UN chief issues 7-point 'call to action' on human rights

The head of the United Nations issued a "call to action" on Monday to countries, businesses and all people to help renew and revive human rights across the globe, laying out a seven-point plan amid concerns about climate change, conflict and repression.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the appeal at the start of the latest Human Rights Council session in Geneva, known as the council's "high-level segment" because it hosts a parade of dignitaries including Libya's prime minister and foreign ministers from countries like Germany, Saudi Arabia and South Korea at the start of the four-week session.

"I have come to the Human Rights Council the fulcrum for international dialogue and cooperation to advance all human rights to launch a Call to Action," Guterres said, speaking in broad terms and avoiding any reference to individual countries' rights records.

The UN chief said he wanted to speak out now because "human rights are under assault."
"As a United Nations family, a culture of human rights must permeate all we do."
Guterres also spoke out against rising racism, white supremacy and extremism, and lamented violence against women and girls as the world's most pervasive human rights abuse."