Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Press releases Commission on Human Rights
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS STARTS SECOND DAY OF HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT
15 March 2005
Share
Commission on Human Rights
MORNING
15 March 2005
Hears from Dignitaries from Finland, Armenia, OIC, Mauritania, Yemen,
Albania, OSCE, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands and Cyprus
The Commission on Human Rights this morning started the second day of its high-level segment, hearing from dignitaries from Finland, Armenia, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Mauritania, Yemen, Albania, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Mexico, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Cyprus.
The senior officials spoke, among other things, about the role and reform of the Commission as well as national efforts to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.
Erkki Tuomioja, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, said the role of the Commission on Human Rights was unique. It was the most important institution to set global human rights standards and the focal point for international human rights mechanisms. The world human rights situation left a great deal to be desired. There was plenty of urgent work, and the Commission was the key global forum for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Vartan Oskanian, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, said commitments to respect human rights at the national level required enhanced cooperation in today’s world. The world today was different than that of 15 years ago; today, human rights violations constituted the beginning of international catastrophes. Hiding behind national sovereignty to avoid responsibility for the failure to protect human rights and civil liberties risked the failure to provide justice and to prevent conflict.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said Islamophobia was a new name to an old phenomenon which had been recently brought to the forth after the criminal, evil and tragic events of 11 September 2001. Although those horrendous atrocities had received a swift and unanimous condemnation by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Muslim leaders and scholars throughout the world, the irrational voices of hatred and bigotry were quick to demonize Islam and Muslims.
Hamadi Ould Meimou, the Human Rights Commissioner of Mauritania, said there was no more efficient means to install justice on both the national and international levels and to stifle the sources of instability, including terrorism, than to eradicate poverty and to implement the other Millennium Goals. Terrorism in particular fed upon despair, instability and poverty, and it was these causes that should be fought in order to banish all forms of violence. A climate of social peace and socio-economic development opportunities favourised the development of these policies and would permit the consolidation of political and social gains.
Amat Al-Alim Al-Soswa, Minister for Human Rights of Yemen, said Yemen had taken positive steps towards practicing democracy and freedom of speech, and the situation of human rights had improved greatly under the political leadership that had confirmed its commitments to all human rights conventions. Human rights and democracy represented a rescue ship for political regimes, a safe means of achieving security, stability and development. Thus, Yemen had signed and ratified more than 56 international conventions and treaties, while, over the last 15 years, the Government had enhanced its commitment to respect public liberties and basic rights.
Kastriot Islami, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania, said the Constitution of Albania embodied the basic principles of democracy, where the protection and respect of human rights were considered as essential values of the human rights culture that Albanian society was building. The democratic reforms were the main objective of the Albanian Government, not only because of the aspiration of its people towards European Union integration, but also as a necessity for the political, economic, and social stability of the country.
Dimitrij Rupel, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and Chairman in Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said the human dimension, which stood for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law was a common goal for OSCE States. All States had a vested interest in each other’s security, and this was why they acted cooperatively in order to ensure that the rule of law was upheld. This approach was evident in the growing determination to stamp out intolerance and discrimination.
Patricia Olamendi, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said the transformation of the Commission on Human Rights into an instrument able to prevent human rights violations, and to protect the victims of such violations, would contribute to authentic human development. For its own part, Mexico had promoted the establishment of the "Group of Friends" for United Nations reform. On human rights specifically, any reform must be oriented to the system as a whole and should ensure incorporation of a human rights perspective in all areas of the Organization’s work.
N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, said the spirit of reform had galvanized the people of Indonesia not only to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, but it had also inspired them to assume their sovereign rights. The people had taken their destiny into their own hands and secured their rightful role in the process of national decision-making. The Indonesia of today should be measured not with the yardstick by which it was judged in past decades, but in the context of ongoing change and how it was managing that change.
Bernard Bot, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said the Commission should be a platform for open dialogue and constructive mutual criticism. It should be composed of representatives of the widest possible variety of cultures and identities, provided, of course, that "culture" did not become a routine excuse for not addressing, or even for condoning human rights abuses. The establishment of a human rights council in a position similar to either the General Assembly or the Security Council could help strengthen the United Nations human rights system, and would reflect the increased importance of human rights within the United Nations.
George Iacovou, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, noted that the members of the Commission of Human Rights were familiar with the question of human rights in Cyprus as that issue had been on the agenda since 1975. The violation of human rights of Cypriots by Turkey had been substantiated and accepted by international tribunals. There was no statute of limitations on the violation of human rights. Yet, some had suggested that indefinite postponement of the issue of Cyprus constituted a final remedy.
Azerbaijan exercised its right of reply.
After concluding its morning meeting at 1 p.m., the Commission immediately started a midday meeting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. during which it will listen to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Justice of Morocco and the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Argentina.
Statements
ERKKI TUOMIOJA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, said the role of the Commission on Human Rights was unique. It was the most important institution to set global human rights standards and the focal point for international human rights mechanisms. It tackled human rights violations everywhere in the world and also played an essential role in taking preventive measures. It could be safely concluded that the practical implementation of existing human rights standards had helped to prevent suffering and even loss of human lives. The universal nature of human rights suggested that human rights violations should be addressed irrespective of where they occurred, and the Commission should be able therefore to deal with individual country situations in all countries across the world. The world human rights situation left a great deal to be desired. There was plenty of urgent work, and the Commission was the key global forum for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Terrorism featured prominently in the international human rights debate and on the agenda of the Commission. In many countries, people were constantly haunted by various kinds of violations of human security. The situation was aggravated by lack of democratic participation and good governance as well as shortcomings in the functioning of the judiciary. Restrictions on the freedom of speech and marginalisation of minorities hindered democratic reform. In many cases, violence bred violence; but on the other hand, confidence could be built by ensuring that everyone could rely on the principles of the rule of law and good governance. Democratic processes should be built by ensuring that everyone could rely on the principles of the rule of law and good governance. In the fight against terrorism, there should be emphasis for the respect of human rights, and compliance with the rule of law. Combating terrorism should not involve any compromise of basic human rights standards.
