Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The following countries align themselves with this statement:
The candidate Countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, and the EFTA Country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area.
When we gathered here last year, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the remarkable achievement that is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have made significant progress in improving respect for human rights since the Declaration was adopted. It is our common duty to continue to work toward the complete realisation of the Declaration’s promise.
This duty includes a responsibility to react to violations. As the body with universal membership within the UN, the General Assembly can not stay silent in the face of violations of human rights. The EU will continue to call the attention of the international community to violations of human rights that demand consideration and action by all of us. We reiterate the obligation of each state to bring to justice those responsible for violations of human rights, and to combat impunity. The European Union recalls that in accordance with the concept of responsibility to protect unanimously agreed to at the World Summit in 2005, it is primarily incumbent on each country to protect its civilian population from mass atrocities.
We are willing to discuss these situations in an open and frank manner and in dialogue with the countries concerned. We will continue to seek broad, cross-regional support for initiatives at the General Assembly. The EU will continue to push for action against serious human rights violations, especially when the countries in question have remained closed to attempts by the international community and the international mechanism to cooperate in the improvement of the situation
This is what we intend to do by presenting at this session draft resolutions on the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar and in the DPRK. The seriousness of the situation in these two countries, which is reflected in the texts we will present, warrant the attention and action by the General Assembly.
We wish to express our regret that there is no improvement in sight with regard to the dire human rights situation in Burma/ Myanmar. The population is still suffering from severe restrictions on their freedom of expression, assembly and association, among other rights. The arrests of dissidents continue and the Government’s pardoning of prisoners earlier this year has thus far merely resulted in the release of a few political prisoners.
Over 2000 political prisoners remain in detention. The persistently grave discrimination, as well as other abuses such as forced labour, suffered by persons belong to minorities remains a source of great concern.
The European Union condemns the verdict against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the unjustified trial against her. The EU urges the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release her. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners and detainees and their full participation in the political process is a necessary condition for the elections in 2010 to be regarded as credible. The European Union reiterates its call to the authorities to cooperate with the relevant UN mechanisms, particularly the Special Rapporteur, Tomas Ojea Quintana, including by way of implementing the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations.
The situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has not improved. The situation is marked by grave and systematic violations of all rights civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural rights. The humanitarian situation remains extremely frail. The European Union reiterates its call to the North Korean authorities to cooperate with the relevant UN mechanisms, particularly the Special Rapporteur, Vitit Muntarbhorn. The European Union is deeply concerned about the severe punishments afflicted to North Koreans who try to leave their country. It is equally concerned about the situation of North Korean refugees and appeals to all countries harbouring such persons to respect their obligations under international law, including refugee law.
In Darfur, Sudan, the situation remains characterised by gross and systematic violations of human rights and grave breaches of international humanitarian law. The EU urges the Government of Sudan to put an end to impunity bringing to justice those responsible for abuses and to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court. Human rights violations and serious repression of human rights defenders continue to occur elsewhere in Sudan. The continued use of the death penalty, including sentences imposed on minors, is particularly troubling. While taking positive note of the decision in September to lift press censorship, the EU encourages the Sudanese Government to continue working to establish a conducive environment in the run up to the national elections in April 2010. The EU urges the Sudanese authorities to remove restriction on freedom of expression, and other political freedoms such as the freedom of assembly and association. The EU further urges the Government of Sudan to bring to justice those responsible for cases of abductions, rapes or sex slavery and other human rights violations. The EU is concerned about the increase of violence in Southern Sudan and calls upon the Government of Southern Sudan to protect its population against attacks of tribal militias and LRA.
In Zimbabwe, the new Inclusive Government holds an opportunity to bring the country back on the path to democracy. Zimbabwe faces many challenges. However, we remain much concerned by the persistent human rights violations in the country, not least by numerous reports about the harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, journalists, teachers, lawyers, farmers and diamond miners. Reports of unsubstantiated legal measures taken against members of Parliament and the renewed politically motivated detention this week of Roy Bennett are worrisome and show a lack of commitment to the spirit of the GPA. The EU calls upon the Inclusive Government to deliver media reform and ensure all Zimbabwean state agencies respect the freedom of assembly and expression, and to end all forms of torture and incommunicado detention.
With regard to Iran, the EU condemns the violence following the elections on 12 June. The EU is deeply troubled by the high number of arrests, in particular human rights defenders and political activists, and the possible use of torture and excessive force by the authorities and militia members. The European Union remains deeply concerned by information officially confirmed stating that three individuals were sentenced to death after post-electoral mass trials. We remind the Government of its international obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which states all individuals’ right to the freedoms of assembly, expression and due process. We remain deeply troubled also by other serious human rights violations in the country. Of particular concern is the high number of executions, and the continuing occurrence of the executions of minors. The EU also wishes to highlight its concern about prisoners who are being held solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression, and we therefore call for the release of all political prisoners. The situation of Bahai persons as well as members of other religious minorities remains serious. The European Union urgently calls on the Iranian authorities to uphold their international legal undertakings to safeguard religious freedom and to stop their persecution of religious activities.
