Undersecretary of State Silli received UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights: focus on the situation in the Middle East and Italian commitment against the death penalty

Today Undersecretary of State Giorgio Silli received the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, at the Foreign Ministry, on the occasion of her visit to Italy to participate in the G7 Ministerial Meeting on "Inclusion and Disability", scheduled for 14 and 15 October in the Umbria region.

Undersecretary Silli stated. "'Italy strongly supports the work of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose role is all the more relevant in the face of the repeated and tragic violations of rights and the reduction of their protection that we are witnessing in many countries. Undersecretary Silli also emphasised the attention that Italy has devoted to the issue of human rights and humanitarian assistance, also in its capacity as G7 President-in-Office.

During the talks, concern was raised about the increase in executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia, the reduced protection of women's rights in Iran, Afghanistan and Yemen, and the tragic situation of civilians in the areas of conflict, particularly in Gaza and the Lebanon.

Undersecretary Silli expressed his appreciation for the activities of the UN High Commissioner's Office, recalling Italy's financial contribution to its budget.

He finally reiterated Italy's commitment to a priority issue such as the fight against the death penalty, which this year sees our country co-facilitating - together with Argentina - the Resolution on the universal moratorium on executions that is currently being debated at the UN General Assembly.