DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER PRESENTS REPORTS OF OFFICE OF HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wa Kang, this morning presented a series of reports of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Secretary-General to the Human Rights Council, which was followed by a general debate on the reports.

Ms. Kang said before the Council was the High Commissioner’s report on the composition of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. There was also the report of the High Commissioner on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights. There was a thematic study on the structure and role of national mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on Persons with Disabilities. The report of the Secretary-General on arbitrary deprivation of nationality described the legal framework applicable to the right to nationality and addressed the issue of the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of nationality. With regard to the High Commissioner’s report on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, it highlighted the need to protect and promote all human rights while ensuring effective counter terrorism measures, which must be pursued together.

The report on the impact of the global economic and financial crisis on human rights drew from contributions as well as outcomes of the United Nations conference on the world economic and financial crisis held in 2009, said the Deputy High Commissioner. The report on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights contained information on the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in order to establish and strengthen national human rights institutions. There was also the report of the Secretary-General on the process currently utilized by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Ms. Kang said the High Commissioner’s report on the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 10/22 entitled “combating defamation of religions” presented measures taken to address Islamophobia and anti Semitism. There was the Secretary-General’s report on advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights. There was also the Secretary-General’s report on effective implementation of human rights instruments. There was the Secretary-General’s report transmitting the joint work plan of the Division for the Advancement of Women and OHCHR on integrating human rights of women into the human rights mechanism of the United Nations. There were also the Secretary-General’s report on conclusions and recommendations by Special Procedures, the note of the Secretary-General on the operations of the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, a note by the Secretariat on human rights in the administration of justice and a note transmitting the report of the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

In the general debate on the reports of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Secretary-General, speakers said concerning the report on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the plight of victims of terrorism was a call for all to continue making efforts in combating it, however, while fighting terrorism, States should always fully adhere to international human rights standards, including the prohibition of torture. With regard to combating defamation of religions, some speakers said they were opposed to the notion of defamation of religions as it was incompatible with international human rights law. Others said that defamation of religions could not be equated to granting rights to religions. It was aimed at addressing the root cause that led to stereotyping, discrimination and incitement to hatred and violence against individuals and communities.

Concerning the report on the composition of the staff of the Office of the High Commissioner, one speaker said priority for selecting candidates should be based on merit. But other speakers, while recognizing the High Commissioner’s contribution to promoting the equitable geographical representation among her staff of her Office, said the situation remained grim, and a closer look at the actual denomination of the staff revealed that countries from specific regions continued to overwhelmingly occupy the majority of the seats in all categories. Speakers supported the strengthening of international cooperation in the protection and promotion of all human rights, and firmly believed in the indivisibility, interdependence and mutually reinforcing nature of all human rights, and therefore their need for support at all levels, based on the principles of objectivity, transparency, and non-selectivity. States needed support at the level of their needs to ensure the peace, prosperity, economic and social well-being of all those within their borders.

Speaking in the general debate on the reports of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the reports of the Secretary-General were Spain on behalf of the European Union, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Nigeria on behalf of the African Group, Sudan on behalf of the Arab Group, India, Brazil, Qatar, Russian Federation, Mexico, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Algeria and Malaysia.

The International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions took the floor, as did the following non-governmental organizations: International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies, European Disability Forum and International Institute for Peace.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded its interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.

In concluding remarks, Ms. Pillay said the objective of setting up regional offices was to assist States through consultative processes and it was through regional offices that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was able to implement various recommendations and initiatives. Whenever an opening of a regional office was considered, all concerned States were consulted. The formal agreement on the establishment of a regional office however, was concluded with the host country only. Regional offices did not impose cooperation programmes, but developed them in collaboration with States. On the support to peace missions and the rapid response unit in OHCHR, Ms. Pillay said that the Office would be increasingly called upon to provide its support in crisis situations, arising from armed conflicts, disasters, and protection crises. Readiness of Member States to provide the Office with a robust mandate in this regard could only increase its effectiveness.

