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Press releases Commission on Human Rights

VICE PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA TELLS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS OF PROGRESS, DIFFICULTIES IN CONTINUING FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

16 March 2004

Commission on Human Rights
AFTERNOON 16 March 2004


Other Speakers at High-Level Segment Discuss Terrorism,
Describe National Efforts to Foster Rights and Freedoms



The Vice President of Colombia told the Commission on Human Rights this afternoon that the Government had reduced cases of disappearances, assassinations of trade union officials, and other acts of violence but that terrorist groups within the country continued to carry out attacks against the civil population and against democratic institutions.

Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon, in an address before the Commission’s annual high-level segment, said Colombia was hindered by economic difficulties and limited resources as it tried to protect its citizens, and he appealed to the international community to cooperate in tracking terrorists who travelled from one country to another to purchase weapons.

Other high-ranking Government officials addressing the high-level segment raised such topics as the risks posed to human rights by efforts to combat terrorism; trafficking in human beings; and the trend to associate Islam with terrorism. Several speakers described steps taken nationally to promote and protect human rights. Officials from Lebanon, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Ukraine, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Japan, the United States, Slovenia and the Republic of the Congo took the floor.

Mohamad Issa, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon, criticized Israel on the issues of Lebanese detainees and the Palestinians’ right of return, and said Lebanon condemned any form of terrorism, but the attribution of terrorism to one religion or ethnic group was not acceptable.

Sarunas Adomavicius, Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, said it was the duty of the international community to protect people against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, but also the duty of the international community to ensure that measures against terrorism remained consistent with the requirements of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Akmal Saidov, Chairman of the National Center for Human Rights Education of Uzbekistan, described national efforts to advance human rights, saying the Government had adopted more than 200 laws on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and had set up a system of national human rights institutions, including a Constitutional Court and an Ombudsman.

Mohammed Auajjar, Minister for Human Rights of Morocco, said an international conference should be held aimed at establishing a common conception of the fight against terrorism and setting a coherent international strategy for eliminate terrorism. He called for a strong rejection of the fallacious conflation of Islam and terrorism.

Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said that terrorism needed to be combated in all its forms, and there was a need to respond to it not only by legislative and security measures, but also with the armoury of common values, standards and commitments on universal rights. A comprehensive strategy to establish global security should be based on promoting respect for human rights by means of adhering to the rule of law, fostering social justice and enhancing democracy.

Abdelouahed Belkeziz, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said that many Muslims had become the victims of hate campaigns driven by bigotry and Islamophobia that accused Islam of being an outright enemy of human rights. The malicious attempts to link Islam -- the religion of peace, mercy, and tolerance -- with the reckless, criminal acts of some individuals, were rejected and could not be admitted by logic or reason. In view of its gravity, the Commission should take the matter into consideration seriously.

Isao Matsumiya, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said that the realization of human rights was the responsibility of the international community. Thus, while not challenging the primary responsibility of national governments stipulated in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, he stressed that the international community could not stand indifferent to human suffering. Where Governments failed to protect human rights, the international community must address them.

Paula J. Dobriansky, Under-Secretary for Global Affairs of the United States, said the UN Commission on Human Rights should be a place for nations to speak out in favour of those universal principles and condemn those who repeatedly and egregiously violated them. In the Commission, participants had the opportunity, the privilege, and the obligation, to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people. In doing so, the Commission would serve not only them, but it could make the world a better, safer, prosperous place for every nation.

Dimitrij Rupel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, said mechanisms to scrutinize respect for fundamental human rights standards in the fight against terrorism must be established, and in that vein, he supported the establishment of a liaison office between the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Additionally, the Commission should establish a mechanism appropriate to addressing further attention to the compliance of measures adopted in the fight against terrorism with fundamental human rights standards.

And Jean Martin Mbemba, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Republic of the Congo, said that the exercise of civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, still remained a dream for the majority of humanity. Millions of men, women and children continued to die of HIV/AIDS and other pandemics. These and other challenges remained for the international community to meet the ideals of human rights and liberate people from fear and misery, as was contained in the Universal Declaration. There was no human dignity without the effective enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

Representatives of Algeria, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan and Israel exercised their right of reply.

The Commission will meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 March, to continue with its high-level segment.

Statements

MOHAMAD ISSA, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon, said his country deeply believed in human rights and had been implementing them for a long time. The country's Constitution guaranteed and ensured freedom and human rights for its people. The country further believed in the cultural rights of people, which served as a basis for freedom. Lebanon believed in the rights and freedoms of others, as well. However, Israel had not respected the human rights of the Lebanese people. The rights of Lebanese detained by Israel continued to be violated, and they had been detained for many years. The fate of Lebanese disappeared persons was still unknown.

