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Statement by Deputy Foreign Minister for Human Rights and Democracy of Mexico, Mariclaire Acosta. High-level Segment 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights
19 March 2003
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UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
19.03.2003
Madam Chair,
First of all I would like to congratulate Ambassador Najat Al-Hajjaji, Permanent Representative of Libya, on her election to the chair of the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights. Madam Chair, you can count upon the active support of the Mexican delegation to ensure a highly successful session.
Allow me as well, to greet and welcome Dr. Sergio Vieira de Mello who was recently appointed by the Secretary-General to the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The office that he now holds represents the highest duties and responsibilities in the promotion of one of the most valuable causes of humanity.
For decades the international community has made efforts to create adequate conditions for the full enjoyment of human rights. However, today, in all the regions of the world, we continue to witness serious abuses against people.
The current state of affairs poses an enormous challenge and demands the transparent, honest and unwavering commitment of each one of the countries that have been elected by the members of the United Nations for this precise purpose.
This is how Mexico understands its responsibility. Dr. Vieira de Mello, you will have the full support of my government.
Madam Chair,
Six decades after its creation, the Commission on Human Rights has certainly been an invaluable standard bearer in the universal promotion and protection of human rights. It has created the international legal underpinning that allows, not only for the inherent rights of the human person to be recognized, but also for their respect to be demanded; it has developed broad and effective monitoring and surveillance mechanisms for States, and it has contributed in a fundamental manner to the progressive development of a human rights culture.
Today, however, it seems that it is time to pause and reflect consciously on the grave challenges that we confront and, especially, on whether or not the Commission on Human Rights has responded at all times in an effective manner. We believe that any responsible analysis would show light and shade.
My Government is aware of the fact that the work carried out by the Commission in promoting human rights is essentially of an ethical and political nature and we cannot, and should not propose the contrary. Nevertheless, in the last few years we have observed the frequent confusion, if not deviation, of objectives and interests. Our function in this forum is the international and collective protection of human rights.
It is not about promoting simplistic visions of a very complex and by definition multidimensional issue. On the contrary, it is about understanding that the size of our challenges, as well as their preeminent ethical content, compel us to promote genuine causes and actions. Politicizing and polarizing our work and pursuing agendas other than the promotion and protection of human rights may inevitably undermine the credibility of this forum and the moral strength that sustains it.
For all these reasons, my delegation will continue to support every serious effort to review the procedures and objectives of the Commission, especially if it responds to a real commitment to human rights.
The validity of human rights must underpin the actions that we are undertaking in order to defeat the ominous threat of terrorism. The respect for international human rights law, does not limit the capacity of States to act, nor does it impinge on their compliance with their obligations to their nationals. Respect for fundamental rights, on the contrary, strengthens them and legitimizes them.
Since its inauguration, the government of President Vicente Fox committed itself with the most pressing causes of the international community. Encouraged by the unanimous support expressed by the General Assembly in its 57th session, when it adopted by consensus the Mexican initiative on “Protecting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism”, my delegation will introduce in the Commission a similar draft, convinced that the most important human rights forum will renew the pronouncement of the General Assembly.
Madam Chair,
For my country, international cooperation is one of the most effective means to address national human rights problems. As Dr. Vieira de Mello correctly stated in his report, the best way to prevent and combat human rights violations is through the development of national systems of protection. International cooperation constitutes a valuable tool for this purpose.
Allow me to comment on my own country’s experience.
At the beginning of the current administration, Mexico opened itself fully to international scrutiny and cooperation in order to propel the structural changes that the country requires to guarantee the validity of human rights and the continuity of the ongoing democratic transition process. That is what we announced in the 57th session of the Commission, and we have duly informed it of the steps taken by Mexico in this process.
One objective is the development of an integral State policy in this field able to go beyond temporary and isolated actions and address the basic problems of human rights in a broad and structural manner.
In a two year period, in the framework of the open invitation extended to the international protection mechanisms, we have received twelve visits. As a consequence, the representatives of those mechanisms have already prepared some of their reports and presented several recommendations.
I must state with full clarity that such reports, as well as the recommendations they contain, are a fundamental part of the new governmental policy for the promotion and protection of human rights and often guide its implementation.
Likewise, a permanent office representing the High Commissioner for Human Rights is operating in Mexico as of last summer, upon the invitation of my government. Such an office will have the main task of coordinating the implementation of an ambitious technical cooperation program, which will include the elaboration of a national diagnosis of the human rights situation in Mexico as well as a National Human Rights Program.
Furthermore, with a view to strengthening the government’s capacity we have created a new Inter-Ministerial Commission on Governmental Policy for Human Rights. I want to stress that, along with the participation in that Commission of a broad number of federal offices, representatives of civil society will also take part and work together with the Government in policy implementation.
We are sure that with this broad national effort that has aroused the collective commitment of the government, of State institutions and of civil society, while relying on the close collaboration of international and regional human rights protection mechanisms, Mexico will successfully continue its accelerated process of change.
Madam Chair,
The Commission must be able to meet today’s challenges. The construction of a new international order, in which the validity of human rights is the reference framework, is the responsibility of the States that participate in this forum. Mexico reiterates its commitment to this cause and assumes its responsibility in this fundamental endeavor.
Beyond the differences, political or of another nature, among States, there is a common and universal criterion: the obligation which we cannot waive, to respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons and peoples of the world.
It is in that direction that Mexico will contribute to the work of this body, seeking, beyond short term results, to contribute to the development of an international agenda with human rights at its core as a higher aspiration of us all, but also as a goal which can be attained with political will and commitment.
