Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Item 67 - A/81/254, A/81/181 Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Item 67 (a) Follow-up to the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples - Item 67 (b) Crime prevention and criminal justice, International drug control - Item 111, 110 - A/81/98, A/81/139, A/81/124, A/81/138, A/81/289 Continuation of the general discussions
🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇩🇿 Algeria, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇫🇷 France, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇬🇭 Ghana, 🇻🇪 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 🇮🇳 India, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇲🇲 Myanmar, 🇿🇲 Zambia, 🇰🇵 Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Thank you. Mr. Chairman delegation is exercising its right to reply following the uh statement of the Algerian delegation. We regret the fact that Algeria has uh diverted a debate about the protection of refugees um to the uh for sustainable solutions for its um separate uh political considerations and nothing to do with human rights. With regard to the Tinduf camp, the first obstacle to a sustainable solution is on its own territory. That's on Algerian territory. For almost five decades, uh these people have not been registered, and this refusal has continued despite the repeated calls of the Security Council and the conclusions of the HR Council. However, There are no individual uh prescription, no assessment of needs, and no access to um uh lasting solutions. So uh in violation of uh national law, they've ignored their um international uh commitments and there's an armed group on the soil of Algeria. This situation deprives the people's persons concerned of effective recourse and of their free movement and it uh uh or any considerations considering their future. The HCR can't commu can't provide any aid. The people of Dinduf are in a uh situation of prolonged uh refugee status. Uh, which is weaponized for political ends, and they are in a situation of humanitarian dependency. Morocco, for its part, has always stated that its doors are open to voluntary return, which is dignified and safe for those people, uh, through the uh Moroccan Autonomy Programme. The Security Council considers this program to be a serious and credible basis. Thank you very much.
I am compelled to take the floor to respond to the declaration of the representative of Morocco. Although it is usual, the statement of Morocco is always surprising. Surprising because in my statement I did not mention a role in Morocco. I addressed the issue of Sahrawi refugees that my country hosts in Tinduv camps in Algeria. The refugee camps are in Algeria, not in Morocco. The refugees are Sahrawi refugees, not Moroccan refugees. And yet the declaration of Morocco not only deemed it appropriate to speak, but resorted to old stratagems of diversion and baseless allegations. I will not dignify their allegations and falsehood with any response. Those allegations amount not only to accusations against Algeria, but also accusations against the entire UN system and international aid agencies who are working closely with Algerian authorities in and around the Tinduv camps. To conclude, I reiterate that the Sahrawis in the refugee camps are the bearers of a just cause. A right to self-determination, a right that does not vanish with the prolongation of the occupation, nor be consigned to oblivion. I thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The delegation will be very brief. The delegation of Algeria. States that it uh not a party to this uh dispute, but that's not the question that's being asked uh in this committee. Um Algeria has the Tindoufkan. Like anyone uh in in in involved, there's no that the it's essential to register people to guarantee that they can stay on their territory. You can't just uh refuse those obligations. Algeria is mentioning also uh self determination. Well, registration is a humanitarian measure, which is neutral and has no effect on any political issues. It's moreover practiced everywhere else in the world. Refusing to count people because of their political principles is um putting an agenda before protecting them. Lastly, the concerns regarding the delegation of responsibilities of the host country to an armed uh an armed group don't come from Morocco. They were expressed by the Human Rights Committee in their uh last statement on Algeria. So it's a simple question. What is stopping uh the HRC to register the Tinduv Camp and to give them uh a s sustainable solution. Thank you at the end of the day.
