*EPF512 03/19/2004
Transcript: U.S. Proposes Reforms at U.N. Commission on Human Rights
(Says commission should "rise above the inefficiency") (1580)

Geneva -- Ambassador Richard S. Williamson, U.S. representative to the Commission on Human Rights, proposed March 19 that the commission undertake a set of reforms to enable it to work more effectively.

An initial step in reform, he said, should be to focus on the issue of membership and to find a way to ensure that member states share a true commitment to promoting and protecting human rights.

"This important body should not be allowed to become a protected sanctuary for human rights violators who aim to pervert and distort its work," Williamson said in his first statement to the 60th session of the commission.

A second goal of reform should be to re-establish the importance of implementation of treaties and other human rights obligations, Williamson added. "Far too many governments, including profoundly repressive ones, have cynically ratified and then ignored major human rights treaties. The commission should seek to rectify this hypocrisy."

The United States also put forward a set of specific proposals on procedures within the commission, including halting the recent proliferation of special rapporteurs and other unnecessary mandate-holders in order to focus on clear and high priority concerns, and eliminating the "no-action motion" when that procedural maneuver is being used only to silence discussion of human rights realities.

"The United States is committed to an effective commission -- one that takes concrete steps that result in real and tangible improvements in the life of human beings worldwide," he said.

Williamson urged the commission's 53 member states to "rise above the inefficiency, double standards and disingenuousness that too often encumber this commission."

(begin transcript)

Statement by Ambassador Richard S. Williamson

Item 4: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and follow-up to the World Conference on Human Rights

March 19, 2004

Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Delegates:

We open today with an expression of deep sympathy to the people of Spain who have suffered greatly from the scourge of terrorism. We also express our sympathy and loss over the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello. Soon after he was appointed High Commissioner, the Security Council asked him to travel to the war-torn Congo. I sat next to him the day he reported on his trip and was moved by his effectiveness, power, and compassion. We congratulate his successor Louise Arbour on her appointment, and note with deep appreciation her past work in prosecuting war crimes. Her life-long commitment to justice reflects the values embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- values that will inspire all the Members of this Commission in our work ahead. We also thank the Acting High Commissioner Bertrand ("Bertie") Ramcharan for his excellent stewardship and congratulate Ambassador Michael Smith on what promises to be a very successful Chairmanship of the Commission.

The United States is pleased to join those present at this Sixtieth Session of the Human Rights Commission to reaffirm the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to re-dedicate ourselves to the important mandate of this Commission. The United States delegation is proud to recall the fundamental principle embraced 228 years ago in our Declaration of Independence that all people are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These precepts -- that the individual has rights that are universal and inalienable; that protection of these rights is the very purpose of government; and that the just powers of government derive from the consent of the governed -- are the very essence of democracy and personal freedom.

As American diplomat and Scholar Dr. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick wrote: "The fact that Americans do not share common history, race, language, or religion gives added centrality to American values, beliefs, and goals, making them the key element of our national identity. The American people are defined by the American creed. The vision of the public which defines us is and always has been a commitment to individual freedom and a conviction that government exists, above all, for the purpose of protecting individual rights."

The United States - along with fellow democratic nations - seeks to increase the degree to which the Commission fulfills its mandate of strengthening human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world, offering international support to those fighting national and local tyranny, and giving voice to the voiceless. The Commission has been given an immense and worthy task. The Commission ought to shine a light on the abuses of liberty taking place in the world and encourage all States to improve their protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights.

In view of the responsibility originally intended for this Commission, the United States is committed to an effective Commission - one that takes concrete steps that result in real and tangible improvements in the life of human beings worldwide. To this end we focus on:·

-- Working with other nations that respect the rule of law at home to improve the work of the Commission to extend the rule of law internationally;·

-- Encouraging the operation of a democracy caucus to express shared, core values;

-- Encouraging the election to this Commission of members with strong human rights records who embrace democratic principles and practices; and

-- Improving the procedural mechanisms, and thus the daily and the overall functioning, of the Commission.

We believe that initial steps towards reform of this Commission, the premiere body dedicated solely to the global protection of human freedom, must focus on its membership. As Secretary General Kofi Annan stated one year ago: "Membership in this Commission implies responsibilities as well as privileges." We must find a way to ensure that members share a true commitment to the basic purpose and mandate of this Commission to promote and protect human rights. This important body should not be allowed to become a protected sanctuary for human rights violators who aim to pervert and distort its work. We therefore commit ourselves to the goal that real democracies, democracies with regularly scheduled and free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, a strong multi-party system, the rule of law, transparency and accountability in government, a free and independent media, and constitutional guarantees of human rights and fundamental freedoms, are most fit for membership on the Commission. We encourage democratic governments in each regional group to present themselves as candidates for the Commission and urge democracies to support the election of other democracies. As President Bush said earlier this month, "All democracies do not look the same. Around the world, democracy grows in very different circumstances. ... [However,] all successful democracies are built on a foundation of tolerance, religious liberty, respect for both men and women, the rule of law and economic freedom."

A second goal of reform of this Commission would be for it to re-establish the importance of implementation of treaties and other human rights obligations that States have ratified or undertaken. The true problem in advancing the protection of individual rights is not the absence of standards but the lack of political will to abide by existing standards. Far too many governments, including profoundly repressive ones, have cynically ratified and then ignored major human rights treaties. The Commission should seek to rectify this hypocrisy. A third objective of reform is to improve the procedures of this body to enable it to perform its work more effectively. We agree with the objective stated in the High Commissioner's Report on the need for strengthening the system of special rapporteurs, and we put forth the following specific proposals for consideration by the High Commissioner and the membership.

-- One, in order to increase resources available to each special mechanism, avoid redundancy, and strengthen their overall functioning and contribution, we support a halt to the recent proliferation of special rapporteurs or other unnecessary mandate-holders (there are over 40 at last count) in order to focus on clear and high priority concerns. ·

-- Two, we call for rationalization and consolidation of the special mechanisms and compliance with the defined mandate (for example, consideration should be given to merging the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development and the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty into one Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Development). ·

-- Three, we call on the Commission to oppose a no-action motion for items within the Commission's competence, as such motions are often used only to silence discussion of human rights realities. ·

-- Four, we maintain that all Programmatic Budget Implications (PBIs) must be circulated in writing well in advance of action on the items in question.

-- Five, we support the effort to increase compliance with Commission timetables and to rationalize maximum length and number of interventions and resolutions. ·

-- And Six, we support efforts to increase transparency (including prior and adequate notice) of informal consultations by sponsors and co-sponsors.

Mr. Chairman, the entire world community, especially those suffering under tyranny and oppression, would be served by an effective, responsible, and well-respected Commission that fulfills its promise for the advancement and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide. Let us help those victims of abuse who cannot help themselves. Let us strive to meet the worthy aspirations enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Let us rise above the inefficiency, double standards and disingenuousness that too often encumber this Commission. Let us meet our responsibilities.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents