COUNCIL HOLDS GENERAL DEBATES ON THEMATIC REPORTS, ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS REQUIRING ATTENTION

The Human Rights Council during its midday meeting today held general debates on thematic reports by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, her Office and the Secretary-General; on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development; and on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention.

Speakers expressed their concerns over a wide array of issues, including trafficking in human beings and human rights of migrants, calling for more comprehensive international cooperation. A number of delegations raised the issues of violence against women and girls, and women’s empowerment, and stressed that stronger application of existing laws was needed. The right to development, the right to self-determination, as well as the rights to expression, association and assembly were all raised. Several speakers expressed their concerns over surveillance, interception and data collection activities, including extraterritorially, which could violate the right to privacy. The security of journalists and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons were also raised in the course of the discussions. Speakers also highlighted concerns about the growing restrictions on civil society, the excessive use of force and arbitrary detentions in response to anti-Government protests, and the continuing use of the death penalty in a number of countries, among others.

The general debate on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, and on the reports of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office and the Secretary-General started on 18 June in the afternoon, and a summary of the presentation of the reports and the first part of the general debate can be found here.

The following delegations took floor in the general debate on the thematic reports by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, her Office and by the Secretary-General, and on the promotion and protection of all human rights: Ireland, on behalf of a group of States, Iran, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Brazil, on behalf of a group of States, Sudan, on behalf of a group of States, Myanmar, on behalf of Southeast Asian Nations, Russia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, India, Republic of Korea, Ireland, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Council of Europe, Netherlands, Spain, Myanmar, Albania, Armenia, and Ukraine.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission took the floor, followed by a number of non-governmental organizations: European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Federation, Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture, Reporters Without Borders International, International Education Development, Action international pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs, Group of NGOs for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, Asian Legal Resource Centre, Associazione Comunita Papa Giovanni XXIII, Helios Life Association, Society for Threatened Peoples, Article 19, Conectas Direitos Humanos, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, International Youth and Students Movement for the United Nations, British Humanist Association, General Arab Women Foundation, International Humanist and Ethical Union, United Nations Watch, Alsalam Foundation, World Muslim Congress, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Amnesty International, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Agence Internationale pour le Developpement, Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development, Comité International pour le Respect et l’application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l;Homme et des Peuples, Migrants Rights International, Sudwind, International, littéralement Organisation pour la Communication en Afrique et de Promotion de la Coopération Economique Internationale, World Council of Churches, Al-Khoei Foundation, Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, World Barua Organization, International Buddhist Relief Organization, Indian Council of South America, Renconctre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme, United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation, Advocates for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Centre for Inquiry.

Republic of Korea, Nepal, Japan, China and Russia spoke in right of reply.

In the general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, speakers raised allegations of human rights violations in countries and regions around the world and reiterated the Council’s responsibility to address all situations of concern.

Speaking on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention were Greece, on behalf of the European Union, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, United States, Russia, Montenegro, Ireland, Cuba, Algeria, Austria, Venezuela, China, Romania, Denmark, Norway, Ecuador, and Australia.

The Human Rights Council is holding a full day of meetings today. This afternoon, at 4 p.m., the Council will consider the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Uruguay and Yemen. It will continue its general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention on Friday, 20 June.

General Debate on the Protection of all Human Rights and on the Reports of the High Commissioner and her Office and the Secretary-General

Ireland, speaking on behalf of a group of States, welcomed the update on the development of technical guidance on the application of a human rights approach to child mortality. While there had been a significant reduction of mortality rates of children under five years of age, 6.6 million children under five died each year of preventable and treatable causes. A human rights-based approach could highlight a range of actors involved, and facilitate identification of high risk groups, among others.

Iran, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, noted with appreciation the report of the Advisory Committee on the ways and means to enhance international cooperation in the field of human rights. The Non-Aligned Movement urged all actors in the international arena to build an international order based on inclusion, justice, equality and equity, human dignity, mutual understanding and promotion of and respect for cultural diversity, universal human rights, and to reject doctrines of exclusion based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Brazil, speaking on behalf of a Group of States, said that the rapid pace of technological development enabled individuals to use new information and communication technologies more broadly, thus enhancing freedom of expression and democratic participation. On the other hand, these technological developments also enhanced the capacity of Governments, companies and individuals to undertake surveillance, interception and data collection activities, including extraterritorially, which could violate or abuse human rights, in particular the right to privacy.

