SEVEN DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON KEY HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES INTRODUCED TO THIRD COMMITTEE
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| Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York |
Sixty-second General Assembly
Third Committee
20th & 21st Meetings (AM & PM)
SEVEN DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON KEY HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES INTRODUCED TO THIRD COMMITTEE
Proposed Unified Standing Treaty Body Not Panacea for Existing Problems
Seven draft resolutions on key human rights issues including eliminating violence against women, promoting rights for the disabled and raising global awareness for autistic children were introduced to the Third Committee today as delegations also kicked off two weeks of wide-ranging discussions on human rights matters.
In the Committee’s afternoon meeting, France, on behalf of the Netherlands, introduced a draft on intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, building upon a like-titled resolution adopted by the General Assembly last year. If approved, that text would have the Assembly call upon the United Nations to intensify efforts at all levels to eliminate all forms of violence against women, and for those sectors of the United Nations dealing with the matter to be adequately resourced.
Denmark introduced a draft resolution that would urge full compliance by States party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, while the Philippines put forth a draft that would draw attention to violence against women migrant workers. Estonia introduced a draft underling the work of the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
The Philippines introduced a draft resolution linking the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons with the Millennium Development Goals, while Qatar introduced a draft that would, from next year, establish 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day in order to raise global awareness of the disease that afflicts children worldwide.
Draft resolutions on the elimination of rape and other forms of sexual violence in conflict situations and on improving the lot of rural women were not introduced as scheduled, prompting the Chairman of the Committee, Raymond Wolfe of Jamaica, to remind delegations of the need for discipline in order for the Committee to complete its work on time.
In the morning, the Committee launched its discussion on promotion and protection of human rights –- focusing on the implementation of human rights instruments; the celebration of next year’s 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and the comprehensive implementation of, and follow-up to, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Some delegations took the opportunity to touch on the proposed Unified Standing Treaty Body to replace the existing seven treaty bodies dealing with human rights.
On the proposed Unified Standing Treaty body, India’s representative declared that the idea was “not a panacea for existing problems”. She recalled that the treaty bodies had been pushed forward by developing countries about six decades ago, when there was hope and faith placed in the work of the United Nations to achieve freedom, equality and dignity for all. “What we see today is a gradual erosion of that faith”, she commented. China said that it would support reform of the treaty bodies, as long as that reform was aimed at simplifying the processing of country reports and increased efficiency. Liechtenstein, which had twice hosted expert meetings on treaty body reform, pointed out that Universal Periodic Review would present the treaty bodies with challenges as well as opportunities.
Some delegations made statements on following up the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which gave prominence to the right to development. Kenya stated that development was “central to the full enjoyment of human rights” while Algeria recalled that the Human Rights Council had been created to avoid the politicization and selectivity that had dogged its predecessor – the Commission on Human Rights.
Statements were also made today by the representatives of the Sudan, Japan, Colombia, Republic of Korea, Iraq, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Nicaragua and Uzbekistan.
The Committee will meet again on Wednesday, 24 October, at 10.00 a.m. to continue its discussion of human rights issues. It will hear presentations by Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Lyn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, followed by a dialogue with delegations. The Chair, Raymond Wolfe ( Jamaica), also announced that presentations would be made as well by John Dugard, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, and Paolo Sērgio Pinheiro, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar.
Background
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to begin its discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Committee had before it the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (document A/62/36), in which the High Commissioner reviews the implementation of the Plan of Action and the Strategic Management Plan of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the institution-building phase of the Human Rights Council, and treaty body reform. She says that the Council has made ‘significant progress’ in fulfilling the commitment made at the 2005 World Summit which established the organ. Regarding its universal periodic review, the High Commissioner said a major factor of the Council’s effectiveness will be the “political willingness” of States to meaningfully engage in the process. The credibility of the Council is very closely tied to its successful implementation. She goes on to welcome the Council’s reaffirmation of the special role of special procedures, and the establishment of a new complaints procedure to address consistent violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms anywhere in the world.
