Global consensus on Human Rights and Nation's  Rights to Development, building a new future of peace and prosperity together

IPPO Geneva News (Reporter: Li Shihui) - On June 19, within the framework of the 59th session of the UNHRC side event themed "Human Rights vs Nation’s Right Development" was successfully held in Conference Room 25 of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

The event, organized by the International Patriotic Pact Organization (Shaanxi Patriotic Volunteer Association), attracted widespread participation from experts, scholars, and representatives of NGOs in the field of human rights globally. The presence of representatives from the European Union and the Permanent Missions of Nigeria to the United Nations Office at Geneva added authority and an international perspective to the discussions, which centered on the intrinsic connection between human rights and nation’s rights to development, as well as pathways for their coordinated advancement.

Firstly, IPPO President Mr. Cui Guowei delivered an opening address. He revisited the concept of "Love one’s own country without harming other nations’ interests," which he proposed three years ago at the 52nd session of the UNHRC, and introduced the signing of the International Patriotic Pact and the establishment of the organization. Cui emphasized the critical importance of balancing human rights and nation’s rights to development in the context of globalization, calling on countries to respect national sovereignty, pursue equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, and jointly build a just, reasonable, and inclusive new international order.

Subsequently, Mr. Mourad Lafkihen, the co-initiator of International Patriotic Pact Organization and Founder of the Mediterranean Forum for the Advancement of Citizens‘ (Morocco) took the floor. Using the Gaza Strip and the Sahara issue in Morocco as examples, he delved into the close link between human rights and the right to development. He stressed that national sovereignty is inviolable and that the right to development is the cornerstone of national stability and prosperity. Morocco's commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means reflects respect for the rights of local people and aligns with the principles of the International Patriotic Pact Organization.
Dr. Lamine Dianko, the co-initiator of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and Founding President of Africa Culture International (Human Rights)(Senegal) pointed out in his speech that the right to development is a fundamental right for every individual and a prerequisite for a country's pursuit of prosperity. He called on the international community to re-examine global governance mechanisms to ensure that the voices and needs of developing countries are heard and met. He emphasized the pivotal role that NGOs play in driving systemic change and called for greater institutional recognition and support.

Ms. Hawa Sidibe, the co-initiator of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and Founding President of the Association for the Development and Promotion of Humans Right (Mauritania) stressed the importance of the International Patriotic Pact as a shared value in her speech. She called for the establishment of an international patriotic community that respects sovereignty, equality, and mutual benefit, and for strengthening international cooperation mechanisms to address challenges and achieve peace and development.

Ms. Mihan Ruviza Rauff, the co-initiator of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and representative of the Human Rights Organization for Security of People ( Sri Lanka) drew on his country's experiences to elaborate on the importance of a people-centered approach, cultural foundations, and human rights protection in sustainable development. He believed that the International Patriotic Pact initiative offers new opportunities for global cooperation, facilitating South-South cooperation and fostering a more balanced global narrative on human rights.

Associate Professor Mr. Yi Bo, a scholar from Southeast University Law School and Human Rights Institute(China), delved into China's practical experiences in implementing the right to development in his speech. Using the Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as examples, he showcased how China promotes the development of recipient countries through international cooperation while respecting their sovereignty and development needs. Mr. Yi Bo emphasized that these practices not only boost the economic development of recipient countries but also embody the core principles of the International Patriotic Pact initiative.

Mr. Purpose Osamwonyi Iserhienrhien, the co-initiator of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and President of Smiles Africa International(Nigeria), drawing on Nigeria's actual situation, elaborated on the legal positioning of the nation’s rights to development and the practical exploration of the International Patriotic Pact initiative. He stressed that the right to development is not only an individual right but also a collective right, and that countries should strengthen the implementation of the right to development through international cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. The participation of Nigeria's representative to the United Nations further underscored the country's proactive attitude and contributions to the issues of human rights and the right to development.

Mr. Njock Akono, the co-initiator of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and President of the Cameroonian League for Human Rights(Cameroon) emphasized the pivotal role of NGOs in driving reforms to the global human rights governance system in his speech. He pointed out that NGOs make significant contributions to promoting and protecting human rights by raising public awareness, documenting human rights violations, providing support to victims, influencing policy-making, and promoting accountability. He also called for balancing human rights and the right to national development in international development cooperation.

Mr. Doumbia Kabine, the representative of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and the Solidarity Support For Strengthening Development Aid (Mali) delved into the legal positioning of the right to development and the practical pathways of the International Patriotic Pact initiative in his speech. He emphasized that the right to development, as an inalienable human right, is often marginalized in practice and urgently needs to be safeguarded through international cooperation.

Mr. Michael Ambe Ngwa, the co-initiator of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and Founder of Green and Better World (Cameroon) shared the organization's efforts in promoting multi-domain development, including environmental sustainability, human rights, health, and education, in his speech. He stressed that advancing international mechanism innovation through the concept of open cooperation is crucial for safeguarding the right to development of all countries, particularly developing nations.

Dr. Sheikh Wale ed Rasool, the co-initiator of the International Patriotic Pact Organization and Director of the Institute of Dialogue Development and Diplomatic Studies (Pakistan) emphasized in his speech that true patriotism should not come at the expense of harming the interests of other countries. He called on countries to coexist peacefully based on international law, resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation, and jointly promote the progress of the international human rights cause.

The successful hosting of this side event not only provided a platform for NGOs from various countries to exchange and share experiences but also injected new impetus into the reform and improvement of the global human rights governance system. Participants unanimously agreed that only through international cooperation and joint efforts can the harmonious coexistence of human rights and the nation’s rights to development be achieved, contributing to the construction of a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world.