HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CONCLUDES GENERAL DEBATE ON THE UPDATE OF THE REPORT OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

The Human Rights Council this afternoon concluded its general debate on the update of the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights after speakers raised a variety of issues including the upcoming review of the Human Rights Council, the protection of human rights defenders and the defamation of religions.

Among other things, speakers said that the review outcome should build on the principles underlying the Council's methods of work as stated in the Institution-Building Package. It was important to review and not reform the Council. The upcoming review of the Council was a unique opportunity to consolidate the progress made so far and to make adjustments so that the system of the promotion and protection of human rights worked with greater efficiency. However, the Council should find improved ways to deal with emergency human rights situations, and increase the impact of its work on the ground, but such efforts were dependent on time schedules and available resources. The improvement of human rights on the ground was the reflection of the long-term strategic value of the Universal Periodic Review process.

A number of delegations commended the High Commissioner for drawing attention to the difficult conditions of work and life of human rights defenders in many countries of the world. Furthermore, many countries supported her call to the Human Rights Council to pay more attention to the need to ensure the safety and protection of human rights defenders and other witnesses who cooperated with UN-mandated fact-finding and investigative initiatives. States should publicly acknowledge the legitimate role of human rights defenders and the importance of their work as an essential component of ensuring their protection, and create and strengthen mechanisms for consultation and dialogue with human rights defenders.

Also raised by several delegations was the issue of defamation of religions, with particular reference to the rising instances of Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslim minorities. The recent shocking plan to hold international “Burn a Koran Day” resulted in a prompt response by the United States leadership. However, such appalling incidents placed greater importance on the need to implement the obligations of States to urgently deal with increasing acts of religious intolerance and to ensure everyone’s right to freedom of religion. More generally, the discriminatory treatment of people in vulnerable situations such as migrants and the Roma, violence against women and children, and human rights violations committed under the pretext of the war on terror, were matters that concerned all countries.

Speaking this afternoon were Sri Lanka, India, Algeria, Philippines, Germany, South Africa, Ethiopia, Lithuania, Egypt, Iran, Paraguay, Honduras, New Zealand, Indonesia, Colombia, Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, Morocco, Czech Republic, Rwanda, Armenia, Slovenia, Austria, Ireland, Nepal, African Union, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Yemen, Viet Nam, Iraq, Zimbabwe and Turkey.

Also speaking were the following non-governmental organizations: International Federation for Human Rights, Society for Threatened Peoples, International Service for Human Rights, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, International Humanist and Ethical Union, France Libertés: Fondation Danielle Mitterand, Association for World Education, Comité International pour le Respect et l’Application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples, Action Internationale pour la Paix et le Développement dans la Région des Grands Lacs, CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, World Muslim Congress, International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations, Human Rights Watch, Cercle de Recherche sur les Droits et les Devoirs de la Personns Humaine and North-South XXI.

Speaking in a right of reply was Guatemala.

Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Khatra, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Humanitarian Action and Relations with Civil Society in Mauritania, also spoke following the general debate. He said the Government had undertaken large-scale activities to protect and promote human rights, through ambitious social projects, looking to establish the rule of law, strengthen democracy, ensure independent judicial process, and the development of basic social services; and helping to fight poverty and improve the public authority’s fight against corruption. Important measures had been taken in the framework of the promotion of human rights. Mauritania was firmly committed to its international commitments in the field of human rights. The public authorities were prepared to make a significant input into international efforts to protect and promote human rights, and Mauritania was thus submitting its candidacy to the Human Rights Council.

The next meeting of the Council will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 14 September, when the Council is scheduled to hold an interactive dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict. It will then hold a clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and the Working Group on mercenaries.

General Debate

MOHAN PEIRIS (Sri Lanka) said Sri Lanka wished to highlight some of the major achievements that it had made thus far in the area of post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation during the last year. For instance, in the last twelve months, the Government of Sri Lanka had scaled down legislative provisions under the Emergency Regulations and resettled more than 90 per cent of the country’s internally displaced persons. Moreover, the Government was continuing to rebuild basic infrastructure in conflict-affected areas and had rehabilitated a total of 667 former child combatants and reunited them with their families. A Commission had also been established on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation, along with general improvements in security and the mobility of people within the nation. The combined efforts of the Government and humanitarian organizations had resulted in an accelerated de-mining process and ensured that over 300,000 people had access to water and sanitation facilities, with other essential services such as health, nutrition and education being provided.

