Geneva, Switzerland – A bilateral meeting between Her Excellency President Dr. Hilda C. Heine and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Volker Turk was held on September 27, 2024, at the Palais Wilson. It was held momentarily following President Heine’s high-level dignitary address to the Human Rights Council (HRC).
President Heine reiterated the purpose of her visit, emphasizing the Marshall Islands’ commitment to advancing the two milestone resolutions on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and the continuation of the technical assistance and capacity building to the National Nuclear Commission (NNC) at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. She expressed optimism and conveyed hope that the international community will continue to stand in solidarity with the people and Government of the Marshall Islands in the ongoing efforts to address the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy.
The President highlighted the importance of the recently released report by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) which in her view should complement national efforts to revisit the Changed Circumstances Petition (CCP) and how these may reinvigorate discussions in the U.S. Congress. She pointed out the critical intersection between climate change and nuclear issues, stressing that both areas require urgent attention and action. President Heine also reiterated the need for meaningful reconciliation including formal apologies to the Marshallese people from those responsible for the nuclear testing period when the Marshall Islands was administered by the United States under a UN Trusteeship.
President Heine also extended her gratitude to the OHCHR for their role in coordinating the country visit of the Special Rapporteur on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the Marshall Islands scheduled to take place from 05 – 14 October. In doing so, she acknowledged the vital independent role of Special Rapporteurs in highlighting and addressing human rights challenges across the world.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding of key areas of enhanced cooperation and collaboration.
