COUNCIL HOLDS GENERAL DEBATES ON RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA, AND ON THEMATIC REPORTS OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The Human Rights Council this afternoon heard the presentation of the reports of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, followed by a general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It heard the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights present reports of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office and of the Secretary-General, followed by a general debate. The Council also adopted a resolution transmitting to the General Assembly a draft programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

Mohamed Siad Douale, Chair of the twelfth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, presenting the report of the Working Group at its twelfth session, informed that the draft programme of activities identified objectives and concrete activities to be conducted at the national, regional, and international levels, and drew from the developed and existing draft programme of action for the Decade for People of African Descent. The quality of the Working Group’s twelfth session left no doubt as to the common ambition to render this decade effective.

Mona Rishmawi, Officer-in-Charge of the Research and Right to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, introducing the report of the independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, said the experts held their third meeting in Geneva on 4 February 2014. They emphasized, among others, the persistent lack of States’ political will to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which had negatively affected the follow-up process, including the work of the established mechanisms.

In the general debate, it was noted that to this day, people of African descent continued to be victims of the cascading legacies of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism, amongst others. Racism was insidious regardless of the group it was directed against. Concern was also expressed with regards to the growth of religious intolerance, which was closely linked to discrimination. The Istanbul Process carried enormous potential to deal with incitement to religious hatred and its programme must be implemented in full through a binding legal instrument.

The work of the Intergovernmental Working Group was commended and support was expressed for the eminent experts’ efforts to recalibrate their work. Speakers reaffirmed their commitment to contribute to a successful International Decade for People of African Descent, through the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group and the negotiations which were continuing in New York.

Speaking in the general debate on racism and racial discrimination were South Africa on behalf of the African Group, Greece on behalf of the European Union, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Russia on behalf of a group of countries, Costa Rica on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, United States, Indonesia, China, Ireland, Cuba, Morocco, Algeria, Colombia, Venezuela, Russia, Sri Lanka, Council of Europe, Belgium, Ukraine, and Switzerland.

The following non-governmental organizations also took the floor during the general debate: International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations, International Educational Development, Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, World Barua Organization, International Buddhist Relief Organization, United Nations Watch, Alsalam Foundation, World Muslim Congress, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Agence Internationale pour le Developpement, Liberation, Association of World Citizens, Tiye International, Indian Council of South America, Fraternite Notre Dame Inc, Organisation pour la Communication en Afrique et de Promotion de la Cooperation Economique International, International Muslim Women’s Union, and the African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters.

The Council then adopted a resolution on the Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent in which it decided to urgently transmit to the General Assembly, the report of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action containing the draft programme of activities in its current form; and invited the General Assembly to proceed with the consideration and subsequent adoption of the draft programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, commencing on 1 January 2015. Ethiopia introduced the resolution on behalf of the African Group.

Flavia Pansieri, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, presenting the thematic reports of the United Nations Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office, said that in spite of significant progress made in recent years, under-five mortality and morbidity remained unacceptably high: an estimated 6.6 million children died before their fifth birthday every year, and more than half of those deaths were preventable. Patterns of child mortality revealed significant and persisting inequalities between and within countries, driven by poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and neglect of basic human rights. Ms. Pansieri also referred to the reports on challenges, strategies and developments with regard to the implementation of the resolution on the Guiding Principles and human rights by the United Nations; the report on feasibility of establishing a global fund for capacity building on the issue of business and human rights; the summary report on the consultations on the draft basic principles on the right to effective remedy for trafficked persons; the report on the activities of the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women; and the report on preventing and eliminating child, early and forced marriage, among others.

In the general debate that followed, speakers expressed their commitment to the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to the rule of law and good governance. One speaker voiced strong opposition with regards to the use of the death penalty, while another speaker said that every country had the sovereign right to determine its own criminal justice system and retention of the death penalty should be based on national circumstances and legal systems. Attention was drawn to discrimination against women in nationality laws.

Speaking in the general debate were Greece on behalf of the European Union, Singapore on behalf of a group of States, United States, Montenegro, Cuba, Morocco, and Algeria.

