Human Rights Council opens High-Level Segment

Human Rights Council 
MIDDAY

2 March 2015

Hears Statements by the President of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
the Prime Minister of Fiji and Dignitaries from 20 States

The Human Rights Council opened its High-Level Segment this morning, hearing statements by the President of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Prime Minister of Fiji and dignitaries from 20 States who spoke about their concerns regarding the situation in a number of countries and regions around the world and outlined some of the efforts their countries were undertaking in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Gjorgje Ivanov, President of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, stressed the importance of human rights and dignity, and the past work of the United Nations and the Human Rights Council in their protection.  The protection of human rights today faced a major challenge, that of how to balance their universality without disturbing diversity.   As much as religious extremism and indoctrination posed a danger to freedom of speech, attacks against freedom of religion also undermined that freedom. 

Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, urged the Council to give equal consideration to transnational issues for which the global community did not yet have solutions, such as the collective failure to address the negative consequences of climate change.  It should also place the human rights impacts of climate change at the centre of their deliberations and consider the human rights position of refugees seeking asylum in neighbouring countries, but who had been rebuffed and resettled among Pacific people.

Other speakers in the High-Level Segment were Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Vesna Pusić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Croatia, Miroslav Lajcak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, Eladio Ramón Loizaga Lezcano, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, Bert Koenders, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Sergey Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia, Rui Chancerelle de Machete, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Javad Zarif, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Botswana, John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States, Dunya Maumoon, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Affairs of Qatar, Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Aurelia Frick, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, Mohammed Mahdi Ameen Al-Bayati, Minister of Human Rights of Iraq, Tamar Beruchashvili, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Bandar bin Mohammed Alaiban, Minister and President of the Human Rights Commission of Saudi Arabia, Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico, Eduardo Antonio Zuain, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, and Bogdan Benko, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia.

The Council today is holding a full day of meetings from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  This press release covers all statements made under the High-Level Segment until 3 p.m., and the afternoon release will include all other statements made today.

High-Level Segment

GJORGJE IVANOV, President of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, stressed the importance of human rights and dignity, and the past work of the United Nations and the Human Rights Council in their protection.  There was nothing more fatal to human rights and the right to human dignity than indifference wrapped up in double standards.  Nobody should remain indifferent and passive with respect to human rights violations.  Although the protection of the right to human dignity was universally recognized on a declarative level, the negation of self-identification was still allowed.  The citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were still denied their right to identity and language; those two rights were an inalienable part of human personality and freedom of expression and were never subject to compromise by anyone.  In that respect the Human Rights Council should hear the voices of victims, of the disadvantaged and persecuted all over the world. 

State politics and power should take their hands off the Council so that it could prevent human rights abuses rather than just react to them.  The protection of human rights today faced a major challenge, that of how to balance their universality without disturbing diversity.  As much as religious extremism and indoctrination posed a danger to freedom of speech, attacks against freedom of religion also undermined that freedom.  In The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia respect and acceptance of diversity was practiced, and the country offered a model of integration without assimilation rather than integration with assimilation.  The Macedonian model was not ideal, but it nevertheless provided greater possibility for easier realization of individual and collective identity rights.  The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia therefore remained fully committed to intercultural and interreligious dialogue.    

JOSAIA VOREQE BAINIMARAMA, Prime Minister of Fiji, said that as a developing nation, Fiji had never stood taller or prouder in the world, nor was it more deserving of the support of the international community, because Fiji had delivered the biggest human rights of all: the right to equality, human dignity and justice for every citizen, especially after decades of injustice and dysfunction.  The highest standards of justice, fairness, transparency and accountability were now enshrined in the supreme law, the Constitution guaranteed freedom from torture of any kind, and the death penalty had been completely removed from all the laws.  The Prime Minister urged the Council to give equal consideration to those transnational issues for which the global community did not yet have solutions, such as the collective failure to address the negative consequences of climate change, representing a direct threat to the human rights of people living in vulnerable small island States like Fiji.  The Council should place the human rights impacts of climate change at the centre of its deliberations and also consider the human rights position of refugees seeking asylum in neighbouring countries, but who had been rebuffed and resettled among Pacific people.

