COUNCIL HOLDS GENERAL DEBATE ON REPORTS BY SECRETARY-GENERAL AND HIGH COMMISSIONER AND ON THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT

The Human Rights Council this morning heard the presentation of reports by the Working Group on the right to development, the United Nations Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office, and held a general debate on the reports on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

Presenting the report of the thirteenth session of the Working Group on the right to development, Tamara Kunanayakam, the Working Group’s Chairperson, said that the Working Group had reached consensus on the way forward and completed a first review of the draft criteria proposed by the High-Level Task Force. Despite the diversity of concerns and opinions expressed, there was a clear commitment on the part of all in the Working Group to move forward in a process that would make the right to development a reality for all. The fourteenth session of the Working Group would take place from 6 to 12 May 2012.

Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, presented reports by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner, which dealt with issues concerning people subjected to reprisals as a consequence of their cooperation with the United Nations; implementation of the Global Programme for Education of Human Rights; the advancement of the business and human rights agenda and the dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; the implementation of a human rights-based approach in the reduction of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality; the rights of indigenous peoples; prevention and responses to violence against children within the juvenile justice system; the incompatibility between democracy and racism; human rights and the right to development; the question of the death penalty; freedom of expression on the internet and remedies for women subjected to violence.

In the general debate, delegations said that strong political will and commitment was needed to finalise the process of the consideration, revision and the endorsement of the draft criteria and operational sub-criteria towards the elaboration of a coherent set of standards for the realization of the right to development. Poverty eradication was the greatest global challenge and that was why the cardinal importance of the right to development must be more emphasized for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the Rio outcome and shaping an equitable post-2015 development agenda.

Concerning the report on the application of a human rights based approach to the reduction of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality, speakers welcomed the technical guide and recommended that it be used as a basis for all international actors in the development of programmes and policies to combat this scourge that affected all States. Speakers welcomed the report on the death penalty and supported a global moratorium on executions. They were particularly appalled that some countries still imposed the death penalty on children, which was lawful in seven States.

Speaking in the general debate were Senegal on behalf of the African Group, Cyprus on behalf of the European Union, United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Arab Group, Cuba on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, Turkey in a joint statement, China in a joint statement, Russia, Norway, Cuba, Spain, India, Angola, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Austria, Costa Rica on behalf of the Human Rights Education and Training Platform, Guatemala, Romania, Kuwait, Indonesia, Benin, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Argentina, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Australia, Council of Europe, New Zealand, Myanmar, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Denmark, Paraguay, Venezuela, Uzbekistan, Panama, United Nations Population Fund and World Food Programme in a joint statement and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.

The Council will reconvene at 3 p.m. to continue with the general debate on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

Documentation

The Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights (A/HRC/21/18).

The Council has before it the report of the Working Group on the Right to Development on its thirteenth session (A/HRC/21/19).

The Council has before it the progress report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the implementation of the World Programme for Human Rights Education - (A/HRC/21/20) and its Corrigendum (A/HRC/21/20/Corr.1).

The Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General on the contribution of the United Nations system as a whole to the advancement of the business and human rights agenda and the dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (A/HRC/21/21) and its Corrigendum (A/HRC/21/21/Corr.1).

The Council has before it the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on technical guidance on the application of a human rights based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality maternal morbidity and mortality (A/HRC/21/22), its Corrigendum 1 (A/HRC/21/22/Corr.1) and its Corrigendum 2 (A/HRC/21/22/Corr.2).

The Council has before it the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the rights of indigenous peoples (A/HRC/21/23).

The Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General on the ways and means of promoting participation at the United Nations of indigenous peoples’ representatives on issues affecting them (A/HRC/21/24).

The Council has before it the joint report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children on prevention of and responses to violence against children within the juvenile justice system (A/HRC/21/25).

The Council has before it the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the protection of human rights of juveniles deprived of their liberty (A/HRC/21/26).

The Council has before it the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the incompatibility between democracy and racism (A/HRC/21/27).

The Council has before it the consolidated report of the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the right to development (A/HRC/21/28).

The Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General on the question of the death penalty (A/HRC/21/29) and its Corrigendum (A/HRC/21/29/Corr.1).

The Council has before it the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the summary of the Human Rights Council panel discussion on the promotion and protection of freedom of expression on the Internet (A/HRC/21/30).

