Human Rights Council starts general debate on human rights situations that require the Council's attention

Human Rights Council
MIDDAY

22 June 2016

The Human Rights Council in its midday meeting started its general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, during which speakers raised allegations of human rights violations in countries and regions around the world and reiterated the Council’s responsibility to address all situations of concern. 

Speakers voiced concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression and harassment of human rights activists in a number of countries, and condemned attacks against civilians in conflict situations.  They raised concerns about the situation of minorities, and about the increased use of the death penalty worldwide.  Several speakers reiterated their concerns over the politicization of this agenda item of the Council, and expressed support for a non-selective and dialogue-based approach instead.

Speaking during the general debate were Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Netherlands on behalf of the European Union, Cuba, Germany, Venezuela, Ecuador, Switzerland, France, Russian Federation, Belgium, Georgia, United Kingdom, Slovenia, China, India, Ireland, Norway, Japan, Armenia, Iceland, United States, Denmark, Spain, Czech Republic, Canada, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Israel, Australia, Solomon Islands, Iran, Belarus, Montenegro, Ukraine, Vanuatu, Azerbaijan, and Egypt.

The following non-governmental organizations also spoke: PEN International in a joint statement, Touro Law Centre, The Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, Baha’i International Community, Franciscans International (joint statement), International Humanist and Ethical Union, Liberation, Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, Asian Legal Resource Centre, Centre for Inquiry, Conseil international pour le soutien à des procès équitables et aux Droits de l’Homme, Indigenous People of Africa Coordinating Committee, World Federation of Democratic Youth, Comité international pour le respect et l’application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples, World Evangelical Alliance, International Commission of Jurists, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism, Alliance Defending Freedom, United Schools International, Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales Association Civil (joint statement), International Association for Democracy in Africa, Human Rights Watch, Canners International Permanent Committee, African Development Association, Victorious Youths Movement, World Environment and Resources Council, Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs, Pan African Union for Science and Technology, Association Dunenyo, British Humanist Association, Prahar, African Regional Agricultural Credit Association, Federation of Cuban Women, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain Inc, Alsalam Foundation in a joint statement, Iraqi Development Organization, Federacion de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promocion de los Derechos Humanos, and World Muslim Congress. 

Speaking in right of reply were Turkey, China, Uzbekistan, Cuba, Venezuela, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Latvia and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Council is having a full day of meetings today.  It will next hold a panel discussion on the contribution of parliaments to the work of the Council and the Universal Periodic Review, and will resume its general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention on Thursday, 23 June, at noon. 

General Debate on Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention

Iraq, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, reaffirmed that all human rights, especially the right to development, were universal and interrelated, and should be applied through a non-confrontational approach.  The Non-Aligned Movement stressed that positive developments achieved since the establishment of the Human Rights Council ought to be preserved.  Human rights should not be used for political purposes; deep concern was expressed over the adoption of country-specific resolutions.  All Member States were called upon to promote international cooperation and constructive dialogue. 

Netherlands, speaking on behalf of the European Union, believed that the situation in Belarus required the extension of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate.  Terrorism in Egypt had to be tackled with full respect of international human rights standards and fundamental freedoms.  In China, the ongoing detention and harassment of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists remained a major concern.  The European Union condemned the attacks against the opposition, journalists and human rights defenders in Russia.  Concern was also expressed over demolitions, confiscations and evictions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Cuba was worried over the politicization and selectivity which characterized the Human Rights Council’s agenda.   Northern industrialized countries were trying to impose their own paradigm of human rights standards on the South.  Objectivity and constructive international dialogue were the principles which ought to be respected.  Some serious human rights situations, such as the situation of migrants, were largely ignored and inadequately addressed.   Why was there no criticism of the rise of racism and xenophobia in a number of Western countries?
 
Germany expressed deep concerns about human rights violations in China, including a crackdown on human rights defenders.  Civil society needed space to operate more freely.  There were also serious challenges facing Egypt, where concern was expressed about the growing incidence of torture, death, disappearances and death sentences.  Widespread human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea remained of particular concern.  Germany remained worried about the human rights situation in the Russian Federation, where new legislation restricted the work of human rights defenders and civil society.  

