ECOSOC ADOPTS TEXTS ON PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE, LEBANESE DETAINEES IN ISRAEL, HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR

ECOSOC ADOPTS TEXTS ON PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE, LEBANESE DETAINEES

IN ISRAEL, HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR

Begins Consideration of Human Rights and Indigenous Issues

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 23 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this morning began its adoption of texts recommended to it by the Commission on Human Rights with the adoption of a resolution concerning the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and two decisions concerning, respectively, Lebanese detainees held in Israel and the human rights situation in Myanmar.

With its adoption, by a vote of 33 in favour, and one against, with

17 abstentions, of the resolution on physical and mental health, the Council recommended that the General Assembly declare 2007 the United Nations Year for Violence Prevention.

The decision concerning Lebanese detainees in Israel was adopted by a vote of 26 in favour, and 2 against, with 24 abstentions.  Finally, on the subject of the human rights situation in Myanmar, the Council adopted, without a vote, a decision by which it endorsed the decision of the Commission on Human Rights to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar for a further year.

The Council also began its debate on human rights and indigenous issues.

Bertrand Ramcharan, Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, introduced the report of the High Commissioner which provided information on developments in the human rights area likely to be of particular interest to the Council, including the human rights dimension of work on the Millennium Development Goals; poverty reduction; health; HIV/AIDS; education; food; housing; disability; trafficking in human persons; and globalization and trade.

Ole Henrik Magga, Chairman of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, said that indigenous peoples were among the world’s most marginalized, poorest, least healthy, least educated and highly unemployed peoples.  Yet indigenous peoples came before the international community, not merely to seek assistance, but to offer their experiences.  The Permanent Forum was aware of the unique and challenging mandate entrusted to it by the Council; with the support of the Council, the Forum would maintain its important role providing a unique international space for dialogue between indigenous peoples and States.

Within the general discussion, speakers raised issues concerning the future working relationship between the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, emphasizing that their mandates were complementary, not overlapping.  They also addressed issues related to the work of the Human Rights Commission, highlighting its progress and expressing concern as to time constraints, increased politicization and selectivity in country-specific resolutions.

Addressing the Council this morning were the representatives of the United States, Ukraine, Russian Federation, China, Syria, Cuba, Libya, Mexico, Egypt, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Australia, Lebanon, Italy (on behalf of the European Union), Japan and Myanmar.

Also addressing the Council were representatives of the Indigenous World Association, Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Peoples' Centre for Documentation, Research and Information, the International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations and the Juridical Commission for Auto-Development of First Andean Peoples.

Representatives of the following countries spoke in explanation of vote or of position:  United States, Brazil, Israel, Australia, Lebanon, Italy (on behalf the European Union), Japan and Myanmar.

Speaking in right of reply were representatives of Zimbabwe, Israel and Lebanon.

The Council will meet again this afternoon at 3 p.m. to continue with the general debate and to take action on remaining draft resolutions.

Documents

Before the Council, there is a report of the Secretary-General on Information concerning indigenous issues requested by ECOSOC (document E/2003/72) which states that comments made by States and indigenous and non-governmental organizations relate mainly to the mechanisms established to address indigenous issues in the United Nations Secretariat.  These were the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, the Working Group on the United Nations draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, and the Permanent Forum on indigenous issues.  Some States have expressed concern about possible duplication of indigenous issues, while indigenous organizations have signaled their unanimous support for the continuation of all existing mechanisms.  There is an annex to the report which provides an outline of the mandates and outputs of the four mechanisms. 

There is a report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Economic and Social Council (document E/2003/73) which states that the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is to help promote and protect all human rights, economic, social and cultural, and civil and political.  The Office does this by seeking to contribute to the efforts of the principal organs of the United Nations.  This report provides information on developments in the human rights area that are likely to be of particular interest to the Council.  Taking into account the mandate of the Council, this report concentrates on the human rights dimension of the work in the following substantive areas: the Millennium Development Goals; poverty reduction; health; HIV/AIDS; education; food; housing; disability; trafficking in persons; and globalization and trade. 

