HRC59 - Iceland EoV - A/HRC/59/L.12: The contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights

Human Rights Council – 59th Session
Adoptions: Explanation of vote delivered by Iceland on resolution A/HRC/59/L.12 as orally revised
The contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights

Mr. President,

Iceland reaffirms its commitment to a human-rights based approach to development, prioritizing the fulfillment of human rights in all development efforts and shifting the focus from charity to the obligation to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights.

Through empowerment, participation, and accountability, development initiatives are able to address inequalities and empower persons in marginalized and vulnerable situations to claim their rights.

Iceland notes that States have the responsibility to respect, protect and fulfil human rights for all persons within their territory or who may be subjected to their jurisdiction, control or influence.

We welcome the effort of the core group to strive for a consensus adoption. We remain, however, concerned about references to vague concepts in the text. Further, we regret that the draft resolution fails to adequately incorporate well-established language on the link between human rights and development, most notably as outlined in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

On the topic of development, this Council should explicitly support a human rights-based approach.