Human Rights Council concludes general debate on High Commissioner’s update

GENEVA (14 June 2016) - The Human Rights Council this morning concluded its general debate on the High Commissioner’s update.  The President of the Council also announced the appointment of members of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.
 
The President said he had appointed Yasmin Sooka of South Africa, Kenneth R. Scott of the United States, and Godfrey M. Musila of Kenya to the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, pursuant to resolution A/HRC/31/L.33 on the situation of human rights in South Sudan.  Ms. Sooka would serve as Chair of the Commission.

High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein presented his update to the Council at the opening of the session on Monday, 13 June.  The text of his statement can be found here, while the summary of his statement and the beginning of the general debate can be found here.
 
In the general debate, speakers noted the importance of combatting discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender equality, often in the context of offering condolences to the victims of the recent terror attack in Orlando, Florida.  Regarding the migrants crisis, countries of origin, transit and arrival stressed the urgent need to find a solution to the suffering of refugees and migrants.  Many speakers noted the importance of giving balanced attention to all human rights.  Speakers also shared the High Commissioner’s profound concern at restrictions, harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders and civil society organizations in many countries around the world.
 
Speaking were Benin, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, Czech Republic, Republic of Moldova, Italy, Malaysia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel, Australia, Greece, Cyprus, Pakistan, Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Ukraine, Uganda, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Cambodia, Poland, Montenegro, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Jordan, Micronesia, Mauritania, Argentina, Marshall Islands, Honduras, Bahrain, and Papua New Guinea. 
 
The following non-governmental organizations also took the floor: Reporters Sans Frontieres, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, Fédération Internationale des Fédérations des Droits de l’Homme, China NGO Network for International Exchanges, American Association of Jurists, Alsalam Foundation in a joint statement, World Barua Organization, International Fellowship of Reconciliation, Human Rights Watch, Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture, CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Renconctre Africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme, Association Solidarité Internationale pour l’Afrique in a joint statement, Reseau International des Droits Humains, Sudwind, International Service for Human Rights, International Humanist and Ethnical Union, International Muslim Women’s Union, Association Bharathi Centre Culturel Franco-Tamoul, Arab Commission for Human Rights, Article 19, Pasumai Thaayagam Foundation, International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations, Liberation and Southern Observatory for Human Rights, International Organisation for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in a joint statement, and International Lawyers Association.
 
Speaking in right of reply were Egypt, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
 
The Human Rights Council is holding a full day of meetings today.  At 1 p.m., it will hold a clustered interactive dialogue with François Crépeau, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, and Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.
 
General Debate on the Update of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
 
CHOI KYONG-LIM, President of the Human Rights Council, appointed Yasmin Sooka of South Africa, Kenneth R. Scott of the United States, and Godfrey M. Musila of Kenya to the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, pursuant to resolution A/HRC/31/L.33 on the situation of human rights in South Sudan.  He said Ms. Sooka would serve as Chair of the Commission.
 
Benin expressed support to actions by the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General to promote gender equality.  For its part, Benin had made significant achievements through its policies for the empowerment of women, in accordance with the Beijing Plan of Action.  Benin stated the importance of combatting terrorism and religious extremism, and called for measures to address the migration crisis in accordance with human rights. 
 
Chile called on the Council to play a more active role in addressing the current migration crisis.  The human rights system should avoid the polarization of its agenda.  Chile was committed to combat discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender equality, and was convinced that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons deserved protection from human rights violations.  Chile expressed condolences to the United States after the Orlando attacks. 
 
Costa Rica recalled that all States had the obligation to protect and promote all human rights, and underlined the importance of the Council and its mechanisms in that regard.  It recognized the role of the Council in the context of the current situation in Burundi and with regard to climate change.  It called for greater impact on the ground through more efficient and tangible resolutions and mandates.  
 
