HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL OPENS COMMEMORATIVE SESSION FOR THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The Human Rights Council this morning opened a commemorative session on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After hearing children reading out articles of the Universal Declaration in their national languages, the Council held a general debate in which it heard presentations of national, regional and international initiatives launched on the occasion of the anniversary.

Ambassador Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, President of the Human Rights Council, in opening the session, said that right after the end of the Second World War which had claimed the lives of millions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been adopted as the first international recognition that all human beings had fundamental rights and freedoms. Sixty years later, the Declaration continued to be a living and relevant document for all. Available in more than 360 languages, the Declaration continued to carry its fundamental message to people everywhere in the world.

In the general segment, many national delegates expressed the great importance they attached to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that it was a landmark document to which they were all committed. The main contribution of the Universal Declaration to international human rights law was the recognition of the universality of all human rights and their interdependence. Further, the Universal Declaration had established noble principles which had led to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and seven other conventions on human rights. However, sixty years after the adoption, it was important to note that the principles set out in the Universal Declaration were still being violated, and much remained to be done. A number of speakers raised the issue of the Palestinian people whose tragedy started in the same year as the adoption of the Universal declaration and continued today.

Speaking were the delegations of Chile on behalf of Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, Cuba on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement, Egypt on behalf of the African Group, Pakistan on behalf on the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Egypt on behalf of the African Group, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, European Commission, Canada, International Labour Organization, China, Maldives, India, Austria, Indonesia, United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Israel, Philippines, Qatar, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Holy See, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Djibouti, Venezuela, Ghana, Turkey, Italy, Albania, Thailand, Denmark, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Japan, Romania, Nigeria, Palestine, International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Australia and Oman.

During the lunch break, the Council held a film screening depicting human rights stories from around the globe.

When the Human Rights Council reconvenes at 3 p.m this afternoon, it will hold a high-level segment at which United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, and other dignitaries will participate before concluding the one-day commemorative session.


Opening Statement by the President of the Human Rights Council

MARTIN I. UHOMOIBHI, President of the Human Rights Council, said that it was an honour for him to open this historical session commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Many dignitaries from their respective States, representatives from civil society, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and all others were most welcome for this very special occasion. Today they would witness the launching of many national, regional and international initiatives. Children would also read and sing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the Council and they would hear statements as reaffirmation of the commitment of the international community towards the realization of human rights for all. It was also an honour for the Council to have this event in the beautiful renovated Room XX, the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room. It was the first meeting in this room since its inauguration.

Mr. Uhomoibhi said that, 60 years ago, right after the end of the Second World War which had claimed the lives of millions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been adopted as the first international recognition that all human beings had fundamental rights and freedoms. Sixty years later, the Declaration continued to be a living and relevant document for all. Available in more than 360 languages, the Declaration continued to carry its fundamental message to people everywhere in the world. He was therefore pleased to welcome the first speakers: a group of young students of the Geneva Public Schools who would read the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration in their mother tongue. They represented multiculturalism and their presence reminded that they were all equally right-holders.

General Debate

CARLOS PORTALES (Chile), speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, said the Latin American and Caribbean region was in a position to contribute to the universal human rights agenda thanks to the fact that it was acting as a block and thanks to its previous experience in promoting human rights in the inter-American system and its keeping a balance between those who advocated for an individualistic view on the subject and those who had a rather collectivist view.

Among the 18 members of the Drafting Committee of the Universal Declaration were Chile, Panama and Uruguay. When presenting the draft Declaration of Human Rights to the General Assembly on 9 December 1948, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, Charles Malik emphasized acknowledgement for the contributions of Cuba and Ecuador, Guy Pérez-Cisneros and Jorge Carrera Andrade, respectively “for their great erudition and high idealism”, praising “the keen legal logic” of the Uruguayan delegate Eduardo Jiménez de Aréchaga, giving special credit to Minerva Bernardino of the Dominican Republic for the mention of the equal rights of men and women in the Preamble and thanking the Chilean delegate Hernan Santa Cruz for having kept alive “the great humane outlook of this Latin-American world”.

The main contribution of the Universal Declaration to International Human Rights Law was the recognition of the universality of all human rights and their interdependence.

Although the universality and interdependence of human rights was reaffirmed and strengthened by the successive Conferences on Human Rights held in Tehran in 1968 and Vienna in 1993, it had been recognized that there had not been advancement in the implementation of all human rights to the same extent so far. Therefore, Chile welcomed the recent adoption by the General Assembly of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which was considered vital for filling a gap in the implementation of all human rights.

The current state of human rights in the world was no reason for celebrating. Human rights violations continued to be perpetrated in all parts of the world. There were people who were unjustly deprived of their freedom — in some cases for no other reason than defending human rights –, torture continued to be a shameful reality, women in many parts of the world were still denied their human rights, rape had become a means for warfare, equality remained a pending issue and discrimination on various grounds continued to be current practice.

JUAN ANTONIO FERNANDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba), speaking on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement, said that the Non Aligned Movement highly valued the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its relevance in the field of the promotion and protection of human rights. It was a landmark document to which they were all committed. But at the same time, they had to acknowledge the lacunas and limitations this document had, motivated principally by the realities of the world in 1948, when only 58 States were members of the United Nations. Cuba underlined that 83 of the current members of the Non Aligned Movement had not been able to contribute to the elaboration of the Declaration; an important majority of them because of the fact that their peoples were still subjected to colonial or alien domination. This prevented the authors of the Declaration to include elements such as the right to development, respect for national territorial integrity or the right to self-determination, among other rights which had been identified and established afterwards.