Venezuela denounced the practices of some powers and their allies to politicize the Human Rights Council and attack the countries of the South that would not subject themselves to the countries of the North.  Cooperation on the Council was being jeopardized by the harmful practice of naming and shaming, which should be erased from the Council’s work.  Relations between States should be based on non-interference between peoples as enshrined by the Charter.  Poverty, hunger, religious intolerance and xenophobia were ignored by the Council, which insisted only on condemning countries of the South.

Ecuador said that Human Rights Council had been set up following the Human Rights Commission, which had deteriorated due to its lack of objectivity.  Some of those shortfalls were now being repeated again, especially when the Council was debating human rights violations of countries of the South.  Concern was expressed at discriminatory practices and islamophobia in the United States, and sympathy was expressed for Julian Assange, who had spent four years in an Ecuadorean embassy.  House arrest, imprisonment and refusal to guarantee asylum constituted violations of his human rights, and his release was called for.

Switzerland was concerned about restrictions on freedom of expression in Turkey, and called on the Government to respect the rights of Kurds and other minorities.  In China, Switzerland welcomed efforts made in favour of economic development, but remained concerned about restrictions to freedom of expression and assembly, as well as freedom of movement of minorities, including in Tibet.  Switzerland was concerned about violence against sexual minorities in Honduras.  It was particularly concerned about the use of the death penalty in Iran and in Belarus, and over the expansion of the list of crimes susceptible to be subjected to the death penalty in Chad.  Switzerland expressed concerns over convictions of media workers in Sudan. 

France underlined the urgency of ending violations and abuses in Syria, and stressed that perpetrators would be held accountable.  France remained concerned about the abuses perpetrated by Boko Haram.  In China, it called for the release of all prisoners of conscience, including Liu Xiaobo and Ilham Tohti.  In the Russian Federation, human rights defenders and journalists faced increased repression and harassment.  In Egypt, France supported the creation of democratic institutions and called for an end to police violence and threats against journalists and activists.  France was particularly concerned by intimidation against journalists and activists in Turkey, and by the growing number of executions in China, “North Korea”, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United States. 

Russian Federation said that there were continuing blatant violations of the rule of law in the United States, and referred to the use of torture, Guantanamo and racial discrimination.  Courts in the United States were politically controlled.  The human rights situation in the European Union was worsening, including growing xenophobia against migrants.  The collective return of migrants by the European Union was a matter of concern.  In Ukraine, the Russian Federation was seriously concerned by the use of torture, and by the situation of national minorities.  The situation in Turkey was also concerning, particularly with regard to attacks against activists. 

Belgium said that systematic violations of human rights often had in common the lack of respect for freedom of association.  The fight against terrorism should support the fundamental principles uniting the Human Rights Council.  Egypt and Turkey should not suppress the freedom of the press and civil society under the pretext of fighting terrorism.   In Yemen, more than 900 children had been killed by various parties to the conflict, while the recruitment of child soldiers was on the rise.  In the Lake Chad area, more than one million young children were displaced due to the Boko Haram activities.

Georgia was deeply concerned by the continuing airstrikes and fighting in Aleppo, which had resulted in heavy civilian casualties.  The continued political crisis in Burundi accompanied by violence and deterioration of the human rights situation was another matter of concern.  Georgia was worried about the large scale displacement in South Sudan, which further aggravated the humanitarian crisis.  The situation in the occupied Crimea and eastern parts of Ukraine was alarming, while the conditions in Georgia’s occupied regions – Abkhazia and South Ossetia – were persistently deteriorating.

United Kingdom was appalled by the continuing devastation in Syria and the complete disregard for international law by the regime and Daesh.  Iran was urged to implement its international commitments fully and to engage with the Special Rapporteur.  The United Kingdom called on Egypt to release political detainees and allow non-governmental organizations to operate freely.  Concern was expressed over the treatment of Palestinian detainees in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, while settlement building and demolitions were strongly opposed.   

Slovenia was appalled by the continuation of hostilities in Syria, and reiterated its position that crimes against humanity required a referral to the International Criminal Court.  It underlined that human rights protection was essential for long-term security in Ukraine, and called for international monitoring of the human rights situation in the Crimean Peninsula.  In Burundi, Slovenia called on all parties to stop violence and human rights violations and end impunity, and encouraged further efforts for an inclusive inter-Burundian dialogue. 

