IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER'S DIALOGUES WITH GOVERNMENTS STRESSED IN THIRD COMMITTEE

29 November 1995

Press Release
GA/SHC/3337

IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER'S DIALOGUES WITH GOVERNMENTS STRESSED IN THIRD COMMITTEE

19951129 Indonesia, Sudan, Iraq, Iran Respond to Criticisms of Human Rights Policies

The importance of the personal dialogues of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with different governments was emphasized, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon continued its consideration of human rights questions.

The representative of Barbados, also speaking on behalf of the 13 Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said such dialogue was a key element to ensuring respect for all human rights at a global as well as country-specific level. However, she called for more sensitivity in dealing with the peculiar domestic situations in some countries where problems with human rights had occurred.

The suggestion of the High Commissioner to maintain a permanent dialogue with countries of the Non-Aligned Movement would, according to the representative of Sri Lanka, be of immense significance in the promotion and protection of human rights in the long run.

Also speaking this afternoon, the representative of Israel called for a greater level of regional cooperation in the Middle East since no other region was more in need of such cooperation. Energies and resources needed to be turned to peaceful endeavors, the most important of which should be promotion and protection of human dignity and rights.

Other statements were made by the representatives of Sudan and Brazil.

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were the representatives of Indonesia, Sudan, Iraq and Iran.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m., 30 November, to continue its consideration of human rights questions.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to continue its consideration of human rights questions. Those include how the provisions of human rights instruments are being carried out, as well as alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights. The Committee will also examine human rights situations and reports of special rapporteur and representatives. It will also discuss the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Under its sub-item on the implementation of human rights instruments, the Committee has before it the report of the Human Rights Committee (document A/50/40); the Committee against Torture (document A/50/44); on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (document A/50/512); the Secretary-General on the status of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (document A/50/469). It will also consider the report on the status of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (document A/50/472). (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3331 of 24 November.)

Under its sub-item on human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Committee has before it reports of the Secretary- General on: respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non- interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes (document A/50/495); the effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (document A/50/514); human rights and mass exodus (document A/50/566); human rights and terrorism (document A/50/685); assistance to States in strengthening the rule of law (document A/50/653); the strengthening of the Centre for Human Rights (document A/50/678); the geographical composition and function of the staff of the Centre for Human Rights (document A/50/682).

In addition to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the plan of action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (document A/50/698), the Committee will also consider the reports of the Secretary-General on: recommendations made by his Special Representative for human rights in Cambodia (document A/50/681); the role of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights in assisting the Government and people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/50/681/Add.1); national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/50/452); enhancing the effectiveness of the principle

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of periodic and genuine elections (document A/50/736). (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3331 of 24 November, GA/SHC/3335 of 28 November and GA/SHC/3336 of 29 November.)

Under its sub-item on human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives, the Committee had before it notes by the Secretary-General transmitting the following: interim report prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/50/568); the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan (document A/50/569); the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cuba (document A/50/663); and the three reports by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Rwanda (document A/50/709). (For background, see Press Releases GA/SHC/3333 and GA/SHC/3334 of 27 November as well as GA/SHC/3335 of 28 November.)

Under its sub-item on the implementation of the follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the Committee has before it the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development (document A/50/670). (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3335 of 28 November.)

Statements

BETTY RUSSELL (Barbados), also speaking on behalf of the 13 Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said that a key element in the mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was the responsibility to engage in dialogue with all governments to ensure respect for all human rights at a global as well as country-specific level. More sensitivity should be shown to the peculiar domestic situations in some countries where problems with human rights had occurred.

She said that the expanded role of the United Nations as the watchdog for all human rights issues was vital in a world where, even though mass media attention and the vigilance of non-governmental organizations made global abuses well known, many silent tragedies still occurred. The CARICOM countries, therefore, supported the need for a programme of education for human rights, the development of mechanisms for early warning as well as urgent intervention procedures when human rights violations occurred.

