The Commission on Human Rights adjourns for Easter but has advanced on its agenda according to schedule
The first week of the annual session of the Commission of Human Rights began on 14th March 2005 with its high-level segment (HLS), during which dignitaries representing a record number of 88 different countries addressed the session. The speakers covered general thematic issues, national improvements in the field of human rights, the reform of the CHR and, to a certain extent, also the human rights situation in certain countries. The Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja spoke on 15th March. Luxemburg addressed the Commission on behalf of the EU on 14 March, focusing on such key objectives and priorities of the EU as the reform of the CHR and respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.
Consideration of the actual agenda items started on Friday, 18th March, with the presentation of the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and a brief interactive dialogue. After that the Commission discussed item 5, the Right of peoples to self-determination. Ms Shaista Shameen, Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination presented her report. A total of 17 states and 18 NGOs spoke under this agenda item. As in previous years, one of the most debated issues was the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
On Monday, 21st March, the general debate continued with the consideration of agenda item 6: Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination. Mr Doudo Diene, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Mr Peter Lesa Kasanda, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent and Mr Juan Martabit, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action presented their reports. 39 states and 24 NGOs made statements on the issue. Luxemburg made a statement on behalf of the EU, emphasizing, among other things, the need to implement the Durban Declaration and condemning discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Item 7 on the agenda, the Right to Development, was discussed on Tuesday, 22nd March, starting with the presentation of a report by Mr Ibrahim Salama, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Right to Development. 39 states and 18 NGOs made statements, and reference was made to a range of issues, such as the need to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the impacts of extreme poverty on human rights. In its statement on behalf of the EU, Luxemburg spoke about human rights being a prerequisite for sustainable development and the significance of international cooperation in efforts to achieve the development goals.
Later on the same day, the debate moved on to item 8, the Question of human rights violations in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine. The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mr John Dugard, presented his report. According to Mr Dugard, violence in the area has decreased, but developments have failed to address the central human rights problems (for example, the settlements, the wall, the checkpoints and the prisoners). Many delegations, including the EU, expressed hopes of a permanent improvement of the situation in the region following the commitments made in Sharm el-Sheikh. In addition, Luxemburg emphasized the need to protect the rights of women and children during the conflict and urged the Palestinian authorities to immediately abolish the death penalty. In the general debate, 35 states and 17 NGOs made statements.
Consideration of agenda item 9, the Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, began on 23rd March and will continue after Easter. The Special Rapporteurs for the situation of human rights in different countries will present their reports on Tuesday, 29th March. Item 9 is one of the most politicised and controversial items on the agenda of the CHR and the situation of human rights in different countries will be a subject of heated debates. The EU made a statement on 23rd March, in which attention was paid not only to thematic issues and human rights violations in certain countries but also to positive developments in some countries.
Besides the general debate in the CHR, negotiations concerning resolutions will continue between different countries and country blocs. Finland will take an active part in these negotiations.