RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE FUNDAMENTAL TO HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION, SAY SPEAKERS IN THIRD COMMITTEE

Press Release
GA/SHC/3341

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE FUNDAMENTAL TO HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION, SAY SPEAKERS IN THIRD COMMITTEE

Religious tolerance was fundamental to the promotion of human rights, said several speakers this afternoon, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) continued its consideration of questions relating to human rights.

There was a growing need to inculcate tolerance at all levels of society for persons who professed divergent views, the representative of Ireland said. The reports of the special rapporteurs bore testimony to the fact that in many parts of the world, freedom of religion and belief continued to be violated. He said educational systems had an important role in promoting such understanding and tolerance.

The representative of Algeria said religious extremist terrorist groups intended to deprive society of its fundamental rights. Such fanatical groups felt no remorse when killing children, women, intellectuals or journalists and benefitted from the publicity surrounding the murders they committed.

In order for United Nations initiatives in the field of human rights to be more effective, the spirit of religion should be strengthened, the representative of Iran said. Such a spirit was the "most profound source of brotherhood, justice and incentive for the eradication of cruelty and prejudice".

Also this afternoon, the representative of Canada said that Nigeria had outraged the collective conscience of the world with the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other human rights defenders. His country would support Commonwealth and United Nations measures to promote full respect for human rights in that country.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Yemen, Croatia, Indonesia, Turkey and Pakistan.

The representatives of the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Iraq, China, Sudan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea spoke in exercise of the right of reply .

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday, 4 December, 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, which includes how the provisions of human rights instruments are being carried out, as well as alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of those rights. The Committee will also examine human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs 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); report of the Committee against Torture (document A/50/44) and one on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (document A/50/512); and a report by 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 of 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.)

On another 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 on the following: respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes (document A/50/495); 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); strengthening of the Centre for Human Rights (document A/50/678); and geographical composition and function of the staff of the Centre for Human Rights (document A/50/682).

Also before the Committee are: 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); report of the Secretary-General on the Recommendations made by his Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia (document A/50/681); report of the Secretary- General on 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); report of the Secretary-General on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/50/452); and report of the Secretary-General on enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections (document A/50/736).

Third Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

(For background on these reports, 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); three reports by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Rwanda (document A/50/709); and the report on the situation of human rights in Kosovo (document A/50/767). (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.)

The Committee is also expected to take action on a draft resolution by which the Assembly would invite Member States to attach greater importance to the improvement of the situation of rural women in their national development strategies, paying special attention to both their practical and their strategic needs (document A/C.3/50/L.24).

Under the terms of the text, the Assembly would request the international community, along with relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, to promote the realization of the programme and projects aimed at the improvement of the situation of rural women within the overall framework of integrated follow-up to recent global conferences. In addition, the World Food Summit, to be held in 1996, would be invited to give due consideration to the improvement of the situation of women in rural areas, taking into account their role in food production and food security. Also, the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) would be invited to give due consideration to the gender aspects of rural urban migration and its impact on the situation of rural women, in formulating relevant strategies and actions.

That draft is sponsored by Bangladesh, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines and Viet Nam.

Third Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

Statements

AMEER SALEM ALAIDEROOS (Yemen) said that respect for and application of human rights principles would strengthen the foundation for democracy. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action were a new beginning in the protection and promotion of human rights. The international community should deal with all human rights, as a global whole.

He said his Government had attached particular importance to guaranteeing respect for all human rights, enshrining those rights in its constitution and laws. It had also become party to most conventions in the human rights area, including the two international human rights covenants. His country had also been cooperating with the Commission on Human Rights, by submitting its reports on time. Further, because it believed that development was part of human rights, it had ensured the steady growth of the democratic process Yemen now had more than 20 political parties and organizations it was moving towards a free market economy. At the same time, selectivity, politicization and the use of double standards were an obstacle to the protection and promotion of human rights.

ROBERT FOWLER (Canada) said that his country was particularly troubled by the situation in Nigeria. Since General Sani Abacha came to power in 1993, after annulling the most fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria's history, his regime had disbanded all elected bodies, jailed democratic leaders, closed newspapers, repressed labour unions and minorities, given itself absolute legal power and immunity, and abolished the right of habeas corpus. Now, it had outraged the collective conscience of the world with the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other human rights defenders. Canada condemned that action in the strongest terms and would support Commonwealth and United Nations measures to promote full respect for human rights in Nigeria.

Canada remained concerned about the prolonged civil war in the Southern Sudan and the widespread violations of human rights and humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict, he said. His country was also convinced of the need for preventive action in Burundi, particularly in the form of international human rights monitors and technical assistance. In Rwanda, the arrest and prosecution of those suspected of crimes against humanity, based on sufficient evidence and with full regard and due process, was imperative.

