HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL HOLDS GENERAL DEBATE ON FOLLOW-UP TO AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VIENNA DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION

The Human Rights Council in its midday meeting held a general debate on follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and concluded a general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.

In the general debate on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, delegations called for further efforts to implement the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and for the inclusion of human rights in the post-2015 development agenda. Despite the strong recognition of the universality of human rights in the Vienna Declaration, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons continued to face human rights violations, violence and discrimination throughout the world. Some speakers said that religious or cultural values should never justify laws or policies which allowed violations to go unaddressed, and others called upon the international community not to neglect cultural and religious considerations in its imposition of standards. Other issues raised during the general debate included violence against women, discrimination against migrant workers and the need to protect their rights, the right to peace, the situation of human rights defenders and the 2016 General Assembly special session on the world drug problem.

Italy on behalf of the European Union, Luxembourg on behalf of a group of States, Colombia on behalf of a group of States, United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Arab Group, Ireland, Venezuela, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Algeria, Morocco, India, Brazil, Netherlands, Sudan, Council of Europe, and Australia spoke in the discussion.

International Coordinating Committee for National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights also took the floor, as did the following non-governmental organizations: Instituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice in a joint statement with International Volunteerism Organization for Women, and Education and Development (VIDES International); International Lesbian and Gay Association in a joint statement with Article 19 - International Centre Against Censorship, and International Federation for Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) (joint statement), Human Rights Law Centre, Allied Rainbow Communities International, International Service for Human Rights,
Action Canada for Population and Development, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, International Buddhist Relief Organization, OCAPROCE Internationale, Liberation, Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, British Humanist Association, United Nations Watch, World Barua Organization, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development, Amnesty International, Action International pour le paix et le développement dans la region des Grands Lacs, Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, Human Life International, Indian Council of South America, Amuta for NGO Responsibility and Centre for Inquiry.

Pakistan spoke in a right of reply to a statement made during the general debate on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

At the beginning of the midday meeting, the Council concluded the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, which started on 22 September. A summary of the statements made can be found here.

In the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, speakers expressed grave concern about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and said that the third Gaza crisis in six years was also the episode that had caused the most victims, most of which were civilians, and in which children paid a particularly high price. Since July 8, at least 501 Palestinian children were killed in Gaza and 3,374 were injured by the Israeli forces. The situation of children held in Israeli custody was another issue of concern and delegations reiterated the need to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in order to put an end to violence and ensure that international law and standards were respected. Accountability for violations committed on both sides was important and the Council was urged to support the accession of Palestine to the Rome Statute.

Speaking in the general debate were Tunisia, Yemen, Angola, Luxembourg, Malta, Uruguay, and El Salvador.

Also speaking was the Independent Human Rights Commission of Palestine and the following non-governmental organizations: Action contre la faim, Human Rights Now, International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, World Jewish Congress, Press Emblem Campaign, Defence for Children International, International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations, Federation Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, United Nations Watch, BADIL Resource Centre for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, Human Rights Watch, Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development, Institut International pour la Paix, le Justice et les Droits de l’Homme, Union of Arab Jurists, Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture, Ingenieurs du Monde, Amuta for NGO Responsibility, and Al-Haq, Law in the Service of Man.

The Council is holding a full day of meetings today. At 3 p.m. it will hold an interactive dialogue with the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, followed by a general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance.

General Debate on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and other Occupied Arab Territories

Tunisia said the occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel was a systematic human rights violation. Tunisia was concerned that some countries had decided not to participate in the debate under agenda item 7, despite the recent bloody aggression by Israel in Gaza. It was necessary to prosecute and punish the perpetrators of those crimes, including through the International Criminal Court. Tunisia welcomed the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry.

Yemen re-emphasized the importance of item 7 of the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories so long as the occupation continued. Yemen called for an ending of Israel’s occupation and a cessation of human rights violations. Yemen called upon the international community to guarantee the right of the Palestinian people to have their own sovereign State.

Angola took note of the report presented and commended all parties to the conflict for reaching a cease-fire agreement. Angola welcomed the new United Nations–Israel–Palestine tripartite agreement on reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. Angola encouraged both parties to continue their efforts towards achieving a lasting peace in the region.