The human right’ situation has not improved in Sri Lanka. Reports of arbitrary arrests and detention, lack of freedom of expression, and threats and intimidations of human rights defenders and national and international journalists, are sources of great concern to the EU. Impunity and lack of accountability for continuing human rights abuses must be expediently dealt with. We therefore reiterate our call from the 11th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the need for independent and credible investigation into alleged serious human rights violations. Furthermore, the EU insists that freedom of movement is immediately granted to the IDPs still held in camps, and that the camps should be transferred from military to civilian control with unhindered access by UN humanitarian agencies and other aid organisations, also for protection work.
The EU stands ready to continue to work with the Government of Sri Lanka and the international community in building an open, transparent and peaceful society through an inclusive political process of reconciliation.
The European Union underlines the need to address the serious situation of human rights in Belarus. The European Union is particularly concerned by the continued harassment and intimidation facing civil society representatives, including human rights defenders, as well as LGBT persons. The European Union remains concerned by the restrictive mass media law of 2008 and calls on the Belarus authorities to lift all constraints on freedom of expression, in conformity with human rights obligations. The European Union regrets the continued existence of the death penalty in Belarus.
The European Union remains concerned with the situation of human rights in Uzbekistan. The European Union calls on the authorities to free all human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience, to allow unimpeded operation of non-governmental organisations in the country, to cooperate fully with all relevant UN Special Rapporteurs, to guarantee freedom of speech and of the media, to fully align its election processes with OSCE commitments and to implement the ratified conventions against child labour. The European Union recalls the positive decision last year in Uzbekistan to abolish the death penalty, and hopes that the decision can serve as an example to other countries in the region.
In Afghanistan, the European Union calls on the government of Afghanistan to continue on the path toward full respect for human rights. The European Union is concerned at remaining deficiencies in a number of areas. The European Union urges the Afghan authorities to make all efforts to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by women, both in practice and by repealing discriminating legal provisions such as those in new Shia Personal Status Law regarding persons belonging to the Shia minority.
In Pakistan the EU calls on the Government of Pakistan to guarantee fully the fundamental rights of all Pakistani citizens, as laid down in the constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards. The EU stresses the need to ensure protection of the rights of persons belonging to all vulnerable groups, including women, children and minorities, and to effectively prevent episodes of violence. The EU is concerned at the recent attacks against members of the Christian community in Punjab and urges the Pakistani authorities to swiftly bring to justice those responsible for the attacks. The EU encourages Pakistan to fulfil commitments under the UNHRC including ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission. The EU look forwards to early implementation of these instruments which will safeguard human rights in the longer term.
The European Union remains concerned at persistent denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba. The European Union renews its appeal to the authorities to free all political prisoners and human rights defenders and to lift restrictions on the freedom of expression and the right of association. The European Union recalls the welcome signature by Cuba in 2008 of the core human rights covenants of 1966. It calls on the Cuban authorities to ratify the covenants without any reservations in contravention of the purpose and spirit of the covenants, to keep any declarations and reservations to a minimum and to fully honour their obligations under the covenants.
The EU highlights its concern at the human rights situation in Honduras since the removal of President Zelaya on 28 June, including restrictions on freedom of the press and freedom of association, arbitrary detentions and threats to human rights defenders. The EU reiterates its call to all parties to work towards a swift, peaceful, negotiated resolution to the political crisis, and a return to democratic constitutionality in the country.
Despite progress in some aspects primarily of economic, social and cultural rights, the European Union underlines its concern at serious shortcomings in the respect for human rights in Saudi Arabia. The extensive use of the death penalty is a source of particular distress. Women continue to be denied a number of rights, such as freedom from discrimination, for instance in relation to the right to vote or to work. The European Union calls on Saudi authorities to realise the proposal to allow women to vote in municipal elections scheduled for next year, as a step to fulfilling the right of women to take part in the government of their country and end the system of male guardianship over women. The European Union further calls on the Saudi authorities to remove existing extensive restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association, and to ensure the freedom of religion or belief.
The EU is deeply worried about the continuing violence in DR Congo at the hands of armed groups and the Congolese army as reported by the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. The EU is also deeply worried by two recent reports of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on serious violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. The EU welcomes further visits by other thematic rapporteur in the coming period on the Human Rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and calls upon the Congolese authorities to step up its efforts to fight impunity.
The EU is deeply worried over the situation in Guinea and reiterate its condemnation of the violent crackdown by security forces on political demonstrations in Conakry on 28 September 2009. The indiscriminate and brutal violence against these demonstrators, including sexual violence against women, is unacceptable. The EU urges the authorities in Guinea to immediately conduct a thorough investigation of the incidents and to co-operate with the mission led by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Haile Menkerios, and the future UN commission of inquiry. The EU urges the Guinean authorities to urgently allow for a return to democracy and constitutional order and to uphold the respect for human rights.
In Fiji, the erosion of civil and political rights, of civil society and of democratic institutions continue to give cause for concern. The abrogation of the Constitution and dismissal of the judiciary by the President in April compounded the ongoing disruption of the constitutional order. Key rights, including the right to assembly, the right to free expression and freedom of the media, are currently not being upheld. The EU calls on Fiji’s leadership to take urgent measures to restore respect for human rights and the rule of law, and to make swift progress towards elections.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.