Sudan, speaking on behalf of a Group of States, said the imposition of unilateral economic measures against any country, particularly developing countries, contradicted the spirit of the United Nations Charter. A number of General Assembly and Human Rights Council resolutions stressed the negative effect of unilateral measures on human rights, including the right to development. The international community, including the Council, was called upon to stand firm against the imposition of any unilateral measures with adverse impacts on populations concerned.

Myanmar, speaking on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, recalled that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ human rights declaration affirmed that no one should be held in servitude or be subject to smuggling or trafficking in persons. The leaders of its Member States acknowledged the need for a regional approach to prevent trafficking in persons, in particular women and children; and Member States were committed to effectively address the issue through several measures, including providing protection for victims and ensuring that they received humane treatment and basic assistance.

Russia expressed concern about the situation of persons deprived of citizenship and called for the consideration of the rights of ethnic, language and religious minorities. The Council should not lose sight of the situation of Roma persons. The goal was to draw attention to violations. As the Council celebrated the anniversary of the International Year of the Family, it was surprising that the Council had remained in the margins on this issue. Russia would submit a draft resolution on this issue and hoped it would be accepted by consensus.

Pakistan said that the right to self-determination was a cardinal principle and was enshrined in the Charter. Pakistan noted that the resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir demonstrated that selectivity, partiality and politicisation remained obstacles to the promotion of human rights. The continued use of torture, extrajudicial killings, rape, violence and restrictions of movement attested to the fact that these violent acts were used as deliberate instruments against the Kashmiri people.

Sierra Leone stressed the inter-linkages between civil and political and economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development. For many years, Sierra Leone had depended heavily on donor support, including for sustaining human rights mechanisms. This was why Sierra Leone believed in the right to development. Fulfilling the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights would be possible when the country could set up and maintain the necessary mechanisms from its own resources obtained through socio-economic development.

India said its approach to the promotion and protection of human rights was based on the belief that the objectives of the Human Rights Council could be best pursued through dialogue and cooperation. The Council had to work towards building a consensual understanding of important human rights issues and themes that it sought to address. India had observed with dismay the recent tendency in the Council to move forward a particular perception despite there being diverse opinion on the issue.

Republic of Korea drew attention to the victims who were forced into sexual slavery, drafted by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War, the so-called ‘comfort women’ as vividly testified and documented on various occasions. Many of these victims had passed away without their human dignity fully honoured, and those who were still living with deep trauma were waiting for the day when their honour and dignity would be restored. The window would soon be closed for Japan to express its sincere apology and remorse to those women.

Ireland said despite the increasing global focus on violence against women and girls, systematic violations continued. Support of the United Nations Trust Fund was thus crucial. Participatory approaches were at the core of the work of the United Nations Trust Fund. Programmes supported by the Fund had shown potential for real and sustainable impact. Ireland was committed to the implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. All States were urged to respond to communications transmitted to them by the Special Procedures.

Japan said it was essential for a vibrant and growing society to create an environment in which women could enjoy their rights and demonstrate their abilities to the fullest extent. Japan was mobilizing its assistance to developing countries for women’s empowerment and gender equality, committing to and starting the implementation of official development assistance worth $ 3 billion over three years to pursue these goals. This September, Japan would hold a high level international symposium on various aspects and challenges of the issue.

Kyrgyzstan respected the rights of everyone to expression, association and assembly. The professional activities of journalists were protected by the law. Kyrgyzstan had been evaluated as having the freest press among all the countries of Central Asia. Every citizen or organization could exercise the right to use any public space to bring ideas or messages to the attention of a person, a group of people or an organization. A step-by-step development and practical provision of fundamental human rights and freedoms was continuing.

Council of Europe informed that its Committee of Ministers had adopted recommendations on the promotion of the human rights of older persons, the first European document of the kind. The promotion of these rights and their full enjoyment by older people, including the improvement of their quality of life, was one of the most important topics that modern societies faced. The document contained a compendium of good practices in various areas related to the rights of older persons, including in Austria, Finland and the Republic of Macedonia.

