High level statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey at the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, High Level Segment on 25 February 2026 in Gevena, Switzerland.
It is my honour to address this Council for the first time as Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Our family of nations is home to one third of humanity, and human rights are our bedrock. They are enshrined in our Charter, and reaffirmed time and again by our Heads of Government – most recently in Samoa in 2024, where Leaders renewed their commitment to build peaceful, just and resilient societies in which human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated.
But today we face profound upheaval. Conflicts, climate impacts, economic fragility, and democratic backsliding are eroding the conditions that allow rights to be fully enjoyed. Trust in institutions is weakening. Civic space is under pressure. Inequalities are deepening. And it is the most marginalised who carry the heaviest burdens.
These conditions do not respect borders – and they cannot be addressed by retreating from cooperation. If we allow global fractures to widen, human rights will be among the first casualties. If we stand together, they can be our strongest source of resilience. That conviction guides the Commonwealth’s new strategic plan, and it shapes our preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, under the theme: Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth. A prosperous future requires more than statistical growth; it requires societies grounded in dignity, inclusion, and justice. Human rights are not an accessory to prosperity — they are a precondition for it.
The Commonwealth is translating this principle into practical support.
Over the last four years, we have assisted more than 40 member countries to engage effectively in the Universal Periodic Review, implement their accepted recommendations, and reduce treaty body reporting backlogs. This work strengthens accountability, reinforces democratic practice, and ensures that rights commitments are not left on paper, but lived in people’s daily realities.
We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner and the Trust Fund for the Participation of LDCs and Small Island States. Through the Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva, we help amplify the voices of countries which are too often unheard in global fora. This is a strategic investment by the Commonwealth in a more inclusive, credible, and effective multilateral system.
We also support the establishment and strengthening of National Human Rights Institutions compliant with the Paris Principles, recognising their essential role as independent guardians of rights at the national level. Our collaboration with the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions promotes shared learning, innovation, and collective strength.
Mr President,
Rights must extend to everyone – including those whose are most at risk of marginalisation. Commonwealth Heads of Government have reaffirmed their commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities. Working with persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, we are developing a Commonwealth Disability Inclusion Action Plan to help countries embed inclusion in law, policy, and practice. It is a reminder that inclusivity is essential. Across all these efforts, our focus is clear: to help build societies that are resilient because they are rights-respecting; prosperous because they are inclusive; and peaceful because justice is real and trusted.
Excellencies,
The Commonwealth’s message to this Council is one of partnership and purpose. We will continue to support our member countries to uphold the universal values they have freely committed to. We will continue to defend civic space, democratic integrity, and the rule of law. We will continue to spotlight the lived realities of Small States. And we will continue to work with all who share our determination to advance human rights as the foundation of stability, prosperity, and human dignity.
At a moment when global systems are strained, let us demonstrate that multilateralism holds firm – and that human rights remain the compass by which we navigate an uncertain world.