The main challenge ahead did not lie so much in drafting new human rights instruments but in implementing the ones already in existence. What was required was fine-tuning of the present standards or preparation of additional instruments geared to enhanced implementation, and a case in point was economic, social and cultural rights. Historically speaking, democracy was undoubtedly on the increase. More people were able to make genuine political choices to determine the future of their countries. Work for the promotion of democracy and for human rights as its key component, would need to be a continuous effort. The Commission represented hope for the women, men and children in various countries calling for justice and the full realisation of their human rights.
VARTAN OSKANIAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, said that references to the Commission on Human Rights in the report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change reflected the fact that the largest challenges faced in the world today related to adherence, and non-adherence, to human rights. As the report addressed the ways and mechanisms in which those rights must be protected, the international community must remain engaged with its objectives as it evaluated the report. Moreover, commitments to respect human rights at the national level required enhanced cooperation in today’s world. The world today was different than that of 15 years ago; today, human rights violations constituted the beginning of international catastrophes. Hiding behind national sovereignty to avoid responsibility for the failure to protect human rights and civil liberties risked the failure to provide justice and to prevent conflict. Human rights and the principles of individual and collective security were inter-related.
Recalling that this year represented the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, in which two-thirds of the Armenian people had perished, he said that today’s survivors continued to believe and expect that the world’s commitment to fight genocide would bring recognition of the genocide perpetrated against them. The victims deserved a catharsis, which obliged him to call on the international community to remove the veil of obfuscation, double standards, and political expediency. The Turkish Government had recently suggested undertaking a historical dialogue with Armenia on whether genocide had occurred. However, there was no need to reassess the evidence, which showed that genocide had indeed occurred. Armenia was willing to address the genocide in conjunction with Turkey, to try to transcend it, but there was no need to address whether it had happened.
On the issue of self-determination, he noted that the world had come to condemn the perpetrators of domestic violence, and to support the victims. Yet, the world had not yet stood for the victims of governmental violence. A government that perpetrated violence against the people should lose the right to custody of them, much like the perpetrators of domestic violence lost the right to custody. Armenia maintained that the Government of Azerbaijan had lost the moral right to speak of providing security to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, let alone the right to custody of them. Defending and protecting human rights was not an abstract principle; it was the difference between survival and annihilation.
EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said Islam, a religion for all humanity, was founded on the principles of peace, compassion and acknowledging the other. It was moreover established on a foundation of good governance, justice, strict equality among people, respect of basic rights, social justice, accountability and transparency and the recognition of cultural diversity. Islam abhorred and prohibited all manifestations of discrimination, racism, corruption, and the disruption of public order or terrorism. All those principles were rooted and documented in myriad literature on Islamic jurisprudence for more than a thousand years ago. Those principles were still the pillars of modern society and democracy, and indeed the core and the essence of the lofty human values of modern days.
Islamophobia was a new name to an old phenomenon which had been recently brought to the forth after the criminal, evil and tragic events of 11 September 2001. Although those horrendous atrocities received a swift and unanimous condemnation by the Organization, Muslim leaders and scholars throughout the world, the irrational voices of hatred and bigotry were quick to demonize Islam and Muslims. Some Western media fuelled the fear of Islam by linking it with terrorism. Stereotypes and disrespectful comments about Islam were allowed to circulate and be published. The result was that hatred and prejudice against Islam gained credibility, and the stereotyping in media coverage became a global spot. The war on terrorism and the draconian measures which accompanied it contributed to make the plight of many Muslims around the world profoundly disturbing.
The Commission, under the terms of reference drawn up for it since its inception, had been following up one of the most tragic issues of human rights violations, the question of Palestine, where the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination had been denied and where the Palestinian people were still enduring the ordeal of the occupation of their territories and of the illegitimate practices that went against all international norms and humanitarian law, some of which were classified in the category of war crimes and state terrorism. The exactions perpetrated by the Israeli army included assassinations, extrajudiciary killings, the demolition of homes, the blockades, and continued building of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, among other things. In Iraq, despite the progress achieved at the political level, the humanitarian and security situation remained a matter of great concern.
HAMADI OULD MEIMOU, Human Rights Commissioner of Mauritania, said the promotion and protection of human rights and the expression of universal common values were a common goal to all members of the international society. The universal and effective respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms was clearly laid out in the United Nations Charter as an obligation for each Member State. In this context, the Commission on Human Rights, justly described as the World’s Conscience, had played a remarkable role which was important to bear in mind as its reform was being considered. Reform was not a goal in and of itself, and what was important was to reach the goals defined by the Charter and developed over the years by the Commission and other competent mechanisms.
Today, a consensus existed on the importance of human rights and the priority nature of their realisation. The efforts of the international community should be further angled towards the ways and means of eliminating the obstacles that stood in the way of this implementation, both at the national and international levels. At the national level, human rights could only flower in a democratic society based on the primacy of law. At the international level, it was indispensable to guarantee peace and security and to install an economic environment that was favourable to the development of the countries of the South. The installation of favourable conditions to economic and social development would contribute to the elimination of economic and social threats that impeded the progress of peace and to the genesis of a world where human beings would be freed from fear and misery.
There was no more efficient means of installing justice on both the national and international levels and to stifle the sources of instability, including terrorism, than to eradicate poverty and implement the other Millennium Goals. Terrorism in particular fed upon despair, instability and poverty, and it was these causes that should be fought in order to banish all forms of violence. A climate of social peace and socio-economic development opportunities favourised the development of these policies and would permit the consolidation of political and social gains.