The Council has before it the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the summary of the full-day meeting on the rights of the child (A/HRC/21/31).

Presentation of Reports

TAMARA KUNANAYAKAM, Chairperson of the Working Group on the Right to Development, presented the report of the thirteenth session of the Working Group, in which it reviewed the draft criteria on the implementation of the right to development. During the session, the Working Group reached consensus on the way forward and completed a first review of the draft criteria proposed by the High-Level Task Force, thus establishing a good basis for the next session, in which it would begin consideration of the draft operational sub-criteria. Acknowledging that there was a need to further consider, revise and refine the draft criteria and corresponding sub-criteria, the Working Group welcomed the launching of the process with the first reading of the draft criteria. A number of recommendations had been formulated during the session: to request the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to make available on its website and to the Working Group two conference room papers reflecting comments and views submitted during the session by Governments, groups of Governments and other relevant stakeholders; to invite the Chairperson-Rapporteur to hold informal consultations with Governments, regional groups and relevant stakeholders in preparation of the fourteenth session; and to invite the High Commissioner to further the efforts to encourage active participation in the work of the Working Group of all relevant stakeholders. Finally, Ms. Kunanayakam said that, despite the diversity of concerns, interpretations and views expressed, the differences of opinions on the methodology or on the manner in which the right to development was to be realized, there was a clear commitment on the part of all in the Working Group to move forward in a process that would make the right to development a reality for all. The fourteenth session of the Working Group would take place from 6 to 12 May 2012.

KYUNG-WHA KANG, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, introduced the thematic reports of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner. She started by introducing the report documenting situations in which people had been subjected to threats or reprisals as a consequence of their cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms. The report stressed that States had the responsibility to ensure that people cooperating with the United Nations were protected, to investigate allegations of reprisals, to hold the perpetrators accountable and to offer adequate compensation to the victims.

Ms. Kang then presented the report on the implementation of the Global Programme for Education of Human Rights, which presented national initiatives for human rights education for teachers, police and military forces and other State agents. She said that the report showed that important efforts had been made worldwide, showing the growing trend toward the institutionalization of human rights education in regular education programmes.

The report on the contribution of the United Nations to the promotion of the business and human rights agenda gave an overview of the activities undertaken by all relevant United Nations stakeholders in this field, Ms. Kang said, and identified opportunities to make this issue go forward, including by integrating the Guiding Principles to different programmes and activities.

Ms. Kang then introduced the report on Maternal Mortality and Preventable Morbidity, which contained technical details on the implementation of a human rights oriented approach to policies aiming at the reduction of this phenomena. Such an approach would recognize women as rights holders and would contribute to the elimination of discrimination and inequalities faced by women.

The Deputy High Commissioner presented the report of the High Commissioner on the rights of indigenous people, which contained information on relevant evolutions of human rights mechanisms for the protection of these communities. The report on the ways of promoting participation at the United Nations of recognized indigenous people’s representatives examined possible ways to develop a specific procedure to better enable these representatives’ participation in the United Nations.

Ms. Kang said that the joint report on violence against children in the juvenile justice system recognized that children in the justice system faced high risks of violence and recommended strategies to prevent violence, including using deprivation of liberty for children only as a measure of last resort, establishing complaint procedure mechanism and strengthening accountability. The High Commissioner’s report on the protection of human rights of juveniles deprived of their liberty highlighted many gaps in national legal frameworks, in particular the lack of adequate conditions of detention. The summary report on children and the administration of justice reiterated that the first purpose of the juvenile judicial system should be the reintegration of children. The report also tackled the issue of children of detained people.

She then said that the report of the High Commissioner on the incompatibility between democracy and racism provided information on efforts to reflect multicultural diversity in political and legal systems through promoting diversity and improving democratic institutions.

The report on human rights and the right to development described the activities and initiatives undertaken by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the field of development and highlighted remaining challenges, including continued politicization and polarization in intergovernmental debates.

The Deputy High Commissioner presented the report on the question of the death penalty, which confirmed that there was a growing global trend toward the abolition; however some Member States had continued to use the death penalty during the period covered by the report. She said that some States used the death penalty for drug offences or against children under age at the time of the crime, in violation of international law.

