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Sub-Commission concludes debate on economic, social and cultural rights, takes up specific human rights issues
16 August 2006
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Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights
16 August 2006
Discusses Reports on Right to Drinking Water, the Social Forum
and the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
The Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights this afternoon concluded its debate on economic, social and cultural rights and started consideration of its agenda item on specific human rights issues, including women and human rights, contemporary forms of slavery, terrorism and counter-terrorism, and new priorities. It discussed reports on the realisation of the right to drinking water, the Social Forum and the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
Sub-Commission Expert El-Hadji Guissé, introducing his report on the guidelines for the realisation of the right to drinking water (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2005/25), said in many areas of the world, water was the source of life and it was the very basis for survival. However, the World Health Organization had warned that water was becoming scarce and its contamination was affecting the lives of millions. The world was already lacking water and in the future conflicts would be around water. The international community should find ways of solving the prevailing water problem in the world. Guidelines to this effect had been drawn up and submitted to the Sub-Commission for comments so that they could be improved.
Presenting the report on the fourth meeting of the Social Forum, Sub-Commission Expert Jose Bengoa said the report had a section which was to do with what had been agreed to be the main topic before the Forum, namely the feminisation of poverty. This was a very important topic that was dealt with in an excellent way. It was important to retain from the conclusions that poverty did affect women in particular, and this was an international phenomenon both in terms of figures and in terms of specific situations. Poverty was closely linked to women, and the human rights system should deal effectively with this. A second conclusion was that in the process of eradicating poverty, women had a vital role to play. It was important to study the issue and, if the Social Forum did continue, it was a matter that should be further monitored.
In the context of the agenda item on specific human rights issues, Sub-Commission Expert Abdul Sattar presented the report of the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery at its thirty-first session, saying the session covered three items. On the first, the Sub-Commission would be pleased to note that the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund had recommended grants to non-governmental organizations to more than double the amount than it had given in the past. The second was the thematic discussion of the human rights dimension of prostitution, and several attendees had presented information that the legalisation of prostitution in some countries had increased levels of prostitution and exploitation of migrant and marginalized workers. Another thematic subject addressed was the status of the conventions on slavery, which had been described as orphans as they lacked monitoring mechanisms, and a monitoring mandate for the Working Group had been suggested as something that could be sought.
At the beginning of the meeting, there were statements made on the report of the Working Group on the working methods and activities of transnational corporations on its eighth session, which was presented in the morning meeting.
Speaking this afternoon were Sub-Commission Experts Françoise Jane Hampson, Christy Ezim Mbonu, Mohamed Habib Chérif, Florizelle O’Connor, Janio Ivan Tunon Veilles, Ibrahim Salama, Shiqiu Chen, Emmanuel Decaux, Vladimir Kartashkin, Gudmundur Alfredsson, Antoanella-Iulia Motoc, and Lalaina Rakotoarisoa.
The representative of Chile also took the floor, as did the representative of the Consultative Council of Human Rights of the Kingdom of Morocco. The representative of Iran spoke in exercise of a right of reply.
Also speaking this afternoon were the representatives of Pax Romana, World Organization against Torture, International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, Japanese Workers’ Committee for Human Rights, International Movement ATD Fourth World, in a joint statement with International Council of Women from International Federation of Social Workers, International Institute for Peace, Interfaith International, Association of World Citizens, Conseil Consultatif des Droits de l’Homme du Royaume du Maroc, and Japan Fellowship for Reconciliation.
The next plenary of the Sub-Commission will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday 17 August, when it will continue consideration of agenda item 6.
Statements on Report of Working Group on Transnational Corporations
FRANCOISE JANE HAMPSON, Sub-Commission Expert, said the United Kingdom had had to enact new legislation to fill a gap with regard to individual complaints on human rights. In the absence of a provision in the domestic law, a State had to be inspired by international human rights law. The European Court for Human Rights had also long played a central arbitrary role on these questions, and could contribute to integrating international law norms into national laws.
EL-HADJI GUISSÉ, Sub-Commission Expert, said the report had given rise to an interesting debate, in as much as the intent was to find ways and means of encouraging States to be responsible in how they applied their domestic law. States should respond through the application of domestic law, and national laws should be used to ensure respect for human rights for all entities, whether these were private international entities or private national entities. All should be under the supervision of the State, and it was the responsibility of the State to oversee this.
For the time being, these standards would be included in the agenda of the Sub-Commission or whatever body was established to replace it. The Working Group should continue to study the questions raised by transnational corporations with respect to human rights issues. There should be studies to be presented in the Working Group, and they should then be submitted to the Sub-Commission or the Human Rights Council. The survival of the Group and its continued work on the guidelines and how they were applied should be included in the agenda of the Working Group, which should continue to meet, both to ensure that everybody’s thinking was included, but also as this was an important issue.
Introduction of Report on Guidelines on Drinking Water
EL-HADJI GUISSE, Sub-Commission Expert, introducing the report on the guidelines on drinking water, said the guidelines drawn up were the result of intensive work, which included the participation of several Experts. The guidelines had been drawn up and submitted to the Sub-Commission for comments so that the work would be improved. Although the work was not far from being perfect, the comments by his colleagues would improve its substance. He proposed that the guidelines be retained on the agenda of the Sub-Commission and at the same time to send the report to the Human Rights Council. A draft resolution on the issue would be submitted tomorrow.
In many areas of the world, water was the source of life and it was the very basis for survival. The World Health Organization had warned that water was becoming scarce and its contamination affected the lives of millions. The world was already lacking water and in the future conflicts would be around water. The international community should find ways of solving the prevailing water problem in the world.
Report on the Social Forum
A report (A/HRC/Sub.1/58/15) entitled “the Social Forum: Report of the Chairperson-Rapporteur” presents a summary of discussions and recommendations of the Fourth Social Forum which was held in Geneva on 3 and 4 August 2006. The Social Forum focused on the fight against poverty and the rights to participation, the role of women, as well as on the future of expert advice to the Sub-Commission. In addition to Experts of the Sub-Commission who were members of the Social Forum, representatives of several Member States and Observer States of the United Nations, several specialised agencies, international organizations and NGOs and civil society organizations attended the meeting and participated in the discussions. The conclusions and recommendations emanating from discussions are presented in the report. There was a consensus among members of the Forum and the participants that the Social Forum, as a unique and open body which brings fresh perspective and ideas to the United Nations human rights system should be preserved under the new Council and its future expert advice mechanism.