In the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner, representatives of non-governmental organizations raised issues including the need for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to look into conditions of migrant workers within the Gulf region, and the condition of Palestinian and Iraqi refugees and migrants within Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria; the problem of overcrowding and excessive pre-trial detention in prisons in Brazil; violations of human rights in Iraq; and a request for the Human Rights Council to appoint a Special Rapporteur to study and report on the situation of women and their human rights in South Asia.

Speaking in the interactive dialogue were the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Conectas Direitos Humanos, Federation of Cuban Women and the European Union of Public Relations.

The Council today is holding back-to-back meetings from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. When it holds its midday meeting, it will hear presentation of reports by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, and the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living and on the right to non-discrimination in this context. It will then hold an interactive dialogue with the two Special Rapporteurs.

Interactive Dialogue with High Commissioner for Human Rights

JEREMIE SMITH, of Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, said the conditions of migrant workers within the Gulf region, and the condition of Palestinian and Iraqi refugees and migrants within Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria merited more sustained attention by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Universal Periodic Review had emerged as the most significant innovation of the Human Rights Council; its most important aspect was not what happened in this room, but what happened on a national level. While not perfect, it was currently the United Nations human rights mechanism that was the most effective in stimulating national level human rights engagement by Governments and non-governmental organizations in the Arab region. However, this was currently under threat by the increasing use of retaliatory measures by Governments against human rights defenders who participated in the process. The increasing politicised use of the Code of Conduct of Special Procedures to attempt to silence and intimidate United Nations experts had emerged as one of the largest threats to the Special Procedures system.

LUCIA NADER, of Conectas Direitos Humanos, said the persistent gross human rights violations within the Brazilian prison system were a significant challenge. Conectas welcomed the priority given by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to combating impunity at the national level. Today in Brazil about 470,000 men and women shared units designed to hold 299,000 people, while more than 178,000 people were in pre-trial detention. Conectas asked if the High Commissioner had an opportunity to discuss this situation with Brazilian Government officials during her visit to Brazil and what response she had received.

HASSAN AL-KHAZRAGI, of General Federation of Iraqi Women, said the Federation wished to raise the situation of human rights in Iraq. Human right in Iraq were being violated everyday. The High Commissioner should consider the situation of women and children and their human rights in that country. The Office should also shoulder the responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the people and their human rights.

U.K. GUPTA, of European Union of Public Relations, said when speaking about women's rights, gender issues were at the top of the global agenda. It was natural to look at the status of the different racial, ethnic and religious groups in South Asia, where it was imperative that the Human Rights Council appoint a Special Rapporteur to study and report on the situation in that region. Regarding racial discrimination, in the coming decades, South Asia would become increasingly important for the entire world, and its political and peaceful progress would impinge upon Western nations. It was therefore in the interest of all to ensure that many South Asian countries had domestic stability and peace and a first step in this direction would be the involvement of the Human Rights Council in the affairs of these countries.

Concluding Remarks by the High Commissioner for Human Rights

NAVI PILLAY, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in concluding remarks, thanked all delegations for their questions and words of support and was highly appreciative of the comments from national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. Ms. Pillay invited all delegations whose questions she would not be able to respond to due to short time, to contact her colleagues in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for further details. Ms. Pillay said that the in-house Task Force for the revision of the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference had been of a limited duration and it had been disbanded.

The objective of setting up regional offices was to assist States through consultative processes and it was through regional offices that the OHCHR was able to implement various recommendations and initiatives. Whenever an opening of a regional office was considered, all concerned States were consulted. The formal agreement on the establishment of a regional office however, was concluded with the host country only. Regional offices did not impose cooperation programmes, but developed them in collaboration with States.

On the support to peace missions and the rapid response unit in OHCHR, Ms. Pillay said that the Office would be increasingly called upon to provide its support in crisis situations, arising from armed conflicts, disasters, and protection crises. Readiness of Member States to provide the Office with a robust mandate in this regard could only increase its effectiveness. Ms. Pillay also invited Member States to increase the capacity of the Office for rapid response by increasing their support to the rapid response fund.

