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29 November 1999
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QUITO WORKSHOP ON PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN REGION
29 November - 1 December 1999
OPENING STATEMENT BY MARY ROBINSON, UNITED NATIONS
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Mr. Minister,
Distinguished representatives of the Governments of Latin America and the Caribbean;
Distinguished representatives of National Human Rights Institutions, Non-Governmental, Intergovernmental and Regional Organizations;
Distinguished Colleagues from the UN system and resource persons,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is a great pleasure for us to open this workshop today in a region which has been at the forefront of the struggle for the cause of human rights. It is appropriate to recall here the contributions of this continent in the shaping of human rights instruments and to the establishment of international human rights standards. The Mexican Constitution of Queretaro and the American Declaration of Human Rights, both predating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, come immediately to mind, as do the numerous and valuable regional human rights instruments which have followed.
I was in Costa Rica a few days ago to participate in the 30th anniversary of the American Convention on Human Rights and the 20th anniversary of the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. The regional system put in place for the promotion and protection of human rights is one of the most effective and valuable guarantees for the realization of rights at the national level which in my view must be supported and further strengthened. This region has also participated actively in the process that led to the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the American continent was much ahead of anyone else in promoting the proposal to establish the function of a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
I am pleased to be in a region rich in ideas, material and human resources, a region in which cultural diversity co-exists with many common and shared values and goals. A region of enormous potentials in which democratic systems of Government have mostly taken root and where determined efforts to promote human rights have resulted in tangible progress for many people.
The road we have travelled is a long one -- suffice here to recall that some of the first mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights were created in order to deal with situations of major violations of human rights affecting countries in this region. However, we must not be complacent about the advances made. The challenges we have to address together as we move to the end of this century and the beginning of a new millennium are formidable: - consolidating democracy and the rule of law; - building up solid foundations for the actual enjoyment of human rights throughout the region. This is particularly important as it is not easy - neither here nor anywhere else - to translate international human rights instruments into reality.
I am also particularly pleased that this regional seminar takes place here in Ecuador, a country which has recently taken the lead in efforts to promote human rights, in order to share experiences and identify best practices on ways to enhance the protection and promotion of human rights throughout this important region. I am aware of the efforts undertaken by other Governments and national institutions in the region in this regard. Let me emphasize, however, that one cannot talk of human rights without recognizing the valuable and courageous contribution of many non-governmental and indigenous organizations whose commitment to the cause has at times exacted a very high price. In this connection, I would like to pay tribute to the memory of Bishop Leonidas Proanio, from Ecuador, who received the UN Human Prize for his efforts for the promotion of the rights of indigenous people.
Later today, together with the Foreign Minister of Ecuador and the Resident Representative of UNDP in Ecuador, OHCHR will be signing a project of technical cooperation which will provide support to Ecuador in the implementation of the national human rights action plan which was launched by my predecessor as High Commissioner - then Foreign Minister José Ayala-Lasso - on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration, last December.
As you know, there are three OHCHR field presences in this region, in Colombia - which also has a monitoring mandate, in Guatemala and El Salvador. These offices work hand in hand with Government authorities, national institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society, UN as well as regional and non-UN partners in the implementation of their activities. They provide technical assistance and expertise in the field of human rights aimed at supporting the strengthening of national capacity and at developing a culture of human rights. And I am pleased to inform you that my Office, in October last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Andean Commission of Jurists and a week ago signed another one with a key regional organization, the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights.
Regional strategies play a vital role in the promotion and protection of human rights and an effective way of developing them is through the appointment of regional advisors who come from and are based in the regions themselves. With a view to further strengthening our own capacity of action, understanding and knowledge of the Latin American and Caribbean region, I have the pleasure to announce the appointment of the former President of Chile, Patricio Aylwin, as my Regional Adviser. Mr. Aylwin will be involved directly in activities of my office in this region and will participate in follow up activities resulting from the expected launch of a regional strategy at the end of this workshop. I regard it as a most positive step that Mr. Aylwin has agreed to lend his support to this important work.
These three days should serve to share ideas and review national experiences, best practices and lessons learned by all participants in connection with the five main pillars of a possible regional strategy:
-National plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights and the strengthening of national human rights capacities;
-National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights;
-National Human Rights Education;
-Strategies for the realization of the right to development and economic, social and cultural rights;
-Promotion of children, women and indigenous people rights as well as those of vulnerable groups.
It is my hope that, following your deliberations on these items, the workshop will be able to consider and agree on the launching of a regional framework for cooperation in the Latin American and Caribbean region and identify the next steps for regional/sub-regional and national action.
Your first working session is on National Human Rights Action Plans. In the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993, States were called upon to consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby the State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights. The essential idea is that national plans be used to give practical effect to the principle that democracy and the effective protection of human rights provide the foundation for lasting national development and social justice. National plans of action are tools that allow States to take a strategic and holistic approach to human rights issues. They are also a tool for dialogue between Government, national institutions, the NGO community and representatives of civil society.