Introduction of Report on the Social Forum
JOSE BENGOA, Sub-Commission Expert, presenting the report on the fourth meeting of the Social Forum (A/HRC/Sub.1/58/15), said it was a lengthy report, and was not yet fully edited. The report had a section which was to do with what had been agreed to be the main topic before the Forum, namely the feminisation of poverty. This was a very important topic that was dealt with in an excellent way. It was important to retain from the conclusions that poverty did affect women in particular, and this was an international phenomenon both in terms of figures and in terms of specific situations. Poverty was closely linked to women, and the human rights system should deal effectively with this. A second conclusion was that in the process of eradicating poverty, women had a vital role to play. It was important to study the issue and, if the Social Forum did continue, it was a matter that should be further monitored.
It was stated quite clearly in the report, and there had been a consensus among participations that it was necessary for the United Nations to assign some sort of open role and space for participants to exchange views on poverty. The Human Rights Council was urged to continue the mandate of the Social Forum. Some members of the Sub-Commission had pointed out that the very fact that it had worked well was proof that its structure should not be changed, and its work should be strengthened in an innovative manner. There had been extensive debates, with active participation of grass-roots organizations. The presence of the Sub-Commission had been felt to a significant extent, as it had played an active role during the deliberations.
Statements on the Reports on Drinking Water and the Social Forum
CHRISTY EZIM MBONU, Sub-Commission Expert, said with regards to the report on rights to drinking water, this was an important issue which should not be allowed to go down the drain. It was an issue which many had perceived as an aberration, but this was not the case in Africa, where many women and children wasted hours to find drinking water. There were so many diseases that could be prevented by clean drinking water, and this was another reason proving the importance of the document. In Africa, the lack of access to simple water was a violation of human rights. Water was life, and this topic was supported and the Sub-Commission should support it further, transmitting it to the Human Rights Council, so that it would not disappear into the garbage.
ABDUL SATTAR, Sub-Commission Expert, said that Mr. Guisse’s work on the issue of drinking water was a great service to humanity. Speaking on the Social Forum, he said the Forum had focused during the last four years on the situation of poverty and the cause of the phenomenon. All international organizations working on social and economic issues should focus on the issue of poverty. The Social Forum had attracted very prominent attention from non-governmental organizations and UN agencies. The Forum should be maintained by the body to succeed the Sub-Commission. He hoped that all members of the Sub-Commission would join in strengthening the Social Forum.
MOHAMED HABIB CHERIF, Sub-Commission Expert, said with regards to the report on the attainment of safe drinking water, this was a vital human right, and a biologically necessary one, associated with very survival, but it was often unfulfilled and increasingly under threat. This showed the importance of the work done by Mr. Guissé. However, there was a need to clarify what were culturally acceptable levels of access to water. It seemed that there was enormous wastage of water, which asserted economic interests over human rights interests. The price of water should be not only accessible but also fair. Industrialists and service providers should pay a higher price for their water than the humble citizen using it to survive.
Some felt the next wars would not be about petrol, but about water, and this could perhaps be included in the text in terms of human rights, as wars would deprive populations of their rights to water, and could therefore be viewed as a true crime against humanity.
FLORIZELLE O’CONNOR, Sub-Commission Expert, said that to her mind, the work on the right to drinking water and the Social Forum were two faces of the same coin. The request of Mr. Guisse to present his report to a higher body was acceptable. The agreements entered by States in the name of people and the transnatioal corporations with regard to water usually failed. More and more chemicals were poured into water, thus making it undrinkable. During the session of the Social Forum, the availability of water from other sources, other than the pipeline, should be sought.
JANIO IVAN TUNON VEILLES, Sub-Commission Expert, said the members of the Social Forum were to be congratulated on the document presented. The debate therein should be increased to five days. Mr. Guissé should be congratulated for the work he had presented, as the issue was of global importance and contained the necessary elements to assert the right. It was important to have a draft resolution on drinking water. The work done could be fully supported, and the document should be presented to an advisory committee or to the Human Rights Council in due course.
IBRAHIM SALAMA, Sub-Commission Expert, said that the Social Forum should ask for additional days to tackle all other problems under its agenda. During the additional period of time, it could deal with prospective of the poor and the overview of the Council. The right to development should also be considered as a complimentary item to its work. The legitimate concerns of the States parties with regard to the request of extra time could be justified by the additional topics that the Forum was intending to consider.
SHIQIU CHEN, Sub-Commission Expert, said that like previous speakers, he also believed the role played by the Social Forum was very important. Issues discussed by the Forum could be very broad. Two days of meeting time for the Social Forum was too short. The Social Forum was not held intersessionally, and this meant that not all Experts were able to attend, and therefore, if there was a way in which other Experts could also participate, this should be encouraged, as they could then propose their papers and suggestions, contributing to the work of the body. Prior notice should be given to Experts so they could prepare working papers and recommendations for the Forum. This would substantiate its discussions and enhance its quality. The topics discussed by the Forum were however too broad, and it was hoped that in the future one or two themes would be determined for discussion, thus allowing for a focused debate and the adoption of conclusions and decisions that could be sent on to parent bodies. Experts should also be allowed to participate in the meetings.
EMMANUEL DECAUX, Sub-Commission Expert, said Mr. Guisse had presented an excellent piece of work. The situation of water being controlled by multinationals should be given much thought. The State’s responsibility had been decentralized by giving local authorities the right to manage water. In some instances water supply services were privatized, depriving the State of control of the water supply. In the past, the International Law Commission had provided legal opinions on conflicts in water sharing and diverting water resources. Such opinions had been expressed in the Franco-Spanish conflict in diverting water resources and the issue of sharing the resources. The Arbitration Commission in The Hague had arbitrated a number of conflicts relating to water sharing.
