SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE CLOSES

 

Speakers Emphasize Continuing Relevance of Universal Declaration,

Importance of Speaking Out to Ensure Human Rights Implementation

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

PARIS, 5 September -- The sixty-first annual Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization (DPI/NGO) Conference, dedicated to the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, closed its three-day session this afternoon at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters in Paris, providing a summary of its work and reflecting on follow-up measures to be undertaken. 

It also heard a round table discussion with eminent human rights activists reflecting and commenting on the issues evoked at the Conference, lead by François Zimeray, French Ambassador for Human Rights, before hearing closing remarks from Kiyo Akasaka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Public Information, as well as French Ambassador Stéphane Hessel, and Conference Chair Shamina de Gonzaga, and a message via live video link from former Colombian Senator Ingrid Betancourt, who had been recently liberated after having been held by the FARC rebel group since 2002.

Over the past three days, some 1,200 participants from civil society organizations had engaged in five round table discussions, as well as midday workshops and subsidiary sessions, sharing their experiences on the ground and presenting best practices in different areas of human rights protection.  The discussions had covered a diverse number of topics, including traditional human rights subjects such as extreme poverty and the rights of the disabled, the mentally ill, minorities and homosexuals, as well as more contemporary human rights questions, such as the growing challenge to human rights in the context of national efforts to address terrorism.

As he had moved around the Conference tables in the past days, it had been heartening to see a diverse range of participants, said Kiyo Akasaka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, in closing remarks to the Conference.  The Conference activities had also reaffirmed that the Universal Declaration was alive and as relevant today as it was 60 years ago when it had been adopted.  From prisoners of conscience, to those engaged in the daily fight against discrimination, those with disabilities, or those of a different sexual orientation or other vulnerable groups, all had come to Paris to have their voices heard. 

In keynote closing remarks, French Ambassador Stéphane Hessel, one of the original drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drew particular attention to the fact that the Declaration they had drafted 60 years ago was termed “Universal”.  Many had said that the rights contained in the Declaration were only the rights as seen by the West or those which the West imposed on others.  He disagreed; these were universal values.  It was truly the drafters' intention that it should embrace all the people of the world, of all religions.  So when that word “universal” was challenged, they had to take a firm stance against that cultural relativism. 

Also in keynote remarks at the closing via a live video-cast from New York, Ingrid Betancourt, former Senator of Colombia, shared her thoughts on the new world she had encountered upon her liberation after six years in captivity.  She had been taken hostage before the attack against the World Trade Towers in 11 September 2001.  What had struck her was the advent of an insidious fear in the world in which they all lived -– fear of the other, fear of other cultures.  Those fears prevented action and had to be overcome.  Combating human rights in the abstract, everyone did it and did it well.  But when it was the case of defending the human rights of one concrete person, that was hard, and that was what they needed to do -– because, in concretising the fight for human rights, it often became “politically incorrect”.

Ms. Betancourt had concluded by emphasizing the need to speak out to ensure human rights implementation.  It was important to speak even when it was complicated.  She wished to speak of those who were still held hostage in Colombia, but it was difficult, because in doing so she was furthering the policy of the guerrillas, who took the hostages to publicize their aims.  And yet, they could not forget the 26 persons who were actually being held by the FARC today. 

In response to the question she had heard from many participants -– what would be the outcome of the Conference? -- Shamina De Gonzaga, the Chair of the sixty-first Annual DPI/NGO Conference, said they should not look to others for the results of the three days they had spent here, just as they should not look to Governments to tell them how to work for human rights.  They had created their own results. 

In a message read out at the beginning of the closing session, Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann, the President-elect of the sixty-third session of the United Nations General Assembly, said that a particular concern that he intended to have placed on the agenda of the General Assembly at its next session was the right to water, given the increasing privatisation of water sources.  He counted on the NGOs to reach out to populations on the ground, in particular in Africa, and he looked forward to working with them at the United Nations General Assembly next year.

