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27 April 2000
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Commission on Human Rights
56th Session
20 April 2000
Afternoon
Statement by
Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria
and
Chairperson-in-Office
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to have the opportunity to address the Commission on Human Rights in my capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for this year. Allow me to express first of all my appreciation for the important work this Commission has been doing over the years. Let me also extend my high regard to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Robinson, for her untiring efforts to advance human rights throughout the world.
I should like to use this occasion to highlight some of the human rights activities of the OSCE and my priorities as Chair-in-Office. In addition, I will deal with the most pressing challenges in the region. This is the year of the 25th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act - a landmark document which established a broad process bringing more security and more co-operation to Europe, and, above all, more freedoms and human rights to its people. Since then, the OSCE standards and mechanisms in this field, the `human dimensionA, as it is called, have been continuously strengthened and deepened.
As regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the UN-Charter, the OSCE is a primary organisation for the peaceful settlement of disputes within its region and a `key instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitationA. The OSCE is, in other words, a security organisation. At the same time, the OSCE is a human rights organisation. The intrinsic link between peace and security and human rights has been recognised through its comprehensive security concept, comprising politico-military security, economic security, and human security. As the Istanbul Charter for European Security affirms - and I quote, `peace and security in our region is best guaranteed by the willingness and ability of each participating state to uphold democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rightsA.
At their summit meeting in Istanbul last November, the leaders of the OSCE participating states have emphasised and re-enforced their commitment to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the OSCE region, including the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. They have done so in recognition of the fact that the OSCE has become an important international actor in the promotion and protection of human rights. The need for this role of the OSCE is obvious: in spite of our achievements, human rights continue to be violated throughout the OSCE region, in particular in conflict situations.
Since Helsinki, the OSCE has not only developed a broad range of clear and detailed commitments to ensure human rights, building upon the international human rights instruments developed particularly by this Commission and contributing to their implementation. We have also created, in addition to regular implementation review meetings, several specific institutions responsible for the human dimension within the OSCE: the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the High Commissioner on National Minorities, and the Representative for the Freedom of the Media. Together with the Secretary-General and the Chair-in-Office, they assure a specific human rights focus, also in connection with the activities of the organisation's numerous field missions.
Mr Chairman,
it is in this general framework that the Austrian Chairmanship assigns special importance to the human dimension of the OSCE. We believe that strengthening civil society is the human dimension of security policy and one of our key priorities. NGOs are of fundamental importance for us. Their role in the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law is vital. They are particularly important for reporting human rights violations and for raising awareness of these issues. They are key partners in building a culture of human rights, in particular in conflict situations. I have recently met with NGOs in Vienna to discuss our agenda and to get a clear understanding of their concerns. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the NGOs, present here at the Commission, for their commitment and commend their efforts in the fight for human rights. The protection of human rights defenders is one of the numerous objectives which the OSCE shares with your Commission.
Mr. Chairman,
Our chairmanship pursues in particular the following human rights priorities:
First, the fight against torture: inhuman treatment or punishment, in pre-trial detention as well as in the penitentiary system, is one of the most persistent human rights issues, also in the OSCE region. At a special Human Dimension Meeting in Vienna last month, these problems were analysed, with active input from numerous NGOs. On this basis, good practices for eradicating torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment throughout the OSCE area were identified. They are meant to serve as concrete recommendations to participating States as well as to the OSCE and its institutions. The meeting also held an in-depth exchange of views on the abolition of the death penalty throughout the region.
Second, our efforts are focused on eliminating all forms of discrimination against women, and ending violence against women and children as well as their sexual exploitation. Trafficking in human beings has become a specifically burning problem, pursued also by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre for International Crime Prevention. In order to contribute significantly to the international combat against trafficking in human beings in the OSCE region, another special Human Dimension Meeting will address this issue later this year in Vienna.
Third, in order to actively promote the rights of the child, we pay particular attention to children involved in, or affected by, armed conflicts. Therefore, we decided to dedicate this year's annual Human Dimension Seminar to children and armed conflict. Close co-operation has already been started on this issue with Mr Olara Otunnu, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger as well as with UNICEF and UNHCR. Yesterday, I have addressed the Security Council on this important issue.