There is a letter from the Secretary-General to the President of ECOSOC (document E/2003/78) on the obligations of Malaysia, as reflected by the International Court of Justice, concerning Dato’ Param Cumaraswamy’s legal expenses.

There is a letter from the Chairperson of the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on Human Rights to the President of ECOSOC (document E/2003/79) informing ECOSOC of two relevant new proposals adopted by the Commission this year.  These are a resolution on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan in which the Commission requested the Secretary-General to appoint an independent expert for a period of one year; and a resolution on technical cooperation and advisory services in Liberia, in which the Commission decided to appoint an Independent Expert for an initial period of three years. 

There is a note by the Secretariat (document E/2003/92) which transmits information on the working paper prepared by the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on the Study on Treaties, Agreements and Constructive arrangements between States and Indigenous Populations.  

Introduction of Report

BERTRAND RAMCHARAN, Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the history of the United Nations had offered one important lesson:  one could not achieve peace or development without respect for human rights -- economic, social and cultural, and civil and political.  The report which he had the honour of presenting to ECOSOC today provided information on developments in the human rights area that were likely to be of particular interest to the Council.  Taking into account the mandate of the Council, the report concentrated on the human rights dimension of work on the Millennium Development Goals; poverty reduction; health; HIV/AIDS; education; food; housing; disability; trafficking in human persons; and globalization and trade. 

Concerning poverty reduction, Mr. Ramcharan said the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights had recently adopted a statement which defined poverty, for the first time, from a human rights perspective: a human condition characterized by sustained chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”.  He asked how this definition would feature in the work of ECOSOC and its deliberations.  Also stressed to ECOSOC were new developments and their relationship to human rights with regard to health, HIV/AIDS, education, food, and housing.  Concerning disability, it was highlighted that over 600 million persons –- approximately 10 per cent of the world’s population -– suffered from some type of disability and that over two-thirds of them lived in developing countries. 

With regards to globalization and trade, the report stated that by linking the norms and standards of international human rights law to the processes of globalization and trade liberalization, a human rights approach sought to place the human rights of individuals and groups at the heart of economic processes so that globalization and trade could benefit all.  In conclusion, he said that the links between social, economic and other spheres of the lives of individuals and society found their reflection in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.  The United Nations human rights programme was based on and implemented this concept.  He was confident that ECOSOC would wish to do so as well.  

      Statements

SICHAN SIV(United States) said the United States set the highest priority to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and was pleased with the steps a number of countries had taken in the direction of democracy and a culture of human rights.  The United States continued to encourage and support initiatives designed to provide protection and quality of life.  At the same time, many more governments continued to roll back the progress and the United States strongly urged Member States to support and advance the work of related functional commissions of ECOSOC by continuing to hold countries accountable to their citizens.  For every example of positive change, there were examples of work to be done; human rights that remained to be secured, and people’s voices that remained to be heard. 

The people of Cuba continued to suffer under the oppressive dictatorship of a government-for-life.  Unable to freely elect or change their leadership, they were denied the right to due and humane judicial processes.  The situations in Chechnya, Belarus, and Turkmenistan were also raised.  The citizens of North Korea suffered under severe repression and were denied their human rights by a government that starved and enslaved its own citizens.  References were also made to the civil and political human rights situation in Zimbabwe and China. 

M. SKURATOVSKYI (Ukraine) said that his Government attached great importance to the role played by international human rights instruments in promoting and protecting human rights, to which end Ukraine was striving to bring its legislation in the area of human rights into conformity with European standards.  As a party to Optional Protocol 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights, Ukraine had abolished the death penalty and the Parliament had recently ratified Protocol 13 of the European Convention on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms regarding the abolishment of capital punishment under any circumstances.  Moreover, Ukraine was in the process of ratifying the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court.  Within the context of the Commission on Human Rights, the activities of the special procedures mandate holders were very important and the international community should contribute to increasing awareness about their work within their respective nations’ civil society.  Universal participation in and full implementation of the legal instruments in the field of human rights remained a cornerstone for ensuring an effective protection and global promotion of human rights and freedoms.

