HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CONCLUDES GENERAL DEBATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS REQUIRING THE COUNCIL’S ATTENTION

The Human Rights Council this morning concluded its general debate on human rights situations requiring the Council’s attention.

In the discussion, speakers drew the Council’s attention to a number of human rights issues worldwide, including harassment of civil society’s activities and limitations on their work, crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom, religiously motivated violence against minorities and false accusations of blasphemy, denial of rights to indigenous peoples, denial of the right to development and of economic, social and cultural rights, women’s rights and the vulnerability of women and girls in conflict situations, and the illegal exploitation of natural resources by States.

The general debate started on Thursday, 15 June, and a summary of the statements made in the first part is available here.

Speaking this morning were the following civil society organizations: World Evangelical Alliance, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, Minority Rights Group, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, European Centre for Law and Justice, International Commission of Jurists, Franciscans International, Presse Embleme Campagne, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, VIVAT International, Article 19 – International Centre Against Censorship, International Service for Human Rights, World Environment and Resources Council, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, Iraqi Development Organization, Alsalam Foundation, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Il Cenacolo, Conseil International pour le soutien à des procès équitables et aux Droits de l’Homme, Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development, Union of Arab Jurists, International Educational Development, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, Indian Council of South America, World Muslim Congress, Jssor Youth Organization, International-Lawyers.org, International Humanist and Ethical Union, American Association of Jurists, International Muslim Women’s Union, Human Rights Now, Liberation, Organisation Internationale pour le Développement Intégral de la Femme, International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations, United Nations Watch, CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Association Dunenyo, Association for the Protection of Women and Children’s Rights, Amnesty International, Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association, Human Rights Law Centre, Prahar, Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, Women’s Human Rights International Association, Association pour l’Intégration et le Développement Durable du Burundi, Indigenous People of Africa Coordinating Committee, and International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Victorious Youths Movement, World Barua Organization, Pax Romana – International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs and International Movement of Catholic Students, Action Internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la region des Grands Lacs, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Comité International pour le Respect et l’Application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples, “Coup de Pousse” Chaîne de l’Espoire Nord-Sud, Association des éudiants tamouls en France, Center for Environmental and Management Studies, France-Libertés: Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, Society for Threatened Peoples, Agence pour les droits de l’homme, Tourner la page, Le Pont, Association Bharathi Centre Culturel Franco-Tamoul, Tamil Uzhagam, Association Solidarité Internationale pour l’Afrique, Alliance Creative Community Project, Rencontre Africaine pour la Defense des Droits de’Homme, Association of World Citizens, Conseil de Jeunesse Pluriculturelle, Commission africaine des promoteurs de la santé et des droits de l’homme, B’nai B’rith, Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme, International Buddhist Relief Organization, International Career Support Association, Africa Culture Internationale, and United Villages also took the floor.

The following delegations took the floor in a right of reply: Iraq, China and Cameroon.

The Council will next hear the presentation of a report on the fifth Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights and will then start its general debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms.


General Debate on Human Rights Situations that Require the Attention of the Council

World Evangelical Alliance, in a joint statement with, Jubilee Campaign noted that Malaysia was admired for its modern Muslim-majority that upheld human rights. However, the freedom to change one’s religious beliefs was greatly restricted. Muslims were not allowed to change their religion without going through a Sharia court. State Sharia enactments made it an offence to influence a Muslim to be inclined towards any other religion.

International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, in a joint statement with, World Organisation Against Torture was concerned about the global proliferation of laws threatening the very existence of civil society. In Hungary a recent law would compel Hungarian non-governmental organizations receiving more than a certain amount of financial support from abroad per year to re-register as civic organizations receiving foreign funding. In Egypt, a recently adopted law on non-governmental organizations threatened to annihilate all Egypt’s independent human rights groups.

Minority Rights Group noted that displacement figures had continued to rise as ISIS was pushed back from Mosul. Internally displaced persons returns to areas of origin were disproportionally low in comparison, with some areas seeing minimal to no returns. Minority Rights Group was further concerned by competing political ambitions over reclaimed territories which suggested attempts at demographic reengineering and manipulations of minority vulnerabilities.

East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project raised concern regarding elections in the east and Horn of Africa, noting that in Burundi and Ethiopia, elections had come at cost of civil society and the media, which had looked to actively engage with that democratic process. In Kenya civil society was prevented from engaging fully in the electoral process. The Project called on members of the Council to fulfil their democratic commitments by organizing elections and ensuring that all political parties and civil society were able to participate in the process.

European Centre for Law and Justice drew the Council’s attention to Pakistan’s mob violence, false accusations of blasphemy, forced conversions to Islam, police torture and other forms of persecution and discrimination. Despite growing extremism, the Government of Pakistan had failed to protect its minorities from religiously motivated violence or to bring perpetrators to justice.

International Commission of Jurists reminded of the United States-led rendition programmes, adding that similar practices had been carried out by the Russian Federation which sent terrorist suspects to Central Asian countries. The Commission called on the Council to issue a strong call to Member States to provide accountability for such programmes.

Franciscans International said the situation of migrants in north and central America was of concern, and gang violence was driving the forced migration of thousands. Some 180,000 refugees from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador had sought refuge, including in Mexico. Children and teenagers were fleeing, and there was a 300 per cent increase in unaccompanied minors.

Presse Embleme Campagne said 43 media workers in 17 countries had been killed during the first five months of 2017. Mexico was one of the worst countries for journalists, and impunity prevailed with more than 800 serious cases of harassment, assault or homicide having been committed against journalists in the past six years. There was also a worrying deterioration in Afghanistan, where eight media workers had been killed in acts of terrorism.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide said in China, Buddhists were targeted, and there were demolition orders issued by the authorities. The Christian population of a province were also targeted. Developments in Sudan were also of concern, where Christian churches were targeted. The Governments of China and Sudan should immediately cease the demolition of all religious buildings.

Organization for Defending Victims of Violence raised concerns over the effectiveness of the United Nations attempts to stop the Syrian war. The unending conflict blew the United Nations dignity, undermining its credibility and fading people’s faith in this institution. The Organization for Defending Victims of Violence called on the Human Rights Council to urge the Security Council to take action to stop the Syrian war and demand that the Syrian Government fully cooperate in a constructive dialogue.

VIVAT International spoke about the human rights situation in Ethiopia, in the time after the declaration of the state of emergency, which was introduced in October 2016 for a period of six months. Ethiopia had failed to guarantee the full enjoyment of the rights of freedom of expression, which was a universal right and a fundamental pillar for building a democratic society. Internet and telecommunications were accessible only in limited areas.

International Centre against Censorship said that Mexico had failed in protecting journalists and human rights defenders. The Centre firmly condemned the enforced disappearances and the killing of many journalists while no one had been held accountable for these crimes. It was deplorable that the Government would not publicly recognize these criminal activities. There was an urgent need for the adoption of a comprehensive protection policy for journalists.

International Service for Human Rights noted that the Human Rights Council did not respond appropriately to non-cooperation by States, citing the harassment of civil society in Bahrain and China, and the suppression of freedoms and the outbreak of a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

World Environment and Resources Council drew attention to the abductions of Sindhi activists in Pakistan, which had been carried out to stop them from raising their voice for the fulfilment of their economic and development rights. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project would turn the Sindhi people into a minority in their own land. It called on the Council to stop atrocities against the Sindhi people and stop the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain noted that in January 2017 the Government of Bahrain had re-empowered the security service which tortured people and tried them in front of military tribunals. Such behaviour had been encouraged by Bahrain’s supporters in Washington and London. It called on the international community to condemn those repressive measures.

Iraqi Development Organization drew the attention of the Human Rights Council to the human rights situation in the United Arab Emirates that had counterterrorism legislation which violated human rights. In 2015, an academic had disappeared for eight months in a secret detention centre. Only recently, a human rights defender had been disappeared by security forces.