In 2008, the world had faced two major crises: the World Food Crisis, which prompted the first thematic special session of this Council; and the World Financial Crisis, which proved that money was not a problem when the priority was to save the banks, the big companies and the stock market speculators. If developed countries had devoted at least half of that money to fight poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, illiteracy, hunger, malnutrition and lack of access to healthcare, they would have arrived to this session with a positive record of real contribution to the creation of a world of dignity and justice for all. Unfortunately, this had not been the case.

In this context, the Non Aligned Movement reaffirmed once again its strong position on the need to achieve the full realization of the right to development, including through the adoption of a Convention on it. Also, the Non Aligned Movement could not forget the tragedy generated by the situation of occupation imposed on the Palestinian people and on those living in the occupied Syrian Golan, whose most basic human rights continue to be violated on a daily basis by Israel, the occupying power.

HISHAM BADR (Egypt), speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that the African Group was proud to take part in this important commemorative event. At the time of its promulgation by the General Assembly, only four African countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia and South Africa, had taken part in the adoption, while other African countries were still struggling for independence under colonial rule and oppression. South Africa itself was still led by a regime practicing apartheid and racial segregation. During the ensuing four decades, efforts concentrated on achieving independence, African unity and solidarity, the fight against colonialism and apartheid, and establishing the political, economic and social foundations of modern African states building on the inherited legacy of the colonial era.

The African Charter for Human and Peoples Rights had been issued in 1981 and eventually had come into force in 1986, leading to the creation of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. The protocol on the establishment of the African Court on Human Rights had been adopted in 1988, leading upon its ratification by the necessary number of countries and the merger with the African Court of Justice to the establishment in 2006 of the African Court of Human and Peoples Rights, now operating in Tanzania. The evolution of the African engagement in the area of human rights continued and reached a new high with the creation of the African Union in 2002. Its Constitutive Act heralded a qualitative change in the areas of promotion and protection of human rights, as it included among its key objectives, taking due account of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the promotion of democratic principles and institutions, popular participation, and the promotion and protection of human and people rights. The Constitutive Act also affirmed the right of the Union to intervene in a Member State in cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Despite all these achievements, African countries were realizing that they still faced important challenges to overcome, some homegrown and some created by outside forces. The African countries had the political will and their determination was strong to continue on the path of the promotion and protection of human rights for all Africans. The African Group called on the Human Rights Council and on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to support them in these endeavours.

TEHMINA JANJUA (Pakistan), speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said that the commemorative session on the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a landmark event. The celebration was a result of the realisation of human rights in the formulation of policies and actions from Governments around the world. The Organization of the Islamic Conference welcomed the statement made by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the work of her office in this regard. The Universal Declaration was a document that continued to enjoy the consensus of the international community. Despite this significant challenges were faced in the realization and enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. All human rights should combat contemporary forms of discrimination such as Islamophobia, among others. Delegates from the Islamic community fully supported the inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights to be included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In December 2005, the Organization of the Islamic Conference leaders concluded among other things, that consultation, good governance, and transparency went hand in hand for the full realization of all human rights. The conference also outlined a ten-year road map for human rights. Further, the conference also considered how to enhance the work of non-governmental organisations in its working methods. The Organization of the Islamic Conference hoped that the universal and indivisible principle of all human rights remained a focus. They were inspired by the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and hoped that Member States continued to evoke those principles in achieving human rights for all.

HISHAM BADR (Egypt), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted 60 years ago after long and complicated negotiations and that Arab delegates had participated in drawing it up. The negotiations had not been easy, the principles and standards had been mixed with interests and political doctrines. However, they had reached the establishment of common human values. These and other principles were lofty, however, the reality was somber and the actions were meager. The Arab Group emphasized that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was born in the same year as the Palestinian tragedy commenced. The plight of the Palestinian people continued until today.

The Arab Group explained that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had established noble principles which led to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and seven other conventions on human rights. The Arab Group called on all countries to contemplate these noble principles. It looked forward to the day when the common human rights would be commemorated and that this day would also be the day in which human rights for Arab peoples had been established.

LIBERE BARARUNYERETSE, of the Organisation Internationale de La Francophonie, said that on 10 December 1948, the General Assembly meeting in Paris had adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Today, it continued to serve as a reference for the adoption of new legal instruments. The adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was another important step as it had set that all human rights were universal, indivisible, interdependent and interlinked. But 60 years after the adoption, one had to note that the principles set out in the Universal Declaration were still being violated. Despite the tireless work of numerous non-governmental organizations and despite the achieved progress and achievements of the past 60 years, there was still a lot to do.

The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie was fully engaged in favor of the respect of human rights worldwide, as could be seen through the various initiatives undertaken by the Organisation in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Haiti, Senegal and Togo.

ECKART GUTH (European Commission) said European integration was founded on a joint endeavour to strengthen democracy and the effective respect for fundamental rights. Indeed the protection of human rights required a constant effort to extend and update legislative and policy initiatives in areas such as the fight against racism, xenophobia and all types of discrimination. Furthermore, the protection and the promotion of human rights was an essential component of their political relations with third countries, as well as external assistance.

Sixty years after its proclamation, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was widely accepted as part of customary international law – testimony to the true universal nature of the rights it recognised. However, much more remained to be done to ensure that every woman and man were made fully aware of their rights under the Declaration. It was also important to empower civil society to ensure the effective implementation of the Declaration and of subsequent human rights norms and standards. In that respect, it was recalled that the financial programmes, notably the European Instrument on Democracy and Human Rights, provided financial support to projects implemented by non-governmental organizations and individual human rights defenders, as well as to international inter-governmental organizations and international criminal tribunals. The European Commission welcomed the campaign launched by the United Nations Secretary-General on the theme “Dignity and Justice for All of Us”. In this context, the Commission supported the project “Stories on Human Rights”, a collection of 22 short films on human rights directed by distinguished film-makers from around the world. Those films were now being shown as part of commemorations organized by delegations throughout the world.