AMAT AL-ALIM AL-SOSWA, Minister for Human Rights of Yemen, said her country had taken positive steps towards practicing democracy and freedom of speech, and the situation of human rights had improved greatly under the political leadership that had confirmed its commitments to all human rights conventions. Human rights and democracy represented a rescue ship for political regimes, a safe means of achieving security, stability and development. Thus, Yemen had signed and ratified more than 56 international conventions and treaties, while, over the last 15 years, the Government had enhanced its commitment to respect the public liberties and basic rights, including to move freely, to secure property, to protect choices, to form political parties and organizations, and to establish independent publications.
The last decade had also seen the advancement of women, she noted. There were now more than 69,000 female public employees in different administrative units, while more than 40,000 women had been employed in the educational sector. Additionally, there were currently ten women serving as deputy ministers, five assistant deputy ministers, and 130 general directors in different government institutions. Women formed nearly 23 per cent of the private business sector, and increasingly participated in the media and judicial fields. Overall, the increase in women’s participation in the fields of economic, social and political development had enabled them to receive better education and health services, although a gender gap continued to exist.
Among other initiatives designed to confirm the Government’s respect for democracy and respect for human rights, she cited the holding of the Intergovernmental Conference of Democracy and Human Rights and the role of the International Criminal Court in 2004; the holding of dialogues with youth accused of having links to terrorism, approval by the Council of Ministers for ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; reform of the law of press and publications to cancel the clause allowing for imprisonment of journalists; issuance of the fourth regular report on Yemen’s compliance with international civil and political rights standards; conducting the second Children’s Parliamentary elections in 2004, in which 30,000 children participated; and formation of a body to draft a law on refugees.
KASTRIOT ISLAMI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania, said the respect for human rights was not only a fundamental pillar of the most developed democratic societies, but also of the new democratic ones like the Albanian society. The Constitution of Albania embodied the basic principles of democracy, where the protection and respect of human rights were considered as essential values of the human rights culture that Albanian society was building. The democratic reforms were the main objective of the Albanian Government, not only because for the aspiration of its people towards European Union integration, but also as a necessity for political, economic, and social stability in the country, focusing on the improvement of living conditions of the Albanians in accordance with the European standards.
The Albanian Government, considering the trafficking of human beings as a phenomenon that negatively affected the protection of human rights, was implementing the National Strategy against the Trafficking of Human Beings and had recently compiled the National Strategy on Combating the Trafficking of Children. Those documents aimed to maximize the fight against the trafficking of human beings and to strengthen the regional dialogue on that issue through bilateral and multilateral agreements. With the view to prevent illegal emigration, the Albanian Government had adopted in 2004 the National Strategy on the Management of Migration, which would be followed soon by a Plan of Action.
The Albanian Government considered regional cooperation as a key factor of stability, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and good understanding in the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans was a more secure and stable region. The remarkable progress had been evidenced in the context of economic and social development as well as in the structural forms. At present, all the countries of the region, following their individual agenda, had a clear European prospective. The main challenges to overcome in order to guarantee a sustainable progress were basically related to the ongoing improvement of governance, and achievement of standards concerning the protection of human rights, in particular of the rights of women, children and minorities. In that respect, Albania was playing a constructive role by participating more actively in the regional mechanisms established for the enhancement of that cooperation.
DIMITRIJ RUPEL, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and Chairman in Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said the human dimension, which stood for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law,- was a common goal for OSCE States. All States had a vested interest in each other’s security, and this was why they acted cooperatively in order to ensure that the rule of law was upheld. This approach was evident in the growing determination to stamp out intolerance and discrimination. In order for the basic human rights principles to take root in societies over the long term, there was a need to raise awareness among young people.
Respect for basic human rights was also a factor in the economic and environmental dimension. The inter-linkage was best demonstrated in the prevailing priority given to the questions of migration and integration. Efforts should be invested into the gradual creation of an environment that would facilitate adaptation to the increasing cultural diversity and the integration of migrants. The importance of maintaining the basic principles of human rights when confronting security challenges should also be addressed. Societies and inter-state relations based on the rule of law and the protection of human rights would be less prone to instability.
In the last decades, the United Nations and the Commission had developed an extensive corpus of human rights law. It was now time to take a step forward from the declaratory, normative phase to an implementation era. This process would in the long term raise the protection of and respect for the human rights of individuals to a higher level, and this was considered to be the foundation of sustainable peace and development. In striving to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, Slovenia had decided to take its commitment one step further and had put forward its candidacy for membership of the Commission for the 2008-2010 period, and would consider it a particular privilege to be granted the honour to serve that body in the capacity of a Member State.
PATRICIA OLAMENDI, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said the transformation of the Commission on Human Rights into an instrument able to prevent human rights violations and to protect the victims of such violations would contribute to authentic human development -- a fundamental requirement for the strengthening of international peace and security. For its own part, Mexico had promoted the establishment of the "Group of Friends" for United Nations reform, which had thus far presented 14 non-papers to the Secretary-General and President of the General Assembly. On human rights specifically, any reform must be oriented to the system as a whole and should ensure incorporation of a human rights perspective in all areas of the Organization’s work. It should also emphasize the importance of the protection and promotion of human rights for conflict prevention. Moreover, reform should not be limited to the Commission alone, but should take into account all available sources to strengthen preventive capacity and facilitate timely decision-making.
Democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights constituted a group of values, actions and principles that must be daily respected in order to guarantee the well-being of the people, she added. Thus, her Government’s goal had been to develop a policy, extending beyond one administration, which would raise people’s awareness of their rights, and allow them to defend them by means of governmental institutions. Proceeding down that path, Mexico had ratified the vast majority of human rights instruments, established institutional mechanisms for their application, proposed legislative reforms, and increased civil society participation. The National Programme of Human Rights constituted the public policy tool required to implement these actions.
