On October 17, 2024, Mr. Pablo Camprubí, First Secretary, delivered a statement at the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee on the topic of “Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons.”
The session began with a presentation by Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Special Rapporteur expressed deep concern over the current global landscape of conflict, marked by widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. She emphasised that these laws, which form the backbone of the international order, were established in the aftermath of the Second World War, yet today we see an increasing disregard for their principles. Ms. Betancur highlighted how both state and non-state actors are deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, violating the principle of proportionality, obstructing humanitarian aid, and treating aid workers as adversaries rather than neutral agents of humanity.
The Special Rapporteur stressed the urgent need to address the global crisis of internal displacement, with 76 million people currently displaced, primarily due to conflict and violence. She explained that achieving durable solutions for displaced persons is inseparably linked to broader efforts to address the root causes of conflict and violence. Ms. Betancur argued that sustainable peace and solutions to internal displacement must include measures to prevent the recurrence of crises, provide restitution for victims, and ensure that internally displaced persons are integral to peacebuilding efforts.
Ms. Betancur noted that IDPs, despite being victims, often have unique insights into the conflicts that displaced them, making their participation in peace processes essential. She called on policymakers to include displaced populations in a way that reflects their diversity, considering the intersectional challenges faced by women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, and minorities. This inclusion, she argued, helps build legitimacy and restore trust in public institutions. However, she also acknowledged that peace processes frequently overlook the participation of IDPs, either due to their complexity or safety concerns, and urged stakeholders to adapt peace efforts to be more inclusive.
The Special Rapporteur stressed that peace agreements must provide IDPs with a range of settlement options, rather than focusing solely on return, and emphasised that displaced persons should not be encouraged to resettle until it is safe to do so. Durable solutions, she noted, should address the full spectrum of human rights and tackle the root causes of violence, including by strengthening local peace infrastructures, such as community dispute resolution mechanisms.
Ms. Betancur concluded by urging the international community to reinforce respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, as accountability is key to preventing further conflict and displacement. In her closing remarks, she reminded the Committee that in a world increasingly marked by violence, it is never too early to lay the foundations for peace, and it is never too late to abandon conflict in favor of peaceful resolutions.
Mr. Camprubí addressed the growing crisis of IDPs driven by armed conflict, environmental degradation, persecution, and climate change, with IDPs facing severe deprivation of basic human rights. He highlighted the compounded issues of poverty which hinder global progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. Camprubí highlighted how the Sovereign Order of Malta, through Malteser International, is actively providing humanitarian aid in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, focusing on health, sanitation, and infrastructure support. However, he stressed that while immediate aid is vital, long-term, holistic solutions addressing the root causes of displacement are essential for safeguarding IDP rights and achieving sustainable peace and development.