The protection of displaced persons has moved to the forefront of OSCE attention, as has been the case for other regional organisations, such as the OAU and the OAS. We will build upon the important work undertaken already by the UN, in particular the Secretary-General's Representative for internally displaced persons. The re-integration of refugees and internally displaced into their places of origin, and their protection, as well as issues of migration thus figure prominently on our agenda. Our third Human Dimension Meeting will deal with Migration and Internal Displacement.
We will furthermore continue to pay special attention to the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, including the Roma and Sinti. As a follow-up to last year's initiative on this subject, a special seminar on `Roma and Migration' is being prepared by the Chairmanship and the 'Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe' this fall.
Finally, we are continuing activities to support and ensure the free flow of information especially through independent media and will support a range of projects to assist small and medium-sized media in the region, and their role in conflict prevention.
Mr Chairman,
the human rights situation in the OSCE region is affected by a number of challenging crisis situations. I would like to concentrate briefly on the situations in the Caucasus, in Central Asia, and in South-Eastern Europe, and share my concerns with you as they emerge from my recent visits to these regions.
First, the Northern Caucasus region: there, we are faced with a dramatic crisis stemming from the violent conflict in the Chechen republic of the Russian Federation. Less than a week ago, I was able to get first hand impressions during my visit to Chechnya as well as North Ossetia and Ingushetia. I was shocked by the extent of destruction: an entire town like Grosny has practically been wiped out. That this should happen at the beginning of the 21st century fills me with grief and apprehension. The amount of suffering this conflict has caused to the civilian population, especially the large number of displaced persons, predominantly women and children, who are facing dire conditions for survival, is deeply distressing and poses an urgent challenge to international solidarity.
With regard to reports on human rights violations I have been supporting the demands forcefully made, among others, by the High Commissioner. I have insisted, during my meetings with the Russian leadership, on a prompt, independent, and credible investigation and appropriate legal action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In this context, the OSCE will provide advice, and offer expertise, to the presidential Representative for Human Rights in Chechnya, Mr Kalamanov, on how to render his work more effective, credible, and sustained, in accordance with international standards. We will conduct these activities in close co-ordination with the Council of Europe and its Human Rights Commissioner as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In my meetings with President Putin and Foreign Minister Ivanov as well as other officials in Moscow, I have been assured that the OSCE Assistance Group will be able to resume its activities in Chechnya and to set up its office in Znamenskoje in order to pursue the following priority activities:
- monitor the human rights situation,
- support humanitarian organisations,
- assist in building civilian structures and democratic institutions, and
- contribute to post-conflict rehabilitation.
I have stressed the political role of the Assistance Group, as no solution to this crisis will be possible by military means - a viable solution will have to involve dialogue with Chechen representatives.
Turning to the Balkans, I wish to highlight, first of all, the co-operation of the United Nations and the OSCE in Kosovo: They work together in a unique framework - unique in its comprehensiveness and, at the same time, its complexity. We are convinced that this co-operation may be regarded as a milestone in the relations between the two organisations. As I have agreed with Mr Kouchner during my visit last month, the organisations will further strengthen their co-operation on the ground, in order to see all elements of Security Council Resolution 1244 implemented. I very much hope that Belgrade would co-operate with the international community in the full implementation of this resolution.
Within a short period of time, the registration of the civilian population will start in Kosovo; the preparations for the elections which should be held in October are a challenge to the whole international community. In the human rights field, we are confronted both with addressing past violations, as detailed in the recent ODIHR report `Kosovo: As Seen, As ToldA, as well as with creating an environment preventing further abuses. We are also carefully monitoring developments in Montenegro, in particular through the local presence of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR. The forthcoming elections will be a key test of public opinion.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Office of the High Representative and the OSCE Mission have established a close and fruitful co-operation and are doing their best to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, civil society and respect for human rights. This year will be crucial for Bosnia and Herzegovina - it is the year when the `ownership processA has to take hold. We do believe that it is of utmost importance that the people start taking over responsibility for their own future. One of our next goals is an accelerated return of the numerous remaining refugees and displaced persons. We are encouraged by the positive return trend in 1999 which should be sustained in 2000. Despite some positive developments, assertive measures by international actors continue to be necessary in order to achieve democratisation and respect for human rights.