He stated that with the peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia, the international community should now turn its attention to assisting the countries there to build and sustain a culture of respect of human rights. He also expressed concern about the human rights situations in Algeria, Jammu and Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Iran, Burma, China, and Viet Nam. The United Nations was still not adequately equipped to meet the growing demands confronting it in the field of human rights. The ability of the system to meet those demands and to promote human rights must be enhanced. Enhancing

Third Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

that ability was indispensable for economic and social development and was the only sure path to international peace and security.

Statements

AMEER SALEM ALAIDEROOS (Yemen) said that respect for and application of human rights principles would strengthen the foundation for democracy. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action were a new beginning in the protection and promotion of human rights. The international community should deal with all human rights, as a global whole.

He said his Government had attached particular importance to guaranteeing respect for all human rights, enshrining those rights in its constitution and laws. It had also become party to most conventions in the human rights area, including the two international human rights covenants. His country had also been cooperating with the Commission on Human Rights, by submitting its reports on time. Further, because it believed that development was part of human rights, it had ensured the steady growth of the democratic process. Yemen now had more than 20 political parties and organizations and was moving towards a free market economy. At the same time, selectivity, politicization and the use of double standards were an obstacle to the protection and promotion of human rights.

ROBERT FOWLER (Canada) said that his country was particularly troubled by the situation in Nigeria. Since General Sani Abacha came to power in 1993, after annulling the most fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria's history, his regime had disbanded all elected bodies, jailed democratic leaders, closed newspapers, repressed labour unions and minorities, given itself absolute legal power and immunity, and abolished the right of habeas corpus. Now, it had outraged the collective conscience of the world with the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other human rights defenders. Canada condemned that action in the strongest terms and would support Commonwealth and United Nations measures to promote full respect for human rights in Nigeria.

Canada remained concerned about the prolonged civil war in the Southern Sudan and the widespread violations of human rights and humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict, he said. His country was also convinced of the need for preventive action in Burundi, particularly in the form of international human rights monitors and technical assistance. In Rwanda, the arrest and prosecution of those suspected of crimes against humanity, based on sufficient evidence and with full regard and due process, was imperative.

He stated that with the peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia, the international community should now turn its attention to assisting the countries there to build and sustain a culture of respect of human rights. He also expressed concern about the human rights situations in Algeria, Jammu and

Third Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Iran, Burma, China, and Viet Nam. The United Nations was still not adequately equipped to meet the growing demands confronting it in the field of human rights. The ability of the system to meet those demands and to promote human rights must be enhanced. Enhancing that ability was indispensable for economic and social development and was the only sure path to international peace and security.

JOHN D. BIGGAR (Ireland) said that the reports of the special rapporteurs and the Commission on Human Rights bore testimony to the fact that in many parts of the world, freedom of religion and belief continued to be violated. Over the years, those reports had provided well-founded evidence of violations of the right to freedom and belief in many countries, including, but not limited to, Iran, Iraq, China, the former Yugoslavia and Sudan. In the most recent cases reported, persons who did not profess the religion of the majority had been subjected to systematic persecution on account of their beliefs. They had been subjected to summary execution, torture and other measures, which threatened the very existence of the religious communities in question.

He said that the protection and promotion of human rights was the first responsibility of governments. However, legal guarantees in themselves were not sufficient. Governments must ensure that rights were respected in practice and that all those within their jurisdiction, regardless of religion or belief, were treated equally. Restrictions or limitations on human rights should be kept to a minimum and any restrictions imposed must conform fully and strictly to international human rights standards. There was a growing need to inculcate tolerance at all levels of society for persons who professed divergent views. The education systems had an important role in promoting such understanding and tolerance.

HOSSEIN MEHRPOUR MOHAMMADABADI (Iran) said that for United Nations initiatives in the field of human rights to be more effective, the spirit of religion should be strengthened. Such a spirit was the "most profound source of brotherhood, justice and incentive for the eradication of cruelty and prejudice". Educational projects, worldwide, needed to reflect that. In addition, selectivity must be abandoned when dealing with human rights questions. Also, the United Nations mechanisms and procedures to investigate human rights practices should not be used as political leverage against certain States. His country was making extensive efforts at the executive, administrative and legislative levels to remove any obstacles that hindered the proper implementation of human rights principles.

LJUBINKO MATESIC (Croatia) said there should be no attempt to create a hierarchy of rights, since all human rights, including the right to development, were equal. Furthermore, cultural, economic and societal differences needed to be considered when addressing the issue of respect for

Third Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

human rights. However, they should not serve as excuses for the failure by certain States to respect the internationally recognized human rights of their citizens.

