Human Rights Council starts third day of its High-Level Segment and hears statements from 17 dignitaries

Human Rights Council
MORNING 29 February 2012


The Human Rights Council this morning started the third day of its High-level Segment, hearing statements from 17 dignitaries who spoke about their experiences with the Universal Periodic Review, the human rights situation in Syria as well as in the greater Middle East and North Africa, the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, freedom of expression, particularly on the internet, freedom of religion, women’s rights and national reform efforts, among other issues.

Salomon Nguema Owono, Vice Prime Minister in charge of Social Affairs and Human Rights of Equatorial Guinea, Basile Ikouebe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Congo, Villy Sovndal, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Vuk Jeremiæ, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Uri Rosenthal, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Samir Dilou, Minister for Human Rights of Tunisia, Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Iurie Leanca, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Asta Skaisgiryte-Liauskiene, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gennady Gatilov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Ashot Hovakimian, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Karel Schwarzenberg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Lucinda Creighton, T.D, Minister for European Affairs of Ireland, Marius Fransman, Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Rui Jorge Carneiro Mangueira, Secretary of State for External Relations of Angola and Clotilde Niragira, Minister of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender of Burundi took the floor.

During the discussion, speakers said the events in Northern Africa and the broader Middle East, most recently in Syria, had clearly re-emphasized the obligation to maintain human rights at the top of the global affairs agenda. Speakers welcomed the urgent debate on Syria of the Council and its expected outcome, in addition to the first meeting of the Group of Friends of the Syrian people and the resolution on Syria adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. One speaker said it could not support attempts to transform the Council into a tool of political pressure, to divide States in good and bad, or to dilute its intergovernmental character. Speakers said the first cycle of the universal review of human rights records of all 193 members of the United Nations proved the Universal Periodic Review was an innovative and transparent instrument for change. Several speakers said their countries had started on a course towards reform with full respect for fundamental freedoms for all, accession to key international treaties and the establishment of national human rights institutions.

Speakers emphasized the complex set of challenges related to refugees and internally displaced persons, including the basic human rights to which they were entitled. Internet freedom had become a key component of freedom of expression. Across the globe, in Iran, China and in Belarus, journalists, bloggers, lawyers, union leaders, and women’s rights activists were working tirelessly to promote the rule of law while they faced enormous risks. Speakers committed to working actively to protect internet freedom. Human rights education was one of the important tools for the prevention of mass atrocities. It was important for women to win and retain equal rights, speakers stated. Religious intolerance, of whatever group, faith or belief, was a threat to stability and security and speakers said they were fighting against it. Unless climate was effectively dealt with, it would have a dramatic impact on the realization of fundamental human rights and progress toward the Millennium Development Goals.

This morning’s meeting of the High-level Segment concluded at 12:20 p.m., after which the Council took up its panel discussion on the promotion and protection of freedom of expression on the Internet. The High-Level Segment will resume at 3 p.m. this afternoon.

High-level Segment

SALOMON NGUEMA OWONO, Vice-Prime Minister in charge of Social Affairs and Human Rights of Equatorial Guinea, said that in the national report of the Universal Periodic Review, Equatorial Guinea had the opportunity to provide information on the steps it had taken in terms of forwarding economic, social and cultural rights. Awareness-raising activities had been taking place, particularly to inform people about the right to development. The Government had identified 24 communities of women to work with the Ministry of Agriculture to improve the state of women’s rights by providing access to micro-credit, among other activities. Constitutional reform was starting to take place, including the establishment of new institutions. The creation of the Ombudsman was important to enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights. Equatorial Guinea would continue to pursue its sincere cooperation with the Human Rights Council and other United Nations bodies.

BASILE IKOUEBE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Congo, said that the socio-political crises that had occurred throughout the Middle East and African necessitated that all partners interested in peace and security should promote a culture of democracy. The international community should consider if the promises related to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals could be achieved. Congo was committed to promoting human rights and had established a national legal framework in accordance with international legal instruments and those of the African Union. Monitoring mechanisms were planned for courts and the constitutional court. In 2002, the separation of powers was enshrined in the Constitution and there were now over 100 registered political parties in the country. Civil society organizations engaged in their work openly and freely. The Government was working to protect the rights of citizens on a daily basis with policies to protect minorities, prevent stigmatization and to improve the status of women. Congo required technical assistance for capacity building and had made a $ 50,000 contribution to the voluntary contribution funds.

