Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadik Malik, issued a stark warning against the “selective application” of human rights on the global stage, specifically citing the situations in Palestine and Kashmir, during a high-level United Nations forum on Monday. He cautioned that this inconsistency is contributing to a world increasingly defined by division rather than unity.
Dr. Malik delivered his address at the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in the Saudi capital. The event, themed ‘UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity,’ gathered international leaders and policymakers to commemorate the organization’s 20th anniversary.
In his speech, the minister painted a concerning picture of the current global order, observing that the aspiration of a connected global village is yielding to disunity. He identified several worrying trends, including the erosion of multilateralism, a surge in armed conflicts, escalating trade and tariff disputes, and diminished international funding for development and environmental needs.
He warned that a shift from bilateral engagement toward unilateral actions poses significant threats to worldwide peace and justice.
Reaffirming his steadfast commitment to the universal nature of human rights, Dr. Malik described women’s, minority, environmental, and children’s rights as fundamental and non-negotiable principles. He pointedly questioned why these standards are not applied uniformly across the globe, demanding that the rights of Palestinians and Kashmiris be upheld in line with international norms.
The minister also broached the critical topic of water rights, underscoring the obligations of upper riparian states to countries downstream. He stressed that the fair and just distribution of water resources is essential for maintaining regional stability, achieving sustainable development, and ensuring human security.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Malik suggested that the UNAOC’s two-decade milestone presents a timely opportunity for the international community to renew its dedication to dialogue, peace, harmony, and mutual respect.