Key human rights priorities of world governments at HRC58: an analysis of the High-Level Segment

The 3-day High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, held from 24 to 26 February 2025, saw the active participation of over 70 high-level dignitaries and officials. The session was opened by the President of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Mr. Jürg Lauber. Following the opening, statements were delivered to the Council by H.E. Mr. Philémon Yang, President of the United Nations General Assembly; H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; H.E. Mr. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and H.E. Mr. Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.

State representatives, in their statements delivered to the Council, addressed both domestic and international human rights issues and concerns, developments and achievements, as well as their countries priorities in the international human rights arena for 2024 and beyond. As such, the participation of high-level representatives presented an opportunity to assess the extent of attention and prioritisation given by various States to specific human rights topics and areas of concern.

The Universal Rights Group (URG) has analysed the content of statements made by State representatives during the high-level segment, to identify the key human rights themes, situations of concern, and priorities for 2025. The results of this analysis are presented below in a word cloud of the most recurring terms, where the size of the word reflects the total number of mentions of the relevant topic/situation or area of concern, as well as in subsequent infographics representing the most commonly mentioned issues across different categories.

URG has identified a total of 172 topics that were highlighted by at least 1 State representative during the high-level segment. These topics were grouped and classified into 7 different categories and URG has generated individual charts for each of them below. The categories are as follows: (1) institutional topics related to the UN system and the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms; (2) country or regional situations; (3) civil and political rights; (4) economic, social and cultural rights; (5) groups in focus; (6) cross-cutting themes; and (7) hybrid mentions. In addition, URG identified the top 22 most frequently mentioned themes across all categories, which are represented in the word cloud below.

Key findings from URG’s analysis include:

• During the 3-day high-level segment, A significant number of statements focused on strengthening the Human Rights Council’s (HRC) role in promoting and protecting human rights. There was widespread consensus on the need for continued engagement and reform to enhance the Council’s effectiveness, with many States reaffirming their commitment to its mandate.
• The situation in Ukraine dominated discussions, with multiple delegations expressing concern over the humanitarian consequences and violations of international law, including war crimes. Similarly, the situations in Israel/Palestine and Russia were heavily discussed, highlighting the impact of these ongoing conflicts on international human rights.
• There were notable regional differences in the focus of discussions. The Western European and Others Group (WEOG) was particularly active in addressing issues related to peace-building, human rights defenders, and gender equality. In contrast, African states showed more emphasis on migration, persons with disabilities, and humanitarian concerns, particularly related to Sudan.
• Multilateralism and international cooperation were the most frequently discussed cross-cutting theme, followed by concerns about the human rights implications of climate change. Additionally, humanitarian assistance, sovereignty, and non-interference were key topics, reflecting global priorities in addressing conflicts, crises, and the growing environmental challenges. 

(1) UN System, HRC and its Mechanisms

In the context of the UN system, the Human Rights Council (HRC), and its mechanisms, the HRC58 High-Level Segment discussions reflected a strong focus on the Council’s role, global conflicts, and the importance of international cooperation.

At the forefront of the discussions were references to the mandate and purpose of the HRC, with many States reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the Council’s role in promoting and protecting human rights. Speakers emphasised the need for continued engagement and reform to enhance its effectiveness.

A major point of focus was the situation in Ukraine, as numerous delegations expressed concern over the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian consequences. Many called for accountability, respect for international law, and support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Peace and security, along with multilateralism and international cooperation, also featured prominently. Delegates underscored the need for collaborative approaches to address global challenges, stressing that international solidarity is essential in safeguarding human rights and maintaining stability.

Additionally, discussions on peacekeeping, peace-building, reconciliation, and conflict resolution highlighted the importance of inclusive and sustainable efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts. Several States urged greater investment in long-term solutions that promote stability and justice.

Notably, the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) was particularly active in these discussions, signalling strong engagement on these key issues during the HRC58 High-Level Segment.

 

(2) Country and Region-Specific Situations

During the HRC58 High-Level Segment, discussions on country-specific human rights situations were dominated by references to Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, and Russia, with the majority of mentions coming from the Western European and Others Group (WEOG). These discussions reflected prevailing geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts that continue to shape the international human rights landscape.

Ukraine emerged as the most frequently mentioned country, with a significant share of the discussions focusing on the continued impact of the war, humanitarian consequences, and concerns over violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Many States condemned Russian aggression, with calls for accountability for war crimes and human rights violations, including the forcible deportation of Ukrainian children. The situation in Israel and Palestine was also a key focus, with numerous references to escalating tensions, humanitarian concerns, and violations of international law. Statements included condemnation of attacks on civilians, calls for humanitarian access, and appeals for a ceasefire, with sharp divisions in how different States framed the crisis.