Netherlands stated that civil society space was a basic arena in which societal questions were discussed. Member States were called on to protect human rights defenders from reprisals, including those who engaged with international organizations. The Netherlands was a co-initiator of a multilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance and extradition for domestic prosecution on the most serious international crimes. The situation in Syria ought to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

Spain acknowledged the need to fight discrimination, no matter the grounds. Spain welcomed the report on the elimination of child and early marriages, which should lead to measures protecting the best interests of the child. States should do their best to prevent trafficking in human beings and protect victims of trafficking. Coordinated efforts at executive levels were needed, including with the entrepreneurial sector, on relations between businesses and human rights.

Myanmar said that the multidimensional reforms and the peaceful democratic transformation under the constitutional government were now enabling the people of Myanmar, including women, children and persons with disabilities, to better enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms. Myanmar had taken measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women, and had implemented a ten-year national strategic plan for the advancement of women (2013-22). A draft addressing violence against women was being drafted, and Myanmar continued to address remaining challenges.

Albania was committed to poverty reduction and recognised that pro-poor policies were necessary to reduce widening economic and social gaps. Albania was progressing quickly in reducing absolute and extreme poverty. The Government was addressing regional disparities and the needs of vulnerable groups through new national strategies. Albania was also addressing the rights of women, gender equality and the fight against domestic violence. Albania had no serious problems associated with the physical security of journalists.

Armenia attached high importance to the promotion and protection of all human rights and highly valued human rights education and capacity building programmes, as well as the promotion of cultural diversity and tolerance in all societies. Among the Government’s priorities were the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, the elimination of discrimination, and the rights of women and children. Armenia expressed concerns about the negative experience with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and her entering the sphere of political and territorial issues, endangering the credibility and impartiality of the mandate.

Ukraine thanked the High Commissioner and her Office for the timely attention paid to recent events in Ukraine and the region of Crimea, including the escalation of violence against the civilian population, the situation of religious minorities, and the situation of children kidnapped by terrorists and sent to Russia. In particular, Ukraine hoped that international monitoring would pay attention to violations such as recent attacks against a mosque. Ukraine had initiated a lawsuit against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights for violations committed against minors.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission said it had been established following the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and was accredited with A status by the International Coordinating Committee. The Commission was concerned that the Government of the United Kingdom had reduced its financial support for the Commission by 25 per cent, and was proposing additional reductions. The Human Rights Council should call upon the United Kingdom to reaffirm its support for the Commission.

European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Federation said that women continued to suffer from discrimination in a systemic way. Lesbian and transsexual women were particularly affected in that regard, often being targets of murder and violence. States had the duty, regardless of their political and social systems, to respect the principles of universality of human rights and non-discrimination.

Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture said that hundreds of political prisoners were languishing in Western prisons. Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, supporter of the Palestinian cause, had been detained in France for 30 years. The United States still kept the pressure on France not to have him released. Keeping Mr. Abdallah in detention despite the judicial decision to release him amounted to torture.

Reporters without Borders International, also speaking for Pen International, stated that elections were high-risk events for news providers. In Azerbaijan, Turkey and Afghanistan, numerous violations of political pluralism and freedom of information were recent proof of that trend. An early rapid mechanism should be created to give media actors access to protective measures.

International Education Development urged Special Rapporteur Christof Heyns on extrajudicial deaths to look into the death penalty in the United States, especially two cases brought by the Association of Humanitarian Lawyers to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in which the defendants had been executed in spite of the Commission’s orders. They urged Mr. Heyns to work in concert with the Special Rapporteur on Iran to address the use of the death penalty against Kurdish people and other ethnic nationalities.

Action international pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs drew the Council’s attention to the situation in Morocco and commended the country for its engagement in favour of human rights. However, this was not the case in Camp Tindouf, managed by the Polisario Front, and they appealed to the Council to take urgent measures to put an end to the humanitarian plight there.

Group of NGOs for the Convention on the Rights of the Child said that it should be clearly acknowledged what family meant in the context of children’s rights and its relevance for their fulfilment. Under the Convention it was clear that States had the obligation to support in law and practice different types of families and ensure that their policies addressed all families and all children.

The International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists drew attention for the fourth time to the unlawful detention of Mr. Ouda Seliman Tarabin by Egyptian authorities. He had been accused, indicted, prosecuted and sentenced in his absence and, after his arrest, was denied access to legal counsel and deprived of his right to properly appeal his detention. The Association called on Egypt to comply with the Working Group on arbitrary detention’s decision and to release Mr. Tarabin.