Thank you, Chair. I am compelled to take the floor once again to respond to the declaration of the representative of Morocco. This is very little to add except to recall one fundamental fact. The people of Western Sahara remained under Moroccan colonial occupation. The question is very relevant to the work of our committee today. Let alone that the question of Western Sahara is at the agenda of the UN as a matter of decolonization. This is not debatable. It gives me the opportunity to remind the following. In the Secretary General Report A eighty one slash two hundred ninety five, it is stated in paragraph twenty three that the OHCHR has not been granted access to the territory since. 2015, despite repeated requests, and although the Security Council has also made repeated requests for a technical visit. Since 2015, 11 years. But the report does not stop here. The same paragraph makes an even more serious observation. The absence of independent and sustained human rights monitoring remained a significant obstacle to assessing the human rights situation in the territory. These are documented facts, not allegations. I thank you. Thank you, Algeria. Um I see no other delegation. Wishing to take the floor, in which case that now concludes our general discussion of agenda item 59, and I invite the committee to begin its consideration of agenda item 65 under the heading report of the Human Rights Council. The doctor documentation under agenda item 65 is listed on IGov. We will now move to our general discussion on that item. Time limits are four minutes for delegation speaking on behalf of a group of states, three minutes for interventions by individual delegations. The same principles apply, continue to apply in relation to time. Microphones will blink and then the microphone will be cut off. And I would encourage you all actively to monitor the live list to ensure you're ready to speak at the time that the list uh shows you. I have a range of states uh on my list in front of me, and I'm going to start by uh inviting the permanent representative of Namibia on behalf of the African group to initiate this discussion. Thank you to be followed by Cuba. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The African group welcomes the report of the Human Rights Council, which consists of resolutions and decisions adopted in the 61st and 62nd session and special sessions of the Council. The Council, since its establishment in 2006, has served as a main subsidiary body of this organization, mandated with the responsibility to promote and protect human rights as a core value enshrined in the UN Charter. The African group has continually supported the work of the Council via active participation in sessions and more so in the various cycles of the Universal Periodic Review undertaken by the Council. Master Chair, with a population of about 1.59 billion people, the issue of human rights is at the core of the African continent, as reflected in the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, which is a complementary instrument to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this regard, the group reasserts its unwavering support for the work of the Council. In advancing the rights of women and children, quality education, accessible health services, independent and just institutions, sustainable development, and other fundamental rights and freedoms. We call for the independence of the Council in consideration of human rights issues, coupled with the transparent working methods and predictable and adequate financing of social procedures mandate holders. The credibility of the international human rights system depends on the consistent application of the principles and universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non selectivity, and non politicization. We also reiterate that the effective promotion and protection of human rights requires a balanced approach that gives due attention to civil and political rights, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to development. Mr. Chair, the group reaffirms that the effective and efficient Human Rights Council would require the implementation of the resolutions and outcomes adopted during its sessions as contained in the Council's annual report by member states. In this regard, the group would be presenting its annual draft resolution on the adoption of the report of the Human Rights Council. and calls for the support of all delegations in adopting the resolution and advance the mandate and work of the Council. I thank you, Mr. Chair.
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Mr. Chair, the Republic of Cuba has the honor to take the floor on behalf of the group of friends in defense of the Charter of the United Nations, whose Member States note the most recent report of the Human Rights Council has presented to the General Assembly in accordance with Resolution 60251. The Member States of our group attached the Utmost importance to the promotion and protection of all human rights, both individual and collective, with no distinction based on levels or categories. The promotion and protection of those rights must be strengthened on the basis of dialogue and cooperation, in accordance with the principles of impartiality, objectivity, transparency, non selectivity, non politicization, and non confrontation, while respecting at the same time the principles of sovereignty and non interference in matters that are basically within the domestic jurisdiction of any state. At established in the Charter of the United Nations. In that regard, we expect the Human Rights Council to provide balanced and context-based responses to today's human rights challenges, prioritizing dialogue and cooperation with states, while preventing the instrumentalization of its work and mechanisms by external actors. The Universal Periodic Review is the most appropriate and non discriminatory platform for constructive engagement on human rights situations worldwide. At the same time, the Council must continuously review and update its mechanisms and working methods, in accordance with Resolution 5 1, on its institution building package, so as to remain faithful to the principles that inspired its establishment. We must end before it is too late the negative and dangerous trends that have already led to the dissolution of the former Human Rights Commission. We reiterate our Categorical rejection of double standards over human rights, and we express our serious concern at the continued and growing proliferation of mechanisms and procedures that pretend to make impartial assessments of the human rights situation in certain states, but that in most cases not only lack the due consent on participation of the state in question, but they also base their reports on secondary, tertiary, or other sources that may. Be partial or lack credibility, and that ends up turning such documents into mere propaganda pamphlets. We categorically reject the establishment of the so-called independent international fact finding missions, as well as the special rapporteurs mandated by country specific resolutions, particularly those targeting members of our group, which are clearly biased and result from political motivations. We recall that mechanisms of this kind, which do contribute nothing to human rights, but do contribute to their politicization. Are often applied against nations that are subject to UCMs. This trend towards politalization must be curbed. The Council cannot continue to serve as a tool of coercion. Dialogue, cooperation, engagement, and full national ownership are the only viable path to strengthening human rights, both nationally and internationally. We reiterate our determination to actively contribute to the improvement of the effectiveness of the United Nations human rights system, including by strengthening. The Human Rights Council in order to uphold the Charter in both letter and spirit. Thank you very much. Cuba,
Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this year we mark the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council, France reaffirms its complete commitment and its full support for these pillars of the International System for the Protection of Human Rights. Through its uh legitimacy at the international level and by the means that it gives to civil society and human rights defenders, despite the opportunity for a long time, the Uh Council is essential to defending the universality of human rights. Since twin two thousand six, the Council has uh tried to determine fundamental freedoms, and in particular women's rights, the right to a healthy environment, and even to take into account new technologies on human rights. The sixty-third session, which just has just been finished, resulted in the uh adoption of important resolutions on forced disappearances or involuntary disappearances, access to uh uh the uh healthy food, and the special rapporteurs on the human rights in Russia. Uh that mandate has been renewed so that we can still have an independent and impartial means of documenting the continuing deterioration and concerning deterioration of uh public liberties and fundamental freedoms. During this session, France has uh called E endorsed a joint declaration signed by 53 people on human rights and many uh human rights organizations calling for the decriminalization uh of relations, consensual relations between persons of the same sex. Um we'll continue the debates on this matter. France also welcomes the remarkable work of the uh mechanism created by the Council to examine the violations in several countries such as uh Myanmar, Belarus, Nicaragua, Sudan, uh North Korea, even Afghanistan, where a year after the uh the ban on on uh based on women uh there uh women are uh uh the situation of women and and girls is continuing to deteriorate. France will continue to play its full part in the universal fight to protect and promote fundamental rights, human dignity, and the state of the rule of law. It will continue to invest fully in the work of the Human Rights Council, to ensure proper coordination of its work with those of the committee, And the of the General Assembly and the uh demanding work of the uh bodies established by the Council.