The Human Rights Council will resume its work on Thursday, 19 June, at 9 a.m., to adopt the Universal Periodic Review outcome reports of New Zealand, Afghanistan and Chile, before continuing at noon its general debate on the reports of the United Nations Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office, and on the promotion and protection of all human right, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.


Documentation

The Council has before it the report of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on its twelfth session (A/HRC/26/55)

The Council has before it the report of the group of independent eminent experts with the mandate to follow up on the implementation of the provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (A/HRC/26/56)

Presentation of Reports

MOHAMED SIAD DOUALE, Chair of the twelfth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, presenting the report of the Working Group at its twelfth session, informed that the draft programme of activities identified objectives and concrete activities to be conducted at the national, regional, and international levels, and drew from the developed and existing draft programme of action for the Decade for People of African Descent. While noting that the programme of activities also contained sections in squared brackets which corresponded to aspects which required further consultations, Mr. Siad Douale had no doubt that each State would contribute in a significant manner to the implementation and success of the international decade. The quality of the Working Group’s twelfth session left no doubt as to the common ambition to render this decade effective. The 30 June deadline set by the General Assembly left little room for manoeuvre and he called on delegations that would finalise the programme of activities in New York to make all efforts to ensure that by this deadline, they could all be proud of having contributed to the preparation of the programme of activities, which was so important for persons of African descent. Mr. Siad Douale recalled the resolute will proclaimed by all States participating in the High-level meeting of the General Assembly consecrated to the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to make the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as the protection of victims, a priority for all; and hoped that this spirit would inspire those working to finalise the programme of activities for the implementation of the international decade in New York.

MONA RISHMAWI, Officer-in-Charge of the Research and Right to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, introducing the report of the independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, said that the Human Rights Council in resolution 24/6 had requested the independent eminent experts to convene a special meeting to conduct an appraisal of the work undertaken and the recommendation made in that regard in order to present an updated report to that end to the High Commissioner, the Secretary-General and the Human Rights Council. The experts held their third meeting in Geneva on 4 February 2014. They discussed previous work, challenges, and follow-up actions. It was noted that the experts were well placed to provide valuable advice to other stakeholders on various issues related to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. They emphasized the persistent lack of States’ political will to implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which had negatively affected the follow-up process, including the work of the established mechanisms. In that regard, it was suggested that a communication strategy be developed that would feature the importance and relevance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

The experts had also stated that the concepts of the International Decade for People of African Descent should be unfolded in a clear, easy and de-codified plan that could be understood by all stakeholders, including Governments, human rights mechanisms, civil society organizations and academia. Some procedural and administrative issues were also discussed, including the need to elaborate and adopt concise working methods to facilitate their work and the requested the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist with the drafting of these working methods based on the broad guidelines provided by them that included, inter alia: appointment of experts, duration of mandates, annual meetings, planning of activities, modalities for engagement with other stakeholders, submission of reports, identification of thematic priorities and joint statements with other high level dignitaries.

General Debate on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

South Africa, speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that to this present day, people of African descent continued to be victims of the cascading legacies of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism, amongst others. The African Group urged States to ensure that the Decade of People of African Descent would focus attention on the plight of victims in order to improve their human rights situation. More needed to be done in addressing contemporary forms of racism that was still predominant in many parts of the world. The African Group urged the Human Rights Council to elaborate Complementary Standards to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Greece, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance remained a high priority in its human rights agenda. All human beings were born free and equal in dignity and in rights and the European Union reiterated the commitment to combat racism and racial or ethnic discrimination in the European Union and throughout the world, and the commitment to the implementation of the objectives and commitments undertaken at the 2001 Durban World Conference on combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance.

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance were threatening the cultural fabric of many societies and reiterated its concern about the rise of racial and religious hatred in some countries. The Istanbul Process carried enormous potential to deal with incitement to religious hatred and its programme must be implemented in full through a binding legal instrument. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation suggested that a working group composed of eminent persons be set up to draft a road map to an instrument that would criminalize incitement on the basis of religion or race.

Russia, speaking on behalf of a group of countries, said that the attack of Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union marked a turning point in the war and after the defeat of the Axis it had seemed that racism would become a thing of the past. The group of countries were deeply concerned about forces seeking to rehabilitate the Nazis and to declare them heroes, which had yielded violence and murders on the grounds of racial discrimination. The year 2015 would mark the victory of the allies in the Great War, which had also led to the creation of the United Nations, this anniversary should also recall its main purpose and the common duty to prevent the dissemination of Nazi ideology.