MARIUS GRINIUS (Canada) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented a cornerstone of the international human rights system. In the shadow of a world torn apart by war, a group of people had come together to draw it up and Canada was proud that the Canadian Sir John Humphrey had taken part in that process. On December 10 2008, the John Humphrey Award had been presented to an organization in Zimbabwe which supported human rights defenders.

Canada added that an impressive framework of human rights had been developed in conjunction with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The treaty bodies and the special procedures had also supported States to comply with these conventions which were still relevant today. However, promoting these rights and freedoms was not enough. They had to be defended in order to create enhanced security and prosperity for each and every one of us. Canada was decided to take steps so that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would not be a mere work of fiction but a reality.

KAREN CURTIS, of the International Labour Organization, conveying the following message in the name of JUAN SOMAVIA, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights placed respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms squarely in the context of the fight against poverty and the promotion of social progress, through measures at the national and international levels. The International Labour Organization’s mandate was inseparably linked to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and it drew from many of the principles of the International Labour Organization’s Constitution, including the right to just and favourable conditions of work, protection against unemployment, equal pay and the right to form and join trade unions.

The International Labour Organization’s international labour standards, together with the human rights instruments adopted by the General Assembly, formed a solid, coherent and mutually reinforcing body of international law. But the goals and aspirations of the Universal Declaration still remained distant and unrealized for millions of working women and men worldwide. The current turmoil required all the more a focus on ensuring respect for human rights. The International Labour Organization’s Decent Work Agenda was a concrete response to all the current challenges. Further, as they worked towards universal ratification of the International Labour Organization’s fundamental conventions, particular efforts were needed to achieve progress with regard to the conventions regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining.

LI BAODONG (China) said that 60 years ago the General Assembly had adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and it had been the first time the international community made a firm commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Protection and respect for human rights was an achievement for modern day society. To truly achieve the objectives in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the international community had a long way to go. Many people around the world suffered, and specifically the right to life for the people in those regions concerned continued to be threatened as they were affected by poverty, disease and environmental degradation. The achievement of the Millennium Development Goals was far from being achieved. Faced with those challenges, among other things, the international community was urged to increase understanding through dialogue and cooperate to fully envisage the full effect and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. China had fully adhered to all the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and principles of universal human rights for its people, by creating policies with and by the people and protecting the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights through law. The Government was formulating the 2009-2010 National Plan of Action for Human Rights for the promotion and protection of human rights, which illustrated China’s commitment to the international community for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. China had held several exchanges of dialogue with other countries, and looked forward to the upcoming constructive dialogue with Member States during its review under the Universal Periodic Review in 2009. China continued to seriously implement policies with its people at the centre to fully implement all human rights.

ABDUL GHAFOOR MOHAMED (Maldives) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been called the common language of humanity. The enduring appeal and importance of the document reminded all that, despite their differences, all nations, cultures and people shared certain fundamental values that bound them together into a common humanity. The Maldives informed the Human Rights Council that the vision laid down 60 years ago by the drafters of the Declaration had found practical reality today in the new democratic Maldives. In today’s Maldives, the ideals and principles contained in the Universal Declaration had found real-world form in its proud new Constitution, in its vibrant free media, in its active civil society, in its independent judiciary, in its assertive national Human Rights Commission, in the free, fair and calm presidential election and in the smooth transfer of power from the old to the new Government. These achievements demonstrated, without any doubt, that the spirit encapsulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was alive and well in the Maldives. If the Declaration did indeed represent the common language of humanity, then the people of the Maldives, though perhaps not yet fluent, were speaking the language well and most importantly, were speaking it freely and with conviction.

SWASHPAWAN SINGH (India) said that the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 had been a landmark event reflecting the collective resolve of the world community to seek dignity and justice for all. India had played a leading role in the drafting of this document. Since its adoption, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been at the centre of the efforts of the international community to promote and protect human rights for all. This historic document had influenced many constitutions and had been a source of inspiration for governments, civil societies and human rights activists all over the world. The reaffirmation of this landmark document by the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action had established its continuing relevance for the contemporary world.

Looking back at the journey of the last 60 years, there were many achievements to count. There was first and foremost a universal recognition of human rights norms and values. But they also recognized that the world was still far from reaching the goal of the Universal Declaration to achieve dignity and justice for all. The international community should resolve to work together and re-dedicate itself to the cause of the promotion and protection of human rights and dignity for all.

A series of initiatives had been launched in India to commemorate the anniversary, under which were the translation of the Universal Declaration in eight different Indian languages and the launch by the National Human Rights Commission of India of an online registration of complaints mechanism. Lastly, the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai marked a qualitatively new and dangerous escalation of the phenomenon of terrorism which deserved a coordinated and firm response of the world community.

CHRISTIAN STROHAL (Austria) said the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris 60 years ago marked the beginning of an evolution in terms of standard setting and institution building in the field of human rights that few had anticipated. Designed as “a common standard of achievement” the Universal Declaration of Human Rights laid the groundwork for the codification of a considerable number of human rights instruments which had done away with the fence of non-interference into domestic affairs.

This evolution had overcome the initial hesitation to introduce legally binding obligations governing the internal conduct of States. It had also surmounted the historic disinclination to establish corresponding enforcement mechanisms. The Universal Declaration was not only the most often translated document on earth, but also was widely recognized as having evolved into a norm of international customary law. The recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal rights of all human beings in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the universal validity of human rights continued to guide Austria’s commitment and common responsibility. The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna re-affirmed and further strengthened those principles. It spelled out that “it was the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms”. It was not to be forgotten that the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, representing all cultures and regions of the world, were very conscious of that debate and formulated the Declaration as a universal answer to it.