VLADIMIR KARTASHKIN, Sub-Commission Expert, said he was grateful to Mr. Bengoa for his report on the Social Forum, and when Mr. Bengoa decided to organise events, whether they were the Social Forum or a Working Group, then these events were always crowned with success. Now there was a more serious aspect to deal with in the work of the Sub-Commission. In order to be successful, it had to suggest something serious for adoption by the Human Rights Council, in order to ensure that the latter body believed that the Social Forum and other subsidiary bodies should continue their work. All of the recommendations in chapter 6 to the Human Rights Council were agreed with, but the Sub-Commission needed to make these recommendations convincing, and to this end, one paragraph, saying something about how the Social Forum was planning to do something in the upcoming year, as well as something about the upcoming work of the Forum, should be included.
Mr. Bengoa and the Group of five persons who made up the basic membership of the Forum should meet again and formulate a programme of work that would persuade the Human Rights Council that the Social Forum was necessary, and should enumerate all issues that would be discussed over the next few years in a substantive manner.
GUDMUNDUR ALFREDSSON, Sub-Commission Expert, addressing the work of Mr. Guisse on the right to water, said he had carefully read the text and expressed his agreement with the content; and suggested that the Sub-Commission adopt the report.
ANTOANELLA-IULIA MOTOC, Sub-Commission Expert, said Mr. Guissé’s paper was on a fundamental issue which definitely affected people living in poverty throughout the world. The document was of great value, and the way in which Mr. Guissé had developed the guiding principles was approved. The Human Rights Council should take the document into account, as it should be submitted to those who could use it immediately. On the Social Forum, the reform of the Sub-Commission meant that proposals had to be made on the future of the body, and when examining new bodies such as the Social Forum, which was only established a few years ago, it was felt that there was a lot of energy and fresh approach in it which was not found in some of the older bodies.
There was a true interactive debate in the Social Forum. In future, there should be an attempt to have more support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Forum. The papers that were submitted and drafted in the Forum should be transformed into Sub-Commission reports.
LALAINA RAKOTOARISOA, Sub-Commission Expert, said the work done by Mr. Bengoa and Mr. Guisse was of great quality. The work of the group drafting guidelines on the principles of extreme poverty and human rights should include comments made by the Experts of the Sub-Commission and should reflect the current jurisprudence on the issue.
PATRICIO UTRERAS (Chile) said with regards to the Social Forum, at a time when the Sub-Commission was taking stock of its work, it was both timely and necessary for the Sub-Commission to stress the need to maintain the Forum as a place for dialogue, and the only one of its type in the United Nations. There was true participation of the dispossessed therein, who participated in the discussion of issues affecting them, including the poverty-reduction strategy that should be followed. Those members of the Sub-Commission who had said that the body should send a strong signal to the Human Rights Council as to the need of the Council to continue to deal with the questions of poverty and human rights was supported. Consistency should be established with regards to the way these issues and others were tackled within the United Nations system. Knowing the multilateral aspect of poverty was important, it was even more important for the phenomenon to continue to be studied from its multi-dimensional aspects, taking into account civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights.
R.J. RAJKUMAR, of Pax Romana, said Pax Romana welcomed the report of Mr.Guisse on the guidelines on the right to drinking water and sanitation. Special attention should be given to the guidelines as water affected the lives of millions of people. Many non-governmental organizations were interested in the guidelines because some of them dealt exclusively with water. There was no hurry to send the report to a higher body.
JOSE BENGOA, Sub-Commission Expert, in concluding remarks on the presentation of his report, said there had been quite a lengthy debate on the topic, and a number of Experts had emphasised its importance. The Forum had had to be organised very rapidly, because of the problem of decisions associated with the meetings of the Sub-Commission. There was a need to find a way for more time to be allotted. That was something which all would like to see, and it should perhaps be spelt out more clearly. There was also a need for more time and for means for organising the meeting more appropriately. There was a need for greater consistency with other parts of the system, and to ensure a greater impact of the meeting.
There was a work plan, but there was ambiguity associated with the transition process. However, the idea of the next session having as a central strategy the elaboration of a poverty-eradication policy within the framework of human rights had been discussed. The advisability of this should be discussed among members of the Forum. Resolutions should also be more comprehensive.
EL-HADJI GUISSE, Sub-Commission Expert, said he was moved by the words and appreciations expressed by his colleagues concerning his work. He was encouraged by those words and without them he would have been demoralized. He thanked all those who had contributed to the work, which he intended to improve during his future presentation. The guidelines he had submitted to the Sub-Commission would be refined in the future. Since the Sub-Commission was the expression of the world’s conscience, it should not lose sight of the importance of drinking water. International and domestic legislation should be able to implement the goals of the guidelines.
MARIANA DUARTE, of World Organization Against Torture, said that for the effective elimination of torture and other forms of violence, it was essential to effectively protect economic, social and cultural rights, as most victims were poor. Guaranteeing economic, social and cultural rights could eliminate powerful root causes of violence. United Nations human rights organs were challenged to find ways of addressing the economic, social and cultural root causes of torture and other forms of violence, and the Sub-Commission could play an important role herein in exploring new and more effective ways of preventing torture. The Sub-Commission and the Human Rights Council should examine and adopt the guiding principles, as those living in extreme poverty had the right to enjoy all human rights.
ALEXANDRA POMEON, of International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, said that there was a need to improve the protection of human rights in the activities of transnational corporations. It was difficult to hold the corporations accountable for human rights violations because of two factors: instead of cooperation with one another, States had entered into a destructive competing against one another; and there remained a number of doctrinal uncertainties concerning the extension to corporations of human rights responsibilities, which had paralysed the debate since the adoption of the norms by the Sub-Commission in 2003. The proposal of the Sub-Commission on the norms had failed to get the necessary support. The Sub-Commission might wish to explore other venues, which would ensure that the same objectives were achieved.
IMANAKA MASAKI, of Japanese Workers Committee for Human Rights, said there was a serious problem for Japanese students, and this was the extremely high tuition fees, which violated human rights. Learning was a fundamental human rights and indispensable for human life, and this could not be enjoyed with high tuition fees. Students could not earn enough money to pay the tuition fees themselves, and many high school students gave up going to university. The Japanese Government should ratify Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and stop the violation of human rights with regards to the right to education immediately.