Russia was also a central topic of concern, with references largely tied to its role in Ukraine as well as its domestic human rights situation. Many delegations raised concerns over repression of civil society, political persecution, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, and reports of arbitrary detentions and torture, particularly in light of the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The discussions reflected broader concerns about shrinking civic space and authoritarian trends.

Beyond these three dominant themes, other country-specific situations also received attention. The human rights situation in Syria remained a concern, with references to ongoing humanitarian crises, displacement, and accountability for crimes committed during the protracted conflict. Similarly, Sudan was discussed in the context of conflict-related concerns, particularly regarding humanitarian access, civilian protection, and reports of atrocities committed by armed actors.

Notably, discussions were heavily skewed toward European and Middle Eastern conflicts, with WEOG accounting for over half of the total mentions, reinforcing its strong engagement in these debates. Other regional groups, including African and Asia-Pacific States, had significantly lower representation in country-specific discussions. While African States accounted for a relatively small proportion of mentions, the situation in Sudan remained a key concern within this group. Similarly, Asia-Pacific States had limited engagement, despite ongoing human rights challenges in the region. This trend highlights a continued geopolitical prioritization in the discourse, with human rights issues in certain parts of the Global South receiving comparatively less attention on the global stage.

 

(3) Civil and Political Rights

In the civil and political rights category, an analysis of statements delivered during the HRC58 High-Level Segment found that most references were made to peacekeeping, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, accounting for approximately 30% of all references. The African group led in references to this topic (around 35%), with many delegations emphasizing the need for sustainable peace processes, conflict prevention, and reconciliation efforts in conflict-affected regions. This was followed by the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), which underscored international cooperation in peace-building initiatives (around 28%), and the Asia-Pacific group (around 18%), which highlighted regional stability concerns.

Next in this category, in terms of the number of references, were mentions of the rule of law, accounting for approximately 19% of all references. The African group led in references to this topic (around 30%), particularly in relation to strengthening judicial systems, legal accountability, and good governance. This was followed by the Eastern European group (around 25%), which emphasised the role of independent institutions in upholding democratic principles, and the WEOG (around 18%), which framed rule of law as essential for human rights protection and the fight against impunity.

Mentions of discrimination, intolerance, and exclusion, including racism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, came in third, constituting around 15% of all references. The WEOG had the highest number of references (around 40%), followed closely by the African group (around 25%) and the Latin American and Caribbean group (GRULAC) (around 20%), with many States highlighting concerns over rising hate speech, hate crimes, and the need for stronger anti-discrimination measures. The Asia-Pacific group had relatively fewer mentions (around 10%) compared to other regions.

Other major categories of references, classified in descending order by number of mentions, included: democracy and democratic participation (10%), accountability and the fight against impunity (8%), freedom of expression and opinion (7%), press freedom and media independence (6%), enforced disappearances (4%), torture (4%), arbitrary detention (3%), and counterterrorism measures (2%). The regional engagement varied, but the overall discussions emphasised the importance of civil and political rights in shaping international human rights discourse.

 

(4) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

In the category of economic, social, and cultural rights, an analysis of statements delivered during the HRC58 High-Level Segment found that the most frequent references among 17 sub-categories of topics pertained to sustainable development and sustainability, constituting approximately 20% of all references in this category. Many State representatives emphasised the importance of aligning human rights with the Agenda 2030 framework and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the Asia-Pacific group leading these discussions (approximately 40%), followed by the African group (around 30%) and the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) (approximately 20%).

The right to social inclusion and inclusive societies ranked second in terms of the number of references, comprising around 12% of all mentions in this category. The African group was the most vocal on this topic (around 40%), highlighting the need to promote equality and social justice through inclusive economic policies, followed by the Asia-Pacific group at 25% and the WEOG at 20%.

Other notable references in this category included the right to health and access to healthcare (around 6%), poverty (around 5%), the right to food (around 5%), and social protection measures, including social security and other safety nets. The right to education (around 5%) and the right to work/employment (around 2%) were also discussed, with Asia-Pacific and Africa leading the way in these areas, emphasising the need for equitable access to essential services and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

(5) Groups in focus

Most frequently mentioned groups in focus at the HRC58 High-Level Segment

In the category of groups in focus or groups in vulnerable situations, the analysis of statements reveals distinct regional priorities, with particular attention given to gender equality, women’s rights, and the protection of marginalised groups. Both the GRULAC and WEOG regions played a significant role, each contributing 33.3% of the total mentions, reflecting their strong commitment to advancing gender-related concerns. In contrast, the Africa region’s contributions were minimal, accounting for only 4.8%, indicating a relatively lower emphasis on this issue in comparison to other regions.