Spain reiterated the call to move forward the peace negotiations on human rights situations in a number of countries and stressed the urgent need to find a solution to the suffering of refugees and migrants.  The Council must address violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, and also pay more attention to the current reversal in the universal abolition of the death penalty.  Spain had re-launched the International Commission of the Death Penalty, which was a very useful mechanism in this regard.
 
Czech Republic said it was a strong supporter of a robust United Nations system, very active on addressing human rights situations – this could not be achieved without the fully independent Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  Policy choices at all levels must be informed by human rights as they were informed by peace, security and development considerations.  What tools did the Council have to support the better integration of human rights across the system and to ensure that the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 was underpinned by human rights considerations?
 
Republic of Moldova hoped that the tenth anniversary of the Council would strengthen the human rights machinery and stressed the collective duty to reach solutions to end violence and human rights violations in many countries affected by armed conflict.  The Republic of Moldova fully supported mainstreaming of human rights into the United Nations system in order to ensure prompt responses to human rights emergencies.  It welcomed the field presence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country and the engagement on several key issues, including domestic violence.
 
Italy noted that the world was facing increasing instability, especially in Syria but also in other countries across the globe, and stressed that internal and external responses to threats such as terrorism and extremist violence must always incorporate human rights and the rule of law.  Those armed conflicts had created unprecedented migration flows and Italy reiterated its commitment to ensuring their protection and integration into the asylum and international protection system.  The international community had a duty to address the root causes of this tragedy and provide response on the basis of shared responsibility and solidarity.
 
Malaysia said balanced attention was given to all human rights.  It expressed concerns about increasing trends of violent extremism and threats of terrorism, and about increasing incidences of intolerance, racism, discrimination, Islamophobia and xenophobia, calling for the responsible exercise of freedom of expression.  Poverty contributed to human rights violations and extremism, Malaysia said, welcoming the commitments by all Member States through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 
Democratic Republic of Congo expressed its willingness to cooperate with all mechanisms of the Council.  It regretted false allegations made against the country, particularly with regard to alleged restrictions of political space.  Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly were fully guaranteed.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo had more than 400 political parties, more than 67 television channels and 100 press agencies, acting in all freedom.  Some protests had been prohibited only with a view to protect public order.  The Government was committed to inclusive political dialogue ahead of the elections.  
 
Israel regretted that the Council had a standing agenda item on the situation in Israel, while the tragedies in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya were unfolding and producing a tsunami of refugees.  Referring to the High Commissioner’s concern about the cancellation of permits granted to West Bank and Gaza residents during Ramadan, Israel recalled that it had the right to regulate the entry of non-citizens into the country, which was an integral part of its sovereignty and which was recognized by bilateral Israeli-Palestinian agreements.  This was one of many example of double standards against Israel. 
 
Australia encouraged the Council, over the next 10 years, to embrace the role it could play supporting States to meet their responsibility to protect.  The Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures were uniquely placed to monitor situations of grave human rights concern, provide early warning of the risk of mass atrocity crimes, and thus contribute to prevention.  The Council should also pay more attention to gender equality as empowering women was a fundamental driver of development and crucial to the enjoyment of the human rights of all.
 
Greece stressed that migration was a global phenomenon and must be addressed as such, whereby an effective cooperation between and with countries of origin, transition and destination was a must.  At the same time, root causes of conflicts must be addressed meaningfully, and the need to find and implement as a matter of urgency a viable political solution in Syria was the most obvious example in this regard.  Greece would continue to effectively address the situation of migrants and refugees and focus on saving lives and upholding their human rights.
 
Cyprus said that on the tenth anniversary of the Council, it was important to take a step back and examine what had been achieved, and also to take a critical look at the opportunities that had been missed.  Cyprus recognized the pivotal role of the High Commissioner and his Office and stressed the need to work together on addressing and resolving major challenges to human rights, such as the unprecedented migrant and refugee flows, issues of gender equality and threats to the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association.
 
Pakistan condemned the Orlando killings.  Drone strikes were a violation of the United Nations Charter and international human rights and humanitarian law.  A wish was expressed to hear what was being done to bring economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the right to development, to the forefront of the work of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.
 
