26 June 2006 - Child Rights and the new Human Rights Council 6
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Monday 26th June - ORDER OF THE DAY
- Consideration of pressing human rights issues under agenda item 4 (9am - 3pm)
- Consideration of the report of the Working Group on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (racism) (3-4:45pm)
- Consideration of the report of the Working Group on the Right to Development (4:45-6pm)
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Consideration of pressing human rights issues under agenda item 4 (9am - 3pm)
The Human Rights Council this morning began its general substantive debate, taking up, under agenda item 4, namely, the Implementation of General Assembly Resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006: the situation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine; support for the Abuja Agreement; avoiding incitement to hatred and violence for reasons of religion or race; the human rights of migrants; and the role of human rights defenders in promoting and protecting human rights.
On the situation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, speakers indicated concern at the negative impact the continued settlement activities, the construction of the barrier on Palestinian land and restrictions on movement and access had on the human rights of the Palestinian population. The Council should take concrete measures to redress the situation by dispatching immediately the Special Rapporteur to the region on a fact-finding mission; and ensuring the end of the economic siege of Palestine. Delegations from Cuba, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia also voiced their particular concern over Israel's indiscriminate killing of civilians including women and children in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Abuja peace agreement was vital in order to protect human rights in the Darfur region, speakers said, and it should be possible to strengthen the rights of all in the region. Through a constructive dialogue and cooperation, the international community should help the authorities based on the recommendations of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Council should contribute to the various actions being taken to put an end to that worrying situation. Since respect for human rights was based on peace, it was hoped that a genuine human rights culture would prevail in the region.
Many delegations indicated the deep concern of their countries for the intensification of Islamophobia and ethnic and religious profiling of Muslims in recent years. Great importance was given to promoting greater tolerance and to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. Discrimination on the basis of religion was one of the most serious threats which undermined the efforts of the international community, speakers said. The struggle against all forms of religious and racial hatred, and the promotion of the dialogue among civilizations, should be addressed as an issue of great importance for the Council.
Several countries also took up the issue of migrants, pointing out that migrants could contribute to the social, economic and cultural development of all countries, and therefore it was a sine qua non not to forget the human rights of migrants, who were often fleeing from discrimination, violations of their fundamental human rights, and illicit trafficking in human beings. International mechanisms should be established and strengthened for sustained dialogue in addressing issues related to migration, especially in the context of human rights, and the Council would be an important forum to tackle issues relating to the human rights of migrants.
On the issue of human rights defenders, speakers said the level of protection and the level of freedom given to these defenders to exercise their functions were the clearest indicator of how far human rights prevailed. Grave concern was expressed about the continuing violations committed against persons engaged in promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world. The crucial role that certain individuals, non-governmental organizations and groups played in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms was also praised.
Taking the floor this morning were the representatives of Argentina, Pakistan for the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Mexico, Canada, Austria on behalf of the European Union, Peru, Japan, Switzerland, Tunisia for the Arab Group, Germany, Cuba, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, India, France, Algeria for the African Group, China, Jordan, the Netherlands, Morocco, Malaysia, South Africa, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
[Source: UNOG]
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Consideration of the report of the Working Group on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on racism (3-4:45pm)
When the Council reconvened, at 3pm, Ambassador Juan Martabit (Chile), chairman and rapporteur of the intergovernmental working group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination, presented the report of the 4th session (E/CN.4/2006/18) on the working group, held on 16-27 January 2006.
In its 4th session, the Working Group considered two main issues - racism and the internet and racism and globalisation - and issued a series of recommendations including increasing awareness in education (with regards to racism and the internet), the appointment by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of five highly qualified experts to identify gaps in international instruments, and the development of new legal instruments (including a new Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination).
A discussion on the above mentioned report ensued with statements from the following Council members: Cuba, Urrugay, China, Morocco, Argentina (GRULAC), Brazil, Mexico, Algeria, Austria (EU group), Switzerland, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Pakistan (OIC - Organisation of Ismaic Conference), Senegal, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Senegal. Most members expressed their support for the adoption of the report of the Working Group's 4th session, for the prolongation of the work of the Working Group, and for the appointment of the five experts. However, some deplored the slowness of the whole process. Non member States and NGOs also made statements.
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Consideration of the report of the Working Group on the right to development (4:45-6pm)
At 16:45, the Council ended its discussion on the Durban agreement and started the last discussion of the day on the right to development. Ambassador Ibrahim Salama (Egypt) took the floor and presented the report of the seventh session (9-13 January 2006) of the Working Group on the Right to Development (E/CN.4/2006/26).
The Working Group monitors and reviews progress made in the promotion and implementation of the right to development, reviews reports and other information submitted by States and NGOs, and submits sessional reports to the Human Righyts Council (formerly the Commission).
Subsequently, several government delegations took the floor including: Malaysia, China (non-aligned movement - NAM), Cuba, Austria (EU), Indonesia, Morocco, Brazil, Zambia, South Africa, Russia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan (Organisation of Islamic Conferences - OIC), Algeria, Senegal, Poland, US, Thailand, Luxembourg.
The meeting was adjourned at 6pm and will resume tomorrow, 27th June at 9am. Further statements on the report of the Working Group and comments by Mr Salama will be made tomorrow morning.
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This update has been produced by CRIN, in collaboration with the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Subgroup for the Commission on Human Rights. To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives, visit http://www.crin.org/email. Further information about the Human Rights Council is available on the CRIN website at: www.crin.org/HRC.
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