Interview with Sabrina Ugolini, Ambassador of Italy in Afghanistan

The Press Office had the opportunity to interview the ex-President of the CIDU and now Ambassador of Italy in Afghanistan, Sabrina Ugolini, about her diverse functions and expectations. 

 

What is the function of the CIDU (Comitato Interministeriale per i Diritti Umani)?  

The CIDU was established in 1978 as a governmental body coordinating the national response in relation to the obligations assumed by Italy as a signatory country to international treaties and conventions for the protection and promotion of human rights. 

It is located at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and its members include representatives of Ministries, administrations and public bodies that in various capacities deal with human rights issues. 

 

As a central part of its mandate, CIDU acts as a sort of focal point for the United Nations on the respect of human rights in Italy, in particular for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. According to the UN system “language”, the CIDU falls within the category of the  so-called National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRFs). 

 

Likewise, we work as focal point for two mechanisms of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, namely the Committee for the Prevention of Torture-CPT and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance-ECRI. 

With regard to the European Union, we are National Liaison Officer for the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), based in Vienna, which plays an important role in raising awareness, monitoring and disseminating information on the multiple and new dimensions of human rights. 

On all these activities, CIDU annually prepares a report to the Italian Parliament, which represents an important information link between the institutions. 

 

Could you share with us your vision for the priorities of the CIDU in the years to come? 

Undoubtedly, I would say that a priority will be to consolidate the activity of developing the NAPs - National Action Plans, of which we are the custodians: the Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the one on Business & Human Rights (BHR). As for the former, we have involved the civil society in defining and elaborating the next edition of the Plan (2025-2030), through a transparent and constructive dialogue. 

On the NAP on Business & Human Rights - a sector of growing relevance - inspired by the guiding principles of the UN and the sustainable development in economic, social and environmental matters, according to the 17 SDGs of the UN 2030 Agenda, a working group “open” to civil society is equally active, which periodically identifies priorities and objectives to work on. 

The constant dialogue with civil society is, after all, one of the CIDU’s priorities, also within the broader framework of the UN Universal Periodic Review, that Italy will undertake at the United Nations in Geneva, at the beginning of 2025. 

 

What are the challenges ahead in the next years in the human rights and democracy fields?  

I believe it is important to work on “communicating rights” in the coming years, that is, what we can do so that communication on human rights becomes increasingly effective, trying to promote a stronger cultural and civic pathway. Overall, we need to ensure that the promotion and protection of human rights become factors of development and cohesion of our modern societies. 

 

How fundamental is the high education to solve many issues in those areas?  

 

Higher education as well as the teaching of civic education, in schools at all levels, are key tools to promote human rights, inclusion and non-discrimination, with particular reference to the most vulnerable or marginalized groups, and are a first antidote against discriminations, bullying, cyber-bullying and hate speech.  

 

Could you give a message to our community at the Global Campus of Human Rights?  

The active role of academic institutions such as the Global Campus greatly complements the efforts to promote and protect human rights at the international level, and they also constitutes a valuable form of action and commitment at the local level.   

The message is perhaps to always have the courage to promote fundamental rights as a “daily exercise”, in defense of a qualifying dimension of democracy and sustainable development. 

 

For more information contact our Press and Communications PR Offices:  

Elisa Aquino – Isotta Esposito – Francesca Sante  

pressoffice@gchumanrights.org - communications@gchumanrights.org  

  

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