Science Blog -- STATEMENTS TO TODAY'S THIRD COMMITTEE

Background

The Third Committee is expected to take action on two draft resolutions today, and hear introductions of drafts on human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The draft on the incompatibility between democracy and racism (document A/C.3/58/L.33/Rev.1) would have the General Assembly condemn political platforms and organizations based on racism, xenophobia or doctrines of racial superiority and related discrimination, as well as legislation and practices based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as incompatible with democracy and transparent and accountable governance. In addition, the General Assembly would condemn the persistence and resurgence of neo-Nazism, neo-fascism and violent nationalist ideologies based on racial or national prejudice, and state that those phenomena could never be justified in any instance or in any circumstances.

The General Assembly would urge States to reinforce their commitment to promote tolerance and human rights, and to fight against racism and related intolerance, as a way to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and transparent and accountable governance. Under the draft’s terms, the Assembly would recommend measures such as, introducing or reinforcing human rights education in schools and in institutions of higher education. The Inter-Parliamentary Union and other relevant inter-parliamentary organizations would be invited to encourage action by parliaments on laws, policies and other measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The draft resolution on strengthening United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (A/C.3/58/L.47) would have the General Assembly reaffirm that the promotion, protection and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms should be guided by the principles of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity, and should not be used for political ends. The Assembly would also request all United Nations human rights bodies, as well as special rapporteurs and representatives, independent experts and working groups, to take into account the draft’s contents.

By the terms of the text, the Assembly would also express its conviction that the an unbiased and fair approach to human rights issues contributes to the promotion of international cooperation, as well as to the effective promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It would further request the Commission on Human Rights, to take into account, the present draft resolution, and to consider further proposals for the strengthening of United Nations action on human rights.

Introduction of draft resolutions

The representative of Algeria introduced a draft resolution on human rights and terrorism (document A/C.3/58/L.54). Noting the universal foundations governing the question of human rights, he said the draft stressed the necessary cooperation that must prevail between States, in combating terrorism, and highlighted the danger of that phenomenon, which violated the right to life, threatened democracy and endangered peace and security. He stressed that a global response was needed from the United Nations, that there could be no justification for terrorism nor any sanction provided for its perpetrators, and appealed for a consensus to approve the draft.

Introducing a draft resolution on national institutions (document A/C.3/58/L.55), the representative of India said national institutions had emerged as an important element in the promotion and protection of human rights. She welcomed the growing interest in national institutions, and recognized the important role of the United Nations in supporting national institutions.

The representative of Norway introduced a draft resolution on the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (A/C.3/58/L.58), saying the draft reiterated the importance of the Declaration, and urged States to ensure that measures to combat terrorism were in compliance with international law and did not hinder the work of human rights defenders.

A representative of Egypt introduced an amendment to a draft resolution on the situation of, and assistance to, Israeli children (document A/C.3/58/L.30/Rev.1) that can be found in document A/C.3/58/L.59, and is entitled the situation of and assistance to children in the Middle East region.

The representative of Brazil introduced a draft resolution on access to medication in the context of pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria (A/C.3/58/L.60), saying the draft was inspired by his country’s experience with free and universal access to medication, which had resulted in significant reduction of HIV/AIDS cases. It underscored a balanced approach to prevention and treatment, and stressed access to medication, as fundamental to the full realization of everyone’s right to attain the highest level of physical health. Failure to deliver anti-retroviral treatment of HIV/AIDS to people who needed it had caused a global health emergency. His delegation hoped the draft would be approved with consensus, as an indication of the international community’s commitment to respond more effectively in the fight against pandemics.

Introducing a draft on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995 – 2004 (document A/C.3/58/L.62), the representative of Australia stressed the importance of human rights education, and its role in assisting the United Nations in its work towards the peace. She hoped that this draft would again be adopted, by consensus.

Approval of Draft Resolution

The Committee approved without a vote, a draft resolution on strengthening United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (document A/C.3/58/L.47).

After the vote, the representative of Switzerland, speaking also on behalf of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Liechtenstein, said the draft just approved was identical to the text adopted last year. The work of the Committee needed to be more focused, and she urged all States to rationalize their agendas. She hoped that next year resolution sponsors would consider whether the resolution merited less of the Committee’s attention.

The representative of Cuba said his delegation hoped the statement made by the representative of Switzerland would be applied to other resolutions that kept coming back to the Committee for action. He hoped international cooperation would continue, based on impartiality and non-selectivity, and that those principles would be applied to all resolutions before the Committee.

The representative of Switzerland said her delegation’s attitude regarding this issue was a totally comprehensive and non-selective one and reiterated Switzerland’s dedication to the rationalization of the Committee’s work.