Turning to her own Office, she states that it has intensified its country engagement as a main tool for promoting human rights, by establishing new field offices and consolidating those already on the ground. A Rapid Response Unit has been strengthened, and more support is being given to the human rights components of 17 peacekeeping missions. Efforts to strengthen the Office’s expert capacity in economic, social and cultural rights are underway, with a focus on legal protection and advocacy. Regarding treaty body reform, the High Commissioner says it appears that her proposal for a unified standing treaty body –- that will take over the functions of the eight existing human rights treaty bodies -– might not be achievable in the short term, based on feedback from Member States. However, there is broad support from all stakeholders for improvements that will simplify procedures and make the treaty body system more accessible and visible.
The Committee had before it a letter from the Secretary-General titled Letter dated 21 September 2007 from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (document A/62/369) transmitting the text of a law of Ukraine, dated 11 April 2007, that recognizes the 1932-1933 Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people, and declaring the public denial of the Holodomor as unlawful.
Also before the Committee was a Letter dated 2 October 2007 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (document A/62/464) transmitting the Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity held in Tehran on 3 and 4 September 2007.
Before the Committee was the Report of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (document A/62/48). It summarizes the work of that Committee over the past year, including its fifth and sixth sessions at which country reports from Mexico and Egypt were considered. Recommendations to those countries are included in the report, along with a list of countries that have so far ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.
In an Annex, the Committee sets out its views on the idea of creating a single human rights treaty body, stating that the idea is not yet feasible, and that the focus should instead be on harmonization of working methods of the existing treaty bodies and greater cooperation between them.
The Committee also had before it the report of the Secretary-General on the Status of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery (document A/62/180). The report explains that the Fund’s mandate is to provide financial assistance to non-governmental organizations that deal with contemporary slavery issues, as well as provide assistance to individuals whose human rights have been violated as a result of contemporary forms of slavery.
In conclusion, the report notes that due to the increasing interest from non-governmental organizations in the Fund, the Fund needs more resources. Information on how to contribute to it, as well as an invitation to Governments to provide contributions, are included in the report.
In addition, the Committee had before it the Secretary-General’s report on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (document A/62/189), which describes the recommendations for grants to beneficiary organizations that have been adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Since the preceding report, there have been contributions totalling 3,753,631 dollars from 30 Member States and the Holy See, and pledges of 6,564,748 dollars from three Member States and the Holy See, with 6,517,170 dollars pledged by the United States alone. Total allocations in 2007 totalled 6,173,500 dollars, with 57.37 per cent (3,541,500 dollars) allocated to Western Europe and other States, followed by 12.49 per cent (771,000 dollars) to Eastern Europe. The report recalled that the General Assembly and the Board have urged regular donors to increase their contributions to meet the growing needs of torture victims; detailed instructions –- including bank account numbers -– are provided for making donations.
Also before the Committee was the Secretary-General’s report on the Status of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (document A/62/273). The report notes the condemnation by the sixty-first General Assembly of any attempt to legalize or authorize torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, “including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions”. The report calls for perpetrators of torture to be held responsible and severely punished, and concludes by clarifying which countries currently hold membership in the United Nations various committees and subcommittees against torture.
The Committee had before it the report of the Secretary-General on Protection of migrants (document A/62/299), containing a summary of communications from 14 nations on the status of migrants. The report notes that, as of 23 August 2007, 37 States had ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Works and Members of Their Families. In his conclusions and recommendations, the Secretary-General commends the work of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrants and Members of Their Families, and urges Members States that have not done so to adhere to the Convention.
The Committee had before it the interim report of Manfred Nowak, Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council, on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (document A/62/221). It notes his fact-finding missions so far this year to Togo and Nigeria, and his plans to visit Sri Lanka and Indonesia by the end of 2007; invitations to visit Iraq and Equatorial Guinea in 2008 have meanwhile been accepted. The interim report draws attention to the role of forensic expertise in combating impunity. Notwithstanding binding obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment, authorities have been reluctant to carry out investigate and prosecute torture allegations; this means that impunity can continue to go unchecked. The lack of independent, thorough and comprehensive investigations has been a major obstacle. Forensic science is indispensable in correlating medical findings with a victim’s allegations. Effective documentation is a key tool for Governments to combat impunity for torture.