GOPINATHAN ACHAMKULANGARE (India) said the High Commissioner's request for greater discussion of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ reports had to be set in the broader context and crucial issue of the availability of all reports for a particular session, in all languages, on time. India shared the High Commissioner's sentiments on the need to initiate a process of reflection on how to strengthen the treaty body system, and encouraged her to consider putting before the Council her own concrete ideas on both the procedural aspects, as well as the substantive aspects. India welcomed the High Commissioner’s thoughts on the Human Rights Council review, and echoed her view to enhance the credibility of the Council. The Council was a major improvement over its predecessor, and, for any review to be successful in enhancing the Council's credibility, the review outcome must build on the principles underlying the Council's methods of work as stated in the Institution-Building Package.

IDRISS JAZAIRY (Algeria) said Algeria had expected the High Commissioner to refer in her update to the current acute threat to the right to food, with wheat prices increasing by 70 per cent since the beginning of the year and riots breaking out in parts of Africa. Algeria agreed that States should facilitate access to Special Procedures, and said that Special Procedures should also respond promptly to a State’s invitation to visit. Regarding the need to strengthen the treaty bodies system, Algeria said that enhanced dialogue between treaty bodies and States was necessary through allowing consultations on discussion items to be included on the agendas of annual meetings of Chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies. Algeria regretted that the High Commissioner’s report on how to improve conference and secretariat services for the Council, which she had been requested to prepare by the Human Rights Council resolution 12/1, Op 5, still was not available.

EVAN P. GARCIA (Philippines) said that the Philippines deeply appreciated the work of the High Commissioner. The Philippines extended its solidarity with the flood victims in Pakistan. It was incumbent on the international community to intervene during large-scale natural disasters and to provide assistance in the aftermath of these catastrophes. The human rights of migrants were an important issue that deserved the full attention of the Council. As such, countries could not expect migrants to contribute to development without ensuring protection of their human dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms. Lastly, on the issue of the Human Rights Council review, the Philippines believed that the review should focus on fine-tuning working methods and not altering the balance achieved in the institution-building text.

REINHARD SCHWEPPE (Germany) said Germany commended the attention drawn by the High Commissioner to the difficult conditions of work and life of human rights defenders in many countries of the world, and supported her call to the Human Rights Council to pay more attention to the need to ensure the safety and protection of defenders and other witnesses who cooperated with UN-mandated fact-finding and investigative initiatives. Human rights defenders, national human rights institutions, ombudsman institutions and civil society at large played an important role as watchdogs on human rights issues all over the world, and were very important for the protection and promotion of human rights and for early warning when it came to a potential worsening of a human rights situation or the realization of specific rights with regard to specific groups of persons. States should publicly acknowledge the legitimate role of human rights defenders and the importance of their work as an essential component of ensuring their protection, and create and strengthen mechanisms for consultation and dialogue with human rights defenders.

JERRY MATTHEWS MATJILA (South Africa) said South Africa shared the concerns expressed by the High Commissioner related to reports that were presented to the Council which were not discussed extensively, nor followed up. South Africa was disappointed with the non-availability of the report on the improvement of conference and secretariat services as mandated by the Council resolution 12/1, one year after the request had been submitted. The discriminatory treatment of people in vulnerable situations such as migrants and the Roma, violence against women and children and human rights violations committed under the pretext of war on terror, were matters that concerned South Africa and it was keen to hear from the High Commissioner on how those issues had been followed up by her Office. South Africa underscored that the review presented an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of the Council, and not to reform the Council.

ALLEHONE MULUGETA ABEBE (Ethiopia) said Ethiopia thanked the High Commissioner for her report and presentation. In May 2010, Ethiopia held its fourth regular parliamentary elections, which were judged by international election monitors, including the African Union, to be free and fair. Civil society organizations, the media and opposition parties freely participated in this important electoral process, which exemplified the maturing democracy in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Government reiterated its commitment to further improving the human rights situation within its borders and had continued to implement some of the recommendations provided during the country’s review under the Universal Periodic Review.

DARIUS STANIULIS (Lithuania) said the difficult conditions of persons working for human rights and defending them was particularly highlighted in the statement of the High Commissioner. Journalists, human rights advocates and other representatives of civil society working for the cause of human rights were often targeted and attacked because of their activities. A level of respect and support to human rights defenders was important to the overall enjoyment of human rights. The activities of human rights defenders required the effective implementation of different rights and freedoms, in particular freedom of speech and freedom of association and assembly. During the period of the review process, the Council must not reduce its mandated activities - a protection gap must be avoided and the review process should go along with other activities of the Council. The integration of gender mainstreaming into the work of the Council was also important.