International norms contained a clear prohibition of torture, Ms. Olamendi added, which left no room for reinterpretation. Having ratified the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Mexico was in the process of implementing domestic regulations which made medical examinations compulsory for all possible victims of torture, in conformity with the Istanbul Protocol. The Government also remained committed to the fight against terrorism, and to ensuring respect for human rights throughout that effort. Further areas of special attention included ceasing the use of the death penalty, fighting domestic violence, redressing the unjust international economic order, and protecting and promoting the rights of migrants, as well as other vulnerable groups such as disabled persons.
N. HASSAN WIRAJUDA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, said the spirit of reform had galvanized the people of Indonesia not only to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, but it had also inspired them to assume their sovereign rights. The people had taken their destiny into their own hands and had secured their rightful role in the process of national decision-making. The Indonesia of today should be measured not with the yardstick by which it was judged in past decades, but in the context of ongoing change and how it was managing that change. There would be more changes in Indonesia in the months and years ahead. As in other countries in democratic transition, Indonesia had to deal with the burdens of past injustices. Under a new law, it had set up human rights courts to try instances of serious violations of human rights. A new Commission on Truth and Reconciliation would be set up under the law enacted last September. There was a need to bring to closure the reported violations of human rights that took place prior to and immediately following the 1999 popular consultation in Timor Leste.
At the regional level, Indonesia and the rest of the ASEAN family were striving to promote a climate conducive to respect for human rights by becoming an ASEAN Security Community. That was by no means a military alliance, but a way of assuming full responsibility for peace and stability in their own region. To evolve into such a Community, they would have to promote shared values as the basis for their political cooperation. In creating a just, democratic and harmonious environment, they would make it a point to nurture democracy and respect for human rights as their shared vision.
One of the straightforward measures to ensure that the processes of the Commission were closer to the ground was by alternating sessions between Geneva and other countries. Many countries would gladly offer to host the Commission’s session, as it would promote public education and foster a dialogue among the relevant stakeholders.
BERNARD BOT, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said there was a need to find the right balance between the protection of the freedom of religion or belief itself, and protection from abuses of religion or belief for political or other purposes. Unfortunately, some Governments did not respect freedom of religion or belief, let alone protect it. Of course, people should also have the right not to believe, or to adhere to humanist views, and not to organise themselves around religious communities. States were not entitled to make any of these rights conditional upon formal registration of a particular religion or belief. In many countries religious minorities faced other problems as well, and in such cases, it was vital that the State protect the rights of minorities.
The question was, Mr. Bot said, what measures a Government should take to protect its citizens from religious extremism, while at the same time preserving everything that made for an open and democratic society. In the fast- moving world of the Internet and mobile phones, the attraction of religious extremism for young, disoriented people in search of fixed goals and firm guidance should not be underestimated. Religion was also used as an excuse for practices that infringed on or denied women’s rights. It was crucial to discuss these challenges. The members of the Commission should support this year’s resolution on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.
The Commission should be a platform for open dialogue and constructive mutual criticism. It should be composed of representatives of the widest possible variety of cultures and identities, provided, of course, that "culture" did not become a routine excuse for not addressing or even for condoning human rights abuses. The establishment of a human rights council in a position similar to either the General Assembly or the Security Council could help strengthen the United Nations human rights system, and would reflect the increased importance of human rights within the United Nations and could raise the discussion of human rights to a higher, more political level.
GEORGE IACOVOU, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, noted that the members of the Commission of Human Rights were familiar with the question of human rights in Cyprus as that issue had been on the agenda since 1975. Over the years, there had been many developments on that question: the report of the European Commission had found the respondent State responsible for massive violations of human rights; the European Court of Human Rights had found Turkey in violation of the human rights of Cypriots; and, in the first individual recourse under article 25 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the Court had ruled in favour of the Cypriot plaintiff, finding that Turkey had violated her rights with respect to property in occupied Cyprus. The violation of human rights of Cypriots by Turkey had been substantiated and accepted by international tribunals.
There was no statute of limitations on the violation of human rights, Mr. Iacovou said. Yet, some had suggested that indefinite postponement of the issue of Cyprus constituted a final remedy. The problems of missing persons would not disappear when their parents had all died; 25 years after the fact, the rights of relatives to know what had happened to their loved ones continued. Political considerations had been principally responsible for the lack of progress on restitution for human rights violations in Cyprus, he added. For instance, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe had delayed consideration of the report of the European Commission on Human Rights, which had found Turkey guilty of massive violations of human rights, as Turkey’s friends and allies had rallied around to keep the report secret.
No one disputed that the settlement of occupied territories constituted an international crime, he continued. It was a well-known fact that twice as many mainland Turkish settlers lived on the island than native Turkish Cypriots. Their presence in Cyprus posed complex political, military and economic issues, and complicated the process of restitution of properties to their rightful owners. Yet, in discussing the problem, Greek Cypriots seemed to be told to "accept them, or thousands more will come to flood you". A similar line had been taken with respect to Greek Cypriot land, which had been allocated to Turkish Cypriots and Turkish mainland settlers, and which had been sold to Western European developers. And the Greek Cypriots were told that this situation would not have resulted if they had accepted the United Nations-sponsored peace plan. However, he concluded, the Greek Cypriots, while rejecting a specific plan, had not rejected the solution of the problem. The message had been sent; Cyprus sought a viable and functional solution, in which all human rights would be respected in a bi-communcal, bi-zonal Federation.
Right of Reply
ELCHIN AMIRBAYOV (Azerbaijan), speaking in a right of reply, said he had been hoping the speaker from Armenia would be more constructive, but the speaker’s emotional outburst had made it clear that history was still confused in Armenia in order to justify illegal policies. Armenia clearly was not ready to engage in constructive developments in the region. Armenia had been the first to engage in complete ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, and had engaged in illegal settlement policies, resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe. He asked Armenia how it could attempt to gain the sympathy of the international community by depicting itself as an alleged victim, when it had been engaged in disgusting policies of ethnic cleansing, and was in need of catharsis. Armenia had been clearly hypocritical in its behaviour and in its speech. Full democraticisation and security and stability in the region would only be possible with sober and committed joint efforts in this direction.