In Somalia, the Office had discussed the framework agreement with the Government and the UN mission for Somalia, whereby main areas of activity were supporting the police and judiciary, addressing impunity, supporting education and awareness raising initiatives. Those areas would hopefully give further impetus to the will of the Government to address human rights issues.

Reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the composition of the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/13/18) contains information on the composition of OHCHR as at 31 December 2009, with a special focus on further measures to correct the imbalance in geographical composition of the staff of the Office.

The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights (A/HRC/13/19) summarizes replies received in response to a request for information from a number of Member States, observer States and other observers, including intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations.

The note by the Secretariat (A/HRC/13/27) informs the Council that, for various reasons, reports requested from the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner on developments, challenges and good practices in human rights in the administration of justice will now be presented at the Council’s fourteenth session.

The thematic study by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the structure and role of national mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (A/HRC/13/29), among others, provides illustrative examples of such structures, and sets out conclusions and recommendations for the establishment or designation of effective implementation and monitoring frameworks for the Convention at national level.

The report of the Secretary-General on human rights and arbitrary deprivation of nationality (A/HRC/13/34) emphasizes States’ obligation to implement fully the principle of non-discrimination when deciding on issues relating to the acquisition and retention of a nationality, and recalls the general obligation of States to prevent statelessness. It also addresses the question of the right to a nationality and arbitrary deprivation of nationality in the context of State succession.

The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism (A/HRC/13/36) outlines the High Commissioner’s activities and role in this area, and identifies challenges for States in complying with human rights obligations – in particular the issues of accountability, ending impunity and effective remedies – in the context of countering terrorism.

The report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the impact of the global economic and financial crises on the realization of all human rights and on possible actions to alleviate it (A/HRC/13/38) recognizes the potential of the global crisis to reverse or slow down progress in achieving the internationally agreed development goals and underscores the need to continue to monitor the impact of the crisis on the human rights of those affected by it.

The report of the Secretary-General on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/13/44) is currently unavailable.

The report of the Secretary-General on the process currently utilized by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to accredit national institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles (A/HRC/13/45) contains information on the activities of the Subcommittee on Accreditation of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, including the improved accreditation process and the adoption of general observations.

The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 10/22 entitled “Combating defamation of religions” (A/HRC/13/57) details measures taken by Member States and regional organizations to address acts of violence, discriminatory practices, profiling, stigmatization, derogatory stereotyping based on religion or belief, on the desecration of places of worship or spirituality and incitement to religious hatred, among others. It also gives an update on developments within the United Nations framework in this area.

The report of the Secretary-General on measures taken to implement resolution 9/8 and on obstacles to its implementation, including recommendations for further improving the effectiveness of, harmonizing, and reforming the treaty body system (A/HRC/13/69) is the annual report of the Secretary-General on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments, which gives details of meetings held by the human rights treaty bodies, the chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies, and the Inter-Committee Meeting, during that period, as well as efforts undertaken by OHCHR in this regard.

The report of the Secretary-General on the joint workplan of the Division for the Advancement of Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/13/70) provides a review of the implementation of the 2009 joint workplan of the Division for the Advancement of Women and OHCHR and contains the joint workplan for 2010.

The note by the Secretary-General on the report of the United Nations Development Fund for Women on the activities of the Fund to eliminate violence against women (A/HRC/13/71) transmits the UNIFEM report, which looks at activities in a number of strategic areas, including supporting the implementation of laws, policies and action plans; expanding survivor access to support services; and addressing the intersection between violence against women and HIV/AIDS. It also provides an analysis of grant applications awarded in 2009, and reports on UNIFEM Programming and the Strategy for 2008 to 2013.

The report of the Secretary-General containing the conclusions and recommendations of special procedures (A/HRC/13/74) is a list of conclusions and recommendations of special procedures contained in the reports issued in 2009 and submitted to the Human Rights Council at its eleventh and twelfth sessions.