HISHAM BADR (Egypt) referred to the incident that appalled the whole world and the shocking plan to hold the international “Burn a Koran Day”. The response of the United States’ Administration was prompt and this United States leadership was to be applauded. Such incidents put obligations on members and observers of the Human Rights Council to urgently deal with increasing acts of religious intolerance, to ensure everyone’s right to freedom of religion. It was time for this Council to take a stand. Condemning this act would send the appropriate signal. Civil society had been active in Egypt for decades and the Constitution guaranteed the right to create associations. Also, preparations were being made to amend the Civil Associations Act in Egypt.

SEYED MOHAMMAD REZA SAJJADI (Iran) said that Iran noted with grave concern that the High Commissioner’s report had been shorn of the alarming trend of defamation of religions, particularly rising instances of Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslim minorities in the United States and some European countries that needed to be tackled more resolutely. It was high time that the Human Rights Council unanimously and strongly called upon the United States Government to take immediate and effective measures to fully stop such hate mongering initiatives so as to respect the sentiments of hundreds of millions of Muslims and advocates of religious tolerance across the world.

RAUL MARTINEZ (Paraguay) said the points of view and comments of the High Commissioner on the various events of the international community were valuable inputs into the session, and her input into the process of the review of the Human Rights Council was also very important indeed, as this would benefit the results and ensure that in future the Council would be more effective and productive. Paraguay viewed favourably some of the tools the Council had recently used, such as the Urgent Debate. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights played an important role in implementing recommendations addressed to a State as part of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. Paraguay appreciated the support it had received from the Office.

ROBERTO FLORES BERMUDEZ (Honduras) said Honduras had listened with great care to the High Commissioner’s update on her activities and it emerged from that update that cooperation was the instrument for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was ready to assist States that needed its support and such was the case of Honduras. Honduras thanked the High Commissioner for her response to the request of President Lobo Sosa to open the office in Honduras in the form of assigning additional experts to the United Nations group and said that with this cooperation there was the best support provided to Government and non-governmental players in the field of the promotion and protection of human rights. Honduras regretted the death of 72 migrants in transit through Mexico, including Hondurans, and thanked the High Commissioner for giving due attention to the issue. In one week, the Millennium Development Goals Summit would take place and the assessment of the progress made on the achievements of Millennium Development Goals would be made. Honduras hoped that the High Commissioner would have a high-profile role at the upcoming Summit.

JAMES KEMBER (New Zealand) said New Zealand was pleased to note that the High Commissioner intended to present a study by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights to the Millennium Development Goals Review Summit in New York later this month. New Zealand agreed with the High Commissioner that for elections to be free and fair, there needed to be an environment conducive to open debate and full participation by all stakeholders. Protection for those vulnerable to exclusion, intimidation and attacks had to be ensured. An intimidated media did nothing to achieve the objective of a freely-reported electoral process.

DESRA PERCAYA (Indonesia), referring to the Human Rights Council review process, said Indonesia reiterated the importance of the agreement to review and not reform the institution. However, it was essential for all to ensure that this process was progressing on the substantial part, in order to achieve the common objectives of the review. The Council should find improved ways to deal with urgent human rights situations, and increase the impact of its work on the ground, but such efforts were dependent on time schedules and available resources. The improvement of human rights on the ground was the reflection of the long-term strategic value of the Universal Periodic Review process. Increasing polarisation and intolerance of different religions and cultures was an alarming trend, and one which must be addressed with urgency.

ALICIA VICTORIA ARANGO OLMOS (Colombia) said Colombia expressed its solidarity with the people of Pakistan ravaged by the floods, and reiterated its appreciation of the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner. The upcoming review of the Council was a unique opportunity to consolidate the progress made so far and to make adjustments so that the system of the promotion and protection of human rights worked with greater efficiency. Colombia agreed with the High Commissioner that it was important to put in place the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, but some issues, such as lists of speakers, needed to be addressed as soon as possible. At the beginning of his mandate last August, President Santos declared that human rights would be an unshakeable basis of his Government and said it was a result of profound democratic, ethical and human convictions. Colombia was firmly committed to strengthening gender mainstreaming in the work of the Council and would be presenting two initiatives, with New Zealand on maternal mortality and human rights, and another with Mexico on discrimination against women.

