In a poignant address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres starkly revealed that global human rights are being urgently suffocated. He likened human rights to “the oxygen of humanity,” warning that tyranny is snuffing them out, driven by the fear of empowered citizens. Guterres lamented how autocrats silence dissent, while patriarchal norms continue to deny education and basic rights to women and girls alike.
With a heavy heart, he condemned war, stating that warmongers blatantly disregard international laws, stripping away mere essentials like food, water, and education. Guterres called attention to a failing financial system that lacks moral integrity, alongside wild technologies such as artificial intelligence, which can effortlessly infringe upon rights with a single tap.
He illuminated the rise of intolerance towards vulnerable populations, from Indigenous groups to migrants and refugees, revealing a world fractured by division and anger. Guterres forewarned that these pernicious trends pose a direct threat to the decades-long progress made in safeguarding human rights, risking the entire protective framework established over the past 80 years.
On February 24, 2025, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed serious concerns at the UN Human Rights Council that global human rights are being ‘suffocated’ due to oppressive regimes, conflict, and a failing financial system. He noted the impact of autocrats, intolerance towards minorities, and the dangers posed by technology, warning that these threats undermine decades of progress in safeguarding human rights.
The pressing warnings of UN Chief Antonio Guterres serve as a clarion call to the world, urging us to protect and uphold human rights in the face of tyranny, war, and emerging threats. His insights into systemic inequalities and the cavalier attitude of some towards international laws highlight the need for collective action to ensure that humanity can breathe.
Original Source: www.geo.tv