The note by the Secretary-General on the operations of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (A/HRC/13/75) details the financial situation of the Fund, looking at the total contributions received from 1 January to 24 November 2009, and detailing grants and other expenses allocated for 2010, including the approval of over 200 projects in more than 70 countries.

The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation and the activities of her office, including technical cooperation, in Nepal (A/HRC/13/73) notes some positive developments, including in relation to policies on violence against women and reducing discrimination. However, Nepal’s peace process has lost considerable momentum over the past year. The widespread inequality and discrimination that gave rise to the conflict persist. Despite many challenges, the peace process in Nepal continues to hold promise, provided all parties recommit themselves to its core human rights principles.

Presentation by the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights of Reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

KYUNG-WA KANG, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said before the Council was the High Commissioner’s report on the composition of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Achieving geographical diversity of staff remained one of the High Commissioner’s priorities, and measures taken were now yielding clear results. The was also the
report of the High Commissioner on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, which summarized replies received on how to enhance dialogue and cooperation, including in the Council. There was a thematic study on the structure and role of national mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on Persons with Disabilities. Hopefully, the study would provide substantive information. It had been prepared with stakeholders through an open-ended meeting drawing on more than 100 submissions. The report of the Secretary-General on arbitrary deprivation of nationality described the legal framework applicable to the right to nationality and addressed the issue of the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of nationality. With regard to the High Commissioner’s report on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, it highlighted the need to protect and promote all human rights while ensuring effective counter terrorism measures, which must be pursued together. It addressed challenges such as accountability and ending impunity in the context of terrorism.

The report on the impact of the global economic and financial crisis on human rights drew from contributions as well as outcomes of the United Nations conference on the world economic and financial crisis held in 2009. It highlighted potential human rights issues raised, indicating that it was too early to assess the impact. It concluded by saying it was essential to ensure the human rights of all those affected by the crisis. The report on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights contained information on the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in order to establish and strengthen national human rights institutions. The report elaborated on measures taken by Governments and national human rights institutions as well as cooperation between them and United Nations human rights mechanisms. There was also the report of the Secretary-General on the process currently utilized by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Ms. Kang said the High Commissioner’s report on the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 10/22 entitled “combating defamation of religions” presented measures taken to address Islamophobia and anti Semitism. There was the Secretary-General’s report on advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights. There was also the Secretary-General’s report on effective implementation of human rights instruments. There was the Secretary-General’s report transmitting the joint work plan of the Division for the Advancement of Women and OHCHR on integrating human rights of women into the human rights mechanism of the United Nations. There were also the Secretary-General’s report on conclusions and recommendations by Special Procedures, the note of the Secretary-General of the operations of the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, a note by the Secretariat on human rights in the administration of justice, and a note transmitting the report of the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

General Discussion on Reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

PABLO GOMEZ DE OLEA (Spain), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union welcomed the report on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. The plight of victims of terrorism was a call for all to continue making efforts in combating it, however, while fighting terrorism, States should always fully adhere to international human rights standards, including the prohibition of torture. The report on the composition of the staff of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had been read, and priority for selecting candidates should be based on merit. The European Union was committed to strengthening monitoring mechanisms at the national level so as to ensure the adequate implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Combating statelessness was an essential element of the overall European Union policy on migration. It was the responsibility of the State to effectively protect and promote human rights and ensure that responses to financial pressures did not diminish human rights protection. The important tasks carried out by the treaty bodies and Special Procedures were the main pillars of success for the human rights protection system. The European Union reiterated its opposition to the notion of "defamation of religions", as it was incompatible with international human rights law.