Conseil international des femmes de l'International Federation of Social Workers
THIERRY VIARD, of International Movement ATD Fourth World, in a joint statement with International Council of Women from International Federation of Social Workers welcomed the presentation of the guidelines on the principles of extreme poverty and human rights. Poverty affected the dignity of many millions of people in the world. People should be free from poverty and fear as the highest attainable rights. The Sub-Commission had been dealing with the issue of poverty for many years and it had now found a structured dialogue with the concerned relevant partners. The dialogue should bring effective remedy to all the human family affected by poverty. A shared universal value should be put in place in tackling the problem. Poverty violated all rights, including economic, social and cultural as well as civil and political ones. In order to achieve human rights for all, the issue of poverty should be dealt with effectively.
TATIANA SCHUMIAN, of International Institute for Peace, said the term globalisation suggested a human endeavour to move towards the creation of a global family where all members were provided the essential freedoms necessary to fulfil their roles as productive members of society. It was a tragedy that just when the international community was beginning to realise the benefits of globalisation, the war on terror had effectively, once again, created a distance between countries, peoples and communities. There was a growing disregard for the inherited cultures and traditions of peoples, while seeking to impose alien values on them. It was not religion but rather the frailty of human beings which made them instruments of terror. Terrorist activity had never limited itself to a religion. It was therefore imperative that society and political leadership and the educational structures in different countries emphasise the reality that terrorists constituted a mere fragment of the world’s population.
CHARLES GRAVES, of Interfaith International, said the Baluch nation of Pakistan had been facing unabated brutal repression by Pakistan’s monolithic army. Atrocities perpetrated on the Baluch nationals had a long history going back to the days when a new State by the name of Pakistan was created on the basis of religion in 1947. Under the pretext of Islam, the Baluch nation was subjugated, enslaved, repressed and oppressed by the Pakistan Punjabi elite in order to serve their self-interest. The Baluchian case was certainly one of violation of economic, social and cultural rights. The Baluch were traditionally a secular, democratic and progressive nation with a long history of indigenous culture and a social system heroically preserved in face of adverse pressures and proudly defended in adverse times.
GENEVIEVE JOURDAN, of Association of World Citizens, said health inequalities caused by economic and political factors had constantly grown over the years, and yet the root causes of these inequalities were not addressed by programmes and policies either at the national or international levels. The whole idea of comprehensive basic health care had been gradually sidelined by official health programmes. It was undeniable that the Alma Mata Declaration had been made based on the progress made by some developing countries in health and in community health. If there was political will, a high level of health could be achieved in populations, even in poor countries. Health conditions were deteriorating across the world. The introduction of market conditions in health care had undermined values of solidarity. The objective of health for all could only be achieved through participatory democracy. Poverty should be uprooted. It was the result of an unequal distribution of wealth, and of unfair trading rules among countries.
MAHJOUB EL HAIBA, of the Conseil Consultatif des Droits de l’Homme du Royaume du Maroc, said that the Consultative Council had been created in accordance with the Paris Principles and it functioned as such. It provided legal assistance to victims of violations of human rights. It also carried out investigative tasks on allegations of human rights violations, including past ones. The Council believed that economic, social and cultural rights could be achieved through the creation of protection mechanisms that would allow all individuals to fully enjoy their rights. The promotion of those rights should also be supported by national efforts. The Council, which was an advisory body, had opened an observatory mechanism in which to achieve economic, social and cultural rights at the national level. It also sought means to tackle problems of human rights violations and made visits to areas and individuals affected by such violations. The Council had also endeavoured to promote and protect human rights in the country. It had been providing legal advice to the State for further strengthening of human rights provisions.
Right of Reply
ABBAS GOLRIZ (Iran), in right of reply in the context of agenda item two, said with regards to a statement made by the Women’s International Human Rights Association, the entire statement contained unsubstantiated allegations on the situation in Iran, strong support for an internationally-recognised terrorist group, and interference in the domestic policies of a sovereign country.
Report of Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
A report (A/HRC/Sub.1/58/25) entitled report of the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery on its thirty-first session says that the Working Group devoted priority attention to the human rights dimension of prostitution, in particular the human rights impact of different national responses to this phenomenon, with particular attention to initiatives to emphasise criminalisation of demand, or legalisation of prostitution in order to regulate it. It also considered at length various alternatives for ensuring that the future Human Rights Council expert advice mechanism would effectively address contemporary forms of slavery, in light of Human Rights Council decision 2006/102. Its conclusions will contribute to the report of the Sub-Commission, giving its own vision and recommendations for future expert advice to the Council. The report contains a number of possibilities for future reform, including the continuation of the Working Group in its present form, and reinforcement of its monitoring mandate.
Presentation of Report on Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
ABDUL SATTAR, Sub-Commission Expert, presenting the report of the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery at its thirty-first session, said the Working Group suffered several handicaps, including revised dates for its meeting which were announced late so a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could not participate, and half of the victims of slavery and slavery-like practices could not come to the session. The session was also reduced to four afternoon meetings instead of the usual ten over five days. It was a testimony of the commitment of Experts and NGOs that the session produced significant results and recommendations for the Sub-Commission to present to the Human Rights Council.
The session covered three items, and on the first the Sub-Commission would be pleased to note that the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund recommended grants to NGOs of more than double the amount than it had given in the past, and this was primarily due to the generous contribution of some countries. The second was the thematic discussion of the human rights dimension of prostitution, and several attendees had presented information that the legalisation of prostitution in some countries had increased levels of prostitution and exploitation of migrant and marginalized workers. Another thematic subject addressed was the status of the conventions on slavery, which had been described as orphans as they lacked monitoring mechanisms, and a monitoring mandate for the Working Group had been suggested as something that could be sought. Human Rights Council decision 2006/102 had also been of interest, and NGOs had indicated clearly that they wished the Working Group to continue in existence. So successful had been the Working Group’s advocacy that the world community had established new mechanisms to assess and react to slavery and slavery-like practices and projects for their relief. The Working Group had suggested that the Sub-Commission’s successor body strengthen the mandate of the Working Group so that it could further assess State practices.
