International solidarity and human rights: Meeting between the Independent Expert and Civil Society

An Informal
consultation between the Independent Expert on International Solidarity and
Human Rights and civil society was held on Friday, September 14th at
Palais des Nations. The first panelist, H.E. Msgr. Silvano M. Tomasi, Apostolic
Nuncio, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See highlighted the importance
of solidarity as key notion in the social doctrine as well as in human rights
system. He also stated that the concept of solidarity has been devalued: “Solidarity
must generate a moral and not only a legal obligation”

Next to take
the floor, Ms. Virginia Dan Dan (IE on International Solidarity and Human Rights),
highlighted that without solidarity, human rights cannot be fulfilled. Despite
the fact that the concept of solidarity is often misunderstood and manipulated,
Ms. Dan Dan defined solidarity as the bridge to achieve new and better results
in the full implementation of human rights. “Instead of defining new human
rights obligations in this regard, we have to identify the extent of existing obligations – she said.
Finally,
several NGOs took the floor in a very enriching debate.