The German President Joachim Gauck has called human rights "the foundation of all human co-existence" and said Germany will support the pursuit for universal human rights across the globe, during his speech at the first day of the 22nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Gauck called for a global fight for human rights, irrespective of a country’s size or international standing and said responsible countries should always speak up for the rights of the individual, "even if that sometimes means criticizing neighbors or friends".
"For me, human rights remain the foundation of all human co-existence, the precondition for us to be able to use fulfil our incredible potential as people, to change our lives for the better," he said.
The German president added that human rights were "not just universal, but indivisible as well. Economic, social and cultural rights belong inseparably with political and civil freedoms."
Gauck said that the Council had to “act on behalf of all humanity in cases where States did not live up to their commitments" and that human rights were far too often violated and ignored. He mentioned examples like the death penalty, violence against women, discrimination on the basis of colour or origin, and the intimidation of human rights defenders.
He added that Germany would always support the work of the Council and that four guiding principles were important to Germany; speaking openly about human rights violations, intervening quickly to prevent such violations, taking appropriate action, and helping human rights organisations in their job.