Costa Rica, speaking on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, reaffirmed their commitment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, emphasising the urgency of its effective implementation as a solid foundation for the eradication of racism and gender discrimination. The States in this region were made of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual societies, as well as large and relevant populations of African descent. At the end of 2013 the Community had declared a decade of Latin American and Caribbean people of African descent.

United States was deeply committed to combating racism in all its forms. The history of slavery in the United States and subsequent forms of racism was well documented, equally documented but less known was the history of racism against indigenous people in the United States. Racism was insidious regardless of the group it was directed against. The legacy of the harsh often brutal treatment of indigenous people continued to manifest itself in current policies, including through discriminatory policies, restrictions to religious freedom, and barriers to employment, as well as other restrictions, and the United States hoped that all States would dedicate attention to these issues.

Indonesia noted with concern that there were elements in the draft programme that were still unresolved and hoped that this situation could be rectified in the next phase of deliberation of the draft programme in the General Assembly. Indonesia supported the efforts by the independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to recalibrate their works, and requested the High Commissioner and her Office to provide them with sufficient support.

China commended the large amount of work done by the Intergovernmental Working Group and said that racism was the common enemy of mankind. China noted that the Durban Review Conference had set new parameters for the cause against racism. However, the outcomes of the Conferences on racism had until now not yet been comprehensively implemented.

Ireland remained committed to contributing to a successful International Decade for People of African Descent, through the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group and the negotiations which were continuing in New York. In order to combat the roots of racism and discrimination, States had to ensure that their legislative systems provided adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief to all people without distinction. Ireland was deeply concerned about the growth of religious intolerance, which was closely linked to discrimination.

Cuba acknowledged the work done on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The Decade of People of African Descent offered a chance to address historical disparities and injustices towards such groups. Combating racism was an essential part of it. Cuba reiterated its readiness to support all initiatives to implement the Durban Declaration, and asked all States to show their responsibility in combating the scourge of racism, racial intolerance and xenophobia.

Morocco said that the Working Group had identified objectives to be applied at national, regional and international levels. Morocco considered that the proper conduct of the Decade of People of African Descent would require the strong commitment of the international community and the mobilization of resources. Morocco believed that it was essential to establish synergies to secure a successful conduct of the Decade. The promotion of societies without any room for exclusion was a task for all States around the world.

Algeria stated that the programme of activities would remind States of their obligations to develop and implement various national policies. There should be a useful and complete framework to provide practical measures which could visibly improve the living conditions of people of African descent. Many of those people still continued to live in isolation, which was why it was important to implement practical and concrete actions. It was essential to take appropriate steps to implement the programme as soon as possible.

Colombia hoped that it would be possible in New York to approve a concrete and efficient action plan. It was essential that States took into account the opinion of representative organizations of people of African descent. Structural problems affecting these populations also had to be addressed. A further fundamental activity was the design and implementation of educational communication and pedagogical strategies to combat racism, discrimination and xenophobia.

Venezuela supported the fight against racism and related forms of intolerance and reiterated the need for follow-up on the standards enshrined in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. It agreed on the need to step up awareness-raising and educational access, which were key to ensuring the implementation of the Declaration. The Decade of People of African Descent would serve to commemorate the transatlantic slave trade and the need for reparations to be made in that regard.

Russia warned about the spread of right wing extremism, including neo Nazism. The result of condoning such ideas could now been seen. Russia had seen that national radical parties had come to power. The latest statements from Kiev forced Russia to draw parallels with those of the first half of the twentieth century. The international community was called upon to prevent the spread to Ukraine of neo Nazi ideology and to prevent events similar to those that took place in the first half of the twentieth century.

Sri Lanka said that the Durban process not only increased the visibility of people of Africa descent but also contributed to a substantive advancement in the promotion and protection of their human rights. At a time when the incidence of contemporary manifestation of racial discrimination was rising to unprecedented levels in many parts of the world, the Decade of People of African Descent was an opportunity to address the issues from a perspective of equality and non-discrimination to ensure that measures were adopted to realize all their rights and freedoms.