DIDIER REYNDERS, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, said that human rights should be well rooted in shared humanity.  Public authorities had a duty to protect populations and their rights.  They had to be bound to the principle of proportionality in their response during war situations.  Respect for humanitarian and human rights could not be questioned, including in areas affected by war and violence, whether in the east of Ukraine or elsewhere.  According to various credible reports available, the state of violations by both camps facing the population in east Ukraine, in areas outside the control of the Government of Ukraine, were of an incomparable intensity.   Belgium would do everything to strengthen the mechanisms of the Council of Europe to consolidate democratic institutions in Ukraine.  Extremism and terrorist acts endangered democratic societies and human rights.  The suffering of the population in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan should not be forgotten, despite recent terrorist attacks in Europe.  Belgium was concerned about religious persecution in certain countries.  Freedom of expression and freedom of the press were responses to extremism.  Non-discrimination was another response to extremism.  Belgium attached great importance to mechanisms and conventions on the elimination of various forms of discrimination, such as racial discrimination and economic and social exclusion of women.  Belgium remained a reliable partner in the protection of human rights, and would submit its candidacy for the 2016-2018 membership of the Human Rights Council. 
VESNA PUSIĆ, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Croatia, said that in unstable political environments, human rights needed to be fully protected to set a basis for the development of peaceful and democratic societies.  Tragically, armed conflict continued to occur, and large-scale and systematic atrocities by groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab, and the Al-Nusrah Front negated all universal values of humanity.  Countries were never evaluated on fighting sexual violence in peace time or time of war; if an efficient way of addressing and eliminating this problem was not found, it would persist and spread.  A new crusade against sexual violence and against impunity for crimes of this kind committed either in war or in peace was needed.  Mass violations of human rights in Ukraine were ongoing, and the world had information about them; Croatia firmly believed that the world could find a way to stop the human rights abuses and the conflict in Ukraine.  Hate speech was extremely effective today in mobilizing people to kill others and violate their human rights; Charlie Hebdo was one example of it.  Hate speech must be addressed for what it was: a form of modern-day incitement to lynching and an instrument of denying people their basic human rights.

MIROSLAV LAJCAK, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, said that international peace, security and human rights were deeply interconnected.  Pressing human rights situations in the world required a response by the Council.  It was vital to ensure that all individuals benefited from protection.  Slovakia was deeply concerned about attacks against civilians in the context of armed conflicts.  Slovakia was also concerned about terrorism and extremism, and supported the global combat against this trend.  The ongoing crisis in Ukraine was a source of concern, including the numerous deaths and human suffering it had caused.  Slovakia called for the respect of the United Nations Charter when addressing the situation in Ukraine.  Slovakia was also deeply concerned about the situation in Syria.  Slovakia condemned in the strongest possible terms any act of violence based on hatred and intolerance, and underlined the importance of inclusive human rights education and dialogue.  On the national level, Slovakia had recently concluded the preparation of its first national human rights strategy, which would provide a clear picture of the state of human rights in the country as well as a roadmap for measures to be adopted. 

ELADIO RAMÓN LOIZAGA LEZCANO, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, expressed Paraguay’s full commitment to the protection of fundamental freedoms and rights.  He noted that the Human Rights Council had become a body of reference for the promotion of human rights globally.  Paraguay had been incorporating into its legal system provisions for the protection of civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights.  The promotion and protection of human rights became a constitutive part of the Paraguayan society in 1992 with the adoption of the national constitution.  In addition, conventions on the protection of the rights of women, children, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and migrants were also adopted.  Paraguay was committed to the universal application of such legal instruments, and thus actively participated in the Universal Periodic Review.  It also introduced a system for monitoring the implementation of international recommendations and rulings with respect to human rights, called “SIMORE”.  The concept of human rights in Paraguay was centred on the quality of life, and in that respect the Government had introduced programmes to reduce extreme poverty, and to improve access to food, health, education, drinking water and job opportunities.   As a new member of the Human Rights Council, Paraguay was dedicated to uphold better protection of human rights, and in particular to curb social inequalities and ensure that democracy translated into sustainable human development. 