Luxembourg expressed grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The third Gaza crisis in six years was also the episode that had caused the most victims, most of whom were civilians. Regrettably, children had paid a particularly high price. Almost all of the population of Gaza now needed food assistance. Luxembourg attached great importance to international humanitarian law, which had to be respected. Luxembourg was in favour of the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.

Malta reiterated the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in guaranteed security and enjoy the full respect of their freedoms and rights. It underlined that that the shocking events that took place in Gaza earlier this year would have long-lasting consequences on the well-being of the population. Full access to humanitarian aid and assistance needed to be guaranteed without exception. Reports had been received of a new phenomenon of Gazans risking their lives on dangerous illegal sea crossings, to escape the desperation in Gaza.

Uruguay reiterated its call upon all parties to cooperate with the Special Procedures. Uruguay was concerned by the situation in the Occupied Palestinians Territories, particularly the Gaza Strip, as well as by the situation of children held in Israeli custody. It reiterated the need to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in order to put an end to violence and ensure that international law and standards were respected. Accountability for violations committed on both sides was important.

EL Salvador deplored the loss of life in Palestinian territories, especially of children, the future generation. El Salvador appealed to Israel to lift the blockade against the Palestinian people. It said it was deeply committed to peace, and called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the commitment of both sides to find an expeditious solution to their disputes.

Independent Human Rights Commission of Palestine said if the United Nations remained complacent with the status quo, if the doors to the International Criminal Court remained closed, then where could Palestinians go in their search for human dignity? The United States and the European Union gave cover for Israeli crimes, including disproportionate attacks against civilians. The Commission urged the Council to support the accession of Palestine to the Rome Statute. It also urged the High Contracting Parties of the Four Geneva Conventions to convene immediately to enforce Israeli respect of the conventions in the occupied Palestinian territories under all circumstances.

Action contre la faim said the Council should press Israel to lift the maritime and land blockade of Gaza and allow exporters access to markets. It should also urge the parties to respect the role of humanitarian personnel attempting to assist citizens, calling for humanitarian space to be preserved so that organizations could operate safely and provide timely relief.

Human Rights Now condemned all violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by Israel and Hamas, and said the recent military offensive by Israel was disproportionate and led to the death of more than 2,000 people, including 500 children, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The Council and its Member States were urged to take concrete and effective steps to ensure accountability for crimes by Israel and to unanimously support the Commission of Inquiry.

International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists said the newly established Commission of Inquiry functioned on an unclear mandate that did not refer to Hamas and its obligations under international law. The Commission of Inquiry should suspend its investigation until the completion of national procedures undertaken by Israel. This would ensure conformity with international standards of complementarity, as expressed in the Rome Statute.

World Jewish Congress said it strongly supported efforts made to investigate and put an end to violations of international law, but this effort relied primary on States under international law. The mandate granted to the Commission of Inquiry was unclear and ambiguous. It failed to refer to Hamas and its obligations. A new Special Rapporteur had been appointed recently, which raised the question of why there were so many mandate holders under this item.

Press Emblem Campaign denounced the targeting of journalists by the Israeli occupation forces with rubber bullets and tear gas to prevent them from covering events. This summer 17 journalists were killed in Gaza, some allegedly deliberately targeted by the Israeli Army. Those murders, and the bombing of eight media outlets in the Gaza Strip, of which five were deliberately targeted, without a doubt constituted war crimes.

Defence for Children International said since July 8 2014 Israeli forces had killed at least 501 Palestinian children and injured at least 3,374 children throughout Gaza. Children over the age of six in Gaza had lived through three major Israeli military assaults. The children of Gaza deserved justice. The Council was urged to ensure that Israel cooperated with the Commission of Inquiry on Gaza to ensure perpetrators were held accountable.

International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations presented a speaker who recalled growing up in Ramallah, Palestine under Israeli occupation, hearing bombs being dropped on her neighbourhood and seeing children being arrested for no reason. The Council was asked to hold Israel accountable for its crimes, and countries which were boycotting agenda item 7 were urged to participate fully in it at the next session of the Human Rights Council.

Federation Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme, while condemning violations of international human rights laws by all parties, said that the military operation by Israel had resulted in flagrant and massive violations of international humanitarian law. Israel and Palestine were urged to ratify the Rome Statute. Israel was called upon to put an end to colonization and effectively lift the blockade of Gaza.