The report on the outcome of the panel on the right to freedom of expression on the internet covered the role of the internet in promoting economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the challenges posed by restrictions on the right to freedom of expression on the internet.

Ms. Kang finally presented the summary report on remedies for women subjected to violence, which included conclusions and recommendations, and could be useful in the continuing consideration of this theme.

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on the Right to Development and General Debate on the Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights

Senegal, speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that the thirteenth session of the Working Group allowed the beginning of preliminary work to consider and revise the criteria and sub-criteria. The different views that continued to exist on those criteria might be amended in the future sessions of the Working Group. The importance of the right to development was not a question any more and the focus now needed to be on deciding which measures should be taken. The international community needed to recognize this right, agree on an internationally binding treaty and recognize the delineation between national and international in the realization of this right.

Cyprus, speaking on behalf of the European Union, condemned intimidation and persecution against civil society representatives, human rights defenders and journalists, and was alarmed by acts of torture, arbitrary detention and policies that violated freedom of expression, association and assembly. The European Union continued to be gravely concerned that children around the world were still denied their basic human rights, lived in extreme poverty or suffered exploitation, including forced labour, trafficking or were forced to become child soldiers. All States should protect their own people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, against violence and discrimination on all grounds.

Iran, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said that mainstreaming the right to development in the policies and operational activities of the United Nations and the international financial and multilateral trading system was indispensable in achieving this right and preventing discrimination. The Non-Aligned Movement urged the United Nations human rights machinery to ensure the operationalization of this right, also through the elaboration of a Convention on the Right to Development. Operationalizing the right to development was not about mainstreaming human rights into the development, but about mainstreaming and implementing development-oriented policies at all levels.

United Arab Emirates, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, welcomed the conclusions and recommendations made by the Working Group during its thirteenth session and said that the implementation of the right to development required recognition of individual and collective responsibilities and finding political will to promote this right alongside other rights. The Arab Spring had not been limited to Arab countries only and had spread to other countries in Europe where people expressed generational anger. The implementation of the right to development required the international community to face global challenges, and should have human beings at its centre.

Cuba, speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, said that war or threat of war was the greatest threat that jeopardized the realization of this right; there was no development without peace. More needed to be done to ensure that the right to development was mainstreamed within the United Nations. Health was an essential element in fighting poverty and was a basis for bringing about the right to development; better access to health services and universal health coverage must be made a priority. Education was not only important to fight poverty, but went hand in hand with development and fighting exclusion and inequality.

Turkey, in a joint statement, said that the financial gap was partly a result of the increasing requests and needs for support of the Office of the High Commissioner’s increasing needs for secretariat support for the human rights treaty bodies and an unprecedented number of new and expanded mandates by the Human Rights Council. The aim should be to establish a more sustainable resourcing of the Office over the coming years in a manner that balanced the different interests by States, without infringing on the independence of the High Commissioner and her Office, which operated under the administrative direction and authority of the United Nations Secretary-General and General Assembly.

China, in a joint statement, said that what was needed was the strong political will to finalise the process of the consideration, revision and ultimately the endorsement of the draft right to development criteria and operational sub-criteria towards the elaboration of a coherent set of standards on that important right. There was a duty on States towards international cooperation, towards the realisation of the right to development.

Russia, in a joint statement, said that the Human Rights Council, which was a fundamental forum to promote and protect human, had unfortunately over the last few years departed from that principle and turned into an arena for settling political scores. The promotion and protection of human rights was possible provided that there was respect for the rule of law in international affairs. To ensure the reality of human rights for all citizens, there was a need for the good will and work without fatigue of all stakeholders.

United States thanked other delegations for their condolences after the killing of four diplomats in Libya. The United States said that the right to peaceful assembly was fundamental for civil society to play its essential role to serve the common good. It was the responsibility of States to acknowledge the importance of this and to promote and protect the rights of civil society organizations acting peacefully for a better future.

Norway said the right to development had the potential to serve as a means to balance national responsibility and international cooperation. More equitable distribution of wealth between countries was needed. Norway also highlighted the role of women’s rights and gender equality to improve development outcomes, enhance productivity and make institutions more representative.

