RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT MUST BE FULLY RECOGNIZED AS HUMAN RIGHT, CHINA TELLS THIRD COMMITTEE

6 November 1998

Press Release
GA/SHC/3500

RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT MUST BE FULLY RECOGNIZED AS HUMAN RIGHT, CHINA TELLS THIRD COMMITTEE

19981106 Use of Economic Sanctions, Human Rights as Policy Weapon Also Addressed, as Committee Continues Consideration of Human Rights Matters

Full recognition should be given to the importance of the right to subsistence and the right to development in the promotion of human rights, the representative of China told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon, when it met to continue consideration of human rights matters.

The aggravated economic difficulties in many developing countries, where more than 1 billion people lived below the poverty level, posed serious obstacles to the universal exercise of basic human rights, he added. Moreover, certain countries had imposed sanctions on developing countries and even threatened the use of force against them, which was a serious violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The representative of Turkey said allegations concerning human rights violations in other countries should neither serve as material for domestic political consumption, nor be used to exploit hidden agendas. The record of the international community, in that context, was not promising. It had failed to act in Africa, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it had failed to move even when the whole world was closely monitoring the immense suffering caused by genocidal atrocities, ethnic cleansing and systematic mass rapes. That same tragic situation should not be repeated in Kosovo, he said. The decisions of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna had emphasized that food and economic measures should not be used as a political weapon, the representative of Sudan said. The conference had also equated economic sanctions as a flagrant violation of human rights, and called for an end to all double standards. Human rights must not be used as a weapon to impose certain policies. Statements were also made by the representatives of Guatemala, Lithuania, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Yemen, Rwanda, Venezuela, Tunisia and Afghanistan, as well as the observer of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Exercising their rights of reply were the representatives of Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iraq, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malaysia, Singapore, Uganda, Rwanda and Eritrea. The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m., Monday, 9 November, to continue its consideration of the matters related to human rights.

Third Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to continue consideration of alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives. (For background information on reports before the Committee, see press releases GA/SHC/3494 of 4 November, and GA/SHC/3499 of 6 November.)

Statements

LUIS CARRANZA (Guatemala) said it was his country's intention to focus on compliance with the peace agreements of December 1996. Some of his Government's priorities were improving security for its citizens and institution building, but it relied on support from international organizations for cooperation in various fields, such as training. In general, the human rights situation in his country had improved. One of the factors in achieving progress was the cooperation of the United Nations in the human rights area.

Reconciliation could take place with the necessary political will and the resolute support of its citizens, he continued. Guatemala had passed through different stages of economic, social and political development. It had engaged in constitutional reform, the struggle against impunity, and made international commitments by signing various human rights instruments. Action had been taken to strengthen the rule of law and the enjoyment of human rights and democracy by all its citizens.

To enhance the mechanism for implementing legislation to achieve those objectives, education in the field of human rights had to be emphasized, he said. There had to be an awareness of, and respect for, all human rights, including economic and cultural rights. In building a culture of peace, there had to be an investment as intense as the investment in war. Control in the arms trade was needed and those resources had to be used instead for development and human rights education. During the last decade, the expectations for democracy and human rights had increased in Guatemala and there was a direct relationship between development, human rights and democracy. The peace agreement was more than a set of commitments to be honoured; it was a strategic element necessary for Guatemala's transformation as a new nation.

RYTIS PAULAUSKAS (Lithuania) said his country had aligned itself with the statement made by Austria on behalf of the European Union. In order to ensure not only equal rights of women, but also their equal opportunities to participate in political, social economic and cultural life, Lithuania approved the Lithuanian Women's Advancement Programme, which was developed by joint efforts of governmental and public organizations. The Programme was

Third Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

targeted at essential areas, including protection of women's rights, women in politics and administration, women's health, family planning, and women and environmental protection.

In Lithuania, assistance to children who experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence was provided by the children's rights protection agencies, police and medical institutions, he continued. Intensive training and education in the field of human rights for law enforcement officials, to ensure their observance of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, was also taking place. The generous assistance that facilitated the reform process had been provided by the Nordic countries and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Moreover, the international community should not overlook the increasing role of civil society in building awareness of and protection for human rights in his country.

