We will continue to act against injustice, by nurturing dialogue and promoting peace  

High Commissioner for Human Rights, 
Distinguished Guests, 
Colleagues and friends, 

It is my privilege to welcome you to the European Parliament. Today we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What a powerful symbol of our enduring commitment to the values and principles that bind us together as a global community.

As we reflect on these 75 years, let us not forget how far we have come. The adoption of the Universal Declaration in 1948 marked a turning point in the history of humanity. For the first time ever, countries from all regions of the world united in the belief that any human being has rights simply by virtue of existing. And agreed that the rights of every individual should be protected, everywhere and always. 

Over decades, the Universal Declaration has inspired a large body of international treaties, regional conventions and national legislations. The founders of the European Community were themselves guided by the conviction that a disregard for human dignity led to the most horrific of crimes on our continent. So it is fitting that the founding values of the European Union, inspired by the rights enshrined within the Universal Declaration, have found their place in article 2 of the European Union treaty. 

But beyond the European Union, hundreds of millions of people around the world equally enjoy their rights, freedoms, prosperity and justice. The Universal Declaration stands as a fundamental pillar of the international system. It is a crucial reference point in dialogues between citizens, nations, and states to organise an increasingly interdependent but also - an increasingly more uncertain world. Armed conflicts, oppression, terrorism, poverty, inequality, exclusion and discrimination are still a reality for too many people, including on the European continent.  

For 645 days, Ukrainians have been fighting an unjust, unprovoked and illegal invasion. Millions of innocent people have been forced to flee. Hundreds of thousands more have had to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty and freedom. Entire buildings, towns, communities have been destroyed. A week ago, we commemorated International Day of the Rights of the Child at a time when so many thousands of Ukrainian children are still missing, after having been forcibly removed by Russia, from their homes.

In the Middle East, the situation is still of grave concern. The reality on the ground is horrific, it is tragic and it is desperate. I have seen it. I have met with the families of those abducted by Hamas. I have met with people who lost in Gaza. Which is why it is important that we express our solidarity: that we reiterate our rejection of terrorism, that we help to securing that hostages return back home and that we keep looking for solutions for more aid to reach those so desperately in need. It is the reason why the European Union has already quadrupled its humanitarian aid to Gaza to 100 million euros. That is why we talk about the day after, and finding a sustainable lasting peace based on a two-state solution that gives hope to Israeli and Palestinian families.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Today we are faced with new and more sophisticated means that allow for human rights violations. Digital technologies serve as great tools for freedom of expression. Yet, they are being manipulated to become instruments for repression, censorship, disinformation, intrusion of privacy and interference in democratic institutions.  

As democratically elected representatives, we have a responsibility to act against injustice and to protect those who, through action, contribute to bringing the Universal Declaration to life every single day, for everyone and everywhere.  Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to their work, to the work of many of you present here today.  

For the past 35 years, the European Parliament has awarded its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to brave individuals and organisations who relentlessly protect and defend human rights. Several Sakharov laureates have also been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and it is an honour to have several of them joining us this afternoon. Allow me to express our solidarity and thoughts with those laureates who are deprived of liberty for their human rights engagement: Alexei Navalny, our laureates from the Democratic Opposition in Belarus: Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Maryia Kalesnikava, Mikola Statkevich, and Ales Bialiatski, but also Ilham Tohti, Nasrin Soutodeh and Razan Zaïtouneh.

The European Parliament is committed to continue its work to shape EU policies and instruments in a way that keeps human and fundamental rights at their core. Too often we talk about rights and values as if they are lofty concepts that belong in theoretical dusty library books. We need to demonstrate - every day - why they are needed and how they can make a difference to people’s lives. 

Ultimately that means that as much as it is an institution’s responsibility to preserve, defend and promote Human Rights - and it is - it is also the responsibility of every individual... by standing up to injustice, by raising our voices, by taking action. 

Thank you.