Report and Follow-Up Statements

Providing a summary of activities and outlining follow-up activities, ERIC FALT, Director of the Outreach Division at the United Nations Department of Public Information, said the answer to the question of whether they had reaffirmed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights over the past three days of the Conference was a resounding yes.  At a time when the world was facing ever greater threats to the enjoyment of human rights, the forces of progress were also better aligned and ready than ever to take up that challenge.  During the course of the Conference, they had considered measures to ensure that there would be no sliding back on human rights.  Of course, the path was full of obstacles.  They had held workshops and round tables, as well as break out sessions, covering extremely varied areas.  Some participants had expressed contradictory views, but discussions had been organized in a manner that allowed for a respectful exchange of views.  As DPI Under-Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka had underscored at a press conference this morning, “the number one enemy against all reform and progress in human rights was indifference.  All NGOs and civil society organizations had to undertake all efforts to ensure that the principles enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights became a daily reality for all the citizens of the Earth”.

JEFFERY HUFFINES, Chair of the NGO/DPI Executive Committee, said the Executive Committee was one of several international NGO committees that worked in conjunction with the United Nations.  This past year had been characterized by great changes in the relations between the United Nations and the NGO community.  What had become clear was this Conference was not a one-off event, but part of a larger educational outreach process and cooperative process between the United Nations and NGOs.  They now needed to lay the groundwork for future conferences, and to seek to set up mechanisms to ensure follow-up to past ones.  Among follow-up activities to be undertaken, the Executive Committee, in partnership with DPI, would issue an outcome report on the Conference, containing best practices and recommendations.  A commemorative journal of the Conference, celebrating the cultural aspects of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on its sixtieth anniversary, would also be issued.

LIBERATO BAUTISTA, President of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO), said CONGO was an umbrella organization of some 450 NGOs in consultative relationship with the United Nations.   CONGO and the DPI Executive Committee shared an active and vibrant relationship, collaborating on a number of joint endeavours, in particular on climate change and disarmament, but also on peace and security, indigenous issues and the role of women.  Today, in the underbelly of globalization were peasants, farmers and labourers who were underpaid, under-financed, and under-appreciated; children were undernourished and their minds were undereducated; women, who made important contributions to the economy, remained underestimated and under-remunerated; and those in the small island developing States were underwater, and remained underfinanced in their challenge to address the effects of climate change.  They were witnesses to the lack and challenge faced by individuals in accessing health care.  It was the role of NGOs as a whole to make human rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a reality.  There was an abundance of courage among NGOs and in civil society at the same time that there was a lack of political will from Governments.  It was through their efforts that the Millennium Development Goals would be achieved. 

BERNARD LOING, President of the UNESCO Liaison Committee, speaking on behalf of the 310 NGOs here today, said it had been a pleasure to work together with UNESCO in preparing this Conference.  He hoped that partnership could be maintained in the future and formalized in concrete mechanisms.  That was already one concrete outcome of the Conference.  During the Conference, they had held discussions on a wide array of themes, including the defence of human rights and human rights and human security.  All NGOs here had worked towards the same goal -– the defence of human rights.  Now, they were working towards a real synergy so that civil society as a whole could come together at an international level.  The rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were not unachievable.  Here, he highlighted two events that would soon be held at UNESCO headquarters:  on 3 and 4 October, when NGOs would gather to debate human rights issues in the presence of States Members; and on 21 November, when a meeting would be held on the theme “NGOs key actors of civil society for the defence of human rights”.

Eric Falt then read out a message from the President-elect of the sixty-third session of the United Nations General Assembly, MIGUEL D'ESCOTO BROCKMANN, who said the activities of the past three days had demonstrated the strong commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Over the past 60 years, the United Nations had undertaken tireless promotion of those rights.  NGOs also had an essential role to play.  They had to show a strong spirit of initiative and had to reject the status quo to ensure progress in the future.  They had to unite forces to ensure all enjoyed their rights to dignity and justice.  A particular concern that he intended to have placed on the agenda of the General Assembly at its next session was the right to water, given the increasing privatisation of water sources.  He counted on the NGOs to reach out to populations on the ground, in particular in Africa, and he looked forward to working with them at the United Nations General Assembly next year.

Reflections and Observations Round Table

In a debate on reflections and observations on the Conference, moderator FRANÇOIS ZIMERAY, Ambassador for Human Rights of France, said that they were not celebrating a specific day, but were using this idea of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to reaffirm human rights. 