Alsalam Foundation drew the attention of the Human Rights Council to human rights violations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. A city neighbourhood was being razed, and the Government operation was targeting dissidents in the Shi’a community. In Bahrain, authorities had violently raided an assembly. The Council was called on to condemn Saudi Arabia and Bahrain’s suppression of basic human rights.
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development said there were reports in Bangladesh of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and persistent attacks on human rights defenders. Blasphemy laws prescribing the death penalty had been used in Pakistan against religious minorities. Reports of enforced disappearances in Malaysia were alarming. It was imperative for the Council to monitor those situations.

Il Cenacolo stated that Morocco had become a scene of projects to promote human rights. Intensive efforts were being carried out to provide training and workshops on human rights, contributing to improving the situation of human rights in the country. Civil society had become a full partner in these projects. However, the Tindouf camps had not benefitted from these positive developments. Individuals in the camps were deprived of their freedom of expression and the right to be attributed the status of refugees.

Conseil International pour le soutien à des procès équitables et aux Droits de l’Homme recalled that operations in Syria were comanded from Jordan and Turkey. Many complaints coming from Gulf citizens had been received since a blockade had been launched against Qatar by other Gulf countries. Consequent human rights violations severely undermined the Gulf Council Countries. A Geneva declaration had been submitted to the Council by Gulf citizens in order to ensure reconciliation and the release of detainees.

Maarji Foundation for Peace and Development spoke about the situation of human rights in Yemen. This country urgently needed the adoption of political laws that would protect human rights and the creation of national institutions to promote human rights and democracy through training. Activities to protect children and fight gender based violence were essential and the indivisibility of human rights should be recognized.

Union of Arab Jurists noted that the politicization of the Council’s work would not promote human rights, but would only exacerbate conflict and aggravate the situation of human rights. The presence of terrorists who were recruited, trained and armed to destabilize Syria had been ignored. That erroneous approach had been made worse when the Council transformed the aggressor into the victim in Syria.

International Educational Development, in a joint statement, drew attention to the situation of the Kurdish people in Iran, citing the increase of arbitrary arrests and killings of Kurdish civilians. Kurdish political prisoners represented almost half of the total number of Iran’s political prisoners. Given the inflexibility of the Government of Iran, the organization urged the Council to consider creating a Commission of Inquiry on the situation of Kurdish people in Iran.

International Association of Democratic Lawyers called attention to the negative human rights impact of the so-called “Conspiracy Bill” adopted by the Japanese Diet in June 2017. The organization recalled that while countering terrorism States had to first and foremost ensure compliance with their obligations under international human rights law, and it urged the Japanese Diet to abolish the controversial bill.

Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada expressed concern about situations in Pakistan and Cameroon due to the failure to ensure the safety of lawyers and human rights defenders. Pakistan had failed to provide effective protective measures. In Cameroon, civilians were being tried before a military tribunal in violation of international human rights law. The Human Rights Council should study how remedial measures could be recommended by treaty bodies and mandate holders.

Indian Council of South America said the United States had evaded the scrutiny of its human rights violations and had been granted impunity, while scrutinising other States for violations and playing international policeman. Alaska and Hawaii were denied the right to self-determination, the white race created the constitution, and the United States used its military to perpetrate a crime against humanity.

World Muslim Congress said the Human Rights Council had remained silent on the deteriorating human rights situation of the occupied territory of Kashmir. The practice of using human shields was part of India’s actions in Kashmir. The Indian representative at the Council was asked why India was denying access to the United Nations fact-finding mission to Kashmir.

Jssor Youth Organization highlighted that Aleppo and Mosul had been scenes of important battles against ISIS for months after the siege of Aleppo dominated the news cycle. It was important to remember that life in Aleppo under the rule of extremist groups such as Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat al-Nusra was not pleasant. These groups engaged in widespread human rights abuses, persecuted religious minorities and implemented draconian laws.

International-Lawyers.Org drew attention to the violations of human rights in Iraq where members of civil society were killed and tortured on a daily basis. International Lawyer Organization urged the Human Rights Council to create a mandate on Iraq and on Egypt, which also faced increasing abuses of human rights. Finally, the Council should give particular attention to the right to self-determination of Western Sahara people and Palestinians.