Thank you.
19.03.2003
Madam Chair,
First of all I would like to congratulate Ambassador Najat Al-Hajjaji, Permanent Representative of Libya, on her election to the chair of the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights. Madam Chair, you can count upon the active support of the Mexican delegation to ensure a highly successful session.
Allow me as well, to greet and welcome Dr. Sergio Vieira de Mello who was recently appointed by the Secretary-General to the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The office that he now holds represents the highest duties and responsibilities in the promotion of one of the most valuable causes of humanity.
For decades the international community has made efforts to create adequate conditions for the full enjoyment of human rights. However, today, in all the regions of the world, we continue to witness serious abuses against people.
The current state of affairs poses an enormous challenge and demands the transparent, honest and unwavering commitment of each one of the countries that have been elected by the members of the United Nations for this precise purpose.
This is how Mexico understands its responsibility. Dr. Vieira de Mello, you will have the full support of my government.
Madam Chair,
Six decades after its creation, the Commission on Human Rights has certainly been an invaluable standard bearer in the universal promotion and protection of human rights. It has created the international legal underpinning that allows, not only for the inherent rights of the human person to be recognized, but also for their respect to be demanded; it has developed broad and effective monitoring and surveillance mechanisms for States, and it has contributed in a fundamental manner to the progressive development of a human rights culture.
Today, however, it seems that it is time to pause and reflect consciously on the grave challenges that we confront and, especially, on whether or not the Commission on Human Rights has responded at all times in an effective manner. We believe that any responsible analysis would show light and shade.
My Government is aware of the fact that the work carried out by the Commission in promoting human rights is essentially of an ethical and political nature and we cannot, and should not propose the contrary. Nevertheless, in the last few years we have observed the frequent confusion, if not deviation, of objectives and interests. Our function in this forum is the international and collective protection of human rights.
It is not about promoting simplistic visions of a very complex and by definition multidimensional issue. On the contrary, it is about understanding that the size of our challenges, as well as their preeminent ethical content, compel us to promote genuine causes and actions. Politicizing and polarizing our work and pursuing agendas other than the promotion and protection of human rights may inevitably undermine the credibility of this forum and the moral strength that sustains it.
For all these reasons, my delegation will continue to support every serious effort to review the procedures and objectives of the Commission, especially if it responds to a real commitment to human rights.
The validity of human rights must underpin the actions that we are undertaking in order to defeat the ominous threat of terrorism. The respect for international human rights law, does not limit the capacity of States to act, nor does it impinge on their compliance with their obligations to their nationals. Respect for fundamental rights, on the contrary, strengthens them and legitimizes them.
Since its inauguration, the government of President Vicente Fox committed itself with the most pressing causes of the international community. Encouraged by the unanimous support expressed by the General Assembly in its 57th session, when it adopted by consensus the Mexican initiative on “Protecting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism”, my delegation will introduce in the Commission a similar draft, convinced that the most important human rights forum will renew the pronouncement of the General Assembly.
Madam Chair,
For my country, international cooperation is one of the most effective means to address national human rights problems. As Dr. Vieira de Mello correctly stated in his report, the best way to prevent and combat human rights violations is through the development of national systems of protection. International cooperation constitutes a valuable tool for this purpose.
Allow me to comment on my own country’s experience.
At the beginning of the current administration, Mexico opened itself fully to international scrutiny and cooperation in order to propel the structural changes that the country requires to guarantee the validity of human rights and the continuity of the ongoing democratic transition process. That is what we announced in the 57th session of the Commission, and we have duly informed it of the steps taken by Mexico in this process.
One objective is the development of an integral State policy in this field able to go beyond temporary and isolated actions and address the basic problems of human rights in a broad and structural manner.
In a two year period, in the framework of the open invitation extended to the international protection mechanisms, we have received twelve visits. As a consequence, the representatives of those mechanisms have already prepared some of their reports and presented several recommendations.
I must state with full clarity that such reports, as well as the recommendations they contain, are a fundamental part of the new governmental policy for the promotion and protection of human rights and often guide its implementation.
Likewise, a permanent office representing the High Commissioner for Human Rights is operating in Mexico as of last summer, upon the invitation of my government. Such an office will have the main task of coordinating the implementation of an ambitious technical cooperation program, which will include the elaboration of a national diagnosis of the human rights situation in Mexico as well as a National Human Rights Program.
Furthermore, with a view to strengthening the government’s capacity we have created a new Inter-Ministerial Commission on Governmental Policy for Human Rights. I want to stress that, along with the participation in that Commission of a broad number of federal offices, representatives of civil society will also take part and work together with the Government in policy implementation.
We are sure that with this broad national effort that has aroused the collective commitment of the government, of State institutions and of civil society, while relying on the close collaboration of international and regional human rights protection mechanisms, Mexico will successfully continue its accelerated process of change.
Madam Chair,
The Commission must be able to meet today’s challenges. The construction of a new international order, in which the validity of human rights is the reference framework, is the responsibility of the States that participate in this forum. Mexico reiterates its commitment to this cause and assumes its responsibility in this fundamental endeavor.
Beyond the differences, political or of another nature, among States, there is a common and universal criterion: the obligation which we cannot waive, to respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons and peoples of the world.
It is in that direction that Mexico will contribute to the work of this body, seeking, beyond short term results, to contribute to the development of an international agenda with human rights at its core as a higher aspiration of us all, but also as a goal which can be attained with political will and commitment.
Thank you.
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