The issue of women’s rights, including political participation, economic empowerment, and sexual and reproductive rights, received considerable attention, with 23.8% of all references. The WEOG region again led, contributing 38.1% of these mentions, followed by GRULAC with 19%. This focus underscores a regional commitment to improving the status and rights of women, though regions like Africa and AP accounted for minimal mentions, at 4.8% and 4.8%, respectively.

On the topic of advancing gender equality through multilateralism, a high-level side “Implementing Foreign Policy Goals with A Human Rights Lens: Advancing Equality through Multilateralism” was convened by Slovenia on the second day of the high-level segment. Co-organised by Maldives, Morocco, Spain, Thailand, UN Women, and Universal Rights Group, the event brought together government representatives from different regions of the world, UN agencies, civil society and academia to discuss innovative practices around the role of women in multilateralism, including women’s participation and leadership in addressing global challenges. It reaffirmed the commitment of Slovenia, along with all participating countries and entities, to enhancing women’s representation at the international level.

Human rights defenders saw a strong emphasis, with 23.8% of all mentions. WEOG led with 53.3% of the total references, highlighting the importance placed on the protection of activists and defenders in this region. Other regions, including Africa and AP, contributed smaller proportions, at 19% and 13.3%, respectively, indicating that while these groups are recognised, the issue is not as prominent in those regions.

The issue of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers made up 19% of the total mentions, with a particularly strong focus from GRULAC and Africa, each accounting for 22.2% of the references. This reflects the ongoing challenges faced by these regions, particularly in relation to displacement and migration crises. The AP region, however, had no references, which suggests that this issue may not have been as significant a concern in that region during this period.

Finally, the theme of persons with disabilities received 9.5% of the total mentions, with Africa contributing 42.9% of these references. This indicates a relatively stronger focus on disability rights in the African region compared to others, where mentions were more limited, particularly in WEOG and GRULAC. The disparities in attention to this issue further highlight the diverse regional challenges and priorities in addressing the rights of vulnerable groups.

(6) Cross-Cutting Themes

At the HRC58 High-Level Segment, several key cross-cutting themes emerged, reflecting the global priority areas in human rights discussions. Multilateralism and international cooperation stood out as the most frequently discussed theme, accounting for nearly 38% of the mentions. This underscores the global consensus on the necessity of working together across borders to tackle human rights challenges. This theme highlights the belief that international solidarity is crucial in achieving peace, security, and the promotion of human rights, with a clear emphasis on the need for collective action.

Another significant theme was climate change and the climate crisis, which made up approximately 18% of the discussions. The increasing acknowledgment of the human rights implications of climate change speaks to the growing urgency of addressing environmental issues and their impact on vulnerable populations. The theme garnered particular attention from regions like Eastern Europe, highlighting a shift toward integrating climate action with human rights discourse, especially as climate-related crises intensify.

Conflict and insecurity were also prominently discussed, comprising around 16% of the overall mentions. This theme highlights the ongoing concerns about the humanitarian consequences of conflicts worldwide, with states calling for greater humanitarian assistance and the cessation of hostilities in war-torn regions. The high focus on this theme, particularly from African states, emphasises the devastating impact of ongoing conflicts on human rights, further underscoring the need for international cooperation to mitigate these crises.

Humanitarian assistance and crises received a similar level of attention, reflecting the urgency of providing aid to those affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other humanitarian emergencies. Roughly 18% of the discussions focused on this, illustrating the global concern about the increasing scale of humanitarian needs. The calls for better humanitarian access and support were widespread, with a notable emphasis from both Western Europe and Africa on ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need.

‘Sovereignty and non-interference’ was another important theme, representing approximately 10% of the mentions. This theme reflects a fundamental principle in international relations, states’ right to maintain their territorial integrity and political independence. It gained traction in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts, where discussions about sovereignty were often framed in relation to external interventions.

Finally, human dignity emerged as another key theme, accounting for roughly 15% of the mentions. This theme reflects a core human rights principle, emphasising that the protection of human dignity is fundamental to the realisation of all human rights. The frequent reference to this concept highlights its universal appeal and the broad agreement on its importance in shaping human rights policies.

(7) Hybrid Issues

Statements made by delegates during the High-Level Segment (HLS) reflect notable regional disparities in addressing women’s and children’s rights. References to women’s rights in Afghanistan were the most frequently mentioned, making up 83% of all recorded statements on these issues. These statements predominantly came from delegates representing the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), accounting for 80% of the total mentions, followed by delegates from the Eastern European Group (EEG), who contributed 20%. References to children’s rights in Ukraine accounted for 17% of the total statements, with 100% of these mentions coming from EEG delegates.

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Featured image: UN Photo / Jean Marc Ferré. 24 February 2025.