Thanks once again, Mr. Chair. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Namibia on behalf of the Africa Group. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council, Ethiopia recognizes its important role as a successor of the 60 years old Commission on Human Rights. We underscore the need to preserve the Council's credibility and effectiveness through impartiality and constructive dialogue, while safeguarding its role as a trusted pillar of the UN human rights system. Ethiopia also welcomes the recently adopted resolution 80 two eight seven concerning the Council's role as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly. We underscore the importance of strengthening the Council's institutional standing and ensuring that it effectively fulfills its mandate in accordance with the principles of universality and non selectivity. We emphasize that constructive engagement, mutual respect, and international cooperation should remain at the center of the Council's work. The promotion and protection of human rights must be pursued through a balanced and comprehensive approach that recognizes the interdependence and equal importance not only civil and political rights but also social, economic and cultural rights, including the right to development. Mr. Chair, Ethiopia has undertaken significant led legal and institutional reforms since 2018 under the leadership of our Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr. Abi Ahmed. Aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, expanding civic space, and enhancing the national human rights protection framework. These efforts include reforms to the judiciary and other democratic institutions alongside initiatives to advance transitional justice and national dialogue. In this regard, as an important institutional milestone, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has achieved grade A accreditation status under the Parents Principles, reflecting progress in strengthening its independence. And capacity to promote and protect human rights. We also underscore the importance of adequate resourcing and technical assistance to enable the Council to discharge its responsibilities effectively, emphasizing that allocation of resource and financial support should be guided by objective nets and the priorities of all Member States free from undue influence of other considerations. In conclusion, Mr Chair, as an active member of the Council, Ethiopia remains committed to constructive engagement in advancing a human rights system grounded in cooperation, mutual respect and tangible results. I thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, human rights are based on universal shared values, which don't belong exclusively to any company. Nobody is free from challenges in this matter, or should try to set themselves up as a paradigm of human rights, or try to impose their view on everyone else. What we need is a true spirit of dialogue and constructive cooperation that will help to fully realize the rights. Of everybody, everywhere. In that regard, the HRC has an important role to play. The Council should advocate more actively for a democratic and equitable international order. It should take steps against those who promote UCMs, which have a devastating impact on the full enjoyment of the human rights of millions of people, and it should promote inalienable human rights such as the right to development, food, peace, and international solidarity. We are concerned about the proliferation of negative trends such as selectivity, double standards, punitive approaches, and politicization with regard to human rights. These generate confrontation and mistrust, and they do not improve the situation of people on the ground. It's urgent to preserve the Council from these negative practices. And it's unacceptable that we are still viewing selectively the situation of some countries in the global south, some of which are suffering from UCMs, which have a serious impact on human rights, while silence is kept. Not a word is said about the violations committed in or by rich, highly developed countries. We must continue to promote the Universal Periodic Review as the only mechanism for the full analysis of the situation of human rights in all countries, on an equal footing and without discrimination. Special procedures holders must observe the code of conduct adopted during the institution building process, and they must work on the base of objective, accurate, and substantiated information. The Council is and must remain being a subsidiary body of the GA, as confirmed recently in Resolution 80287. Its strengthening is an objective that we share, and it should be we oppose the attempts to establish a greater link between the Council, uh the Human Rights Council and Security Council, or that uh the Security Council should take on responsibilities as a part of its mandate. From our membership in this body. We will continue to act responsibly, promoting all human rights for all, convinced that constructive dialogue and international cooperation are the only ways to achieve progress in this area. Thank you very much.
