HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL OPENS FOURTH SESSION

The Human Rights Council opened its fourth session this morning, hearing a video message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and an address by High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour before starting its high-level segment and hearing from a number of dignitaries.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said in his video message that the world was watching to see if the Council would live up to its promise. He hoped that the Council’s members would work together to promote an objective and universal approach to human rights. In the weeks and months ahead, this would be put to the test time and again, and acute crises and long-simmering human rights issues would demand scrutiny and remedy. It was crucial that the Council had the components in place to pass this test. By the first anniversary of the Council in June, the wheels of the Council should be in full motion, including the Universal Periodic Review.

Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said poverty and discrimination were both the causes and the consequences of the most egregious violations of human rights and attacks on human dignity. Armed conflict, whether internal or international, inevitably increased the threats to life and the vulnerability of civilians. Yet, poverty and war were often perceived as akin to natural disasters, unfortunate and deplorable things that happened, but that were essentially unavoidable and for which no one could really be held responsible.

Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico, President of the Council, said while significant progress had been made in building the Council’s institutions, progress remained to be made on points as to what the new system would be for the protection and promotion of human rights in the world. This meant that in negotiations, there was a need for a constructive spirit and dialogue. This was the only way of overcoming differences and avoiding polarisation. The best possible result should be sought, and the lowest common denominator should not be accepted.

Thirteen speakers took the floor under the high-level segment. Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Confederation of Switzerland, said it was necessary to overcome the divisions of the past and demonstrate creativity and capacity for innovation in order to adopt new solutions that would benefit everyone. The success of the Council depended primarily on cooperation between States. Switzerland attached overriding importance to the fact that rights to life, liberty and security should remain absolutely valid in all circumstances.

Paul Mba Abessole, Vice Prime Minister of Gabon, said Gabon was firmly committed to put in place all the necessary institutions to consolidate the rule of law. The Constitution of Gabon affirmed the country’s attachment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Gabon recognized that it fell short in some areas, and it was not afraid to present the situation of human rights in the country. Gabon needed help to improve the conditions in its prisons and to fight trafficking in children. At the same time, the result of Gabon’s efforts could be seen in the good conditions of its institutions, in the consolidation of the rule of law, and in matters dealing with democracy and good governance.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said it had been shown time and again that human rights could only be implemented and protected effectively if the world adhered strictly to the following fundamental principles: that human rights were universal, indivisible and interdependent, that civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights were of equal importance, that the respect and protection of human rights were only possible in an environment where security was organised and guaranteed, and that these values should not be sacrificed in the fight against terrorism.

Jean Asselborn, Vice Prime Minister of Luxembourg, said Luxembourg believed that the system of Special Procedures should be maintained and strengthened, thematically, and by country. The Universal Periodic Review was an ambitious project and should have great influence on the credibility and future statute of the Human Rights Council. Close cooperation between States and civil society in the Council should continue and the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should be maintained as Luxembourg considered that it was key to ensure efficient work.

Hamid Awaluddin, Minister of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia, said the Council had a dual role; on one hand forging ahead its normative work, remaining vigilant and innovative in respect of the societal issues, and on the other hand continuing to attend to the major existing issues that had not yet been resolved. Economic, social and cultural rights had a big part to play as there was a close correlation between development and poverty. Indonesia was looking forward to expanding and strengthening its cooperation and dialogue with the Council’s various human rights mechanisms.

Abdelelah Al-Khatib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, said the international community had cooperated to provide the enabling environment to allow most groups to enjoy their rights and fundamental freedoms, and to practice these rights in a natural way. The gap between theory and practice was increasing, which was why the Member States had created the Council, accompanied by great hopes. The Council should be rid of the impediments of the past, and attention should be paid to eliminating conflicts, whilst preserving the independence of States.

Abdelwaheb Abdallah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, said the constant interest expressed by the international community to spread and strengthen human rights in the different regions of the world had to be reinforced by the conviction of the universality, interdependence and complementarity of all human rights, including civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to development. In its efforts to promote and protect human rights, Tunisia was strongly convinced that democracy and development were interdependent and necessary to ensure a free and responsible society.

Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, said to turn the tide, the Council should translate respect and protection for human rights from abstractions into a defined, accepted and verifiable reality. The decisions of the Council on the need for action against extreme poverty, on the right to development, on regional cooperation, and on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments would serve to reinforce these efforts.

Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights of Sri Lanka, said the Council should be primarily focused on institution building to meet expectations stipulated in the founding resolution. Sri Lanka was committed to provide all necessary assistance to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and to the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons to carry out its tasks and inquire into alleged violations of human rights.

Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said there was a definite link between freedom, prosperity and security. Respect for human rights would therefore be an integral part of his Government’s foreign policy. The Council was still under construction but the promises made should be kept. The Council could not be expected to work miracles, but it was the responsibility of the international community to make it do so. Human rights situations should be regularly assessed in every country and followed up, requiring thus a strong Universal Periodic Review mechanism. In addition, unbiased information from independent sources should guide the members in their deliberations.

Carl Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, said the protection and promotion of human rights was one of the central duties of the international community in these times. Not only was it a question of protecting the rights of individuals, but it was also a matter of protecting peace and stability across the globe. It was up to the Council itself through its actions to disprove those that feared that it would not live up to the high expectations placed on it, and this could only be done by vigorously and objectively addressing all the different human rights challenges of today.

Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said there was now an historic opportunity to put in place the building blocks for the new structure, agenda and working methods of the Council. The humanitarian situation of Muslim minorities was being closely followed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Violations of human rights in Palestine and the Arab Territories were a matter of deep concern. The Human Rights Council could make an important contribution to alleviating the difficulties. The Human Rights Council should not stand idle in the face of rising incidents of Islamophobia, but should take action to combat defamation of religion and enhance understanding among civilizations, cultures and religions

Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, speaking on behalf of the Community of Democracies which includes Cape Verde, Chile, Czech Republic, El Salvador, India, Italy, Republic of Korea, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, United States, and special guests Peru and Romania, said while emphasising the primary responsibility that each country had for its own economic and social development and the role of national policies and development strategies, the importance of international cooperation and of a democratic, transparent and enabling economic environment was underlined. Much work remained to be done during the closing months of the inaugural year, and many new challenges would surely present themselves in the year ahead.

Also speaking in right of reply were Cuba, India and China.

The Council is scheduled to resume it work at 3 p.m. this afternoon, when it will continue its high-level segment.

Opening Statements

LUIS ALFONSO DE ALBA (Mexico), President of the Human Rights Council, said this fourth session of the Council was taking place at a key moment. While significant progress had been made in building the Council’s institutions, progress remained to be made on points as to what the new system would be for the protection and promotion of human rights in the world. This meant that in negotiations, there was a need for a constructive spirit and dialogue. This was the only way of overcoming differences and avoiding polarisation. The best possible result should be sought, and the lowest common denominator should not be accepted. The task was to overcome the deficiencies of the Commission, and to strengthen, rather than renewing or revising the system.

The Council, the President said, should ensure an effective system of universal protection and promotion of all human rights, and thus guarantee all rights for all persons. In the course of the session, the members would review the progress made during the inter-sessional period on the creation of the Universal Periodic Review, the review of the mandates of the Special Procedures, and the Council’s rules and methods of work, among others, in order to provide the Council with the tools essential to fulfil the task entrusted to it. This exercise should be concluded promptly. Politicisation, selectivity and the use of double standards should be avoided. Application of the principle of universality was a way for the Council to eliminate one of the elements which so discredited the Commission. Cooperation, likewise, should permeate all the Council’s work. The work should be based on cooperation and genuine dialogue, and strengthen Member States capacity for ensuring human rights for all. If this new institution were to be efficient and fair, a practice should be developed which showed genuine commitment of all to the Human Rights Council.