Council of Europe said that the joint declaration between the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Secretariat of the Council of Europe signed in September 2013 stressed the importance of cooperation on the issues of the promotion and protection of human rights. In this vein, the March 2014 meeting in Strasburg allowed for an exchange between the Special Rapporteur on racism and the Council of Europe, notably on the use of the internet in propagating racism.

Belgium said that Belgium would submit a biannual resolution on the elimination of all forms of discrimination to the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly. Belgium reiterated that anti-Semitism in all its forms was inacceptable and Belgium would do its utmost to combat it. To that end, Belgium had in place a robust legislative and institutional framework.

Ukraine drew attention to discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance towards ethnic Ukrainians and Tatars in the occupied Crimea, facts which had been widely reported by human rights observers. The prosecution of clergy was also rising, and Ukrainian Orthodox Church priests were not allowed to perform their services. The occupying Russian forces were responsible for these violations. Ukraine called for all such actions to immediately stop.

Switzerland expressed deep disappointment at the results achieved on the draft programme of activities due to political misunderstandings. The fight against racism was too important to waste this opportunity. Switzerland trusted that the General Assembly would nonetheless be able to adopt the programme of activities in a consensual manner.

International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations hoped that the International Decade of People of African Descent would help intensify the United Nations actions on the implementation of the Durban Declaration. The General Assembly should take into consideration proposals from people of African descent to further strengthen the existing draft programme. It was regrettable that the United States and the European Union had objected to the mention of historical benefits of trans-Atlantic slave trade.

International Educational Development said that it had made many statements regarding the term ‘racist regime’ as set out in Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. It had requested that the Special Rapporteurs indicate situations where there were racist regimes and where international action may prevent the situation from escalating into violence or armed conflict.

Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy drew the attention of the Council to the increasing insecurity of racial and religious minorities of India, following the Indian National Party’s capture of power in the last parliamentary election. The Hindu Nationalist force in power would make the current situation even worse: the attack on civil society had already begun.

World Barua Organization drew the attention of the Council to the plight of the people of North East India living in the metropolitan cities of India. Students and young professionals fled their homes in the North East region due to the ongoing armed conflict in the region to the more prosperous regions of India, but they were subjected to racist violence because of their distinct racial features and unique cultural attributes.

International Buddhist Relief Organization said that in North East India many ethnic communities continued with their matrilineal tradition, such as Meghalaya, where almost every day there were reports of rape and molestation; and called on the Council to give recognition to specific issues of different indigenous communities and the specific problem faced by women within these communities.

United Nations Watch said that the United Nations had established the main international norms to combat discrimination and should deny legitimacy to those who used discriminatory or racist doctrines. The United Nations had never adopted a resolution or taken action to address the attacks carried out by Boko Haram in Nigeria, or situations of concern in Iraq and Israel.

Alsalam Foundation, in a joint statement, drew attention to certain cases of religious intolerance and discrimination in Bahrain, including the targeting of Shi’a places of worship, labour discrimination, the dissolution of Shi’a Islamic Scholars Council, and the expulsion of Shi’a clerics. The Bahraini Government had repeatedly and consistently demonstrated a pattern of religious intolerance and discrimination.

World Muslim Congress stressed that it was important that effective measures were taken to address and combat intolerance and discriminatory attitudes against all persons, including minorities and vulnerable groups. One needed to acknowledge that the threat Islam was seen as posing to the world was imagined rather than real. Members of the Muslim minority in Kashmir were subjected to religious profiling and implicated in false cases.

Organization for Defending Victims of Violence said that Islamophobia and xenophobia were raging around the world, leading to the violation of the most basic human rights, with Muslims and immigrants being frequently targeted. States should be reminded of their obligations to Muslim communities.

Agence Internationale pour le Developpement noted that respect for human rights without discrimination of any kind was a fundamental rule of international human rights law. Systemic discrimination of lower castes and minorities had always been a part of the caste system prevailing in Indian society. Dalits in India lived in constant fear of being publicly humiliated, paraded naked and raped with impunity.