Throughout South East Europe, the Austrian chairmanship is supporting, under the Stability Pact, a number of projects regarding human rights and democratisation, in particular in the field of human rights education.
In Central Asia, the OSCE pays special attention to the human rights situation. The field missions in the five countries monitor the situation and develop concrete projects, supporting civil society and strengthen the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and due process of law. I have expressed our concern with regard to harassment and detention of human rights activists and leaders of the political opposition, in particular in Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
Mr Chairman,
One of the strengths of the OSCE are its field missions. Their broad mandates include human rights related activities, ranging from monitoring the implementation of OSCE human rights commitments to capacity-building and support to civil society. They help realise the global goal of making the protection and promotion of human rights operational, at the national and local level. They bring international efforts and national responsibilities in human rights closer together. Mainstreaming human rights throughout the work of international organisations in peace, security, and development is a corollary to these developments, ensuring co-operation among all organisations and thus universal human rights standards throughout the world.
It is mainly through ODIHR that we have established both formal and ad hoc working relationships with a wide range of international organisations active in the fields of human rights and democracy, including several UN agencies, the ICRC, and, in particular, the High Commissioner for Human Rights. A co-operation agreement was signed with Ms Robinson in June 1998. The two offices have worked together on human rights training in Kosovo, police training in the FYROM, and with regard to strengthening national human rights and ombudsman institutions.
Mr Chairman,
No single organisation is able to cope with the many-faceted and complex nature of such challenges as I have mentioned here. Under our chairmanship we are trying to further strengthen the relationship between the OSCE and the UN, including through more regular contacts between Vienna, Geneva and New York. This Monday, I had the opportunity to discuss with Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York key areas of co-operation between the two organisations, in particular in human rights and democratisation.
The Secretary-General has called for the 21st century to become a century of prevention - prevention of conflict, prevention of human rights violations. We must strive for freedom from fear and freedom from want, in the OSCE region, as well as throughout the world. Thus, we will also realise the pledge of the Istanbul Summit Declaration - and I quote: "...to improve human security and thereby to make a difference in the life of the individual, which is the aim of all our efforts".
I thank you for your attention.
56th Session
20 April 2000
Afternoon
Statement by
Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria
and
Chairperson-in-Office
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to have the opportunity to address the Commission on Human Rights in my capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for this year. Allow me to express first of all my appreciation for the important work this Commission has been doing over the years. Let me also extend my high regard to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Robinson, for her untiring efforts to advance human rights throughout the world.
I should like to use this occasion to highlight some of the human rights activities of the OSCE and my priorities as Chair-in-Office. In addition, I will deal with the most pressing challenges in the region. This is the year of the 25th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act - a landmark document which established a broad process bringing more security and more co-operation to Europe, and, above all, more freedoms and human rights to its people. Since then, the OSCE standards and mechanisms in this field, the `human dimensionA, as it is called, have been continuously strengthened and deepened.
As regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the UN-Charter, the OSCE is a primary organisation for the peaceful settlement of disputes within its region and a `key instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitationA. The OSCE is, in other words, a security organisation. At the same time, the OSCE is a human rights organisation. The intrinsic link between peace and security and human rights has been recognised through its comprehensive security concept, comprising politico-military security, economic security, and human security. As the Istanbul Charter for European Security affirms - and I quote, `peace and security in our region is best guaranteed by the willingness and ability of each participating state to uphold democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rightsA.
At their summit meeting in Istanbul last November, the leaders of the OSCE participating states have emphasised and re-enforced their commitment to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the OSCE region, including the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. They have done so in recognition of the fact that the OSCE has become an important international actor in the promotion and protection of human rights. The need for this role of the OSCE is obvious: in spite of our achievements, human rights continue to be violated throughout the OSCE region, in particular in conflict situations.
Since Helsinki, the OSCE has not only developed a broad range of clear and detailed commitments to ensure human rights, building upon the international human rights instruments developed particularly by this Commission and contributing to their implementation. We have also created, in addition to regular implementation review meetings, several specific institutions responsible for the human dimension within the OSCE: the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the High Commissioner on National Minorities, and the Representative for the Freedom of the Media. Together with the Secretary-General and the Chair-in-Office, they assure a specific human rights focus, also in connection with the activities of the organisation's numerous field missions.