MARGHOOB SALEEM BUTT (Pakistan), speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said the Organization of the Islamic Conference regretted the late submission of the report of the High Commissioner on the defamation of religions. Both the Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the Organization of the Islamic Conference had indicated the need to squarely address the growing phenomenon of defamation of religions rather than hiding behind definitions. Certain religious minorities had been targets which deepened discrimination against them. Such discrimination, if left unchecked, led to increased marginalisation. Combating defamation of religions could not be equated to granting rights to religions. It was aimed at addressing the root cause that led to stereotyping, discrimination and incitement to hatred and violence against individuals and communities. The Organization of the Islamic Conference recognised the High Commissioner’s contribution to promoting the equitable geographical representation among her staff of her Office. The situation however remained grim, and a closer look at the actual denomination of the staff revealed that countries from specific regions continued to overwhelmingly occupy the majority of the seats in all categories. There was even imbalance between regions and this trend had to be reversed.

OSITADINMA ANAEDU (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the African Group, said the High Commissioner for Human Rights was commended for her utmost commitment to the cause of the protection and promotion of human rights. The African Group appreciated her continued efforts to share with Member States the issues that constituted the thematic reports of the Secretary-General and her own. The African Group had taken a keen interest in the efforts to address the lopsided composition of the staff of her Office and remained concerned about the representation at the management level; it considered that efforts were insufficient to address the anomaly. The African Group supported the strengthening of international cooperation in the protection and promotion of all human rights, and firmly believed in the indivisibility, interdependence and mutually reinforcing nature of all human rights, and therefore their need for support at all levels, based on the principles of objectivity, transparency, and non-selectivity. States needed support at the level of their needs to ensure the peace, prosperity, economic and social well-being of all those within their borders. The African Group particularly wished for the High Commissioner to continue to take all required actions to facilitate the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should lead the fight against the rising trend of racism and racial discrimination in sports, and a Code of Conduct should be designed for all sportsmen and sportswomen.

HAMZA AHMED (Sudan), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, said the Arab Group appreciated the efforts made by the High Commissioner to ensure that all fully enjoyed all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Although the Arab Group did welcome the briefing on the six priorities in the report with regard to coming activities, it wished to emphasise that this must be compatible with the Strategic Framework issued by the General Assembly and the resolutions of the Human Rights Council. The Arab Group agreed with what had been stated in the report on the importance of resuming the reaching of consensus on resolutions on the right to development, and to carry out more efforts in this regard. The Arab Group was interested in topics on refugees, indigenous peoples, women and children, the disabled, appropriate housing, internally displaced persons, and the relationship with efforts to protect and promote human rights. It had hoped the High Commissioner’s report would have an indication on the situation of human rights in Occupied Palestine and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The efforts to implement the Durban Declaration Review Conference paper were noted, and in this context, the Arab Group invited the High Commissioner to put in place the recommendations and proposals guaranteeing its implementation. The Arab Group was committed to actively and positively participate in the Human Rights Council's work in collaboration with regional groups in order to protect and promote human rights and achieve the goals the Council was set up to protect.

GOPINATHAN ACHAMKULANGARE (India) said India thanked the High Commissioner for her report on the composition of the staff of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and expressed appreciation for the efforts to improve geographical diversity. India remained concerned that six years after the Recommendation 8 of the Joint Inspection Unit report 2003/6, the Office still did not have any specific targets and deadlines to reduce the imbalance in geographical distribution of staff. India requested the High Commissioner to share information about her plans to formulate specific targets and deadlines about this question. The data from the report that showed some apparent improvement in geographical diversity over the last three years had to be interpreted with caution, as the improvement seemed to have been achieved as a result of the overall expansion of the OHCHR staff size. India recognized and valued the need to maintain competence, efficiency and integrity of the OHCHR, but said that these attributes could not be presumed to be limited to one geographical region.

ALEXANDRE GUIDO LOPES PAROLA (Brazil) welcomed the report prepared by the High Commissioner on the impact of the global economic and financial crisis on all human rights. It highlighted the potential of the crisis to reverse or slow down progress towards development goals. Brazil welcomed the joint work plan for 2010 of the Division for the Advancement of Women and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It was fully engaged in promoting the rights of women. Brazil deplored acts of intolerance aimed at different religions in the world. Those had to be addressed in a comprehensive and balanced way. Existing human rights standards already prohibited the incitement of hatred and violence. Brazil protected the right to freedom of religion. It also promoted inter religious dialogue. Protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism was seen as complimentary and reinforcing. It supported the need to respect rights. No torture and degrading treatment under any circumstances could be accepted. On the conclusions of Special Procedures, Brazil reiterated its support and it believed that mandate holders should always propose realistic suggestions.