Statement on Specific Human Rights Issues
YOSHIKO BURKE, of Japan Fellowship of Reconciliation, welcomed the significant contributions that the UN, including the Sub-Commission, which had accumulated towards the advancement of women under many human rights instruments such the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Many people might be still considering that mothers had primary responsibility for childcare, while fathers worked outside the home. That inevitably was an unfair situation for women. Without adequate childcare services, working women would be forced to decide to bear no child or would have to give up their work when a child was born. UN childcare services were to be created not just for preschoolers but also for older children. There was no facility for infants, nursing rooms and changing diapers at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
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For use of the information media; not an official record
and Protection of Human Rights
16 August 2006
Discusses Reports on Right to Drinking Water, the Social Forum
and the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
The Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights this afternoon concluded its debate on economic, social and cultural rights and started consideration of its agenda item on specific human rights issues, including women and human rights, contemporary forms of slavery, terrorism and counter-terrorism, and new priorities. It discussed reports on the realisation of the right to drinking water, the Social Forum and the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
Sub-Commission Expert El-Hadji Guissé, introducing his report on the guidelines for the realisation of the right to drinking water (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2005/25), said in many areas of the world, water was the source of life and it was the very basis for survival. However, the World Health Organization had warned that water was becoming scarce and its contamination was affecting the lives of millions. The world was already lacking water and in the future conflicts would be around water. The international community should find ways of solving the prevailing water problem in the world. Guidelines to this effect had been drawn up and submitted to the Sub-Commission for comments so that they could be improved.
Presenting the report on the fourth meeting of the Social Forum, Sub-Commission Expert Jose Bengoa said the report had a section which was to do with what had been agreed to be the main topic before the Forum, namely the feminisation of poverty. This was a very important topic that was dealt with in an excellent way. It was important to retain from the conclusions that poverty did affect women in particular, and this was an international phenomenon both in terms of figures and in terms of specific situations. Poverty was closely linked to women, and the human rights system should deal effectively with this. A second conclusion was that in the process of eradicating poverty, women had a vital role to play. It was important to study the issue and, if the Social Forum did continue, it was a matter that should be further monitored.
In the context of the agenda item on specific human rights issues, Sub-Commission Expert Abdul Sattar presented the report of the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery at its thirty-first session, saying the session covered three items. On the first, the Sub-Commission would be pleased to note that the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund had recommended grants to non-governmental organizations to more than double the amount than it had given in the past. The second was the thematic discussion of the human rights dimension of prostitution, and several attendees had presented information that the legalisation of prostitution in some countries had increased levels of prostitution and exploitation of migrant and marginalized workers. Another thematic subject addressed was the status of the conventions on slavery, which had been described as orphans as they lacked monitoring mechanisms, and a monitoring mandate for the Working Group had been suggested as something that could be sought.
At the beginning of the meeting, there were statements made on the report of the Working Group on the working methods and activities of transnational corporations on its eighth session, which was presented in the morning meeting.
Speaking this afternoon were Sub-Commission Experts Françoise Jane Hampson, Christy Ezim Mbonu, Mohamed Habib Chérif, Florizelle O’Connor, Janio Ivan Tunon Veilles, Ibrahim Salama, Shiqiu Chen, Emmanuel Decaux, Vladimir Kartashkin, Gudmundur Alfredsson, Antoanella-Iulia Motoc, and Lalaina Rakotoarisoa.
The representative of Chile also took the floor, as did the representative of the Consultative Council of Human Rights of the Kingdom of Morocco. The representative of Iran spoke in exercise of a right of reply.
Also speaking this afternoon were the representatives of Pax Romana, World Organization against Torture, International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, Japanese Workers’ Committee for Human Rights, International Movement ATD Fourth World, in a joint statement with International Council of Women from International Federation of Social Workers, International Institute for Peace, Interfaith International, Association of World Citizens, Conseil Consultatif des Droits de l’Homme du Royaume du Maroc, and Japan Fellowship for Reconciliation.
The next plenary of the Sub-Commission will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday 17 August, when it will continue consideration of agenda item 6.
Statements on Report of Working Group on Transnational Corporations
FRANCOISE JANE HAMPSON, Sub-Commission Expert, said the United Kingdom had had to enact new legislation to fill a gap with regard to individual complaints on human rights. In the absence of a provision in the domestic law, a State had to be inspired by international human rights law. The European Court for Human Rights had also long played a central arbitrary role on these questions, and could contribute to integrating international law norms into national laws.
EL-HADJI GUISSÉ, Sub-Commission Expert, said the report had given rise to an interesting debate, in as much as the intent was to find ways and means of encouraging States to be responsible in how they applied their domestic law. States should respond through the application of domestic law, and national laws should be used to ensure respect for human rights for all entities, whether these were private international entities or private national entities. All should be under the supervision of the State, and it was the responsibility of the State to oversee this.
For the time being, these standards would be included in the agenda of the Sub-Commission or whatever body was established to replace it. The Working Group should continue to study the questions raised by transnational corporations with respect to human rights issues. There should be studies to be presented in the Working Group, and they should then be submitted to the Sub-Commission or the Human Rights Council. The survival of the Group and its continued work on the guidelines and how they were applied should be included in the agenda of the Working Group, which should continue to meet, both to ensure that everybody’s thinking was included, but also as this was an important issue.
Introduction of Report on Guidelines on Drinking Water
EL-HADJI GUISSE, Sub-Commission Expert, introducing the report on the guidelines on drinking water, said the guidelines drawn up were the result of intensive work, which included the participation of several Experts. The guidelines had been drawn up and submitted to the Sub-Commission for comments so that the work would be improved. Although the work was not far from being perfect, the comments by his colleagues would improve its substance. He proposed that the guidelines be retained on the agenda of the Sub-Commission and at the same time to send the report to the Human Rights Council. A draft resolution on the issue would be submitted tomorrow.
In many areas of the world, water was the source of life and it was the very basis for survival. The World Health Organization had warned that water was becoming scarce and its contamination affected the lives of millions. The world was already lacking water and in the future conflicts would be around water. The international community should find ways of solving the prevailing water problem in the world.
Report on the Social Forum
A report (A/HRC/Sub.1/58/15) entitled “the Social Forum: Report of the Chairperson-Rapporteur” presents a summary of discussions and recommendations of the Fourth Social Forum which was held in Geneva on 3 and 4 August 2006. The Social Forum focused on the fight against poverty and the rights to participation, the role of women, as well as on the future of expert advice to the Sub-Commission. In addition to Experts of the Sub-Commission who were members of the Social Forum, representatives of several Member States and Observer States of the United Nations, several specialised agencies, international organizations and NGOs and civil society organizations attended the meeting and participated in the discussions. The conclusions and recommendations emanating from discussions are presented in the report. There was a consensus among members of the Forum and the participants that the Social Forum, as a unique and open body which brings fresh perspective and ideas to the United Nations human rights system should be preserved under the new Council and its future expert advice mechanism.