China said that it had made great efforts for eradicating poverty and providing employment to its people, as well as for improving its human rights situation.  Education through labour had been abolished, and capital punishment was only used for the most heinous crimes.  China regretted that certain countries had just made groundless accusations against it, which was a typical polarization of human rights.  China expressed concerns about violations of States’ sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in the Middle East, and about the mistreatment of migrants in Europe.

India said that if the Council resorted to politicized and polarized discourse, its disservice to the international community would be significant.  India repeated its position against country-specific mandates, focusing only on developing countries.  Only with genuine dialogue could the Council achieve the enhanced capacity of Member States in addressing their human rights challenges.  India supported a constructive and holistic approach that was informed by the needs, circumstances and specificities of concerned countries.  

Ireland was dismayed at the continuing increase in executions in 2015, and called upon Saudi Arabia and Iran to stop the practice of executing those who had been sentenced as minors.  Ireland was concerned about measures restricting freedom of opinion, expression and assembly, including recent developments in China, Bahrain and Turkey.  Restrictions on media and civil society actors in Azerbaijan were also of concern.  Ireland also remained concerned over the continued failure to end the occupation of Palestinian land by Israel.

Norway was concerned over the assassination of human rights defenders in Honduras, as well as the high number of brutal murders in Bangladesh.  In Egypt, worry was expressed over the limitations imposed on civil society and the media.  Norway said that in Russia legislative acts were used to limit the activities of the civil sector.  Norway strongly urged the Azerbaijani authorities to release the remaining imprisoned human rights defenders.  All retentionist countries were called upon to establish a moratorium on the death penalty with a view to abolishing it.

Japan said that the unjustifiable suppression of activities of human rights defenders and lawyers was becoming an increasing cause of concern in certain regions.  Human rights violations carried out by “North Korea” were unparalleled.  Acts of abductions were among the most serious human rights violations by “North Korea”.  Japan was looking forward to the start of work of the Group of Experts on Accountability, and would provide utmost support to the new Special Rapporteur.  The independence of the Seoul office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was supported.

Armenia was very concerned about the violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed against civilians, including children, in the context of the military operation conducted by Azerbaijan in High Karabagh.  Armenia was also alarmed about the situation in the south-east of Turkey, as highlighted in the report by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which reminded of horrors committed there a hundred years ago.

Iceland deplored in the strongest terms outrageous attacks on civilians and was alarmed by State policies that continued to discriminate against certain groups and minorities.  Saudi Arabia should immediately abolish the male tutorship system and ensure the protection of women human rights defenders.  All 76 United Nations Member States that retained laws that stigmatized and discriminated against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons should abolish them.

United States remained deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Syria, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Russia.  China’s new law on the management of foreign non-governmental organizations’ activities would further narrow the civil society space.  Egypt increasingly restricted the exercise of freedom of expression and association and the United States stressed that long-term peace and stability required trust, accountability and avenues for peaceful dissent.

Denmark continued to urge the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take immediate steps to halt all human rights violations in the country.  All duty bearers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory were urged to protect the human rights of Palestinians.  Denmark urged Egypt to take further steps to ensure respect for fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.  Denmark was also disturbed about the deterioration of the human rights situation in Burundi.  The Council was urged to keep focused on eastern Ukraine and the illegally annexed Crimea.

Spain reiterated its concern over human rights situations in Syria, Belarus and Eritrea, whose Governments refused to cooperate with the Council’s procedures.  In Libya, efforts should be made to fight impunity.  Violations and abuses of international humanitarian law continued in Yemen.   All parties were urged to reach a political agreement and bring an end to the conflict.  The continuous expansion of colonies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories was condemned.  The barbarism of groups such as Daesh against religious and ethnic minorities was decried.

Czech Republic said that poor human rights situations caused large movements of people, which was why situations had to improve urgently in Syria and Iraq.  The Saudi-led coalition authorities were asked to investigate reports of killings of children in Yemen.  In Iran, the authorities were asked to stop executions, especially for drug offences.  The Government of Pakistan was called upon to end the executions of minors and mentally ill persons.  In China, a recent law on non-governmental organizations had led to further limitations on their space.  Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea had led to the abolishment of the Tatar Mejlis on bogus charges. 

