Bachelet voices concerns over Myanmar and US in first key speech
Bachelet, a former Chilean president, made her maiden speech to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday
Keystone
In her widely anticipated maiden speech to the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet, the new UN human rights chief, focused on the problematic rights records of world powers as well as the crisis in Yemen and Myanmar.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone SDA/sb
In her first speech to the UN rights councilExternal link since assuming office on September 1, Bachelet called on Monday for a new institution to collect evidence with a view to future prosecution of crimes against Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar, including murder and torture.
She also urged China to allow monitors into the country following “deeply disturbing” allegations of large “re-education camps” in which Uighurs are arbitrarily detained in the western Xinjiang province.
The new UN human rights chief, who replaces Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, said she was also dispatching teams to Austria and Italy to investigate the protection of migrants.
The former first female president of Chile, who was 23 years old when she was tortured and fled her country’s dictatorship into exile, also voiced concern that 500 migrant children in the United States taken away from their parents have not yet been returned.
She also urged the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen to show greater transparency in their rules of engagement and hold to account perpetrators of deadly air strikes on civilians, including that which hit a bus of children in the northern province of Saada last month.
“It is crucial that there be continued international and independent investigations into all allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes,” she declared.
All eyes
Observers were eagerly watching for clues to how she would address right abuses worldwide and whether she would take a softer approach than her predecessor, who was known for his forthrightness. Zeid had urged Bachelet not to waver from publicly criticising abuses, commenting that “we are not in the silence business here”.
“She has the stature of the former head of state and knows the UN well in New York. She also embodies the message of human rights in her flesh,” he told Keystone SDA last week. “But Zeid’s succession will not be easy as he had built an extremely credible reputation.”
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
This content was published on
Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife, Eva Pavlova, arrived in Switzerland on Tuesday at the start of a two-day state visit.
Study shows proliferation of non-native plants is driver of insect invasions
This content was published on
A global study has revealed that insect invasions are being driven by the proliferation of non-native plants. This can can massively disrupt ecological processes, often leading to serious economic impacts.
Swiss set record for world’s longest hyperloop test
This content was published on
Swiss scientists have established a record for the longest-ever hyperloop journey at a facility in Lausanne, Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Swiss army wants to purchase new German armoured howitzers to replace its existing artillery system which has been in operation for over 50 years.
Poll suggests Donald Trump has many fans in Switzerland
This content was published on
Around a quarter of Swiss citizens would vote for Donald Trump if they had the chance, according to a recent poll. This percentage is higher than in many other European countries.
Swiss court rejects special assistance for student with disabilities
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Court has rejected an application for special assistance from a student with disabilities at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich.
Police arrest 15 drug dealers in Verbier in southern Switzerland
This content was published on
Swiss and French police have arrested 15 suspected drug dealers operating in the mountain resort of Verbier in southern Switzerland.
New European space tech centre in Switzerland launches its first project
This content was published on
The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), launched in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), is to be located in the immediate vicinity of the PSI in northern Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Railways launches campaign for safety on public transport
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Railways is launching a campaign for greater respect and safety on public transport, with posters to go up in stations and on trains starting next week.
Swiss candidate for top human rights job proposes “constant dialogue”
This content was published on
The next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights needs to “restore support for universal human rights standards”, says Swiss candidate Nils Melzer.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.