BERT KOENDERS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said that the world was at an historic low point with human rights being at a greater risk than ever before; millions were caught up in extremely violent conflicts and abuses by State authorities or armed groups.  New challenges joined the “traditional” ones, but the achievements should not be underestimated: one example was the falling number of female genital mutilation cases, the issue had been a taboo but today, in more and more countries worldwide, female genital mutilation was a crime.  The world needed a reset, a new activism, a realisation that it was not at a historic low point, it should prioritize narratives of human rights for a new generation, and develop a new and shared understanding of universal human rights.  The Council had a number of powerful instruments to sustain positive trends, such as the Universal Periodic Review and the power to establish commissions of inquiry or appoint Special Rapporteurs to document human rights violations and report back on them; those instruments needed to be employed as best as possible.  The Security Council must be able to take swift decisions and meaningful action and that was why the Netherlands supported the French proposal to suspend the permanent members’ veto in the case of mass atrocities.

SERGEY LAVROV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said that international relations were at a difficult stage, and that conflicts impacted people’s human rights.  The protection of human rights had to remain a priority for the United Nations.  Human rights could not be respected where destabilization existed.  The Russian Federation was concerned about the situation of Christians in Iraq and was committed to combatting terrorism and supporting human rights in the Middle East.  Any politicization of the human rights agenda was unacceptable to justify unilateral coercive measures.  The attempt to use the heinous killing of Boris Nemtsov for political agendas was unacceptable.  President Putin had condemned this crime and investigations would be conducted.  Humanity had to always remember the consequences of attempts by one nation to dominate the world.  There was a growing understanding that current challenges to human rights had to be addressed comprehensively.  In Ukraine, many of the crimes committed against civilians had not been investigated, and a total crackdown on freedom of expression, including for Russian media, had been carried out.  The new comprehensive arrangement agreed upon in Minsk had to be fully implemented to guarantee the legitimate rights of citizens in eastern Ukraine.  Heavy weapons were currently being withdrawn.  The grave humanitarian situation had to be addressed as a priority.  Finally, the Russian Federation expressed its concern about attempts to impose one single approach to human rights, in contradiction with the world’s diversity. 

RUI CHANCERELLE DE MACHETE, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal, welcomed the election of Portugal to the Human Rights Council and reiterated its commitment to fulfil its mandate.  Portugal was deeply committed to human rights and fundamental freedoms and it was a priority both internally and of Portugal’s foreign policy.  Portugal would prioritize dialogue and cooperation with all States and other stakeholders.  It would dedicate particular attention to violations and abuses of human rights which took place in situations of conflict, and particularly those committed against the most vulnerable groups.  Women’s rights, the rights of children and the elimination of all forms of discrimination would be the focus of Portugal’s activity.  Continued widespread violations of human rights continued to be reported, and the Human Rights Council had to condemn them.  The actions of terrorist groups, such as ISIS, as well as recent terrorist attacks in Europe, demonstrated that it was time to improve the defence of fundamental freedoms, in particular the protection of journalists, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society.  It was also essential to guarantee freedom of religion and belief, and to fight all forms of discrimination and religious intolerance. 

JAVAD ZARIF, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran, said that in spite of the momentous achievements of the United Nations, the outdated paradigm of exclusion had managed to creep in, turning the duty to cooperate into a propensity to politicize, and the impact had been most damaging in the field of human rights.  Selectivity and double standards were far more detrimental when they infected concepts and principles, freedom of expression for instance.  While racism and anti-Semitism were rightly condemned and even penalized, widespread instances of Islamophobia and blatant disregard for the values, beliefs and sanctities of Muslim citizens of many societies were not only tolerated but even publicly glorified as freedom of expression.  The inception and growth of organizations of mass murder, such as Da’esh terrorists, was a consequence of short-sightedly defined security and strategic interests of certain regional and global players, conveniently shrouded under the pretext of human rights.  The West should abandon the mentality of the Cold War era and genuinely absorb and accept the principle that all human beings were equal and that all human rights deserved to be promoted and respected in a balanced manner.

