UPDATE - UN Human Rights Council's 58th session begins in Geneva

UPDATES WITH REMARKS BY SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council began on Monday with a warning of a "sharp decline" in human rights and a call for "robust" response by states.

The session, which will continue until April 4, was declared open by Jurg Lauber, the president of the council, who said states' ​​​​​​​responsibility is beyond just adopting resolutions.

A minute of silence was observed by all participants for all the victims of human rights violations.

President of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang, for his part, said: "We are witnessing a sharp decline in human rights."

Those violations have "devasted consequences," he said, and added: "The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated."

From Gaza to Ukraine and other conflicts, "these violations must end," he urged.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, for his part, said on the opening session of the council that "human rights are not a luxury, but a necessity," warning that "the democratic space is shrinking, distrust is growing and crises are multiplying."

"Faced with these threats, we must act: a strong council, a sustained dialogue and an uncompromising defense of fundamental rights," he added.

The opening session included remarks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN human rights chief Volker Turk.

The high-level segment of the session began on Monday and will continue until Wednesday.