Taking part in the dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Czech Ambassador Kateřina Sequensová supported the OHCHR independence, a fundamental feature repeatedly questioned by some states. “We acknowledge the OHCHR prerogative to develop its strategic plan based on its own impartial assessment of the situation and needs on the ground,” she said. Legitimacy of the Office vis-a-vis states and people in need stands and falls on the principles of independence, impartiality and non-selectivity, underlined the Czech Republic.     

The Czech intervention in the interactive debate also commended the OHCHR de-escalation role in the Ukraine crisis, namely the rapid deployment of a human rights monitoring mission. The Czech Republic also expressed concern about the spiraling violence in South Sudan and criticized further delays in the opening of the OHCHR branches in Egypt and Myanmar/Burma. Threat posed to human rights defenders and independent civil society in a number of countries was also raised as an issue of concern. In this regard, the Czech Republic called for a strengthening of the UN mechanisms addressing reprisals.

Concluding the statement, the Czech Ambassador thanked the outgoing High Commissioner Navi Pillay for her “tireless service for human rights”.

The Czech Republic aligned itself with the European Union statement also delivered at the dialogue.    

Full wording of the Czech Republic's statement is available.