PELONOMI VENSON-MOITOI, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Botswana, underlined the importance of the Human Rights Council for the protection and promotion of human rights as the most viable platform for genuine dialogue and cooperation.  Botswana was seriously concerned about the situation in Syria, including about killings and displacement of citizens there.  Botswana was also concerned about the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and its lack of cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms.  Botswana was concerned that the security situation in the Central African Republic could derail the crucial elections scheduled later that year, and called for additional United Nations personnel there.  Botswana expressed its readiness to work with the new government of Sri Lanka and hoped that it would seize opportunities for reconciliation, rebuilding peace and security and addressing outstanding human rights issues.  Botswana strongly condemned acts of terrorisms that had recently taken place, including in Nigeria, Pakistan and France, and underlined that governments had a responsibility of promoting tolerance and mutual understanding and respect.  Botswana would continue its cooperation with the Council and other United Nations human rights mechanisms. 

JOHN F. KERRY, Secretary of State of the United States of America, said that President of the United States Barack Obama deeply believed in the mission of the Human Rights Council.  Although the United States faced challenges and difficulties in its struggle for the protection of human rights, it also dared to discuss them openly and to hold itself accountable.  It exhibited unyielding commitment to protecting freedom of expression.  The Human Rights Council could play a critical role in shaping the global response to situations where human rights violations had reached staggering levels.  It was troubling that in the Middle East and Africa violent extremists showed no regard for human rights and human life.  So many people faced grotesque restrictions on their freedom and rights from their own governments, such as in Syria, “North Korea” and Ukraine.  The Human Rights Council had to shed light on those violations and to hold accountable those who committed them.   The bodies created by the Human Rights Council, such as the commission of inquiry for Syria, could encourage leaders and governments to live up to their promises and commitments.  These were significant accomplishments and the more the international community understood about specific human rights violations, the greater pressure would be on bad actors.  However, the Human Rights Council’s obsession with Israel risked undermining the credibility of the entire organization.  No country should be free from scrutiny, but neither should any country be subject to unfair and unfounded bias.  The United States remained committed to the mission of the Human Rights Council and would run for re-election.

DUNYA MAUMOON, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, reiterated the significance of contributions that small States such as Maldives could make to important international issues.  During the past 50 years, Maldives had proven that it was a pioneer and leader of small island States in this respect.  It had highlighted the vulnerability and challenges to the security of small island States, providing a platform for small island States to voice their positions in global negotiations. Maldives had introduced, together with its partners, the discourse on human rights and climate change to this Council’s deliberations.  Maldives was currently gearing up for its review under the second cycle of the Universal Period Review.  Maldives was proud of its many achievements, but remained conscious of the many challenges that prevailed.  Since taking office in November 2013, the new Government had been committed to ensuring a free and fair environment for the people to exercise their civil and political rights.  The Government remained resolute in the establishment of a conducive environment to facilitate an inclusive process of dialogue, especially focusing on the most vulnerable in society, to protect human rights and human dignity.  The focus had been on filling institutional and legislative gaps that governed fundamental human rights under the Constitution.  Some of the novelties in this respect were the enactment of a disabilities act that protected persons with disabilities, and the strengthening of the State’s anti-trafficking apparatus.  

MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN BIN JASSIM AL-THANI, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Affairs of Qatar, said that Qatar was committed to protecting and promoting human rights, as illustrated by the adoption of Qatar National Vision 2030, which embraced key human rights themes in the areas of education, health, environment, women’s empowerment and the rights of the child.  Qatar expressed appreciation for the role played by expatriate workers for the development of the State.  Strict measures had been taken to ensure remuneration to these workers, and tougher penalties would be imposed on employers violating procedures.  Qatar expressed deep concerns about Islamophobia and contempt for religious symbols around the world, and called for further efforts to combat religious intolerance.  Qatar believed that terrorism constituted one of the greatest challenges to human rights, and reiterated its firm condemnation of terrorism.  Fighting this scourge required comprehensive and coordinated actions addressing the root causes of terrorism.  Qatar urged the Council to give due consideration to the report of the commission of inquiry on human rights violations perpetrated in the Gaza strip with a view to put an end to human rights violations against the Palestinian people.  Qatar was also deeply concerned about the situation in Syria and the coup d’état against the legitimate government in Yemen.  Qatar expressed concerns about the situation in Libya.  