Iran, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, expressed wishes to reflect on some issues raised by the High Commissioner.  A question was asked regarding the placement of economic, social and cultural rights: besides a fact-based analysis, which strategies were envisaged by the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights on how to give the right to development its proper place.
 
Ukraine offered condolences to the families of those killed in Orlando, Florida.  Ukraine commended the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in Ukraine, which was contributing to informing the international community regarding the situation in the country.  The mission’s work played an important part in documenting Russian aggression and crimes committed by the Russian military.  Human rights violations should not go unpunished.
 
Uganda encouraged more balance in the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report, with equal focus on all geographical regions, and while promoting constructive dialogue.  The Council played a unique role in promoting and protecting human rights, which should be consolidated and strengthened.  Development, peace, security and human rights were all interlinked and mutually reinforcing, Uganda said, calling on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to take initiatives for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and of the right to development. 
 
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should abide by the principles of objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization.  The so-called “human rights issue in the DPRK” constituted double standards, and the “DPRK” rejected all resolutions that concerned it, and which resulted from political agendas from the United States and Japan on the pretext of human rights.  It called on the Council to give attention to the United States’ crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, and to Japan’s past crimes against humanity. 
 
Cambodia said that its people enjoyed peace, security and remarkable economic growth.  The Government appreciated the genuine and honest contribution of civil society, but denied any acts of politicization, double standard and, selectivity, and rejected interference in its internal affairs.  It recalled that some civil societies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Cambodia exploited the human rights agenda for political purposes.  In this regard, those breaking existing laws had to be accountable for their acts.  There were 4,637 NGOs in Cambodia freely conducting their activities with no constraints.  This reflected how broad and deep the democratic space was in the country. 
 
Poland expressed greatest appreciation for civil society which had a long-standing role in overthrowing communism.  The Government was fully aware of the importance of civil society and the Office of the Ombudsman and was very surprised to hear the reports of alleged harassment of human rights defenders and activists.  Poland was determined to maintain the rule of law and relied on the support of international institutions.
 
Montenegro thanked the High Commissioner for his comprehensive update and said that the tragic events in Orlando were a reminder that the Council must not remain silent on human rights violations.  Montenegro reiterated its support to the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and said it would soon present a voluntary national plan for its implementation.  It was unfortunate to learn about the human rights violations of refugees and migrants and Montenegro supported all international efforts to find solutions to present conflicts.
 
Afghanistan said that civilian casualties continued to rise in the country, particularly among women and children.  The United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan had reported that the Taliban had conducted 179 war crime activities last year, which were largely supported from outside the national borders.  Threats by the Taliban, Haqqani network, Al Qaeda, Islamic State and their affiliated groups remained potent and focused on undoing the hard-earned gains of the last 15 years. 
 
Nepal said that the Council’s tenth anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities in the fulfilling of its mandate and said that the Universal Periodic Review was a hallmark of international cooperation in the field of human rights.  The work of the Council must always be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, neutrality, non-selectivity, constructive dialogue and international cooperation.  Nepal’s new Constitution had set ambitious human rights objectives and it was committed to build back better after the devastating earthquake that had struck the country a year ago.
 
Myanmar said that as the High Commissioner had put it in his statement yesterday, the formation of a civilian government in March represented a watershed moment in Myanmar’s continuing transition to democracy.  The new Government’s approach to human rights issues would not be the same as before.  In addressing human rights challenges, Myanmar had been working together with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and would like to continue those efforts under a technical cooperation mandate.
 
Sudan renewed Sudan’s commitment toward the peaceful settlement of problems in the country.  Progress in Darfur was welcomed, and it was noted that a referendum had been organized there.  In the statement given by the High Commissioner, positive developments on the ground had not been mentioned, such as the fight against impunity. Sudan had welcomed more than 2 million refugees.
 