ALISON LECLAIRE CHRISTIE (Canada) said that Canada encouraged the High Commissioner to continue to highlight the most flagrant human rights abuses, wherever they might occur. Canada also congratulated the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in combating impunity. In this regard, the rights of human rights defenders were extremely important, especially given that the Burmese election process was about to begin. In addition, Canada believed that the Special Procedures played a crucial role in observing human rights abuses first hand and monitoring the implementation of recommendations. Canada also hoped that the Council would continue to make significant progress on the issues of freedom of association and assembly as well as that of equality of women.

Mr. DENGO (Costa Rica) said it was only by listening to grassroots voices and that of competent bodies that the Council could fully implement its mandate, and the review process was a great opportunity to identify and perfect approaches to the work process of the body. The Council must ensure it was more fit to deal with human rights situations that were chronic or emerging, and that its impact on the ground was more effective. The Universal Periodic Review was a new tool, helping to establish areas of cooperation, which was beneficial, and Universal Periodic Review procedures must be rationalised and their efforts channelled to ensuring the real protection of human rights at the national level. The Universal Periodic Review must be of real use to States in terms of implementing recommendations and providing follow-up. Costa Rica was also interested in providing better support to Special Procedures, as they were the most important mechanism for ensuring human rights and follow-up on the ground. States must honour open invitations to the mandates in this regard, and it should be a prerequisite if States truly believed in the protection and promotion of human rights, as it was a simple way of moving from talk to action.

WALID ABU-HAYA (Israel) said Israel supported the High Commissioner’s approach to the review process, adding that the Council must grasp this opportunity and ensure that the institution-building package fell in line with the mandate of the Council. Israel shared the concern that pressure on human rights defenders, the media, and civil society often increased throughout the electoral process. Recent years had seen brutal attacks and persecution against those seeking to participate in free and fair elections. Israel strongly supported the statement advocating for the additional protection of vulnerable groups to enable them to access and exercise their basic fundamental rights and freedoms. The Council’s calendar was busy and challenging and it would be a successful session if the members strove to conduct its work objectively, impartially, non-selectively and even-handedly in the equal protection and treatment of all human rights, in accordance with its mandate.

OMAR HILALE (Morocco) said that the Kingdom of Morocco fully supported the role of human rights defenders so long as they respected nation legislation. Human rights defenders could be limited for reasons of public security or public health. Human rights defenders were therefore not above the law and had to operate within the structures and confines of national law. Morocco also welcomed the efforts of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to tackle the issue of national and religious hatred. Finally, Morocco looked forward to supporting and working with the Intergovernmental Working Group charged with the mandate of reviewing the Human Rights Council.

TOMAS HUSAK (Czech Republic) said the Czech Republic welcomed the persistent focus and close attention the High Commissioner and her Office paid to human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society activists, who, due to their direct knowledge and experience, reminded all of human rights problems and put forward suggestions in the search for viable solutions. Silencing those who could offer first hand testimony on different cases of human rights violations or were victims of human rights abuses themselves was not an option. There was a duty to respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression and association and to ensure that laws, policies and practices did not obstruct the ability of human rights defenders to exercise these freedoms. Support to human rights defenders was fundamental to achieving universal respect for human rights. The review process represented a rare opportunity to assess the Council's work and functioning, and find ways to better fulfil its mandate. The success of the Human Rights Council and its review process was measured by its positive impact on individual rights holders. Strengthening the Council's capacity to effectively and timely respond to concrete human rights violations was its crucial and underlying task that determined its credibility and legitimacy - this task could not be fulfilled without a genuine interest in the protection and promotion of human rights.
VENETIA SEBUDANDI (Rwanda) said Rwanda welcomed the call of the High Commissioner to the Council to act effectively on the right to development but regretted to note the omission to give appropriate attention to the recent cases of massive rapes of women and girls in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and to condemn the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR/ex-FAR) for those actions. Since the 1994 genocide, Rwanda had made substantial progress in establishing Rwanda as a human rights State. In the presidential elections last month, citizens demonstrated their willingness to put national interests above all else and voted for unity, reconciliation and socio-economic transformation. Rwanda expressed its concern at the deliberately engineered leak to the media of precise information in the Draft Democratic Republic of the Congo Mapping Report 1993-2003, mentioned by the High Commissioner. The Government had rejected this draft as unacceptable, in light of the serious and malicious allegations it made against Rwanda based on information obtained from biased sources and for failing to cross-check them with the States concerned.