Canada remained concerned about the harassment of journalists and systematic barriers to political participation.  The findings by the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea were of particular concern and Canada called upon this country to ensure accountability for the crimes committed.  China should bring its legal framework in compliance with international human rights norms and standards to enable the functioning of civil society organizations, including women human rights defenders.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea had cautioned about the continuing practice of silence on or ignoring of deplorable human rights violations such as torture, racial discrimination, gun-related violence, and refugee crises which were prevalent in the United States and Western countries.  The international community must pay attention to Japan’s past crimes against humanity, including sexual slavery, which remained unsettled and was a root cause of continued racial discrimination against Koreans in Japan.

Israel said that since September 2015, 38 innocent people had been killed and 487 wounded in Palestinian terrorist attacks that had taken place across Israel.  Donors’ money was being channelled by the Palestinian authorities to support families of suicide bombers and to build terrorist tunnels instead of clinics.  Israel noted that in the Middle East gender equality was no more than a distant rumour and spoke about discrimination against women, forced marriages, female genital mutilation and denial of basic rights of women.

Australia stated that the Council should remain seized of situations of gross abuses, regardless of how intractable they might appear.  Australia reiterated its enduring concern over the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  Condemnation was expressed of human rights abuses perpetrated by Daesh.  Australia was also deeply concerned about indiscriminate attacks by the Syrian Government forces on civilians, including strikes on medical facilities and personnel. 

Solomon Islands expressed deep concern about the eroding human rights situation of the indigenous Melanesian Papuans, who were the indigenous population of West Papua.  The Government of Indonesia was encouraged to find a peaceful and sustainable solution for the ongoing conflict in West Papua through constructive engagement with the representatives of the West Papuans.  On 2 May 2016, 2,109 people, mainly indigenous Melanesian Papuans, had been arrested while participating in peaceful demonstrations.

Iran strongly condemned the continuation of the grave human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  In numerous European countries, xenophobia and Islamophobia had been increasing, trends which had been reflected in the treatment of refugees.  In some countries, this xenophobic mood had been on the rise, largely because of the negative discourse of the politicians.

Belarus said that the Council should strengthen its mechanisms of cooperation with States and harness the potential for technical assistance, which was not being used efficiently at the moment.  Belarus was working with the United Nations country team in comprehensively analysing and solving human rights problems in the country; the politicized mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Belarus was an impediment to full cooperation.  The resources freed by the discontinuation of this mandate could be used for other more useful programmes.

Montenegro was worried that the death penalty continued to be applied and called upon all States to immediately institute a moratorium, particularly in light of continued serious concerns about fair trial and due process.  Montenegro was also worried about individuals being targeted for their contacts with the United Nations human rights mechanisms and was particularly concerned about the intimidation and harassment of journalists.

Ukraine drew attention to the continued practice of ungrounded criminal prosecution of Ukrainian citizens abducted and illegally detained by Russia.  There were 12 Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in Russia, 16 in Crimea and several in Donbass.  The international community should continue to pressure Russia to prevent flagrant human rights violations by this country.

Vanuatu continued to receive increasing reports of gross human rights violations in West Papua.  More than 1,000 West Papuans had been arrested by the Indonesian police for participating in peaceful demonstrations.  The Council was called upon to work with the Government of Indonesia to allow the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression to visit West Papua.  International journalists should also be allowed free and full access to West Papua.

Azerbaijan said that the human rights of more than one million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons cleansed by Armenia were being continuously violated.  In addition, 200,000 Azerbaijani citizens had been forced to flee their places of residence.  Armenia by consistent provocation was illegally changing the ethnic composition of the territories, thus cementing the status quo, which was unacceptable and untenable.  Armenia should ensure the safe return of Azerbaijani internally displaced persons with dignity to their homes.

Egypt said that since the Council’s inception, more than 60 million jobs had been lost due to the global recession.  The numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees were the highest ever, with one third of them refugees, and half of the total number being children.  Xenophobia was on the rise in a number of Western countries, and had led to a number of killings.  Fuelling conflict and unrest in many countries and training armies was a source of many atrocities.  Some Council members were trying to impose their values on others without taking into consideration cultural differences. 