Guinea-Bissau expressed its full support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  The universality of human rights issues should be reflected in the composition of the Council.  Human rights issues remained a major challenge for Guinea Bissau, and in that regard, international cooperation and support from the country’s bilateral and multilateral partners could assist in reforms of the justice sector and the rule of law, among others. 
 
Libya said that the Government was working under huge security and economic challenges.  It referred to terrorism, human trafficking and other problems in the country, which required the international community to join forces and support the Government.  Libya noted that additional support needed to be provided to Libya on human rights, as well as humanitarian and security issues.  Libya called on the European Union to raise the embargo on civilian aircrafts in order to provide necessary assistance to victims. 
 
Jordan extended condolences to the United States for the Orlando attack.  Jordan continued to support efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy in Syria to restore security in Syria.  Israel had to dismantle all settlements and stop restrictions on freedom of movement, freedom of worship, and to put an end to arbitrary detention.  Deadlock in the peace process would only fuel more extremism, Jordan said, expressing its commitment to the two-State solution. 
 
Micronesia extended its condolences and solidarity to the American people.  It thanked the contributors to the Trust Fund and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for enabling its participation to this session of the Council.  Climate change remained the greatest challenge of our time.  Its adverse impacts continued to be an impediment to Micronesia’s right to development, food, water, health and education.   Micronesia reiterated its call for a high representative for climate change and security to be placed in the United Nations system to focus on these issues. 
 
Mauritania stressed the need to increase the efficiency of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and to strengthen the role of the Council while preventing politicization.  It welcomed support to combat slavery, and recalled that it had recently adopted new legislation in that regard, with a focus on the victims.  Other national programmes had been adopted to combat torture and to promote economic, social and cultural rights.  Mauritania was committed to continue its work in the Council and to support dialogue and inclusiveness. 
 
Argentina appreciated the work of the Council on inclusion and believed that the world should be a place where gender, sexual orientation or other grounds were not reasons for exclusion.  Argentina rejected the violent attack in Orlando.  Argentina would associate itself with the resettlement programme for Syrian migrants who would be gradually integrated into the society.
 
Marshall Islands said that the Human Rights Council had done much to move human rights to the front of the international agenda, but much remained to be done in closing the gaps between the goals and realities on the ground, particularly in vulnerable countries.  It was crucial that all countries were held accountable for their human rights records, and that they held others accountable.   
 
Honduras said that 2015 had been a crucial year, marked by the adoption of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, the new framework on disaster prevention, the agreement on climate change, and others.  Honduras reiterated its firm support to the Office of the High Commissioner in its work against exclusion and racial discrimination, for a rights-based approach to migration, and for the work of its Office in Honduras, which would enjoy the full support of the Government, including with regard to investigating the death of the human rights defender Berta Cáceres.
 
Bahrain said that the negative remarks by the High Commissioner about Bahrain did not reflect the reality and were disappointing to the people of Bahrain.  Security, drug trafficking and other hostile acts undermined the situation in Bahrain and those must be addressed in accordance with the rule of law.  The authorities occasionally had to intervene to uphold public order, like so many other countries in the world, so accusing the Government of repressing the rights of the people was not justified.
 
Papua New Guinea said that the Human Rights Council had become a beacon of hope for the international community.  With reference to the High Commissioner’s note on the situation in Papua New Guinea, the country was in the process of addressing the issue.  Human rights were guaranteed by the Constitution.  Treaty obligations remained firm, and Papua New Guinea appreciated the support provided by development partners.
 
Reporters without Borders - International, said that 70 per cent of the Universal Periodic Review recommendations dealing with freedom of the press were not implemented.  That showed an abysmal lack of political will on the part of Member States.  There was a climate of fear, tension, and increasing government control over newsrooms.  The creation of a Special Representative to assist the Secretary-General in harmonizing strategies and strengthening compliance was urged.
 
Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain said that yesterday, security officials in Bahrain had implemented travel bans on six individuals traveling to take part in a training seminar for civil society on how to engage with various United Nations mechanisms.  The organization called on the Council to formally condemn Bahrain for that and other acts of reprisals and cease cooperation with the Government of Bahrain until the full protection of all civil society participants could be guaranteed.
 
