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26 March 1998
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54 session of the Commission on Human Rights
16 March - 24 April 1998
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Statement by Mr Friis Arne Petersen
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
(On behalf of the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs)
Geneva, 26 March 1998
Mr Chairman, distinguished members of the Commission, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me start by conveying to you the apologies of my Foreign Minister who, because of unavoidable parliamentary obligations, has at the last moment been compelled to cancel his visit to Geneva today. He has asked me to deliver this statement on his behalf. I am very honoured to address this principal United Nations forum dealing with human rights and fundamental freedoms in all their aspects. The Commission has laid the groundwork for the present day International Bill of Rights. I shall not dwell on the famous Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted 50 years ago. The British Minister of Statehas already commented upon this event in his address to the Commission on behalf of the European Union, to which the Danish Government can fully subscribe. Fifty years of development in the field of human rights show that the deliberations of the United Nations Human Rights Commission make a difference in advancing the cause of Human Rights to the benefit of each and every individual and to all peoples of the world. You, yourself, Mr Chairman, symbolise freedom from tyranny in one of its most cruel forms – that of the policy of apartheid. I am proud to recall the consistent support by Denmark throughout those years to the victims of apartheid.
This year the Commission will add another landmark to the international human rights standards by adopting the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. It is a most worthy contribution by the Commission to adopt this Declaration on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human Rights Defenders deserve special protection, acting as they do in the front line for the defence of our common human values - often at the greatest personal risk. The present decade has witnessed former human rights defenders becoming Presidents of their respective nations. We may see several more in the years to come. We salute the defenders of human rights as representatives of a true democratic force taking hold of this planet. The Declaration is not, however, the end of the process; it is also the beginning of a new era where Human Rights Defenders will finally have a substantive international instrument to support them in their further activities promoting the cause of human rights. Mr Chairman, It is well-known, I believe, that Denmark has always given its firm support to the commitment of the Charter of the United Nations to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in all parts of the world. As human rights are universal, they must be guaranteed to all persons without discrimination and observed by all countries whatever their form of government. That is the essence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
At the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, the participating states reaffirmed that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights constitutes a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, and the Conference proclaimed that the promotion and protection of human rights is a legitimate concern of the international community.
A major achievement stemming from the Conference was the creation of the post as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The establishment ofthat post indicates a common resolve of the international community to put emphasis on the implementation of human rights in practice, including through a dialogue between states and the High Commissioner.
It is within this framework, accepted by all states, that Denmark believes a constructive dialogue on human rights issues may be useful as a supplement to a dialogue carried out at the bilateral level or in a regional context. To honour the pledges of the UN Charter, of the Universal Declaration, and of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action can not, in our view, be characterised as confrontation, interference in internal matters, or as an unfriendly act, let alone give rise to introducing countermeasures.
To discuss human rights issues openly within the United Nations has become part of daily life in the worldorganisation. No state is any longer immune to criticism. As the United Nations Secretary-Generalwrites in his report to last year's General Assembly: "Increasingly, in recent years, human rights have also come to be seen as an integral element of good governance". And rightly so. We are approaching the 21st century - a century which should be governed by the rule of law at the national as well as the international level.
Mr Chairman, This year also marks the 5th anniversary of the United Nations Second World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna 1993.
A major achievement in Vienna was the confirmation of the universality of human rights.
It is true that the Vienna Declaration also refers to the significance of national and regional particularities, but the foundation is universal. Indeed it would be contradictory to talk about human rights if they are not accorded to all human beings - irrespective of where they live. Freedom from torture, for instance, must be respected everywhere regardless of local traditions or local problems.
Obviously, the problems are not the same everywhere. But the human rights foundation is the same everywhere. The Universal Declaration is truly universal in validity, if not, unfortunately, in application.
Another important element in the Vienna Declaration is the confirmation that all human rights are indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Economic, social and cultural rights cannot be achieved without respect for civil and political rights and vice versa. The right to developmentencapsulates both categories of human rights, but we need to develop a coherent and meaningful strategy for the effective implementation of that right.