TANASAK PATIMAPRAGORN, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, said that respect for human rights had to begin at home, in school, in the workplace, in the community and in public space.  However, each society had its own context, one which was not easy for insiders to untangle, nor for outsiders to understand.  Therefore, human rights could not be taken for granted.  Freedom of expression without responsibility, without respect for the rights of others, without respect for differences in faith and beliefs, without recognizing diversity, could lead to division and often to conflict and hatred.  Thailand would continue to support the Human Rights Council’s work, particularly through technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of human rights.  Although it was not a member of the Human Rights Council, Thailand actively participated in giving its views and recommendations to countries under the Universal Periodic Review process.  It was important that the twenty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council focused on mainstreaming human rights in international cooperation, including efforts to set the post-2015 development agenda.  Development needed to address all forms of inequalities and discrimination.  The new development agenda had to place people at the centre, and the fruits of sustainable development had to be shared by all parts of society, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and migrants. 

Margot Wallström, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, quoting her predecessor Anna Lindh, stated that although human rights were praised more than ever, they were also violated as much as ever.  They lived in troubled times of unrest where good news were too rare and reports of human rights violations were too many.  It was with mutual respect that compliance with human rights law could be ensured.  Sweden stood for the human dignity, integrity, freedom and inviolability of the individual.  This included taking a stand against States claiming the right to execute, torture or imprison people in contravention of international norms.  Sweden was deeply concerned over the excessive application of the death penalty and called on governments to halt executions and introduce a moratorium on capital punishment.  Efforts had to be increased to combat impunity for gender-based violence.  Economic, social and cultural rights were crucial for the survival and health of millions of people and for their working conditions.  Sweden would fight different forms of forced labour and child labour, and defend a person’s right to form and join trade unions, negotiate, and take industrial action.  Free speech, free media, and active journalists also played a  key role in ensuring human rights.  The world was witnessing a barbaric offensive by ISIL, however, efforts to counter extremism had to be in line with democratic values and the conviction that they could all live side by side regardless of religion and ethnicity.  Sweden would present a  new strategy on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, to guide the efforts in these fields.

AURELIA FRICK, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein, said that the human rights situation worldwide had worsened dramatically.  Liechtenstein was particularly concerned about the act of aggression against Ukraine.  The emergence of the so-called Islamic State and other extremist groups were of great concern as well.  Full participation of women in public decision making, including in conflict situations, was crucial.  Liechtenstein was concerned that many attempts had been made during negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda to undermine progress achieved so far in the area of women’s rights and gender equality.  Concerning Syria, accountability had to remain a priority and Liechtenstein called on third States to investigate and prosecute crimes perpetrated in Syria by their own citizens.  The Human Rights Council had made good progress on some thematic areas, including the right to privacy in the digital age.  The right to privacy had to be interpreted in the light of today’s technologies.  A core group including Liechtenstein would present a draft resolution on this issue during the session.  Liechtenstein called for sufficient funding to guarantee the independent functioning of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  Finally, she expressed great concerns at reports of reprisals against human rights defenders, including women’s rights defenders, collaborating with the Human Rights Council.

mohammed mahdi ameen al-bayati, Minister of Human Rights of Iraq,  stated that Iraq was thankful for the efforts made by the United Nations to support its people during these horrendous times.  Barbarous attacks had been committed by Da’ash in Mosul. The gravity of crimes against the Iraqi people had become clear and the threat was no longer limited to Iraq but had become a transnational threat.  Flagrant violations of human rights were being perpetrated and nothing stopped Da’ash, neither religion nor humanity. Victims were being mutilated and decapitated, women were being raped, and people were being forced to convert to other religious.  Properties were being confiscated from people, and artefacts of historical importance were being destroyed.  The infrastructure of the North-western Provinces of Iraq had been completely destroyed.  Tendencies were under way to destroy the Iraqi identity, known for its multi-ethnic character.  These were crimes against humanity and genocide.  Iraq thanked the fraternal countries for their assistance in countering these horrendous crimes.  The best weapon to confront terrorism was cohesion and resilience among all Iraqi people. This had to take place with the support from the international community and assistance to displaced people who were now numbering 2.5 million.