International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, shared the High Commissioner’s concerns with regard to the situation in Turkey.  It condemned the existing restrictions on freedom of expression in Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam, and called on these three countries to amend and repeal laws and decrees inconsistent with human rights standards.  In Azerbaijan, it called on the authorities to end all forms of harassment against human rights defenders.  
 
China NGO Network for International Exchanges said that Chinese legislation on civil society organizations did not aim to restrict their activities.  In China, anyone should respect existing laws and regulations, or be punished.  China was a multi-ethnic society, and financial support was provided to local non-governmental organizations, including in Tibet.  The international community should give better attention to the reality of the situation on the ground. 
 
American Association of Jurists, on behalf of severals NGOs1, said that the territory of Western Sahara was under the occupation of the Kingdom of Morocco.  The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should not limit itself to the role of mere spectator, and should follow-up on its visits of refugee camps.  It should play a more active role for the protection and promotion of the rights of the Sahrawi people, including their inalienable right to self-determination. 
 
Alsalam Foundation, together with Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, expressed concerns about the revocation of Bahraini citizenship of human rights defenders, political activists, journalists, academics and religious scholars, alongside violent extremists.  Bahrain should end its practice of arbitrary citizenship revocation and reinstate all citizenships revoked for politically-motivated purposes.  It also condemned the disproportionate use of force by security forces against protestors.  
 
World Barua Organization called the attention of the Council to the deplorable situation in the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, the only one without an internationally recognized administrative power and which was consequently under direct responsibility of the United Nations.  The United Nations must make the necessary arrangement to enable regular and continued visits to the area by its mission and to open a dialogue with the Sahrawi National Commission for Human Rights.
 
International Fellowship of Reconciliation welcomed the attention given to the widespread destruction and violations of human rights in the context of the military operations in south-east Turkey and called upon the Government of Turkey to admit a team from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to determine, in an impartial manner, the facts on the ground.
 
Human Rights Watch shared the High Commissioner’s profound concern at restrictions, harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders and civil society organizations in many countries around the world, including in Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Russia.  The Council must exercise leadership and raise its voice in condemning the crackdown in Egypt and call for a reform of repressive laws.  The High Commissioner should continue to speak out strongly against the relentless crackdown on civil society in China.
 
Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture said that a human rights defender had gone through a maliciously motivated trial, despite the fact that he was a non-violent reformist.  The suffering he had gone through exposed the “instrumentalization” of the judiciary.  By the order of the Minister of Justice in Bahrain, a centre had been shut down and all its property had been sequestered.  The Council was called on to protect human rights in Bahrain and to hold Bahrain accountable.
 
CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation expressed concern about last month’s decision by the Economic and Social Council’s Non-Governmental Organizations Committee to deny consultative status to the Committee to Protect Journalists.  The situations in Ethiopia, Cambodia and Egypt were singled out as particularly worrisome for human rights defenders.  According space to civil society was not optional.  
 
Renconctre Africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme recalled that the year 2016 was the year of human rights with a particular focus on the rights of women.  The situation remained of concern regarding humanitarian and security challenges in the Sahel.  The organization said it was a key player in the fight against impunity in Africa, and asked what the High Commissioner planned to do regarding impunity in Mali, Libya and many other areas.
 
Association Solidarité Internationale pour l’Afrique, speaking in a joint statement, said that the judiciary in Bahrain was under constant pressure and influence by the royal family and the independence of the courts was questioned.  The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression had condemned the latest sentencing, saying that it confirmed the continuing trend of political repression of dissidents in the country.
 
Réseau International des Droits Humains said that since December 2011, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had made the reports by the Special Procedures available, but there should be more time put aside for the discussions and analysis of those reports, in which civil society organizations would have ample opportunity to engage in dialogue with States.
 
Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, noted the continued and numerous executions in Iran and the widespread use of flogging as lawful punishment, and this had not been mentioned in the High Commissioner’s update.  The gap between the Constitution and the everyday exercise of public freedoms was often significant, and breaches of constitutional laws were frequent. 
 
