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Women's International League for Peace and
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22 March 2006 Addressed to: Sir, We wish to address you concerning the 62nd session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) appreciates the efforts made by the Expanded Bureau to enable the 62nd to carry out its work as mandated by the Economic and Social Council. We are aware of the difficulties posed by the uncertainties that characterize this period of transition from the Commission to the Human Rights Council. However, you have the authority to deal with a number of important issues for the remaining four weeks, for which a budget has already been provided. Among these issues are the consideration of the reports the Special Rapporteurs, the renewal of mandates as required, and a decision to send the Draft Convention on Enforced Disappearances with a strong recommendation for adoption by the General Assembly. Victims of human rights violations look to the United Nations for assistance. It will be the United Nations member states that will be discredited if procedural matters arising from this transition are allowed to obstruct or delay addressing urgent human rights violations. The Commission’s mandate and its legitimacy are as solid as ever, and it is the work of the visionaries behind it that will make this final session either a landmark or a footnote in the history of human rights. Having followed the work of the Commission on Human Rights since its establishment in 1946, we are among those that value its many achievements over the years and expect the new Council to build upon them. However, we are concerned. We would like to request a clarification of how the transition of all procedures to the Council will prevent voids and effectively guarantee continuity of the substantive work and responsibilities that the Commission on Human Rights will transfer. To ensure continuity of promotion and protection of human rights, we would like to suggest that the Human Rights Commission make a strong recommendation that ECOSOC maintain the human rights mandates as established until the Human Rights Council is fully prepared to assume its functions and responsibilities. The procedures established over the last 60 years should not be interrupted while the Human Rights Councils completes its review pursuant to OP6 A/60/L.48. NGO’s have become an integral component to the work of the Commission, and it needs to continue to give NGO’s and civil society full and sufficient participation in its final session. NGO’s have prepared their work based on the draft provisional agenda. We encourage you to ensure that the States, along with NGO participation, use the remaining four weeks to address its substantive items. Please provide us immediately the timetable for the 62nd Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
Sincerely, Susi Snyder |