International Humanist and Ethical Union, in a joint statement with, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain Inc; European Humanist Federation, International PEN, and Reporters Sans Frontiers International - Reporters Without Borders International said that freedom of expression was a non-negotiable human right that must be protected and promoted anytime and anywhere. International Humanist and Ethical Union called on the Government of Saudi Arabia to release all jailed human rights defenders, journalists and political prisoners.

American Association of Jurists called attention to the situation in Puerto Rico, and the fact that the United States had not ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Association supported the view that the economic exploitation of Puerto Rico by the United States was not in line with the United Nations Charter. Debt should be restructured to allow for sustainable development.

International Muslim Women’s Union regretted that despite the great strides in the international women’s rights movement, many women and girls worldwide were still denied access to education and political participation. They were particularly vulnerable in conflict situations, such as in Jammu and Kashmir, where they had suffered enormously since 1989. Kashmir’s women must be regarded as part of the human civilization.

Human Rights Now expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in the Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan States in Myanmar. The seriousness of allegations and the nature of the situation of the Rohingya minority called for increased international attention. Human Rights Now expressed hope that the Government would end the crimes committed by the military against the civilian population.

Liberation appreciated the efforts of the Government of India, but noted the Armed Forces Special Powers Act had been extended. In Manipur, residents were brutally struck by marksmen. One member of an insurgent group had been arrested with an unlicensed revolver. The Human Rights Council should communicate with India to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Organisation Internationale pour le Développement Intégral de la Femme expressed solidarity with the refugees of the Tindouf area, as there was a state of emergency around the camps. The Polisario was cracking down and demonstrations were banned. That state of lack of security constituted a threat to defenders of human rights who were accused of treason. The use of brutal force was condemned, and Algeria should shoulder its responsibilities and protect the right of assembly and association.

International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations said the right to self-determination was a foundation of all other rights, and expressed concern at the continued occupation of Western Sahara, which was the largest on the United Nations’ list of non-self-governing territories. All countries should refrain from cooperation with acts against international law.

United Nations Watch deplored that despite their membership to the Council, some Member States were still committing grave violations against human rights and holding political prisoners. The Saudi blogger Raif Badawi was still being held in jail in Saudi Arabia. Why did the Council remain silent? Venezuela, China and Cuba also held political and human rights defenders as prisoners. Burundi and Qatar were also committing gross and systematic violations against human rights.

CIVICUS expressed serious concerns over the issuance of a law restricting space for human rights monitoring, advocacy and reporting in Egypt. CIVICUS also deplored the recent killings of peaceful protesters in Bahrain and asked for an independent investigation into such acts. In Cameroon, the Government had imposed gross restrictions on the rights to free speech and assembly. Finally, CIVICUS urged the Government of Ethiopia to allow access to independent investigation into the deaths resulting from excessive use of force by the security forces.

Association Dunenyo deplored that the children of the camps in Tindouf in Algeria were repeatedly being used to promote the Algerian-supported Polisario movement. They found themselves serving the propaganda of the Polisario by taking part in fundraising activities. Association Dunenyo strictly condemned these practices of exploitation of children in need and urged the Council to take the appropriate measures to ensure the respect of these children’s rights.

Association for the Protection of Women and Children’s Rights stated that India had eroded all international laws and norms and had tried its best to strengthen its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. The presence of more than 700,000 Indian troops in that disputed territory had turned it into a military garrison.

Amnesty International drew attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Turkey, namely the increasing use of arbitrary pre-trial detention and increased allegations of torture and ill-treatment in police detention since the failed coup attempt in July 2016. There was also concern about the massive crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Turkey.

Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association called attention to the serious human rights situation in the State of Tripura in India where indigenous peoples had been denied their basic rights. In 1974 the Government of India had taken indigenous people’s land and had given it to the Bengali people. Crimes against the Tripura people had persisted and many examples could be cited.

Human Rights Law Centre said Australia was seeking a seat on the Council, yet there was a dark stain on the country’s human rights credentials: the Australian Government continued to deliberately mistreat people seeking asylum in Australia. Some 2,000 people were being held indefinitely on Nauru and on Manus. Australia should immediately release them, and the Council should remind Australia that all people, including those seeking Australia’s protection, deserved basic human rights.