FAISAL ABDULLA AL-HENZAB (Qatar) said the annual report of the High Commissioner had been considered with regard to all the topics carried out by her Office during 2009. Attention was drawn to the support given by the Office to the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms in order to allow it to carry out its mandate. The annual report said that human rights were going through a difficult situation in various areas in the world, and the best way to combat this was to deepen dialogue between all parties. With regard to the Special Procedures and reviewing the work of the Council, the attention paid by the High Commissioner on this was welcomed, and she should consult with all parties including regional organizations to find solutions to certain drawbacks. On issues of importance, the comprehensive review was welcome, and the High Commissioner should work more and concentrate on combating discrimination, particularly against ethnic and religious minorities. The High Commissioner should also work on combating human rights violations during conflict, and all regional forces should respect human rights and the humanitarian international law. The signing of the Framework Agreement for Peace in Darfur last month was part of the good offices carried out by Qatar, which wished to ensure full peace, and therefore called upon the High Commissioner to support the peace efforts which would allow all Sudanese to enjoy human rights. Qatar would provide a donation of $ one million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

ALEXEY GOLTYAEV (Russian Federation) believed that the report of the High Commissioner on citizenship deserved the approval of the Council. Concerning certain elements of the forthcoming review of the Council, the Russian Federation noted that it was an intergovernmental process and hoped that it would come up with concrete proposals to improve the work of the Council. The Russian Federation understood that the work of the Secretariat was growing but it still had to be done properly and on time. Another important problem was the absence of the translation of reports in all United Nations languages. The Russian Federation supported the system of Special Procedures and treaty bodies and believed that the work of Special Procedures had to be conducted if full agreement in their mandate. The work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with national human rights institutions was particularly important and the Russian Federation called for more attention to be devoted to this area of activity.

SALVADOR TINAJERO (Mexico) thanked the High Commissioner for the report and said that accountability was indispensable. It had become one of the top challenges facing States today. On the fight against terrorism, accountability in this context was also important. The activities of the High Commissioner for Human Rights were welcomed, especially concerning accountability in the fight against terrorism.

RESFEL PINO ALVAREZ (Cuba) said there was no doubt that the subjects in the High Commissioner's report were important challenges. Cuba would continue to contribute to the fight against these scourges. The report contained a range of ideas on the topic of the review of the Council - some of these were very interesting, others had already been trotted out by donor countries. Cuba would have hoped that, in the same spirit of contributing to the review, the report would have included the need to strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the Office and the Council itself. This had already been raised. This was unfortunately a subject that those who financed and politically controlled the Office were avoiding unabashedly. Concerning the Universal Periodic Review, minimal adjustments should be made and gaps filled, as this was an important step towards ensuring that the Council was not hostage to political double-dealing and double-standards. If the Office managed to reflect the great diversity which was symbolically reflected in the room of the Council, it would be more universal, effective and impartial in its work to protect human rights.

ABDULWAHAB ABDULSALAM ATTAR (Saudi Arabia) read with great satisfaction the annual report of the High Commissioner and took note of various thematic reports presented to the Council. Saudi Arabia noted the final conclusions of the report concerning the fight against religious defamation. Violence and discrimination against certain groups, and the role of the media in giving a negative image to certain religions caused great concern. It was important to remedy the causes that led to discrimination and incitement against Arabs and Muslims and Saudi Arabia invited the High Commissioner to devote greater attention to this issue. Saudi Arabia welcomed positively the upcoming review of work and mechanisms of the Council and highlighted the success of the Council.

