62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights

Written Statement on Agenda Item 3

Organization of the Work of the Session

Submitted by the Women¹s International League for Peace and Freedom

A Non-Governmental Organizations in Special Consultative Status

Having followed the work of the Commission on Human Rights since its establishment, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom wishes to pay tribute to the Commission’s remarkable achievements. The Commission’s achievements have been recognized by many, including the General Assembly in its resolution establishing the Human Rights Council set to replace it as of 19 June 2006.  It is therefore the more regrettable that this 62^nd session, scheduled and budgeted for by the Economic and Social Council, failed to address its initial mandate and agenda.

Few, if any, United Nations organs can point to a more successful record in responding to people’s concerns. By setting international norms – developing and spearheading declarations, covenants and conventions - the Commission has provided a basis for promoting and protecting human rights everywhere. The Commission has established special procedures and technical services to assist in the implementation by governments of these norms. Therefore, the achievements of this body should not go unrecognized in this last session.

We acknowledge that the work of the Commission will be transferred to the Human Rights Council.  It is hoped that the complaints of "politicization" that have plagued the UN Commission on Human Rights will effectively be addressed.  However, we wish to note that it is the behavior of the governments and their unwillingness to strengthen the Commission that has hurt its credibility and not the actions of the Commission itself.

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. As much as we hope the Council improves the system of United Nations human rights protection, we are concerned with the more immediate voids and delays in addressing the plight of victims until the Council begins to deal with substantive matters in June.

Therefore, we ask from member states an effective guarantee to ensure the 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 of the General Assembly Resolution establishing the Council.

We trust that this last Session of the Commission will be seen as a historical chance to mark a difference in the lives of millions who depend upon the work of the Commission, rather than a procedural manoeuvre to let the Commission wither and dissolve.