Strengthening EU-UN Co-operation in the Struggle against All Forms of Discrimination: Address by Ms. Navanethem Pillay UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

14 October 2009

Distinguished Representatives,

Dear Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you in this seminar on the struggle against discrimination. No country is immune from this scourge. Our main objective is to help promote discrimination-free societies and a world of equal treatment for all. For its part, and building on many years of commitment and experience, OHCHR has made combating discrimination one of our thematic priorities for the next biennium.

Indeed, the principles of equality and non-discrimination form the very core of international human rights law and shape clear obligations on the part of States to eliminate conditions which cause or help to perpetuate discrimination both in the public and the private spheres.

Your seminar will discuss some of the most egregious forms of discrimination, namely those perpetrated on the grounds of race, gender and disabilities.

As you know, in April 2009, the Durban Review Conference examined progress that States have made since the 2001 world conference against racism in Durban in overcoming some of the most abhorrent forms of discrimination, including racism and xenophobia. Undoubtedly, the greatest accomplishment of the review conference was the reinvigorated commitment of States to the anti-racism agenda which was expressed in a wide-ranging and ambitious outcome document. This consensus was particularly remarkable because States achieved it against the background of the financial and economic crises which had absorbed much of the world’s attention. Such emergencies also exposed vulnerable groups, including minorities and migrants, to increasing levels of inequality and manifestations of intolerance. Allow me to point out that one of the minorities mentioned in the Durban Review Conference outcome document are the Roma. Despite efforts undertaken by States and international and regional organizations, anti-Romani sentiments in Europe continue to be strong. These sentiments must be countered with firmness and determination.

Having grown up in apartheid South Africa, I know only too well what it is like to live in an environment permeated by racism. Having presided over the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, I heard the testimony of ordinary people who found themselves suddenly victimized by an explosion of ethnic hatred. I know—I think we all know—the consequences of allowing discrimination, inequality and intolerance to fester and then spiral out of control. I also know that if we can find common ground and unite around a common purpose with courage and determination, we can end cycles of violence and discrimination, and we can do justice to the individual and collective assertion of human rights for people of all races, all religions, all ethnicities.

Regarding gender discrimination, I wish to underscore that, despite progress in Europe and elsewhere, prejudices against and marginalization of women persist. Women still do not get equal pay for equal work, and do not enjoy the legal protections afforded to men in the workplace. Domestic workers, particularly migrant workers, often fall outside the scope of labour laws. In many countries, discriminatory economic policies often exacerbate the gap between rich and poor and deprive women of sustainable means of livelihood. Violence against women compounds their vulnerability. I have seen first-hand the impact of this violence on women, children, and families, who have been wrecked by these crimes that are too often hidden while their perpetrators went unpunished.

Turning now to the issue of human rights and disabilities, let me draw your attention to the fact that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been described as bringing about a ‘paradigm shift’ in the way the entitlements of persons with disabilities are viewed. We need now to give full effect to the innovative provisions of the Convention, as well as its Optional Protocol in order to ensure that this ‘paradigm shift’ is sustained.

I cannot overemphasize that the credibility of every country or group of countries in claiming their commitment to better international protection against discrimination hinges upon giving effect to their stated pledges. Such declarations must be reflected in policies, institutions and legislation which benefit individuals and communities by tangibly improving their lives.

In this important task my Office stands ready to help States, as well as regional organizations and other partners, discharge their vital responsibility of attaining equality and human rights for all. In this pursuit, we have worked shoulder to shoulder with European institutions, advocates and States.

There is a long history of collaboration between the United Nations and the European Union. With regard in particular to cooperation between the European Commission and my Office, a milestone was reached in 2007 when we signed an agreement under which the European Commission provides an annual contribution, entirely un-earmarked, to support implementation of the UN human rights programme. I understand it was the first agreement of its kind negotiated between the EC and any UN entity and it not surprising that the issue of human rights was chosen as the first initiative for such cooperation. Since then, such agreements have been renewed annually, for which I am most grateful as it gives me great flexibility in the allocation of the funds.

And now I am pleased to announce that this long-standing partnership can be reinforced and enhanced through the work of our newly established Regional Office for Europe here in Brussels. As with OHCHR’s other Regional Offices in Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Asia, this most recent addition will bring us one step further in the realization of our strategy to strengthen engagement with pertinent countries in the implementation of international human rights standards. From this important springboard, we look forward to bolstering cooperation with the European Union and its relevant institutions, including the Fundamental Rights Agency, as well as with the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. I would like to thank all those who gave their support and assistance to the establishment of the Office, and in particular the Belgian Government which will host it in Brussels.

The Regional Office will help to elevate OHCHR’s profile with relevant constituencies and increase their awareness of our policies and activities. It will represent a strategic springboard to promote and follow up on human rights standard setting and capacity building in Europe and elsewhere.

It will contribute to a better understanding of the challenges that multicultural societies of Europe increasingly face. In this regard, combating racism, discrimination, human rights violations related to migration or poverty, and protecting human rights in the fight against terrorism are tasks that concern all the countries of this continent. At the same time, the OHCHR Regional Office will seek to ensure that a human rights approach and perspectives are included in European initiatives, such as technical assistance programs, and peace-keeping and peace-building planning and operations.

Working together with more than twenty UN agencies and a multitude of partners all over the world, we are aware that success can be achieved only through the most efficient and targeted use of limited resources and through the mainstreaming of human rights in policy and action. In the face of the towering challenges that our diverse communities present, the realization of synergy is a goal that only cooperation and day-to-day interaction can bring about.

I thank you for your attention and wish you a fruitful exchange.