Briefing note, 31 March 1998

31 March 1998


John Mills, media officer for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the High Commissioner had breakfast with the Correspondents' Association this morning and had taken questions on a range of issues.

The Commission on Human Rights was looking at agenda items 11, 16, 18 and 15 -- human rights of migrant workers, minorities, discrimination based on religious belief and the report of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, respectively.

Today at 3 p.m. the High Commissioner would present to the Commission the report of the High Commissioner's office in Bogota, Colombia. A copy of her speech would be available early in the afternoon. Tomorrow at noon, the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance Abdelfattah Amor would be at the briefing by Mr. Mills. The Special Rapporteur had just reported to the Commission including on his mission to Germany. On Thursday, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Param Cumaraswamy would be at the noon briefing. The Special Rapporteur was presenting reports to the Commission regarding Peru, Belgium and Northern Ireland.

A correspondent asked whether there would be free parking at the Palais Wilson. Mr Mills said the arrangements for the Palais Wilson were still being worked out. A number of delegations, non-governmental organizations and now the media had raised the issue of parking, and he would pass on the correspondents concerns. The move itself would not happen before the middle of the year, assuming that the General Assembly adopted the Fifth Committee's recommendation. The issue of parking however was being actively considered.