* *** *
For use of the information media; not an official record
MORNING
15 March 2005
Hears from Dignitaries from Finland, Armenia, OIC, Mauritania, Yemen,
Albania, OSCE, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands and Cyprus
The Commission on Human Rights this morning started the second day of its high-level segment, hearing from dignitaries from Finland, Armenia, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Mauritania, Yemen, Albania, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Mexico, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Cyprus.
The senior officials spoke, among other things, about the role and reform of the Commission as well as national efforts to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.
Erkki Tuomioja, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, said the role of the Commission on Human Rights was unique. It was the most important institution to set global human rights standards and the focal point for international human rights mechanisms. The world human rights situation left a great deal to be desired. There was plenty of urgent work, and the Commission was the key global forum for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Vartan Oskanian, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, said commitments to respect human rights at the national level required enhanced cooperation in today’s world. The world today was different than that of 15 years ago; today, human rights violations constituted the beginning of international catastrophes. Hiding behind national sovereignty to avoid responsibility for the failure to protect human rights and civil liberties risked the failure to provide justice and to prevent conflict.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said Islamophobia was a new name to an old phenomenon which had been recently brought to the forth after the criminal, evil and tragic events of 11 September 2001. Although those horrendous atrocities had received a swift and unanimous condemnation by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Muslim leaders and scholars throughout the world, the irrational voices of hatred and bigotry were quick to demonize Islam and Muslims.
Hamadi Ould Meimou, the Human Rights Commissioner of Mauritania, said there was no more efficient means to install justice on both the national and international levels and to stifle the sources of instability, including terrorism, than to eradicate poverty and to implement the other Millennium Goals. Terrorism in particular fed upon despair, instability and poverty, and it was these causes that should be fought in order to banish all forms of violence. A climate of social peace and socio-economic development opportunities favourised the development of these policies and would permit the consolidation of political and social gains.
Amat Al-Alim Al-Soswa, Minister for Human Rights of Yemen, said Yemen had taken positive steps towards practicing democracy and freedom of speech, and the situation of human rights had improved greatly under the political leadership that had confirmed its commitments to all human rights conventions. Human rights and democracy represented a rescue ship for political regimes, a safe means of achieving security, stability and development. Thus, Yemen had signed and ratified more than 56 international conventions and treaties, while, over the last 15 years, the Government had enhanced its commitment to respect public liberties and basic rights.
Kastriot Islami, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania, said the Constitution of Albania embodied the basic principles of democracy, where the protection and respect of human rights were considered as essential values of the human rights culture that Albanian society was building. The democratic reforms were the main objective of the Albanian Government, not only because of the aspiration of its people towards European Union integration, but also as a necessity for the political, economic, and social stability of the country.
Dimitrij Rupel, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and Chairman in Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said the human dimension, which stood for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law was a common goal for OSCE States. All States had a vested interest in each other’s security, and this was why they acted cooperatively in order to ensure that the rule of law was upheld. This approach was evident in the growing determination to stamp out intolerance and discrimination.
Patricia Olamendi, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said the transformation of the Commission on Human Rights into an instrument able to prevent human rights violations, and to protect the victims of such violations, would contribute to authentic human development. For its own part, Mexico had promoted the establishment of the "Group of Friends" for United Nations reform. On human rights specifically, any reform must be oriented to the system as a whole and should ensure incorporation of a human rights perspective in all areas of the Organization’s work.
N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, said the spirit of reform had galvanized the people of Indonesia not only to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, but it had also inspired them to assume their sovereign rights. The people had taken their destiny into their own hands and secured their rightful role in the process of national decision-making. The Indonesia of today should be measured not with the yardstick by which it was judged in past decades, but in the context of ongoing change and how it was managing that change.
Bernard Bot, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said the Commission should be a platform for open dialogue and constructive mutual criticism. It should be composed of representatives of the widest possible variety of cultures and identities, provided, of course, that "culture" did not become a routine excuse for not addressing, or even for condoning human rights abuses. The establishment of a human rights council in a position similar to either the General Assembly or the Security Council could help strengthen the United Nations human rights system, and would reflect the increased importance of human rights within the United Nations.
George Iacovou, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, noted that the members of the Commission of Human Rights were familiar with the question of human rights in Cyprus as that issue had been on the agenda since 1975. The violation of human rights of Cypriots by Turkey had been substantiated and accepted by international tribunals. There was no statute of limitations on the violation of human rights. Yet, some had suggested that indefinite postponement of the issue of Cyprus constituted a final remedy.
Azerbaijan exercised its right of reply.
After concluding its morning meeting at 1 p.m., the Commission immediately started a midday meeting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. during which it will listen to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Justice of Morocco and the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Argentina.
Statements
ERKKI TUOMIOJA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, said the role of the Commission on Human Rights was unique. It was the most important institution to set global human rights standards and the focal point for international human rights mechanisms. It tackled human rights violations everywhere in the world and also played an essential role in taking preventive measures. It could be safely concluded that the practical implementation of existing human rights standards had helped to prevent suffering and even loss of human lives. The universal nature of human rights suggested that human rights violations should be addressed irrespective of where they occurred, and the Commission should be able therefore to deal with individual country situations in all countries across the world. The world human rights situation left a great deal to be desired. There was plenty of urgent work, and the Commission was the key global forum for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Terrorism featured prominently in the international human rights debate and on the agenda of the Commission. In many countries, people were constantly haunted by various kinds of violations of human security. The situation was aggravated by lack of democratic participation and good governance as well as shortcomings in the functioning of the judiciary. Restrictions on the freedom of speech and marginalisation of minorities hindered democratic reform. In many cases, violence bred violence; but on the other hand, confidence could be built by ensuring that everyone could rely on the principles of the rule of law and good governance. Democratic processes should be built by ensuring that everyone could rely on the principles of the rule of law and good governance. In the fight against terrorism, there should be emphasis for the respect of human rights, and compliance with the rule of law. Combating terrorism should not involve any compromise of basic human rights standards.