Chocolate say that I Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the outset, my delegation would like to express its appreciation for the efforts made by the Human Rights Council in the promotion and protection of human rights. We emphasize the importance of the role the Council plays in facing the increasing challenges and in entrenching the principles of equality. And human dignity. Mr. Chair, we emphasize our full support for the Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies, and we emphasize the importance of its work being grounded in universality and objectivity and non-selectivity with no double standards or politicization. This would enhance its credibility and its ability to uphold its responsibilities, and this would also guarantee that human rights matters are addressed in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. During our membership in the Security Council in 2024 to 2026, the state of Kuwait was keen to contribute effectively in the work of the Council through its participation in interactive dialogues and the comprehensive review mechanism, uh periodic review mechanism, while giving special attention to humanitarian matters and the protection of humanitarian personnel. This is because we believe that the protection of humans and the preservation of their dignity is a shared responsibility that requires serious international commitment. In this context, we are submitting our candidacy for re-election for the Human Rights Council for the period 2027 to 2029 as confirmation of our desire to continue our responsible and constructive role. We also intend to build on the initiatives and contributions we presented in our former term. We will cooperate with other member states to uphold the goals for which the Council was created. We also emphasize the importance of coordination and integration between the treaty bodies and General Assembly and the Human Rights Council with respecting the specific mandates of each and avoiding duplication and heeding the transformation of international commitments to tangible impact in people's basic enjoyment of their rights. In conclusion, we emphasize that the promotion of human rights cannot be measured by the size of obligations and oaths, but can be measured by the extent to which People can feel a difference in their daily lives. From this perspective, we renew our determination to continue collaborating with the international community for a more effective and credible human rights council capable of protecting people's rights and preserving people's dignity without discrimination or selectivity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Microphone to Ghana, please. Ghana aligns itself with the statement of the African group. We now speak in our national capacity. The establishment of the Human Rights Council gave institutional expression to a founding promise of the United Nations to provide a universal respect for human rights and the fundamental freedoms. Delivering on that promise remains our shared responsibility. Having served three previous terms on the Council, Ghana brings experience and resolve to its current membership. Our engagement is anchored in dialogue, cooperation, and principled action. We welcome the Council's report and its consideration of thematic and country specific human rights concerns. Its work must translate shared commitment into concrete protection for all. Ghana stands ready to advance its purpose with all member states. Mr. Chair, Ghana's commitment is reflected in action. We have participated in all four cycles of of the Universal Periodic Review, and we're among the first African countries to join the African peer review mechanism. We continue to advance human rights through legislative reforms towards the abolition of the death penalty, the Justice for All program, and the strengthening of the Legal Aid Commission and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice. Our objective is clear to make rights meaningful and justice accessible to all. GAMA underscores the Council's credibility, rests on universality, objectivity, non-selectivity, and non-politicization. These principles must guide the consistent and fair scrutiny of human rights concerns. Peace and security, development and human rights are mutually reinforced. Progress in one depends on progress in the others. Mr. Chair, Ghana remains firmly committed to the Council's mandate and seeks reelection to build on its contribution. We count on the support of member states to continue advancing on Council that bridges differences, strengthens accountability, and delivers tangible improvements in its in people's lives. I thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Venezuela is grateful for the holding of this meeting and reiterates its readiness to participate in a constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and cooperation among states. The 61st session of the Council commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development and the 60th anniversary of the UN Global Compact for Human Rights. This was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of all human rights, as well as the principles of objectivity and non politization that should govern their um consideration. In this framework, we value progress towards a binding instrument that guarantees the right to development, and we renew our Appeal to the General Assembly to begin without further delay negotiations on it and its adoption. We reaffirm also our firm opposition to mechanisms that operate without the consent of the state concerned, at the margin of the principles of sovereignty, sovereign equality, and uninterference in the internal affairs of states. Venezuela is moving forward with determination in its recovery following the earthquakes of the twenty first of June through the plan called Venezuela is being reborn that coordinates the reconstruction of housing, infrastructure, and basic services as a concrete expression of the right to development. and the decisive will of the national government uh to leave no one behind. We agree with those who call on the framework of the reform of this organization to strengthen rather than weaken the human rights mechanisms in an architecture that is more efficient and respectful of sovereign equality of states. While reaffirming that the universal periodic review continues to be the most appropriate and non confrontational mechanism for the review of human rights in all countries without distinction, Mr. Chairman, Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and to s the strengthening of a human rights council guided by universality, objectivity, impartiality, and international cooperation. We reiterate our readiness to contribute in a constructive manner to its work. In defending an international human rights system based on dialogue, mutual respect and the sovereign equality of states. Thank you very much.
Verbatim from the transcript. A reply is identified from its own words, the Chair's grant, or its place in the right-of-reply sequence; delegations and addressees follow the transcript's attribution.