So far, four missions had been established by the Council, but three had not been fully carried out, due to a lack of cooperation. This was regrettable, Mr. de Alba said, that at this formative stage, a lack of will to cooperate in implementing the decisions of the Council appeared to call into question the legitimacy of its decisions. The Council should seek means of ensuring compliance with all decisions of the Council. It could only work on the basis of a truly renewed institution which was committed to its decisions. The Council had major challenges before it, and a great responsibility. The session should move forward on establishing the system and establishing the Council’s new practices.

BAN KI-MOON, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said in a video message that as the Human rights Council opened this fourth session, a vast responsibility rested on its shoulders. The pursuit of human rights lay at the heart of the mission of the United Nations, underpinning the hopes of millions of people for a life in freedom, security and prosperity. The world was watching to see if the young Council would live up to its promise. He hoped that the Council’s members would work together to promote an objective and universal approach to human rights. In the weeks and months ahead, this would be put to the test time and again, and acute crises and long-simmering human rights issues would demand scrutiny and remedy. It was crucial that the Council had the components in place to pass this test. By the first anniversary of the Council in June, the wheels of the Council should be in full motion, including the Universal Periodic Review. This mechanism had great potential to promote and protect human rights in the darkest corners of the world. Once the Review was in place, the Council would be able to examine the record and performance of all countries on all human rights at regular intervals. This would also require the help of independent experts, the resources of civil society, and fully using the mandate holders of Special Procedures.

The Secretary-General hoped that the Council would ensure that all States opened their doors to all of them and that it would strive to ensure that Governments cooperated with the Council’s decisions. The High Commissioner and her Office should also be cooperated with fully. All victims of human rights abuses should be able to look to the Human Rights Council as a forum and springboard for action. This was the essence of its mandate, and how it would be judged. Mr. Ban wished the Council strength and conviction in its mission.

LOUISE ARBOUR, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the Council’s permanent architecture and its most important procedures should be in place shortly. Institution building had been the dominant and constant preoccupation of Council members and of the broader human rights community this year. At the same time, special sessions had highlighted pressing human rights issues, reminding all that institutional and procedural concerns should not overshadow the substantive human rights agenda. Poverty and discrimination were both the causes and the consequences of the most egregious violations of human rights and attacks on human dignity. Armed conflict, whether internal or international, inevitably increased the threats to life and the vulnerability of civilians. Yet, poverty and war were often perceived as akin to natural disasters, unfortunate and deplorable things that happened, but that were essentially unavoidable and for which no one could really be held responsible.

As the human rights institutions deployed resources to train and assist Government officials in meeting their treaty reporting obligations, the purpose of the exercise should not be lost sight of. The object was not, in and of itself, to document and expose efforts and shortcomings; it was to make something stop or something happen. It was the professional collective responsibility to articulate unambiguously the true nature of the severe deprivations of rights, to provide redress and to call to account those who bore responsibility. The momentum of engagement, and the spirit of compromise which had characterised the work done so far, should be maintained. All Member States should consider their candidacy to the upcoming elections to the Council in the light of the spirit of the founding resolution, Ms. Arbour concluded.

High-Level Segment

MICHELINE CALMY-REY (President of Switzerland) said, although the Council had responded to numerous emergencies, efforts would have to be actively pursued if they were to match ambitions. It was necessary to overcome the divisions of the past and demonstrate creativity and capacity for innovation in order to adopt new solutions that would benefit everyone. The Universal Periodic Review mechanisms should serve to strengthen dialogue within the Human Rights Council. Breaches of human rights occurred in every country and the mechanism needed to be created to enable debate leading to improvements. Special Procedures were also necessary to defend human rights. The success of the Council depended primarily on cooperation between States. Switzerland attached overriding importance to the fact that rights to life, liberty and security should remain absolutely valid in all circumstances.