I am aware that some countries in the region have already developed national plans of action on human rights. I hope this meeting will allow Governments that are considering developing such plans to do so with the benefit of the experience of countries from this region and beyond. My Office is committed to assist, upon request, all Governments from the region to identify strategies designed to develop or implement national plans of action. I would like to encourage all of the Governments that have not yet done so to consider the early development of such plans.
The second item on your agenda is national human rights institutions. Truly independent national institutions are valuable tools in the promotion and protection of human rights. Many countries in the region have established independent national institutions which conform to the Paris Principles (endorsed by the General Assembly in 1993) while others are considering their establishment. It is also heartening to see among the participants, ombudspersons from the different countries in the region as well as representatives of the various regional associations of national institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will be very interesting to hear about their achievements, difficulties and frustrations as well as demands and possible solutions to their problems and analyze the challenges that lie ahead. I encourage all those representing national institutions to share their experience and ideas with us during these three days. You have the full support of my Office and my personal commitment and that of my Special Adviser on National Institutions to assist you in the carrying out of your important functions.
Human rights education, the third item on the agenda, is a field in which this region has been particularly active. Many initiatives have been successfully carried out and valuable human rights material has been produced and widely disseminated. Why not share these experiences and build upon them? At this stage, I would like to pay tribute to the great efforts displayed by the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights in this area. We are at the halfway mark in the Decade of Human Rights Education (1995 to 2004) during which Governments, international organizations, professional associations and civil society have been requested to establish partnerships and to concentrate efforts on promoting a universal culture of human rights through human rights education. In September 1998, former UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor and I wrote to all Heads of Government, encouraging them to develop national plans on human rights education and offering our support.
This issue is of fundamental importance and will continue to support efforts in this direction, not least through our ACT (Assisting Communities Together) project which offers small grants to NGOs in order to realize education projects at community level -- such as the one to support social service and health workers dealing with homeless children with HIV/AIDS. Education on human rights is also something that should reach across all of the UN system: my Office has just completed a manual for UN staff.
The right to development and economic, social and cultural rights is something to which I attach high priority. We must ensure that development programmes reflect human rights principles. As you know, our cooperation in this area with key institutions is highly important. In this respect, a Memorandum of Understanding between UNDP and my Office was signed in March 1998 allowing both organizations to better coordinate their activities in particular in the area of rights-based development. Furthermore, the creation of an enabling environment by the United Nations and its partners in which all human beings lead secure and creative lives is fundamental. Sustainable human development is thus directed towards the promotion of human dignity. Development remains the key to the enjoyment of all rights and a cornerstone for peace. I hope that this workshop will make specific recommendations on how the process of realizing these rights may be enhanced through international cooperation and efforts at the regional, subregional and nations levels.
Let me stress that women's rights, children's rights and indigenous people's rights, are all very relevant to the region, and will be the subject of further deliberations. In addressing women's rights, Governments should make every effort to ensure that women's civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights are fully respected and promoted. This year, the international community is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Ecuador was the very first country to ratify this challenging international instrument, and immediately followed by many of the countries from this region. We have also witnessed the efforts to implement the rights contained therein and have been pioneers in establishing special institutions for the respect of children's rights.
The plight of indigenous people is an issue of concern for all countries world-wide, from the Arctic to the South Pacific. Indeed, one of the main objectives of the United Nations is the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous people and their empowerment to make choices which enable them to retain their cultural identity while participating in the political, economic and social life. We must devise strategies to assist more effectively indigenous people in the enjoyment of the rights to which they are entitled. This workshop offers an opportunity to take stock of the situation and build the foundations for greater cooperative endeavours within this region so as to enhance in tangible ways their well-being.
I would like to express my special gratitude to the Government of Ecuador for its hospitality and cooperation in organizing this meeting. I would also like to thank all of the resource persons, panellists and everyone present here. I am confident that the actions taken in this workshop will contribute to setting a basis for greater realization of human rights in the region.
I draw inspiration from the Chilean poet Marjorie Agosín, who was twice exiled herself and who has compiled and edited a book of women's writings on human rights entitled "A Map of Hope". She explained: "A Map of Hope was Born because of a passionate desire to bring to witness the atrocities faced by women since the beginning of the century - since the beginning of time. I also wanted to show through the voices of women throughout the world the power to heal through words as well as the power of resistance". I commend this book to your attention.
Mr. Minister,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I will spare no effort to assist in the process of translating our conclusions here into measures that will further promote and protect human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. The best reward we can receive is that the basic human rights to which all individuals are entitled are better promoted and protected and that international, regional, sub-regional and national efforts all contribute to the realization of our vision for the next millennium.
