A short interview with Ms Silvia Escobar, Human Rights Ambassador, Spain
Ms Silvia Escobar, Human Rights Ambassador from Spain was one of participators of the conference Rights Work.
Ms Silvia Escobar, Human Rights Ambassador, Spain. Photo: Lisa Sandegård/MFA.
What do you think of the first day of the conference Rights Work! so far?
"I'm very excited about the conference. The conference is more about practical information and working methods, not as theoretical as is often the case. It's a totally different way and approach. I think it'll be great."
Spain will take over the chairmanship of the Council of Europe from Sweden in the end of November. What are the most important human rights issues that you'll move forward?
"The two most important issues that I will try to push for are gender equality and abolition of the death penalty. Other issues of importance are human trafficking, discrimination and cross-cultural dialogue. When it comes to cross-cultural dialogue, we want to deepen the alliances of civilizations."
Could you please give us an example of something exciting that will happen when Spain takes over the chairmanship of the Council of Europe?
"Yes, there are many exciting things planned. For example a two/three-day forum will be held in Madrid to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and more importantly the 50th anniversary of the European Court of Human Rights.
The Court of Human Rights has expressed its wish to hold an extraordinary session outside Strasbourg, in Madrid. This will be on a date to be decided by the European Court.
And Spain has appointed Ms MariaVictoria Scola as Special Ambassador for the Spanish Chairmanship of the Council of Europe."
Have you found that there are any advantages or disadvantages to being a woman in your job as Human Rights Ambassador?
"No, I'm not aware of any advantages or disadvantages of being a woman in my job. It's odd though that there are so few women represented at the top, as ambassadors for example, when the majority of the people working with human rights are women. There are seven human rights ambassadors in Europe and only one of them is a woman, and that's me."
Text:
Lisa Sandegård, Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