Mr Chairman, Poverty reduction is the prime goal of Danish development co-operation policy. One main element in implementing this policy is promoting popular participation in the development process by providing support for the rule of law and good administration practices. We believe in popular participation as a guarantee for stability in economic, social and political development. In 1997 Denmark's development assistance amounted to USD 1.8 billion representing one per cent of our Gross National Product. This is the highest ratio of any donor country and well above the UN target of 0.7 per cent. This reflects a genuine sense of solidarity by the Danish people with the less privileged nations of the world.
Although lack of resources can never excuse violations of human rights, it is a fact that ensuring respect for human rights requires substantial resources. Bilaterally and multilaterally – not least through the programmes of the High Commissioner for Human Rights – Denmark is contributing generously to support efforts to ensure respect for human rights in other parts of the world. We are prepared to continue to do so, and we urge others to contribute to these programmes and voluntary funds.
Mr Chairman, Like in previous sessions Denmark stands ready to continue to take the lead in the Commission's efforts to eradicate the evil of torture and to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples in particular by creating within the United Nations a Permanent Forum where all issues affecting indigenous peoples can be considered in a partnership between Governments and Representatives of the Indigenous Peoples.
A matter which continues to cause great concern to the Government of Denmark is the excessive use by States of the death penalty which we have been witnessing in recent years and in various parts of the world. We urge those States progressively to restrict the number of offences for which the death penalty may be imposed and to consider suspending executions with a view to completely abolishing the death penalty.
Though it is well established that Women's rights are human rights we are still far from the full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural life be it at the national, regional or global level. We are even witnessing serious setbacks in the status of women as if we were living in the Middle Ages and the Fourth World Conference on Women held in China 1995, had not taken place. In particular violence against women not least during armed conflicts, must be addressed as a matter of the highest priority. The special rapporteur on the subject deserves all our support. We take some comfort in the fact that the Commission on the Status of Women and this Commission now work in tandem towards advancing the rights of women and the principle of mainstreamingthroughout the UN system.
Mr Chairman, In conclusion, I wish to express Denmark's confidence in the future work of this Commission aiming at promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms within different societies and cultures in a manner consistent with the letter and spirit of the internationally accepted human rights norms. Denmark will continue to make its substantive contribution to that work.
I thank you for your attention.
16 March - 24 April 1998
Check against delivery
Statement by Mr Friis Arne Petersen
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
(On behalf of the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs)
Geneva, 26 March 1998
Mr Chairman, distinguished members of the Commission, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me start by conveying to you the apologies of my Foreign Minister who, because of unavoidable parliamentary obligations, has at the last moment been compelled to cancel his visit to Geneva today. He has asked me to deliver this statement on his behalf. I am very honoured to address this principal United Nations forum dealing with human rights and fundamental freedoms in all their aspects. The Commission has laid the groundwork for the present day International Bill of Rights. I shall not dwell on the famous Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted 50 years ago. The British Minister of Statehas already commented upon this event in his address to the Commission on behalf of the European Union, to which the Danish Government can fully subscribe. Fifty years of development in the field of human rights show that the deliberations of the United Nations Human Rights Commission make a difference in advancing the cause of Human Rights to the benefit of each and every individual and to all peoples of the world. You, yourself, Mr Chairman, symbolise freedom from tyranny in one of its most cruel forms – that of the policy of apartheid. I am proud to recall the consistent support by Denmark throughout those years to the victims of apartheid.
This year the Commission will add another landmark to the international human rights standards by adopting the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. It is a most worthy contribution by the Commission to adopt this Declaration on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human Rights Defenders deserve special protection, acting as they do in the front line for the defence of our common human values - often at the greatest personal risk. The present decade has witnessed former human rights defenders becoming Presidents of their respective nations. We may see several more in the years to come. We salute the defenders of human rights as representatives of a true democratic force taking hold of this planet. The Declaration is not, however, the end of the process; it is also the beginning of a new era where Human Rights Defenders will finally have a substantive international instrument to support them in their further activities promoting the cause of human rights. Mr Chairman, It is well-known, I believe, that Denmark has always given its firm support to the commitment of the Charter of the United Nations to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in all parts of the world. As human rights are universal, they must be guaranteed to all persons without discrimination and observed by all countries whatever their form of government. That is the essence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
At the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, the participating states reaffirmed that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights constitutes a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, and the Conference proclaimed that the promotion and protection of human rights is a legitimate concern of the international community.