Thank you
29 November - 1 December 1999
OPENING STATEMENT BY MARY ROBINSON, UNITED NATIONS
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Mr. Minister,
Distinguished representatives of the Governments of Latin America and the Caribbean;
Distinguished representatives of National Human Rights Institutions, Non-Governmental, Intergovernmental and Regional Organizations;
Distinguished Colleagues from the UN system and resource persons,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is a great pleasure for us to open this workshop today in a region which has been at the forefront of the struggle for the cause of human rights. It is appropriate to recall here the contributions of this continent in the shaping of human rights instruments and to the establishment of international human rights standards. The Mexican Constitution of Queretaro and the American Declaration of Human Rights, both predating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, come immediately to mind, as do the numerous and valuable regional human rights instruments which have followed.
I was in Costa Rica a few days ago to participate in the 30th anniversary of the American Convention on Human Rights and the 20th anniversary of the Inter-American Court on Human Rights. The regional system put in place for the promotion and protection of human rights is one of the most effective and valuable guarantees for the realization of rights at the national level which in my view must be supported and further strengthened. This region has also participated actively in the process that led to the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the American continent was much ahead of anyone else in promoting the proposal to establish the function of a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
I am pleased to be in a region rich in ideas, material and human resources, a region in which cultural diversity co-exists with many common and shared values and goals. A region of enormous potentials in which democratic systems of Government have mostly taken root and where determined efforts to promote human rights have resulted in tangible progress for many people.
The road we have travelled is a long one -- suffice here to recall that some of the first mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights were created in order to deal with situations of major violations of human rights affecting countries in this region. However, we must not be complacent about the advances made. The challenges we have to address together as we move to the end of this century and the beginning of a new millennium are formidable: - consolidating democracy and the rule of law; - building up solid foundations for the actual enjoyment of human rights throughout the region. This is particularly important as it is not easy - neither here nor anywhere else - to translate international human rights instruments into reality.
I am also particularly pleased that this regional seminar takes place here in Ecuador, a country which has recently taken the lead in efforts to promote human rights, in order to share experiences and identify best practices on ways to enhance the protection and promotion of human rights throughout this important region. I am aware of the efforts undertaken by other Governments and national institutions in the region in this regard. Let me emphasize, however, that one cannot talk of human rights without recognizing the valuable and courageous contribution of many non-governmental and indigenous organizations whose commitment to the cause has at times exacted a very high price. In this connection, I would like to pay tribute to the memory of Bishop Leonidas Proanio, from Ecuador, who received the UN Human Prize for his efforts for the promotion of the rights of indigenous people.
Later today, together with the Foreign Minister of Ecuador and the Resident Representative of UNDP in Ecuador, OHCHR will be signing a project of technical cooperation which will provide support to Ecuador in the implementation of the national human rights action plan which was launched by my predecessor as High Commissioner - then Foreign Minister José Ayala-Lasso - on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration, last December.
As you know, there are three OHCHR field presences in this region, in Colombia - which also has a monitoring mandate, in Guatemala and El Salvador. These offices work hand in hand with Government authorities, national institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society, UN as well as regional and non-UN partners in the implementation of their activities. They provide technical assistance and expertise in the field of human rights aimed at supporting the strengthening of national capacity and at developing a culture of human rights. And I am pleased to inform you that my Office, in October last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Andean Commission of Jurists and a week ago signed another one with a key regional organization, the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights.
Regional strategies play a vital role in the promotion and protection of human rights and an effective way of developing them is through the appointment of regional advisors who come from and are based in the regions themselves. With a view to further strengthening our own capacity of action, understanding and knowledge of the Latin American and Caribbean region, I have the pleasure to announce the appointment of the former President of Chile, Patricio Aylwin, as my Regional Adviser. Mr. Aylwin will be involved directly in activities of my office in this region and will participate in follow up activities resulting from the expected launch of a regional strategy at the end of this workshop. I regard it as a most positive step that Mr. Aylwin has agreed to lend his support to this important work.
These three days should serve to share ideas and review national experiences, best practices and lessons learned by all participants in connection with the five main pillars of a possible regional strategy:
-National plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights and the strengthening of national human rights capacities;
-National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights;
-National Human Rights Education;
-Strategies for the realization of the right to development and economic, social and cultural rights;
-Promotion of children, women and indigenous people rights as well as those of vulnerable groups.
It is my hope that, following your deliberations on these items, the workshop will be able to consider and agree on the launching of a regional framework for cooperation in the Latin American and Caribbean region and identify the next steps for regional/sub-regional and national action.
Your first working session is on National Human Rights Action Plans. In the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993, States were called upon to consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby the State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights. The essential idea is that national plans be used to give practical effect to the principle that democracy and the effective protection of human rights provide the foundation for lasting national development and social justice. National plans of action are tools that allow States to take a strategic and holistic approach to human rights issues. They are also a tool for dialogue between Government, national institutions, the NGO community and representatives of civil society.