PEN International, in a joint statement with 18 organizations, expressed concern about the situation in Bangladesh where Islamist radicals were committing violence, including the murders of journalists, bloggers and social media activists.  The recent arrest of 11 people in alleged connection with the violence was feared to be the settling of political scores rather than the result of a genuine investigation.

Touro Law Centre, The Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust said there were now five million Syrian refugees under the wing of the High Commissioner for Refugees, the same number as the five million Palestinian refugees under UNRWA’s wing.  These Palestinians had inherited their refugee status; they were using sick Palestinians in hospitals as human shields and plunging knives into Israeli mothers and grandfathers. 

Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik said that the Human Rights Council should give more attention to regions where human rights abusers ruled.  Daesh was the most violent abuser of human rights and had taken millions of people under hostage.  Syria committed abhorrent crimes against its own citizens and its rulers were directly responsible for the destruction of cities and ancient civilisations as well as the loss of countless lives and displacement of millions.

Bahá’í International Community said that since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the economic strangulation of the Bahá’í had been the official policy of the Iranian Government.  It was time Iran allowed them the basic human rights they deserved.  The Human Rights Council was called on to urge Iran to abide by its international obligations and its own national laws. 

Franciscans International, in a joint statement with, Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund;and Minority Rights Group drew the attention of the Human Rights Council to the human rights situation in West Papua, which remained one of the last conflict regions within Indonesia.  The Council was asked to recommend to the Government of Indonesia that it guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly for all Papuans, and also open access to West Papua for the international community, among other measures. 

International Humanist and Ethical Union raised the case of Ashraf Fayadh, a Palestinian poet currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and sentenced to death for “apostasy”, to be carried out by beheading by sword.  His sentence had been changed to eight years in prison and 800 lashes.  Saudi Arabia had a responsibility to uphold and respect the highest standards for human rights.

Liberation said that national statistics showed that the crime rates against Dalits in India were on the rise.  Between 2003 and 2009, 1.2 million registered crimes had been committed against Dalits by non-Dalits in India.  Dalits were the victims of the greatest kind of caste discrimination, and had limited access to resources, including water and land.  A commission of inquiry should be appointed to investigate crimes against minorities in India.

Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy stated that hardly a day passed without the violation of Sikh holy places in India.  Some holy sites were under occupation of the “largest democracy”.  Massacres against the Sikhs could more justly be called “genocide”.  The Council was requested to send a high-level delegation to assess the real situation in Punjab.

Asian Legal Resource Centre noted that even the façade of the rule of law was vanishing in Pakistan.  Extrajudicial killings had ballooned since the start of the Zarb-e-Azb military operation against terrorism.  Pakistan ranked as the fourth most dangerous country in the world for journalists.  Military courts had passed a number of death sentences after summary trials. 

Centre for Inquiry said that there was a human rights crisis in Bangladesh where bloggers, activists and journalists, as well as minorities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex activists were being targeted.  The Government failed to investigate the crimes or protect the victims, and blindly denied the existence of terrorist groups in the country, which had taken responsibility for the violence in the first place.

Conseil international pour le soutien à des procès équitables et aux Droits de l’Homme said that Israel continued to harass Palestinians, including the crime of administrative detention and legalization of torture of detainees.  The United Nations should send a Commission of Inquiry to look into the crime of administrative detention. 

Indigenous People of Africa Coordinating Committee drew attention to the human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where extra-judicial executions, torture, enforced disappearances and denial of democratic processes occurred.  The Indian Army acted with virtual impunity under the provisions of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

World Federation of Democratic Youth expressed concern at the way the Special Procedures and the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights dealt with Western Sahara under the illegal occupation of Morocco.  The relevant Special Rapporteur was requested to follow closely and advocate for Saharawi human rights defenders in Moroccan prisons and the occupied territories of Western Sahara. 

Comité International pour le Respect et l’Application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples expressed great concern about the security and human rights situation in Pakistan.  Pakistani-held Kashmir was a land of strict curbs on political pluralism, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.  The Human Rights Council was urged to put pressure on Pakistan for the immediate and unconditional release of all political workers, including the Gilgit Baltistan human rights defender Baba Jan.