His Government was deeply concerned for the Croatian community in Serbia and Montenegro -- especially in the province of Vojvodina -- which had been subjected to murder and terror. It was disturbing that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) refused to recognize the existence of a Croatian national minority in its territory.

During the course of operation "storm" of last August, only 116 Croatian Serb civilians had died, he continued. However, more than 100,000 Croatian soldiers and special police, and more than 30,000 Serbian paramilitaries had been involved in the fighting. Furthermore, Croatian security forces had suffered hundreds of casualties and 42 ethnic Croat civilians were killed in the operation, most of them fleeing Serb paramilitaries. Given those facts, he was surprised at the amount of criticism that had been levelled against his Government by certain circles of the international community, who had given hasty, inaccurate and exaggerated information on human rights abuses. The term "ethnic cleansing" had been invented by Serbian commanders to describe their genocidal policies. The term had been applied only by them. His Government had never referred to any of its actions as such.

HOCINE SAHRAOUI (Algeria) called for a global and integrated approach to questions relating to human rights. His country's attachment to human rights and fundamental freedoms had been demonstrated by its ratification of various existing Conventions. Furthermore, pluralist elections had recently taken place in his country, in order to further solidify democracy.

Terrorism was the most serious and radical violation of human rights, he continued. Terrorist groups and individuals intended to deprive society of its fundamental rights. Fanatical terrorists felt no remorse when killing children, women, intellectuals or journalists. In addition, such groups benefitted from the publicity surrounding the murders they committed. His Government was determined to conduct a dialogue with non-violent political groups within its territory. It further sought to protect the fundamental rights of its population, and to put an end to terrorist religious extremist groups.

ISSLAMET POERNOMO (Indonesia) said that his country remained deeply committed to implementation of the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and human rights should be addressed on the basis of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity. Questions of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights should be accorded equal importance. However, many developing countries, which were faced with increasingly limited resources, were hindered by an imbalance in their approach to human rights. They had made great

Third Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

strides in strengthening their political institutions, but poverty and underdevelopment hindered their efforts to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights.

At the same time, he continued, civil and political aspects of human rights seemed to command greater international attention and resources. Greater efforts needed to be made in support of economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to development. His country was determined to enhance the standard of living of the people and to elevate the human condition, so that they might enjoy true freedom. Included in that goal was the maintenance of a strong democratic system that was responsive to both the will and the needs of its people.

AHMET ARDA (Turkey) said that his country considered human rights as absolute, contrary to some others who interpreted such rights as partial rights. It was a fact that human rights were subjected to violation and destruction by certain groups and even individuals.

The so-called champions of human rights had watched the gross human rights violations that had continued unabated for three-and-a-half years in Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in the loss of 250,000 lives and millions of displaced persons, he said. Now, hopes for peace had flourished in Dayton. However, justice for the victims of the atrocities was the prerequisite for a lasting peace in the region. That justice must be accompanied by a sense of justice in the minds of all citizens. In other words, there must be a difference in the treatment of the perpetrators of those atrocities and their victims. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.

He said that the human rights situation in Kosovo continued to deteriorate. The repression against Albanians, with the aim of altering the ethnic composition of the population of Kosovo, created an environment of fear. The international community must, therefore, give due attention to the situation of human rights in Kosovo, with a view to bringing about a durable solution.

His country was committed to safeguarding and further expanding individual rights and freedoms, he said. It was constantly reviewing legislation, with a view to further expanding human rights and fundamental freedoms. The growing awareness of human rights and fundamental freedoms could only be achieved through human rights education. Courses in democracy and human rights had been introduced as part of the obligatory curriculum for primary and secondary schools, and for university graduate programmes, as well as police academies.

MIRZA M. NASIR BAIG (Pakistan) said that the appointment of special rapporteurs, special representatives and experts should be an impartial and objective response by the United Nations to grave human rights situations

Third Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

throughout the world. Every effort should be made to avoid politicization, so that the countries under scrutiny did not fight the appointment of the rapporteurs. Selectivity discredited the human rights machinery and contributed to a lack of confidence in its ability to address human rights concerns effectively.

On Jammu and Kashmir, he said that Pakistan hoped that India would take steps "to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights and to take the necessary measures to limit and punish abuses by those individuals who should enforce the law", as recommended by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since the High Commissioner's visit to the area, there had been no improvement in the respect for universal human rights in Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, the situation had deteriorated. One week after the High Commissioner left, Indian forces stormed the town of Chara-i-Sharif, set the entire town on fire, gutted 1,000 houses, and destroyed and desecrated the shrine of Hazrat Nooruddin Noorani, the holiest saint in Jammu and Kashmir. The cosmetic measures aimed at transparency taken by the Indian Government were a ploy to mislead international opinion.

