On October 30, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, gave an intervention during the debate of the Third Committee of the General Assembly dedicated to Agenda Item 72 (b,c), entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights.”  

In his intervention, Archbishop Auza noted the responsibility that UN Special Rapporteurs and other human rights mandate holders have to promote and protect the human rights of all persons, but added that must involve the “right to life, liberty and security of person” of everyone, especially the most vulnerable. To promote rights implies responsibilities, particularly the “juridical protection for every human life from conception until natural death” and a political system and civil society resolved to meet persons’ essential needs, including those of the disabled. Human rights, however, are routinely challenged, ignored or even spurned, which is seen frequently in the current crisis of refugees and migrants. He said that the misconceptions in the current migration narrative must be addressed. He finished by stressing that we must do more than talk about human rights, but make sure they are effectively realized through the fulfillment of their corresponding responsibilities.

The statement can be found here.