Address by Mr. Bacre Ndiaye at the Seventeenth annual meeting of special procedures

Geneva, 28 June 2010

Distinguished participants, experts, dear friends,

I warmly welcome to you at this seventeenth annual meeting of the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.  As a former rapporteur myself, I am delighted to see so many familiar faces at this event, which is a well-established occasion for you to discuss amongst yourselves and others ways  to that the special procedures have greater impact, effectiveness and efficiency.

Your independence provides you with a unique opportunity to advance human rights in a way that other human rights bodies are not able to. As you pursue the promotion and protection of all rights for all people, it is with this premise that you constantly develop more effective action and methods of work, and so as to increase State accountability. I encourage you to continue your constructive dialogue with States, international and regional mechanisms, UN agencies, national human rights institutions, and civil society.  This is a challenging, yet extremely rewarding undertaking and I wish to assure you of the dedicated support of my Division and the Office of the High Commissioner more broadly. 

Cher amis,
Permettez-moi d’attirer votre attention très brièvement sur des événements ou processus importants qui nécessiteraient une action des procédures spéciales.  L’un de ces processus est le réexamen du Conseil des droits de l’homme. Je note que vous avez l’intention d’aborder ce sujet au cours de cette semaine.  Je vous encourage à mener des discussions approfondies et, sur cette base, de clarifier et de préparer votre approche et vos positions en tant que système des procédures spéciales.

The high-level summit on the Millennium Development Goals will take place at the General Assembly in September.  A recent report of the Secretary-General notes that the world has made strides in reducing extreme poverty, tackling HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, but is still lagging in other critical areas, such as improving maternal health and increasing access to decent sanitation.  Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise in some regions, gaps persist between rich and poor, between urban and rural communities and between girls and boys. The report notes that by investing in the MDGs, we invest in global economic growth. I believe it would be good for you to add your voice noting that we also invest in human rights.

The tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security will provide you with an opportunity to join forces with those who have been working with commitment and vision for the greater protection of women from violence in armed conflict as well as towards greater empowerment and participation of women in peace processes.

As chair of the Global Migration Group, OHCHR will be representing 14 UN agencies at the Global Forum on Migration and Development in November 2010 in Mexico. This Forum offers an ideal opportunity to advocate for your work as it is a gathering representing over 160 States and more than 300 NGOs. The presence of the HC at the fourth Global Forum will place human beings at the centre of international migration considerations. It will also underline and reiterate messages expressed by numerous special procedures mechanisms and UN treaty bodies that migration policies and practices must be rooted in human rights.

Next year marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Special procedures helped to shape the discourse of last year’s Review Conference and contributed to its successful outcome.  I am confident you will now want to contribute to the consideration of progress in the implementation of the Declaration to ensure that our world is free from discrimination, xenophobia and incitement to racial hatred.

Chers amis,

Cette réunion est une bonne occasion annuelle de discuter de vos méthodes de travail ainsi que de la coopération et de la coordination avec d’autres partenaires. J’espère que vous profiterez pleinement des échanges de point de vue avec le président et le bureau du Conseil, les représentants des Etats ainsi que ceux des organes de traités et des ONG.  Je suis sûr que l’impact de votre travail et le suivi des actions et des recommandations des procédures spéciales seront pleinement abordés lors de ces rencontres.  Finalement, cette réunion est aussi une occasion de renouveler les contacts et de discuter de manière approfondie avec vos collègues, la Haut-commissaire et son Adjointe, le personnel du HCDH ainsi que ses représentants sur le terrain, dans un environnement facilitant la participation, le respect, et le dialogue. 

Permettez-moi encore quelques mots personnels:
It is with particular pleasure that I acknowledge the participation of those for whom this will be their last annual meeting as mandate holders.  I thank you for your independence, integrity, professionalism, commitment and unwavering passion for the cause of human rights. A wise woman, Margaret Meade, once said: “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world - indeed, it is the only thing that ever does”. You, my dear friends Asma [Jahangir], Akich [Okola],  Manfred [Nowak], Philip [Alston], Santiago [Corcuera], Vernor [Munoz], Vitit [Muntarbhorn], and Walter [Kälin], as well as Aslan [Abashidze], Darko [Göttlicher], Okechukwu [Ibeanu] and Shaista [Shameem], have done so and I am convinced you will continue the case for human rights in whatever spheres your futures take you.  But before you do, I hope that you will contribute your wisdom and experience to the discussions at this meeting!

Finalement, j’aimerais remercier mes collègues de la Branche des procédures spéciales pour l’organisation de cette réunion annuelle. Je souhaite à  tous et à toutes une excellente réunion. 

Merci de votre attention.