The Slovenia Times

UN human rights commissioner sees push-back against rights

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Speaking about the situation in Venezuela, Bachelet agreed she was probably allowed into the country with an observation mission because the government saw her capable of producing an unbiased report. The government did not like the eventual report, she said, but noted this was not unusual.

Commenting on sanctions against the country, Bachelet hinted she felt closer to the EU's approach of personal sanctions than to the "broad" approach used by Washington in Venezuela that is hitting the people, for example hospitals unable to get basic provisions due to embargo, and is not really bringing down the government.

As for the push-back against women's rights, she said she was consistently raising the issue and trying to present the empowerment of women not only as the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do. "We need the whole team, women and men with all of their skills," she said.

The discussion also touched on AI and human rights, with Bachelet pointing out her office was also trying to address "frontier issues" like climate change and AI. The latter looks like a scenario full of potential, but also riddled with danger such as social media being used to spread hate speech and racially or gender biased algorithms.

Different stakeholders have different perspectives here, and Bachelet argued they needed to be brought together and made aware that fast action and ethical consideration was necessary to avoid potentially disastrous consequences.

Regarding migration, Bachelet stressed that very strong migration policies would not prevent people from migrating but would just make them pick more dangerous ways. The root causes need to be addressed, foremost among them inequalities and youth unemployment.

Asked about Hong Kong, Bachelet said her office had been in touch with "authorities and local authorities to try to promote a transparent and effective dialogue with the people so that they can try to find a political and peaceful solution".

Bachelet, who finds it encouraging that Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam also called for such a platform, condemned any violence, on the side of the authorities as well as the protesters. The solution can only be peaceful, she said, with the same applying to Venezuela.

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