UNIS/MA/326
1 June 2023
GENEVA/VIENNA, 1 June (UN Information Service) — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will be in the Austrian capital, Vienna, from 5 to 8 June for events commemorating the 30th anniversary of the World Conference on Human Rights which took place in Vienna in 1993 and paved the way for the creation of the UN Human Rights Office.
The programme, organized by the Government of Austria in cooperation with the UN Human Rights Office, is one of the key milestones in a year-long initiative by the High Commissioner and his Office to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The first event will be a Vienna Youth Human Rights Defenders Conference on Monday, 5 June. On Tuesday 6 June, Türk will deliver the keynote address at the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action +30 Symposium - “Vienna World Conference - 30 Years On: Our Rights – Our Future” - at the MQ Libelle. There will also be panels addressing the universality of human rights, technology and human rights, as well as human rights as the solution to global challenges.
While in Vienna, the High Commissioner will also meet Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and other Government ministers. Türk will have an exchange with members of the Austrian Parliament’s Human Rights Committee. Other discussions include meetings with civil society representatives and faith leaders, judges of the Constitutional Court, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, as well as UN entities in Vienna.
On Thursday 8 June, the UN Human Rights Chief will address the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council regarding the UN Human Rights Office’s Human Rights 75 initiative.
Türk will hold a media briefing on Monday, 5 June at 10.15 a.m. in Room C0225A at the Vienna International Centre. Journalists who are not accredited to the Vienna International Centre need to register by COB on Friday, 2 June by writing to press.vienna[at]un.org.
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For more information and media requests, please contact: Liz Throssell (travelling with the High Commissioner) – Email: elizabeth.throssell[at]un.org
In Vienna:
Anne Thomas – Email: anne.thomas[at]un.org / Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5588
In Geneva:
Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani[at]un.org
Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez[at]un.org
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