Third Committee, 49th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session General Assembly Date: 19 November 2025 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/c3/80/49 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- 3rd Committee · Chair [0:01]: Good afternoon, colleagues. The 49th meeting of the third committee is called to order. The documentation before the committee for this meeting is listed on iGov. And I'd like to remind delegations that statements made in EOV before or after the vote, general statement shall not exceed three minutes, as usual. Delegations are also reminded that in accordance with rule 128 of the rules of procedure of the GA, the sponsor of a proposal is not permitted to speak in explanation of vote on the proposal. Now, let me invite the committee to continue its consideration of sub-item C of agenda item 71. human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representative in order to hear the remaining speakers who will make a general statement or an explanation of vote after the vote on resolution AC380L31 revision one entitled situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic as announced earlier Speakers on my list will be Kyrgyzstan, to be followed by Israel, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Algeria. I give the floor to Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan [1:30]: Thank you, Chair. My delegation maintains its position to abstain on country-specific human rights resolutions in the Third Committee if they are put to a vote. We consider them to be selective in nature and driven more by political considerations than by human rights. This principle, the abstention does not reflect the position of my delegation towards the content of those resolutions. Also, this abstention does not in any way diminish our support to the overarching goal of this resolution, nor our commitment to the return of brotherly Syria to democracy, stability, and prosperity. I thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [2:03]: Thank you. I give the floor to Israel. Israel [2:07]: Thank you, Chair. Israel has supported the resolution today, not as we agree in all that it entails, but as we see the current situation as one which presents opportunities to improve stability and development in the region. Ensuring the advancement of human rights in Syria is of global importance, particularly after years of devastating conflict. Minority communities have suffered heavily during the war, and all efforts to uphold human rights in Syria must take into account the special considerations of all its diverse communities. The recent violence in Sweida underscores the urgent need to safeguard minority rights as part of the broader process of rebuilding the country. Israel sees high importance in safeguarding minorities in Syria, including the Druze community, and we will continue to defend ourselves and safeguard our citizens and allies. Israel remains committed to working with the international community to promote stability, protect civilians, and support efforts for a peaceful and secure regional future. Thank you, Chair. 3rd Committee · Chair [3:14]: Thank you. I'll give the floor to South Africa. South Africa [3:18]: Thank you, Chair. South Africa wishes to take the floor today to provide an explanation of its position generally as it relates to today's resolutions and proposals on country-specific matters. South Africa has been and remains a firm advocate of human rights, grounded in the Bill of Rights within our constitution. We've also demonstrated our commitment to international instruments that establish and oblige states to promote and protect human rights. We have consistently advocated for a balanced, non-selective, and inclusive approach to human rights and international relations. We advocate for a multilateral system that promotes constructive engagement and opposes the selective application of human rights standards. It is on this basis that South Africa maintains a principal position on country-specific resolutions at the UN. We continue to place emphasis on impartiality, dialogue, and cooperation in addressing global challenges. Such resolutions are often politically motivated and disproportionately target developing countries. It is our assertion that the selective application of international scrutiny serves only to undermine the legitimacy and fairness of the global human rights system. South Africa is deeply concerned that resolutions such as those that we have considered today lack inclusivity in their formulation. These resolutions have been exclusively drafted and discussed only within their core groups and have not even been presented to the broader member states for our consideration. We are expected to adopt proposals today that we have not even been extended the courtesy of having the opportunity to engage on and provide our own comments and suggestions. Indeed, today will be the first time that the proposer of these resolutions will hear the thoughts of member states outside of the core group echo chamber. This approach undermines the principles of multilateralism, of dialogue, and of cooperation, prevents the exchange of views, and disregards the sovereign equality amongst states. South Africa maintains the value of multilateralism and dialogue. We seek solutions rooted in cooperation rather than confrontation. The imposition of such resolutions does not enhance international human rights. Rather, they isolate and often seek to victimize countries, stigmatize the subject, and entrench positions that it is harder to resolve any underlying concerns. In this context, South Africa supports the universal mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review under the Human Rights Council. The UPR is a more equitable and comprehensive process that allows UN member states to assess and improve their human rights practices based on constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and shared learning. Furthermore, South Africa continues to maintain a holistic approach to human rights that also addresses the nexus between compounding factors that inhibit the full enjoyment of human rights, such as poverty, inequality, underdevelopment, and external interference through international cooperation and sustainable development. As such, South Africa will abstain in its voting today on the basis that we do not agree with the non-inclusive principle and manner in which resolutions are tabled and consider them to be disingenuous of the rules-based multilateral approach to human rights. We are especially convinced of this position today. I thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [6:17]: Thank you. I give the floor to the United Kingdom. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [6:21]: Thank you, Chair. The United Kingdom thanks the United States and Qatar for their role as facilitators and reiterates its support for this resolution. We express our deep disappointment that this resolution was called to a vote and we're pleased to see it adopted by a strong majority. The past year has demonstrated that a bright and more peaceful Syria is possible and as this resolution reflects, we have seen commendable commitments from the Syrian government to this end. This resolution seeks to support those commitments. We encourage the Syrian government to take further steps to ensure the political transition meets the aspirations of all Syrians and is genuinely inclusive and representative of Syria's diverse communities. Recent months have also demonstrated that challenges remain. Justice and accountability are critical parts of a sustainable transition, and we welcome this resolution's emphasis on transitional justice. Reconciliation and addressing the legacy of human rights violations that took place under Assad's brutal regime will take time. We welcome the Syrian government's establishment of both a national commission on transitional justice and on missing persons, and we look forward to the public communication on the transitional justice strategy in coming weeks. UN mechanisms and agencies can support Syrian-led efforts, and we encourage further cooperation with these bodies. The international community stands ready to support Syrian efforts to pursue transitional justice. Transitional justice also requires acts of retribution and sectarian violence to stop and accountability to be pursued for those crimes committed since December 2024. We welcome the Syrian government's investigations into the horrific violence on the coast in March and in Sweida in July. The perpetrators of such human rights violations and abuses must be held to account to help avoid repeats of the events we saw earlier this year. And finally, we affirm our strong commitment to the full respect for the sovereignty, independence and unity and territorial integrity of Syria and urge all external actors to respect this in the spirit of this resolution and in the shared endeavour of supporting a lasting peace in Syria. Thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [8:38]: Thank you. I give the floor to Algeria. Algeria [8:42]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Algeria is not supportive of country-specific resolutions on human rights situations, as they tend to politicize issues that should be addressed through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect. Such resolutions often risk undermining the principles of objectivity, impartiality, and non-selectivity that should guide the work of the United Nations in the promotion and protection of human rights. For Algeria, the Universal Periodic Review is the appropriate and effective framework to address human rights concerns in a constructive manner. The UPR offers a platform in which all member states are evaluated on an equal footing without discrimination or politicization, and through which states can receive support and technical assistance needed to improve their national human rights situation. Nevertheless, Algeria has decided to vote in favor of the resolution on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic in light of the request and aspirations expressed by Syria itself. Algeria acknowledges the will of Syria and its people to move toward a better future, one that ensures stability, peace, and the well-being of all Syrians. Algeria remains steadfast in its support to Syria and its brotherly people. I thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [10:11]: Thank you. The exercise of the right of reply has been requested in accordance with rule 115 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. I would like to remind delegations that the number of interventions in exercise of the right of reply for any delegation at any given meeting should be limited to two per item. The first intervention should be limited to five minutes and the second to three minutes. I give the floor to Israel. Israel [10:52]: Thank you, Chair. I'm taking the floor to respond to a statement made today during the consideration of the resolution on the human rights in Iran. Unfortunately, as we have seen time and again, countries violating basic human rights, women's rights, rights of minorities, including religious minorities such as Jews, Baha'is, and so on, choose to cynically focus their statement on Israel and tarnish our name in a deliberate and a deplorable attempt to shift the focus from themselves. We are deeply troubled by the reckless use of the term genocide in the meeting today. Such use of the term, made without any legal determination or judicial findings, amount to misinformation and disinformation. It trivializes the gravest of crimes, distorts historical truth, and risks fueling hate speech, incitement, and threats to vulnerable groups. Israel will continue to stand firm. The crime of genocide must never be distorted, politicized, or trivialized. Israel stands with the Iranian people, who continue to demand freedom and dignity instead of oppression and fear, and we call on the international community to show the same courage and hold Tehran accountable for its actions. Thank you, Chair. 3rd Committee · Chair [12:09]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran (Islamic Republic of) [12:18]: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I would like to take the floor in exercise of right of reply to several biased, unsubstantiated, and baseless allegations made against my country by the representative of Australia, UK, US, EU, and Israeli regime during the adoption of today and during the adoption of the resolution on the so-called situation of human rights in Iran. Mr. Chair, Iran categorically rejects all of those assertions and accusations and wishes to set the record strait. These statements pursued confrontation rather than dialogue and consultation. They were deliberately based on false and fabricated information as well as disinformation and misinformation. None of those allegations refer to the negative consequences of unilateral coercive measures and the Israeli-US aggression against Iran. This once again confirms what we have consistently said, that this resolution is political in nature and serves only as a tool of pressure against my country. How ironic. Australia does not appear to believe in its own words. Together with many others who spoke against Iran, Australia delivered a one-sided, unbalanced statement regarding the human rights situation in my country. The atrocities committed by the Israeli regime against the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza, are a stark reminder