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies expressed its full support to the Commission on Inquiry, and said that international law had to be respected by all parties. It called on both sides to ratify the Rome Statute and on all countries to support the initiation of an investigation by the International Criminal Court. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies demanded an end to illegal settlements by Israel in the West Bank.

Organization for Defending Victims of Violence said that Israel had perpetrated extrajudicial killings, which constituted grave breaches of human rights law which were subjected to international investigations. The Organization for Defending Victims of Violence expressed concerns about Israel playing and misusing words and terms to circumvent its international law obligations.

United Nations Watch said it had circulated a United Nations Watch legal brief which gave the international community a choice to either defend the international rule of law or allow it to be trampled upon. The organization said last week it had personally told the members of the Commission of Inquiry on Gaza that they were legally obliged to be impartial. It accused the Chair of the Commission of being biased and called for him to resign.

BADIL Resource Centre for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights said Israel continued to deny the right of Palestinian refugees to reparations, including the right of refugees to return to the land from which they were originally displaced. Israel continued to refuse to comply with the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the illegal ‘separation barrier’. BADIL called on Israel to allow the new Commission of Inquiry access to the occupied Palestinian territories.

Human Rights Watch said it had documented human rights violations during the recent conflict in Gaza but like other international organizations it was unable to increase the number of staff documenting war crimes and violations in the occupied Palestinian territories because Israel and Egypt forbade their entry. To end the cycle of impunity Palestinian President Abbas should immediately grant jurisdiction to the International Court of Justice.

Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development expressed concerns about severe restrictions on the economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinians under occupation, and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, including for children. There was a clear violation of Palestinians’ right to water, which had terrible humanitarian implications. Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development called for accountability for war crimes against civilians perpetrated in the Gaza Strip.

Institut International pour la Paix, le Justice et les Droits de l’Homme said that Israel’s military operations had been indiscriminate and did not target specific Hamas targets. In the West Bank, Palestinians had been arrested arbitrarily. There were also cases of torture and ill-treatment by Palestinian authorities. Institut International called for an immediate end to the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Union Arab for Jurists said that Israel was implementing a policy of exclusion, racial discrimination and occupation, in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions. Israel was also denying Palestinians access to water. This aggressive policy, that had the support of some influent countries, did not serve the achievement of peace and fuelled extremism and instability in the region.

Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture in a joint statement said most States in the Council considered the occupation of Palestine by Israel as a routine issue. Most speeches did not address the core of the problem, which was the flow of Jewish migrants from all over the world to replace the indigenous Palestinian people, who were being forced to leave their country. It was time for human conscience - and the Human Rights Council – to wake up.

Ingenieurs du Monde said the latest conflict in Gaza demonstrated ingenuity and engineering in the service of the destruction of war. The Palestinian engineering prowess in digging the tunnel complex had not been able to serve the population, for instance in establishing desperately-needed infrastructure. Respect for human rights in the region would be much better achieved without the semantic games played by parties to the conflict.

Amuta for NGO Responsibility said the United Nations system worked for the majority, which had unlimited power while the minority faction had no right of appeal and no remedy. Agenda item 7 singled out one people, Israel. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had denounced it for denying the universality of human rights, as had rights groups such as Amnesty International. The free and democratic world, including the European Union, United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany and many other liberal States, spoke loudly against it through their non-participation.

Al-Haq, Law in the Service of Man, said that Israel was continuing its practice of mass and arbitrary arrests of Palestinians, including children. Israel’s occupation and annexation of lands constituted a violation of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Al-Haq called on Israel to ratify the Rome Statute and cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry.

General Debate on Follow-up to and Implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

Italy, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was still relevant and called for its implementation. It stressed the importance of civil society organizations. The European Union condemned acts of reprisals against human rights defenders, as well as restrictions to their activities. The European Union was also concerned about violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, including through the criminalization of homosexuality and the application of the death penalty. History had showed that persecuting minorities led to catastrophic results.

Liechtenstein, speaking on behalf of a group of States, said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action still needed implementation today, and said further efforts were needed for the inclusion of human rights in the post-2015 development agenda. Development could only be achieved on the basis of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. One of the most important achievements of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was the strong recognition of the universality of human rights. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, however, continued to face human rights violations, violence and discrimination throughout the world.

