In the opening of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, international and Arab representatives expressed grave concerns regarding the global decline of human rights protections. UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted that human rights are undergoing a significant assault around the world, signaling a troubling shift towards 'the law of the powerful' over the rule of law. Guterres emphasized the dire consequences of this strategic push against the human rights system and called for renewed support for the Council's mechanisms tasked with monitoring violations and holding perpetrators accountable.

Guterres underscored the necessity of bolstering the UN Human Rights Council’s tools, including special rapporteurs and investigative procedures, in order to effectively address current rights violations and ensure accountability. The session's focus on the broader implications of human rights setbacks comes amid a backdrop of worsening global crises, which further complicate the already precarious situation for human rights advocates and victims alike.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein reiterated Iraq’s commitment to democracy and federalism, reflecting on the progress made in fostering institutional cooperation between Baghdad and the Kurdish Regional Government in Erbil. This sentiment indicates local governments are keen to be part of a broader dialogue on human rights, yet these discussions also highlight the complexities and challenges faced in maintaining rights in turbulent global contexts.