As the host of the World Conference in 1993, Austria attached particular importance to the continuous validation and implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. It was in this spirit that Austria was commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which coincided with the fifteenth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action – and the tenth anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

GUSTI AGUNG WESAKA PUJA (Indonesia) said that Indonesia believed that democracy was and should be homegrown. No country liked to have something imposed on it from the outside. Therefore, dialogue should be established in order to spread positive developments without being imposed. Indonesia added that there was no perfect democracy since it was an evolving system. Indonesia had been undergoing a democratic transformation in the last ten years, through direct general elections at the national level as well as hundreds of local elections peacefully and successfully. However, Indonesia had observed that elections alone were not sufficient.

The existence of a thriving democracy was also indicated by the institutional strengths of its executive, legislature and judiciary, as well as the presence of a free and independent media and a vibrant civil society. Indonesia was eager to learn from other countries’ experiences and also to share what it had learned from its experience as a fledgling democracy. To achieve that goal, they should be able to build confidence through a process that encouraged introspection, dialogue and consultation, rather than confrontation and judgment. Indonesia had launched the Bali Democracy Forum which had taken place in Bali on 10 and 11 December 2008 and was the first intergovernmental forum in Asia about democracy.

The Representative of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), reading out a statement on behalf of KAREN ABUZAYD, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized the “inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. It also declared that “the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom from fear and want as the highest aspiration of the common people”. Sixty years on, the gap between the rhetoric and reality, particularly in the case of the Palestinian people, should be a cause for universal soul-searching. The need to close this gap and to give substantive meaning to the protection of Palestinians had never been greater. The former High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, had said that in Gaza, nothing short of a civilisation was being destroyed. Desmond Tutu had called it an abomination.

Fatality figures for the Occupied Palestinian Territories had surely to make the world question its commitment to upholding the right to life, the most fundamental of all rights. More than 500 Palestinians had been killed this year as a result of the conflict. Eleven Israelis had lost their lives this year. The informal ceasefire in Gaza had been welcomed by Israelis and Palestinians alike, and UNRWA hoped that it continued to hold in spite of recent violations. The right to freedom of movement enshrined in the Universal Declaration also remained a distant hope for many Palestinians. With an estimated ten thousand Palestinians in Israeli prisons, the declaration that everyone had the right to liberty and security of person and that no one should be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment had a sad resonance today. In Gaza, more than half of the population now lived below the deep poverty line. This was a humanitarian crisis, but one that was deliberately imposed by political actors. Overarching all these rights was the right of self-determination, a right of which Palestinians had been deprived through 60 years of exile and dispossessions. The chasm between word and deed was a matter of puzzlement to many Palestinians. This could be reversed and protection was the place to start. They had to make the vision of the signatories of the Universal Declaration a reality, continuing to fail to do so was to their universal shame.

AHARON LESHNO-YAAR (Israel) said the roots of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were often traced to the horrors of the Holocaust. As Eleanor Roosevelt said in her address to the General Assembly on 9 December 1948, “the realization that the flagrant violation of human rights by Nazi and Fascist countries sowed the seeds of the last world war has supplied the impetus for the work which brings us to the moment of achievement here today”. The world’s revulsion at the Holocaust provoked the international community into action, to establish a mechanism which emphasized universal respect for human rights. The legacy of those who survived inspired the nascent United Nations to codify specific rights on the common basis that everyone was human, so that future generations were not stripped of their dignity and humanity.

Human rights education was the key to any recognition and respect of fundamental rights and freedoms. Such education was similarly used to overcome prejudice and incitement to hatred and intolerance. For this reason, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was part of the general educational curriculum in Israel, and each year Israeli schools recognized International Human Rights Day. However, great contributions to human rights education also came from civil society. On 10 December 2008, the Israeli non-governmental organization B’Tselem released a film detailing the modern human rights movement, from its birth out of the horrors of World War II to the struggle for the full implementation which continued today. Since August 2008, the Israeli Prisons Commissioner began a joint programme with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel to provide human rights training for prison wardens and staff, especially those dealing with Palestinian detainees.

ERLINDA F. BASILIO (Philippines) said that after 60 years, the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights continued to resonate with clarity and power. More so than any other international document, it reminded the world that life was always and forever sacred and that all men and women everywhere were equal and enjoyed equal rights. As a founding member of the United Nations and the former Commission of Human Rights, the Philippines was honoured to have played a role in shaping the Universal Declaration. Most significantly, the Philippine representative in the Commission on Human Rights, the late Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo, was a co-author of Article 1 of the Declaration. He also made substantive contributions to other articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, such as those on the prohibition of slavery, the right to work, freedom of thought, conscience and belief, freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of expression. These contributions illustrated the traditional commitment of the Government and people of the Philippines to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This tradition continued.

ABDULLA FALAH ABDULLA AL-DOSARI (Qatar) said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a cornerstone of human rights worldwide. The Universal Declaration was a vibrant document and as it had been drafted and adopted by representatives of all regions of the world it was an international instrument. Like other modern democracies, Qatar had been inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by the Sharia in its Constitution. Qatar had fulfilled its commitments and pledges in human rights and had achieved to create a culture of human rights for future generations. The European Union had also recognized this and had recently commended the role of the Government of Qatar in the protection of human rights in the country. Qatar also underlined the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the need for justice to the Palestinian people and to allow them their right in self-determination.