She expressed concern at the continuing under-funding of the Centre for Human Rights and said that that deficiency had severely affected the work of the United Nations through a lack of adequate technical expertise and administrative support. She also pointed out that lack of basic human amenities, wherever they occurred all over the world, could lead to environments in which it was virtually impossible for human rights to

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flourish. Respect for human rights could only grow and deepen in a global atmosphere of justice, democracy and peace.

LOHIDE PETER OTOLE (Sudan) said the report of the Special Rapporteur to his country had been "hurriedly written, biased and based on rumours" and did not reflect the achievements made in the field of human rights.

"Convinced that democracy is a prerequisite for human dignity and socio- economic development, the Sudan continues in its process of democratization", he said. The convening of 12,000 basic people's congresses in the various states as well as the 305 local and 70 provincial congresses had already taken place. Also, the first round of elections at the state level had been completed. The final stage of elections for the national parliament and the president would be completed in early 1996.

His Government had always been keen to reach a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil strife. That had been demonstrated by participating in all peace initiatives. The rebel movement was to be blamed for the stalemate in the several talks that had taken place. In addition, some rebel soldiers from the different factions had returned to his country where they had been accommodated in various departments as well as provided with the basic needs.

His Government's cooperation in respecting the Jimmy Carter brokered cease-fires to allow the Guinea worm eradication programme and the flow of food had been an indication of its commitment to the issue of humanitarian assistance. It had also indicated his Government's refusal to use food as a weapon. He noted the violations committed by some non-governmental organizations operating in the South.

RODNEY PERERA (Sri Lanka) said the suggestion of the High Commissioner to maintain a permanent dialogue with countries of the Non-Aligned Movement would, in the long run, be of immense significance in the promotion and protection of human rights. The promotion of the realization of the right to development should be achieved through strengthening democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and through effective development policies at the national level, as well as equitable economic relations and a favourable economic environment at the international level.

He noted the statement by Norway on the question of ensuring the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities -- one of the most difficult challenges facing the international community. Recognition of a minority did not imply territorial demands. On the contrary, full recognition of minority rights meant a common multicultural nation.

He said that ethnic questions in Sri Lanka had been exacerbated by the violent activities of a single group which had resorted to terrorism to carve

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out a mono-ethnic separatist state when all other political parties and organizations representing ethnic groups had clearly opted to negotiate their grievances through peaceful political means. In August, the Sri Lanka Government presented far-reaching proposals for the devolution of power to the regions in the country to deal with unresolved ethnic issues.

ERELLA HADAR (Israel) said that although the ideal result of entering into an international agreement should be the eventual incorporation of its principles into the legal system of each Member State, in reality, not enough countries had done so. Her country had signed 17 and ratified 15 international human rights treaties as well as four Geneva Conventions. The principles embodied in those agreements had been embedded in Israel's national heritage, expressed in its legal system and internalized into its moral and ethical code. The peace treaty signed last year between Israel and Jordan, as well as the ongoing implementation of the Interim Agreement with the Palestinian Authority, opened the door to opportunities of exchange of delegations and commercial missions between Israel and the Arab Mediterranean Maghreb and Gulf countries.

She said that Israel could now aspire to establish a greater level of regional cooperation in the Middle East. No other region was more in need of regional cooperation than the Middle East. Energies and resources must be turned to peaceful endeavours, the most important of which should be promotion and protection of human dignity and rights. Reaching peace in the Middle East meant protecting the right to life. Once that was achieved, all must work together to protect and defend all other human rights.

EDUARDO PAES SABOIA (Brazil) said that given the multiplicity of United Nations human rights mechanisms, the search for improved methods and the avoidance of duplication were essential so as to simplify and make more effective the drafting and presentation by States of their reports. He cautioned that there were limits to the treaty bodies when proper authority was not given by the States parties. "We must keep in mind that standard setting is an area where the Commission on Human Rights and its subsidiary body, the Subcommission have an established competence that should not be eroded", he added.

