Human rights/Goldstone report – GA Third Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

Third Committee

22^nd & 23^rd Meetings (AM & PM)

ORDINARY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT WORLD WANT HUMAN RIGHTS OF UNIVERSAL DECLARATION

‘TRANSLATED INTO REALITY, UN HIGH COMMISSIONER TELLS THIRD COMMITTEE

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to resume its consideration of the “promotion and protection of human rights” and to begin its joint consideration of “Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms” and “Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives”.

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Statement by High Commissioner for Human Rights

NAVI PILLAY, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the views she had heard from ordinary people during the year-long commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which culminated on 10 December 2008.  “They want these rights to be translated into reality.  They look to States and to the United Nations to do that, and the activities of my Office are all designed in different ways to bring these rights to life.”

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Question Time

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The representative of the Observer Mission for Palestine talked of violations of international laws by the Israeli occupying Power against the Palestinian people.  There had been countless reports and resolutions on such violations, which included war crimes and crimes against humanity.  The International Court of Justice had even drafted an advisory opinion.  They had all called on Israel to end its illegal actions.  But, those resolutions and recommendations had yet to be implemented.  So far, there had been no effort to prosecute.  The Goldstone Report had been comprehensive and clear; what did the international community need to do, including United Nations system, to ensure accountability?

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Egypt’s delegate …

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  Her delegation was also interested to hear Ms. Pillay’s views on the Palestinian question. …

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Syria’s representative said her delegation had anticipated that the High Commissioner’s report would cover Israel’s “flagrant” human rights violations in Gaza, particularly since the Goldstone Report had already been published.  Her delegation would like to have a clear answer regarding what Ms. Pillay intended to do on its fourth priority — namely, human rights and armed conflict.  Did she intend to work in a serious manner on the situation of people languishing under foreign occupation?  Further, how would she undertake such work?

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Taking the floor once again, Ms. PILLAY said …

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To questions from speakers from Palestine, Egypt, Syria and Sweden on the situation in Palestine and the Goldstone Report, she recalled that the Human Rights Council had addressed that matter, and 25 Member States had adopted a resolution on the report.  A provision of that resolution stated that the report would come before the General Assembly.  Since that would place the report under the Assembly’s jurisdiction, she had not wanted to include it in her report.  Nevertheless, her view was that the Goldstone fact-finding mission had made important recommendations aimed at ending impunity on the part of all parties, and had provided for redress to victims and the prevention of future violations.  Accountability should not be sidelined in the name of the peace process; indeed, accountability could not be disassociated from the peace process.  She welcomed the Human Rights Council’s endorsement of the report and looked forward to action by concerned parties, in keeping with its recommendations.  All parties must carry out transparent investigations into reported violations, in compliance with international standards.  She had consistently called for accountability in many situations where serious conflicts were ongoing, in an even-handed manner.

To the representative of Syria an the situation of people under foreign occupation, she said she fully recognized the particular vulnerability of such persons and had always insisted of the full application of international law, including refugee law and international criminal law, and was providing assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and other places on that issue.

She called on the support of all States in carrying out her work and invited them to take advantage of training programmes offered by her Office to develop their justice systems.  Their support was essential for the Office to conduct its advisory work on issues such as transitional justice and accountability.  She counted on States not to obstruct the work of the Office because of political considerations.  Finally, she stressed that no country was free of human rights violations.

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For information media • not an official record