Introduction of Report on the Social Forum
JOSE BENGOA, Sub-Commission Expert, presenting the report on the fourth meeting of the Social Forum (A/HRC/Sub.1/58/15), said it was a lengthy report, and was not yet fully edited. The report had a section which was to do with what had been agreed to be the main topic before the Forum, namely the feminisation of poverty. This was a very important topic that was dealt with in an excellent way. It was important to retain from the conclusions that poverty did affect women in particular, and this was an international phenomenon both in terms of figures and in terms of specific situations. Poverty was closely linked to women, and the human rights system should deal effectively with this. A second conclusion was that in the process of eradicating poverty, women had a vital role to play. It was important to study the issue and, if the Social Forum did continue, it was a matter that should be further monitored.
It was stated quite clearly in the report, and there had been a consensus among participations that it was necessary for the United Nations to assign some sort of open role and space for participants to exchange views on poverty. The Human Rights Council was urged to continue the mandate of the Social Forum. Some members of the Sub-Commission had pointed out that the very fact that it had worked well was proof that its structure should not be changed, and its work should be strengthened in an innovative manner. There had been extensive debates, with active participation of grass-roots organizations. The presence of the Sub-Commission had been felt to a significant extent, as it had played an active role during the deliberations.
Statements on the Reports on Drinking Water and the Social Forum
CHRISTY EZIM MBONU, Sub-Commission Expert, said with regards to the report on rights to drinking water, this was an important issue which should not be allowed to go down the drain. It was an issue which many had perceived as an aberration, but this was not the case in Africa, where many women and children wasted hours to find drinking water. There were so many diseases that could be prevented by clean drinking water, and this was another reason proving the importance of the document. In Africa, the lack of access to simple water was a violation of human rights. Water was life, and this topic was supported and the Sub-Commission should support it further, transmitting it to the Human Rights Council, so that it would not disappear into the garbage.
ABDUL SATTAR, Sub-Commission Expert, said that Mr. Guisse’s work on the issue of drinking water was a great service to humanity. Speaking on the Social Forum, he said the Forum had focused during the last four years on the situation of poverty and the cause of the phenomenon. All international organizations working on social and economic issues should focus on the issue of poverty. The Social Forum had attracted very prominent attention from non-governmental organizations and UN agencies. The Forum should be maintained by the body to succeed the Sub-Commission. He hoped that all members of the Sub-Commission would join in strengthening the Social Forum.
MOHAMED HABIB CHERIF, Sub-Commission Expert, said with regards to the report on the attainment of safe drinking water, this was a vital human right, and a biologically necessary one, associated with very survival, but it was often unfulfilled and increasingly under threat. This showed the importance of the work done by Mr. Guissé. However, there was a need to clarify what were culturally acceptable levels of access to water. It seemed that there was enormous wastage of water, which asserted economic interests over human rights interests. The price of water should be not only accessible but also fair. Industrialists and service providers should pay a higher price for their water than the humble citizen using it to survive.
Some felt the next wars would not be about petrol, but about water, and this could perhaps be included in the text in terms of human rights, as wars would deprive populations of their rights to water, and could therefore be viewed as a true crime against humanity.
FLORIZELLE O’CONNOR, Sub-Commission Expert, said that to her mind, the work on the right to drinking water and the Social Forum were two faces of the same coin. The request of Mr. Guisse to present his report to a higher body was acceptable. The agreements entered by States in the name of people and the transnatioal corporations with regard to water usually failed. More and more chemicals were poured into water, thus making it undrinkable. During the session of the Social Forum, the availability of water from other sources, other than the pipeline, should be sought.
JANIO IVAN TUNON VEILLES, Sub-Commission Expert, said the members of the Social Forum were to be congratulated on the document presented. The debate therein should be increased to five days. Mr. Guissé should be congratulated for the work he had presented, as the issue was of global importance and contained the necessary elements to assert the right. It was important to have a draft resolution on drinking water. The work done could be fully supported, and the document should be presented to an advisory committee or to the Human Rights Council in due course.
IBRAHIM SALAMA, Sub-Commission Expert, said that the Social Forum should ask for additional days to tackle all other problems under its agenda. During the additional period of time, it could deal with prospective of the poor and the overview of the Council. The right to development should also be considered as a complimentary item to its work. The legitimate concerns of the States parties with regard to the request of extra time could be justified by the additional topics that the Forum was intending to consider.
SHIQIU CHEN, Sub-Commission Expert, said that like previous speakers, he also believed the role played by the Social Forum was very important. Issues discussed by the Forum could be very broad. Two days of meeting time for the Social Forum was too short. The Social Forum was not held intersessionally, and this meant that not all Experts were able to attend, and therefore, if there was a way in which other Experts could also participate, this should be encouraged, as they could then propose their papers and suggestions, contributing to the work of the body. Prior notice should be given to Experts so they could prepare working papers and recommendations for the Forum. This would substantiate its discussions and enhance its quality. The topics discussed by the Forum were however too broad, and it was hoped that in the future one or two themes would be determined for discussion, thus allowing for a focused debate and the adoption of conclusions and decisions that could be sent on to parent bodies. Experts should also be allowed to participate in the meetings.
EMMANUEL DECAUX, Sub-Commission Expert, said Mr. Guisse had presented an excellent piece of work. The situation of water being controlled by multinationals should be given much thought. The State’s responsibility had been decentralized by giving local authorities the right to manage water. In some instances water supply services were privatized, depriving the State of control of the water supply. In the past, the International Law Commission had provided legal opinions on conflicts in water sharing and diverting water resources. Such opinions had been expressed in the Franco-Spanish conflict in diverting water resources and the issue of sharing the resources. The Arbitration Commission in The Hague had arbitrated a number of conflicts relating to water sharing.
VLADIMIR KARTASHKIN, Sub-Commission Expert, said he was grateful to Mr. Bengoa for his report on the Social Forum, and when Mr. Bengoa decided to organise events, whether they were the Social Forum or a Working Group, then these events were always crowned with success. Now there was a more serious aspect to deal with in the work of the Sub-Commission. In order to be successful, it had to suggest something serious for adoption by the Human Rights Council, in order to ensure that the latter body believed that the Social Forum and other subsidiary bodies should continue their work. All of the recommendations in chapter 6 to the Human Rights Council were agreed with, but the Sub-Commission needed to make these recommendations convincing, and to this end, one paragraph, saying something about how the Social Forum was planning to do something in the upcoming year, as well as something about the upcoming work of the Forum, should be included.