TAMAR BERUCHASHVILI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, said that Georgia continued fruitful cooperation with the treaty bodies and that cooperation with Special Procedures was a priority.  The harmonization of domestic legislation with international standards continued through the ratification or accession to various human rights instruments, including on persons with disabilities, statelessness and the protection of children from sexual exploitation and abuse.  The comprehensive Human Rights Strategy 2014-2020 had been adopted and the anti-discrimination law had been enacted, and Georgia had presented its candidature for the Human Rights Council for the 2016-2018 period.  Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, annexation of Crimea and further destabilization of its eastern regions should be dully responded to by the whole international community.  Georgia called on Russia to stop its aggressive policies against sovereign States.  Ukraine was not an isolated case, but a part of Russia’s attempt to expand zones of influence by hampering the sovereign right of nations.  A clear example of such policy was Russia’s military aggression against Georgia in 2008 and the subsequent occupation of 20 per cent of its sovereign territory.

PÉTER SZIJJÁRTÓ, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, underlined Hungary’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights, and to improving the effectiveness of the Human Rights Council.  The significance of the work of the Human Rights Council had never been as important.  After terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, it was obvious that the situation in the Middle East had a direct impact on Europe.  The international community had to increase its efforts to combat ISIS.  The Human Rights Council should do its utmost to document violations perpetrated by ISIS with a view to hold perpetrators accountable.  Neighbouring countries hosting refugees faced great challenges and had to be supported.  A clear differentiation had to be made between political refugees and persons fleeing their countries for economic reasons.  In the latter case, efforts had to be made to strengthen the economy of these countries.  Hungary had great experience to offer in terms of democratic transition, and would run as candidate for membership in the Human Rights Council in 2016-2018. 

MANGALA SAMARAWEERA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, said that the elections that had taken place 45 days ago had seen the highest voter turnout in the country’s history.  As a result, a regime under which the rights of the individual had been violated with impunity for almost a decade had been outright rejected.  The new Government had unblocked media websites, lifted restrictions placed on foreign medias visiting the country, while human rights activists, media personnel and civil society groups were once again free to work without fear of intimidation or harassment.  On the first Independence Day ceremony since the election, the Government had acknowledged the past tragedies that had taken place in the country and had emphasized the urgent need for healing and unity.  The President had replaced the former military Governors of the Northern and Eastern Provinces with two senior former civil servants, setting in motion the process of strengthening the civilian administration.  Thousands of acres of land in high security zones would be released in stages.  Review of cases of persons in detention had been undertaken and discussions were underway with the International Committee of the Red Cross on cooperation on the issue of missing persons.  A Special Presidential Task Force on Reconciliation had been set up, and the Government was exploring the steps towards implementation of recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

Bandar bin Mohammed Alaiban, Minister and President of the Human Rights Commission of Saudi Arabia, stressed Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to Islamic Sharia which stressed the protection of human rights.  There was a striking balance between the interests of the individual and societal interests in Islamic Sharia.  Stability and progress were the main pillars towards achieving sustainable development based on human rights.  A royal decree had been issued to set up a committee to draft various laws and legislation and to detail articles based on Islamic jurisprudence.  A child protection act had been adopted which would set the stage to provide a comprehensive protection system for all under 18.  A penal code had also been adopted with a view to fighting domestic violence.  In order to protect civil society organizations, a decree had been adopted and 2 billion riyals had been allocated.  Saudi Arabia was constantly fighting the danger of terrorism.  It condemned all terrorist attacks, including the attacks against Charlie Hebdo as well as the attacks perpetrated by the so-called Islamic State.  These were contrary to the protection of Islamic Sharia law.  Among the most appalling violations of human rights were those related to the occupation of the Palestinian land, such as killing of civilians, namely women and children, as well as Judaisation, deprivation of Palestinian people of their most fundamental right of the establishment of a state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Regarding Syria, the regime continued to launch barbaric attacks against its citizens, using the most sophisticated internationally prohibited weapons.  The international community’s failure to put an end to these crimes further exacerbated the situation of the people of Syria.  Human rights were intertwined and indivisible.