The Special Rapporteur, in his interim report, stresses that making sure that people are not deprived of their liberty is a very effective means of preventing torture and ill-treatment. The almost automatic recourse to pre-trial detention for criminal suspects and the lack of efficient criminal justice systems are key factors behind serious overcrowding and inhuman conditions in prisons in many countries. The result is that many people suspected of minor offences spend several years in pre-trial detention. Meanwhile, at the sentencing stage, many laws provide almost exclusively for prison sentences, neglecting alternative forms of punishment. The Special Rapporteur encourages States to use non-custodial measures as widely as possible to avoid overcrowding, and minimise the risk of torture and ill-treatment.
Also before the Committee was a report on Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights (document A/62/224), summarizing a meeting in Geneva on 21 and 22 June 2007 of chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies. According to the report they discussed reform of the treaty body system, including harmonization of working methods, and the universal periodic review mechanism of the Human Rights Council; they also met with representatives of States parties and the President of the Human Rights Council. In their recommendations, the chairpersons underline the need for developing effective cooperation between the treaty bodies and the Council.
Introductory Statement and Discussion
NGONLARDJE MBAIDJOL, Director of the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, introduced the reports on the implementation of human rights instruments that had been put before the Committee. The Chair then invited questions from the floor; none were posed.
Statements
The Committee then began its discussion on the implementation of human rights instruments and the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
GUO XIAOFENG ( China) said his Government paid close attention to the submission of compliance reports to the relevant treaty bodies, as well as in engaging in their effective implementation. He listed a number of reports that China had submitted to various covenants and conventions. Since the return of Hong Kong and Macau to “the motherland,” the Chinese Government had provided support to them in their efforts to protect human rights, as well.
There was a problem of an excessive reporting burden for States parties, he said, and due to the over-complexity of the current reporting regime, there was duplication of efforts among treaty bodies. The Chinese Government expressed its appreciation for the efforts of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to provide a briefing on the “harmonized guidelines on an expanded core document and treaty-specific targeted reports.” Reform initiatives should aim at simplifying reporting lines and increasing efficiency.
ABDALMAHMOOD ABDALHALEEM MOHAMAD ( Sudan) said his country was convinced that human rights had to be protected through international instruments. Sudan had always respected human rights, as exemplified through the country’s signing of a number of international human rights treaties. Economic and social rights should have the same degree of importance as political and civil rights, and mechanisms to protect them had already been created. The conclusions of the Human Rights Council constituted a new era for human rights mechanisms based on dialogue and cooperation when considering human rights, and was a way “to free ourselves” from the after-effects of the Commission on Human Rights.
In the area of human rights, OHCHR must be assured of the limits of its mandate and implement it in a neutral and transparent fashion, he said. Specific groups should not be allowed to impose their control on the Office. The Sudan hoped the Office would be able to address all concerns and implement its mandate in a neutral and objective way without giving political character to the questions under examination. The Sudan had always cooperated with all the human rights mechanisms, and was convinced of the need to establish a dialogue. For this reason, the Special Rapporteurs had been allowed to come to the Sudan. No States were without human rights problems, and all had to participate in the promotion of human rights. He hoped all States would cooperate with the Council in order to promote and protect human rights.
NOBUKO KUROSAKI ( Japan), noting that next year would mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, said that despite significant progress, grave human rights violations had continued to take place in many parts of the world. His Government believed that human rights were universal values; it highly appreciated the role played by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her office, and supported the Human Rights Council. Human rights today were being violated in ways not envisioned when the Declaration was adopted; thus, the violation of human rights through abuse of the Internet would be addressed during Human Rights Week in Japan in December.
Serious problems with the reporting system of the principal human rights treaties had been pointed out recently, he said. States parties had delayed their submissions or failed to make them at all, citing the excessive burden of preparation, while the committees had been unable to keep up with the volume of reports. Japan would like to see such reports streamlined. On the other hand, the idea of a unified treaty body, as proposed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, had several problems, such as working methods, gathering qualified experts, and the expense of managing such a new body. His country would continue to participate in discussions on reforming the treaty bodies with the aim of making the system more effective and efficient.
