I wholeheartedly congratulate our esteemed citizens and the entire human family on the occasion of 10 December Human Rights Day.

Despite the 77 years that have passed since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights –one of the founding documents of the United Nations, signed in the aftermath of World War II to guarantee individual rights and freedoms– human rights violations continue to pose serious threats to global peace and stability.

This grave reality we are facing, particularly the genocide in Gaza, clearly demonstrates that there is still a significant ground yet to be covered in protecting and promoting human rights.

In the current context, there is a need for an international system that places human dignity and justice at its core, rather than power and interests.

To this end, the international community must demonstrate a collective will to implement and develop its means and capabilities for addressing crises, based on an approach free from bias and double standards.

Türkiye will sustain its efforts through its active foreign policy, which prioritizes diplomacy, multilateralism, and shared values of humanity, against human rights violations and crises that threaten peace and stability both in its region and globally.

Furthermore, Türkiye will continue to work to encourage the international community to make greater efforts in the fight against racism, xenophobia, and hatred against Islam, which seriously threaten global peace and social harmony.

On this meaningful day, I wish for a world where human rights are guaranteed for everyone and humanitarian tragedies come to an end.