Lebanon believed that the Palestinian people had the right to go home and live in their own territory, Mr. Issa said. Those Palestinians now staying in Lebanon should enjoy the right to return, but Israel had rejected this legitimate right. Further, Israel continued to reject the “roadmap” that would lead to peace in the region. There also was the problem of landmines planted in Lebanese territory during the Israeli occupation. The Government of Lebanon still had not received from Israel full maps showing the locations of the landmines.

Lebanon joined others who expressed condolences over the terrorist bombings of trains in Spain that had killed many people, Mr. Issa said. Lebanon condemned any form of terrorism. However, the attribution of terrorism to one religion or ethnic group was not acceptable. It was not a phenomenon that could be defined in relation to a specific religion or ethnic group. Lebanon believed that everybody should have the right to exercise his religion, and Lebanon provided a leading example of such tolerance because of the coexistence of various religions and creeds within Lebanese society.

SARUNAS ADOMAVICIUS, Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, said terrorism had become a scourge that was threatening fundamental human rights and freedoms. It was the duty of the international community to protect people against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It was also the duty of the international community to ensure that measures against terrorism remained consistent with the requirements of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The United Nations had developed an elaborate system of human rights norms and standards. Still, the basic principles that Member States had pledged to achieve in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, such as the "the right to life, liberty and security of persons", were not less urgent today than at the moment of their inception.

Lithuania had started a fundamental democratic transition process 14 years ago by restoring an independent State, joining the United Nations and accepting the main instruments of international human rights law. The genuine desire of the Lithuanian people to embrace the values of freedom, democracy and respect for human dignity had been the main driving force in building a modern European State. Today, Lithuania had an established institutional framework for human rights protection. Seven new Codes of Law had been adopted and entered into force last year, and would serve as a powerful instrument for protecting and ensuring the highest human rights standards.


At the end of March, the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius would host an international seminar on trafficking in human beings, especially women and children. The meeting would take place within the framework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. The Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were equally engaged in the field. The OSCE had produced an Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, and the Council was in the process of preparing a special convention. The UN could draw upon the achievements of regional organizations in sharing experiences and best practices in the pursuit of universal implementation of human rights standards.

AKMAL SAIDOV, Chairman of the National Center for Human Rights of Uzbekistan, said the priority of human rights and the rule of law in all spheres of social life had been proclaimed at the country’s independence, and Uzbekistan since then had joined more than 60 international human rights agreements. Among other national efforts, the Parliament had adopted more than 200 laws on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and had set up a system of national human rights institutions, including a Constitutional Court, an Ombudsman, and a National Center for Human Rights. A life-long system of human rights education had been established, along with a national system to monitor the conformity of national legislation with international human rights standards, the realization of provisions of human rights laws, and the efficiency of human rights education.

Viewing a visit by the Special Rapporteur on torture as the start of long-term cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights on the issue of securing the human rights of persons in detention centres, Uzbekistan strongly condemned serious human rights violations cited by the Special Rapporteur and emphasized that they had no systematic character. The State had drawn up a Plan of Action for the implementation of the Convention against Torture and had established an inter-agency working group to monitor the process. Among other actions, the Government had openly condemned the use of torture in all its forms; amended the definition of torture in the Criminal Code to conform with the definition contained in the Convention; granted access to penal institutions to representatives of international organizations, the European Parliament and national and foreign non-governmental organizations; and amended the application of the death penalty so that men over age 60, women and minors should not be sentenced to capital punishment. Moreover, the courts had gradually begun to reduce the possibilities for use of the death penalty and to commute existing capital sentences.

The stability of a society and the security of a State were vital to the protection of human rights for all, Mr. Saidov said. Among other risks and challenges, international terrorism and religious extremism were a source of serious concern in Uzbekistan and the country remained ready to develop and strengthen inter-State cooperation in the combat against terrorism, including in its human rights aspects. Despite difficulties during the transition period, political stability, civil peace and inter-ethnic and religious freedom had been maintained in Uzbekistan. One of modern Uzbekistan’s most distinctive features was its multinational and multi-religious makeup. Nationalism, racism, genocide and the oppression of other peoples, cultures, languages and religions were condemned.