VILLY SOVNDAL, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the Human Rights Council had to speak up and act when confronted with serious violations of human rights. The European Union welcomed the urgent debate on Syria of the Council and its expected outcome, the first meeting of the Group of Friends of the Syrian people and the resolution on Syria adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The Council should preserve a strong and effective capacity to monitor the situation. The growing tendency by some States to unduly restrict the work of civil society organizations and human rights defenders was more unacceptable than ever. Systematic harassment and persecution of journalists and internet bloggers was in clear contradiction of Iran’s human rights obligations. The European Union welcomed the political reforms undertaken in Myanmar. The Council should encourage the Sri Lankan authorities to fully implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Freedom of religion or belief was a universal human right. Discrimination related to gender identity and sexual orientation continued to be used as a reason for serious human rights violations.

VUK JEREMIC, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, said Serbia had worked hard to advance the Balkans’ human and minority rights agenda in the context of regional cooperation. The Government had presided over the Central European Initiative and the Migration, Asylum and Refugees Regional Initiative. Serbia had placed special emphasis on the complex set of challenges related to refugees and internally displaced persons including the basic human rights to which they were entitled. The Government had worked hard to fully harmonize its national legislative framework with all existing human rights conventions, protocols and covenants including ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Mr. Jeremic stressed that the situation in Kosovo was alarming. Multiple United Nations reports had indicated widespread and persistent violations of the Kosovo Serb community’s basic human rights including a recent report of the Council of Europe on allegations of harvesting and smuggling of human organs before, during and after the 1999 conflict. The support of the Security Council and Special Procedures was needed for a credible and transparent investigation into this case. Serbia was ready to initiate a process of negotiations leading to the adoption of legally-binding instruments against harvesting and trafficking in human organs, tissues and cells.

URI ROSENTHAL, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said the atrocious situation in Syria demonstrated the need for an effective response by the international community to address human rights violations. The Netherlands had worked from the start to strengthen the Human Rights Council. For this reason, the Netherlands was announcing its candidacy for its membership of the Council for 2015-2017. Human rights were universal. The Netherlands fought against the death penalty, torture and disappearances, going after the worst offenders. The Netherlands championed human rights defenders, freedom of expression, equal rights for all, including women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, and last but not least freedom of religion or belief. Internet freedom had become a key component of freedom of expression. The Netherland was working actively to protect internet freedom, during, for example, the Freedom Online Conference in The Hague. It was important for women to win and retain equal rights. Women were not victims; they were the future leaders. The Netherlands was implementing resolution 1325 through a national action plan that promoted women’s role and economic independence in six countries. Religious intolerance, of whatever group, faith or belief, was a threat to stability and security and the Netherlands was fighting against it.

SAMIR DILOU, Minister for Human Rights of Tunisia, said that the Tunisian revolution had reflected the legitimate aspirations of the people and had led to thorough changes in this country. Tunisia prioritised national reconciliation to ensure economic, social and political development and that the foundation for democracy was firmly in place. The revolution would make it possible for Tunisia to gain its proper place at the regional and international levels. The Ministry of Human Rights and Transitional Justice was a new ministry and as such was an evidence of the commitment of the Government to address obstacles before it. Tunisia had started its course towards reform with full respect for fundamental freedoms for all. The present Government was facing tremendous economic and social challenges but was trying to work in a transparent manner, all the while listening to the people and their will and opinions. This was paving the way towards successful cooperation with international and regional bodies, as evidenced in the accession of Tunisia to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and a number of human rights conventions. Also, human rights institutions and humanitarian organizations opened their branches in Tunisia and it was hoped that they would establish cooperation with civil society organizations. Tunisia rejected of all forms of violence and supported finding peaceful solutions to the crisis in Syria and for the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

CARL BILDT, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, said that the road ahead for the Arab world would be filled with challenges and possibly some reversals. The Council had played a role during transitions including the Commissions of Inquiry dispatched to Libya and Syria and fact finding missions that were sent to other countries. The international community should offer assistance and support to the people in the Arab world struggling with the reform and the process of drafting new constitutions. As a major donor to the Palestinian people, Sweden had provided support to efforts to build a viable and democratic Palestinian state and Sweden looked forward to the day when Israel and Palestine could live in peace with each other. Sweden would continue to be a strong supporter of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as one if its largest donors. Across the globe, in Iran, China and Belarus, journalists, bloggers, lawyers, union leaders and women’s rights activists were working tirelessly to promote the rule of law while they faced enormous risks. A crucial tool in the fight for democracy, human rights and freedom was access to a free flow of informaiton. The Human Rights Council had an important role to play in ensuring that human rights respected off-line were also respected on-line.

