Human rights

UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS REMAINS FORMAL RATHER THAN REAL,

HIGH COMMISSIONER SAYS IN COMMEMORATION MESSAGE

Ramcharan Cites Poverty, Conflicts, Terrorism,

Violence, Prejudice, Bad Governance as Gross Violations

(Reissued as received.)

Following is the message of acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan on Human Rights Day, which is commemorated on 10 December 2003:

ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND IRAQI HUMAN

RIGHTS MINISTER DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAQ

(Reissued as received)

GENEVA, 4 December (UN Information Service) -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has offered to make its expertise available to Iraqi officials and representatives of the country's civil society as they establish a legal framework to promote and protect human rights.

Round-up of Session

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS CONCLUDES THIRTY-FIRST SESSION

Issues Final Conclusions on Reports of Republic of Moldova,

Yemen, Guatemala, Russian Federation, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

(Reissued as received.)

PIVOTAL ROLE OF JUDGES IN PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DISCUSSED AT UNITED NATIONS

(Reissued as received.)

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AN ISSUE OF GROWING CONCERN IN LATIN AMERICA

Concerted Action Called for at Regional Conference in Colombia

HIGH-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM TO ADDRESS ROLE OF JUDGES

IN PROMOTION, PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Event to Mark Tenth Anniversary of United Nations

World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna Outcome Documents

(Reissued as received.)

COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE HEARS FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL’S

REPRESENTATIVE AT OPENING OF THIRTY-FIRST SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 10 November -- The Committee against Torture opened this morning its thirty-first session by hearing an address from Jane Connors, a Representative of the Secretary-General, and adopting its agenda.

Round Up

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONSIDERS REPORTS FROM FOUR COUNTRIES

Comments Made on Implementation of Covenant on Civil

And Political Rights by Philippines, Russian Federation, Latvia, Sri Lanka

(Reissued as received.)

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT WELCOMES CANADIAN INITIATIVE

ON ACCESS TO LOW-COST DRUGS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 7 November (UN Information Service) -- Canada has taken an important step towards improving the right to health in developing countries by introducing draft legislation to make it easier for poor countries to import generic, lower-cost drugs, a United Nations human rights expert said today.

Background Release

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS TO HOLD

THIRTY-FIRST SESSION FROM 10 TO 28 NOVEMBER

Will Consider Reports of Republic of Moldova, Yemen,

Guatemala, Russian Federation and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

(Reissued as received.)