Ms. Calmy-Rey said Switzerland was concerned about the situation in Darfur and the deteriorating conflict there. History has taught that violence offered no lasting solution. It was regrettable that the Council mission could not take place as envisaged. Switzerland was also worried about the situation in Sri Lanka, calling for an intensification of bilateral cooperation between the United Nations High Commissioner for Rights and Sri Lanka. In the Near East, Switzerland called for immediate cessation of acts of violence against civilians and the resumption of economic activity in the Occupied Territory, with support for the international community. In Nepal, substantial improvements had been brought about by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Switzerland called on the Nepal Government to confirm extension of the mandate of this office in areas of respect for human rights and peacebuilding in Nepal. Also of concern was the situation in Myanmar and Switzerland called on the Myanmar authorities to allow the International Red Cross to resume activities there.

PAUL MBA ABESSOLE, Vice Prime Minister of Gabon, said under its President, El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, Gabon was firmly committed to put in place all the necessary institutions to consolidate the rule of law. The Constitution of Gabon affirmed the country’s attachment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Gabon recognized that it fell short in some areas, and it was not afraid to present the situation of human rights in the country. Gabon needed help to improve the conditions in its prisons and to fight trafficking in children. At the same time, the result of Gabon’s efforts could be seen in the good conditions of its institutions, in the consolidation of the rule of law, and in matters dealing with democracy and good governance.

In February 2007, Gabon decided to offer free medical treatment for all. At the same time, the free treatment of HIV/AIDS showed the commitment of Gabon to fight the unacceptable prejudices and exclusion as a result of this disease. The Government of Gabon was seeking to improve the housing situation of its population. Regarding the rights of children, Gabon said that it was as much a victim of trafficking in children and exploiting them as the children were, and it had planned an ambitious programme concerning reforms in the judiciary in favour of minors. In order to underline the importance accorded to human rights, Gabon had created the “National Day of Human Rights” which was commemorated on 30 May every year. Gabon reaffirmed its firm will to promote peace, democracy and the universal respect of human rights

FRANK WALTER STEINMEIER, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said it was clear last June when the Human Rights Council was established, that this was merely the first step in a complex and ambitious undertaking. After all, the Council had been called on by the General Assembly to review and improve, within a one-year time frame, existing United Nations instruments and procedures for protecting and promoting human rights. This process had not yet been completed. The protection and promotion of human rights was a pillar of the United Nations, just as important as ensuring security and peace, and promoting sustainable development. Human rights could only be implemented and protected effectively if they adhered strictly to the following fundamental principles: that human rights were universal, indivisible and interdependent, that civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights were of equal importance, that the respect and protection of human rights were only possible in an environment where security was organised and guaranteed, and that these values should not be sacrificed in the fight against terrorism.

The European Union had four priorities for negotiations over the coming weeks and months. There should be a credible and effective Universal Periodic Review. The system of Special Rapporteurs should not be weakened in any way. A Human Rights Council which was vibrant and made a difference should also be a forum for the voices of those who defended human rights and often spoke for the victims of human rights violations. When there were extreme violations of human rights, it was owed to the people affected and to the international community not to remain silent and look away. If the Council were to be successful, it required cooperation and support from all States, including those who were not currently members.

JEAN ASSELBORN, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, said that Luxembourg believed that the system of Special Procedures should be maintained and strengthened, thematically, and by country. The Universal Periodic Review was an ambitious project and should have great influence on the credibility and future statute of the Human Rights Council. Close cooperation between States and civil society in the Council should continue and the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should be maintained as Luxembourg considered that it was key to ensure efficient work.

Luxembourg remained concerned about Darfur; denounced the dramatic humanitarian situation marked by the displacement of thousands of persons, persistent insecurity, attacks against humanitarian actors, and acts of violence against all, especially women and children; and regretted that the Sudanese Government had not shown cooperation and had refused to issue entry visas. In reviewing the report of the mission to Darfur, the Council should take concrete measures to end the grave and systematic violations of human rights. In the Middle East, the work done by the Council showed the serious human rights situation in the region, especially the Occupied Territories, and Luxembourg encouraged all countries, in particular Israel, to cooperate with the Council’s institutions. Luxembourg supported the abolition of death penalty, and noted several countries where abolition had taken place. Luxembourg welcomed action taken by the International Criminal Court in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Sudan. It also called for reinforced efforts against discrimination against women and for the protection of human rights in the struggle against terrorism. Luxembourg supported the signature of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights remained a major challenge and that the Council should convey the importance of these issues.