of the greatest human rights violations that have been perpetrated for far too long. The use of starvation as a weapon of war, denying civilians access to food and water is a war crime that defies all norms of humanity. We are alarmed by the report on Ms. Francesca Albani's special report on the occupied Palestinian territories, which documents the complicity of Western countries in genocide in Gaza. We believe in genocide in Gaza. We need a new mechanism to report on such a proud Western countries. They shouldn't be selective when it comes to the reports and mechanism which are against them and try to reveal the other side of the coin. A credible commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights requires coherence between the state's own acknowledgments and the standards it applies to others. Yesterday, the UK's representative acknowledged that migrants bring benefits but also bring complex challenges. Yet this recognition disappears when addressing countries such as Iran, which has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades and bears substantial economic and security burdens as a result. This country denies many refugees the right to seek and receive asylum, contrary to international law. The UK's position on migrants and refugees reflects a notable double standard in addressing human rights. The US since the beginning of the third committee claimed to avoid politicizing this committee, yet it has fully aligned with the backers of this purely political resolution, revealing a stark gap between words and deeds. This is particularly striking given its persistent record of racism and racial discrimination against Africans, people of African descent, and the suppression of students and NGOs peacefully supporting Palestine. Such contradictions are unsurprising from a state that has imposed decades of sanctions on Iran. The US is actually applying double standards, even in choosing which resolution it considers as politicizing the third committee and which it does not. It says the UN's core mission is to safeguard peace and security, yet it has vetoed every legitimate resolution seeking to stop Israeli's actions in Gaza. and is warmongering in the region. We strongly urge the representative of the US to remind himself that this committee is meant to promote human rights, not to punish the UN member states. Your persistent competition in making unfounded accusations has become increasingly absurd and humorous. For the EU, which has violated the human rights of all Iranians along with the US by the imposition of illegal unilateral coercive measures, We urge them to focus on their territories and save energy to handle their human rights concerns and systematic issues. They deem to espouse a commitment to human rights and democratic values, but in practice, the policies and actions of the Union and its member states always fall short concerning issues like sealing borders and externalizing responsibility for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. lack of action in combating racism and Islamophobia, the prevalence of domestic violence, high rate of trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation, they should be scrutinized. I thank you, Mr. Chair. 3rd Committee · Chair [17:00]: Thank you. I see Canada asking for the floor. Are you exercising the right of reply? Canada [17:11]: No, this was in an explanation of vote regarding L31. I understand there may have been a technical issue earlier with the microphone not being registered. 3rd Committee · Chair [17:20]: We have already been through that. I'm afraid I cannot give you the floor. Thank you. Colleagues, with that, the committee has concluded its consideration of sub-item C of agenda item 71. I now invite the committee to resume its consideration of agenda item 71B, human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in order to take Action on draft resolution A/C.3/A.0/L.51 entitled United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South West Asia and the Arab Region. Draft resolution L.51 contains no programme budget implications. With that, allow me to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Qatar. Qatar [18:37]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is my pleasure to present the resolution L51 entitled the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Center for Southwest Asia and the Arab Region. in document A/C.3/80/L.51. This draft resolution is based primarily on the resolution adopted in session 78 of the Third Committee. We shed light here on the notable progress made by the Centre to advance human rights in the region. The draft resolution also emphasizes that the center adopted a methodology consistent with addressing the current liquidity crisis as well as the center's emphasis on harmonizing the factors of its mandate. We also welcome an education on human rights unit within the center with focus on youths in particular. Increased demand for the services of the Centre reflects its growing role and its impact on human rights in the region. In conclusion, we would like to emphasise our full gratitude for co-sponsoring delegations, and we would like to encourage others to co-sponsor the resolution, and we look forward to adopting it consensually. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 3rd Committee · Chair [20:04]: I thank Katar for the statement. I turn the floor to the Secretary. 3rd Committee · Secretary [20:09]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wish to inform that in addition to the delegation listed on the L document, the following countries have joined as co-sponsors of draft resolution L51. Australia, Canada, Congo, El Salvador, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and Yemen. If any other countries wish to join as co-sponsors of draft resolution L51, please signify by pressing the microphone button. I see the Dominican Republic, Tunisia, Sudan and Pakistan. I see no further requests. Thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [21:00]: Thank you. Any delegation which to make a statement in connection with draft resolution L51? I see none. May I take it that the committee wishes to adopt draft resolution L51? I hear no objection. It is so decided. Any delegation which wishes to make a statement after the adoption of the resolution? I see none. Colleagues, the committee has therefore concluded its consideration of sub-item B of agenda item 71. We're not done yet. We have completed this program of work for this meeting. The committee will convene tomorrow, Thursday, 10 a.m. to take action on the remaining draft proposals. As usual, information on the work of the committee, including scheduled meetings, is available on iGov. Thank you so much for your kind cooperation. The meeting is adjourned.