Liberation said the social exclusion of the Dalits throughout India and other South Asian countries continued to the present day and was more extensive and intense in rural areas. Liberation called upon the Human Rights Council to prevail upon and assist the Government of India to root out the discrimination against the Dalits.

Association of World Citizens said that liberty allowed each person to participate in the transformation of the world. There was a problem of responsibility of all those who had a task to make the right to education known. Education had a tremendous power for transformation and was a cornerstone on which freedom, democracy and genuine human dignity could be built.

Tiye International noted with concern that the Intergovernmental Working Group was unable to reach consensus that was crucial for achievement of the objectives of the International Decade of People of African Descent. Tiye International suggested that national action plans be developed during the International Decade.

Indian Council of South America said that the implementation process for indigenous peoples and all other peoples under colonial and alien domination and foreign occupation must be put on the agenda in concert with the 2009 Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference; without such resolutions the Council systematically denied indigenous people the opportunity to address discrimination.

Fraternite Notre Dame Inc said that a recent American report showed a decrease in religious freedom around the world; this freedom was essential for human dignity. In Syria, Christians, including clerics, were kidnapped, threatened and tortured and in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea holding a Bible was against the law. Fraternite Notre Dame Inc also expressed concern about the situation of Christians in Mongolia, Kosovo and France.

Organisation pour la Communication en Afrique et de Promotion de la Cooperation Economique International said that minorities in all regions of the world continued to face serious threats, discrimination and racism and were frequently excluded from taking part in all parts of life. Human rights would not be secured until there was an end to racism and xenophobia. Women and girls in minority communities suffered disproportionately from lack of access to education and illiteracy.

International Muslim Women’s Union said that over 67 per cent of school and college buildings in Indian occupied Kashmir were occupied by the Indian Army and military forces. Men in uniform regularly passed abusive comments or made obscene gestures towards girl students. The Durban Programme encouraged States to support and implement public formal and non-formal education programmes designed to promote respect for cultural diversity, which was not the case in Kashmir.

African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters deplored the failure of draft documents to fully reflect the Durban spirit in declaring trans-Atlantic trade slave as a crime against humanity. Reparations were needed for those who had been wronged against, including Caribbean people of African descent, against whom a genocide had been committed by European countries.

Action on Resolution on the Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent

In a resolution on the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent (A/HRC/26/L.2), adopted without a vote, the Council decides to urgently transmit to the General Assembly, through the offices of the President of the General Assembly and his facilitator, the report of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action containing the draft programme of activities in its current form; and invites the General Assembly to proceed with the consideration and subsequent adoption of the draft programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, commencing on 1 January 2015.

Ethiopia, introducing draft resolution L.2 on behalf of the African Group, said that since the Durban Conference in 2001, the African Group had been seized with the follow up and the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The current resolution represented a major breakthrough and the Working Group of Experts of African Descent had worked tirelessly to prepare the programme of activities for the celebration of the International Decade of People of African Descent and in doing so, highlighting the objectives that must be achieved.

Documentation

The Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General on the challenges, strategies and developments with regard to the implementation of the resolution 21/5 by the United Nations system, including programmes, funds and agencies (A/HRC/26/20)

The Council has before it an addendum to the report of the Secretary-General on the challenges, strategies and developments with regard to the implementation of the resolution 21/5 by the United Nations system, including programmes, funds and agencies - Study on the feasibility of a global fund to enhance the capacity of stakeholders to implement the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (A/HRC/26/20/Add.1)

The Council has before it the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - Report on the seminar on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications (A/HRC/26/19)

The Council has before it the Summary of the consultations held on the draft basic principles on the right to effective remedy for victims of trafficking in persons - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/26/18)

The Council has before it the annual update report on the Operations of the Voluntary Fund for UPR Implementation (A/HRC/26/54)

The Council has before it report of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women on the activities of the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women (A/HRC/26/17)

The Council has before it the report on activities undertaken to support efforts by States to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in their national legislation, policies and programmes (A/HRC/26/24)

The Council has before it the report on preventing and eliminating child, early and forced marriage (A/HRC/26/22)

Statement by the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Presenting the Reports of the High Commissioner and her Office and the Secretary-General

FLAVIA PANSIERI, Deputy High Commissioner of Human Rights, in her oral update said that the technical guidance on the application of a human rights approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce and eliminate preventable mortality and morbidity of children under five years of age was nearing completion and would be presented to the Human Rights Council in its twenty-seventh session in September 2014. In spite of significant progress made in recent years, under-five mortality and morbidity remained unacceptably high: an estimated 6.6 million children died before their fifth birthday every year, and more than half of those deaths were preventable. Patterns of child mortality revealed significant and persisting inequalities between and within countries, driven by poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and neglect of basic human rights.