VAHEH GEVORGYAN (Armenia) said that the global promotion of a culture of human rights was largely hinged on the local work of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists. Their commitment to assist and stand by all those who were deprived of their rights often put them in harms way. This was particularly true for human rights activists who represented vulnerable groups of various minorities, especially in situations where their safety was imperilled by the mere fact of their being. Human rights defenders operated within or beyond established freedoms and human rights standards of a given country with the ultimate goal of advancing their societies towards universally accepted norms. To this end, relevant national policies could highly benefit from international cooperation at both regional and global levels.

URSKA CAS SVETEK (Slovenia) said Slovenia shared the High Commissioner's concern about the vulnerability of human rights defenders to exclusion, intimidation, threats, assaults, and, too often, sadly, to murder. All States that had curtailed civil society's scope of action and activism should lift such restrictive measures, and carry out thorough investigations of assaults against human rights defenders and do their utmost to bring the culprits to justice. One of the highest priorities of the Human Rights Council review should be to enhance its ability to deal with chronic and emergency human rights situations and to increase the impact of its work on the ground. The review provided an opportunity to take full stock also of the contributions made by the Special Procedures and treaty bodies.

CHRISTIAN STROHAL (Austria) said the update by the High Commissioner showed that no region in the world was free from serious human rights problems. Austria appreciated her assessment that the pressure on human rights defenders often increased in the context of elections and was struck by the continuing concern about intimidation and violence against persons cooperating with the United Nations human rights mechanisms. Austria offered its support to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in an independent investigation of violence in Kyrgyzstan. Regarding the Mapping Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Austria said that proper investigation of past crimes was a precondition for peace and stability and offered its assistance in this process. Austria joined the High Commissioner in her call to all States to extend standing invitations to the Special Procedures and asked how States could assist in dealing with their ever increasing workload.

GERARD CORR (Ireland) said Ireland welcomed the emphasis given by the High Commissioner to human rights defenders, journalists, civil society activists and trade unionists. When their work was endangered, the work of the Council was diminished and when their voices were silenced, the voice of the Council needed to be clearly heard. Ireland also welcomed the reports mentioned by the High Commissioner on witness protection, discrimination against women and children, migration, and indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, it was the case that the content and findings of these reports did not receive the sustained attention that they required, which was something that the entire Council needed to look into and resolve.

DINESH BHATTARAI (Nepal) said as the Council entered the review phase as provided for in the founding resolution, Nepal believed it was an opportunity to find ways and means of making the Council more effective and credible in promoting, protecting and advocating human rights. As the Institution-Building Package remained at the centre of the Council's existence and effectiveness, the wisdom and spirit of compromise and negotiation that produced the Institution-Building structure should be preserved. The existence of massive poverty, inequality, deprivation and marginalisation made society vulnerable and created a fertile environment for violations of human rights. It was important to address their root causes for laying a sustained foundation of respect for human rights. A series of ongoing multiple crises had had a crushing effect on the enjoyment of universally-recognized human rights. Climate change was emerging as one of the most serious humanitarian challenges, with global ramifications on peace, security, and human rights. These challenges could not be addressed in isolation, and needed collective will.

KHADIJA RACHIDA MASRI (African Union) said the African Union welcomed all efforts made by Ms. Pillay to support the work of the Human Rights Council by providing clear information about human rights situations throughout the world. In terms of the issues dealt with, the African Union noted that electoral processes in many parts of the world remained far from perfect. The establishment of fair and free elections was a result of a long process, which sometimes suffered setbacks. The African Union continued to send observer missions throughout the continent and this approach permitted it to note positive developments in a number of countries, without ignoring the issues that must be dealt with in collaboration with Member States. The African Union welcomed the High Commissioner’s announcement of the organization of seminars on racism and racial discrimination and remained convinced that they would promote the fight against racism. The African Union supported Ms. Pillay’s announcement of the commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development and said that the continuing international commitment meant there was a will to bring about the right to development. The African Union on many occasions had emphasized the role and engagement of the High Commissioner and had full confidence that Ms. Pillay in her capacity as chair of the Global Migration Group would continue to accord the necessary attention to this vulnerable group.

HABIB MIKAYILLI (Azerbaijan) said Azerbaijan expressed its solidarity with the people and Government of Pakistan suffering from the devastating floods. Azerbaijan saw the upcoming review process of the Human Rights Council as an opportunity to further strengthen the work and functioning of the Council. Azerbaijan was of the view that the review should not renegotiate the Institutional Building package but should seek to make further improvements where necessary. Azerbaijan reiterated its hope that the review process would not harm the normal work of the Council. Finally, with regard to the Universal Periodic Review, the delegation agreed that it should be further streamlined and developed.