IURIE LEANCA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, said the events in Northern Africa and the broader Middle East, most recently in Syria, had clearly re-emphasized the obligation to maintain human rights at the top of the global affairs agenda. The Republic of Moldova welcomed yesterday’s urgent debate on Syria and the appointment of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the Special Envoy. The first cycle of the universal review of human rights records of all 193 members of the United Nations proved that the Universal Periodic Review was an innovative and transparent instrument for change. The Republic of Moldova found its review to be a valuable and challenging experience. The Republic of Moldova thanked High Commissioner Navi Pillay and Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt for their visits. The Republic of Moldova highlighted the results of the Third Committee during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly, with the Republic of Moldova serving as one of the Vice-Chairs. It was very important to speak out in Geneva and New York on specific issues and urgent situations in the same voice.

ASTA SKAISGYRITË-LIAUÐKIENË, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, welcomed the initiative and the active role of the Arab League in seeking to put an end to violence in Syria and called on the international community to support those efforts. Also, Lithuania welcomed the convocation of an urgent debate on Syria by the Human Rights Council and expected the Council to take all necessary measures to address the situation. Lithuania would continue to speak in favour of media freedom, including digital media, and would continue to champion the case of journalists who suffered harassment and persecution on the part of authorities. Other issues of particular importance to Lithuania were freedom of religion or belief, non-discrimination of religious minorities, and combating ethnic and religious stereotyping. Another issue was gender equality which as one of the core human rights principles that unlocked the potential of women to give a major boost to overall development and prosperity in any country. Turning to the Universal Periodic Review, the Vice Minister said that it should become a powerful tool to systematically and periodically scrutinize situations in Member States, and that it should lead to concrete and measurable actions.

GENNADY GATILOV, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said that the ability of the Human Rights Council to find joint solutions which allowed the promotion of dialogue, equitable participation and the collective search for responses to new challenges and threats was of particular importance. Russia could not support attempts to transform the Council into a tool of political pressure, to divide States in good and bad, or to dilute its intergovernmental character. It was imperative that existing problems be resolved by peoples themselves, without coercion and external interference, in peaceful forms and within legal frameworks, through national dialogue and public consensus. Russia had resolutely opposed any violence against civilian populations but had also opposed the use of armed intervention from abroad in support of one side of an internal conflict. The global financial and economic crisis had had a massive negative impact on all strata of life, including the observance of all human rights and freedoms. Russia was convinced that one of the main tasks facing the international community today was to prevent and suppress ethnic and religious extremism, manifestations of racism and racial discrimination as well as to overcome xenophobia and intolerance. A Russian initiative on the integrity of the judicial system had the goal of giving new impetus to research in this area by involving the experience of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers and Russia called upon all States to support the draft resolution.

ASHOT HOVAKIMIAN, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, said Armenia was confident that the most important achievement of the Human Rights Council was that human rights protection was placed on the agenda of every State. Over the last few years Armenia had presented several required reports to United Nations treaty bodies, ratified human rights treaties and planned to adopt a national action plan on the protection of human rights. Genocide prevention remained one of the main priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy agenda. Human rights education was one of the important tools for the prevention of mass atrocities. It was important to recall painful lessons from the past, widely disseminate information about human tragedies and make sure contemporary school curricula adequately reflected information on the crime of genocide and other crimes against humanity. It was necessary to exclude and forbid hate and intolerant attitudes found in school textbooks and propaganda. The right of self-determination was a fundamental and indispensable human right. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh exercised this right and Armenia was confident that the respective United Nations structures would acknowledge the universality of human rights and apply them without restrictions.

KAREL SCHWARZENBERG, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, said that the Czech Republic noticed with great concern the uncontrolled activities of militias in Libya and said that the establishment of the rule of law was a precondition for a prosperous and democratic Libya. In Venezuela and Ecuador freedom of expression had been increasingly restricted, and the vulnerability of journalists in Syria or Iran was of great concern. Freedom of religion was another challenging issue and religious and ethnic minorities were under severe attacks in Nigeria, Iran, and Northern Sudan, while the situation of the Baha’i remained disturbing. The rule of law could not be undermined by any attacks against the independence of the judiciary; this seriously hindered respect of human rights in Georgia and Ukraine. Last year, the international community witnessed continuing and systematic use of torture in detention in Uzbekistan, violation of freedom of assembly in Kazakhstan, while freedom of expression had encountered serious setbacks in Azerbaijan. In the Russian Federation, the force of protest by the citizens was inspired by the desire to see the rule of law and civil rights situation improved.

