”The defence of human rights is a fundamental component of Italian foreign policy”, Minister Giulio Terzi said in his speech to the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, citing Italy’s commitment to the defence of women and children against gender violence and female genital mutilation. “There is a close relationship between peace and full respect for human rights”.
The issues Terzi confronted included immigration. “The Italian government has reiterated its commitment to defending the rights of migrant workers, whose contribution to the Italian economy cannot be underestimated, and of all minorities, including the most vulnerable groups, such as the Roma and Sinti communities”.
Italy is “profoundly concerned” with the “negative trend in human rights development in Iran, especially as regards the death penalty, torture, freedom of expression and worship”. Terzi underscored, adding that Italy “continues to hope that an honest and open dialogue with the Teheran authorities can make that contribution that the Iranian society aspires to”.
Also central in Geneva was the Syrian crisis. The UN Council called for an “urgent debate” tomorrow, according to the announcement by President Laura Dupuy Lasserre. The request came from Qatar and earned the support of the majority of the Arab League members, the EU and the US. Russia, however, took the floor to insist that the debate be “constructive and not politicised” and not result in a “written document”. The Cuban delegation also intervened to ask that the goal not be to “establish grounds for military action”. For its part, Terzi said, Italy appealed to the various components of the Syrian opposition to “close ranks around a broader platform that pivots on the SNC”.