Prahar said that from birth until the end of life, women played a significant role in society, but were still mistreated. In Assam, a woman had been assaulted when returning from a cultural programme. A gang rape had also taken place, and the victim had been run over with a car. The Human Rights Council was urged to ensure that women in India could live meaningful and respected lives.

Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik said Tehran had been targeted by terrorists and the Iranian people sought a peaceful existence. Human rights defenders and Iranian civil society were concerned about the arms sales totalling billions. The majority of Iranians were opposed to increasing tensions in the region, and wished to build peaceful and constructive relationships with their neighbours.

Women’s Human Rights International Association, in a joint statement, called the attention of the Council to the massacres committed in the past by the Iranian regime against women who were held in jail serving sentences for political activities. The eight human rights groups called on the United Nations to place these massacres on its agenda and launch a Commission of Inquiry on Iran to investigate this issue.

Association pour l’Intégration et le Développement Durable au Burundi deplored the insufficient efforts by India to repeal the proliferation of weapons and drew the attention of the Council to the recent killing of students in northern India. Girls had been raped. The Council was urged to communicate with Indian authorities to release detained human rights defenders.

Indigenous People of Africa Coordination Committee stressed that fanatic groups in India were increasingly targeting human rights defenders. Three of them had been shot last year. Fanatic armed groups were also conducting mental and physical abuse on human rights defenders and minorities. The situation was worse than before the independence. The Committee urged the Council to adopt appropriate measures to ensure the protection of human rights defenders in India.

International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination called attention to the dire situation in Iraq, noting that the Government of Iraq had waged military campaigns against terrorist groups, which had left thousands of civilians without basic services. The Council had failed to adequately address crimes against humanity in Iraq.

Victorious Youths Movement noted that the rights to peaceful assembly and association were the pillars of any democracy. It urged the international community and the Council to free the Saharawi people in the Tindouf camps from the Algerian tyranny, which had prevented them from forming associations to defend their human rights and express political views.

World Barua Organization reminded that traditionally the Dalit and lower-caste people had been barred from the education system in India. Despite later legal changes, which had allowed them to attend university, the recent reduction of education grants for those groups had led to a large number of students having to withdraw their university admissions.

Pax Romana (International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs and International Movement of Catholic Students), in a joint statement with, Franciscans International, Dominicans for Justice and Peace - Order of Preachers, and Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, spoke about the peace agreement with the FARC in Colombia. The pastoral communities were concerned about the increase in illicit crops, arms trafficking and free movement of illegal armed groups. The Colombian Government should dismantle illegal armed groups occupying space left behind by the FARC and prioritize the implementation of development as specified in the peace agreement.

Action Internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la region des Grands Lacs expressed concern about the human rights situation in Kashmir and in Gilgit-Baltistan. Both regions were systematically deprived of their natural resources. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor violated United Nations resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s cybercrime act damaged civil society.

Cairo Institute for human rights studies said the human rights situation in Egypt was alarming, and a crackdown threatened to annihilate Egypt’s human rights groups. Human rights defenders from over 37 organizations were facing travel bans, asset freezes and interrogations with a chilling effect on their capacity to protect human rights in the country. The Council should urge Egyptian authorities to work toward compliance with their accepted Universal Periodic Review recommendations.

CIRAC deplored the grave human rights violations in so-called Azad Kashmir and Gilgi-Baltistan ,which had been illegally held by Pakistan since 1947. Exploitation of natural resources in both areas had deprived the natives of the region from their own natural wealth. Hundreds of young political workers and rights activists were behind bars under the Anti-Terrorist Act, which was enacted by Pakistan to eliminate terrorists. Security forces were accused of widespread human rights violations.

Coup de Pousse highlighted that killings were repeatedly taking place in the Tindouf camps without any accountability. The access to the camps for non-governmental organizations was restricted. Families were detained and crimes of summary detentions were widespread. In May 2017, a person was shot at the entrance of a camp. No investigation had been launched since then.