MIKHAIL KHVOSTOV (Belarus) said Belarus was pleased to note some progress with regard to economic, social and cultural rights in the report of the High Commissioner. Her statement lacked information on the state of human rights in some countries where it was good or even excellent. It seemed the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had some stereotyped views with regard to the situation of human rights - if there was no renewal of the staff, and an overcoming of the imbalance in geographical distribution, then this was likely to increase. Belarus also considered that the Office needed to look beyond Geneva. In Belarus, there were more than 2,200 civil society organizations, and 15 different political parties - there was no country where civil society was growing more actively.

IBRAHIM AL-ADOFI (Yemen) said Yemen warmly thanked the High Commissioner for all her efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights in the world. This was an issue which would be dealt with during this Human Rights Council session, together with the right to development and the right to health, among others. Yemen continued to cooperate with all human rights instruments. The most recent incitement to religious hatred in the form of “Burn a Koran” day meant the need to implement the obligation for all to guarantee fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of religion. While bearing in mind flagrant violations of human rights, Yemen said that the suffering of the Palestinian people must not be forgotten and that the blockade of Gaza must be lifted. Yemen hoped that the debate on Somalia would lead to improvements.

VU DUNG (Viet Nam) said that Viet Nam was mindful of the right to development, which was an inalienable human rights by virtue of which every human being was entitled to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development. Viet Nam attached great importance to the right to development and ensured its implementation through national policies and programmes. With the responsibility of promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Human Rights Council was now at a historical juncture that required all members to engage in constructive, cooperative and pragmatic thinking for an effective review over the Council’s work and functioning.

HUSSAIN AL-ZUHHAIRY (Iraq) said Iraq thanked all States and international institutions that had helped it with institution-building, allowing it to improve the situation of human rights and the daily lives of its citizens, as seen in the Universal Periodic Review report submitted by Iraq, and the voluntary commitments it made relating thereto. These would be implemented through a national plan. The non-reference in the report to the important events taking place in the Arab world and Islamic world should have been mentioned by the High Commissioner and fully discussed. Iraq fully agreed on the comments with regard to the need to protect human rights defenders and civil society organizations. Combating terrorism was a noble objective, and Iraq was making headway in the field of human rights, education, the rights of the child, the rights of people with disabilities, respect of cultural identity, and the promotion of women's participation in public and political life - these achievements were made in the context of the fight against terrorism and with the backdrop of a challenging transitional period.

ENOS MAFEMBA (Zimbabwe) said Zimbabwe totally rejected the allegations by the High Commissioner that journalists, trade unionists and community organisers were suffering threats and assaults in Zimbabwe, often compounded by competition over natural resources. It was highly regrettable that the High Commissioner, once again, had decided to join forces of negation when it came to Zimbabwe’s right to development. Zimbabwe’s natural resources would be exploited to benefit the majority of its people and not those who plundered Zimbabwe’s resources for over a century without ever taking cognisance of its human rights. Zimbabwe asked why the High Commissioner was mute when British-registered companies were silently and illegally exploiting the same natural resources and deplored her approach in this regard. Zimbabwe said that those who respected its laws had nothing to fear, while those who broke it to please their pay masters would experience a long, dark and severe winter.

ELA GORKEM-GOKÇE (Turkey) said Turkey thanked the High Commissioner for her statement and for stimulating discussion and debate on so many important issues. Turkey also stated that the protection of human rights defenders was a subject that required constant vigilance. Turkey was in constant collaboration with the concerned bodies in order to create an environment that protected human rights defenders and witnesses. With regard to the review of the Council, Turkey was convinced that it should take into account the role of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and that this process was important to strengthening the credibility of the Council as well as its numerous mandates.

HAMZA OMER HASSAN AHMED (Sudan) said Sudan had examined most carefully the statement made by the High Commissioner this morning, and noted that the group of those frowned upon had not changed, and negative comments continued despite positive developments in their situation. The world had witnessed many important developments requiring the Council's attention, such as natural disasters and human rights violations. Sudan had expected that the Commissioner's report would take up the negative references to Islam and the Holy Koran, as this would only increase violence against Muslims and hatred of Islam. Sudan had started democratic changes after signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. There should have been a reference in the report to institution-building and democratic improvements in Sudan, as well as to the range of legislation adopted in this regard.

JULIE GROMELLON, of International Federation for Human Rights League, said that this year had witnessed a bad situation for human rights in many countries, while human rights defenders were even assassinated in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Russia. In Cuba, Tunis, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, China and Burma, thousands of human rights defenders were languishing in prisons in deplorable conditions. The intervention of the High Commissioner and the Human Rights Council was crucial for their protection.