SHEN GUOFANG (People's Republic of China) said though the cold war had ended, local wars and armed conflict persisted, endangering many lives. The negative impacts of economic globalization had aggravated economic difficulties in many developing countries. Today, more than 1 billion people lived below the poverty level and such problems posed serious obstacles to the universal exercise of basic human rights. Moreover, certain countries had imposed sanctions on developing countries and even threatened the use of force against them, which was a serious violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Differences and disputes should be addressed on the basis of the United Nations Charter and the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

Further, full recognition should be given to the importance of the right to subsistence and the right to development in the promotion of human rights, he said. Thus, all countries should help the developing countries overcome difficulties in their economic development. His Government had participated in all the meetings of the working group in relation to the draft declaration on the right and responsibility of individuals, groups and organs of society to promote and protect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. His Government believed the draft declaration established a basic framework for individuals, groups and organs of society engaged in human rights activities.

He said differences in the treatment of human rights issues often boiled down to whether one strove to find common ground or to accentuate differences; whether one sought dialogue or confrontation. In the interests of common efforts for the promotion of human rights, all countries should endeavour to enhance exchanges, promote understanding and reduce differences on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

RIM YONG CHOL (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said there had been no change in the human rights field for half a century, except that the East-West confrontation had been converted into a North-South dispute. When human rights issues were addressed, the thinking rooted in the cold war era

Third Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

remained. Human rights was being extremely politicized and used as a tool for interference in internal affairs. Some countries accused other States of human rights violations and forced them to change their political and economic system, while discussing the human rights issue of their allies. Worse, they put pressure on those States by resorting to military power and economic blockade.

The States that suffered were either States from such acts that maintained an independent stand or developing countries that had peculiar socio-economic or political systems. They were being accused of human rights violation based on the policies they pursued not their actions. If such practices were not stopped, human rights deliberations would engender only mistrust between States.

He said States should refrain from such behaviour and from using human rights, in particular, as a tool for converting the socio-economic system of a sovereign State. Human rights platform under the United Nations system should be turned into places conducive to practical consultations and dialogues for the protection and promotion of human rights. Confrontation gave rise to accelerated dispute, conflict and bloodshed, whereas cooperation brought forth mutual understanding, joint efforts and progress.

AHMET ARDA (Turkey) said allegations concerning human rights violations in other countries should neither serve as material for domestic political consumption, nor be used to exploit hidden agendas. The record of the international community, in that context, was not promising. It had failed to act in Africa as it failed to act in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It had failed to move even when the whole world was closely monitoring for years, the immense sufferings caused by genocidal atrocities, ethnic cleansing and systematic mass rapes. It had a responsibility not to allow the same tragic situation to be repeated in Kosovo, or anywhere else.

His country constantly reviewed its legislation, enacted new laws and adopted new administrative measures to overcome any shortcomings regarding human rights, he said. It was disappointed with the allegations contained in the statement made on behalf of the European Union. The opinion seemed to be that the Union was closely monitoring the human rights situation in Turkey, but seemed not to be the case. His Government cooperated closely not only with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, but also with the Council of Europe, through a constant dialogue in the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of that institution. Turkey had invited one special rapporteur and a working group to visit the country. It attached great importance to a constructive dialogue with the thematic rapporteurs.

OMAR SEDEIG (Sudan) said his country would soon see free elections following the approval of its Parliament. It was regrettable that certain countries, which assumed the protection of human rights in different parts of the world, violated all established instruments and customs. He referred to

Third Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

what the United States had done against Sudan in August. The building which was bombed was one that was built through Sudan's own efforts and resources. The destruction of the factory deprived the Sudanese people of basic medical services. The unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States was a violation of human rights. The total cessation of the importation of spare parts for airplanes and agricultural machinery had impeded the transportation of assistance to the people affected in southern Sudan.

The decisions of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna had emphasized that food and economic measures should not be used as a political weapon, he said. It had also emphasized that economic sanctions were a flagrant violation of human rights. Sudan reasserted its commitment to cooperate with United Nations bodies, especially the Commission on Human Rights, and to continue cooperation with the new rapporteur on human rights in the Sudan. He stressed the need to put an end to all double standards, in the rights of certain countries were examined, while others were neglected. Human rights must not be used as a weapon to impose certain policies. Finally, violations of human rights were being carried out in all States, and efforts must be made to ensure that all citizens could enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms.