FRANCISCO SANTOS CALDERON, Vice President of Colombia, said the country had coped with terrorism for a long time and had suffered from many violent acts. Bombing attacks similar to the ones that had taken place in Madrid on 11 March recently had been perpetrated in Bogotá and the provinces, claiming hundreds of victims. Terrorist organizations did not hesitate to use any kind of effective tactic, including explosives and landmines. The Government was, however, trying to consolidate democracy and the rule of law. The terrorists did not care for human values and sought to eliminate democratic institutions and to ignore civic debate. Terrorist groups continued to use any method, such as drug trafficking and other criminal activities, as a basis for perpetuating their acts.

Colombia had been experiencing economic difficulties; nonetheless it had allocated resources to assist the victims of terrorist acts. In addition, the Government had endeavoured to strengthen local democratic institutions and the rule of law. The capacity of the State to protect each citizen without any distinction had been reinforced in all aspects. Thanks to the efforts of the Government, cases of disappearances, assassinations of trade unionists and other acts of violence had been reduced. The Government also had reduced the rate of unemployment and had increased school enrolments. It had designed a policy aimed at combating violence and terrorism. It was essential that the international community cooperate in tracking terrorists who travelled from one country to another to purchase weapons.

The Government was constrained by a lack of resources for countering illegal movements which threatened the security of the State. Measures to disarm self-defense groups had not yet been effectively implemented. Further, in 2002, the country's Ombudsman had reported 900 complaints of violations of international human rights, but only 261 had been dealt with. There was a need to strengthen the capacity of the Ombudsman’s office to deal with such complaints. The Government had carefully examined the report on the situation in Colombia submitted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Commission, and would take note of the recommendations contained in the document, Mr. Santos Calderon said.

MOHAMMED AUAJJAR, Minister for Human Rights of Morocco, said the Commission’s sixtieth session was being held at a very delicate moment in history, as the world was confronted with terrorism and its ramifications. He remained confident of the international community’s capacity to ensure the survival of a culture of peace, a culture that showed respect for human dignity, the promotion of democratic values and the universal principles of human rights. The internationalization of terrorism had made it necessary to find new approaches to balance the needs both of respecting human rights and ensuring security. Every precaution and measure must be taken to protect human rights during the fight against terrorism, and for that reason the root causes of terrorism should be seriously addressed. An international conference should be held aimed at establishing a common conception of the fight against terrorism and setting a coherent international strategy for eliminating terrorism. There must also be a rethinking of the Commission’s mission in order to establish new criteria for human rights and to institutionalize democratic choice through the reinforcement of cooperation on economic and social rights, including the right to development. Morocco would continue to respond to the international community’s persistent calls to combat international terrorism, but only in conformity with human rights standards.

Morocco had been the target of barbarous terrorism, Mr. Auajjar said, yet in spite of the deep pain caused by the recent attacks in Casablanca, the country’s strong commitment to the fight against terrorism remained. For that reason, he felt it necessary to call for a strong rejection of the fallacious conflation of Islam and terrorism. For his part, Morocco’s Sovereign had made respect for human rights and the rule of law a priority since taking the throne and had pursued harmonization of national legislation with international human rights norms. Morocco’s new national Family Code constituted, in effect, a social revolution, yet was inspired by traditions of civilization and religion. It translated Morocco’s ambitions and aspirations toward democracy and modernism and gave tangible proof that Islam and human rights could not be in confrontation. A body called “Equity and Reconciliation” had been established to close definitively the painful chapter of Morocco’s past, shedding light on and revealing the truth of what had occurred. The Government had actively promoted the Sovereign’s will to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights, and major legislative and institutional reforms were being carried out to that end.

Mr. Auajjar reiterated his country’s support for the United Nations’ search for a just and durable solution to the question of the Moroccan Sahara that would respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Morocco. He expressed appreciation for the activities of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The international community was urged to require the immediate and unconditional liberation of those Moroccans who continued to be held in the Tindouf camp, in violation of the Third Geneva Convention. Morocco felt deep concern over the cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions under which Moroccan citizens were being detained in that camp.

KOSTYANTYN GRYSHCHENKO, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said as the new millennium began, terrorism had made vulnerable and fragile every human being in the world, irrespective of religion, political background and geographical location. Terrorism had to be confronted firmly through the concerted efforts of the whole international community. The Commission should energetically continue to address the issues of its agenda as promotion of human rights was an important component of effective strategy of combating terrorism. Terrorism needed to be combated in all its forms, and there was a need to respond to it not only by legislative and security measures, but also with the armoury of common values, standards and commitments on universal rights. A comprehensive strategy to establish global security should be based on promoting respect for human rights by means of adhering to the rule of law, fostering social justice and enhancing democracy.

