Sumario: December 10, 2003: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Marcello Spatafora, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations on behalf of the European Union. Plenary Item 48: Fifty-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Item 117(d): Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union on items 48 and 117(d). The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, declare that they align themselves
with this statement.
First, I would like to extend our most sincere congratulations to the individuals and organizations who have received today the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights. Through their courage, dedication and commitment, they represent with honour the work of countless actors in advancing the cause of human rights in their own countries and internationally. In particular, I would like to pay tribute, once again, to the memory of the late High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira
de Mello, whose dedication set an example for us all.
Mr. President,
Today's important anniversaries represent, more than ever, an occasion to reflect on our human rights achievements and to reaffirm our commitment to the goal of realizing human rights for all, in part by addressing our own shortcomings.
Over the past 55 years, humanity has made extraordinary progress in the promotion and protection of human rights thanks to the creative force generated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, undoubtedly one of the most influential documents in history.
The Declaration was the fruit of much reflection on the rights to which everyone on the planet is entitled, simply by virtue of being human, and on our duties toward each other. It is a remarkable document, full of idealism but also of determination to learn lessons from the past and not to repeat the same mistakes. Most importantly, it placed human rights at the centre of the framework of principles and obligations shaping relations within the international community.
Indeed, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has stimulated intensive legislative activity at both the national and international levels that have resulted in a complex legal and institutional system of bodies, conventions and international instruments of various legal values. Many new procedural and institutional mechanisms have also been created, including international tribunals and courts. In this respect, the EU would like to highlight the importance of the recent election of the
judges and prosecutor of the International Criminal Court as a further step toward ending impunity and giving substance and effectiveness to the rights enshrined in the Declaration.
This process has led to considerable achievements: freedom and democracy are enjoyed by more people today than at any time in history. At both the national and international levels, there has been an increase in institutions to promote and safeguard human rights.
In this context, and in connection with today's celebration, the European Union would like to underline the role of National Institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights. The EU also reiterates the strength and continuing validity of the Paris Principles as a framework to guide the work of these Institutions while guaranteeing their independence. In particular, we note the significant increase in the number of National Human Rights Institutions in every region of the world and
their efforts to achieve full compliance with the Paris Principles. We also appreciate the fact that in recent years more and more people have come to know of the existence of these Principles. Such visibility brings an added value to the work of the National Institutions and contributes to strengthening the effectiveness of all human rights.
Mr. President,
One of the most significant achievements in the human rights field over the past 55 years has been legitimizing the concept that human rights - civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural - are universal and indivisible.
This principle, reaffirmed and expanded by the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, adopted by consensus, has committed the international community to treating "human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis". By proclaiming that "all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated", the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action reaffirmed and renewed all efforts to strengthen and further implement the body of
human rights instruments built on the basis of the Universal Declaration. In addition, the recognition in the Vienna Declaration of the interdependence between democracy, development and human rights has set the stage for cooperation among Governments, international organizations and national agencies in the promotion of all human rights. In this respect, the European Union reiterates its support to the reform efforts by the Secretary-General including the mainstreaming of human rights into all
policies and programmes of the United Nations system. Indeed, human rights are a crucial dimension of several issues - humanitarian aid, conflict prevention and resolution, development. Recognition of this truth can only improve the effectiveness of the United Nations family as a whole.
In this context, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action has played a crucial role in recognizing the ongoing need for the United Nations human rights machinery to keep step with the ever-changing requirements in the promotion and protection of human rights. This includes the strengthening and harmonizing of its monitoring capacity. A crucial step in this direction was the recommendation to establish a High Commissioner for Human Rights. The European Union would like to recall and
commend the invaluable work performed by Mr. Ayala-Lasso, Mrs. Robinson and Mr. Vieira de Mello, who served their terms with great vision and leadership. We also appreciate the field presences of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and encourage the Office, the funds and programmes present around the world to reinforce their cooperation. The European Union actively supports the work of the Office and calls for strengthening its resources, especially for Treaty Bodies support
and Special Procedures. The EU also looks forward to the appointment of the new High Commissioner.
Mr. President,
These achievements notwithstanding, a great deal remains to be done. We are all aware that violations of human rights take place everywhere. At this very moment, in many parts of the world there are people who are unjustly deprived of their freedom; people who are tortured; human rights defenders who are being silenced, imprisoned and killed; women who are abused; children who are exploited, trafficked or sent to war; millions of refugees and internally displaced persons who cannot return to
their homes; minorities who are excluded if not persecuted; elderly people who are abandoned. As long as these affronts to humankind persist, we cannot be satisfied with the progress achieved. What we need is first and foremost the determination, the courage and the ability to ensure respect for the existing body of specific obligations in the human rights instruments. Let me assure the General Assembly of the firm commitment of the European Union and its Member States to ensure respect for
human rights. We expect other States to do likewise.
The obligation to respect human rights is unconditional. Human rights belong to each and every person no matter what he or she may have done, no matter what crime they may have or are believed to have committed. The European Union believes that efforts to combat terrorist acts should respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and humanitarian law, and that the fight against terrorism is to be carried out in accordance with international human rights law as defined in the relevant
instruments.
The European Union is founded on the principles and values of the Universal Declaration, which guides both its internal policies and its external relations. In this light, we reiterate our commitment to strengthening the international system for the promotion and protection of human rights and to cooperating with international human rights mechanisms. We will continue to seek dialogue with other countries on human rights issues, both bilaterally and within the framework of international
organizations. We will continue to support Governments and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, in their efforts in the field of human rights.
This 10th of December is the culmination of many anniversaries that remind us of the promises originally set forth in the Universal Declaration and subsequently reinforced in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action: promises, I would add, that are still not fulfilled. The European Union strongly believes that the United Nations will continue to play a central role in this regard, as a forum for dialogue, further improvements in international standards, scrutiny of the human rights
performance of Member States, and assistance to countries in living up to their human rights obligations.
Finally, let me say that for human rights to be respected, a culture of human rights has to be deeply rooted worldwide. Education, in particular human rights education, is crucial. In a world in which everybody knows his or her rights, in which Governments and individuals are held accountable for their actions, the chances for human rights to prevail will significantly improve. Let us continue to work toward that goal.
Thank you.
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