JUAN MANUEL GÓMEZ ROBLEDO, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico, said that Mexico focused on the promotion of the rule of law both on the international and national levels, and it would work to include all aspects of human rights on the international agenda, including the post-2015 development agenda.  Mexico had made major contributions to the establishment of the Human Rights Council and to the development and consolidation of its mechanisms and procedures.  However, the objectives and consensus surrounding the fundamental values and principles of human rights had been eroded recently.  Accordingly, the international community needed to reflect on those trends and re-examine what had changed in the global promotion of human rights.  International institutions needed to assess the impact of their actions on the ground.  Mexico would continue to build structures and institutions that contributed to the protection of human rights, but it also needed to evaluate its own laws and actions with respect to human rights, in particular those combating corruption, exclusion and security, and upholding the rule of law.  In order to increase transparency and collaboration with international bodies, the Mexican Government in November 2014 had approved an accord for technical assistance with the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights.   In addition the President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto had introduced several measures to strengthen juridical instruments to protect human rights in the country.  

EDUARDO ANTONIO ZUAIN, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, said that during this session of the Human Rights Council, Argentina would be presenting the best practice guide for the use of forensic science in the investigation of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.  The application of neo-liberal policies had had a negative impact on economic and social rights in Argentina, which had been developing public policies to address this issue since 2003.  Among the most significant acts and laws entrenching new rights were those on same sex marriages, the elimination of violence against women, and on gender identity.  The new Migration Act had led to a change of paradigm and the way the right to migration was seen.  All those achievements might be affected by the financial speculation by vulture funds which might undermine the restructuring of Mexico’s sovereign debt.  A number of initiatives had been introduced to stop their advancement, such as the establishment of a multilateral legal framework for restructuring  sovereign debt within the United Nations, in which all States should participate to allow for the creation of a fairer financial system which would support the development of countries.

NACI KORU, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, said that today’s session of the Human Rights Council was convened in the wake of worldwide calamities.  Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Palestine were a few examples of the festering crises on the current agenda. Ukraine was an issue that required continuous attention.  Turkey had become a “safe harbour” for 2 million people fleeing from violent conflicts and had maintained an open door policy for all Syrians and Iraqis who had fled their countries in the past four years.  Turkey had mobilized all its resources and capabilities to provide for the needs of these people.  It hoped that a political situation for Syria would be found as soon as possible.  Regarding Iraq, Da’ash was the first and foremost challenge to peace, harmony and stability.  It was a terrorist organization committing all sorts of crimes against humanity.  However, other atrocities and brutal practices by extra-legal militias, which had become additional sources of instability and sectarian conflict, should not be overlooked.  Palestine continued to be at the top of the agenda for Turkey.  The status-quo was unsustainable, and persistent violations of international law were at the heart of the problem.   Any improvement required the ending of the Israeli occupation.  Among the continuing challenges to fundamental human rights and freedoms worldwide were racism and the rising trend of Islamophobia. 

BOGDAN BENKO, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, said that full respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law must be the key element of the global endeavour to ensure global peace, stability and development.  Slovenia fully supported the important role of the Human Rights Council in promoting and protecting human rights globally.  The world was celebrating two important anniversaries in the field of human rights this year: the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action had brought about significant progress in the field of gender equality in the last two decades, and the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child had played an important role in sensitizing the international community to abuse and violations of children’s rights.  This year was also special for the United Nations which was going through some processes that would crucially influence the work of the Organization for the years to come.   The new post-2015 development agenda would be adopted in September; it provided an opportunity to eradicate poverty and ensure global sustainable development.  Slovenia followed closely and with great concern the situation in Ukraine and expressed its support for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreement which was a good starting point for a peaceful and comprehensive solution to this crisis.

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For use of the information media; not an official record
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