Mr. Bengoa and the Group of five persons who made up the basic membership of the Forum should meet again and formulate a programme of work that would persuade the Human Rights Council that the Social Forum was necessary, and should enumerate all issues that would be discussed over the next few years in a substantive manner.
GUDMUNDUR ALFREDSSON, Sub-Commission Expert, addressing the work of Mr. Guisse on the right to water, said he had carefully read the text and expressed his agreement with the content; and suggested that the Sub-Commission adopt the report.
ANTOANELLA-IULIA MOTOC, Sub-Commission Expert, said Mr. Guissé’s paper was on a fundamental issue which definitely affected people living in poverty throughout the world. The document was of great value, and the way in which Mr. Guissé had developed the guiding principles was approved. The Human Rights Council should take the document into account, as it should be submitted to those who could use it immediately. On the Social Forum, the reform of the Sub-Commission meant that proposals had to be made on the future of the body, and when examining new bodies such as the Social Forum, which was only established a few years ago, it was felt that there was a lot of energy and fresh approach in it which was not found in some of the older bodies.
There was a true interactive debate in the Social Forum. In future, there should be an attempt to have more support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Forum. The papers that were submitted and drafted in the Forum should be transformed into Sub-Commission reports.
LALAINA RAKOTOARISOA, Sub-Commission Expert, said the work done by Mr. Bengoa and Mr. Guisse was of great quality. The work of the group drafting guidelines on the principles of extreme poverty and human rights should include comments made by the Experts of the Sub-Commission and should reflect the current jurisprudence on the issue.
PATRICIO UTRERAS (Chile) said with regards to the Social Forum, at a time when the Sub-Commission was taking stock of its work, it was both timely and necessary for the Sub-Commission to stress the need to maintain the Forum as a place for dialogue, and the only one of its type in the United Nations. There was true participation of the dispossessed therein, who participated in the discussion of issues affecting them, including the poverty-reduction strategy that should be followed. Those members of the Sub-Commission who had said that the body should send a strong signal to the Human Rights Council as to the need of the Council to continue to deal with the questions of poverty and human rights was supported. Consistency should be established with regards to the way these issues and others were tackled within the United Nations system. Knowing the multilateral aspect of poverty was important, it was even more important for the phenomenon to continue to be studied from its multi-dimensional aspects, taking into account civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights.
R.J. RAJKUMAR, of Pax Romana, said Pax Romana welcomed the report of Mr.Guisse on the guidelines on the right to drinking water and sanitation. Special attention should be given to the guidelines as water affected the lives of millions of people. Many non-governmental organizations were interested in the guidelines because some of them dealt exclusively with water. There was no hurry to send the report to a higher body.
JOSE BENGOA, Sub-Commission Expert, in concluding remarks on the presentation of his report, said there had been quite a lengthy debate on the topic, and a number of Experts had emphasised its importance. The Forum had had to be organised very rapidly, because of the problem of decisions associated with the meetings of the Sub-Commission. There was a need to find a way for more time to be allotted. That was something which all would like to see, and it should perhaps be spelt out more clearly. There was also a need for more time and for means for organising the meeting more appropriately. There was a need for greater consistency with other parts of the system, and to ensure a greater impact of the meeting.
There was a work plan, but there was ambiguity associated with the transition process. However, the idea of the next session having as a central strategy the elaboration of a poverty-eradication policy within the framework of human rights had been discussed. The advisability of this should be discussed among members of the Forum. Resolutions should also be more comprehensive.
EL-HADJI GUISSE, Sub-Commission Expert, said he was moved by the words and appreciations expressed by his colleagues concerning his work. He was encouraged by those words and without them he would have been demoralized. He thanked all those who had contributed to the work, which he intended to improve during his future presentation. The guidelines he had submitted to the Sub-Commission would be refined in the future. Since the Sub-Commission was the expression of the world’s conscience, it should not lose sight of the importance of drinking water. International and domestic legislation should be able to implement the goals of the guidelines.
MARIANA DUARTE, of World Organization Against Torture, said that for the effective elimination of torture and other forms of violence, it was essential to effectively protect economic, social and cultural rights, as most victims were poor. Guaranteeing economic, social and cultural rights could eliminate powerful root causes of violence. United Nations human rights organs were challenged to find ways of addressing the economic, social and cultural root causes of torture and other forms of violence, and the Sub-Commission could play an important role herein in exploring new and more effective ways of preventing torture. The Sub-Commission and the Human Rights Council should examine and adopt the guiding principles, as those living in extreme poverty had the right to enjoy all human rights.
ALEXANDRA POMEON, of International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, said that there was a need to improve the protection of human rights in the activities of transnational corporations. It was difficult to hold the corporations accountable for human rights violations because of two factors: instead of cooperation with one another, States had entered into a destructive competing against one another; and there remained a number of doctrinal uncertainties concerning the extension to corporations of human rights responsibilities, which had paralysed the debate since the adoption of the norms by the Sub-Commission in 2003. The proposal of the Sub-Commission on the norms had failed to get the necessary support. The Sub-Commission might wish to explore other venues, which would ensure that the same objectives were achieved.
IMANAKA MASAKI, of Japanese Workers Committee for Human Rights, said there was a serious problem for Japanese students, and this was the extremely high tuition fees, which violated human rights. Learning was a fundamental human rights and indispensable for human life, and this could not be enjoyed with high tuition fees. Students could not earn enough money to pay the tuition fees themselves, and many high school students gave up going to university. The Japanese Government should ratify Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and stop the violation of human rights with regards to the right to education immediately.
Conseil international des femmes de l'International Federation of Social Workers
THIERRY VIARD, of International Movement ATD Fourth World, in a joint statement with International Council of Women from International Federation of Social Workers welcomed the presentation of the guidelines on the principles of extreme poverty and human rights. Poverty affected the dignity of many millions of people in the world. People should be free from poverty and fear as the highest attainable rights. The Sub-Commission had been dealing with the issue of poverty for many years and it had now found a structured dialogue with the concerned relevant partners. The dialogue should bring effective remedy to all the human family affected by poverty. A shared universal value should be put in place in tackling the problem. Poverty violated all rights, including economic, social and cultural as well as civil and political ones. In order to achieve human rights for all, the issue of poverty should be dealt with effectively.