The key role in the international system of human rights protection belonged to the Commission. However, while celebrating the sixtieth session, it still could not be asserted that the gap had already been bridged between aspirations and real achievements. Unfortunately, the world was still a place where violence against national, ethnic, racial or religious groups continued, millions were uprooted from their homes, persons in many parts of the world continued to be arrested arbitrarily or imprisoned without trial. Under these circumstances, the Commission and its special procedures should continue to carry out the work of revealing patterns of human rights violations. There was a need for an honest dialogue of whether the international community had managed to advance genuine improvement in human rights through the established mechanisms. The Commission should also continue to pay special attention to such issues as gender equality, promotion and protection of the rights of the child and women, combating violence against women, protection of national minorities, and support for family and youth policy.

Much had already been done to promote human rights and the rule of law in the world. However, more remained to be done, and it was deeply regretted that there were many obstacles on the way. Only by maintaining frank dialogue and interaction in the spirit of mutual cooperation and understanding would the noble tasks of the Commission be achieved.

ABDELOUAHED BELKEZIZ, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said the OIC accorded great attention to human rights issues because those rights constituted one of the founding stones of the Islamic creed. That was why its support of the praiseworthy work that the Commission was doing was steadfast and consistent, particularly in those difficult times when defending human rights around the world was meeting such arduous challenges. Indeed, it was deeply regrettable that the situation was in contrast to that of just a few years ago when the international community was hopeful of the birth of a new era of international relations with growing recognition of the importance of those rights. Many centuries ago, and for the first time in the history of human civilization, Islam had introduced the concept of equality between human beings and linked it with respect of human dignity. Such a stand went beyond the scope of the modern term "human rights" to cover, in addition to political rights, ethnic and moral consideration.

Despite all that, those following worldwide developments in matters of human rights today would find that many Muslims had become the victims of hate campaigns driven by bigotry and Islamophobia that accused Islam of being an outright enemy of human rights, just at the very moment when many Muslim countries and peoples were going through tragic circumstances marked by human rights violations. The malicious attempts to link Islam -- the religion of peace, mercy, and tolerance -- with the reckless, criminal acts of some individuals, were rejected and could not be admitted by logic or reason. In view of its gravity, the Commission should take the matter into consideration seriously.

Under the terms of reference drawn up for it since its inception, the Commission had been following up one of the most tragic issues of human rights violations -- the Palestinian issue, where the Palestinians people's right to self-determination had been massacred and where Palestinian people were still enduring the ordeal of the occupation of their territories. It was unanimously agreed by the Commission that the coercive occupation of one's territories amounted to the most vicious form of human rights denial. All the exaction perpetrated by the Israeli army in terms of assassinations, unlawful killings, and acts of abuse against civilians; the demolishing of homes, the blockades, and the Israel Government's continued building of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories; the confiscation of land, the building of the segregation wall and the deliberate exacerbation of the Palestinian people's sufferings fell within the real scope of the Commission's mandate. As for Iraq, the current status of the Iraqi citizen's human rights under the prevailing circumstances was of deep concern and the OIC called for the respect of international agreements.

ISAO MATSUMIYA, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said his country held that all human rights and fundamental freedoms had universal value and must be brought to every individual. The realization of human rights was the responsibility of the international community. Thus, while not challenging the primary responsibility of national governments stipulated in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, he stressed that the international community could not stand indifferent to human suffering. Where governments failed to protect human rights, the international community must address them. Furthermore, the Vienna Declaration highlighted the interplay of universality with national and regional particularities; the task now was to respect them while developing universal values. To that end, the importance of dialogue was emphasized. States making efforts to improve their human rights situations should be encouraged rather than condemned on their shortcomings.

Globalization had added a new dimension to the identification of universally valued human rights, he noted, which made the process more dynamic than acknowledged in past decades. It had also impacted policy priorities, as cross border threats such as terrorism and disease required a departure from the traditional notion of “security within borders.” The dangers and threats now confronting the world could not be redressed through military and political measures alone, but should incorporate social, humanitarian and human rights aspects, as well as economic reconstruction. Human rights, democracy and good governance should be guaranteed through the creation of a social environment enabling every human being to realize his maximum potential, in which respect, Japan had placed the consolidation of peace and human-centred nation building as a pillar of its diplomacy and international cooperation.

