H.E. MR. NASSIR ABDULAZIZ AL-NASSER
UNITED NATIONS HIGH REPRESENTATIVE
UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS
at the CONCERT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
GENEVA – 9 DECEMBER, 2017, 530 PM
Your Excellency, Mr. Michael Moller
Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva
Your Ecellency, Joaquin Alexander Maza Martelli
President of the Untied Nations Human Rights Council
Your Excellency, Amb Cristobal Gonzalez-Aller Jurado
Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations
Your Excellency, Mr Miguel Moratinos
President of ONUART Foundation
Good evening,
I am very pleased to be here again for the third year in a row. Most of us gathered here less than 2 months ago to celebrate the Silk Road in a fantastic concert. But then who wouldn’t like to be listening to music every day. I would like to thank my friend Miguel Moratinos and his foundation OUNART for his commitment and valuable partnership in this joint initiative.
Tonight, through musical performance of Symphonic Orchestra of the Gran Theatre Del Liceu, we will pay tribute to all the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place in many parts of world : In Europe, in Asia, In the Middle East, in America and in Africa. Terrorism today, has expanded its span and its nature. No country can claim to be immune from its scourge. Let me stress that terrorism has no face, and it should not be associated with any religion, ethnicity or race. Terrorism today is not only a threat to our security but also to our humanity. It shatters people and the fabric of their society. Human Rights as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are an acknowledgment of our common humanity. We should stand up and speak up collectively against terrorism while at the same defend and protect human rights.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations was created to promote tolerance and understanding and respect for diversity. It is also a reminder of the context of the time when the Alliance was initiated few years after the 11the of September attacks. A time when polarization between cultures was high and a wave of terrorist attacks took our world by a storm. Sadly, today we find ourselves in an almost similar position.
This evening we can reflect on 2 things: what more we can do to advance human rights and what more can we do to promote cultural understanding and tolerance. I see that both objectives are intertwined. Respect of human rights and dignity is a cornerstone for peace , security and sustainable development. We need to remind ourselves everyday that Human rights are a corner stone for inclusive societies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let’s celebrate together the Human Rights Day. After all, the world has many cultures but only one humanity.
I thank you.