CLAUDIA BLUM ( Colombia) recalled that on 9 September, her country had extended until 2010, the presence of the national office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Doing so had been another manifestation of her Government’s determination to protect and promote human rights. With its democratic security policy, Colombia had continued to effectively counter illegal armed groups financed by drugs trafficking. Homicides and kidnappings had decreased and a more secure environment was being created. There had also been an improvement in economic, social and cultural rights. Members of the armed forces, detention centre personnel and civil servants in general, had been issued guidelines on human rights, resulting in fewer human rights complaints from the public.
Consolidation of democratic security would remain a priority, she said. Overcoming poverty was another challenge. Strengthening justice and fighting against impunity, in cases of human rights violations, would continue to get special attention. In the last six years, the budget for justice had increased by 76 per cent. In establishing sustainable conditions for peaceful coexistence, it would be crucial to establish truth, redress victims and successfully complete judicial processes vis-à-vis demobilized persons. Developments in Colombia had enabled the country to look to its future with optimism; international support for the policies that had been put into place was requested.
JANG HYUN-CHEOL ( Republic of Korea) said that nearly 60 years on, the achievements of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had enriched the international human rights machinery. The Human Rights Council now had the “lofty task” of implementing a rich legacy. More attention had to be paid to the despair and agony of victims on the ground; earnest thought also had to be given to loopholes in existing norms and to the full implementation of human rights instruments.
The treaty bodies system had been overloaded by the increasing number of treaties and ratifications, he said. A unified standing treaty body had the potential to streamline the implementation mechanisms of the various human rights treaty bodies. Discussions on such a body should proceed on a long-term basis, to give Member States sufficient time to harmonize their points of view. Devising a unified system that maintained the advantage of specificity would also be crucial. Technical assistance should be extended by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to countries that had fallen behind in their reporting duties due to a lack of resources. Indeed, more cooperation among nations and continuous efforts by the international community to expand technical assistance and capacity building were necessary. The Republic of Korea appreciated the work of the Human Rights Council in launching the universal periodic review -- an innovative mechanism. Treaty bodies and the review would be mutually complementary. More and more human rights issues had been politicized and there was an imminent need to revive the spirit of the Universal Declaration as well as the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights.
PATRICK RITTER ( Liechtenstein) said that the Universal Periodic Review would present both opportunities and challenges for the treaty bodies. Frequent coordination between the treaty bodies and special procedures would be important, but this would only be possible if there was clear distinction between the two systems. An improved process for the selection of treaty body members should be considered.
Liechtenstein welcomed measures to address the problem of non-reporting as well as the lack of effective follow-up to concluding observations and views on individual complaints. Practical measures that did not require any amendments to the relevant human rights treaties were far more important than unrealistic attempts to radically reduce the number of treaty bodies, he said. Liechtenstein welcomed the proposal that the inter-committee meeting take place twice a year. As a long-standing supporter of treaty body reform, his country had recently hosted two expert meetings on the issue, and in the belief that the treaty body system was among the most important achievements of the United Nations, reiterated that this system should not fall victim to the ever increasing number of treaty ratifications.
SUSHMA SWARAJ (India) said that attempts to radically restructure the treaty bodies as proposed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the form of a Unified Standing Treaty Body to replace the existing seven treaty bodies was not a panacea for the existing problems vis-à-vis reporting requirements. The creation of the treaty bodies was pushed forward by the developing countries about six decades ago, she said. There was hope and faith placed in the work of the United Nations in achieving freedom, equality and dignity for all. “What we see today is an erosion of that faith,” she said. The tendency to politicize the treaty bodies was also cause for disquiet. Unless these trends were reversed, and the balance on the promotional aspect of human rights restored, universalization of the treaty instruments would continue to be a dream.
India had been an active participant in the efforts of the international community to create a normative framework for promotion and protection of human rights, by signing a number of human rights treaties such as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The treaty body system had an immense role to constructively aid and guide States Parties in the implementation of their international legal obligations and also in ensuring that the human rights of all people were protected. Member States should undertake a close examination of progress made so far in the development of a normative framework for human rights, as well as the methods adopted for their effective realization.
