Default title

Dubrovnik, 8 October 2001




International Conference on Human
Rights and Democratization


Statement by Mary Robinson
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights






Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,


I am delighted to be with you this morning at the opening of the International Conference on Human Rights and Democratization. I am glad to return to the beautiful city of Dubrovnik in better circumstances than when I was here briefly in May 1999. This event is of great importance for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and, I hope, for all of us - at the national, regional and UN levels - working for the advancement of respect for human rights in this region. I should like to extend my personal thanks to the Government of Croatia, to President Mesic, and especially to Deputy Prime Minister Antunovic, for their vision and commitment to ensure that this important conference could take place.

I would like to thank our partners in the region -- the European Commission which is co-hosting the conference, represented by Daniela Napoli, the Council of Europe and its Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe represented today by the personal representative of the Chairman in Office, Amb. Constantin Ene, as well as by Ambassador Gerard Stoudmann of ODIHR -- for your generous and valuable cooperation in working with us to prepare this event.

In addition, may I record my particular appreciation for the presence here in Dubrovnik of a wide range of representatives of Governments and of civil society from across Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. I understand that a Croatian national NGO forum was held in Zagreb on Saturday and that a special Civil Society Workshop was held with NGOs from the region on the topics of the conference here in Dubrovnik yesterday. I look forward, as I am sure do other participants, to learning more about those debates and the practical ideas which have come from them.

I regret that Ms. Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders was unable to attend this Conference, but am very much looking forward to the substantive discussion based on her message, which will be delivered at the Conference. The establishment of this unique mandate by the Commission on Human Rights last year was an important contribution of the United Nations to international efforts to promote democracy including in Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. I recall that Ms. Jilani visited Kyrgyzstan on a mission only a few months ago. I believe her observations will be of particular relevance as we discuss the role of civil society in democratization in the region.

As we know, this region is not free of harassment, persecution, criminal charges and even threats to the lives of human rights advocates, journalists, and those on the political margins. All of us were appalled by the killing 10 days ago of the journalist Martin O’Hagan in Northern Ireland by a paramilitary group and, as we know, there have been other such victims in recent times in Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Here in Dubrovnik we will address the topics of democratisation and multiculturalism. Some might say that to focus on such issues in the current climate, following the attacks in the US, is to get our priorities wrong. That this is a time for human rights to take a back seat. But we know the opposite is true. We need to think constantly about the link between human security, human rights and democracy. There is much experience to draw upon in thinking about this theme in the work of the regional human rights organisations in Europe.

Ambassador Stoudmann, when opening last month’s OSCE Human Dimension Implementation meeting in Warsaw, put the point forcefully in giving his own reaction to the 11 September attack. I read his words with interest.

In the aftermath of the catastrophe of 11 September the human rights voice must be heard. The thousands of civilians who died in this atrocity lost the most precious of rights, the right to life. Those responsible for these cruel deaths must be made individually accountable for the crimes against humanity they perpetrated. To plan and execute such attacks using civilian aircraft intended to kill the maximum number of civilians crosses a line. It is a crime against all human kind and all of us have an interest in seeing that those responsible are punished. The victims and their relatives have a right to expect that all countries will cooperate in finding those responsible at all levels and in ensuring that they are brought to justice.

In recent years there has been concerted action to end the impunity of the leaders of governments or military commanders who target civilians. There are of course examples from Europe before the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal at The Hague. Recent resolutions of the Security Council have sent the same message of no impunity to the perpetrators who attacked New York and Washington.

Let us reflect on the fact that the World Conference on Racism ended in Durban, South Africa only three days before the 11 September attacks. In Durban the global dialogue on non- discrimination and equality was enhanced. It was begun but not finished. That dialogue concerns the search for ways to accept our differences and to live together in equality, in peace and in democracy. Surely it was those aspirations for humanity which the attacks in New York sought to destroy. The Durban Declaration affirmed strongly that cultural diversity is an asset, not a liability, a valuable gift which enriches all countries.

In different language perhaps, that is still the message intended by this conference on one of its themes, multiculturalism. All societies are destined to become multicultural, but not all will automatically become democracies. To ensure the peaceful accommodation of difference a strong democratic system is necessary. That is why all of us are working on the longer term process of encouraging democratic values and institutions in the region.

It proved possible at Durban to agree language on one contentious issue – how to address the past history of slavery and colonialism. Positions were far apart and the discussions were bruising. But, in the end, wording was agreed that recognises that slavery and the slave trade were appalling tragedies in the history of humanity, and which condemns the suffering caused by colonialism and vows to prevent its recurrence.

I should like to acknowledge the great contributions made to the World Conference preparations by the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the European Commission. I commend the Council of Europe for the holding of the European Conference against Racism at Strasbourg exactly one year ago, and the European Commission for its important financial support for the regional preparatory conferences and the NGO involvement at Durban itself.

I hope that attention will now focus on the way forward from Durban. The Declaration and Programme of Action are the start of a process, not an end. They provide a roadmap for States to follow in their efforts to combat racism and discrimination.

