INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON THE EFFECTS OF FOREIGN DEBT ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT NORWAY AND ECUADOR

27 April 2009

GENEVA: The Independent Expert of the Human Rights Council on the effects of foreign debt on human rights, Cephas Lumina, will visit Norway from 28 to 30 April 2009, followed by a visit to Ecuador, from 1 to 9 May 2009.

The Independent Expert will examine issues related to illegitimate debt and will consider the effects on the enjoyment of human rights of recent decisions by Norway and Ecuador related to public debt, from both the creditor and debtor perspective.

The Independent Expert will meet with Government officials and with civil society representatives, including non-governmental organizations. He will also have discussions with international financial institutions, development agencies, and academics.

The Independent Expert will present a report on his mission to the Human Rights Council in 2010. A press conference on his preliminary conclusions will be held on 8 May at 10 a.m. at the UNDP Office in Quito.

Mr. Cephas Lumina was appointed ‘Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights’ by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2008. He is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity. The mandate covers all countries.

Mr. Lumina currently teaches law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. For further information on the mandate of the Independent Expert, please visit the websites: http://www.ohchr.org and http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/development/debt/index.htm
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For use of the information media; not an official record