CHR/61st session – Second day of high-level segment ends – Press release (excerpts)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS ENDS SECOND DAY OF HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

Hears from Dignitaries from Brazil, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Latvia, South Africa, Croatia, Italy and Burkina Faso

The Commission on Human Rights concluded the second day of its high-level segment this afternoon after hearing from dignitaries from Brazil, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Latvia, South Africa, Croatia, Italy and Burkina Faso.

The speakers addressed, among other things, issues pertaining to the reform of the Commission, national human rights policies and practices, and social inequalities.

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Statements

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NIZAR OBAID MADANI, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, …

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No modernization or development programme could succeed in the absence of a suitable environment, including enjoyment of security, stability and peace, Mr. Madani added. Of all the regions in the world, the Middle East suffered most from the lack of those characteristics, due to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories. Saudi Arabia hoped that the recent efforts to revive the peace process would lead to the implementation of the Arab peace initiative – proposed by Saudi Arabia – and the reactivation of the Road Map peace plan. He noted that Iraq still required international cooperation and support to establish security, achieve stability and consolidate its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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