He said his President had chosen human rights as the main theme of his speech during his country's national day celebration. He had called upon the Judiciary to improve its efficiency in order to put an end to impunity. He had also requested the prompt consideration by the Congress of bills already submitted by the Executive, such as those related to the strengthening of the national human rights council. In addition, the Ministry of Justice had been entrusted with the elaboration of a national action plan, whereby obstacles to the enjoyment of all human rights by every segment of society would be examined. Such a plan, which was scheduled to be completed by the end of

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April 1996, would be the first national action plan to be adopted in the region.

Statements in Exercise of Right of Reply

RIYADI ASIRDIN (Indonesia) said that the statement made by the representative of Spain on behalf of the European Union, in connection with the situation in the province of East Timor, had distorted the picture of the situation there. Claims of mounting tension and increased repression in the province were an unwarranted misrepresentation of the situation. East Timor had continued to be visited by foreign personalities and journalists who have attested to the tangible progress made in the province since the colonial era. Indonesia rejected the tone of the European Union statement on that matter. The High Commissioner for Human Rights was scheduled to visit Indonesia, including East Timor. Indonesia reiterated its firm commitment to promoting and protecting all the peoples of Indonesia, including those in the province of East Timor.

KUOL ALOR (Sudan) responded to comments made by the representatives of the United States and Australia which criticized the human rights situation in his country. He said that the situation of human rights in the United States was one of the worst in the world for several reasons. For example, its Government had committed the worst crimes against native Americans. Also, racial discrimination against African-Americans and other coloured people was rampant. There was also gender discrimination as demonstrated by the fact that the equal rights amendment, through which American working women were seeking equal pay with their male counterparts, had been turned down by the state legislators. Furthermore, a symposium held recently in Florida had illustrated that slavery and forced labour were widespread in the United States.

In his country, the National Salvation Revolution had been making positive developments such as the release of political detainees and the pardoning of political prisoners. In addition, general elections had been held. "The Government is inspired by its religious convictions and it does not intend to appease other nations in carrying out its national and international duties", he emphasized.

Referring to Australia, he said that country subjected indigenous people to inhuman and discriminatory conditions. Unlike others, the Sudan was willing to help solve its minor problems including the civil war. "Instead of blindly following the Special Rapporteur's unfounded report, Australia would be advised to find out things by itself", he added.

MOHAMMAD ALDOURI (Iraq) said that the statement by the representative of the United States contained an inappropriate attack on the leadership and the

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President of Iraq, contrary to common diplomatic etiquette. The United States representative said that she found no ground for hope regarding Iraq, thus stressing that her only hope was in the change of the political system of the country. Iraq advised the United States to abandon the dangerous attitude which violated all the norms of international law and relations and to chose a rational policy based on dialogue rather than threats, extortion and the use of force. Iraq was considered the cradle of civilization and was in no need of anyone's testimony. The first written legislation known was written in Iraq.

Noting the United States representative's allusion to Iraq's biological programme, he questioned its relevance to the work of the Committee, particularly since there was a special commission set up by the Security Council on that matter. What she pointed to was inaccurate and the horrifying image she tried to create only existed in her imagination. It was based on past allegations and lacked tangible evidence. Iraq had provided all the data in its possession on all weapons and did not use any chemical or biological weapons despite the more than 100,000 tons of bombs dropped on it when the coalition forces led by the United States used internationally outlawed weapons such as cluster bombs.

The United States representative had ignored the role of her country in the genocide carried out against the Iraqi people through the unjust sanctions that continued to be imposed against Iraq. Those sanctions would not have been imposed in such a comprehensive manner had it not been for the United States and its allies.

Regarding the Australian and United States accusations of alleged human rights violations in Iraq, he said that the accusations had become a foreign policy means of pressure against other States. They were a repetition of accusations made by the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iraq who was known for his blind bias and lack of honesty and objectivity.

Mr. KIAEE (Iran) said cases of human rights violations in countries which blamed others for the same were not infrequent. The United States served as an example as well as Europe where eight million unborn children were murdered every year. Furthermore, the institutionalization, in the United States, of racism and racial discrimination was one of the most abhorrent practices. "The existing differences between countries should not serve as a pretext or justification to exploit the human rights question as a means of exertion of political pressure against others", he emphasized.

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