LUCINDA CREIGHTON, Minister for European Affairs of Ireland, said that in the past year the Human Rights Council had grown before the eyes of the world. The forces set loose by the Arab Spring had changed the world. The actions of the Assad regime and the Syrian forces against their own people could almost certainly be described as crimes against humanity, an atrocious litany highlighted so brutally last week with the killing of the renowned and respected Sunday Times war correspondent on the streets of Homs. Marie Colvin, and French photographer Rémi Ochlik, died while endeavouring to tell the world the truth about the horror of that besieged city. The Minister raised issues of special importance to Ireland, including the visit of the Irish Foreign Minister to Israel and Palestine last month, the contribution of the Irish Defence Forces to United Nations peacekeeping and the need for United Nations disarmament machinery to become more responsive to twenty-first century imperatives. Ms. Creighton spoke about freedom of religion and belief, Ireland’s commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons’ rights, and the challenge of climate change. Empowerment of women and gender equality was regarded as crucial by Ireland, which strongly rejected all practices that risked the lives, health and well-being of girls and women. Despite being a small State Ireland was very active regionally on human rights issues, Ms. Creighton said, and announced Ireland’s candidature for election to the Human Rights Council later in 2012.

MARIUS FRANSMAN, Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, said since 2009, the Government had been systematically reviewing existing government policies with a view to mitigating the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequalities. The crisis in the euro zone was having negative effects on the global economy and South Africa remained committed to initiatives intended to ensure the right to development. The African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund would disburse funds in support of the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. The need for mobilization funds to attain the Millennium Development Goals in developing countries could not be over-emphasized. Unless climate was effectively dealt with, it would have a dramatic impact on the realization of fundamental human rights and sustainable development. South Africa attached great importance to the issue of the elimination of racial discrimination and had committed to hosting the African Diaspora Summit. South Africa was also committed to the process of strengthening protection mechanisms for victims of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The South African Government believed that the efforts of the League of Arab States should be supported to find a solution to the Syrian crisis.

KAMALESH SHARMA, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, said that human rights challenges confronted its members as they did all people and Governments; the Commonwealth approach was not to chide or rebuke, but to agree to shared goals despite the variety and to provide support to achieve those in partnership. A unique strength of the Commonwealth was that it was an association of people and not Governments, which was a source of strength and greater opportunities. An example of this was the Commission on Respect and Understanding, set up to look into the causes of conflict, violence and extremism. The Commonwealth was contributing to global efforts to address a range of pressing human rights issues, including climate change and human rights, with a focus on small States; early and forced marriage; disability rights protection; and accountability and oversight of police conduct. The Commonwealth opposed discrimination on any grounds, including those of sexual orientation and it was for its members to address incompatibilities between Commonwealth values and mostly inherited national laws in those areas. The Small States Office had opened in Geneva last year and was increasingly being used by Member States that otherwise might not have presence at meetings such as this one.

RUI JORGE CARNEIRO, Secretary of State for External Relations of Angola, said the extreme situations caused by the global economic crisis posed serious challenges to Governments, which faced a dilemma between the implementation of human rights and meeting the demands of austerity plans. New manifestations of human rights violations had reappeared, undermining progress made. In that regard Angola appealed to the international community to continue financing necessary humanitarian programmes, namely those for refugees and displaced persons, and fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic and transmissible diseases. Angola encouraged all parties in the Syrian conflict to come to a peaceful and negotiated solution without external interference, and reminded the Council about the human rights situation in Palestine. Angola reaffirmed its commitment to tackling sexual violence against women and girls and refuted the grave allegations of sexual violence committed by its security forces against illegal immigrants during repatriations. Mr. Carneiro spoke about the importance of upholding freedom of expression, particularly on the internet, respecting the freedom of association, expression, assembly, press and religion of its citizens, prioritizing basic medical coverage for all citizens and improving prison conditions. In 2012 the Government would hold legislative and presidential elections, which with the support of all political forces and civil society, would be free and transparent.

CLOTILDE NIRAGIRA, Minster of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender of Burundi, said it was a pleasure to present a report on the progress Burundi had made in the promotion and protection of human rights. Since independence in 1962, there had been several occasions of crisis of different degrees in Burundi. Today, Burundi could be happy with the solid democratic foundations that had been established as well as the creation of mechanisms that worked to promote and protect human rights. The Independent National Commission on Human Rights had contributed greatly to the promotion of the principles of equality and non-discrimination. The efforts of the Government of Burundi in the domain of economic, social and cultural rights could also not be underemphasized. Burundi had made progress in expanding access to education, the participation of women in political institutions and access to information. The Government of Burundi was endeavouring to implement its international obligations by submitting regular reports to international treaty bodies of the United Nations. Burundi made an urgent appeal to the international community to support Burundi in its determination to respect human rights by providing sufficient financial means to national human rights institutions.

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For use of the information media; not an official record