DPM Ibrahimović addresses High-level segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović addressed the High-level segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva today. 

The opening session featured remarks from President of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, President of the Human Rights Council Jürg Lauber, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, as the host country’s representative. 

In his plenary session address, Ibrahimović emphasized that human rights must be at the core of the global response to current geopolitical challenges and crises. 

We must reaffirm our strong commitment to effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order. To effectively address pressing challenges, we must invest more in the protection of human rights and continuously strengthen the rule of law, he stated. 

He reiterated Montenegro's dedication to close cooperation with all partners to promote and safeguard shared democratic values, rights, and freedoms. He also highlighted Montenegro’s recent completion of its second term on the Human Rights Council. 

We worked closely with partners across all regional groups to jointly promote and protect human rights globally, with a particular focus on vulnerable and marginalized groups. With the same enthusiasm and dedication, Montenegro will continue to be a constructive and reliable actor within the Council, collaborating with all UN human rights mechanisms, said Ibrahimović. 

He also announced Montenegro's candidacy for membership in the Human Rights Council for the 2030–2032 term, which was formally submitted in November 2024. 

In addition to his address at the HRC, Ibrahimović held a series of bilateral meetings in Geneva. 

During his meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, he affirmed Montenegro’s commitment to upholding and protecting human rights by integrating EU standards into its legal framework. 

Freedom and equality are the core democratic values that we cherish, stated Ibrahimović. 

High Commissioner Türk commended Montenegro’s active role in the Human Rights Council during its second mandate and its continued dedication to multilateralism. 

In discussions with HRC President Jürg Lauber, Ibrahimović reaffirmed that Montenegro remains a constructive and committed partner in advancing the Council’s agenda. President Lauber praised Montenegro’s active engagement and proven commitment to human rights protection and promotion. 

Ibrahimović and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassi discussed enhancing bilateral relations and strengthening intergovernmental ties. Minister Cassis described Montenegro as an important partner in fostering stability in the Western Balkans, with both sides recognizing potential opportunities for expanded cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy and tourism. 

During talks with Palestine's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Varsen Aghabekian, Ibrahimović addressed current developments in the Middle East, including the recently brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Montenegro fully supports a two-state solution as the only viable path to achieving lasting peace, he stated. Both officials agreed on the need for a coordinated international response to support the reconstruction of Gaza. 

On the sidelines of the HRC session, Ibrahimović also briefly met with Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath. Additionally, he held discussions with Leon Saltiel, Director of Diplomacy for the World Jewish Congress in Geneva.