I am aware that some countries in the region have already developed national plans of action on human rights. I hope this meeting will allow Governments that are considering developing such plans to do so with the benefit of the experience of countries from this region and beyond. My Office is committed to assist, upon request, all Governments from the region to identify strategies designed to develop or implement national plans of action. I would like to encourage all of the Governments that have not yet done so to consider the early development of such plans.
The second item on your agenda is national human rights institutions. Truly independent national institutions are valuable tools in the promotion and protection of human rights. Many countries in the region have established independent national institutions which conform to the Paris Principles (endorsed by the General Assembly in 1993) while others are considering their establishment. It is also heartening to see among the participants, ombudspersons from the different countries in the region as well as representatives of the various regional associations of national institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will be very interesting to hear about their achievements, difficulties and frustrations as well as demands and possible solutions to their problems and analyze the challenges that lie ahead. I encourage all those representing national institutions to share their experience and ideas with us during these three days. You have the full support of my Office and my personal commitment and that of my Special Adviser on National Institutions to assist you in the carrying out of your important functions.
Human rights education, the third item on the agenda, is a field in which this region has been particularly active. Many initiatives have been successfully carried out and valuable human rights material has been produced and widely disseminated. Why not share these experiences and build upon them? At this stage, I would like to pay tribute to the great efforts displayed by the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights in this area. We are at the halfway mark in the Decade of Human Rights Education (1995 to 2004) during which Governments, international organizations, professional associations and civil society have been requested to establish partnerships and to concentrate efforts on promoting a universal culture of human rights through human rights education. In September 1998, former UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor and I wrote to all Heads of Government, encouraging them to develop national plans on human rights education and offering our support.
This issue is of fundamental importance and will continue to support efforts in this direction, not least through our ACT (Assisting Communities Together) project which offers small grants to NGOs in order to realize education projects at community level -- such as the one to support social service and health workers dealing with homeless children with HIV/AIDS. Education on human rights is also something that should reach across all of the UN system: my Office has just completed a manual for UN staff.
The right to development and economic, social and cultural rights is something to which I attach high priority. We must ensure that development programmes reflect human rights principles. As you know, our cooperation in this area with key institutions is highly important. In this respect, a Memorandum of Understanding between UNDP and my Office was signed in March 1998 allowing both organizations to better coordinate their activities in particular in the area of rights-based development. Furthermore, the creation of an enabling environment by the United Nations and its partners in which all human beings lead secure and creative lives is fundamental. Sustainable human development is thus directed towards the promotion of human dignity. Development remains the key to the enjoyment of all rights and a cornerstone for peace. I hope that this workshop will make specific recommendations on how the process of realizing these rights may be enhanced through international cooperation and efforts at the regional, subregional and nations levels.
Let me stress that women's rights, children's rights and indigenous people's rights, are all very relevant to the region, and will be the subject of further deliberations. In addressing women's rights, Governments should make every effort to ensure that women's civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights are fully respected and promoted. This year, the international community is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Ecuador was the very first country to ratify this challenging international instrument, and immediately followed by many of the countries from this region. We have also witnessed the efforts to implement the rights contained therein and have been pioneers in establishing special institutions for the respect of children's rights.
The plight of indigenous people is an issue of concern for all countries world-wide, from the Arctic to the South Pacific. Indeed, one of the main objectives of the United Nations is the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous people and their empowerment to make choices which enable them to retain their cultural identity while participating in the political, economic and social life. We must devise strategies to assist more effectively indigenous people in the enjoyment of the rights to which they are entitled. This workshop offers an opportunity to take stock of the situation and build the foundations for greater cooperative endeavours within this region so as to enhance in tangible ways their well-being.
I would like to express my special gratitude to the Government of Ecuador for its hospitality and cooperation in organizing this meeting. I would also like to thank all of the resource persons, panellists and everyone present here. I am confident that the actions taken in this workshop will contribute to setting a basis for greater realization of human rights in the region.
I draw inspiration from the Chilean poet Marjorie Agosín, who was twice exiled herself and who has compiled and edited a book of women's writings on human rights entitled "A Map of Hope". She explained: "A Map of Hope was Born because of a passionate desire to bring to witness the atrocities faced by women since the beginning of the century - since the beginning of time. I also wanted to show through the voices of women throughout the world the power to heal through words as well as the power of resistance". I commend this book to your attention.
Mr. Minister,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I will spare no effort to assist in the process of translating our conclusions here into measures that will further promote and protect human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. The best reward we can receive is that the basic human rights to which all individuals are entitled are better promoted and protected and that international, regional, sub-regional and national efforts all contribute to the realization of our vision for the next millennium.
Thank you