NORIA AL-HAMAMI (Yemen) said the idea of human rights was among the greatest achievements of the twentieth century. Human rights had become part of the culture of many States. They enjoyed universal approval and were included in many constitutions. Her Government, one of the least developed countries on the planet, was doing everything it could to create a solid civil society, through the support of human rights institutions, such as the National Human Rights Committee.

That Committee made proposals, which were submitted to the Assembly for action, she said. A High Commission for Human Rights had also been created, as part of the State's human rights policy. The Commission had organized seminars and educational programmes, with a view towards introducing them into the school curriculum. The Commission on Human Rights, at its fifty-fourth session in Geneva, had recognized Yemen's efforts in human rights and withdrew consideration of the human rights of Yemen from its agenda. Yemen was deficient in implementation, but was evolving and improving all dimensions of human rights.

GIDEON KAYINAMURA (Rwanda) said his Government regretted that gross human rights violations, including genocide, continued to plague mankind. Such actions should be condemned in the most unequivocal terms. In that regard, he called on the international community to condemn recent statements on radio and television by President Laurent Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had incited people to exterminate Congolese citizens of Rwandan origin. For his country's part, Rwanda had been trying to promote respect for human rights, the rule of law, and national reconciliation. For

Third Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

example, it had abolished ethnic identity cards, which had been used in the past to differentiate among the otherwise indistinguishable characteristics of the Rwandan people.

Further, an all-inclusive and non-sectarian Parliament and Government of national unity had been formed, he said. The Government had organized seminars on national reconciliation and the reintegration of Rwandan returnees throughout the country. The Rwandans who remained outside were there on their own accord, or were opportunists, using false excuses to seek asylum when they were in fact looking for greener pastures. His Government faced a problem of dealing with more than 100,000 prisoners. Those people had been accused of involvement in the 1994 genocide campaign, which had resulted in the decimation of more than 1 million Rwandans in 90 days.

For its part, he said, Rwanda had established a national human rights commission, which would include: training of national human rights monitors; initiation of human rights education programmes; and establishing a national centre for human rights, as an information clearing-house and training centre. Concluding, he said the vast jungle of the Democratic Republic of the Congo contained all kinds of criminal armies that were causing havoc in neighbouring countries. He would challenge that Government to refute publicly the statements made by President Kabila that had incited killings, among other things.

ADRIANA PULIDO (Venezuela) said the promotion and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms were crucial to her country's national policies, both domestic and foreign. Venezuela had consistently taken steps to strengthen the international regime in that field and it had ratified a number of human rights instruments. It was up to governments not only to make sure that the State upheld human rights, but that the various sectors of civil society also upheld human rights principles and allowed all members of society to enjoy those rights.

She said her Government had been working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the creation of concrete programmes to enhance the protection of human rights. A programme of work had been adopted to bring about a national agenda on human rights -- it identified specific objectives and looked at what action was needed to bring about the realization of human rights. It included representatives of labour, business, academics, and organizations that defended human rights, among others.

Venezuela had also created a national commission on human rights policy coordination to serve as a link between the thinking of the State and civil society. That commission's work led to the adoption of a series of measures. Their focus had been on the reform of the judiciary and the penal system. The new system was intended to speed up trials and provide less detention time for detainees. It included measures to improve the quality of life for prisoners and to educate government employees working in the field of human rights.

Third Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

ILHEM AMMAR (Tunisia) said her Government welcomed the standardization of norms for human rights, as well as the expansion of capacity for protection and promotion of human rights. Human rights was important in civil society and the support for the judiciary, legislative reform, administrative review, and law enforcement personnel and procedures. The draft declaration on the right and responsibility of individuals, groups and organs of society to promote and protect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms went hand-in-hand with other human rights. That declaration had been drafted after years of consideration.

The declaration showed the pivotal role of the State in enacting human rights, she said. It would guarantee the sustainable and harmonious relations of society. Everyone had a right to a standard of living, including all the basic requirements of life. Those would include security, in the event of unemployment or old age, among others. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action had linked democracy, development and human rights, taking all those to be indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Her Government was taking measures for sustained democratization, with reforms to consolidate democracy and pluralism.

