German FM stresses key role of HRC

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underlined the importance of the UN Human Rights Council, given the human rights violations committed by Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and other countries, reported dpa.

"The fact that there is no sanctions mechanism there makes this work more difficult, but no less important," Baerbock said on Monday in Berlin before departing for the council meeting in Geneva.

"Our progress may often seem slow or small, but every resolution, every commission of enquiry set up and every rapporteur appointed is a stone that makes the wall between right and wrong stronger," she added.

At the meeting, Baerbock is expected to raise reports of the systematic deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Moscow rejects these as false reports.

The Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, set up a year ago, will present its report on 20 March. The UN General Assembly elects the 47 member countries of the Human Rights Council for three years at a time. Germany is currently a member.

The German Foreign Minister also plans to address the Permanent Conference on Disarmament in Geneva as well as a donor conference for civil war-ridden Yemen to raise money for humanitarian aid.

As for Russia, Baerbock said that at a time when a nuclear power was violating fundamental principles of the UN Charter, negotiating forums such as the Conference on Disarmament were more important than ever.

"We must not allow a few states to endanger the security of us all by undermining rules that serve us all," she added with regard to Russia.