Asian Legal Resource Centre expressed its deep concern about the absence of investigations into the systematic segregation regulation and policy that had resulted in at least 500 deaths in a so-called “welfare” facility in the Republic of Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. In Nepal, a new act on truth and reconciliation did not meet the standards of international law, allowing perpetrators of crime against humanity to receive amnesty.

Associazione Comunita Papa Giovanni XXIII said that trafficking in human beings in all its forms was a crime against humanity that should be prosecuted. States above all had the primary responsibility to eradicate that phenomenon, and there was a need for a shared responsibility and coordinated intervention. Particular attention should be paid to the protection of victims.

Helios Life Association noted that every year, over one million people worldwide committed suicide, for which the main precipitating causes of suicide were mental disorder and substance abuse. The reason for suicide was a sudden absence of reasons for living. Curricula and policies to foster an education for life for children, youth and adults should be developed.

Society for Threatened Peoples stated that the fight against terrorism had been used as an excuse for limiting the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups. In China, crackdowns against the Uyghur minority were on the rise, including shooting against peaceful Uyghur protesters. Freedom of assembly and association ought to be protected.

Article 19 said in a joint statement that the rights people offline must be protected also online. Development and social inclusion relied on the Internet, which must be managed in the public interest as a democratic, free and pluralistic platform. The blocking of communications including social media in a number of countries was a violation of freedom of expression and must be condemned.

Conectas Direitos Humanos drew the attention of the Human Rights Council to the human rights violations committed in the run up to the World Cup 2014, including the eviction of thousands of Brazilians to make space for the construction as per FIFA standards. The main legacies to be left by the World Cup in Brazil were police violence, criminalization of social movements and the increase in the sexual exploitation of people.

International Association of Democratic Lawyers said that surveillance and persecution of lawyers did not abate in the Philippines, where they were often harassed in the course of discharging their duties. Lawyers must be given all protection accorded to them by the international legal norms and standards and States must cease identifying them with their clients.

International Youth and Students Movement for the United Nations said that the Human Rights Council must give a priority to the right to self-determination which was a fundamental human right. Western Sahara was the last colony in Africa and its people were still denied their right to self-determination. The Sahrawi women were victims of persecutions, enforced disappearances, torture and arbitrary detention by the occupying Moroccan forces.

British Humanist Association said that the notion of blasphemy which had been criticised as inconsistent with normative human rights standards had become a tool by which States silenced dissent, invoked narrow-identity politics, and denied citizens their right to seek and impart information. The Association expressed concern about recent incidents in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and urged the Council to ensure that States with such laws were not allowed to violate their citizens’ rights.

General Arab Women Federation said that Syrian women had made major progress in their rights since the 1940s and had obtained voting rights and had been active in society, they had not been subject to social and religious discrimination. Today they were being subjected to atrocities of an indescribable scale, pregnant women were suffering violence and refugee women were subjected to abuses. The Federation called for the protection of Syrian women and children in camps and to put an end to the arming of terrorist groups.

International Humanist and Ethical Union said that the obligation of States to safeguard the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people was well established in international human rights law, yet they were some of the most vulnerable in terms of having their rights to free expression, association and peaceful assembly denied. Vigilante acts against them were reported in Cameroon, Jamaica, Iraq and Russia, inhibiting them from exercising their rights. State laws also played a key role in impeding the enjoyment of rights to free expression and assembly.

United Nations Watch wondered whether the Council was living up to its mandate to protect the victims of human rights violations around the world and noted violations to the right to life in the past twelve months, including the crushing of sit-in protests by Morsi supporters in Egypt; the hanging of 50 people in Iran; and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, among others. The Council’s response had been silence.

Al Salam Foundation said that Member States had failed in their duty to protect migrants. In Bahrein, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, migrants were obliged to receive a permit in order to change jobs or leave their employers. Furthermore, domestic workers could not leave employers who were abusing them.

World Muslim Congress stated that, despite all committed efforts by the international human rights community, people in many parts of the world continued to face denial of their basic rights and oppression. One case in point was Jammu and Kashmir, occupied by India for 66 years, where there were multiple reports of gross and systematic human rights violations.

Organization for Defending Victims of Violence stressed that economic sanctions were pre-cursers to wars and conflicts, an example being Iraq. Such sanctions were the greatest threat to the development of nations and the racist and discriminatory nature of these sanctions violated the pre-emption norms under article 53 of the Vienna Convention.