VLADIMIR ZHEGLOV (Russian Federation) said the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights promoted human rights as a unifying factor in a divided world.  Russia welcomed the efforts made by the High Commissioner in reforming the working mechanisms of the Office.  Concerning plans for de-centralization, he believed the basic principle of interaction must be voluntary.  No action must be imposed on States.  It was also noted that recently increased attention had been given to economic, social and cultural rights.  In spite of clear and positive changes, certain aspects such as the management culture needed further reform.  The Russian Federation was concerned about the geographical distribution of the Office's staff and the dependence on voluntary contributions.  The human rights situation in any given country might be a source of a concern for the international community.  However, human rights situations must not be used to pressurize and intervene in other countries.  The Russian Federation raised concern about the increased division of countries into “good” and “bad”.  In this context, he stressed to the United States and other States that before lecturing others on democracy, they had to pay attention to violations of human rights in their own countries.  The political divisions and tensions within the Commission on Human Rights, as a result of the country specific resolutions, undermined the credibility of this important instrument.  Countries with human rights situations needed assistance from the international community, not judgment. 

SHA ZUKANG (China) said the Commission had played an undeletable historical role in formulating international instruments.  However, the Commission had been flawed by confrontation along political lines against the international background of fierce rivalry between the two major blocs.  First, the confrontation between North and South was on the increase.  Every year, the Western countries proposed many country resolutions directed at developing countries.  Most of these resolutions were a result of political confrontation.  Secondly, international instruments such as the Vienna Declaration reaffirmed that civil, political economic, social and cultural rights were of equal importance and that the right to development was an inalienable human rights.  However, there existed a glaring imbalance in the treatment of the two categories of human rights by the Commission.  Thirdly, the sessions of the Commission had suffered from an over-crowded agenda, a lengthy duration, disorganized proceedings and low efficiency.  He stressed that what the United States had said about Tibet was a lie, a super lie.  Being a super power, like the United States, did in no manner allow it to tell super lies.

MOHAMMAD KHAFIF (Syria) said the Commission approved about 100 resolutions and decisions each year that must be implemented.  Standards of human rights showed that one must combat human rights violations.  However, there was a concentration and selection on certain issues aimed at certain countries.  In the long-term, this was harmful to human rights.  In this connection, he stressed the need to be objective when addressing human rights issues and restoring the instrument of dialogue.  He referred to resolution 10/2003 on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and said that Syria did not believe in the politicization of human rights issues aiming to interfere with sovereign States.  Some questions were still pending in this regard, including the fate of missing persons. 

RODOLPHO REYES RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said that the international community was witnessing difficult times as a result of the dictatorial regime of Mr. Bush who had come to power through rigged elections.  Not only did the United States limit civil and political rights on its own people, but it aimed to impose their repression globally.  The United States attempts to impose their Pax Americana could be seen in their attack on Iraq.  The United States was called upon to end such attacks and halt military occupations which limited the expression of the right to self-determination.  Furthermore, the situation of the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay needed addressing, he said.  They deserved to be treated according to the rule of law.  In this connection, the United States was also called upon to halt its genocidal blockade of Cuba.  He called on the Office of the High Commissioner to undertake further work on third generation human rights work.  These were human rights based on solidarity, recognizing that those who had benefited from conquests and colonialization held a moral responsibility to those countries. 

NAJAT AL-HAJJAJI (Libya), addressing ECOSOC in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, presented a brief overview of the fifty-ninth session of the Commission.  The session had been characterized by time constraints.  While some forewarning had allowed the expanded Bureau to prepare for the situation, there were still consequences.  A proposal to hold a special session on events in Iraq had not been approved by members, she said.  She added that the nature of documentation had been more focused than in previous years.  The Commission had adopted a large number of resolutions, decisions and Chairperson’s statements.  She highlighted some of the most notable resolutions approved.  Turning to country-specific work, this year the Commission had considered three new country situations, and had terminated one geographic mandate.  She noted that the Commission continued to supervise the work of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.  This year, a number of important Sub-Commission decisions were endorsed, including that to convene a second Social Forum.  Others related to new studies, such as those on human rights and small arms and discrimination in the criminal justice system.  Despite achievements outlined, the Commission faced a high number of challenges.  As a body, it had suffered considerable criticism in the media that it could be more efficient and effective in fulfilling its mandate.  The most recent progress on this issue had been undertaken by the Expanded Bureau that had considered the level of politicization in the Commission, the length and periodicity of its resolutions, the Commission’s agenda, the role of partners and special procedures; the use of limited resources; and the question of country-specific work.  The next Expanded Bureau would continue this important work. 