Mr Chairman,
it is in this general framework that the Austrian Chairmanship assigns special importance to the human dimension of the OSCE. We believe that strengthening civil society is the human dimension of security policy and one of our key priorities. NGOs are of fundamental importance for us. Their role in the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law is vital. They are particularly important for reporting human rights violations and for raising awareness of these issues. They are key partners in building a culture of human rights, in particular in conflict situations. I have recently met with NGOs in Vienna to discuss our agenda and to get a clear understanding of their concerns. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the NGOs, present here at the Commission, for their commitment and commend their efforts in the fight for human rights. The protection of human rights defenders is one of the numerous objectives which the OSCE shares with your Commission.
Mr. Chairman,
Our chairmanship pursues in particular the following human rights priorities:
First, the fight against torture: inhuman treatment or punishment, in pre-trial detention as well as in the penitentiary system, is one of the most persistent human rights issues, also in the OSCE region. At a special Human Dimension Meeting in Vienna last month, these problems were analysed, with active input from numerous NGOs. On this basis, good practices for eradicating torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment throughout the OSCE area were identified. They are meant to serve as concrete recommendations to participating States as well as to the OSCE and its institutions. The meeting also held an in-depth exchange of views on the abolition of the death penalty throughout the region.
Second, our efforts are focused on eliminating all forms of discrimination against women, and ending violence against women and children as well as their sexual exploitation. Trafficking in human beings has become a specifically burning problem, pursued also by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre for International Crime Prevention. In order to contribute significantly to the international combat against trafficking in human beings in the OSCE region, another special Human Dimension Meeting will address this issue later this year in Vienna.
Third, in order to actively promote the rights of the child, we pay particular attention to children involved in, or affected by, armed conflicts. Therefore, we decided to dedicate this year's annual Human Dimension Seminar to children and armed conflict. Close co-operation has already been started on this issue with Mr Olara Otunnu, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger as well as with UNICEF and UNHCR. Yesterday, I have addressed the Security Council on this important issue.
The protection of displaced persons has moved to the forefront of OSCE attention, as has been the case for other regional organisations, such as the OAU and the OAS. We will build upon the important work undertaken already by the UN, in particular the Secretary-General's Representative for internally displaced persons. The re-integration of refugees and internally displaced into their places of origin, and their protection, as well as issues of migration thus figure prominently on our agenda. Our third Human Dimension Meeting will deal with Migration and Internal Displacement.
We will furthermore continue to pay special attention to the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, including the Roma and Sinti. As a follow-up to last year's initiative on this subject, a special seminar on `Roma and Migration' is being prepared by the Chairmanship and the 'Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe' this fall.
Finally, we are continuing activities to support and ensure the free flow of information especially through independent media and will support a range of projects to assist small and medium-sized media in the region, and their role in conflict prevention.
Mr Chairman,
the human rights situation in the OSCE region is affected by a number of challenging crisis situations. I would like to concentrate briefly on the situations in the Caucasus, in Central Asia, and in South-Eastern Europe, and share my concerns with you as they emerge from my recent visits to these regions.
First, the Northern Caucasus region: there, we are faced with a dramatic crisis stemming from the violent conflict in the Chechen republic of the Russian Federation. Less than a week ago, I was able to get first hand impressions during my visit to Chechnya as well as North Ossetia and Ingushetia. I was shocked by the extent of destruction: an entire town like Grosny has practically been wiped out. That this should happen at the beginning of the 21st century fills me with grief and apprehension. The amount of suffering this conflict has caused to the civilian population, especially the large number of displaced persons, predominantly women and children, who are facing dire conditions for survival, is deeply distressing and poses an urgent challenge to international solidarity.
With regard to reports on human rights violations I have been supporting the demands forcefully made, among others, by the High Commissioner. I have insisted, during my meetings with the Russian leadership, on a prompt, independent, and credible investigation and appropriate legal action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In this context, the OSCE will provide advice, and offer expertise, to the presidential Representative for Human Rights in Chechnya, Mr Kalamanov, on how to render his work more effective, credible, and sustained, in accordance with international standards. We will conduct these activities in close co-ordination with the Council of Europe and its Human Rights Commissioner as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In my meetings with President Putin and Foreign Minister Ivanov as well as other officials in Moscow, I have been assured that the OSCE Assistance Group will be able to resume its activities in Chechnya and to set up its office in Znamenskoje in order to pursue the following priority activities:
- monitor the human rights situation,
- support humanitarian organisations,
- assist in building civilian structures and democratic institutions, and
- contribute to post-conflict rehabilitation.