The main challenge ahead did not lie so much in drafting new human rights instruments but in implementing the ones already in existence. What was required was fine-tuning of the present standards or preparation of additional instruments geared to enhanced implementation, and a case in point was economic, social and cultural rights. Historically speaking, democracy was undoubtedly on the increase. More people were able to make genuine political choices to determine the future of their countries. Work for the promotion of democracy and for human rights as its key component, would need to be a continuous effort. The Commission represented hope for the women, men and children in various countries calling for justice and the full realisation of their human rights.
VARTAN OSKANIAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, said that references to the Commission on Human Rights in the report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change reflected the fact that the largest challenges faced in the world today related to adherence, and non-adherence, to human rights. As the report addressed the ways and mechanisms in which those rights must be protected, the international community must remain engaged with its objectives as it evaluated the report. Moreover, commitments to respect human rights at the national level required enhanced cooperation in today’s world. The world today was different than that of 15 years ago; today, human rights violations constituted the beginning of international catastrophes. Hiding behind national sovereignty to avoid responsibility for the failure to protect human rights and civil liberties risked the failure to provide justice and to prevent conflict. Human rights and the principles of individual and collective security were inter-related.
Recalling that this year represented the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, in which two-thirds of the Armenian people had perished, he said that today’s survivors continued to believe and expect that the world’s commitment to fight genocide would bring recognition of the genocide perpetrated against them. The victims deserved a catharsis, which obliged him to call on the international community to remove the veil of obfuscation, double standards, and political expediency. The Turkish Government had recently suggested undertaking a historical dialogue with Armenia on whether genocide had occurred. However, there was no need to reassess the evidence, which showed that genocide had indeed occurred. Armenia was willing to address the genocide in conjunction with Turkey, to try to transcend it, but there was no need to address whether it had happened.
On the issue of self-determination, he noted that the world had come to condemn the perpetrators of domestic violence, and to support the victims. Yet, the world had not yet stood for the victims of governmental violence. A government that perpetrated violence against the people should lose the right to custody of them, much like the perpetrators of domestic violence lost the right to custody. Armenia maintained that the Government of Azerbaijan had lost the moral right to speak of providing security to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, let alone the right to custody of them. Defending and protecting human rights was not an abstract principle; it was the difference between survival and annihilation.
EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said Islam, a religion for all humanity, was founded on the principles of peace, compassion and acknowledging the other. It was moreover established on a foundation of good governance, justice, strict equality among people, respect of basic rights, social justice, accountability and transparency and the recognition of cultural diversity. Islam abhorred and prohibited all manifestations of discrimination, racism, corruption, and the disruption of public order or terrorism. All those principles were rooted and documented in myriad literature on Islamic jurisprudence for more than a thousand years ago. Those principles were still the pillars of modern society and democracy, and indeed the core and the essence of the lofty human values of modern days.
Islamophobia was a new name to an old phenomenon which had been recently brought to the forth after the criminal, evil and tragic events of 11 September 2001. Although those horrendous atrocities received a swift and unanimous condemnation by the Organization, Muslim leaders and scholars throughout the world, the irrational voices of hatred and bigotry were quick to demonize Islam and Muslims. Some Western media fuelled the fear of Islam by linking it with terrorism. Stereotypes and disrespectful comments about Islam were allowed to circulate and be published. The result was that hatred and prejudice against Islam gained credibility, and the stereotyping in media coverage became a global spot. The war on terrorism and the draconian measures which accompanied it contributed to make the plight of many Muslims around the world profoundly disturbing.
The Commission, under the terms of reference drawn up for it since its inception, had been following up one of the most tragic issues of human rights violations, the question of Palestine, where the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination had been denied and where the Palestinian people were still enduring the ordeal of the occupation of their territories and of the illegitimate practices that went against all international norms and humanitarian law, some of which were classified in the category of war crimes and state terrorism. The exactions perpetrated by the Israeli army included assassinations, extrajudiciary killings, the demolition of homes, the blockades, and continued building of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, among other things. In Iraq, despite the progress achieved at the political level, the humanitarian and security situation remained a matter of great concern.
HAMADI OULD MEIMOU, Human Rights Commissioner of Mauritania, said the promotion and protection of human rights and the expression of universal common values were a common goal to all members of the international society. The universal and effective respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms was clearly laid out in the United Nations Charter as an obligation for each Member State. In this context, the Commission on Human Rights, justly described as the World’s Conscience, had played a remarkable role which was important to bear in mind as its reform was being considered. Reform was not a goal in and of itself, and what was important was to reach the goals defined by the Charter and developed over the years by the Commission and other competent mechanisms.
Today, a consensus existed on the importance of human rights and the priority nature of their realisation. The efforts of the international community should be further angled towards the ways and means of eliminating the obstacles that stood in the way of this implementation, both at the national and international levels. At the national level, human rights could only flower in a democratic society based on the primacy of law. At the international level, it was indispensable to guarantee peace and security and to install an economic environment that was favourable to the development of the countries of the South. The installation of favourable conditions to economic and social development would contribute to the elimination of economic and social threats that impeded the progress of peace and to the genesis of a world where human beings would be freed from fear and misery.
There was no more efficient means of installing justice on both the national and international levels and to stifle the sources of instability, including terrorism, than to eradicate poverty and implement the other Millennium Goals. Terrorism in particular fed upon despair, instability and poverty, and it was these causes that should be fought in order to banish all forms of violence. A climate of social peace and socio-economic development opportunities favourised the development of these policies and would permit the consolidation of political and social gains.