ARTURO HERNANDEZ-BASAVE (Mexico), speaking on behalf of a number of members of the Group of Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), said the Working Group on Indigenous People, currently meeting in the building, had been undertaking significant work over the past decades to improve the human rights of indigenous peoples.  It was important that ECOSOC not prejudge the outcome of the Working Group before taking its decision on its continued work.  It was important that the mandate of the Working Group be extended further and Mexico and GRULAC supported the adoption of a resolution to this effect.  At the same time, it was important to avoid duplication of work.  In this context, he stressed that the Permanent Forum was authorized to act as a key component within the United Nations to study the economic, social, health, and environment of indigenous peoples.  It was more that anything an advisory body to ECOSOC.  The Working Group must develop and follow up new developments in the standards of human rights of indigenous peoples and it was empowered to receive individual communications and make visiting missions.  There was therefore a distinct difference between the mandates of the Permanent Forum and the Working Group.  The ECOSOC’s study on this matter must look at all programmes on indigenous issues.  In considering these various mandates, it was necessary that the outcome did not result in a zero-sum game that would only punish indigenous peoples. 

MOHAMED MOUNIR LOUTFY (Egypt) expressed appreciation for the work undertaken by the Office of the High Commissioner and agreed with the conclusions of the report.  It was important to guarantee the participation of all actors and societies in the promotion of human rights, whilst taking into consideration contemporary issues.  In this context, he mentioned the work undertaken by the Egyptian National Human Rights Commission in terms of human rights.  It was stressed that further attention needed to be focused on technical assistance, as well as the realization of economic, social and cultural rights.  Egypt was the first developing country to support the consolidation of the mandate of the Commission so that it would include economic, social and cultural rights and would continue to support its work.  Independent experts had highlighted the challenges facing developing countries.  Economic and material assistance was needed in order to ensure the realization of the right to development.  In this context, the Millennium Summit had made it clear that all countries must apply themselves to ensure the right to education, the right of women, the right to food, the right to development and other rights.  The right to food must also consist of neutral and objective international food aid. 

HERNAN ESCUDERO MARTINEZ (Ecuador) wished to comment on the outcome of the session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the decision that was to be taken in the plenary of ECOSOC in this connection.  He reiterated the importance attached to indigenous issues by the Government of Ecuador which hoped that the Working Group would continue to exist.  It carried out extremely important work, which did not duplicate work, but added and spearheaded the work on indigenous issues, including ancestral rights.  Ecuador believed that the United Nations must proclaim a further decade on indigenous issues, and renew the momentum and support of activities that had not been completed within the first decade.   

NORMA NASCIMBENE DE DUMONT (Argentina) said that the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should have dealt better with the essential subject of the right to development, in that it could have included the recommendations of the Independent Expert on this subject, among other improvements.  Moreover, the question of the liberalization of trade and the enjoyment of human rights within the context of globalization should have received less partial treatment.  The elimination of barriers to agriculture was a basic need of developing countries as the key to generating the resources required for the full enjoyment of their peoples economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights.

OLE HENRIK MAGGA, Chairman of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, said that it was hoped that indigenous issues would become a new priority for the international system.  Indigenous peoples were among the world’s most marginalized, poorest, least healthy, least educated and highly unemployed peoples.  Yet indigenous peoples came before the international community, not merely to seek assistance, but to offer their experiences.  Among other problems plaguing the advancement of indigenous peoples was the lack of data collection and disaggregation of information –- given that in many parts of the world there were no reliable statistics on indigenous people.  In approaching its mandate, the Forum had employed the holding of high-level panels and dialogues; last year’s theme was thus “indigenous children and youth”, and next year’s would be “indigenous women”.  A major challenge to the Forum was that aspect of its mandate to integrate and coordinate indigenous issues in the United Nations system. 