HAMID AWALUDDIN, Minster of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia, recalled the long-time importance of Geneva as a source of inspiration on the promotion and protection of human rights. Indonesia was heartened by the decision taken by the international community within the wider context of the reform of the United Nations to improve the status of human rights as one of the three main pillars of the United Nations together with development and peace and security. The Council was expected to provide new human rights norms and standards and to provide enhanced support, assistance and technical cooperation. Although the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action were universally accepted, there were still frequent contentions on the way they were applied, including the indivisibility of all human rights. Another important conceptual notion was that of non-derogable rights, which should continue to be at the heart of the Council’s philosophy and work though its mechanisms.

The Council had a dual role; on one hand forging ahead its normative work, remaining vigilant and innovative in respect of the societal issues, and on the other hand continuing to attend to the major existing issues that had not yet been resolved. Economic, social and cultural rights had a big part to play as there was a close correlation between development and poverty. Indonesia was looking forward to expanding and strengthening its cooperation and dialogue with the Council’s various human rights mechanisms. He trusted that the governments, the civil society and all those who composed the international community would maximise the vision of a credible, impartial and effective Human Rights Council.

ABDELELAH AL-KHATIB, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, said the world family of nations had made headway in the field of human rights since the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Vulnerable groups should be given special attention. The international community had cooperated to provide the enabling environment to allow most groups to enjoy their rights and fundamental freedoms, and to practice these rights in a natural way. The problems of unemployment, lack of development, impunity, rule of law and freedom of belief remained problematic with regards to implementation. More than once the Council had had pangs of conscience when viewing practices in the recent past such as genocide, war crimes, massacres and the targeting of civilians such as in Israel.

The humanitarian dimension of international security and the developmental dimension of human rights should be an integrated whole. There was a need for an adequate number of human rights observers. The gap between theory and practice was increasing, which was why the Member States had created the Council, accompanied by great hopes. The Council should be rid of the impediments of the past, and attention should be paid to eliminating conflicts, whilst preserving the independence of States. Human rights mechanisms should protect those who were deprived of their rights, as well as protecting those rights. The establishment of human rights was an important step in order to give effectiveness to the system of human rights.

ABDELWAHEB ABDALLAH, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, emphasized how important the work of the Council was. Thanks to the efforts undertaken by all the members of the Council, the latter had been able to overcome some decisive steps on its way concerning the consolidation of its structures and the reinforcement of its role within the international system of promotion and protection of human rights. This needed to continue this way in order to perfect the mechanisms of the Council. Tunisia had always brought different views together. The constant interest expressed by the international community to spread and strengthen human rights in the different regions of the world had to be reinforced by the conviction of the universality, interdependence and complementarity of all human rights, including civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to development.

In its efforts to promote and protect human rights, Tunisia was strongly convinced that democracy and development were interdependent and necessary to ensure a free and responsible society. Tunisia reaffirmed its engagement, along with Member States and non-Member States of the Council, to consolidate the foundations of an efficient Human Rights Council.

Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, said when the Council was created, a bold and historic step had been taken towards giving new life to the words of an old sage: that all humanity was one undivided and indivisible family, in which all should care and be responsible for each other. With the new Council, this commitment was renewed and the global momentum behind human rights amplified, at a time when many new and great challenges were being faced. At the heart of a nation’s soul were its people: the sanctity of the life of the individual was of paramount value, and the protection of human rights was a sacred commitment.