Cuba asked the High Commissioner to continue making the right to development a priority in the United Nations. Cuba said that the United States’ embargo on Cuba was a human rights violation and an unjustifiable act. Cuba urged the Government of the United States to release five Cuban prisoners that were, in the view of Cuba and the Working Group on arbitrary detention, arbitrarily detained since 1998 for allegations of terrorism.

Spain reiterated its engagement in favour of human rights. The systematic violation of the human rights of vulnerable groups, like sexual minorities, continued to be committed in many parts of the world. Spain also considered as unacceptable that women still did not enjoy equal rights with men and continued to face violence.

India noted with pleasure the integration of the right to development into the work of the United Nations system and that effective implementation of this right required an equitable, democratic and inclusive multilateral architecture where the interests of the peoples and countries worldwide were taken into account. Poverty eradication was the greatest global challenge and the cardinal importance of the right to development must be more emphasized for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the Rio outcome and shaping an equitable post-2015 development agenda.

Angola said that maternal mortality and morbidity affected all States, particularly Africa. Angola had launched a programme for access to primary health care services and had seen some progress in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Angola welcomed the High Commissioner’s report on the death penalty and supported a global moratorium on executions. Angola recognized the right to development which required the full attention of the international community and the need for legally binding procedures.

Burkina Faso welcomed the technical guide on maternal mortality and morbidity and recommended it to be used as a basis for all international actors in the development of programmes and policies to combat this scourge. Burkina Faso had already integrated some of the provisions of the Technical Guide in its own policies to address maternal mortality and said that international cooperation in this regard must be strengthened, particularly in the exchange of good practices.

Ecuador said that human development went far beyond mere economic criteria, and included a balanced harmonious relationship between persons and the environment. Groups and persons that were historically forgotten, ignored or marginalised could not be excluded by the concept of development. The international community had to have an inclusive development process. It was the collective responsibility of States to ensure the human right to development in all its aspects for all populations of the world.

Austria said that increased technical assistance to ensure that States abided by human rights rules might be necessary and that it looked forward to hearing more about how the Office was working with the United Nations system and Governments at the country level to improve human rights in the administration of juvenile justice. Austria was particularly appalled that some countries still imposed the death penalty on children, which was still lawful in seven States. It called on those States to repeal the relevant legal provision immediately in order to bring their legislation in line with international standards.

Costa Rica, speaking on behalf of the Platform for Human Rights Education and Training, said that half way through the Second Phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education, the Platform felt that a discussion should be started on what the possible focus of the Third Phase might be in light of the Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. To this end, it proposed a draft resolution asking the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to seek the views of States and other relevant stakeholders on the matter and compile a report in one year’s time.

Guatemala reiterated its firm commitment to human rights and paid tribute to the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Human Rights Council could not stay silent regarding human rights violations, and had to contribute to finding peaceful solutions. Guatemala urged all to fully support the resolution that would be tabled on the rights of indigenous people, and said that violence against women was a priority.

Romania said that children deprived of their liberty in Romania were treated as a vulnerable part of the population, benefited special assistance, and had access to educative and cultural activities for their development and a better reintegration into society. Furthermore, Romania was working on a draft law that contained specific provisions for juvenile offenders and envisaged the creation of specialized institutions focused on the education of the juveniles deprived of their liberty.

Kuwait said that the human rights in the declaration on the right to development provided a model for improving the lives of people. Realizing the right to development needed more efforts and a real international solidarity. Kuwait was convinced of the importance of international assistance and international development, and provided assistance for development projects in developing countries. Domestically, Kuwait had established a four-year development plan to achieve equity in the distribution of benefits among all citizens.

Indonesia said Indonesia remained fully committed to the realization of the fundamental right to development which was a key to fair, humane and sustainable progress. States had the primary responsibility to promote and uphold this right, and the international community had the responsibility to create an enabling environment for its realization. Indonesia welcomed the progress achieved in the Working Group and said it was important to remain committed to the elaboration of coherent standards; strong political will must be shown in the next deliberations in the Working Group by all parties.

Benin welcomed the Secretary-General’s report on the abolition of the death penalty and said that Benin had abolished it following the entry in force of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Mindful of the dignity of persons and their human rights, Benin had ratified in 2011 relative legal instruments to implement this decision. Benin was proud of abolishing the death penalty and invited all States to do so.