HANS DAHLGREN (Sweden) said the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration had been celebrated throughout the year in Sweden. Activities involved large parts of Swedish society, culminating with a solemn ceremony in the Swedish Parliament two days ago. Those occasions and the commemorative session today recalled the vote on 10 December 1948, at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, when the General Assembly of United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Few then accorded the document any great significance. States were not legally bound by the text, and violations of its principles were so commonplace that it was difficult to believe that a few words on a piece of paper would be able to bring about change. Today, the Universal Declaration was the world’s most translated text, and its principles were expected to be respected by every State.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was about the rights and freedoms of the individual and the State’s obligation to respect and protect those rights and freedoms. It was about freedom from oppression and the right to a private sphere, it was about protection of physical and mental integrity and about the right to participate in the governing of one’s country. The Declaration affirmed the freedom of thought and expression, the right to receive and disseminate information. And it set limits to the power of the State over the individual. The Declaration was one part of a long process to create a better and freer society. Sadly, that process was far from over. People remained imprisoned for their beliefs, tortured and put to death. People were denied freedom of expression, thought and belief, and were discriminated against. Yet the world and the individual were far freer today than 60 years ago. The majority of United Nations Member States were democracies. The rule of law was the norm for State building around the world.

BENTE ANGELL-HANSEN (Norway) said that Norway had, at a national level, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights throughout this year with an enhanced focus on human rights in the Norwegian Parliament, public debates, media, universities and schools. Respect for human rights was one of the fundamental values underpinning Norwegian society. Further, Norway said that a world where more than 1 billion people lived in extreme poverty was the greatest human rights challenge of our time. This was one of the reasons why Norway had decided to increase its official development assistance to 1 per cent GNI, starting from next year. With this, Norway would strengthen its contribution to poverty eradication and to the realization of the right to food, water, health and education for all. The realization of the Millennium Development Goals at country level would not be possible without making the human rights instruments, including the covenants and the conventions, an integral part of its efforts. By pursuing a human rights perspective Norway emphasized the rights of the poor and the responsibility of States to promote development based on the principles of participation, non-discrimination, empowerment and accountability.

DON MACKAY (New Zealand) said that a great deal had been achieved since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There was now a common understanding that human rights helped achieve development and security. There was also awareness among Governments that human rights standards were an important benchmark for their actions towards their people. The political risks for States in violating human rights had become more visible and less easy to ignore. Yet, despite the clear guidance provided by the Universal Declaration, discrimination persisted. There were still gaps between the universally endorsed standards and the practice of States in all regions of the world.

As a country in the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand sought to contribute actively and cooperatively to raise awareness of human rights standards in the region, in partnership with regional organisations. Initiatives included the establishment of human rights machinery and bilateral programmes. For example, New Zealand had provided support to a recent Commonwealth seminar on the Universal Periodic Review. Within the country itself, commemorative events had raised awareness of the core values of the Universal Declaration. Back in 1948, New Zealand had played an active part in the drafting of the Universal Declaration. It was now time to return to the basics and to focus on their collective efforts on the effective and universal implementation of the Declaration.

SILVANO M. TOMASI (Holy See) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a memorable moment in the history of human coexistence and a great expression of a universal civilization founded on human dignity and oriented toward peace. The Holy See supported the decision of the Human Rights Council to observe the sixtieth anniversary of this Declaration. After the horrors of World War II, the Declaration had solemnly reaffirmed the supreme value of the human dignity of every person and people, without any distinction based on sex, social condition, ethnicity, culture, or political, religious or philosophical convictions. With this document, human dignity finally was recognized as the essential value on which rested an international order that was truly peaceful and sustainable. The Holy See recalled the great sense of unity, solidarity and responsibility that let the United Nations to proclaim universal human rights as a response to all persons and people weighed down by the violation of their dignity, a task that remained a challenge today. The Universal Declaration promoted events, educational programmes, assistance initiatives worldwide, in particular for children, women and vulnerable groups, so that God, as his holiness Pope Benedict XVI said on 10 December 2008, “May allow us to build a world where every human being will feel accepted in his/her full dignity, and where relations among person and among peoples are based on respect, dialogue and solidarity”. It also highlighted once more the fact that human rights were at risk if not rooted on the ethical foundation of common humanity as created by God who had given everyone the gifts of intelligence and freedom.

BOUDEWIJN J. VAN EENENNAAM (Netherlands) said that the Netherlands celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with mixed feelings. Although it was a milestone in the history of human rights and had been the inspiration of most human rights treaties, many of the promises contained in the Declaration remained unfulfilled. Regarding the universality, the Netherlands said that it was good to remember that the Declaration was an answer to the horrors of the Second World War but also that most experts that drafted the Declaration in 1948 came from non-Western countries. All of the countries present had signed up to the human rights treaties that emanated from the Declaration and in this respect it was indeed universal. Unfortunately, this did not mean that all human beings enjoyed all human rights in the same manner.

As to legality, the Netherlands said that in cases of gross human rights violations, as was currently the case in Zimbabwe, the international community had the obligation to intervene on behalf of the victims of such violations. The international community could not shirk its responsible because the government of the country concerned did not agree. Further, the Netherlands were also convinced that in the next 60 years emphasis should be on implementation of the existing human rights treaties. There was no point in elaborating new norms, when they were not able to enforce existing norms. The Netherlands wondered whether universality ought not to imply an independent universal supervisory mechanism that took its cues from the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg or the Inter-American Human Rights Court in San José.

