HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VISITS BRAZIL

31 January 2002



United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson is in Brasilia today, continuing a three-day visit to Brazil. This is Mrs. Robinson's second visit to the country as High Commissioner.

Mrs. Robinson and Brazilian authorities will today discuss follow up to the recommendations of the evaluation mission that came to Brazil following the High Commissioner's first visit in May 2000. The evaluation mission was a preliminary step in the establishment of a programme of technical cooperation between the Office of the High Commissioner and Brazil.

The High Commissioner will take part in a working session at the Ministry of Justice on national implementation of the results of the World Conference against Racism, held last autumn in Durban, South Africa. Mrs. Robinson is then scheduled to meet with President Fernando Henrique Cardoso before being briefed on a wide range of social and economic issues by Brazilian authorities at Itamaraty Palace.

In Porto Alegre, the High Commissioner will take part in a number of events organised in conjunction with the World Social Forum. She will address a seminar entitled, "Globalizing Human Dignity: the Challenges for a Rights-Based Approach" organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe. Mrs. Robinson will also speak at an international forum of judges, participate in a workshop on follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, meet with Brazilian business leaders participating in the UN Global Compact initiative and meet with the organizing committee of the World Social Forum. The High Commissioner is expected to detail her call for a joining of efforts to forge an ethical globalization, a message she will also take to the World Economic Forum in New York over the weekend.




* *** *