Belgium said that the fight against the death penalty was a priority for Belgium, which strongly opposed the death penalty in all cases and circumstances. Belgium would continue to promote the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol aimed at the abolition of the death penalty because the recent executions in Gambia, where a moratorium had been in place for more that a quarter of century, clearly illustrated its importance and offered more security than a moratorium which could be lifted at any point in time.

Saudi Arabia said that more efforts were needed to promote the right to development through cooperation and international dialogue. The right had not been accorded the priority it deserved. Developing countries in particular faced many challenges in ensuring this right. Everyone had to step up efforts. Saudi Arabia pointed out that it had pardoned the debt of least developed countries amounting to $ 6 billion dollars and that 4 per cent of its gross domestic product was dedicated to assistance, exceeding the United Nations recommended level.

Malaysia said the right to development was of great importance and belonged to all individuals and people everywhere without discrimination. The will or desire of the many should not be held hostage by the few who could project their voice the loudest or force their way centre-stage. That there was no one size fits all solution should be emphasized. States should be allowed to develop in their own way, but bear in mind their obligation to always protect the human rights of their people.

Sri Lanka said that it was important to recognise that greater political consensus had to be sought in order to remove the obstacles that stood in the way of the intrinsic right of development, and to achieve greater progress within the Working Group. With the world facing multiple crises, today more than ever, the implementation of the right was of critical importance. Commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development last year had infused momentum in the international discussion on the subject and it was imperative for that momentum to be sustained.

Iraq welcomed the efforts of the Working Group towards the implementation of the right to development. This inalienable right was deeply linked to other economic, cultural and political rights. Countries falling behind the Millennium Development Goals often faced common denominators such as war and terrorism, and terrorism in Iraq had negatively affected development programmes and inhibited the full enjoyment of different kinds of rights. Iraq was determined to continue to support the Working Group.

Morocco believed that the right to development was a right of all nations and its implementation favoured the enjoyment of this right by all individuals. The international community had a moral obligation to ensure this right was prioritised to address many of the pressing issues. Morocco believed that the consideration of operational criteria and sub-criteria for endorsement, according to resolution 15/25, required more time. It called on delegations to adopt a consensual approach.

Algeria said that the spirit of the declaration was more relevant than ever as social movements spontaneously sprung across the world in response to multiple crises. Although the primary responsibility to ensure the right to development lay with States, the text of the declaration also underlined the importance of international solidarity and cooperation. Different views had been expressed and Algeria hoped for a constructive spirit and to finalise the criteria for an effective implementation and the adoption of a legally binding document.

Turkey said that the right to development was essential to eradicate poverty and reduce the gap between developed and developing countries. Challenges posed by globalization required more cooperation and solidarity at the international level. An elaborated legal framework could help to strengthen the implementation of this right. However, it was now more important to put efforts into the realization of this right, rather that lose precious time in debates about divisive legal approaches.

Argentina said that, concerning the report of the Secretary-General on preventable maternal mortality, Argentina had a national programme for sexual and reproductive health, which was particularly focused on the prevention of maternal mortality. Turning to the death penalty, Argentina said it had often joined calls for clemency for those who had the death penalty handed down to them. Argentina was firmly committed to the abolition of the death penalty and supported the fifth World Congress against the death penalty to take place in Madrid in 2013.

Pakistan said that the right to self-determination was the cornerstone of international law, upheld by major United Nations summits, declarations and resolutions, which had empowered millions of people and nations to decide on their own political and economical destiny. This right was denied to a number of areas in the world today and in Jammu Kashmir and Palestine. Recognition of this right to the people of the occupied Jammu Kashmir was the key to peace and stability in South Asia.

Republic of Korea said that it strongly endorsed a child and gender sensitive approach as the basis for an effective juvenile system. Institutions should be put in place to provide sufficient legal assistance to all children throughout the entire juvenile justice system. The Council and all Member States should continue to support countries in democratic transitions, enable them to redress the legacies of gross human rights violation, provide effective remedies and reparations for victims, and end impunity.

Australia said that it was concerned that some States had recently chosen to reintroduce the death penalty or resume executions, and that some had expanded the categories of crimes for which the death penalty might or had to apply. Australia agreed that if the lives of women were to be improved, efforts should be focused on comprehensive strategies that targeted the root causes of gender inequality, such as discrimination, poverty, exclusion and harmful traditional practices.

