Belgium has officially announced its intention to pursue candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term spanning 2031 to 2033. The Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs revealed this decision on Tuesday during the 58th session of the Council, currently taking place in Geneva.
Maxime Prevot, Belgium’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, conveyed the government's commitment to affirm human rights on the world stage. Belgium has been part of the Council since 2023 and will continue its membership until 2026.
"Defending human rights is much more than a priority; it is a moral responsibility," said Prevot. His words resonate particularly as global human rights issues become increasingly urgent. The minister stressed the necessity of confronting violations of rights across the world, saying, “Today, in the four corners of the world, these rights are increasingly being trampled on: the rights of women, of the LGBTQIA+ community, all forms of racism.”
Belgium's proposed priorities for this new term include the universal abolition of the death penalty. This initiative is particularly timely, as Belgium and seven other countries are slated to submit a resolution on this matter come September. Prevot highlighted the importance of permanently eradicaging capital punishment, advocating firmly for human rights. He stated, "The world needs to understand the significance of abolishing the death penalty, as it stands fundamentally against human dignity."
Another key focus during this session is Belgium’s commitment to children's rights, the rule of law, gender equality, and bolstering protections for human rights defenders. Prevot raised concerns about the broader international environment for human rights, reflecting on recent setbacks and challenges. He emphasized, "We need to keep gender equality high on the global agenda," acknowledging the shadows cast on progress by recent regressions.
Addressing the broader challenges, Prevot expressed "bitter regret" at the UN Security Council’s inability to uphold international laws. He articulated this concern during his speech at the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council. “We do welcome the fact,” he remarked, "that yesterday in New York, the majority of members of this House reaffirmed their support for the principles of the Charter. We do nonetheless bitterly regret the fact... the United Nations Security Council was not able to send the same message.”
Prevot's remarks brought attention to violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity occurring across various global regions, including Ukraine, the Palestinian territories, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He underscored the need for the global community to act collectively against such aggression, stating, “Aggression and territorial grabs by force must be collectively condemned.”
Alongside these remarks, Prevot emphasized the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as pivotal for ensuring accountability for serious crimes. He insisted, “Serious crimes must not go unpunished,” reaffirming Belgium’s strong support for international judicial bodies aimed at upholding human rights.
The minister also raised alarms over efforts to undermine human rights protections. He cautioned against attempts to redefine these fundamental freedoms and extolled the indispensable role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil society. “Faced with these concerted efforts to push back against human rights, we need a concerted effort by all of us to guarantee the rule of law and human rights remain the bedrock of communities,” he stated forcefully during the session.
Prevot highlighted 2025 as significant; it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women, underscoring Belgium’s commitment to gender equality. After all, as trend lines reveal backsliding on gender issues, the emphasis on this global agenda is more pertinent than ever. Belgium seeks not just to participate but lead on these issues within its candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council.
With its track record and vocal advocacy, Belgium is positioning itself again as a proactive player on the human rights front. The formal proceedings for candidacy are expected to reignite discussions around pressing human rights issues globally. With this move, Belgium aims to solidify its stance and support for universal human rights, aiming to set significant precedents during its upcoming term.