Association des Etudiants Tamouls de France deplored the deterioration of the situation of human rights in India. Minorities were the victims of frequent attacks while gross violations of human rights were committed daily. The Association called on the Government to take up action to prevent harassment acts against women. Free media were victims of attacks led by the State, and human rights activists were detained under charges of having wished to commemorate the Tamil killings.

Centre for Environmental and Management Studies called attention of Pakistan’s heavy handedness towards the Mahadjis and Balochis, who made up the most peaceful opposition movement in the country. Their activities and presence in the media had been banned, whereas posters of Islamic extremists were freely distributed in public.

France-Libertés: Fondation Danielle Mitterrand reminded that Morocco had persisted in exploiting natural resources in Western Sahara, which had led to massive demonstrations of local residents and which had been suppressed violently by the Moroccan State. It called on the United Nations to call on Morocco to stop looting the natural resources in Western Sahara and to release all Saharawi political prisoners.

Society for Threatened Peoples drew attention to the continuous violation of human rights, including religious freedom, in Tibet. China’s consistent repressive policies had been supported by intense regulations and control over religious institutions against the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Most ethnic minorities in China were exposed to serious human rights challenges, significantly higher poverty rates, ethnic discrimination and forced relocation.

Agence pour les droits de l’homme said that for the last two years, Saudi Arabia had been bombing Yemen with impunity. All vital infrastructure had been destroyed, and thousands of civilians had been killed. Cholera was now an epidemic. Great Britain, the United States and France did not denounce those crimes but participated actively in supporting the arming of the Wahhabi monarchy.

Tourner la page said although the 26-year long war of the Sinhalese Government had ended, people were being discriminated against. The European Union decision to grant visas was questioned. The urgent intervention of the Human Rights Council was needed in Tamil Nadu, where people had been criminalized for practicing peaceful forms of protest.

Le Pont said after the lengthy war in Sri Lanka, another war was being led in the north of the country. The fighting had ended with the death of more than 140,000 civilians. The international community needed to take measures to preserve the cultural heritage of the Tamils and the Human Rights Council should intervene in the situation of human rights defenders. People had been arrested for holding a candlelight vigil in memory of the dead.

Association Bharati Centre Culturel Franco-Tamoul deplored the use of brutal and cruel methods by the police of Sri Lanka against minorities, particularly against Tamil. Investigations should be launched on such blatant human rights violations. The Sri Lankan regime did not allow the Tamils to commemorate past killings, which constituted a denial of the cultural rights of the Tamil community.

Tamil Uzhagam deplored that Sri Lankan troops continued to occupy Tamil territories. Tamil Uzhagam was particularly concerned about the presence of representatives of the armed groups that had committed crimes in the Council. Tamil Uzhagam urged every member in the Council to stop supporting the military occupation onfTamil territories. Civilians were detained under charge of having commemorated Tamil killings.

Association Solidarité Interationale pour l’Afrique spoke about the situation in Syria and Iraq and highlighted the high number of cases of killings among refugees and the sexual exploitation of women and girls. More than 3,000 young women had been kidnapped in the conflict. Young people had been recruited by extremist groups. Association Solidarité Interationale pour l’Afrique was particularly worried about the genocide that Daesh was committing against Yazidis.

Alliance Creative Community Project called for an independent, international investigation of the crimes of genocide against the Tamils in Sri Lanka. It reminded that guarantees for non-recurrence and reparations had not been delivered to Tamil victims, who continued to live under the military occupation in northern Sri Lanka.

Rencontre Africaine pour la Defense des Droits de l’Homme reminded that since the Presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2016 there had been continued bombardment and systematic destruction of homes, as well as the expulsion of populations from their lands in Pool province. It expressed concern about the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, and it urged Venezuela to create space for democratic dialogue and to put an end to violence against the opposition.

Association of World Citizens called attention to the arrest of activists in Turkey for the mere reason of having acting to defend human rights. Some 180 journalists were behind bars and the Government claimed that they were terrorists.