The Permanent Forum, he said, was aware of the unique and challenging mandate entrusted to it by the Council.  It welcomed opportunities to meet with the Council’s Bureau and hoped that the close interface would continue and that the Chairperson of the Forum would be able to address the Council on a regular basis.  With the support of the Council, the Forum would maintain its important role in continuing to provide a unique international space for dialogue between indigenous peoples and States.  It would also be a creative tool for catalyzing public policies and action to end the discrimination and marginalization of indigenous peoples.

KENNETH DEER, of Indigenous World Association on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus, said indigenous people were working for their future generations, common goals and aspirations.  Their identities as peoples were still unrecognized in many countries of the world.  Indigenous rights, conventions and standards needed to be strengthened including territorial rights and trade rights.  Indigenous peoples supported the Permanent Forum, as well as the broad mandate of the Working Group which had promoted cultural understanding.  In its 20 years of operation, it had served as a tangible instrument of the United Nations Charter regarding the equality of rights of indigenous peoples.  It must not be penalized for its success.  It was therefore a matter of deep concern that some governments sought to terminate the work of the Working Group, particularly as the mandate of the Working Group and the Permanent Forum complemented each other and did not duplicate each other.  Indigenous people, by general consensus, were strongly in favor of extending the first decade on indigenous peoples being extended and a second decade being proclaimed.  A second decade was needed to ensure that elements so far unimplemented remained a priority for the international community,  

MIRAM ANNE FRANK, of the Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples, speaking on behalf of a number of non-governmental organizations, said that although several States considered the recent establishment of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as making the Working Group redundant, the mandates of the two organizations were different.  Within the context of the Working Group, there was still work on universal standard setting on indigenous rights to be done.  The work of the Permanent Forum and Working Group was to be complementary and mutually supportive.  Finally, part of the mandate of the Permanent Forum was to act as an advisory body to the Council, its role should be recognized, respected and strengthened.

PIERRETTE BIRRAUX-ZIEGLER, of Indigenous Peoples' Centre for Documentation, Research and Information, said all indigenous organizations that had been given information on the writing of the report on the Review of Mechanisms regarding indigenous issues, had spoken in favour of the continuation of the Working Group.  This led to the conclusion that such a decision had to be taken by ECOSOC during this very meeting.  The whole process had been built gradually, and not without difficulty, with the help of friendly Governments and the European Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy.  The United Nations could not ignore such huge efforts at a time when the question to reinforce its links with civil society was becoming more and more relevant.  To ignore such efforts was a considerable waste.

JAN LONN, of the International Youth and student Movement for the United Nations, said that the right to peace was a fundamental right recognized by the United Nations.  This right had been demonstrated by the massive protests that occurred in February and March of 2003; there was no doubt that military occupation by foreign forces constituted the gravest of breaches under Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations.  The armed attack on Iraq, in contravention of the United Nations Charter, had resulted in death, destruction and serious violations of human rights.  Thus, the International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations wished to express its concern over the new mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq, who, it seemed, had been requested to turn a blind eye on those events that had occurred as a result of the armed attack against Iraq and to concentrate only on violations perpetrated by the former region.  No matter how powerful the perpetrators of violations of human rights were, their actions should be held up to examination. 

RUBEN ORTIZ, of Juridical Commission for Auto-Development of First Andean Peoples, said he represented the Maya people and represented the indigenous caucus in Geneva.  Although there had been considerable progress, indigenous peoples were still not recognized for differential treatment in many countries on issues to do with land, trade and ancestral heritage.  With regard to the Working Group, he said it had become the body for the protection of indigenous rights.  The mandates of the Permanent Forum and the Working Group were complementary.  With regards to the decade on indigenous issues, he stressed the need not to interrupt ongoing process and proclaim a second decade on indigenous issues. 

