On Friday 20 January 2017, the Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, welcomed UN High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to Luxembourg
Last Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, met with minister Jean Asselborn as part of the former’s first visit to Luxembourg.
The meeting between the two, along with the Minister of Justice, Felix Braz, dealt with the current status of human rights in the world, the situation in Luxembourg in this regard and the Grand Duchy’s support for the High Commissioner and his office’s work.
Whilst the UN and the High Commissioner’s human rights system are being subjected to increasing pressure, minister Asselborn reassured Luxembourg’s profound dedication to universal human rights and to an effective multilateral system, as well as the international order founded on regulations.
The discussions also involved the highlighting of the dangers associated with growing populism in Europe and the USA. Together, minister Asselborn and High Commissioner Zeid opposed the universalist agenda for human rights, led by some select politicians.
Moreover, with Luxembourg being a candidate for the 2022-2024 Council of Human Rights, Jean Asselborn details the country’s general strategy concerning human rights, which aims to support the High Commissioner’s activities and reinforce this efficient multilateral system based on three central principals: the universality, indivisibility, and inalienability of human rights.
During his work visit to Luxembourg, the High Commissioner also gave a public conference on the topic “Global Challenges to Human Rights” at the European Conference Centre.
Photo by MAEE. From left to right: Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