Colombia, speaking on behalf of a group of States, drew attention to the planned 2016 General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem, the first such event in 30 years. It would allow for a realistic review of the world drug problem, including what actions worked and what could be improved. It was important to move on from the traditional approach which relied heavily on prohibition, law-enforcement and criminal justice and had a negative impact on human rights, to a more progressive human rights and humanitarian approach. The Council had a role to play in providing crucial guidance.

United Arab Emirates, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, spoke about the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the Arab League’s adoption of a resolution to implement a redress mechanism for human rights violations. However, the Arab Group called upon the international community not to neglect cultural and religious considerations in its imposition of standards. The Arab Group expressed its support for the High Commissioner, who had a pivotal role to play.

Ireland said the Vienna Declaration emphasized that human rights applied to everyone. Religious or cultural values should never justify laws or policies which allowed violations to go unaddressed, but that was clearly happening with the many discriminatory and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex laws being adopted around the world. Sexual orientation and gender identity were said to be ‘sensitive’ issues – did that mean violence and discrimination were not? Ireland also emphasized the need to protect civil society space.

Venezuela recognized the contribution of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action for the promotion and protection of all human rights, without discrimination. The financial crisis caused by the failure of the capitalist system had had tremendous negative human rights implications. Genuine international cooperation and dialogue were fundamental pillars on which development talks were based. Venezuela stressed that the realisation of the right to peace was crucial and was firmly committed to the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Peace.

United Kingdom said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action stressed that all human rights were interdependent and universal. She referred to the recent referendum on Scottish independence, and explained what measures had been taken to ensure that the process was fair, democratic, transparent and generated great public participation.

Indonesia said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action provided inspiration for human rights promotion and protection in all countries. It taught that human rights were for the people, and encouraged the development of participatory processes. In implementing the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, Indonesia had been developing its action plan into a comprehensive one with six pillars, including human rights education, ratification of international instruments, and communication procedures. States had highlighted Indonesia’s efforts during its Universal Periodic Review process. Indonesia was therefore happy to share its experience as best practices.

Algeria said the Vienna Declaration enshrined that all human rights required equal treatment and respect, and based on that Algeria had adopted measures in 2014 in order to improve participatory democracy, strengthen justice and combat all social scourges, as well as to improve the equality of public services and eradicate corruption. Algeria continued to work with regional partners as well, especially to eradicate the phenomenon of terrorism and to liberate territories which were still under the colonial yoke.

Morocco spoke about its efforts to improve national institutions in accordance with the Vienna Declaration. Its new and modern constitution provided guarantees of the irreversibility of human rights and led to the launch of a plan of action for the implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action, in close cooperation with the European Union. A National Human Rights Council had established offices throughout the country. Other measures included the criminalization of torture and enforced disappearance, and the signature of the third Optional Protocol of the Rights of the Child.

India expressed grave concern about discrimination against migrant workers, and the need to protect migrant workers on the sea, given the high numbers of deaths. The link between countering terrorism and protecting human rights remained mired in suspicion; as a violent expression of extremism, terrorism itself challenged the universality of human rights. India said the role of non-governmental organizations and civil society, along with a vigilant media, was key, as they provided important watchdog functions.

Brazil said in 2016 the United Nations General Assembly would convene a Special Session on the world drug problem. Brazil quoted from General Assembly Resolution 68/197 on the issue, highlighting the resolution’s call for the international community to adopt a balanced and comprehensive approach to tackle the world drug problem.

Netherlands said that the draft declaration on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity quoted from the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action which clearly laid down the duty of States regardless of their economic, political and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Governments must prevent violence and discrimination against all people no matter their sexual orientation and gender identity; there was no claim of special group rights.

Sudan said that the imposition of unilateral measures was a tool of political or economic pressure, which was a violation of the right to development, and called on the Council to establish a mechanism to monitor their negative impact on people and States. Recalling Article 34 of the Vienna Declaration, Sudan called on all States to increase resources to other States in the field of the promotion and protection of human rights and urged the Council to increase resources available for action under the agenda item 10 on capacity building and technical assistance.