Action on Resolution and Decisions

The Council adopted, by a vote of 33 in favour, one against (the United States), with 17 abstentions, a resolution on “The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health” contained in the Report on the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on Human Rights (document E/2003/23 (Part 1)), by which the Council recommended that the General Assembly declare 2007 the United Nations Year for Violence Prevention.

The results were as follows:

In favour (33):  Argentina, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Congo, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Libya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Against (1):  United States.

Abstentions (17):  Andorra, Australia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine and United Kingdom.

The Council also adopted a decision on the “Human rights situation of the Lebanese detainees in Israel” contained in the report of the Human Rights Commission by a vote of 26 in favour, 2 against (United States, Georgia), with 4 abstentions.

The results were as follows:

In favour (26):  Argentina, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Congo, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Against (2):  Georgia and United States.

Abstentions (24):  Andorra, Australia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine and United Kingdom.

The Council adopted, without a vote, a decision on the “Situation of human rights in Myanmar”, by which the Council endorsed the decision to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar for a further year.

Comments on Resolution on Right to Physical and Mental Health

The representative of the United States, speaking in explanation of the vote before the vote, said he continued to have strong conceptual difficulties with much of the basis of this resolution, which took an entitlement approach instead of a progressive approach to access to health care.  Neither the Commission nor the Council had the authority to recommend the establishment of International Years, which should properly be done in the General Assembly.  The United States had requested the vote and would oppose the adoption of this resolution.

The representative ofBrazil, speaking as the resolution’s sponsor in the Human Rights Commission, said that the resolution was intended to include the issue of violence within consideration of the highest possible standards of mental and physical health.  It was based on the report of the World Health Organization, which dealt for the first time with the linkage between violence and health.  This report had drawn the attention of the international community to the lack of an international convention to prevent violence in this context.  The promulgation of an International Year would serve to raise awareness on the issue and would motivate Governments to address it in their national capacities.

Statements Concerning Decision on Human Rights Situation of Lebanese Detainees in Israel

Speaking in explanation of the vote before the vote, the representative of the United States said that this draft decision had been drawn from a string of resolutions adopted in the Commission aimed at Israel.  Israel was a nation with a democratic, freely elected Government and an independent judiciary, whose citizens enjoyed the freedoms of observance and assembly, among others.  The resolution was factually wrong; the United States had called for the vote and would oppose the resolution.

The representative of Israel, in a general statement, said that Israel had withdrawn its troops from Lebanon unilaterally in 2000, as confirmed by the Security Council and the Secretary-General.  Furthermore, Israel had handed over the maps of landmines to the Lebanese Government.  The Lebanese Government, on the other hand, had not ensured its authority in the area.  Hezbollah attacks needed to be taken into account regarding counter-attacks by Israel.  Concerning detainees, he said that there were detainees, but they were Israelis held by Lebanese authorities.  By allowing an armed group to hold Israeli detainees, the Lebanese Government was not acting in accordance with international law.  On the other hand, 13 Lebanese had been held in Israel, but they had all been released.  Today, three Lebanese people held in detention in Israel were illegal combatants and terrorists.  They had recourse to legal advice and defense, which was not the case in Lebanon.  Moreover, the Lebanese Government had failed to comply with international resolutions and had not contributed to peace.

The representative of Australia, in an explanation of the vote before the vote, said that he would abstain on the resolution.  Although concerned about the situation of Lebanese detainees in Israel, Australia felt that the resolution was unbalanced and did not recognize the withdrawal of Israel from southern Lebanon.  Moreover, Australia was concerned with the overall approach to this issue in the Council agenda.

The representative of Lebanon, in a general comment, said that this resolution addressed two issues:  the situation of Lebanese detainees in Israel, in which regard respect for international law should prevail; and the hundreds of thousands of landmines left by Israel in southern Lebanon, which inhibited the pursuit of a normal life by the inhabitants of the region.  Moreover, Lebanon did not harbour terrorism nor did it support terrorism.