But even as the commitment to human rights was renewed, Mr. Romulo said, the world was confronted by continued assaults on freedom of conscience and faith, on the expression of peaceful ideals and aspirations, and on the right to pursue dignified and productive lives. To turn the tide, the Council should translate respect and protection for human rights from abstractions into a defined, accepted, and verifiable reality. The decisions of the Council on the need for action against extreme poverty, on the right to development, on regional cooperation, and on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments would serve to reinforce these efforts. The Council should address the human rights of vulnerable groups, particularly migrants and their families and the women and children preyed upon by those who engaged in human trafficking. To turn the tide, a strong Council should be built; human rights were never meant to foster division, but rather should be a unifying force, regardless of race, gender, creed, level of development or political inclination.

MAHINDA SAMARASINGHE, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights of Sri Lanka, said the Council should be primarily focused on institution building to meet expectations stipulated in the founding resolution. Sri Lanka was committed to provide all necessary assistance to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and to the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons to carry out its tasks and inquire into alleged violations of human rights. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was to be thanked, in particular its Rule of Law Division, for its support.

The Government of Sri Lanka continued to find short- and long-term solutions to internally displaced persons affected by the conflict and natural disaster. Resettlement of these internally displaced persons was under way, and infrastructure and services were being restored. The Government continued to ensure food supplies to the North and acknowledged the valuable assistance of the international community and United Nations agencies. Sri Lanka remained committed to finding a political settlement to the conflict with the LTTE. The Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights were to visit Sri Lanka this year. Measures were under way to combat terrorism and to monitor specific allegations of human rights violations. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ technical cooperation and capacity building division was a fundamental pillar of the Office which needed to be promoted as both development-friendly and for sustainable orientation.

MAXIME VERHAGEN, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said that governments needed to be morally courageous in order to address human rights violations in any part of the world, including their own countries. The respect of human rights was an important end in itself and national policies should reflect this standpoint. The Netherlands believed in human rights, both at home and abroad. There was a definite link between freedom, prosperity and security. Respect for human rights would therefore be an integral part of his Government’s foreign policy. The Council was still under construction but the promises made should be kept.

The Netherlands was committed to continuing their collective investment and that was why they had decided to present their candidacy for membership in the Council for the next three years. Expectations were high. The Council could not be expected to work miracles, but it was the responsibility of the international community to make it do so. Human rights situations should be regularly assessed in every country and followed up, requiring thus a strong Universal Periodic Review mechanism. In addition, unbiased information from independent sources should guide the members in their deliberations. Active involvement by non-governmental organizations should continue to be supported. The attention the Council gave to human rights situations should always be proportionate to the violations committed. The tragedy in Darfur had claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and it was vital that the Council speak against such atrocities, lest it be judged irrelevant. The Netherlands had welcomed the Council’s unanimous decision to send an assessment mission to Sudan. However, the Netherlands deplored the way in which the decision had been implemented, especially the lack of cooperation from the Sudanese Government that kept the mission from visiting Darfur. Follow-up of the recommendations would be considered a matter of high priority. Ultimately, the Council’s success would be judged by the impact it had on the lives of ordinary people worldwide.

CARL BILDT, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, said the protection and promotion of human rights was one of the central duties of the international community in these times. Not only was it a question of protecting the rights of individuals, but it was also a matter of protecting peace and stability across the globe. Regimes that violated the rights of their citizens were often the regimes that threatened the international system as well. For that reason, it should be evident that the protection of one individual was the protection of all individuals. The past decade and a half had seen important progress in the respect for human rights and the commitment to democracy and the rule of law; but in recent years the pace of progress seemed to be slowing down. This should be a cause for concern.

It was up to the Council itself through its actions to disprove those that feared that it would not live up to the high expectations placed on it, and this could only be done by vigorously and objectively addressing all the different human rights challenges of today. It was all too obvious that there were many human rights violations in addition to those obvious ones in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. These included the situation in Darfur, and those in countries like Burma, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Belarus, Cuba, Uzbekistan and Iran. It was also highly important to move forward with the work to abandon the death penalty all over the world: the right to life should never be violated and the death penalty should be universally abolished.