HAMID AL BAYATI ( Iraq) said that his country considered the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international bodies and instruments crucial to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Many such instruments had been adopted by Iraq, together with regional documents. Iraq would ensure that its national legislation conformed with international norms.
He said Iraq was party to five international conventions dealing with human rights, and it was considering its accession to others, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. His country was also a party to International Labour Organization conventions on forced labour and the right of workers to organize. A human rights ministry had been established in 2003 together with other bodies dealing with human rights. Many public organizations involved with women, children, political prisoners, the disabled and the environment worked in a human rights context; they had been useful in promoting a culture of human rights. The Constitution recognized plurality and human rights, and a five-year plan had been put into place to strengthen democracy and human rights under Iraq’s new regime.
The Committee then began its discussion on the comprehensive implementation of, and follow-up to, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, with one country making a statement.
MOUSSA NEBIE ( Burkina Faso) said that the Vienna Declaration had called for better implementation of human rights, which were at the heart of sustainable human development. His country shared that view. However, great disparities persisted in the world. Where there was conflict, violations of human rights had practically been wide-scale and systematic. Burkina Faso, which had adopted nearly all human rights instruments, had strived to promote an internalized democratic culture with full respect for human rights.
He itemized a number of measures that his country had taken vis-à-vis the Vienna Declaration, including the creation of a ministry for the promotion of human rights. Government efforts had been strengthened by civil society. The main difficulty encountered by his country in implementing the Vienna Declaration had been, without a doubt, a lack of resources to create the conditions necessary for the enjoyment of economic and social rights. Development ought to be seen as a right. He appealed to the international community to continue its cooperation and assistance in order for human rights to be respected the world over.
Introduction of Draft Resolutions
The representative of the Philippines introduced a draft resolution on implementation of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons: realizing the Millennium Development Goals for persons with disabilities (A/C.3/62/L.5) which would encourage Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations as well as the private sector to examine and ensure that development strategies, policies and programmes aimed at implementing internationally agreed development goals – including the Millennium Development Goals – are disability-inclusive and promote the equalization of opportunities for all.
The representative said 10 percent of people worldwide had disabilities, and most of those people lived in developing countries. Disabled people were the least likely to benefit from traditional development initiatives. The goal of the draft resolution would be to achieve full participation for people with disabilities. The World Programme of Action was far from irrelevant and had only become more relevant in the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals.
The representative of Mongolia then asked for a postponement of the scheduled introduction of a draft resolution on cooperatives in social development (document A/C.3/62/L.6), explaining that negotiations on the text were continuing. The draft would urge Governments, relevant international organizations and the specialized agencies, in collaboration with national and international cooperative organizations, to give due consideration to the role and contribution of cooperatives in the implementation of the World Summit for Social Development and other development-centred conferences.
The Chair reminded the Committee that it had a lot of work ahead of it, and that discipline would be needed if deadlines were to be met. Delays would add to the pressures already on the Committee. He also stated that the introduction of resolutions were without prejudice to ongoing negotiations.
The representatives of Indonesia and the Philippines introduced a draft resolution on violence against women migrant workers (A/C.3/62/L.14), which urges Governments to enhance cooperation to address violence against women migrant workers and to adopt or strengthen measures to protect their human rights.
The representative of the Philippines said that the main objective of the resolution was to frame laws, policies and labour within a gender paradigm. The other changes in the draft resolution included a sharpened focus on the vulnerability of women migrant workers, as well as more focus on information and awareness-raising for people who came into contact with women migrant workers. Migration was usually represented as a gender-neutral issue, thus rendering women migrant workers invisible, she said. That group needed special protection to ensure their human rights.
The representative of France on behalf of the Netherlands, then introduced a draft resolution on intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women (document A/C.3/62/L.15). The text calls upon the United Nations to step up efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls, and to assign adequate resources to those parts of the Organization that address the issues of gender equality and human rights. He said that the draft, which had already amassed 47 co-sponsors, was primarily a procedural follow-up to General Assembly resolution A Res/61/143 on the intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women that had been adopted by consensus in December 2006. It was a comprehensive response to a study by the Secretary-General on violence against women that had been submitted in October 2006. The Assembly had taken the necessary leadership to combat violence against women and to discuss follow-up efforts. France and the Netherlands attached great importance to follow-up action on violence against women. It was hoped that the draft would be supported by all delegations and consultations were continuing in a constructive atmosphere.