Amnesty International welcomed the holding of the London Global Summit to eliminate sexual violence in conflict. Violence against women was a worldwide problem, with an estimated one third of women in the European Union having experienced sexual or physical violence. All States were urged to do much better in meeting their international legal obligations to prevent all forms of gender-based violence.

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies said that recent experiences in the Middle East and North Africa had driven home the point that the success of democratic processes was not only about the casting of ballots on election day but was first and foremost about the context surrounding the elections. The mere holding of elections should not be equated with a meaningful democratic process.

Agence Internationale pour le Developpement spoke about a recent visit to the Western Sahara and said that the Moroccan Government had a high commitment to the respect of human rights and supported the plan of the Government for the solution of the conflict.

Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development spoke about the experiences of a person who had been abducted and held in a prison in Tinduf for more than 14 years and wondered where the human rights and the right to life in the camp was.

International Muslim Women’s Union said that the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir had been robbed of all the fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination which had been promised to them by the United Nations Security Council.

Migrants Rights International noted that a number of non-governmental organizations which had taken the floor in interactive dialogues in the current session was less than before. Journalists were frequently subjected to seizure, arbitrary detention and torture, including in Iran. All States should protect journalists as monitors of human rights.

International, littéralement Organisation pour la Communication en Afrique et de Promotion de la Coopération Economique Internationale was deeply concerned about the situation of women in the world and strongly condemned the abduction of school girls by Boko Haram in Nigeria. The organization demanded their immediate and unconditional release, and a regional strategy for the elimination of Boko Haram was strongly recommended.

World Council of Churches informed that the situation in the Eastern Visayas, one of the poorest in the Philippines, had dramatically worsened since typhoon Haiyan. The demolition of homes of the typhoon-affected poor residents had been witnessed so that those areas could be converted into tourist zones. There had also been widespread evidence of trafficking of people for labour and sexual exploitation.

Al-Khoei Foundation noted that around 35 per cent of women globally had experienced either physical or sexual violence, and that figure could go up to 70 per cent in some countries. Faith could provide tools to deal with that devastating social problem, while violence against women could not be justified under the banner of religion under any circumstances.

Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy said that the discriminatory treatment of Dalits and other lower-caste Hindus in India had been in practice for centuries and their social, civil, political and economic status was disastrous. Their voices remained marginalized and the international community must give attention to the elimination of discrimination of any kind.

World Barua Organization expressed grave concern about child abuse in India, and said that in this largest democratic state, two out of every three children were physically abused. A study commissioned by the Government revealed that about half the children faced one or more forms of sexual abuse. India should adopt new legislative measures to prohibit all forms of violence against children.

International Buddhist Relief Organization said that the history and culture of the people in North East India were totally denied in school curricula. Dalit children, despite all the legislative framework to protect them from discrimination, continued to suffer from inhumane and degrading treatment.

Indian Council of South America said that anti-terrorist legislation in several countries needed to be reviewed because it curtailed and criminalized civil protests. The Human Rights Council should put back on its agenda the right to self-determination and so give voice to the indigenous peoples.

Recontre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme said more tangible measures for children, boys, girls and women were required, particularly in Africa, while the international community looked on. The rule of law could only help to improve the transparency of institutions, providing that mechanisms were established to ensure independence and accountability of judges.

United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation said that the social and cultural rights of Baloch people in Balochistan could be understood by the recent tragic death of prominent Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Khair Bukhsh’s funeral ceremony, when the Pakistani armed forces took his body from hospital and did not allow close family members a last view.

Advocates for Human Rights welcomed recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons relating to violence against women and girls. Sadly, it noted the lack of special protection for them, despite promises to strengthen sanctions against perpetrators of violence against women and girls. In Morocco, there was no specific legislation dealing with violence against women.

Human Rights Watch was concerned by killings carried out with support or knowledge of local authorities. Reference was made to the situation in the Philippines in this regard, where executions including politically motivated killings had been a long-standing problem, continuing largely with impunity. The Government was urged to take steps to bring an end to these extrajudicial killings.

Centre for Inquiry said that violence against women globally was a persistent and deeply troubling phenomenon. Recent events in South Asian nations demonstrated some particularly egregious threats to women’s safety and equality, including in India and Pakistan. Unfortunately, most perpetrators of domestic violence could rely on a culture of impunity for the acts they committed.