Turning to the thematic reports by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Secretary-General, Ms. Pansieri said that the report on challenges, strategies and developments with regard to the implementation of the resolution on the Guiding Principles and human rights by the United Nations outlined key developments and activities carried out by different parts of the United Nations system and found that there had been some relevant uptake of the Guiding Principles, but that much work remained to embed them into the Organization, particularly in the work of strategy planning and coordination bodies. The study on the feasibility of establishing a global fund for capacity building on the issue of business and human rights contained an initial analysis of various models for such a global fund and recommended that further consultation and analysis was necessary before recommendations could be made on different options for a global fund. The report on the right to enjoy scientific progress offered a summary of the discussions and findings of the 2013 seminar on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and noted that, despite its importance for the enjoyment of other human rights, the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress was a largely neglected right and identified poverty and discrimination as two impediments to access to information, technology and knowledge. The summary report on the consultations on the draft basic principles on the right to effective remedy for trafficked persons identified barriers to effective remedies, which included poor implementation and interpretation of existing national legal frameworks, limited resources, capacities and infrastructure dedicated to the issue, and also gaps in victims’ identification and the tendency to criminalize victims, coupled with restrictive immigration policies.

The annual update report on the operations of the Voluntary Fund for the Universal Periodic Review highlighted the range of technical assistance provided to States at their request, covering a range of thematic issues. The Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights also presented the report on the activities of the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women and the report on activities to support efforts by States to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in their national legislation, policies and programmes. The report on preventing and eliminating child, early and forced marriage discussed the applicable international norms and standards as well as strategies to prevent and eliminate child, early and forced marriage.

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

Greece, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that it remained a strong advocate of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and was committed to promote, on equal footing, economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. The European Union was equally committed to the promotion of the rule of law and good governance. It expressed its strong opposition to the use of the death penalty. Full commitment to the advancement of women’s rights and empowerment was also expressed.

Singapore, speaking on behalf of a group of States, expressed concern on the proposed draft resolution on the question of the death penalty, which was overly simplistic. Every country had the sovereign right to determine its own criminal justice system and retention of the death penalty should be based on national circumstances and legal systems. In the absence of international agreement, States on one side of the argument had no right to impose their beliefs on others as though universal.

United States said that it had implemented laws and regulations that promoted business good conduct. It was deeply concerned by efforts to move in a hasty and an ill-considered manner towards an instrument on business and human rights. The United States also drew attention to discrimination against women in nationality laws. Such discrimination often resulted in diminished access to education, health and employment, among others.

Montenegro said it was a party to a number of mechanisms to deal with trafficking in persons and believed that it was important for States to provide victims with compensation and rehabilitation. Eliminating early and child marriages was a priority area for Montenegro as it represented a great threat to the health and well-being of children. All women and girls had the right to a life free of violence and Montenegro hoped that the trust fund for the eradication of violence against women would enjoy political and financial support and commitment by States.

Cuba said that the situation of poverty, inequality and marginalization in which millions lived was compounded by economic and financial crises and food crises and developing countries were particularly affected. Access to basic needs such as food, water, health or education was denied to one in six of the world’s inhabitants; it was not resources that the world lacked, but political will and commitment.

Morocco said that despite the importance of the right to scientific progress for the realization of other human rights, it was essential for States to strike a balance between their obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the right to profit from their investments. Business and human rights were being integrated in the working of the national human rights institution in Morocco, which had been organizing various events on several topics of interest such as corporate social responsibility.

Algeria said that violence against children was an issue which was addressed by its national legislation. Algeria had also presented a resolution to hold a panel discussion on identifying best practices in combating violence against children and it would take place during the twenty-seventh session of the Human Rights Council.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC14/075E