World Evangelical Alliance spoke about minority rights and said that there were difficulties encountered by religious minorities in the Italian region of Lombardy.  Things were even worse in Viet Nam, a country which appeared to believe that freedom could be controlled.  Nepal had recently taken positive measures for minority rights.

International Commission of Jurists drew the Council’s attention to the pressure against lawyers in Azerbaijan, who were sometimes threatened by arrest or disbarment.  Disciplinary penalties in high profile or politically sensitive cases were routinely upheld by the judiciary.  The cases of Khalid Bagirov, Alaif Ghasanov and Intigam Aliyev illustrated such concerns.  Such disbarments had a chilling effect on the work of other lawyers. 

International Federation for Human Rights Leagues deplored violent repression of peaceful demonstrations in Viet Nam.  The repression seen in Viet Nam was spreading across the world.  Illegal detention and forced exile were used against human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia.  Stigmatization of “foreign agents” in Russia was a matter of concern, while labelling independent voices in Turkey as “unarmed terrorists” was disconcerting.

International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism expressed grave concern regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh.  Crimes against religious minorities, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings were prevailing with impunity in Bangladesh.  The Human Rights Council was called upon to ensure civil society space to hear the voices of victims and those working with affected groups.

Alliance Defending Freedom called upon Syria to fulfil its responsibilities under international law, in particular in relation to the hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in besieged areas.  The Council should recognize the persecution of Christian and other minorities by Islamic State as a genocide, as the United Kingdom and the United States had done recently. 

United Schools International recalled that everyone had the right to freedom of opinion or belief and to change his or her religion.  Freedom of expression and access to information both online and offline remained seriously limited in many countries, including in Pakistan and Iran, which used the link between freedom of expression and religion to supress free speech.

Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS) Asociación Civil, in a joint statement with Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights; Washington Office on Latin America; and Colombian Commission of Jurists, said that Mexico was going through a structural human rights crisis which should be carefully observed by this Council.  In several provinces mass graves had been found with hundreds of bodies, while over the past several years there had been 10,000 murders and 27,000 enforced disappearances.  The security system was overtly militarized as a consequence of the war on drugs, which had already failed.

International Association for Democracy in Africa said that the situation of human rights in Iran was of great concern, including restrictions on freedom of speech and gender equality, among other violations.  Iran’s human rights record had deteriorated.  The extremist group ISIS was responsible for targeting civilians.  According to the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria, ISIS was committing genocide against Yezidis.

Human Rights Watch said that Bangladesh had taken an increasing turn toward authoritarianism in recent years, and Member States were urged to raise the concerning situation in the Council and directly with the Government.  Ethiopia continued to criminalize peaceful expression of dissent.  The situation in Thailand was also of concern, and in Yemen, the armed conflict had been marked by serious violations of international law and an absence of accountability.

Canners International Permanent Committee spoke about the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, saying the country continued to commit crimes against humanity.  The Government of Iran was teaching the country’s children to discriminate against women and minorities, and to perpetuate the regime’s theocratic ideology.           

African Development Association expressed concern about the situation of Sahrawi people in the Tidouf camp, where they faced sequestration and lived in precarious situations without refugee status.  They were deprived of their fundamental rights, including their freedom of expression and freedom of movement, and were subjected to torture, enforced disappearance, forced marriage and slavery. 

Victorious Youths Movement raised the case of young Sahrawi women adopted by Spanish families, and coerced into affirming that they wanted to return to camps after reaching adulthood.  The truth was that they were held in camps by force, and that their Spanish families were not allowed to visit them due to bureaucratic obstacles.  The Council should intervene to ensure the liberation of these girls. 

World Environment and Resources Council brought the Council’s urgent attention to the alarming and worsening situation of Sindhi people in Pakistan, particularly in relation to health, education, unemployment and unauthorised immigration.  The Council should take notice and investigate the social and economic deprivation in Sindh, despite its contribution to more than 69 per cent of the federal income. 

Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grand Lacs spoke about the situation of young Sahrawi girls who had come to Spain on vacation and had been adopted by Spanish families.  During a visit to their families of origin in camp Tindouf, they had not been allowed to return and many were forced to remain there. 