The representative of the United States then asked for the postponement of the introduction of a draft resolution entitled Eliminating the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence as instruments to achieve political or military objectives (document A/C.3/62/L.16). She requested more time and would inform the bureau when they were ready.
The representative of Estonia then introduced a draft resolution on The United Nations Development Fund for Women (A/C.3/62/L.17), which commends the Fund on strategic programmes in its four key thematic areas of work, namely enhancing women’s economic security and rights; ending violence against them; reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women; and achieving gender equality in democratic governance. She put the draft in the context of the new strategic plan for the Fund for 2008-2011 which set out guidelines for its work, enabling it to further carry out its core functions. The Fund’s work was having an impact on women all over the world and its close partnership with all stakeholders had contributed to its effectiveness. Broad support for the Fund had been reflected in the voluntary contributions that had been made to it. She noted that a similar draft in 2005 had amassed more than 100 co-sponsors.
The Representatives of Estonia, Jordan, Mexico, Norway and Sudan also introduced a draft resolution on the term of office of the members of the Consultative Committee on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (A/C.3/62/L.18), which would decide that the two new members of the Consultative Committee on the United Nations Development Fund for Women be granted a full term of three years.
The representative of Estonia said the draft would allow the President of the General Assembly to appoint two new members to the Committee.
The representative of Denmark then introduced a draft resolution on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (A/C.3/62/L.120), which would urge States parties to comply fully with their obligations under the Convention and the Optional Protocol and to take into consideration the concluding comments as well as the general recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). He recalled that the last time a similar resolution had been adopted by the General Assembly was in 2005 (document GA/Res/60/230). He noted that CEDAW faced a backlog of country reports and also sought authorization to have one of its annual meetings held in New York, with the others in Geneva where the Secretariat would be transferred. It was hoped that the draft would have as many co-sponsors as possible.
The Committee then turned to a draft resolution on support for efforts to end obstetric fistula (A/C.3/62/L.21) which would recognize the links between poverty, malnutrition, poor health services, early childbearing and gender discrimination as root causes of obstetric fistula.
The representative of Senegal had been scheduled to introduce the draft resolution, but upon receiving the floor, the delegate told the Committee that her delegation had been surprised to see that the draft resolution that had been scheduled for introduction was different from the one submitted to the Secretariat. The Secretariat had introduced a number of changes, she said, including the title of the text and Senegal was therefore not in a place to introduce a draft which had been changed. She asked that the original text be put in front of the Committee.
The Chairman replied that the Secretariat had not changed the text of the draft resolution, but said that all draft resolutions were edited by professional editors “who do sometimes go overboard”. Usually, though, the changes were of an editorial and not of a substantial nature, he added. The Secretariat would liaise with Senegal to work out any problems that could have arisen from excessive editing, he said.
The representative of Qatar then introduced a draft resolution that would have 2 April designated as World Autism Awareness Day (document A/C.3/62/L.22), to be observed every year from 2008. She said that autism affected children worldwide, regardless of their background, and its impact was felt by families, communities and society as well. The aim of the draft was to raise awareness of autism. Consultations would continue with an aim to adopt by consensus.
Statements
The Committee then resumed its discussion of the implementation of human rights instruments and the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
FRANCIS K. BUTAGIRA ( Uganda) said that the birth of a child signified emancipation from the womb; it was a declaration that henceforth, a child is free. The role of the State was to safeguard and ensure that freedom. Human rights were God-given, not a privilege to be granted by a State. While the Declaration was not a binding treaty, it had been the basis for constitutions in many countries, Uganda among them. Ultimately, an alert population would be the guarantor of freedom. Referring to people, organizations or countries who had arrogated themselves the role of international policemen by attacking other countries for alleged violations of human rights, he said that very often in the backyards of those very people, human rights had also been violated routinely. The crusade for respect for human rights had thus become a political instrument to serve their interests. In an effort to avoid such manipulation, the Human Rights Council had been created.