Concerned in particular by the issue of defamation of religions in this context, ROBERT ARSENAULT, President of the International League for Human Rights, said he would like to make a direct appeal to all that that issue should not be used to encroach on the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  There was no room for reformulating the Universal Declaration in any way that infringed on the right of free speech and opinion or that put in peril the rights of women that had advanced over the last half century.

SOUHAYR BELHASSEN, President of the International Federation for Human Rights, said that what they could take back with them after the last three days was that time was more than ever of the essence.  NGOs had to get mobilized and to act for the universality of rights; effectiveness of rights; indivisibility of rights; and to protect the victims of human rights violations. 

MAREK HALTER, author and human rights activist, highlighted that one of the biggest problems was making the human rights message understandable to those on the ground.  To be heard, they had first to teach people how to scream.

Focusing on the human rights situation today, GENEVIÈVE GARRIGOS, of Amnesty International, said that it was hard to compare human rights today with previous eras.  Underscored in an Amnesty International report on the situation of human rights was that there was a strict correlation between the raising of awareness on human rights and their implementation on the ground.

In an interactive discussion, the reach and impact of the International Criminal Court was evoked.  It was interesting that, today, there were indictments for arrest of not just former Presidents, but sitting Heads of State, something that would have been unheard of a few years ago.  The role of the media in raising awareness of human rights violations was also highlighted, in particular given the ability of the new technologies to reach out to larger numbers and to mobilize the public to address urgent situations.  That had created a sort of “global village” in the NGO community.  The hope was that the NGO community could use that power to shed light on human rights abuses where there was an information “black out” in certain countries, such as regarding repression experienced by Iranian women, among other situations.

When the floor was opened, an NGO representative noted that the Panel had not raised a single situation of human rights abuses involving Europe or America.  Many mothers in those countries were crying because their sons had been sent to fight an unjust war in Afghanistan.  Unless the strong Governments of the world started working on human rights, no progress would be made.  A general critique was also launched by an African non-governmental organization representative, asking how those in Africa could trust those who were organizing the present Conference were really interested in ensuring human rights in Africa, when they were speaking from the point of view of the so-called “leaders” of human rights in the world, such as France, Switzerland and the United States.

Closing Statements

In closing remarks to the Conference, KIYO AKASAKA, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, said that they had come to Paris to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  As he had moved around the Conference tables in the past days, it had been heartening to see a diverse range of participants.  Conference activities had also reaffirmed that the Universal Declaration was alive and as relevant today as it was 60 years ago when it had been adopted.  Discussions had covered a diverse range of human rights and it was interesting to hear the Declaration be referred to so often, in different contexts, by a wide range of participants.  They had heard, above all, a sharing of experiences and practices, through the many personal histories, at times appalling, and always very moving.  From prisoners of conscience, to those engaged in the daily fight against discrimination, those with disabilities, or those of a different sexual orientation or other vulnerable groups, all had come to Paris to have their voices heard.  In a round table intervention on the rights of the disabled, they had heard that human dignity had to be upheld and indifference was the number one enemy to the good.  Everyone had had the opportunity to learn and to find out how to make better use of existing human rights documents and instruments.  He hoped that they would take back with them the energy and the spirit of cooperation built here over the past three days, as there was still much work to be done.  For its part, the United Nations would continue to do more to make such a difference.  He called on all representatives to visit the United Nations website, in particular the site:  knowyourrights2008.org.

In keynote closing remarks, French Ambassador STÉPHANE HESSEL, one of the original drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recalled that it had been many years ago in Versailles that the very first Declaration of the rights of man and citizens had been adopted.  That had been the work of the French people, who had revolted against monarchy and wanted democracy and respect for their rights.  Then, 60 years, another declaration had been made, at the very beginning of this international Organization, in response to the horrors of the Second World War, such as in Hiroshima. 