TENZIN KAYTA, of Society for Threatened Peoples, said that the opening remarks by the High Commissioner highlighted the situation of human rights defenders around the world. The human rights defenders movement was growing in China despite the challenges, while registration of non-governmental organizations was possible for only those with governmental background. In joining the High Commissioner’s call to the Human Rights Council to support human rights defenders, the Society for Threatened Peoples wished to alert the Council about a recent case of a Tibetan environment defender Karma Samdup who was serving a 15-year sentence for a charge that was dropped by the Chinese authorities in 1988.

KATHERINE THOMASEN, of International Service for Human Rights, said that the International Service for Human Rights welcomed the focus on human rights defenders in the High Commissioner’s update to the Human Rights Council. Unfortunately, violations against human rights defenders were not recent developments. Rather, they were ongoing occurrences and as such should be high on the Council’s agenda at every session. The International Service for Human Rights continued to be alarmed at reprisals against those that had cooperated with United Nations system in the field of human rights.

LAILA MATAR, of Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, said that attacks on human rights defenders were increasing in severity throughout the Arab region, including Bahrain, Egypt and Sudan. In countries like Tunisia, Syria and Libya, human rights defenders had almost all been imprisoned, forcefully disappeared, expelled or killed. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies believed that enforced disappearances constituted a dangerous trend in Egypt ahead of the upcoming elections

RAHEEL RAZA, of International Humanist and Ethical Union, said there was no right more fundamental than the right to life, but human rights defenders could not defend that right when their freedom of expression and freedom of the press was curtailed, often violently. In common with all States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Organization of the Islamic Conference Member States were supposed to be concerned with the human rights of individuals, both in their own territories, and throughout the world. Each State had the ultimate responsibility of protecting the human rights of everyone, whether citizens or not, resident in their territory, and subject to their laws. The Organization of the Islamic Conference States in particular were falling far short of their obligations under international law in this regard, especially for women. Both Member States and Observes should remember that they were not here to protect their interests of their Governments, elites, or religions, but to protect the human rights of all.

ORETTA BANDETTINI DI POGGIO, of France Libertés – Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, said it was important to promote human rights in situations of crisis and emergency, as the High Commissioner had pointed out, and in this regard, the situation of the Ashraf camp in Iraq was relevant. The inhabitants of the camp were legally protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the United States should shoulder its legal responsibility for their protection. The situation was worsening, while the international community responded with a deafening silence. The High Commissioner should intercede to ensure the United Nations could ensure the minimum guarantees contained in the Fourth Convention. The protection of the camp should be an integral part of the UNAMI mandate.

DAVID LITTMAN, of Association for World Education, in a joint statement with World Union for Progressive Judaism, welcomed the reference that the High Commissioner made to the indiscriminate attacks worldwide against women and children and called for the elimination of discrimination against women, including all violence against women and rape as a weapon of war. The greatest challenge to women’s rights and the elimination of discriminatory laws and harmful practices came from the doctrine of cultural relativism. The Association for World Education asked the High Commissioner to comment on the views of her distinguished colleagues on the phenomenon of cultural relativism, especially concerning women and children, which was hanging over the work of the Council like the sword of Damocles.

MALUZA WASILUADIO, of International Committee for the Respect and Application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, said that the International Committee shared the concern regarding the protection of human rights defenders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the Government was still not shedding light on the circumstances of a number of murders, particularly that of Floribert Chebaya Bahizire. The International Committee welcomed the forthcoming publication of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by many regional players, including Rwanda. This was a decisive step towards the ending of impunity in the region. Congo wept over more than 8 million dead and this was without mentioning women who suffered sexual violence. The Committee had at a number of occasions warned against the increase in racism in Europe, not only in France, but in Switzerland; for example Africans were stigmatized as champions of crime.

MAURICE KATALA, of Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs (AIPD), said that after having taken note of the High Commissioner’s report on the genocide of the Congolese people perpetrated by numerous countries in the region, they fully supported the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in its work. With regard to Sudan, its organization was present during the most recent elections and refused to accept allegations of violence. It directly contradicted the conclusions of the mission of the African Union and the majority of African civil society.

RENATE BLOEM, of CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, applauded the strong focus on human rights defenders and civil society activists in all regions of the world who faced threats to their lives and security because of their work. At present, the world was witnessing a sharp decline in the freedom of association and assembly both in the global North and as well as the global South. Restrictive legislation had been introduced to prevent civil society groups even from being formed, carrying out their legitimate activities and accessing resources.

