FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER This is the first UN Human Rights Report that I am presenting, as High Commissioner, and I am proud and honoured to do so. The year 2018 was marked by the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which inspires all our work. Its promise of respect for human rights “for all people and all nations” opened an era in which great progress was made: many countries unshackled people from systemic discrimination and strengthened their rule of law, made major progress towards economic and social justice, and advanced broader participation by the people in decisions. In doing so, countries laid the groundwork for greater peace and more social harmony and sustainable development. They demonstrated that not only is respect for human rights an essential goal in itself; it is also a massively positive investment, with wide-ranging and durable impact. Invigorated by this reminder of the profound value of what we do, our work in 2018 achieved real impact on the ground. From Afghanistan to Vanuatu, you will find in these pages many examples of positive impact. We partnered with the African Union (AU) to integrate human rights norms into all AU peace operations. We also developed 4 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 an AU-UN Framework on Human Rights. We began a new and important project to provide guidance to the military forces participating in the G5 Sahel Joint Force, to promote full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law in its counter-terrorism operations – including training, rules, after-action review, monitoring, accountability and protection. This vital work will help better protect local communities, and make counter-terrorism work not only more principled, but also more effective. In the Middle East and North Africa, we helped to establish a regional coalition of women human rights defenders, with the aim of increasing women’s participation in decision-making – including by advocating a safer environment for their work. Again, this will be of tremendous enduring value to women in all the countries concerned and, by boosting the full ability of women to contribute to their societies, it will also generate broader benefit to all. All over the world, we worked to end discrimination and secure fair access to justice and fundamental resources for people who have been marginalized and excluded. Thus, in Colombia, we contributed to the achievement of an agreement between the Governor of the department of Amazonas and indigenous authorities to advance implementation of a comprehensive indigenous intercultural health system. Constructive engagement by a whole range of stakeholders is essential to this kind of progress. Over the course of my mandate I am determined to build support among Member States for a balanced approach to all human rights on this fragile planet which we share. We also need to leverage the full capacity of all our UN partners. By ensuring that human rights are at the core of everything they do, we can help them assist States to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is a detailed and transformative plan of action for human rights. The work we do is vital, because people’s human rights are vital: every individual has value, and a right to dignity. But it is also work that invests powerfully in preventing violence by creating resilient and peaceful societies. We know that societies where there is rule of law and broad participation – where measures are taken to counter discrimination and ensure the widest possible access to essential services and goods – are more successful at building durable peace, development and well-being. This Report details what human rightsbased action can achieve, even when resources fall short and circumstances are less than ideal. In 2018, our Annual Appeal for US$278 million was not fully met. However, thanks to the US$187 million contributed by our 89 donors, we did manage to assist States and other actors to take steps that were urgently needed in the immediate short-term – as well as helping them make important, long-term investments in building better systems for the future. I look forward to continuing this work with all our partners in the coming years, and I encourage you to enhance your support. MICHELLE BACHELET High Commissioner for Human Rights May 2019 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 5