He hoped that the Centre for Human Rights would continue to provide technical assistance to developing countries. Such assistance should help them build their capacities for the protection of human rights, particularly in the preparation of national plans, development of national instruments, evolution of national institutions and training of personnel in the field of human rights. Pakistan had established a human rights cell in the federal Government to monitor human rights violations. The widespread discrimination against women had to be eliminated through concerted efforts at the international level. Women in developing countries were victims of hunger, poverty and disease. Also, if the right to development was addressed effectively, some basic and recurring causes of human rights violations in developing countries could be eliminated.

Right of Reply

SUNGNAM LIM (Republic of Korea) referred to the statement made by the representative of the Democratic People's of Korea as "malicious". How could that country speak about human rights when its Government was based on a totalitarian system with more than 100,000 political prisoners? he asked. Furthermore, he doubted that the population there was well served economically. It was well known that people in that country could not even move freely from province to province. Unlike that country, his country was a true democracy. With regard to the National Security Law, it existed as a result of North Korea's aggression and its goal of reunifying the Korean peninsula. North Korea was not in a position to speak about human rights.

Mr. ARDA (Turkey) said, unlike what the European Union had said, there was full democracy in his country. Furthermore, all existing political

Third Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

parties were determined to safeguard and protect democracy. His country was facing a terrorist group, the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), who had started a brutal campaign of terror. Serious human rights problems existed in the European Union, such as racism. Many Turks living in Europe faced such racism. He called for non-interference in his country's affairs. Each country was obliged to protect the security of their citizens and to take measures towards that end. The European Union needed to cease their ambivalent attitudes towards the issues related to terrorism.

MOHAMMAD ALDOURI (Iraq), in response to the statement by the representative of Canada, said that the representative took his information from the report of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq. Iraq had tried to prove that the report had political dimensions. The representative of Canada should know that the Shiites represented a large percentage of the Iraqi population. They belonged to a faction of the Islamic religion, not to a different religion. The representative of Canada should, therefore, verify his information from sources other than the report of the special rapporteur. Also, the area of Kurdish self-rule in Iraq was not under the authority of the central Government. It was, rather, under United States protection and mandate.

As for the allegation of political killing, did the representative of Canada have any valid evidence to present on that matter, he asked. Further, his Government refused to accept Security Council resolution 968, because it did not allow for the export of oil to improve the humanitarian situation in Iraq. Rather, it sought to impose new conditions that would not be accepted by any people.

Regarding the statement by the representative of Ireland on religious intolerance in Iraq, he stated that there was no religious intolerance in his country. Iraq was known for tolerance for all religions and factions. It had very distinguished relations with the Holy See and an annual Christian conference was held in Iraq. Also, there were two Christian ministers in the Government. That did not bear witness to religious intolerance.

PANG SENG (China) said that some countries had become addicted to attacking other countries. The representative of Ireland was very seriously afflicted with that addiction. He had forgotten the religious characteristics of his own country and the restrictions on his own people. He had attacked the religious policy of China. He asked if the representative had any idea about how many religions and religious believers there were in China, or the religious procedure in Tibet with regard to the reincarnation boy. He should refrain from making irresponsible comments about other countries.

KUOL ALOR (Sudan) said Canada and Ireland had turned "a blind eye and a deaf ear" to the report of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in his country. In that report, his country had responded to all

Third Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/SHC/3341 47th Meeting (PM) 1 December 1995

allegations. His Government was willing to cooperate fully if the rapporteur agreed to end his "insulting comments" against the Islamic religion. The special rapporteur could not continue with its insulting position against all muslims. His remarks had created bitter feelings from all muslims worldwide. Once the special rapporteur changed his attitude about the Islamic religion, he would be welcomed to the Sudan. Soon after the introduction of his report, the special rapporteur had departed to London, where he had addressed a group who intended to use sabotage and terrorist activities against the Government of the Sudan.

RI SONG IL (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said he could not accept the slandering words by the Republic of Korea. South Korean human rights should be improved. They could be regarded as the most abusive of human rights. The President of that country had been involved in money laundering. By such actions, "one could imagine how serious the violations of human rights are in South Korea". The National Security Law suppressed the movement of the South Korean people and regarded North Koreans as enemies. There were many people detained in prisons because of that law, he added.

SUNGNAM LIM (Republic of Korea) said that there was a story in his country about a fisherman from South Korea and one from North Korea who went fishing on the sides of the river in their respective countries. The South Korean fisherman caught a lot of fish, but the North Korean did not. When the North Korean fisherman asked his South Korean counterpart why he did not catch any fish, the South Korean responded that in North Korea, even the fish were afraid to open their mouths.

LI SONG IL (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said that the threat of war in the Korean peninsula came from the South, not the North.

* *** *