The relationships as they have evolved between regional and universal human rights arrangements are complex and vary in different parts of the world. In some regions there is a dearth of effective regional level protection systems and the United Nations system including my Office are more to the fore. Asia Pacific is an example. In others, such as here in Europe, there are strong, long established successful arrangements.

Europe may be proud of its machinery and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, yet more can and should still be done. Other regions have learned much from Europe on human rights and the advancement of democracy. This can be seen clearly in the rich jurisprudence of the former European Commission of Human Rights and the new Court, in the work of the Venice Commission, the ECRI and other Council of Europe bodies. From a personal standpoint, I draw great pride from my work under the European Convention system. It seems a long time since I argued cases before the former Commission and Court at Strasbourg!

The over-arching role of the OSCE in strengthening the common security and political framework, guided by human rights principles, and which stretches from North America across Europe to the Caucasus and Central Asia is a remarkable achievement. The European Union went through a comprehensive process of analysis and consultation on its human rights architecture. The European Charter of Fundamental Rights adopted at Nice in December last year is an important step in the follow up to this process.

All of the European and Central Asian countries as members of the United Nations also accept obligations within the universal human rights system. It is pleasing to note that there are only a handful of ratifications outstanding in relation to the six core UN human rights treaties. More progress can be made: for example many states of Europe have yet to make the declaration under article 14 of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination allowing for individual complaints. Let us recall that there was a strong appeal at Durban that all states should do so.

Now I would like to focus, specifically, on what my own Office is contributing and hopes to contribute to human rights work in Europe. In the follow up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993 we are highlighting:

universal ratification of international human rights instruments;
the development of national human rights action plans;
the establishment of national human-rights institutions that comply with international standards;
the development of human rights education and training programs;
full attention to economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development;
strengthening the system of special procedures.

We have positive progress to report: in Lithuania, Moldova, and Ukraine, for example, where we are working on human rights action plans; in Moldova, Yugoslavia and Central Asia, where we have sought to strengthen national institutions; in Georgia, Russia, here in Croatia and elsewhere, where we are focusing on human rights education and training; in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where we are working on the Common Country Strategy for development. What I would like to see, however, is a strengthening of this work, specifically through more effective co- operation with the work of the regional organizations.

We need to explore further opportunities to develop our contribution. I have already mentioned the unique mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders. There are the UN treaty bodies, which engage with Governments throughout the region on a regular basis on in-depth analysis of progress made in specific areas and on recommendations for further action. I should also like to mention the broader UN system, including the specialized agencies which are represented here today, UNDP, UNICEF and the UN country teams, which work in a cooperative way with my Office so as to maximize the impact we have on respect for human rights.

Madame Chair, I would like to extend a special welcome to this conference to Governments and representatives from countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia, which are areas where, while there has been progress, I believe we have a special responsibility. We need to engage with the authorities and with civil society to support democratic transition based on the respect for all human rights. We have already established a constructive co operation with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in the southern Caucasus, and we are now commencing a dialogue with Governments and partners in Central Asia, to contribute toward further democratization in that vital region. In my view, the best path forward to genuine stability and economic development in the region lies through a real commitment by Governments to open up democratic processes and encourage real participation by all members of society. I look forward to learning about progress in this area later today from our friends in the region.

Of course, the achievement of human rights goals in Europe depends on a close, complementary working relationship among European and UN partners. We are in a privileged situation since we can build on numerous joint activities and initiatives. Let me emphasize that OHCHR intends to support the efforts of regional organizations and in no way compete, confuse, complicate or duplicate their work.

I would like to see one idea for cooperation discussed. That is to institute on a regular basis meetings between Governments, National Institutions, NGOs and multilateral organizations as partners. I envisage such meetings to be an opportunity to share national experiences, best practices and lessons learned as well as to review together progress on the delivery in our respective fields of work. Such meetings could offer an opportunity to take further the ideas and proposals from this Conference, including our particular focus on national human rights plans of action, national institutions, and the implementation of the recommendations made by the human rights treaty bodies and the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights.

I very much hope that the Dubrovnik Conference will be the beginning of a process of better and more consistent cooperation in the field of human rights in this region.

In concluding may I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of Ms. Hannah Suchocka, my outgoing Regional Advisor for Europe, who has just been appointed the new Polish Ambassador to the Holy See. I am also pleased to announce at this forum that I have appointed Ambassador Thomas Hammarberg of Sweden as my new Regional Advisor for Europe.

Madame Chair, I am most grateful for all of the hard work which has gone into the preparation of this conference, and I look forward to a series of vigorous and stimulating discussions on the critical human rights issues in this vast and complex region. I am also convinced that the human rights agenda discussed here in Dubrovnik will energise the efforts, not only of the Government of Croatia but also of the civil society as a whole, and move forward with determination the further promotion and protection of human rights in this country.

Thank you very much.