Pan African Union for Science and Technology said that innocent victims of terrorism suffered the violation of their most basic right to life as the violence unleashed by ISIS in Syria had led to widespread displacement.  There were also fears that ISIS was creating a human trafficking pipeline, streaming females from the West into Syria for forced marriage to members of militant groups.

Association Dunenyo said that some claimed that the conflict in Western Sahara was centred on the natural resources and their exploitation, but the truth was opposite: Western Sahara was fully integrated into Morocco’s dynamic development plans, with a special attention to its particular needs to overcome challenges.  Morocco had embarked on an ambitious socio-economic development programme for the benefits of the local population.

British Humanist Association said that secular activists and religious minorities in Bangladesh were being subjected to grave human rights violations as a result of fundamentalist vigilantism.  The Government of Bangladesh was urged to reform its legal code to conform with its human rights obligations.

Prahar said that a team of medical experts had revealed that there was medical terrorism in India, causing 98,000 people to lose their lives every year, which was a matter of serious concern.  Patients had been infected with HIV/AIDS from blood transfusions.  Many had suffered because of medical negligence. 

African Regional Agricultural Credit Association spoke about Balochistan, saying the Pakistani establishment was systematically depriving Baloch children of mainstream education and allowing religious terrorist organizations such as “Jammat tu dawa, Lashkar taiba and Defa-e-Pakistan” to build madrasas to poison the minds of future generations.  Until the world challenged the Pakistani atrocities, the Baloch would continue to die.

Federation of Cuban Women said that the embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba violated international law and deprived the population of their right to development.  Furthermore, the Government of the United States was violating Venezuela’s sovereignty by attempting to destabilize its Government. 

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain Inc raised concerns about the systematic failure of the judicial system in the United Arab Emirates, as well as cases of enforced disappearances and secret detention centres there.  The United Arab Emirates’ counterterrorism and cybercrime laws were used to criminalize all forms of independent criticism, and the kalafa system of employer sponsorship continued to subject migrant workers to passport confiscation, debt bondage and physical abuse. 

Alsalam Foundation, in a joint statement, with Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain Inc, referred to the deterioration of the situation in Bahrain, and to restrictions on civil society and political space there.  It raised individual cases of human rights activists being arrested in Bahrain, and measures taken to rend political leaders stateless.  In light of this, the Council should convene a special session on Bahrain, and appoint a Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the country. 

Iraqi Development Organization drew attention to the war crimes and crimes against humanity in Yemen and urged the Council to request the United Nations Security Council to act under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter to deal with this situation.  The Saudi Coalition was responsible for the death of children, and it had threatened the withdrawal of funding for United Nations humanitarian programmes if listed as a child rights violator.

Federacion de Asociaciones de defensa y promocion de los derechos humanos said that Morocco had, under the pressure of several non-governmental organizations, admitted to cases of enforced disappearances from Western Sahara.  The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross should do their utmost to prevent further disappearances and to investigate those that had already happened.

World Muslim Congress urged the Council to focus on the realization of the right to self-determination of all people regardless of whether they were under occupation or not.  The denial of this right was automatically a denial of the right to development.  Kashmiri leaders remained under house arrest by Indian authorities and were denied participation.

Right of Reply

Turkey, speaking in a right of reply, said that it applied high standards when it came to human rights, noting that media freedom was a fundamental right guaranteed by Turkish laws, and adding that there were remedies for those who were unfairly accused.  Turkish counter-terrorism efforts protected civilians and the country was determined to continue countering terrorism to protect the lives and freedom of Turkish citizens.

China, speaking in a right of reply, expressed strong dissatisfaction with and rejection of allegations by the United States and the European Union under item four.  China was a country enjoying the rule of law.  The United States and European statements had mentioned cases of individuals who had violated Chinese law.  Chinese citizens all enjoyed human rights and in Tibet and Xinjang the country protected the ethnic minorities and their normal religious activities.  The lack of gun control, as well as violations of the human rights of inmates in prisons and the state of racial relations in the United States was noted.  The way European countries were dealing with migrants was a case of double standards.  Those countries were urged to have a serious look at all their human rights. 