Among the other human rights issues of concern to his country, he affirmed commitment to a gender-equal society that promoted the well being of both women and men. In addition to national efforts in that regard, Japan had acted internationally to improve the status of women at the global level. People with disabilities also required protection against discrimination and deserved to enjoy fully their human rights. Finally, he noted that the Commission had, last year, adopted a resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which called upon that State to respond to questions regarding the abduction of foreign nationals. Yet the issue remained unresolved. Regretting that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had not cooperated positively with the relevant international human rights institutions, Japan once again urged that country to rectify immediately the current separation of the returnees with their families and to conduct a full fact-finding investigation for other victims.

PAULA J. DOBRIANSKY, Under-Secretary for Global Affairs of the United States, said she had devoted much attention to promoting democracy and human rights around the world -- it was a struggle that was close to her heart. She had also had the chance to travel to countries where tyranny and abuse of human rights had given way to freedom and respect for the individual. Last month, she had visited Afghanistan and had met with many groups of women there. One needed only see the hope and joy that came from their newfound freedom and witness their nascent democracy, to know that the work one could do for human rights in that forum was worthy and of manifest importance. Whether or not one was effective could directly impact the lives of millions of people around the globe.

The Universal Declaration stated that human rights abuses had outraged the conscience of mankind. It also noted that rectifying those abuses would promote the development of friendly relations between nations. Herein laid an often-overlooked fact of the human rights debate. Standing up for the rights of the oppressed was not an act of charity, nor was it solely an act of conscience. Democratic nations could promote their own interests by seeing to it that respect for human rights would expand around the globe, because nations that cherished those values were far less likely to threaten the peace through aggression or internal instability. As freedom advocated, all democratic nations would become more secure.

The UN Commission on Human Rights should be a place for nations to speak out in favour of those universal principles and condemn those who repeatedly and egregiously violated them. In the Commission, participants had the opportunity, the privilege, and the obligation, to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people. In doing so, the Commission would serve not only them, but it could make the world a better, safer, prosperous place for every nation. As members of the Commission, one had a decision to make. "Let us back up our words of support for human rights with real action."

DIMITRIJ RUPEL, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, reiterated his country’s condemnation of terrorism and noted that terrorists had no second thoughts about killing innocent people, using weapons of mass destruction or committing atrocities in order to achieve their aims. And while terrorism targeted basic human rights – and humanity itself – it must not be allowed to drag the international community into a situation in which it began encroaching on its basic civic assets. Mechanisms to scrutinize respect for fundamental human rights standards in the fight against terrorism must be established, and in that vein, he supported the establishment of a liaison office between the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Additionally, it was felt that the Commission, given its rich and qualified experience, should establish a mechanism appropriate to addressing further attention to the compliance of measures adopted in the fight against terrorism with fundamental human rights standards.

As a member of the thirteen-nation Human Security Network, Slovenia devoted particular attention to the issue of human security and focused upon enhancing awareness within the global community, as well as at the regional, national and local levels, on the need for a broad understanding of security – to including a human rights dimension. One of the core principles of human rights was the equal treatment of individuals and the prohibition of all forms of discrimination. It was of utmost importance to remedy the situation of those most vulnerable to discrimination through the establishment by competent authorities of fair procedures and the adoption of measures to protect human dignity. Of particular concern were the status and rights of children and trafficking in human beings.

Slovenia was committed to securing the development of a stable and more prosperous southeastern Europe based on comprehensive respect of human rights, he said. One of the main conditions to foster regional stability was the political, economic and security integration of southeastern European countries into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Moreover, in addition to trusting that the tragic death of President Trajkovski of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia would not undermine his efforts to create a stable, Europe-oriented and prosperous State, the appointment of the new Serbian Government under Vojislav Kostunica was welcomed as it would allow the establishment of all the institutions necessary to the normal functioning of Serbia, as well as of Serbia and Montenegro as a whole. The new government should continue to follow the path of reforms and cooperation, integration within Euro-Atlantic structures and fulfilling its international commitments, including obligations toward the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Slovenia itself had established a principled and progressive approach in the field of human rights and contributed to the improvement of humanitarian situations in post-conflict areas, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, East Timor and Afghanistan, among other initiatives.