International Service for Human Rights shared the High Commissioner’s concerns regarding the restrictions and attacks against civil society actors in Council Member States China, Russia and Venezuela, as well as the allegations of acts of intimidation and reprisal by those States.  It also shared the acute concern of the High Commissioner for the arbitrary detention and harassment of human rights defenders in States, including Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Egypt. 
 
Iraqi Development Organization condemned the situation in Yemen.  Yemeni people were undergoing a war of aggression.  The blockade prevented the people of Yemen from  exercising their right to self-determination.  This situation had led to poverty and was equivalent to crimes against humanity and war crimes.  More than 30,000 were victims. 
 
International Humanist and Ethical Union said freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly were not just rights to be emphasised for individuals across the world in different States, but also for those representing non-governmental organizations at the institutional level.  Without them, there was no capacity to stand up for the rights of others.  The Council had a responsibility to protect those who engaged from intimidation and reprisals. 
 
International Muslim Women’s Union believed in a technical assistance world where every man, woman, and child had the right to live a life without fear, and where there were all freedoms of life and no threats.  But this was just a dream for the people in Jammu Kashmir where 700,000 forces were living in schools, hotels and private houses, where death was dancing in every street, and where children were shot while playing cricket.
 
Association Bharathi Centre Culturel Franco-Tamoul said that Tamil people still lived under military occupation in Sri Lanka and noted that the High Commissioner had recommended a hybrid accountability system on the basis that the local judicial system was too corrupted.  The Government was now refusing to accommodate any foreigners in the domestically controlled accountability mechanism, while the Tamil people did not have any faith in the domestic process.
 
Arab Commission for Human Rights welcomed the positive measures adopted in many countries of the global south, for example Tunisia which had begun the path towards sustainable democracy.   It was the countries of the global north that were facing regression in human rights, for example in the United States where a Presidential candidate was threatening to expel its citizens for religious reasons.  Similar was the situation in France where Muslims were discriminated against. 
 
Article 19 - The International Centre against Censorship, said that in the vast majority of the 50 countries that the High Commissioner addressed, violations of freedom of expression were a common thread.  There was a widening implementation gap between the Council’s free expression standards and national realities.  Concern was expressed at the shrinking of civil society space in Hungary, Poland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Cambodia.
 
Pasumai Thaayagam Foundation said that while the Sri Lankan Government had taken steps, there was concern about it sending out mixed messages.  Tamil victims continued to have little confidence in the will of the Government, due to the continued detention of political prisoners.  Victims and human rights groups had voiced concern about the manner in which an office of missing persons was being created.  Steps toward a political solution were no substitute for justice.
 
International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations expressed concern over the non-implementation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of recent General Assembly resolutions regarding the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.  A high-level review of the critical situation of work against racism at the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights was suggested, with the cooperation of non-governmental organizations.
 
Liberation,  in a joint statement with the Southern Observatory for Human Rights, said millions of Southerners in South Yemen had gone out on the streets of Aden in peaceful demonstrations, calling upon the international community to support them to restore their sovereign State.  They had been able to liberate nearly the entire South from the Northern Forces.  They called upon the Human Rights Council to use its mandate to help the Southern people eradicate the root causes of counter terrorism and eliminate extremism in the region.
 
International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, in a joint statement, regretted that 2016 was witnessing dramatic human rights violations across the globe.  It was deeply distressed regarding the situation in Iraq, and in particular, in Fallujah, where Iraqi authorities were complicit in violations, through policies of disregard.  The violations committed within the framework of the “fight against terrorism” were a cause of great concern.  Urgent action was needed to bring peace and justice back to Iraq.
 
International-Lawyers Org said the situation in Iraq, in particular in Fallujah, amounted to genocide perpetrated by the army on the pretext of combatting terrorism.  There was ground and air military support by the United States, which also caused concern.  Civilians had been assaulted by police and militias, and Government forces had committed barbaric crimes.  The Association called on the Human Rights Council to send an international observer body and take action against the militias.
 