Conseil de Jeunesse Pluriculturelle drew the attention of the Council to the suffering of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Restrictions had been imposed regarding the renewal of residency permits, and refugees had been subjected to abuse and detention and been prevented from working. More than 70 per cent of refugees lived under the poverty line and their families were deprived of livelihoods. The Human Rights Council should urge the Lebanese authorities to review their policies toward Syrian refugees.

Commission africaine des promoteurs de la santé et des droits de l’homme said Indian forces were using shotguns with steel pellets, and were causing partial to severe blindness among Kashmiris. Inhumane attacks on students had added another chapter to the repression. A 24-year old had been tied to the front of a Jeep and used as a human shield.

B'nai B'rith, in a joint statement with, Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations, said the international holocaust remembrance alliance had agreed on a working definition of anti-Semitism. Animus toward Israel crossed the line into anti-Semitism under certain circumstances. Sadly, such expressions had been witnessed in the Chamber. The Human Rights Council should adopt the international working definition of anti-Semitism and ban all forms of it from its activities.

Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy voiced concerns about the continuous violation of United Nations resolutions against torture by Pakistan. Pakistani security forces were systematically committing gross human rights violations in Balochistan in order to suppress the peaceful demands of Baloch people for equality, justice and freedom. The ongoing attacks on the civil population, including looting and burning of houses, needed immediate attention.

Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme voiced concerns about the arbitrary persecution of unrecognized religions and particularly the Buddhist unified church in Viet Nam. Since the adoption of a new law on religions, Vietnamese authorities have increased pressure on the Buddhist Church. Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme urged the Government of Viet Nam to cease persecutions and allow the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Viet Nam.

International Buddhist Relief Organization was concerned about the Government of Sri Lanka’s repeated violations of human rights against ethnic minorities and the non-respect of their historical rights. International Buddhist Relief Organization recalled that the north eastern areas of Sri Lanka had never been separated from the rest of the country. More than 15 per cent of the people living in these areas were living outside the country out of fear of not being able to enjoy their full rights.

International Career Support Association stated that the report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of speech contained inaccurate information about the Government of Japan’s alleged failure to uphold the freedom of speech and opinion. The organization voiced doubts about the methodology of the report and called on the Human Rights Council not to accept it.

Africa Culture Internationale said that the suffering and repression experienced by the Baloch people under the brutal control of Pakistan was “hell on earth.” In Balochistan all opinions and viewpoints that contradicted the State position were considered as subversive, and any information that directly or indirectly concerned governance and policies was viewed as State secret.

United Villages said that access to the internet and education were blocked in Jammu and Kashmir, with schools often being transformed into military barracks. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of their freedom of association and assembly.

Right of Reply

Iraq, speaking in a right of reply, said the morning’s meeting had produced misinformation regarding minorities in Iraq. It was said that thousands of soldiers and Peshmerga were fighting on behalf of the civilized world, and that hopefully Da’esh would be killed in Mosul. ISIL had abducted women in Nineveh and Sinjar. A joint ministerial centre had been set up to oversee that project and restore services to the areas. As to impunity, the judicial council had been set up to investigate crimes against minorities. Crimes committed against minorities had been defined as genocide and crimes against humanity. A Security Council report commended the bravery of the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga forces as well as the bravery of the volunteers.

China, speaking in a right of reply, said a few non-governmental organizations for political purposes had made charges against China, which China rejected. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor was important for the development of the two countries and countries in the region, and would benefit people in the region. The human rights situation in Tibet was the best in history, with leapfrogging social development. In Tibet, there were hundreds of religious temples, and in Xinjiang Province, demolition projects did not specifically target religion. China encouraged and supported non-governmental organizations playing their positive role, but did not allow them to carry out subvertive activities and disrupt social stability.

Cameroon, speaking in a right of reply, responded to the allegations of repeated infringement of the right to a fair trial and the repression of English-speaking lawyers protests last October in the north west of the country. Cameroon said that during the protest, independent groups had tried to take advantage of the situation. To re-establish order, people were arrested and brought to court. All of them were represented by lawyers. To ensure a permanent solution to the crisis, measures had been taken to improve the situation of work in the judicial sector and strengthen to right to a fair trial.



For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC17/098E