A defining attribute of poverty was the lack of justice and poverty eradication was therefore crucial, he said. Uganda had been taking steps to improve access to justice; the Ministry of Justice, for instance, had been tasked to put more magistrates in rural areas. Legislation to combat corruption was being developed and updated, and oversight committees had been playing an active role in Parliament. The Prevention of Corruption Act had been revised. Without the right to development, there could be no full enjoyment of human rights. Uganda called upon the United Nations to strengthen mechanisms for an integrated and universal approach to promote human rights.
MARIA ELENA MEDAL ( Nicaragua) said Nicaragua was party to the main global human rights instruments, but for many years did not meet its obligations to them by submitting reports. As human rights were one of the basic policies of the State since the new Government took power, she said, her country had presented the outstanding reports, thus catching up on a 15-year delay.
The Government’s ongoing commitment was exemplified by the inter-institutional committee which undertook to consistently self-evaluate the effective implementation of instruments in national legislation as well as other legislation, she noted. That whole process had been made possible thanks to the help of Denmark and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well OHCHR. It was in the interest of the Government to strengthen the human rights issue and bring about changes, placing emphasis on citizens’ participation. Nicaragua supported all efforts that would allow it to improve efficiency and strengthen the human rights agenda.
The Committee then resumed its discussion on the comprehensive implementation of, and follow-up to, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
ZACHARY D. MUBURI-MUITA ( Kenya) said that development was central to the full enjoyment of human rights, and Kenya appreciated the ongoing efforts to entrench these rights within the United Nations and other forums. The implementation of civil and political rights tended to overshadow and even relegate economic, social and cultural rights to the periphery. The treaty bodies’ comments had proven to be very useful in guiding the implementation of the various human rights treaties, he said, but noted that the reporting obligations were an onerous exercise. He urged the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to strengthen its technical assistance and capacity-building activities to assist States in shouldering the heavy reporting burden.
Over the past four years, Kenya had put a number of measures into place to protect and promote human rights, such as establishing the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, he said. Despite those initiatives, a number of challenges remained, including weak institutions, Kenyans’ lack of awareness of their human rights, poverty and legislative gaps. He concluded by reaffirming his country’s commitment to fulfil its obligations under the various international human rights instruments, “guided by the vision of the founders of this Organization and with a common belief in the principle that all men and women are created equal”.
ALISHER VOHIDOV ( Uzbekistan) said that once his country became independent, it had integrated into the international community and ratified over 60 treaties on human rights. He then gave an overview of the initiatives Uzbekistan was taking to promote human rights. With the aid of an ombudsman – a post which Uzbekistan was the first country in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to create in 1997 – the restoration of the rights of citizens who were violated in the past was being addressed.
Thanks to the help of non-governmental organizations, Uzbekistan was moving from a strong State to a strong civil society. His country placed emphasis on ensuring that there was ongoing education about human rights, and it now had an academy to train high-level officials as well as to conduct ongoing training of all judiciary staff on all human rights matters. Uzbekistan was ready to continue complying with its international commitments, he concluded.
SALIMA ABDELHAK ( Algeria) said that the integration of the human rights dimension into all the work of the United Nations was to be encouraged, with a view to the wide acceptance and efficient promotion of economic, social and cultural rights. Fulfilling the right to development was a collective responsibility. The universality of human rights would make no sense if it was not founded on the acknowledgement of cultural, historical and geographic particularities, as clearly reflected in the Vienna Declaration. Those rights must also be founded on international norms that included the principles of the sovereign equality of States, non-interference in internal affairs, and respect for the political, economic and social systems that people had freely accepted for themselves.
She said that the creation of the Human Rights Council had been driven by the willingness of States to create a forum for dialogue and cooperation to promote human rights, thus avoiding the selectivity and politicization that had characterized the Commission on Human Rights. Promoting and improving the performance of States in relation to human rights had to take into account the level of development, diversity of situations and respect for specificities. Algeria attached great importance to human rights. Reform of the justice system had been a priority; elected pluralist institutions also had been established. Dozens of political parties were active and some were represented in the National Assembly. Civil society had been expanding fully. Algeria had made the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights a priority.
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For information media • not an official record