Mr. Hessel, as a framer of the Declaration, wished to draw particular attention to the fact that the Declaration they had drafted 60 years ago was termed “Universal” and not “international” or otherwise.  He had to insist on that.  Many had said that the rights contained in the Declaration were only the rights as seen by the West or those which the West imposed on others.  He disagreed.  These were universal values.  The drafters included 30 articles and it was truly their intention that it should embrace all the people of the world, of all religions.  So when that word “universal” was challenged, they had to take a firm stance against that cultural relativism. 

Finally, Mr. Hessel drew attention to the role of NGOs in defending the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  They were especially needed today to face the emerging challenges in the human rights sphere.  There were a number of new challenges facing the planet in the twenty-first century, such as increasing poverty and the instability of many Governments, which threatened human rights.  They had to face those challenges together, with the courage that the NGOs had always brought to the table, to make the principles and values set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights a reality.

Also in keynote remarks at the closing via a live video-cast from New York, INGRID BETANCOURT, former Senator of Colombia, expressed her joy and emotion in having listened to this afternoon's and this morning's speakers (via video link).  She had been particularly touched to hear the Universal Declaration of Human Rights hailed as a Utopian text.  She was a child of Utopia; she believed in Utopia.  Just a few short months ago, she was living in captivity, in horror.  It was a dream for her to be in this world today.  She believed in Utopia because she was here with them today. 

In the world she had found after her liberation, Ms. Betancourt had encountered a spirit that had affected and surprised her, because it was not the same world in which she had been living before she was captured.  She had been taken hostage before the attack against the World Trade Towers in 11 September 2001.  What had struck her was the advent of an insidious fear in the world in which they all lived –- fear of the other, fear of other cultures.  Finally, there was the personal fear of how others would judge them.  Those fears prevented action and had to be overcome.  Combating human rights in the abstract, everyone did it and did it well.  But when it was the case of defending the human rights of one concrete person, that was hard, and that was what they needed to do.  It was hard, because, in concretising the fight for human rights, it often became “politically incorrect”.  There were “uncomfortable” cases, because they touched on powerful States' interests; because they touched on cases that were not clear enough and which led to fears that we, too, might be judged.  Here, the most important element was the right to speak.  They had to speak out and to claim their rights.  That was hard.  In doing so, they were confronted with the absolute power wielded by the States, but also by the lawless, who were not covered by the laws.

Ms. Betancourt underscored that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was for everyone, including Heads of State and those who thought they were above or outside the law.  Sharing her own story, she had been in the hands of people for six years who considered themselves to be outside all laws.  She was convinced by that experience that the violation of human rights that they criticized and which they condemned was a seed that they carried within them all.  Everyone bore the risk of becoming a monster, becoming a torturer of another person.  How did they deal with that possibility and ensure human rights?  For her, it was only by touching other human beings, and the only way to do that was through words.  The spoken word was their real saviour.  It was important to speak even when it was complicated.  She wished to speak of those who were still held hostage in Colombia, but it was difficult, because in doing so she was furthering the policy of the guerrillas, who took the hostages to publicize their aims.  And yet, they could not forget the 26 persons who were actually being held by the FARC today. 

In closing remarks on behalf of NGOs, SHAMINA DE GONZAGA, the Chair of the sixty-first Annual DPI/NGO Conference, responding to the many requests she had received from NGO representatives to have their views heard, assured them that those views would indeed be included in the final report.  For those who had experienced human rights violations or abuses directly, as many of those in the NGO community here today had done, she called on them to reach out to others, without bitterness, although that might be very difficult.  Among the discussions at the Conference had been one on human rights and human security.  She wished to highlight one aperçu of that Panel.  Human security was not built on security checkpoints, passing through x-ray checks and passport controls.  Those measures often made one feel less secure.  It was important to ask themselves how they could build real human security.

On the outcome of the Conference, Ms. De Gonzaga said they should not look to others for the results of the three days they had spent here, just as they should not look to Governments to tell them how to work for human rights.  They had created their own results.  Finally, she wanted to highlight the importance of speaking.  This had felt like a conversation in which there had been some authenticity and openness; a space where they could go beyond the things that they already knew.  Sometimes, however, speaking had its limits and silence was needed to understand what to do next.  For that reason, they would be holding a silent ceremony for peace and to pay tribute to human rights defenders following the official closing.

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For information media • not an official record