Right of Reply

Republic of Korea, speaking in a right of reply, said that it was deeply regrettable that Japan was continuing to deny its responsibility towards “comfort women”, used by the Japanese Army in the Second World War. Japan ought to form an official fund to pay compensation to the victims. Recent actions by the Japanese leadership directly challenged the historic truth. The Republic of Korea hoped that Japan would accept its legal responsibility and take appropriate steps.

Nepal, speaking in a right of reply, said that it was in the process of drafting a new democratic constitution. In that context, a bill had been passed to establish a truth and reconciliation commission, in line with Nepal’s international obligations. Such legislation ought to promote national peace and harmony, in the interest of the people of Nepal.

Japan, speaking in a right of reply, said that the compensation issue was agreed completely and finally with the Republic of Korea. Japan had contributed 4.5 billion yen to the Asia Women’s Fund. Japan had no intention of changing the Kono statement of 1993.

China, speaking in a right of reply, said that China was against terrorism and that in combating terrorism China paid attention to human rights. China was opposed to linking terrorism to certain religions and ethnicities. Terrorism was a threat to the social security of the country, as well as the economic prosperity of all her people. China protected all the rights and freedoms of all her citizens. China stressed that no one could violate the rights of others while exercising their own rights.

Russia, speaking in a right of reply, said concerning the comments made in the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers that Russia was working with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the issues related to judicial sectors. Russia said that the problem of bribes in the American legal system was common and that judges were financing the elections of governors and other public officials.

Republic of Korea, speaking in a second right of reply in response to remarks by Japan, once against stressed that the issue of so-called comfort women had never been addressed in the 1965 agreement between the Republic of Korea and Japan. Member States were reminded of recommendations by multiple human rights treaty bodies on this issue. The Republic of Korea reaffirmed that this issue still remained unresolved.

Japan, speaking in a second right of reply, said that it had made its case already and would not repeat its stance on the issue addressed by the Republic of Korea. The stance on the compensation issue had already been made. Japan found it sad that this had not been heard by the representative of the Republic of Korea.

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

Greece, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that the European Union remained concerned about violations of human rights in Sudan, and asked the courts to review the verdict of the woman sentenced to death for apostasy. The European Union was also concerned about the rights of persons belonging to national minorities and the violence against journalists in eastern Ukraine. The European Union was worried about the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Germany remained concerned about the human rights situation in Ukraine, in particular in Crimea and in the eastern regions. Germany strongly condemned the violence and abuses committed by illegal armed groups, including abductions and unlawful detentions. Germany was gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Iraq, and stressed that the Iraqi Government had to react swiftly. Germany remained hopeful that Thailand would quickly return to democracy and the rule of law.

United Kingdom deplored the widespread and shocking human rights violations and abuses that had continued in South Sudan since the previous Council session, and called on all sides to respect the cessation of hostilities. The United Kingdom was deeply concerned about the recent death sentence handed down to Meriam Ibrahim in Sudan on a charge of apostasy. In Burma, action was needed to resolve tensions in Rakhine State to ensure that the human rights of all individuals were respected.

France said that war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria continued with impunity. Syrians should receive justice through the referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court. France was deeply preoccupied by the violence and human rights violations committed by ISIS in northern Iraq, causing massive human displacement. The price being paid by the civilians in South Sudan required a firm response by the Security Council. France was also worried about the human rights situation in Eritrea.

Czech Republic expressed concern about the administration of the death penalty in Iran, the detention of human rights defenders in China, and the recent legislation in Russia urging most-read bloggers to register and abide by the same restrictions as the mass media. The excessive use of force and arbitrary detentions in response to anti-Government protests in Venezuela were also of concern.

United States remained concerned about the human rights situation in Syria, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran and Sudan and said that the Cuban Government had increased its practice of arbitrary detention and harassment to silence peacefully assembly and expression. China had tightened control on media expression, increased restrictions on religious freedom and continued to implement restrictive policies in Tibetan and Uighur areas.

Russia said that the situation in Ukraine continued to deteriorate, including violations of the right to life. It had been hoped that the situation would improve after the election of the new President, but it was not so. Journalists were subjected to threats and violence. There was increasing hate speech, with reference made to the Odessa incidents of 2May 2014, passed over in silence by the media in Ukraine and then portrayed as acts of nationalism. There was special concern in relation to the use of incendiary phosphorus bombs.