JEAN MARTIN MBEMBA, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Republic of the Congo, said that despite the fact that certain conflicts such as the crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and in Haiti were now being resolved, the human rights situation as a whole continued to be dim and of concern. The human rights violations in the Middle East and Iraq continued at a large scale. Spain had also been affected by acts of terrorism. Terrorism was totally incompatible with the primary objectives of the United Nations. It could not be a means to lead the international community to a dialogue. At the same time, it should be noted that the exercise of civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, still remained a dream for the majority of humanity. Millions of men, women and children continued to die of HIV/AIDS and other pandemics. In several countries, women continued to be victims of the violations of their rights due to traditional practices. Child labour and trafficking in persons, including sexual exploitation also continued.

The right to development remained an illusion for many countries. Also discriminations of racist character, xenophobia and exclusion, which retained racial and religious communities in a ghetto, had continued. Those challenges remained for the international community to meet the ideals of human rights and liberate people from fear and misery, as was proclaimed in the Universal Declaration. There was no human dignity without the effective enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

Right of Reply

A Representative of Algeria, speaking in a right of reply, said he welcomed positive developments between the parties to the issue and the freeing of prisoners by the POLISARIO. However, the Minister from Morocco seemed to be unaware that the Baker plan had been approved by the Saharouis and was now awaiting approval by Morocco. The Moroccan delegate’s statement seemed to be mere political posturing before the Commission.

A Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, exercising a right of reply, strongly and categorically rejected the allegations made by the Japanese Representative. Contrary to the claims made by the Representative of Japan, the abduction case had been finally and completely resolved upon the occasion of the publication of the joint Democratic People’s Republic of Korea-Japan Declaration. The only outstanding issue remaining in the process of resolving the abduction case concerned Japan’s – possibly indefinite – holding of the five returnees away from returning to their families. It was well known that the Japanese had forcibly drafted and abducted 8.1 million Koreans, killed one million and committed another 200,000 women to sexual slavery. These were crimes against humanity and could not be compared with the abduction of a handful of people. In order to resolve the case, the Japanese must return the five returnees being held in Japan and take measures to redress the forcible drafting of the 8.1 million Koreans.

A Representative of Japan, exercising a right of reply, said the abduction issue was most serious; abduction could not be in any sense permitted. Japan did not recognize the abduction issue to have been resolved because although the five had been returned to Japan, they had been placed in an abnormal and inhuman situation in being prevented from seeing their families, who remained in Korea. The situation must be rectified immediately. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should take immediate measures to reunify the families at the earliest possible date. It should also provide information on remaining cases. On other points raised by the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, he said he would like to remind the members of the Commission that these were Japanese taken against their will. It was therefore unreasonable to argue that they should now be obliged to go back to the country that had abducted them.

A Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in a second right of reply, said he rejected once more the Japanese allegations, as they were only aimed at deceiving the international community and further aggravating confrontations with his country. Japan’s insistence on resolving the issue was mere lip service; if Japan was truly interested in its resolution, there was no reason to refuse to undertake the repatriation of the five returnees. There had also been no mention of compensation for past crimes involving the forcible drafting of 8.1 million Koreans. Although many countries had begun to acknowledge their past actions, Japan remained the only country refusing to discuss compensation for past crimes.

A Representative of Japan, in a second right of reply, said he wished to stress that Kim Jong himself had admitted and apologized for the abduction of the Japanese citizens during the visit. He strongly encouraged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to return other cases to Japan without further delay. Moreover, the Pyongyang Declaration had addressed the issue arising from Japan’s colonial role in the past. There was no need to repeat what had already been admitted.

A Representative of Israel, exercising a right of reply in reference to a statement made by the representative of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said that the OIC statement misrepresented and distorted the situation with regard to his country. In its note to the Chairperson of the Commission yesterday, Israel had shown how the Palestinian Tanzim group had used a Palestinian12-year-old child to carry a bomb and a mobile phone to infiltrate Israel and explode it with the aim of killing people. The innocent child was caught with his charges and had been returned to his family, although the Palestinian group had tried to detonate the explosives without his knowledge. It was for such reasons that Israel was building walls to protect it from such attacks.



CORRIGENDUM

In press release HR/CN/04/4 of 15 March, the right of reply of China on page 5 should read as follows:

A Representative of China, speaking in a right of reply, noted that the German Foreign Minister had criticized a few countries on their human rights situations, including her country. The Foreign Minister had also praised two countries, both of which had undergone regime change. If regime change was the best way to promote and protect human rights, it was unlikely to work in the Russian Federation and China because they were too big. The Foreign Minister had also referred to the problem of ethnic minorities in China. That issue would be addressed by her delegation. She hoped that the German delegation planned to address the activities of skinheads and neo-Nazis in Germany as well as the measures the German Government meant to take in response to them.


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