Uzbekistan, speaking in a right of reply, said that it was committed to protecting human rights, and regularly monitored places of detention.  It had undergone torture prevention efforts, and had taken systematic measures to involve civil society organizations, and was cooperating with United Nations human rights mechanisms.  Human rights activists were not being persecuted.  Germany should look at its own human rights record, including with regard to migrants and xenophobia. 

Cuba, speaking in a right of reply, reminded the United States of the need to focus on its own human rights issues, including frequent racial discrimination and police brutality, free acquirement of firearms, global espionage, violation of the right to privacy, restrictions on freedom of assembly, and growing anti-Muslim discourse.  The United States should also return to Cuba the illegally occupied territory of Guantanamo, where torture continued to occur.  Cuba would continue to defend itself from any false accusations against it. 

Venezuela, speaking in a right of reply, said that the United States was continuing its aggressions against Venezuela.  The United States was responsible for the death of thousands of people, and had no moral ground to stand on and criticise other countries.  The European Union should also stop false allegations against Venezuela, including in the media. 

Republic of Korea, speaking in a right of reply in response to a statement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, drew the attention of the international community to the forced labour of citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Indonesia, speaking in a right of reply, rejected categorically statements regarding the situation in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, which demonstrated ignorance of the situation and violated the principles of friendly relations between States and the principle of territorial integrity.  Indonesia rejected the politicization of this issue and the support for separatism by the Solomon Island and Vanuatu.

Japan, speaking in a right of reply, said that it was regrettable that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had not responded with concrete actions to the concerns expressed by the international community.

Saudi Arabia, speaking in a right of reply in response to the statements of Ireland, Iceland, France and the Czech Republic, said that their accusations were rejected in their entirety.  Saudi Arabia was proud of applying Muslim principles which guaranteed rights and strengthened and promoted human rights.  The country rejected any accusations against its legal system.  Women had an important status in Saudi Arabia, they were mothers, sisters, and wives.  Sharia law guaranteed the rights of women, and the country had female members of parliament, doctors, and heads of universities.  Women enjoyed all necessary rights.  Politics should be kept out of the work of the Council and countries should deal with human rights situations within their own borders.

Pakistan, speaking in a right of reply in response to France and the Czech Republic regarding the use of the death penalty in Pakistan, said that a moratorium on the use of the death penalty had been lifted in the wake of a terror attack.  Pakistan’s response was within international human rights laws.  Pakistan was examining existing provisions of its criminal code to determine if the scope of the death penalty could be narrowed further.  It was the sovereign right of every State to determine its criminal justice system.

Egypt, speaking in a right of reply in response to statements from the European Union, Germany, France, Norway, the United States and Canada, among others, said the Egyptian Constitution contained three full chapters on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.  Egypt rejected attempts to interfere with its rules regulating non-governmental organizations.  Regarding the investigation into the murder of Giulio Regeni, Egypt was in full cooperation with its Italian counterparts.  Egypt respected international human rights law in containing terrorism.  Any claim of enforced disappearance was unfounded.

Syria, speaking in a right of reply, regretted that the United States, the United Kingdom and France had tried to inject politicization within the Council, and had attempted to impose their views on the situation in Syria.  They were responsible for the creation of “Daesh”, and had a long history of destabilizing governments.  They had supplied weapons to terrorists, and facilitated their entry onto Syrian territory.  These countries should acknowledge their own role in the suffering perpetrated by terrorist groups that they had supported. 

Latvia, speaking in a right of reply in response to the statement made by the Russian Federation, deeply regretted false allegations made with regards to “mass statelessness” in Latvia.  After the restoration of Latvia’s independence, temporary status was granted to those who had lost their citizenship after the dismantling of the USSR.  These citizens had never had Latvian citizenship.  Latvia’s naturalization procedure was one of the most flexible in the European Union.  All people enjoyed the full protection of the law, both in Latvia and while travelling abroad. 

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, speaking in a right of reply, categorically rejected provocative accusations against it, which were made with a view to eliminating the “DPRK’s” social system under the pretext of human rights.  Such a confrontational approach did not serve the cause of human rights.  The Council should instead discuss human rights issues in the United States, European countries, Japan and “South Korea”, including the issue of abductions by “South Korea”.

__________

For use of the information media; not an official record

Follow UNIS Geneva on: Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube |Flickr