EVAN P. GARCIA (Philippines) reiterated the deep appreciation of the Philippines to the High Commissioner for her report. The Philippines had comments on the report relating to the composition and staff of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It appreciated that report as well as the High Commissioner’s continuing efforts to increase equitable geographic distribution within her Office’s rank. The Philippines was consistently listed as over represented when there was only one Filipino working as regular staff in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It hoped that that would be taken into consideration in future reports, adding that it was certain that other developing countries were in the same predicament.

IDRISS JAZAIRY (Algeria) said with regard to cooperation, Algeria was committed and dedicated to enhancing international cooperation on human rights, with respect for sovereignty and the cultural specificities of each country. On the basis of this firm conviction that progress in human rights was based on transparent and inclusive dialogue and an inclusive approach, Algeria had hosted in February a meeting on Human Rights Council resolutions. Terrorism was one of the worst forms of human rights violations, foremost among which was the right to life. In this context, Algeria was fully convinced that sensitive issues such as the protection of human rights in counter-terrorism should be approached through concrete, sincere, and mutually-beneficial dialogue through all involved. There should be a Worldwide Conference on Terrorism, and it was regrettable that the international community had not reached a definition of terrorism. On defamation of religion and the increase in incitement to hatred, intolerance and violence, work to combat defamation of religion was not subject to freedom of expression or belief, but was a form of contemporary racism. This form of racism, which caused incitement to hatred and to violence against individuals and communities as a whole should be combated.

ADNIN SITI HAJJAR (Malaysia) commended the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for being one of the few United Nations agencies in which gender parity had not only been achieved but was exceeded with over 51 per cent of the staff being women. Despite the growth in the number of posts in the Office, one region remained preponderantly represented and Malaysia encouraged the High Commissioner to remain seized on this issue and continue efforts to improve geographical diversity in the composition of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Malaysia was mindful of the diverse views on the use of the concept of defamation of religions within the human rights context, but did not believe it to be wholly inconsistent or incompatible with other human rights norms and values. The concept spoke to the protection of victims and should continue to be a preoccupation of this Council. Recent legislative events in certain countries which had effectively reinforced the negative stereotyping of one religion and by implication its adherents, were unfortunate and constituted obstacles to achieving the larger goal of peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the different religious, cultural and ethnic communities.

JENNIFER LYNCH, of the International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions, said the International Coordinating Committee was playing a fundamental role by bolstering institutional and thematic capacity at the national and international levels. It was also providing vital support for the coordination of national human rights institutions. It was aware of the importance of human rights institutions in enhancing their role in regional human rights mechanisms. The International Coordinating Committee monitored the compliance of institutions with the Paris principles by ensuring that they were being upheld.

VIPIN KUMAR GUPTA, of International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies, said with regard to economic, social and cultural rights in the context of women and children migrants in South Asia, this was mainly due to climate and poverty issues, which had put them in great difficulty. An unfortunate aspect of this was because it was due to wide-spread disparities in deprivation. There was extreme misery in large areas, and considerable comfort in other small parts. A just, equitable and peaceful world should be created, but there was always disparity, with more and more to be found over time.

STEFAN TROMEL, of European Disability Forum, welcomed the references to disability in the reports, the number of projects addressing the needs of the disabled persons, and for increasingly taking the needs of the disabled persons in the context of international cooperation. Children with disability were at greater risk of not being registered at birth, which could lead to their statelessness. The European Disability Forum asked all States and the High Commissioner to continue paying attention to this issue. It was regrettable that the report on the conference on the impact of the global and economic crises did not include its impact on disabled persons. Women with disabilities were more at risk of violence, but their vulnerabilities were rarely taken into account.

RAHEL VON ARX, of International Institute for Peace, referring to the participation of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in a meeting of three Special Rapporteurs with child-focused mandates, said the International Institute for Peace appreciated the holistic and concerted approach of this work and its technical assistance. It was high time for the sake of international cooperation that States and civil society understood that tolerating terrorism and fundamentalism could serve short-term interests but that in the long run, those acts went against the spirit of religion and democracy. She hoped that the Council could help the international community fight those forces in earnest.

For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC10/016E