PETER GOODERHAM (United Kingdom) said that the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been one of the most important events in the history of the United Nations. In their world of inter-governmental negotiations, debate and politicking there were, occasionally, moments when they could all stand back and be truly proud of the outcome. The agreement reached in 1948 was one such occasion and the United Kingdom was proud that it had been one of its strongest supporters from the outset. Written in the shadow of a brutal world war and on behalf of a world horrified by the Holocaust, the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights defined what it meant to be human. Its adoption had been a seminal moment and it was their duty today to consider not just the impact that it had had over the past six decades, but also those elements that had not yet been achieved. They should look around and ask themselves if the aspiration of the 1948 drafters were fully realised. They could not ignore the fact that in too many places, and for too many people, the rights set out in the Universal Declaration remained out of reach.

The Human Rights Council had an obligation to ensure the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While this document had been truly groundbreaking, there were still too many places in which those words had not been put into practice. The sixtieth anniversary offered an opportunity to remind themselves of their common goal, common duty and responsibility to promote and protect human rights around the world. To mark this historic occasion the United Kingdom had organised a day of events with broad participation which had involved Ministers, human rights experts and non-governmental organizations. But the Council itself needed to ensure that they devoted all their efforts to ensure that rights were not only promoted, but protected too.

MOHAMED-SIAD DOUALEH (Djibouti) reiterated Djibouti’s commitment to the full implementation and effective realization of the 39 articles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Government of Djibouti would like to raise awareness on the progress made and new and varied challenges that had risen within sectors of the country. It was noted that there was a relatively small number of Member States involved in the drafting of the document and as such gaps remained in the document. The Declaration stressed the question of universality. The shocking inequalities that existed in the world needed to be urgently addressed, such as the recent food crisis and financial crisis. Djibouti was particularly concerned that the funding of development was a fundamental human right. This question, among other things, was acute especially for developing countries that needed to adapt constantly.

GERMAN MUNDARAIN HERNANDEZ (Venezuela) said that 60 years ago a group of countries, including Venezuela, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in response to the clamour of peoples for peace and dignity for human beings with the aspiration of bringing about a more just world. This was an era marked by colonialism in Asia and Africa and an America of dictatorships, racism, inequality, exclusion and segregation. The Declaration was born with the intention of an international compromise for a durable peace, proclaiming freedom, equality and inherent rights for all human beings. Venezuela reiterated its commitment to human rights and its compliance with the obligations stemming from the human rights conventions ratified by Venezuela.

Venezuela was preoccupied that since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, new threats had arisen such as weapons of mass destruction. It appealed to the international community to endorse, deepen and advance the contents of the Declaration. Multilateralism had to reflect the new aspirations of peoples constructing a new world order based on equality, inclusion, justice, peace, human dignity, solidarity and international cooperation.

KWABENA BAAH-DUODU (Ghana) said that exactly 60 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been adopted as a common standard of achievement of all peoples and all nations, a set of goals and aspirations and a vision of the world as the international community wanted it to become. The world then had just begun to revive itself from the ravaging repercussions of man’s inhumanity.

Also 60 years ago, most of their fathers and their grandfathers were struggling under the bane of colonialism and apartheid. Ghana had been under colonial rule at the time and not yet a member of the United Nations. Even so, those laudable principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration, such as the right to self-determination, had been held dear by their forefathers and inspired them to fight against colonialism and eventually take their destiny in their own hands. Through their vision and resolve, they found themselves now as a part of the international community. As they celebrated this anniversary today, they, as members of the international community, had to pause to reflect on the injustices that continued to plague the world as a result of man’s persistent refusal to abide by the greatest words of all times: to love one’s neighbour as oneself and to do unto others as one would have done unto themselves. They still had a long way to go as thousands of people continued to suffer violations of human rights on a daily basis.

AHMET UZUMCU (Turkey) said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights laid the foundation of the modern human rights concept and it had been conducive to the conclusion of several conventions and other important documents for the past 60 years. The Declaration continued to inspire all in a common effort to further promote and protect human rights throughout the world. While significant progress had been achieved thus far, much remained to be done. The challenge was how to translate international documents into national legislation, put them into practice and consolidate current mechanisms. Technical assistance and capacity building were essential. Turkey believed that existing institutions were sufficiently equipped to fulfil those tasks. Turkey urged the need to generate the political will and adequate resources, to raise public awareness, continue to educate people, and consider additional measures to protect the most vulnerable segments of societies. Self criticism, openness to constructive criticism, receptivity and responsiveness, sharing best practices and encouragement helped to ensure a steady improvement of the human rights situation at a global scale. This was an evolutionary process and empathy was necessary.

The world was at a critical juncture. Cultural polarization and intolerance as well as misperceptions and misunderstandings had become widespread and Member States were urged to strive to overcome them through close dialogue and cooperation and through the building of commonalities, upholding and promoting universal values. The Alliance of Civilizations project under the auspices of the Secretary-General was the best venue to address those issues. Turkey invited those who had not yet done so to join the Friends of the Alliance of Civilizations. Turkey viewed the Universal Declaration as the north star of human rights. It had guided Member States for decades in the path to reform. The sixtieth anniversary of the Declaration constituted a new opportunity for Member States to intensify information activities about fundamental rights and freedoms of people in conformity with international commitments. Indeed, seminars, conferences were being organized, and statements and articles were being published. It was also an opportunity to review and reinforce relevant institutions, to give boost to training activities being cognizant of the fact that it was implementation that counted. In that respect, the Universal Declaration continued to be the yardstick.