AMAT AL-ALIM AL-SOSWA, Minister for Human Rights of Yemen, said her country had taken positive steps towards practicing democracy and freedom of speech, and the situation of human rights had improved greatly under the political leadership that had confirmed its commitments to all human rights conventions. Human rights and democracy represented a rescue ship for political regimes, a safe means of achieving security, stability and development. Thus, Yemen had signed and ratified more than 56 international conventions and treaties, while, over the last 15 years, the Government had enhanced its commitment to respect the public liberties and basic rights, including to move freely, to secure property, to protect choices, to form political parties and organizations, and to establish independent publications.
The last decade had also seen the advancement of women, she noted. There were now more than 69,000 female public employees in different administrative units, while more than 40,000 women had been employed in the educational sector. Additionally, there were currently ten women serving as deputy ministers, five assistant deputy ministers, and 130 general directors in different government institutions. Women formed nearly 23 per cent of the private business sector, and increasingly participated in the media and judicial fields. Overall, the increase in women’s participation in the fields of economic, social and political development had enabled them to receive better education and health services, although a gender gap continued to exist.
Among other initiatives designed to confirm the Government’s respect for democracy and respect for human rights, she cited the holding of the Intergovernmental Conference of Democracy and Human Rights and the role of the International Criminal Court in 2004; the holding of dialogues with youth accused of having links to terrorism, approval by the Council of Ministers for ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; reform of the law of press and publications to cancel the clause allowing for imprisonment of journalists; issuance of the fourth regular report on Yemen’s compliance with international civil and political rights standards; conducting the second Children’s Parliamentary elections in 2004, in which 30,000 children participated; and formation of a body to draft a law on refugees.
KASTRIOT ISLAMI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania, said the respect for human rights was not only a fundamental pillar of the most developed democratic societies, but also of the new democratic ones like the Albanian society. The Constitution of Albania embodied the basic principles of democracy, where the protection and respect of human rights were considered as essential values of the human rights culture that Albanian society was building. The democratic reforms were the main objective of the Albanian Government, not only because for the aspiration of its people towards European Union integration, but also as a necessity for political, economic, and social stability in the country, focusing on the improvement of living conditions of the Albanians in accordance with the European standards.
The Albanian Government, considering the trafficking of human beings as a phenomenon that negatively affected the protection of human rights, was implementing the National Strategy against the Trafficking of Human Beings and had recently compiled the National Strategy on Combating the Trafficking of Children. Those documents aimed to maximize the fight against the trafficking of human beings and to strengthen the regional dialogue on that issue through bilateral and multilateral agreements. With the view to prevent illegal emigration, the Albanian Government had adopted in 2004 the National Strategy on the Management of Migration, which would be followed soon by a Plan of Action.
The Albanian Government considered regional cooperation as a key factor of stability, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and good understanding in the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans was a more secure and stable region. The remarkable progress had been evidenced in the context of economic and social development as well as in the structural forms. At present, all the countries of the region, following their individual agenda, had a clear European prospective. The main challenges to overcome in order to guarantee a sustainable progress were basically related to the ongoing improvement of governance, and achievement of standards concerning the protection of human rights, in particular of the rights of women, children and minorities. In that respect, Albania was playing a constructive role by participating more actively in the regional mechanisms established for the enhancement of that cooperation.
DIMITRIJ RUPEL, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and Chairman in Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said the human dimension, which stood for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law,- was a common goal for OSCE States. All States had a vested interest in each other’s security, and this was why they acted cooperatively in order to ensure that the rule of law was upheld. This approach was evident in the growing determination to stamp out intolerance and discrimination. In order for the basic human rights principles to take root in societies over the long term, there was a need to raise awareness among young people.
Respect for basic human rights was also a factor in the economic and environmental dimension. The inter-linkage was best demonstrated in the prevailing priority given to the questions of migration and integration. Efforts should be invested into the gradual creation of an environment that would facilitate adaptation to the increasing cultural diversity and the integration of migrants. The importance of maintaining the basic principles of human rights when confronting security challenges should also be addressed. Societies and inter-state relations based on the rule of law and the protection of human rights would be less prone to instability.
In the last decades, the United Nations and the Commission had developed an extensive corpus of human rights law. It was now time to take a step forward from the declaratory, normative phase to an implementation era. This process would in the long term raise the protection of and respect for the human rights of individuals to a higher level, and this was considered to be the foundation of sustainable peace and development. In striving to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, Slovenia had decided to take its commitment one step further and had put forward its candidacy for membership of the Commission for the 2008-2010 period, and would consider it a particular privilege to be granted the honour to serve that body in the capacity of a Member State.
PATRICIA OLAMENDI, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said the transformation of the Commission on Human Rights into an instrument able to prevent human rights violations and to protect the victims of such violations would contribute to authentic human development -- a fundamental requirement for the strengthening of international peace and security. For its own part, Mexico had promoted the establishment of the "Group of Friends" for United Nations reform, which had thus far presented 14 non-papers to the Secretary-General and President of the General Assembly. On human rights specifically, any reform must be oriented to the system as a whole and should ensure incorporation of a human rights perspective in all areas of the Organization’s work. It should also emphasize the importance of the protection and promotion of human rights for conflict prevention. Moreover, reform should not be limited to the Commission alone, but should take into account all available sources to strengthen preventive capacity and facilitate timely decision-making.
Democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights constituted a group of values, actions and principles that must be daily respected in order to guarantee the well-being of the people, she added. Thus, her Government’s goal had been to develop a policy, extending beyond one administration, which would raise people’s awareness of their rights, and allow them to defend them by means of governmental institutions. Proceeding down that path, Mexico had ratified the vast majority of human rights instruments, established institutional mechanisms for their application, proposed legislative reforms, and increased civil society participation. The National Programme of Human Rights constituted the public policy tool required to implement these actions.
International norms contained a clear prohibition of torture, Ms. Olamendi added, which left no room for reinterpretation. Having ratified the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Mexico was in the process of implementing domestic regulations which made medical examinations compulsory for all possible victims of torture, in conformity with the Istanbul Protocol. The Government also remained committed to the fight against terrorism, and to ensuring respect for human rights throughout that effort. Further areas of special attention included ceasing the use of the death penalty, fighting domestic violence, redressing the unjust international economic order, and protecting and promoting the rights of migrants, as well as other vulnerable groups such as disabled persons.
