Sp. Rapporteurs on the right to health, food and freedom of expression present reports to Human Rights Council – Palestine (Arab League) statement – Press release (excerpts)

SPECIAL PROCEDURES ON RIGHT TO HEALTH, TO FOOD AND TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION PRESENT REPORTS TO HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Council Concludes Dialogue with Working Group on Enforced Disappearances and Special Rapporteurs on Sale of Children and Torture

11 March 2008

The Human Rights Council this afternoon heard presentation of reports from the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the Special Rapporteur on the right to food and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

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Interactive Dialogue

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IMAD ZUHAIRI (Palestine), speaking on behalf of the League of Arab States, emphasized the need to preserve the right to freedom of expression and opinion as long as one did not insult other beliefs in expression of views. The League of Arab States did not understand why the Special Rapporteur did not provide a framework for regulating the media as they did not regulate themselves. To have some sort of safety mechanisms to preserve the rights of others, it was important not to slander the religious beliefs of others or undermine their beliefs. The League of Arab States asked the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to explain why children were dying with such frequency as well as for his views on why certain countries did not view the right to food as a human right.

One could not speak of the right to food without raising the issue of the Palestinian people. The League of Arab States expressed its concern over this situation, as well as the crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa. The international community must help those suffering from the food crisis so they would have a dignified life.

AMR ROSHDY HASSAN (Egypt), speaking in his national capacity, said Egypt expressed its concern with Mr. Hunt’s view of health. However, Egypt had always admired the integrity of Mr. Hunt in his assessment of the health situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It was clear that Israel was blocking medical supplies to Palestinians.  …

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M. AMR ROSHDY HASSAN (Égypte en son nom propre) a rappelé que son pays a un avis différent de celui du Rapporteur spécial sur le droit à la santé quant à la portée de ce droit. Il a indiqué que l'Égypte avait évoqué cette question à plusieurs reprises avec M. Paul Hunt, saluant l'amabilité et la disponibilité du Rapporteur spécial à cet égard. Le représentant égyptien a dit admirer l'intégrité de M. Hunt lorsqu'il a été amené à aborder la question de la situation sanitaire en Palestine.

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For use of the information media; not an official record