Montenegro shared the concerns of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General over violations of international humanitarian law in the country. Montenegro considered the protection of the civilian population to be the highest priority and supported all efforts that sought to promote the provision of humanitarian assistance within Syria. It was also dismayed with the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and concerned by the findings of the Special Rapporteur for Belarus.

Ireland was very concerned about the deteriorating situation in Iraq and condemned all terrorist attacks which had caused many casualties and forced thousands to flee. Ireland highlighted the continued effect on children of the terrible violence in the Central African Republic. It was appalled by the many violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during the conflict in Sudan and continued to be extremely worried by events in Ukraine, among other situations.

Cuba said that the Council had held 26 sessions which should have been enough to overcome the practices of the former Human Rights Commission. Regrettably, the Council was portraying the resurgence of such practices and attempts by some States to treat the Council as an inquisitorial chamber. Cuba had nothing to hide and was not responsible for a record of violations such as torture, arbitrary and racist use of the death penalty, and violations committed against Iraqi and Afghan civilians. Instead of criticising Cuba, the United States should put an end to the blockade against Cuba.

Algeria drew attention to the situation in Western Sahara, noting that although its political and humanitarian dimensions were being dealt with, the Council should nevertheless address the human rights situation through the establishment of a mechanism. The legitimate right to self-determination was not being enjoyed and United Nations monitoring was necessary.

Austria remained concerned about the continued gross human rights violations and war crimes committed by all parties in Syria. Austria also expressed concern about the situation in Belarus, particularly violations of freedom of opinion, expression, association and assembly; and was deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, opposing the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia and calling on the authorities in Crimea to provide access to human rights monitors.

Venezuela was against the selective practices of certain countries which were directed against the sovereignty and independence of States and against agenda items which had become a space to attack sovereign States by political powers. Important issues such as poverty, access to food, health, education and others, which affected many countries of the South, were forgotten. There was an urgent need for the Human Rights Council to revert to the promotion and protection of human rights without selectivity and politicization.

China believed that the Universal Periodic Review was an impartial platform to discuss human rights situations with the agreement of concerned countries. China was concerned about the resurgence of politicization in the work of the Human Rights Council and this practice had poisoned the basis of international cooperation. The United States, Germany, the Czech Republic and other countries had carried out attacks on China and this was an example of politicization, accusing others while covering their own problems.

Romania said that the situation in Ukraine remained of utmost concern and commended the will of the authorities to cooperate with international and regional organizations. The solution to the current crisis was a political one that must observe international law and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Romania was concerned about the large scale human rights violations in South Sudan and hoped that best solutions would be identified to help the country to overcome the crisis.

Denmark remained utterly concerned about the gross human rights violations, the war crimes and the crimes against humanity which continued to be committed on a daily basis in Syria. These horrific crimes must not be allowed to take place with impunity. With regards to the Central African Republic, all militias and armed groups were urged to immediately cease all forms of violence. Denmark reiterated concerns, among others, about the widespread and arbitrary use of the death penalty in Iran, and Israel’s continued illegal settlement activity on Palestinian lands.

Norway was concerned by the increasing pressure on civil society and civil and political rights in Russia. The Government of South Sudan was called upon to adequately address the situation in the country. It was deeply concerned by the worsening human rights climate in Saudi Arabia, not least for human rights defenders. Concern was also expressed about the human rights situation in Egypt and a number of summary trials; undemocratic seizure of power in Thailand; the right to freedom of religion in Sudan; and minority rights in Sudan.

Ecuador stated its very deep concern at the United States’ deliberate non-compliance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and different decisions taken by the Council, which had led to flagrant violations of human rights, exemplified by deprivation of liberty in Guantanamo and extrajudicial executions through the use of drones, among others. Within Europe there had been an increase in political projects that dealt lethal blows to the very principles on which regional integration was based, including free circulation of persons.

Australia remained concerned at the situation in Iran, in particular the reported rise in executions, ongoing ill treatment of ethnic and religious minorities, as well as the violence and widespread abuses in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Australia encouraged bringing perpetrators to justice. Condemning the violations occurring in South Sudan, Australia called on the High Commissioner to monitor, investigate and report. Australia was also concerned about violence in Ukraine.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC14/077E