Comments on Decision on Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar

The representative of Italy, speaking after the adoption of the decision on behalf of the European Union, said that she wished to voice the Union’s preoccupation in the context of the action of the Council on the Commission’s resolution 2003/12 on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.  The European Union was deeply concerned over the increase of politically motivated arrests and arbitrary detentions, in particular the arrest and arbitrary detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  The Union urged Myanmar to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and to reopen the NLD offices throughout the country.  Moreover, those responsible for the attacks on Ms. Suu Kyi and her colleagues at Saging should be held to account.  Expressing its support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Myanmar, she concluded that the European Union would continue to monitor closely the situation in Myanmar and to reaffirm its readiness to react proportionately to future developments.

The representative of the United States said that the situation in Burma had dramatically worsened.  In the past three months, the junta’s unfathomable behaviour had earned its well-deserved international scorn and condemnation.  The continued detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues on the grounds of “safety and security” was unacceptable and inexplicable.  The Government maintained a pervasive security apparatus that intimidated and controlled the people in an effort to promote “stability”.  The international community had consistently called on the junta to release all political prisoners, end the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and restore democracy.  These calls had fallen on deaf ears.  The junta could ignore the entreaties from the international community or it could begin real reforms.  Whichever way it chose, change would indeed come to this country that had been so painfully savaged.    

The representative of Japan said that Japan urged the Government of Myanmar to rectify the current situation, including through the release of Ms. Suu Kyi and other members of the NLD and to initiate genuine efforts for democratization and to support the efforts of the Secretary-General Special Envoy.

The representative of Myanmar said that some representatives had made derogatory comments on the human rights situation in Myanmar.  This was not consistent with the practice of the Council, which traditionally adopted or did not adopt the resolutions and decisions of the Commission, without further consideration of the issues.  In considering the human rights issue, the Council should not be selective or partial.  Thus, attempts to single out Myanmar ran counter to universal norms and were politically motivated and designed to exert undue political pressure on Myanmar.  Categorically rejecting these comments, he said that Myanmar’s current purpose was not to evade the issue, but to ensure that it was considered by the appropriate international forum within the appropriate procedure.  One of the political objectives of the Government was national reconciliation, which had been pursued and had born fruits, among others, such as the return of 17 armed groups to the legal fold.  Also as part of the transition to democracy, the Government had permitted political parties to expand their activities.

Some Western countries, he said, were now turning to sanctions as a political weapon.  Myanmar opposed the use of sanctions; they were not effective and would only hurt the ordinary people, as experience had shown.  It was hoped the international community would understand Myanmar’s efforts to establish a modern, peaceful and developed State.  In conclusion, he assured the Council that the Myanmar authorities had had to take temporary measures to ensure the safety of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi –- but they were only temporary and she was safe. 

The representative of Australia said that his delegation shared the concerns voiced by the representatives of Italy, Japan and the United States and wished to be associated with the statement of the representative of the United States.

Right of Reply

A representative of Zimbabwe, exercising his right of reply, said that his Government had been characterized unfairly as being obstinate by the United States.  No amount of corrupt money could buy people in his country to represent foreign interests.  Any human rights transgressions would be appropriately addressed through legal processes within the country.  What Zimbabwe did not respect was the criticism of those who hid their own heinous crimes, including the elimination of their own indigenous peoples. 

A representative of Israel, exercising his right of reply, appealed to the Chairperson and those who voted for the resolution on Lebanese detainees in Israel and reminded them that the representative of Lebanon had been provided with critical information about Lebanese detainees based on visits by international organizations.  He appealed, on humanitarian grounds, that the Lebanese authorities accord the same rights to Israeli detainees, and ensure that they also had the same visits and rights.  With regard to the five Lebanese detainees, he stressed that they were not being held in communicado but that they had access to legal recourse and could have visits. 

A representative of Lebanon, speaking in right of reply, recalled that Israeli practices with respect to Lebanese detainees had been recognized by the international community.  It was regrettable that attempts had been made to distract from the truth of the situation.  

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