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, shared the High Commissioner’s concerns at the drastic increase in targeted killings of writers, bloggers, social media activists and sexual minorities in Bangladesh.  In Cambodia and Maldives, laws increasingly restricted non-governmental organizations’ activities.  The Thai Government should repeal sections of the Referendum Act which prohibited public discussion of the draft constitution and allowed inclusive and open debate ahead of the referendum.
 
Organisation internationale pour les pays les moins avancés said that the Southern Movement had been calling for the restoration of the Yemeni State through peaceful protests and civil disobedience since 2007.  Those protests had been met with brutal violence by the Yemeni military and the technical assistance to Yemen that this Council had provided had not been sufficient to resolve the issue.  This was one example of how the Council’s neglect of non-violent calls for basic human rights could escalate into intractable conflict.
 
International Islamic Federation of Students Organizations said that the fact that the Middle East, South Africa and Asia were in turmoil was the collective failure of all those who held power and wealth and were involved in prolonging wars and disputes instead of resolving them.  It was not only happening in Syria, Iraq, Libya, or Afghanistan, but there were festering disputes such as the Indian-occupied Kashmir, the oldest international conflict on the Security Council’s agenda.
 
 
Right of Reply
 
Egypt, speaking in a right of reply, categorically rejected the accusations made by Switzerland.  The Egyptian Constitution provided for the independence of the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary.  Any individual who was apprehended by the authorities was apprehended for breaking the law.  Egypt called upon Switzerland to ensure human rights in its own laws.  Namely the canton of Geneva provided for a fine for up to 100,000 chf for anyone that did not request authorisation for protests.
 
Kenya, speaking in a right of reply, said the Constitution that Kenya had adopted in 2011 was democratic.  Elections were held every five years and the forthcoming would not be an exception.  The elections in 2013 had been held without violence and were peaceful in character.  The view that they were not democratic was propounded by a small opposition in Kenya.  Protests had become increasingly violent.  During the last protest,  50 people had been injured, and the police had instituted investigations to bring those who had committed crimes during the demonstrations to account.
 
Democratic Republic of Congo, speaking in a right of reply, denounced the attitude of the European Union which raised tensions and threatened peace and human rights.  It was not honest to speak of restrictions on civil society in a country that had over 400 parties, 67 private TV channels, and thousands of non-governmental organizations which freely exercised their activities.  Regarding security in the east of the country, the Government had taken measures together with MINUSCO to counter the militias there.
 
Republic of Korea, speaking in a right of reply, regretted the continued refusal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms and implement the recommendations of the international community to improve the human rights of its people.
 
Japan, speaking in a right of reply, was deeply concerned about the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and urged that country to pay serious attention to the recommendations by the international community and take serious measures to address the situation.  Japan and “South Korea” had made a historic agreement to resolve the issue of the so-called comfort women, and had been taking continuous steps to implementation this agreement reached in December 2015.
 
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, speaking in a right of reply, rejected the allegations by the Republic of Korea and Japan which were politically motivated and had nothing to do with human rights.  The resolutions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea under the guise of human rights were militarily and politically motivated; they aimed to eliminate the system chosen by its people, and were guided by the United States’ interests.  The egregious human rights violations that required the attention of this Council were crimes against humanity committed by Japan, the refugee crisis prevailing in Europe, and political repression in the Republic of Korea.
 
Japan, speaking in a second right of reply, said it was regrettable that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had not responded with concrete actions to the concerns of the international community.
 
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, speaking in a second right of reply, rejected yet another provocative and misleading accusation by Japan and said that Japan’s past crimes required the attention of the international community.  Japan should address all its past and present violations by heeding the legitimate remarks of the international community.

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1 Joint statement: American Association of Jurists; International Education Development, Inc.; International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL); Union of Arab Jurists; World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY); International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations; and International Fellowship of Reconciliation.

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