Opening statement by Mrs. Mary Robinson
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Geneva, 23 February 1998

Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for me to declare the thirteenth session of this Working Group a session open. A session on which there is a particular focus of attention.

We recall that in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration, States committed themselves to promoting universal respect for and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. That is the context within which this Working Group has been requested, in Commission on Human Rights decision 1984/116, to draft "a declaration on the right and responsibility of individuals, groups and organs of society to promote and protect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms".

The potential beneficiaries of such a declaration - the courageous and admirable people known as "human rights defenders" - have been playing an ever increasing role in promoting human rights, in combating violations of those rights throughout the world and in strengthening democracy and the rule of law.

Unfortunately, these same individuals and groups are themselves often the victims of human rights abuses , as the daily reports from around the world of repression, intimidation, physical violence and even murder, sadly bear witness. The declaration you are drafting could provide valuable recognition, protection and support to those individuals, groups and organizations.

Indeed, since taking office as High Commissioner five months ago, I have been concerned about the number of occasions when human rights defenders have been kidnapped or, alas, killed in the course of their courageous work.

That is why your work is followed by them with particular attention. That is why many governments, international organizations and NGOs have become more and more impatient with the slow pace of progress thus far and are arguing for the adoption of the draft declaration this year.

It is difficult to explain to those concerned and to the outside world why after so many years the Commission has not been able to complete work on a text that seeks, in essence, only to clarify, confirm and reinforce rights that are recognized in existing international instruments.

But let us not dwell on the problems of the past and rather look forward to the real opportunities that are now before us. In this regard, we are very fortunate, thanks to the remarkable efforts of Professor Jan Helgesen, to have before the Working Group a consolidated text based on his lengthy and thorough consultations which could serve as a basis for discussion at your current session.

You have before you for consideration important issues such as the right to receive financial support, the right to observe trials, the extent to which human rights defenders have duties and the role of national legislation.

Hopefully you be able to reach agreement and I realize that finalizing the draft declaration at this sitting of the Working Group would require a great deal of effort and determination from all concerned. How wonderful it would be if, thanks to your work in the coming days, the General Assembly were to be in a position, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to adopt this important document.

In your deliberations and efforts toward reaching a consensus, it will be particularly important to bear in mind that the scope of the existing international obligations and commitments in this area of human rights must not be weakened.

As High Commissioner for Human Rights I am glad to be able to reinforce the fundamental aim of this exercise which is to support and strengthen the action of human rights defenders around the world who look to the United Nations with great hope and expectation.