FYI.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [AdHoc_IDC] Louise Arbour urges support for Human Rights Council
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:44:25 -0000
From: Frank Mulcahy <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
To: <[log in to unmask]>
STATEMENT
Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights
23 February 2006
The proposal presented by the President of the General Assembly to
establish the Human Rights Council provides a unique opportunity to
start putting in place a reinvigorated system for the promotion and
protection of fundamental freedoms around the world and deserves the
support of member States. Failure to adopt the proposal threatens to set
back the human rights cause immeasurably.
The text submitted to the General Assembly by its President has the
features to allow the future Council to deal more objectively, and
credibly, with human rights violations worldwide. It sets standards for
new member countries, who will be asked to make an explicit commitment
to promote and protect human rights. It also provides for the suspension
of members who commit gross and systematic abuses.
Unlike the Commission, the Council will be required to review on a
periodic basis the human rights records of all countries, beginning with
its members. No country will be beyond scrutiny, and no longer will
countries be able to use membership of the UN's premier human rights
body to shield themselves or allies from criticism or censure for rights
breaches.
The Council will also meet for longer periods throughout the year and be
able to respond quickly to developing human rights crises. Potential
violators would be on notice that the world was watching permanently,
not just for six weeks in the spring, when the Commission traditionally
comes together.
The Commission gave the international community the Universal
Declaration on Human Rights and a number of core treaties to protect
fundamental freedoms. During its annual sessions, the Commission drew
attention to many human rights issues and debates. It allowed the
grievances of individuals to be brought to the world stage and provided
the only international forum for civil society to confront abusers. The
Council will keep these important functions as well as the existing
system of independent human rights investigators. One of those experts
was among the first to warn of impending genocide in Rwanda.
Let us be clear: the proposal now before the General Assembly is the
result of compromise. It cannot be an ideal blueprint. And there is no
reason to believe that more negotiating time will yield a better result.
But even an institution that is perfect on paper cannot succeed if the
international community does not make the necessary change in the
culture of defending human rights. It was in large part its failure to
make this change - its inability to reinvent itself after laying down
the framework for the international human rights system -- that hobbled
the Commission. The case of Rwanda is sadly instructive. There the
Commission's procedures worked, yet the investigator's warnings went
unheeded. The political will and commitment of the international
community will be as important to making the new Council work as any
changes in structure or working methods.
ABOUT OHCHR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) helps protect and promote all human rights around the world.
Headquartered in Geneva, the Office is also present in over 40
countries. OHCHR works to ensure the enforcement of universally
recognized human rights norms, including through promoting both the
universal ratification and implementation of human rights treaties and
respect for the rule of law. It also aims to remove obstacles to the
full realization of all human rights and to prevent or stop human rights
abuses. For more information please visit www.ohchr.org
<http://www.ohchr.org>
About the High Commissioner
The High Commissioner is the principal UN official with responsibility
for human rights and is accountable to the Secretary-General. The post
of High Commissioner was created in 1993. Louise Arbour of Canada has
been the High Commissioner for Human Rights since July 2004.
Frank Mulcahy,
'Franmar',
2 Castle Village Court,
Celbridge,
Co. Kildare
Ireland
Tel. & Fax: +353 1627 1314
Mobile/Cell Phone: +353 8723 44934
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