A major achievement stemming from the Conference was the creation of the post as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The establishment ofthat post indicates a common resolve of the international community to put emphasis on the implementation of human rights in practice, including through a dialogue between states and the High Commissioner.
It is within this framework, accepted by all states, that Denmark believes a constructive dialogue on human rights issues may be useful as a supplement to a dialogue carried out at the bilateral level or in a regional context. To honour the pledges of the UN Charter, of the Universal Declaration, and of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action can not, in our view, be characterised as confrontation, interference in internal matters, or as an unfriendly act, let alone give rise to introducing countermeasures.
To discuss human rights issues openly within the United Nations has become part of daily life in the worldorganisation. No state is any longer immune to criticism. As the United Nations Secretary-Generalwrites in his report to last year's General Assembly: "Increasingly, in recent years, human rights have also come to be seen as an integral element of good governance". And rightly so. We are approaching the 21st century - a century which should be governed by the rule of law at the national as well as the international level.
Mr Chairman, This year also marks the 5th anniversary of the United Nations Second World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna 1993.
A major achievement in Vienna was the confirmation of the universality of human rights.
It is true that the Vienna Declaration also refers to the significance of national and regional particularities, but the foundation is universal. Indeed it would be contradictory to talk about human rights if they are not accorded to all human beings - irrespective of where they live. Freedom from torture, for instance, must be respected everywhere regardless of local traditions or local problems.
Obviously, the problems are not the same everywhere. But the human rights foundation is the same everywhere. The Universal Declaration is truly universal in validity, if not, unfortunately, in application.
Another important element in the Vienna Declaration is the confirmation that all human rights are indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Economic, social and cultural rights cannot be achieved without respect for civil and political rights and vice versa. The right to developmentencapsulates both categories of human rights, but we need to develop a coherent and meaningful strategy for the effective implementation of that right.
Mr Chairman, Poverty reduction is the prime goal of Danish development co-operation policy. One main element in implementing this policy is promoting popular participation in the development process by providing support for the rule of law and good administration practices. We believe in popular participation as a guarantee for stability in economic, social and political development. In 1997 Denmark's development assistance amounted to USD 1.8 billion representing one per cent of our Gross National Product. This is the highest ratio of any donor country and well above the UN target of 0.7 per cent. This reflects a genuine sense of solidarity by the Danish people with the less privileged nations of the world.
Although lack of resources can never excuse violations of human rights, it is a fact that ensuring respect for human rights requires substantial resources. Bilaterally and multilaterally – not least through the programmes of the High Commissioner for Human Rights – Denmark is contributing generously to support efforts to ensure respect for human rights in other parts of the world. We are prepared to continue to do so, and we urge others to contribute to these programmes and voluntary funds.
Mr Chairman, Like in previous sessions Denmark stands ready to continue to take the lead in the Commission's efforts to eradicate the evil of torture and to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples in particular by creating within the United Nations a Permanent Forum where all issues affecting indigenous peoples can be considered in a partnership between Governments and Representatives of the Indigenous Peoples.
A matter which continues to cause great concern to the Government of Denmark is the excessive use by States of the death penalty which we have been witnessing in recent years and in various parts of the world. We urge those States progressively to restrict the number of offences for which the death penalty may be imposed and to consider suspending executions with a view to completely abolishing the death penalty.
Though it is well established that Women's rights are human rights we are still far from the full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural life be it at the national, regional or global level. We are even witnessing serious setbacks in the status of women as if we were living in the Middle Ages and the Fourth World Conference on Women held in China 1995, had not taken place. In particular violence against women not least during armed conflicts, must be addressed as a matter of the highest priority. The special rapporteur on the subject deserves all our support. We take some comfort in the fact that the Commission on the Status of Women and this Commission now work in tandem towards advancing the rights of women and the principle of mainstreamingthroughout the UN system.
Mr Chairman, In conclusion, I wish to express Denmark's confidence in the future work of this Commission aiming at promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms within different societies and cultures in a manner consistent with the letter and spirit of the internationally accepted human rights norms. Denmark will continue to make its substantive contribution to that work.
I thank you for your attention.