I have stressed the political role of the Assistance Group, as no solution to this crisis will be possible by military means - a viable solution will have to involve dialogue with Chechen representatives.
Turning to the Balkans, I wish to highlight, first of all, the co-operation of the United Nations and the OSCE in Kosovo: They work together in a unique framework - unique in its comprehensiveness and, at the same time, its complexity. We are convinced that this co-operation may be regarded as a milestone in the relations between the two organisations. As I have agreed with Mr Kouchner during my visit last month, the organisations will further strengthen their co-operation on the ground, in order to see all elements of Security Council Resolution 1244 implemented. I very much hope that Belgrade would co-operate with the international community in the full implementation of this resolution.
Within a short period of time, the registration of the civilian population will start in Kosovo; the preparations for the elections which should be held in October are a challenge to the whole international community. In the human rights field, we are confronted both with addressing past violations, as detailed in the recent ODIHR report `Kosovo: As Seen, As ToldA, as well as with creating an environment preventing further abuses. We are also carefully monitoring developments in Montenegro, in particular through the local presence of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR. The forthcoming elections will be a key test of public opinion.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Office of the High Representative and the OSCE Mission have established a close and fruitful co-operation and are doing their best to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, civil society and respect for human rights. This year will be crucial for Bosnia and Herzegovina - it is the year when the `ownership processA has to take hold. We do believe that it is of utmost importance that the people start taking over responsibility for their own future. One of our next goals is an accelerated return of the numerous remaining refugees and displaced persons. We are encouraged by the positive return trend in 1999 which should be sustained in 2000. Despite some positive developments, assertive measures by international actors continue to be necessary in order to achieve democratisation and respect for human rights.
Throughout South East Europe, the Austrian chairmanship is supporting, under the Stability Pact, a number of projects regarding human rights and democratisation, in particular in the field of human rights education.
In Central Asia, the OSCE pays special attention to the human rights situation. The field missions in the five countries monitor the situation and develop concrete projects, supporting civil society and strengthen the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and due process of law. I have expressed our concern with regard to harassment and detention of human rights activists and leaders of the political opposition, in particular in Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
Mr Chairman,
One of the strengths of the OSCE are its field missions. Their broad mandates include human rights related activities, ranging from monitoring the implementation of OSCE human rights commitments to capacity-building and support to civil society. They help realise the global goal of making the protection and promotion of human rights operational, at the national and local level. They bring international efforts and national responsibilities in human rights closer together. Mainstreaming human rights throughout the work of international organisations in peace, security, and development is a corollary to these developments, ensuring co-operation among all organisations and thus universal human rights standards throughout the world.
It is mainly through ODIHR that we have established both formal and ad hoc working relationships with a wide range of international organisations active in the fields of human rights and democracy, including several UN agencies, the ICRC, and, in particular, the High Commissioner for Human Rights. A co-operation agreement was signed with Ms Robinson in June 1998. The two offices have worked together on human rights training in Kosovo, police training in the FYROM, and with regard to strengthening national human rights and ombudsman institutions.
Mr Chairman,
No single organisation is able to cope with the many-faceted and complex nature of such challenges as I have mentioned here. Under our chairmanship we are trying to further strengthen the relationship between the OSCE and the UN, including through more regular contacts between Vienna, Geneva and New York. This Monday, I had the opportunity to discuss with Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York key areas of co-operation between the two organisations, in particular in human rights and democratisation.
The Secretary-General has called for the 21st century to become a century of prevention - prevention of conflict, prevention of human rights violations. We must strive for freedom from fear and freedom from want, in the OSCE region, as well as throughout the world. Thus, we will also realise the pledge of the Istanbul Summit Declaration - and I quote: "...to improve human security and thereby to make a difference in the life of the individual, which is the aim of all our efforts".
I thank you for your attention.