GENEVA

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 a "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 "devastating consequences," he said, noting more than 300 million people now require humanitarian assistance.

"The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated," he added.

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

Lauber, for his part, said when human rights weakened, conflicts escalated and societies fractured.

"This requires an urgent response," he said, recalling that the council’s responsibility is to make a "tangible impact" on people's lives.

Victims of human rights violations need to be at the center of discussions, he underlined and said: "Their dignity needs to be everyone's priority."

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, for his part, said in 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.

It is "more necessary than ever" to focus efforts on fundamental rights, including the right to education, ownership, and the total prohibition of torture and slavery, he said.

"The Human Rights Council needs to act in a united manner and with determination," he said, noting concerted action is needed to guarantee peace and stability.

He underlined that this is something the Swiss presidency under Lauber could achieve.

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.