. This is an opportunity to take stock and accelerate the protection and promotion of human rights including through the Universal Periodic Review process in 2023.

On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the United Nations stands ready to support the implementation of recommendations addressed to Jordan by United Nations human rights mechanisms, which could build a BETTER, FAIRER and GREENER future for all.

The United Nations in Jordan looks forward to 2022 being a year of action for human rights.