JOSE ANTONIO LINATI-BOSCH, Permanent Observer of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, said the Order, constituted nine centuries ago, was the oldest surviving humanitarian entity. He said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights contained all the points that must be combined in order to guarantee the acknowledgement of the inherent dignity of all human beings and the inalienable rights of all members of the human family. The lack of discrimination by reason of race, sex, language or religion; the liberty and security of individuals; the right to life; the abolition of slavery and torture, equality before the law; the liberty of residence, the right to family and property, and the right of association and union were among the points included in the Declaration, together with the right to receive education, to health and well-being and many others.

At the same time, it must not be forgotten how distant many of those objectives still were, he said. More than 800 million people in the world were undernourished or living in abject poverty. Worse, nothing seemed to indicate that the tragic situation would improve in the foreseeable future. The same could be said of other issues. Drugs, prostitution, racism (of whatever colour) and armed conflicts continued to constitute a scourge for an incredible number of human beings. Ignorance constituted a type of slavery whose chains were more difficult to remove than those of traditional slavery because they were invisible.

He said nobody could haggle over the help to be given. From the right to be born to the right to a dignified death, human life must be protected in an efficient manner. Today, that was not being done. Fifty million children were victims of armed conflict. Dedication and organization were needed. The protection of civil rights was a matter that concerned each State under the

Third Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

limits of its sovereignty. But when a government was unable or unwilling to accomplish that mission, the responsibility fell on the international community.

RAVAN FARHADI (Afghanistan) said his delegation welcomed the Secretary-General's report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan and it warmly accepted its recommendations. The situation had been difficult, due to sectarian violence, and reports from Afghanistan had been shocking. Violence had affected women and children, and their right to life had not been recognized. In accordance with the recognized principles of international law, those who incite another person to commit a crime were considered guilty of that crime. Many Pakistanis fought in Afghanistan, in addition to the Taliban. Fighting in Afghanistan warranted the concern of the international community. The appeasement policy of the United Nations toward the Taliban had emboldened them.

Rights of reply

The representative of Ethiopia said the international community had heard the usual distortions from the representative of Eritrea. All the hue and cry was to hoodwink the international community from the blatant aggression committed against Ethiopia. Her Government had been forced to take precautionary measures -- because of possible spying -- for reasons of national security. The President of Eritrea was on record as saying it was easy to strike at the heart of Ethiopia.

From the beginning, his Government had been conducting an investigation of officials and functionaries of the Eritrean Liberation Front, who had been mobilizing for a war of aggression and spying. There were former conscripts and soldiers who had infiltrated Ethiopia, because of her Government's liberal visa policy, to commit terrorist acts.

Her country was an open society and all its activities were monitored by the international community, including by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which had made visits to prisoners of war. Contrary to allegations, all her Government's actions had been humane and transparent. Eritrea's allegations were machinations to destabilize Ethiopia. That explained the vicious twisting of facts. The representative of Eritrea had said Ethiopia was ready to deport any foreigner. That was a distortion, taking a statement out of its context. In responding to journalists, the Prime Minister had said that any foreigners could live with all rights protected, as long as they were there legally. The Government could not deport its own nationals -- those that had been deported were Eritreans.

The representative of Saudi Arabia said that his country's judiciary regime guaranteed the right to a defense of those who were accused. The death penalty could only be applied on the verdict of the highest authority. Austria, on behalf of the European Union, mentioned things in its statement

Third Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

that were not true -- information that had come from sources that were not official. Religious tolerance was an essential condition for guaranteeing human rights and Saudi Arabia recognized that principle of tolerance.

The representative of Algeria said the European Union had discovered a new vocation, that of being the goalkeeper and protector of human rights. One must remember, however, that human rights belonged to all and all countries must work to defend those rights. That should not be done by handing out insults. Human rights were indivisible and his country had undertaken to promote rights, despite unrest. What was the moral authority invoked by the European Union? For decades it was silent during colonialism, the most hideous violation of human rights. He added that the representative of Norway should look at human rights in his own country and report to the Commission on time.

The representative of Iraq said there was a need to speak the truth. The allegations made by the Special Rapporteur should not be accepted here as they were made for political reasons and had nothing to do with human rights. The European Union had then exaggerated what the Rapporteur had said. His Government was keeping up with all the requirements of implementing human rights, including submitting reports on time. What were the Iraqi people enduring, due to the blockade imposed on Iraq? he asked. That was a crime being judged by the entire world. The European Union representative would have done better to talk about the continuation of that situation.

In addition, he said, the representative of Norway had mentioned the murder of two religious leaders. Had the Norwegian representative been in the room when Iraq's representative had told the Committee that Iraq had arrested the murderers? The murderers would be brought to justice, he said.