GIOVANNI CARACCIOLO DI VIETRI (Italy) said that regarding the elaboration of norms and international legal standards, the past 60 years had been extraordinarily fertile and positive. However, individual fundamental rights and freedoms were constantly being violated in several parts of the world, often in a massive and systematic way. Italy recalled that it was committed against the death penalty. This had contributed in December 2007 to the historical adoption by the General Assembly of the United Nations of the resolution on capital punishment and the approval of a follow-up by the Third Committee of the General Assembly, showing a consistent trend of increasing international support to this cause. Second, Italy was committed to the fight against all forms of religious intolerance, especially those associated with attacks and violence against religious minorities. Third, Italy attached great importance to the issue of women victims of armed conflicts, with special reference to war-related sexual violence against women and girls, on which Italy had been in the front line in all United Nations fora. Finally, Italy was determined to promote and protect the rights of the child, with a strong emphasis on the issues of children in armed conflicts and the plight of forced recruitment of child soldiers. Further, the fight against all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance was at the core of Italy’s Constitution but required a continuous endeavour of all public institutions and the engagement of civil society in all its facets. To this end, an enhanced effort in information and education on human rights remained a shared priority.

SEJDI QERIMAJ (Albania) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had given legitimacy, for the first time, to the aspirations of humanity for more dignity, justice, equality and peace. For Albania, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had a special meaning too. Just 18 years ago, students had started to revolt against the communist regime. The document which had been read by the students at the start of these events had been the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Throughout 2008, there has been a national programme of awareness raising, focusing on human rights in Albanian schools and universities. Thousands of textbooks as well as copies of the Universal Declaration had been distributed throughout schools, along with other related documents.
They were all aware of the work achieved in the past 60 years, but they were also aware of the work which remained to be done. It was difficult to imagine a world without the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

SIHASAK PHUANGKETKEOW (Thailand) said that although this sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provided much reason to rejoice, it was perhaps more appropriately a time to reflect on what had been accomplished and what more was to be done to achieve universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all peoples and nations. The truth was that in spite of significant strides that had been achieved over the past six decades, human rights, human dignity and justice for all continued to be under threat in every region of the world. The sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights needed to be an opportunity to renew the commitments to ensure that the vast range of human rights instruments, treaties and legislation inspired by the Declaration were truly implemented, and implemented in a way that made a difference to the lives of peoples around the world. Indeed, all the norms and standards that were created for the promotion and protection of human rights had amounted to little if they were not translated into concrete actions that enriched the lives and dignity of people.

Within this hallowed chamber transpired the noble work of the Human Rights Council, which embodied the hopes and aspirations of Member States for the promotion and protection of human rights. But the Council was only as effective as the individual and collective will of its members to work together in a constructive and meaningful dialogue. The most important thing, therefore, was not so much the statements and resolutions that were made in the Human Rights Council, but whether the Council truly reached out together to promote the rights and fundamental freedoms of the people on the ground.

MARIE-LOUISE OVERVAD (Denmark) said that what people needed today was the political will and strength to ensure that human rights became a reality for all people all over the world. The world must stand guard over the universality of human rights and counter actions and proposals that might dilute or undermine these rights. Human rights were a cornerstone of Danish foreign policy. Denmark would stay in the forefront in the fight for compliance with and respect for human rights. This applied both to Denmark’s involvement in multilateral fora such as the United Nations and the European Union and its development cooperation with partner countries. As part of the Danish commitment, the Danish Government was in the process of developing an overall strategy for Denmark’s approach to international work on human rights, taking into account the current challenges facing the world. The strategy would be a key instrument in the work to carry forward Denmark’s targeted and consistent human rights policy. The Danish Government was also in the process of developing a strategy to foster democracy and human rights in the developing countries. This strategy would constitute the first specific implementation of the overall human rights strategy placing focus on support for the set-up of legal systems that were accessible also to poor and marginalized human beings. Denmark drew attention to the fact that this was also the 10-year anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. They deserved protection and deepest respect.

DINESH BHATTARAI (Nepal) said that the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. As they gathered today to mark the celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it was now time to reflect on how their initiatives had contributed to advance their cause and what obstacles were on their path. In Nepal, ever since they had converted the decade long armed conflict into the peace process in 2006, Nepal had crossed several milestones in the peace process. The interim constitution of 2007 guaranteed the universal principles of human rights, democracy and social justice. The peace process had thus contributed to the profound democratic political transformation. It had transformed the country from monarchy to republic and transformed the rebel force into a political party that was currently heading the elected Government. These historic changes had produced significant improvements in the human rights situation in Nepal.

Further, terrorism, poverty, conflicts, repression and discrimination stared at the Council and plagued millions and millions of people everyday. This challenged them to act in a concerted manner. It was time for them to stand together and to act firmly and honestly to completely remove these scourges and let people enjoy universal human rights in an environment of peace, justice, democracy and development.

IM HAN-TAEK (Republic of Korea) said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, born from the painful experiences of the Second World War, was of time-transcending value, providing a firm foundation for the promotion and protection of human rights. More importantly, the Declaration was itself a monumental proof that together the world could make great accomplishments for humanity beyond differences in the context of ideological, political and religious beliefs.

Over the past 60 years, the Republic of Korea had achieved remarkable human rights advancement along with the accomplishment of democracy and economic development. The Republic of Korea had learned that protecting human rights was not a political option but the very “raison d’etre” of the State. The Government of the Republic of Korea believed it was most meaningful that during the commemorative year it was engaged in the Universal Periodic Review, one of the most important human rights mechanisms. The entire Universal Periodic Review process of preparations, constructive dialogue and follow-up had provided the Government of the Republic of Korea with an excellent opportunity to look into its overall human rights situation and to seek concrete measures for improvement. In the meantime, there had been a multitude of occasions to honour the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Conferences and seminars, photo exhibits, concerts and cinema festivals had been hosted throughout the year by the Government, non-governmental organizations and academia to raise awareness about the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and human rights in general.

The international conference for human rights of criminal victims deserved special mention. It was one of the programmes initiated by the Korean Ministry of Justice in 2008 aimed at strengthening the protection of human rights of vulnerable groups. The launching of a workshop on human rights education for prosecutors and correction officers was another good example of the ministry’s ongoing efforts.