EKMELLEDIN IHSANOGLU, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said there was now an historic opportunity to put in place the building blocks for the new structure, agenda and working methods of the Human Rights Council. OIC Foreign Ministers had called for strengthening the capacity of States to comply with human rights obligations through cooperation and genuine dialogue among cultures and religions. The stage was set for the establishment of an OIC Permanent Commission of Human Rights to call on Member States to guarantee full respect for human rights.

The humanitarian situation of Muslim minorities was being closely followed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Violations of human rights in Palestine and the Arab Territories were a matter of deep concern. The Human Rights Council could make an important contribution to alleviating the difficulties. The OIC opposed terrorism and the killing of innocent civilians, which were a crime against humanity. Resolutions on the human rights situation in Palestine should be urgently implemented. The promotion and protection of human rights of the people of Darfur should be intensified. The Human Rights Council should not stand idle in the face of rising incidents of Islamophobia, but should take action to combat defamation of religion and enhance understanding among civilizations, cultures and religions

ALBERTO G ROMULO, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, speaking on behalf of the Community of Democracies which includes Cape Verde, Chile, Czech Republic, El Salvador, India, Italy, Republic of Korea, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, United States, and special guests Peru and Romania, said the Community comprised States from all regional groups. These were States that differed in various respects, such as historic heritage, political and religious traditions or the level of economic development. However, they shared a set of common core values, the crucial one being the belief that democratic governance was a key element for development, security as well as for the protection and promotion of human rights. The Community welcomed the establishment of the Human Rights Council with the responsibility for promoting universal respect for the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.

The Community reaffirmed its commitment to the protection and promotion of the freedoms of expression, of the press, and of religion and conscience. It recognised the importance of the progressive realisation, in all countries of the economic, social and cultural rights as constituting a solid basis for the economic and political empowerment of all individuals. While emphasising the primary responsibility that each country had for its own economic and social development and the role of national policies and development strategies, the importance of international cooperation and of a democratic, transparent and enabling economic environment was underlined. Much work remained to be done during the closing months of the inaugural year, and many new challenges would surely present themselves in the year ahead.


Right of Reply

RODOLFO REYES RODRIGUEZ, (Cuba), speaking in a right to reply, said with regards to the statement of the representative of Sweden and the confrontational nature of that statement, it had taken the Council back to the time of imperialism, when neighbouring countries had been subjected to slavery under the conquering boot. The complicity of Sweden’s statement was amazing. It was not possible to speak of the situation of human rights in the world without referring to the situation in Guantanamo, in Iraq, the secret flights and torture centers established in several European countries, in which the Government of Sweden had been complicit, as had others. In Cuba, which was a country of justice and inclusion, migrants were not persecuted, nor was there ethnic cleansing of those who did not fit in with the racial patterns of the former conquerors. The representative of Sweden should remember that Cuba was a member of the Council, unlike Sweden, who had not merited this rank. In the future it would be difficult to become a member of the Council, as it was based on dialogue and cooperation. It would have been better for the representative of Sweden to stay home rather than coming here and entering into hatred and discrimination.

MUNU MAHAWAR, (India), speaking in a right to reply, said with regards to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the statement made by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, this statement had made an unacceptable reference to an integral part of India. All the rights of the inhabitants of that state were, and would continue to be guaranteed by India, and those inhabitants continued to enjoy them fully.

LA YIFAN, (China), speaking in a right to reply, said with regards to the death penalty, there were different views among the members of the international community. In this matter, there was no agreed consensus. China was open to having a discussion on the matter, but was categorically opposed to the practice of imposing one view upon others, as had been done by the representative of Sweden, whose reference to the numbers of those who had been touched by the death penalty and the linking of this to the Olympic Movement was unacceptable. The Olympic games were a chance for the whole world to meet, and no country should take the opportunity to politicise those games. China was a country with a rule of law, where the death penalty only applied to the worst crimes, and this was in agreement with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The death penalty’s scope of application was to be reviewed shortly, and it was expected that this scope would be reduced, with the final aim of abolishment.

For use of the information media; not an official record

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