Council of Europe described the approach of its Committee of Social Rights to the equality and enjoyment of all rights in the context of economic and financial crisis. It was directly involved in determining the legality of certain measures undertaken by Member States and their conformity with anti-discrimination norms.

Australia said it was pleased to be leading on a draft resolution highlighting the crucial role that independent national human rights institutions played in protecting human rights. It encouraged all countries that had not yet done so to establish such institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles. Australia welcomed the important work of the International Coordinating Committee for national human rights institutions in increasing their engagement in the Council’s mechanisms as well as with treaty bodies.

International Coordinating Committee for National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights said at a time when a number of national human rights institutions faced violence and civil unrest, natural disasters and severe economic pressure, and where expectations placed on them continued to grow, the support and protection they received from the international community was critical. It echoed the Secretary-General’s call for States to support national human rights institutions and follow-up on their recommendations regarding the accreditation process and independent participation with United Nations bodies.

Institute Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice in a joint statement voiced deep concern about the challenges faced by young people in enjoying their human rights. As victims or as perpetrators of human rights violations, young people were protagonists in many current conflicts and social tensions. It called on States to take concrete actions to empower young people, to systematically mainstream the implementation of youth’s human rights into United Nations mechanisms, and to hold a Council panel discussion to identify challenges and share methodologies to ensure respect for youth rights.

International Lesbian and Gay Association in a joint statement called on the Council to adopt the draft resolution this session to fight discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. The resolution would provide the means for the Council to hold a constructive dialogue on the issue that it so desperately needed to have. Millions of people around the world suffered such discrimination; they came from all countries, all regions, and all social classes – and included many people in the Council itself. To vote against the resolution would send a message that the human rights of those people did not matter. The world was watching.

Human Rights Law Centre welcomed the draft resolution on human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity presented to the Council which recalled that all human rights were universal and that States had a duty to protect the rights of all people. Continuing the dialogue was crucial to address this problem of discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Allied Rainbow Communities International recalled the Vienna Declaration and the bedrock principles of universality and non-discrimination which underpinned the work of this Council. The Special Rapporteur had brought to the attention of the Council numerous counts of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex persons, including murder, rape, torture and harassment, and Allied Rainbow Communities stressed that they too were entitled to protection.

International Service for Human Rights said that over the last decade the human rights system had afforded attention to many issues and rights of groups that were not specifically mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but were nevertheless covered by its protection, including the rights of migrants, older persons, and the issues such as right to water and sovereign debt. The Council had the duty to ensure that it adequately responded to the particular violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

Action Canada for Population and Development said the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action reaffirmed that the right to development was a universal and unalienable right and an integral part of fundamental human rights. It was concerned by attempts to widely undermine human rights principles and a human rights approach. Sustainable development could not be reached without a sustainable human rights approach.

Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development said that article 76 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action encouraged States to avail themselves of international support in strengthening regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Forum welcomed the establishment of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation but remained concerned about its limited mandate.

Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik said the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action underlined the respect for all human rights for all and condemned the various forms of discrimination. Discrimination towards religious minorities and intolerance of different-minded groups was growing. In some countries, discrimination against women existed in law and there was an effort to undermined women’s participation in the political sphere.

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative urged all members of the Council to support the important role that national human rights institutions could play in preventing and responding to cases of reprisals by supporting the draft resolution on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights. They were further encouraged to work together to create a legal framework to enable national institutions to fulfill their envisaged role.

International Buddhist Relief Organization said despite laws to prevent the illegal trafficking of children, for sexual purposes or labour, the phenomenon continued across the world. In spite of harsh bans and penalties child labour continued, driven by poverty and the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. Proper mechanisms to hold international multinational corporations accountable for the use of child labour were needed. The Council was urged to end child labour because children were the future of nations.

OCAPROCE Internationale said the sixth international forum of non-governmental organizations on the economic and social rights of women, held this year at the Palais des Nations, had called for national activities and international cooperation to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. In particular it called for an end to the global arms race, and measures to tackle intra-family violence and unequal wages.

Liberation said gender-based violence in India was a widespread phenomenon. Child marriage and female infanticide were common. Violence against women in the workplace was prevalent, especially where women worked as informal and domestic labourers without any rights. Awareness of HIV/AIDS in rural India remained low, and associated stigma and discrimination remained high and rural women were extremely vulnerable to contracting it, not least from their husbands. The Council should urge India to take care of its citizens.

Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association said that the Dalits, the poorest of the poor, were excluded from justice, exploited by others and had no political voice and no hope. For over three hundred years they were taught that they were worthless and the members of the upper class in India had no interest in correcting this.

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain called the attention of the Council to the continued lack of implementation of key elements of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action by leading Member States, in particular in relation to the equal status of human rights of women in Saudi Arabia which continued to uphold its male guardianship system.

British Humanist Association said that torture was a typical consequence of the witchcraft allegations and persecutions and that its perpetrators acted with impunity. The Vienna Declaration could not be fully realized while the witchcraft allegations and persecutions remained rife and unpunished.

United Nations Watch said that the speaker was a Christian citizen from Nazareth. The land was being dredged with the blood of Christians killed daily. During the past few years, around 100,000 Christians were killed every year, not for any guilt on their part but merely because they believed in Christ. Christians in the Middle East were marginalized, disenfranchised, and their honour was violated.

World Barua Organization said that the protection and promotion of the human rights of women was the responsibility of the State. In India, women and men from all walks of life were joining together to help bring an end to pervasive and often deadly acts of violence. It appealed to the Council to urge India to immediately stop gender-based violence against women.

International Humanist and Ethical Union said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action confirmed a woman’s right to health care. Often, women’s sexual and reproductive health rights were violated. Discriminatory traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, early marriage and pregnancy could prevent women from controlling their own fertility.

Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development said children were being raped and imprisoned for having seduced their abuser, and in many cases, those abusers were their legal representatives. A child was less likely to speak out about his or her abuse and less likely to be believed by an adult. To defend the rights of children, Governments should establish guidelines for schools, and pay more attention to impoverished and rural areas and conflict zones, which were breeding grounds for potential abuse and radicalization of children.

Amnesty International said since the Council adopted ground-breaking resolution 17/19 on ‘sexual orientation and gender identity’ in 2011, there had been positive developments in regional organizations which the Council should encourage. By giving explicit attention to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, the Council could address and prevent violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; it should also ensure it acted on the substance of the initiative.

Action International pour le paix et le développement dans la region des Grands Lacs called for sustained investment in the Great Lakes region of Africa, describing areas that could be cultivated, especially by supporting local people to run their own projects and thus keep their own profits, which would improve the wellbeing of all. Development programmes run by Morocco were commended, but the organization asked the Council to ensure the human rights perspective in such programmes was upheld.

Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy said that because of the persistence of violence, the women of India continued to suffer, and the root causes must be investigated and addressed. One of the major causes was extreme poverty which translated into family violence and created a barrier to the realization of the economic potential of nations.

Human Life International reaffirmed the right to life in obstetric care and said its quality was hard to access. Many equated the meaning of access to safe abortion to a legality of abortion, and to determine the impact of abortion on women, States must provide information including mortality and morbidity rates, depression rates and suicide.

Indian Council of South America said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and several international instruments had been violated with the adoption of the outcome of High Level Plenary in New York masquerading as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. The document was deficient and discriminating and declared the rights of indigenous peoples equal to all other rights and then denied the rights of people under Article 1.2. of the Charter of the United Nations to omit the equal rights and self determination principle.

Amuta for NGO Responsibility said that in Israel Christians and Jews lived together because they had common destinies and a true desire to live in peace and coexistence. Christians were forced to flee their homeland in search for peace and security. Efforts of those that wished to destroy the Jewish State had to be aborted. The supplications of the Christians had to be heard.

Centre for Inquiry said that unfortunately, due to the widespread enforcement of religious and cultural norms, women continued to face some of the harshest constraints on their human rights. For instance, women in many States were allowed to work only if their husband or male guardian approved. Many also could not control their own reproductive systems.

Right of Reply

Pakistan, speaking in a right of reply to a statement by the Netherlands, said it was unfortunate that the Netherlands had presented an interpretation purely based on a unilateral understanding, as an important element in the Vienna Declaration was an element signifying national peculiarities. Pakistan was of the firm view that it was a spirit of mutual cooperation and understanding that lay at the heart of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and it noted the serious ramifications of introducing new rights, new standards and vulnerable groups, which could undermine the spirit of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC14/134E