Council of Europe said that the balanced participation of women and men in all phases of conflict prevention and in the peace process was a prerequisite for establishing lasting peace, sustainable democracy and economic development. Without fully understanding the impact of conflict on women and men, the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security would not be realized. Several recommendations were made to Member States, including to adopt national conflict prevention policies and strategies integrating a gender perspective and to develop early warning mechanisms integrating gender-specific indicators to prevent conflict.

New Zealand said it had worked closely with cross-regional partners to establish the normative basis of a human rights-based approach to reducing preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. Concerning the challenges previously set out by the Secretary-General, New Zealand saw technical guidance as contributing to addressing two of them; first, mainstreaming human rights across the United Nations system, and second, as a practical tool to be used in the fight for the rights of women. New Zealand was proposing a procedural resolution to endorse technical guidance.

Myanmar said that earlier in June Myanmar and the United Nations signed a joint plan of action to bring to an end underage military recruitment within 18 months, and to ensure the rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims. In the past eight years, over 600 minors unwittingly recruited had been discharged and punitive action had been taken. Myanmar was making relentless efforts to create jobs through increased foreign investment and to reduce the poverty rate. Some sanctions and restrictions remained and they were hampering the ongoing process of reform.

Organization of the Islamic Cooperation reaffirmed its interest on the right to development and the indivisibility and interdependence of all rights; on this basis the Non-Aligned Movement, the African Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation called for the adoption of a legal framework on the right to development which was not limited to soft law. The recent social movements in the Arab world had called for both democratic and socioeconomic vindications and the international economic and financial crisis was evidence of the need for a reform of the international order towards solidarity.

Denmark said it agreed with suggestion that a way forward to enable indigenous peoples’ participation in deliberations could be through the establishment of a working group mandated by the General Assembly to provide guidance to the General Assembly on the establishment of possible procedural and institutional steps and selection criteria that would enable the participation of these peoples’ representatives in the United Nations’ bodies. Denmark’s preference would be for the General Assembly to mandate the Human Rights Council to establish an open ended Working Group that would provide the said guidance.

Paraguay said there was a need for greater consensus and will in order to substantively move ahead. The effects of the current crises as well as climate change had all contributed to the scaling back of this fundamental right of all persons. Some countries such as Paraguay had specific problems due to their geographical location. Land-locked countries often suffered the most disadvantages and were the most marginalised from the world economy. Such issues had to be tackled in order to have real, sustainable development.

Venezuela said that the right to development had to be seen as the right entitling or enabling the enjoyment of all other rights. States had to promote international cooperation free of hateful conditionality and privilege. It was more important than ever to fight for the implementation of the right to development. Regrettably, since the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, developed countries had prevented the bringing about of the right to development.

Uzbekistan lamented that the report contained unconfirmed allegations concerning the situation of detainees in Uzbekistan and information provided to Special Procedures had not been included in the report. Uzbekistan was concerned that, once again, the information it had provided had been ignored. This represented a deliberate attempt by some human rights bodies not to cooperate with Uzbekistan and was a grievous contradiction of the United Nations Charter.

Panama said it was one of the countries in Latin America contributing the most resources to promoting development and progress achieved in the past ten years, exceeding the goals set up by international organizations for the region, but noted that nevertheless addressing the needs of some groups remained a challenge. Cooperation between the United Nations system and Panama was the outcome of broad consultations between a numbers of stakeholders and focused on the development priorities set by Panama.

United Nations Population Fund, in a joint statement with the World Food Programme, said that this technical guidance represented a concrete and tangible milestone to ensure the eradication of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity through the realization of women’s health and rights. The real issue was how human rights could be applied in practice to ensure that public policies promoted more equitable and sustainable health outcomes in accordance to human rights requirements. Both United Nations Funds would continue to provide technical cooperation and support to States to reduce preventable maternal death and disability.

Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie welcomed the report on human rights education and training and the significant efforts undertaken globally in promote this activity. The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie had new activities targeting teachers in order to increase awareness about human rights among youth and children. This was an indispensable tool in preventing human rights violations, by raising awareness of dangers lurking in intolerance and discrimination.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC12/104E