TATIANA SCHUMIAN, of International Institute for Peace, said the term globalisation suggested a human endeavour to move towards the creation of a global family where all members were provided the essential freedoms necessary to fulfil their roles as productive members of society. It was a tragedy that just when the international community was beginning to realise the benefits of globalisation, the war on terror had effectively, once again, created a distance between countries, peoples and communities. There was a growing disregard for the inherited cultures and traditions of peoples, while seeking to impose alien values on them. It was not religion but rather the frailty of human beings which made them instruments of terror. Terrorist activity had never limited itself to a religion. It was therefore imperative that society and political leadership and the educational structures in different countries emphasise the reality that terrorists constituted a mere fragment of the world’s population.
CHARLES GRAVES, of Interfaith International, said the Baluch nation of Pakistan had been facing unabated brutal repression by Pakistan’s monolithic army. Atrocities perpetrated on the Baluch nationals had a long history going back to the days when a new State by the name of Pakistan was created on the basis of religion in 1947. Under the pretext of Islam, the Baluch nation was subjugated, enslaved, repressed and oppressed by the Pakistan Punjabi elite in order to serve their self-interest. The Baluchian case was certainly one of violation of economic, social and cultural rights. The Baluch were traditionally a secular, democratic and progressive nation with a long history of indigenous culture and a social system heroically preserved in face of adverse pressures and proudly defended in adverse times.
GENEVIEVE JOURDAN, of Association of World Citizens, said health inequalities caused by economic and political factors had constantly grown over the years, and yet the root causes of these inequalities were not addressed by programmes and policies either at the national or international levels. The whole idea of comprehensive basic health care had been gradually sidelined by official health programmes. It was undeniable that the Alma Mata Declaration had been made based on the progress made by some developing countries in health and in community health. If there was political will, a high level of health could be achieved in populations, even in poor countries. Health conditions were deteriorating across the world. The introduction of market conditions in health care had undermined values of solidarity. The objective of health for all could only be achieved through participatory democracy. Poverty should be uprooted. It was the result of an unequal distribution of wealth, and of unfair trading rules among countries.
MAHJOUB EL HAIBA, of the Conseil Consultatif des Droits de l’Homme du Royaume du Maroc, said that the Consultative Council had been created in accordance with the Paris Principles and it functioned as such. It provided legal assistance to victims of violations of human rights. It also carried out investigative tasks on allegations of human rights violations, including past ones. The Council believed that economic, social and cultural rights could be achieved through the creation of protection mechanisms that would allow all individuals to fully enjoy their rights. The promotion of those rights should also be supported by national efforts. The Council, which was an advisory body, had opened an observatory mechanism in which to achieve economic, social and cultural rights at the national level. It also sought means to tackle problems of human rights violations and made visits to areas and individuals affected by such violations. The Council had also endeavoured to promote and protect human rights in the country. It had been providing legal advice to the State for further strengthening of human rights provisions.
Right of Reply
ABBAS GOLRIZ (Iran), in right of reply in the context of agenda item two, said with regards to a statement made by the Women’s International Human Rights Association, the entire statement contained unsubstantiated allegations on the situation in Iran, strong support for an internationally-recognised terrorist group, and interference in the domestic policies of a sovereign country.
Report of Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
A report (A/HRC/Sub.1/58/25) entitled report of the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery on its thirty-first session says that the Working Group devoted priority attention to the human rights dimension of prostitution, in particular the human rights impact of different national responses to this phenomenon, with particular attention to initiatives to emphasise criminalisation of demand, or legalisation of prostitution in order to regulate it. It also considered at length various alternatives for ensuring that the future Human Rights Council expert advice mechanism would effectively address contemporary forms of slavery, in light of Human Rights Council decision 2006/102. Its conclusions will contribute to the report of the Sub-Commission, giving its own vision and recommendations for future expert advice to the Council. The report contains a number of possibilities for future reform, including the continuation of the Working Group in its present form, and reinforcement of its monitoring mandate.
Presentation of Report on Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
ABDUL SATTAR, Sub-Commission Expert, presenting the report of the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery at its thirty-first session, said the Working Group suffered several handicaps, including revised dates for its meeting which were announced late so a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could not participate, and half of the victims of slavery and slavery-like practices could not come to the session. The session was also reduced to four afternoon meetings instead of the usual ten over five days. It was a testimony of the commitment of Experts and NGOs that the session produced significant results and recommendations for the Sub-Commission to present to the Human Rights Council.
The session covered three items, and on the first the Sub-Commission would be pleased to note that the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund recommended grants to NGOs of more than double the amount than it had given in the past, and this was primarily due to the generous contribution of some countries. The second was the thematic discussion of the human rights dimension of prostitution, and several attendees had presented information that the legalisation of prostitution in some countries had increased levels of prostitution and exploitation of migrant and marginalized workers. Another thematic subject addressed was the status of the conventions on slavery, which had been described as orphans as they lacked monitoring mechanisms, and a monitoring mandate for the Working Group had been suggested as something that could be sought. Human Rights Council decision 2006/102 had also been of interest, and NGOs had indicated clearly that they wished the Working Group to continue in existence. So successful had been the Working Group’s advocacy that the world community had established new mechanisms to assess and react to slavery and slavery-like practices and projects for their relief. The Working Group had suggested that the Sub-Commission’s successor body strengthen the mandate of the Working Group so that it could further assess State practices.
Statement on Specific Human Rights Issues
YOSHIKO BURKE, of Japan Fellowship of Reconciliation, welcomed the significant contributions that the UN, including the Sub-Commission, which had accumulated towards the advancement of women under many human rights instruments such the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Many people might be still considering that mothers had primary responsibility for childcare, while fathers worked outside the home. That inevitably was an unfair situation for women. Without adequate childcare services, working women would be forced to decide to bear no child or would have to give up their work when a child was born. UN childcare services were to be created not just for preschoolers but also for older children. There was no facility for infants, nursing rooms and changing diapers at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
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