N. HASSAN WIRAJUDA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, said the spirit of reform had galvanized the people of Indonesia not only to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, but it had also inspired them to assume their sovereign rights. The people had taken their destiny into their own hands and had secured their rightful role in the process of national decision-making. The Indonesia of today should be measured not with the yardstick by which it was judged in past decades, but in the context of ongoing change and how it was managing that change. There would be more changes in Indonesia in the months and years ahead. As in other countries in democratic transition, Indonesia had to deal with the burdens of past injustices. Under a new law, it had set up human rights courts to try instances of serious violations of human rights. A new Commission on Truth and Reconciliation would be set up under the law enacted last September. There was a need to bring to closure the reported violations of human rights that took place prior to and immediately following the 1999 popular consultation in Timor Leste.
At the regional level, Indonesia and the rest of the ASEAN family were striving to promote a climate conducive to respect for human rights by becoming an ASEAN Security Community. That was by no means a military alliance, but a way of assuming full responsibility for peace and stability in their own region. To evolve into such a Community, they would have to promote shared values as the basis for their political cooperation. In creating a just, democratic and harmonious environment, they would make it a point to nurture democracy and respect for human rights as their shared vision.
One of the straightforward measures to ensure that the processes of the Commission were closer to the ground was by alternating sessions between Geneva and other countries. Many countries would gladly offer to host the Commission’s session, as it would promote public education and foster a dialogue among the relevant stakeholders.
BERNARD BOT, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said there was a need to find the right balance between the protection of the freedom of religion or belief itself, and protection from abuses of religion or belief for political or other purposes. Unfortunately, some Governments did not respect freedom of religion or belief, let alone protect it. Of course, people should also have the right not to believe, or to adhere to humanist views, and not to organise themselves around religious communities. States were not entitled to make any of these rights conditional upon formal registration of a particular religion or belief. In many countries religious minorities faced other problems as well, and in such cases, it was vital that the State protect the rights of minorities.
The question was, Mr. Bot said, what measures a Government should take to protect its citizens from religious extremism, while at the same time preserving everything that made for an open and democratic society. In the fast- moving world of the Internet and mobile phones, the attraction of religious extremism for young, disoriented people in search of fixed goals and firm guidance should not be underestimated. Religion was also used as an excuse for practices that infringed on or denied women’s rights. It was crucial to discuss these challenges. The members of the Commission should support this year’s resolution on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.
The Commission should be a platform for open dialogue and constructive mutual criticism. It should be composed of representatives of the widest possible variety of cultures and identities, provided, of course, that "culture" did not become a routine excuse for not addressing or even for condoning human rights abuses. The establishment of a human rights council in a position similar to either the General Assembly or the Security Council could help strengthen the United Nations human rights system, and would reflect the increased importance of human rights within the United Nations and could raise the discussion of human rights to a higher, more political level.
GEORGE IACOVOU, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, noted that the members of the Commission of Human Rights were familiar with the question of human rights in Cyprus as that issue had been on the agenda since 1975. Over the years, there had been many developments on that question: the report of the European Commission had found the respondent State responsible for massive violations of human rights; the European Court of Human Rights had found Turkey in violation of the human rights of Cypriots; and, in the first individual recourse under article 25 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the Court had ruled in favour of the Cypriot plaintiff, finding that Turkey had violated her rights with respect to property in occupied Cyprus. The violation of human rights of Cypriots by Turkey had been substantiated and accepted by international tribunals.
There was no statute of limitations on the violation of human rights, Mr. Iacovou said. Yet, some had suggested that indefinite postponement of the issue of Cyprus constituted a final remedy. The problems of missing persons would not disappear when their parents had all died; 25 years after the fact, the rights of relatives to know what had happened to their loved ones continued. Political considerations had been principally responsible for the lack of progress on restitution for human rights violations in Cyprus, he added. For instance, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe had delayed consideration of the report of the European Commission on Human Rights, which had found Turkey guilty of massive violations of human rights, as Turkey’s friends and allies had rallied around to keep the report secret.
No one disputed that the settlement of occupied territories constituted an international crime, he continued. It was a well-known fact that twice as many mainland Turkish settlers lived on the island than native Turkish Cypriots. Their presence in Cyprus posed complex political, military and economic issues, and complicated the process of restitution of properties to their rightful owners. Yet, in discussing the problem, Greek Cypriots seemed to be told to "accept them, or thousands more will come to flood you". A similar line had been taken with respect to Greek Cypriot land, which had been allocated to Turkish Cypriots and Turkish mainland settlers, and which had been sold to Western European developers. And the Greek Cypriots were told that this situation would not have resulted if they had accepted the United Nations-sponsored peace plan. However, he concluded, the Greek Cypriots, while rejecting a specific plan, had not rejected the solution of the problem. The message had been sent; Cyprus sought a viable and functional solution, in which all human rights would be respected in a bi-communcal, bi-zonal Federation.
Right of Reply
ELCHIN AMIRBAYOV (Azerbaijan), speaking in a right of reply, said he had been hoping the speaker from Armenia would be more constructive, but the speaker’s emotional outburst had made it clear that history was still confused in Armenia in order to justify illegal policies. Armenia clearly was not ready to engage in constructive developments in the region. Armenia had been the first to engage in complete ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, and had engaged in illegal settlement policies, resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe. He asked Armenia how it could attempt to gain the sympathy of the international community by depicting itself as an alleged victim, when it had been engaged in disgusting policies of ethnic cleansing, and was in need of catharsis. Armenia had been clearly hypocritical in its behaviour and in its speech. Full democraticisation and security and stability in the region would only be possible with sober and committed joint efforts in this direction.
* *** *
For use of the information media; not an official record