KHAN SARDAR AMJAD YOUSAF, of World Muslim Congress, said the report covered some situations of human rights violations, but left behind a few grave situations of continued and systematic human rights violations. The update also very clearly focused on the threats to the lives and security of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists around the world, and mentioned the need for safety and protection of defenders and other witnesses who cooperated with UN-mandated fact-finding and investigative initiatives. However, there was no mention of the situation in the disputed State of Jammu and Kashmir under Indian occupation. The High Commissioner should pay special attention to the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

ALTAT HUSSAIN WANI, of International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations, said due to violence and conflicts around the world and attacks on individuals, mainly women and children, human suffering continued unabated. These were powerful reminders of the pressing need for the protection of human rights. Fundamental human rights were universal, and that was the tacit assumption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which knew no religious, national, or political boundaries. They were not hierarchical - but when assessing the human rights situation and issues around the world, the international community was selective. The human rights situation of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was of no less importance than the other situations discussed in the statement of the High Commissioner.

JULIE DE RIVERO, of Human Rights Watch, said that while the High Commissioner had drawn the attention to the pressing need for protection both in emergencies and chronic human rights situations, the Council had been unable to make a difference in places such as Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Iran, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan or Zimbabwe. The Council should give the High Commissioner, the Secretary-General and its President the authority to table situations for discussion by the Council, which would not pre-empt the Council’s decision on how to respond, but would pave the way for a broader and more diversified engagement on situations that was not solely dependent on Member States’ agendas. The Government’s investigations into the violence in Kyrgyzstan were marred with abuses and the situation needed continued international attention. Human Rights Watch expressed its concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain.

BELL HILAIRE, of Cercle de recherche sur les droits et les devoirs de la personne humaine, pointed out the areas omitted from the High Commissioner’s update. The regulations of conditions on entry in the territory of Switzerland were not advantageous to delegates coming from developing countries. The draft resolution drew the attention of the Swiss Government to the impact of the federal law on foreigners of 2005 on delegations that wished to participate in the activities of the Human Rights Council. The Cercle de Recherche called on all Member States to sign the draft resolution it had submitted.

CURTIS DOEBBLER, of North-South XXI, expressed its solidarity with the victims of the natural and man-made disasters that had taken place in recent months, especially the people of Pakistan. However, North-South XXI was concerned about the situations of occupation that continued to exist according to international law in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Just days ago, a leading Western non-governmental organization had reported that more than 10,000 people were being held without trial in Iraq. Lastly, the issue of climate change was incredibly important and needed to be addressed by the Council as it had life-threatening effects on hundreds of millions of the most vulnerable people in the world.



Statement by the Commission for Human Rights of Mauritania

MOHAMED ABDALLAHI OULD KHATTRA, Commissioner for Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, and Relations with Civil Society of Mauritania, said the world continued to face serious human rights challenges, despite the efforts made by the international community in this regard, and there were many factors behind these continued violations which threatened international peace and security. Societies continued to face challenges which must be met together, in particular poverty and related issues, exclusion, cross-border terrorism, persistent conflicts and environmental degradation, all worsened by the food crisis, making it harder to achieve social balance, and leading to catastrophes. Aware of these onerous burdens and its responsibilities, Mauritania had engaged itself on a path of constructive change - the Government had undertaken large-scale activities to protect and promote human rights, through ambitious social projects, looking to establish the rule of law, strengthen democracy, ensure independent judicial process, and the development of basic social services; and helping to fight poverty and improve the public authority’s fight against corruption. Important measures had been taken in the framework of the promotion of human rights. Mauritania was firmly committed to its international commitments in the field of human rights. The public authorities were prepared to make a significant input into international efforts to protect and promote human rights, and Mauritania was thus submitting its candidacy to the Human Rights Council.


Right of Reply

CARLOS RAMIRO MARTINEZ ALVARADO (Guatemala), speaking in a right of reply, thanked the High Commissioner for her update. Guatemala was willing to work within this Council to improve its human rights situation. Guatemala expressed its disapproval regarding the comments by the High Commissioner about the situation of human rights defenders in that country. Guatemala said it knew its institutions were weak, but it recognised the contribution of human rights defenders to the promotion and protection of human rights. Guatemala wanted the High Commissioner to take note of the State’s good will and the progress made, particularly in the situation of human rights defenders and challenges they faced.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC10/090E