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said the Committee had been distracted by the slanderous lies of the Rwandan delegation. The representative of Rwanda had denied his country's involvement in aggression, but it been publicly recognized that Rwanda had sent troops to the Congo when the so-called rebellion broke out. The Rwandan leader should be prosecuted for the massacres and injustices.

He said the Rwandan-Ugandan forces had been expelled, but there were still ongoing massacres, aimed at the systematic elimination of civilians in the Congo. He cited several such incidents, including the rape of 57 young women, the torching of three villages in September and the shooting down of an aircraft in October, which killed 40 people.

The representive of Malaysia said, in response to the statement by the European Union, that freedom, including the freedom of speech and of assembly, were guaranteed in the constitution of Malaysia. His country was very concerned about reports of a detained prisoner that had been mistreated and it had ordered a full investigation into the matter. The Malaysian Government

Third Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

did not support any mistreatment of detainees. His Government protected the rights of speech and peaceful assembly while ensuring that such rights were not abused by some individuals.

The representative of Singapore said the delegations of Norway and Austria stated that the abolition of the death penalty was a step towards instituting the principles of human rights. However, in the Economic and Social Council's joint statement on the death penalty, 54 States disassociated themselves from the resolution of the Commission on Human Rights condemning the death penalty. There was no increasing trend toward the abolition of capital punishment. Not only was there no consensus, but support for such resolutions had declined.

Abolition of the death penalty did not necessarily contribute to human dignity, he continued. The right to life of the convicted had to be balanced with the rights of the victims of crime, as well as with the greater right of society to live in peace, protected from crime. The international covenant on civil and political rights explicitly recognized the right of countries to impose the death penalty for capital crimes.

The representative of Eritrea said he had no intention of responding to charges of aggression by Ethiopia. Those charges had been addressed in the past in the Committee. In regard to the spies that were expelled by Ethiopia, a profile of them showed that many were priests, nuns, United Nations employees and infants, among others. Those were hardly the people who could be spies. In addition, their conviction was made without due process and they had no right of appeal. "It was time to tell the Ethiopian representative to put up or shut up", he said.

The representative of Rwanda said the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had not been able to respond to the challenges he gave him. A radio broadcast by President Kabila on 8 August called for the Congolese population to use spades and other weapons to kill Rwandan Tutsis. The jungle of eastern Congo had become a home for criminal elements and after the radio broadcasts, those killings started. No country could allow itself to be attacked by criminal armies.

The representative of Uganda said the problems faced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo did not come from Uganda or neighbouring countries -- the problem was internal. His country's presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the Government of President Kabila. The forces of Uganda would withdraw if the tentative security arrangements for Uganda were made and if general peace in the area would be guaranteed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The representative of that country should spare the Committee of the allegations, because it was a waste of the Committee's time.

Third Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/SHC/3500 38th Meeting (PM) 6 November 1998

The representative of Ethiopia said those expelled from her country were accused of causing havoc. The issue of nationality was very complex when a country separates. Ethiopia and Eritrea were one country until 1993. To illustrate that complexity, the representative of Eritrea was an Ethiopian citizen until 1993. Then he elected to become an Eritrean citizen. Those who were deported were Eritrean nationals who elected for Eritrean citizenship.

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that the delegation of Rwanda was not able to meet the challenge he put to it. It simply hid behind another challenge. His country did not need the respect of Rwanda. It was the shame of Africa. The genocide in Rwanda was committed by Rwandese -- "they perpetrated genocide, not us". As for Uganda, his Government had found Ugandan citizens 2,000 kilometers from their border, acting as vandals. There were no internal conflicts in the Democratic Republic.

The representative of Eritrea said that his response to the Ethiopian representative was, where were the documents? The Eritrean delegation presented viable documents proving their case, the Eritrean delegation only made charges. The Secretary-General's report considered those expelled from Ethiopia to be Ethiopian citizens. Ethiopians of Eritrean origin worked and paid their taxes in Ethiopia. While he was an Ethiopian citizen before 1993, he was jailed in Ethiopia and had to leave that country.

The representative of Uganda said there were sheltered terrorists in the jungles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and that was why Uganda was there. His Government needed to be satisfied that those terrorists were not supported and would not attack his country.

* *** *