*EPF206 03/07/00
Text: U.S. Goals for Upcoming Session of UN Human Rights Commission
(First is to speak the truth about major violators) (750)
The United States issued a document March 6 about its goals for the upcoming session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The six-week session will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 20 to April 28.
The document, signed by Harold Hongju Koh, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, and Nancy Rubin, the head of the U.S. delegation to the Commission, lists the first priority of the United States as: "to tell the truth about countries which have particularly violated human rights this year, such as Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Serbia and Sudan.
Following is text of the document:
(begin text)
U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights is the world's largest and most important international forum for the discussion and promotion of human rights. It meets every year in Geneva, Switzerland. This year's session, the 56th, will run from March 20 to April 28.
Human rights have been a cornerstone of American values since the country's birth. Indeed, the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, was quite specific on the subject, as Thomas Jefferson's words make amply clear. "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
In short, human rights belong to every person, everywhere. This concept, clearly articulated in the U.N. Charter, was adopted for the first time internationally when the U.N. was established in 1945.
The Commission on Human Rights was created the following year to give further definition to these rights and begin the long work of devising international instruments to promote them. Its first chairman was Eleanor Roosevelt. Under her guidance the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted and adopted without dissent by the U.N. General Assembly on December 10, 1948. Ever since then, that day has been celebrated as Human Rights Day.
The Universal Declaration is one of the most remarkable documents of the 20th century, defining in 30 clear and simple articles the human rights and fundamental freedoms that are due all men and women. While no country is or ever can be perfect, the Universal Declaration sets a standard for each nation to measure its own progress -- and that of others -- in promoting human rights.
Each year, the Commission works to promote the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration. It consists of 53 members, chosen for three-year terms by the U.N's regional groups. Africa has 15 members, Asia 12, Latin America 11, the Western Europe and Others Group 10, and Eastern Europe 5. By tradition, the five permanent Security Council members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China -- are always members. Most nations which are not members attend the Commission as observers. They have the right to speak on issues of concern, but not to vote on resolutions.
Similarly, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which have consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council may also attend sessions as observers. Indeed, the NGOs are very active at the Commission, and the information, energy, and vitality they bring from around the world add considerable dimension to the human rights discussions.
U.S. Goals for This Year's Session
Among the U.S. Delegation's major goals at the Commission this year are:
1. To speak the truth about countries which have particularly violated human rights this year, such as Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Serbia, and Sudan.
2. To encourage further interaction on, and recognition and acceptance of the right to democracy.
3. To defend civil and political rights such as free media; religious, ethnic and racial tolerance; and women's rights.
4. To condemn the heinous practices of torture, slavery and trafficking in women and children.
5. To celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups and nations in overcoming great obstacles in the promotion of universal human rights.
Those who wish to keep track of U.S. policies and statements may do so on the U.S. Delegation's special website at www.humanrights-usa.net, which will be regularly updated once the Commission begins.
Harold Hongju Koh
Assistant Secretary of State
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Amb. Nancy Rubin
Assistant Secretary of State
Head of U.S. Delegation
Commission on Human Rights
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)
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