The Ombudsperson participated in the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council by intervening in a panel discussion, which took place on September 11, 2024, in Geneva, on how to “Promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights in the context of combating inequalities”.

In her remote intervention, the Ombudsperson, Maria Lúcia Amaral, stressed the centrality of human dignity, both in national and international law, and the importance of guaranteeing equal access to economic, social and cultural rights, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities, mitigating the risks of poverty and social exclusion.

She also argued that the promotion of these rights should be a priority in global efforts to reduce inequalities, regardless of the political and economic context, highlighting the crucial role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs), such as the Ombudsman, in protecting and monitoring compliance with states’ obligations.

Finally, Maria Lúcia Amaral called for greater international cooperation, along with closer collaboration with NHRIs and human rights mechanisms, such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in order to expand global efforts to realize these rights, which are essential for human dignity.