Statement by Ms Kyung-wha Kang, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressing MERCOSUR

Uruguay, 25 October 2011

Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, allow me to thank you for this opportunity to address you on the occasion of the celebration of the 20 years of MERCOSUR and the integration of human rights in its activities and policy discussions. Taking advantage of my visit to Uruguay, I could not let pass this opportunity to address this important forum, which plays a pivotal role in the region for the development of national and regional public policies based on human rights. I am pleased to see that, through this very high level participation a clear message is sent: human rights continue to be a crucial issue of concern in the region, in particular in view of new public demands for increased recognition of fundamental human rights, not only civil and political, but also economic, social and cultural.

I would like to acknowledge the very important contribution that MERCOSUR, in particular through the meeting of high level authorities on human rights has made to the development of national and regional human rights policies and mechanisms. This forum is the only high level regional mechanism in Latin America that provides a space for substantive human rights discussion, in particular through the analysis of comparative human rights practices in the different countries in the region. The high level authorities meetings have also been central to the incorporation of principles, standards and practices developed by the Inter-American system, which will, I’m sure, have a very positive impact on the development of human rights policies at the national level. It is, therefore, key that MERCOSUR continues to strengthen its cooperation with the Inter-American institutions.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has been closely working with this forum through our Regional Office in Santiago. Our Regional Office has developed strong ties with the MERCOSUR Institute of Public Policies on Human Rights, in particular through the support of the Institute’s activities on citizen security. We hope to continue strengthening this relationship. I wish to reiterate that we stand ready to continue working together with MERCOSUR in the further development of public policies so that these policies address all cross-cutting human rights issues that require States’ full attention.

Many human rights challenges in the region still remain. Events throughout the world show that human rights are at the core peoples demands. Economic development is necessary, but development has to have a human face. From Rome to Santiago, from New York to Tunisia, people in the streets are reminding us of the fallacy of economic growth that does not bring about an end to exclusion and an improvement of the enjoyment of all rights by all. The demands for better education, housing, health, security, among others are, essentially, demands for the protection of human rights. Therefore, only solutions that provide a response based on human rights will be able to meet these demands.

I am encouraged that countries of MERCOSUR are addressing these issues through the implementation of social policies to foster inclusion and reduce inequality. I encourage you to continue pushing in that direction.

Thank you.