SHINICHI KITAJIMA (Japan) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had proven particularly valuable through three elements. First, the Declaration suggested that the protection of human rights would lead to the avoidance of the outbreak of war, serving to peace and stability of the world. In remembrance of the fact that at the time of the adoption of the Declaration, some countries in Asia and many in Africa were still under colonial rules, the Declaration had played an unprecedented role in promoting peace and justice around the world. Second, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had served to introduce and consolidate the general concept of human rights to be protected. It included not only civil and political rights, but it also stipulated economic, social and cultural rights such as freedom from want and poverty. Third, the Declaration had widely influenced the spreading of an idea of global governance, indicating basic needs for the management of the international community.

DORU ROMULUS COSTEA (Romania) said that this sixtieth anniversary was an opportunity to acknowledge the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by taking a hard look at how it had been implemented and whether its topicality had changed. However, merely stating that a right or another was guaranteed in everyday life did not make it happen. Further, the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights did not take place in a vacuum or in an imaginary place; it required different tools in different places. Also, turning human rights into facts on the ground could not take place without institutions, mechanisms and tools to accomplish this goal. It had taken 45 years between the adoption Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the establishment of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Turning to the Human Rights Council, and halfway through the life of the Council until the review of its activity, he said that views and assessments differed as to its value. There was no excuse for sparing efforts and pretending that more should be done later: now and all the time, they had to be aware that later may be too late and the real children, women and men that were suffering were living today.

IFEANYI E. NWOSU (Nigeria) said that the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a historic milestone on the path to global understanding and affirmation of their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and women, and that all human beings were born free and with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms. This determinably laid the foundation for the promotion of social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. Nigeria was party to a number of international human rights treaties, which bound it to respect and ensure human rights of all individuals within its territory. Nigeria had taken firm steps to build a peaceful and stable country rooted in the rule of law, democracy and respect for human rights. Nigeria for the first time had achieved a transition of civilian-to-civilian succession of Government through a democratic process. It was noted that the Government had put into place a transparent process for future elections. The President of Nigeria, in that regard, had received the report of the 22-member Electoral Reform Commission. Also noteworthy to mention was that the judicial process played a key role in addressing all matters and challenges in the electoral system.

Nigeria was faced by a number of human rights challenges, including matters of adequate resources and technical know-how to address both compelling development needs as well as civil and political rights. The Government of Nigeria was determined to continue on the irreversible road to put in place mechanisms for democratic governance and promotion and protection of all human rights and freedoms.

IMAD ZUHAIRI (Palestine) emphasized the noble principles and values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Regrettably the tragedy of the Palestinian people persisted. The tragedy had taken on several faces; there were homeless Palestinians, refugee Palestinians and Palestinians suffering occupation at home. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights contained rights such as the right to self-determination and the right of return. But Israel was continuing to violate humanitarian law and human rights which should apply to Palestine, including Jerusalem. As the world marked the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Palestine would like the noble principles to be binding. Palestine reiterated its commitment to respect of humanitarian law and human rights and would spare no effort to develop national legislation that was relevant for the protection of human rights. The Palestinian people called on the international community to strengthen international law and implement the United Nation’s resolutions to put an end to human rights violations in occupied Palestinian territory.

CECILIA QUISUMBING, of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, said that 60 years ago, equality, dignity and rights had been merely ideas. The Universal Declaration had united the world in values that transcended cultures and traditions. This year also marked an important milestone as fifteen years ago, the international community had adopted the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. That same year, the Paris Principles had been adopted. Together, these documents underscored the need for national implementation of international obligations and the intrinsic value of independent national human rights institutions. National human rights institutions from around the world had gathered in Kenya this October for the ninth International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions. This Conference was one of many examples of how they were transforming the vision set in the Universal Declaration into action. National human rights institutions were taking concrete steps to mark the sixtieth anniversary.

Finally, much had been accomplished: some small steps, major victories. National human rights institutions were dedicated to influencing a positive shift in the culture of human rights and to marking a difference through collaboration and recognition of their interdependencies.

CAROLINE MILLAR (Australia) said Australia had joined 47 other nations on 10 December 1948 to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the 60 years since that historic event, the Declaration had served as a global expression of the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings were entitled and a standard to which all nations were held accountable. The sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provided all nations with an opportunity to nail their colours to the mast and demonstrate their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights both internationally and domestically. Australia was proud of the steps it had taken during the past year. The Government had demonstrated its commitment by positively engaging with the United Nations human rights system and issuing a standing invitation to the Special Procedures; becoming party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and commencing action to accede to the Convention’s Optional Protocol; and by lodging an accession instrument for the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The Government had also launched a national consultation on the protection and promotion of human rights and responsibilities in the country.

Australia was committed to improving human rights internationally. Increased development assistance efforts had been made in the key areas such as health, basic education, water, sanitation, the environment and adaptation to climate change. The Government had pledged to increase overseas aid to 0.5 per cent of the gross national income by 2015. This week, the Government had contributed $1.5 million to projects promoting human rights in 19 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Those funds aimed at assisting non-governmental organizations to promote good governance, access to justice, gender equality, disability rights, child protection and to combat human trafficking.


YAHYA SALIM HAMED AL-WAHAIBI (Oman) said that great steps had been taken on a regional and international level to establish mechanisms to protect human rights. Oman attached great importance to the promotion and protection of human rights. The basic law of Oman confirmed human rights. Also, a national human rights commission was enacted and was for example working on combating human trafficking in persons and raising awareness on various other subjects. Oman hoped that further efforts would be made by the international community in order to protect human dignity.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC08113E