UN Human Rights Council Adopts 7 Resolutions & 2 Decisions, Including Text on Darfur, Sudan

UNITED NATIONS

Press Release

xxxxxxxxxx

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADOPTS SEVEN
RESOLUTIONS AND TWO DECISIONS,
INCLUDING TEXT ON DARFUR

xxxxxxxxxx

30 March 2007

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted seven resolutions and two decisions, including a text on Darfur in which it expressed its deep concern regarding the seriousness of the ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur and decided to convene a group to be presided over by the Special Rapporteur on Sudan to work with the Government of Sudan and the appropriate human rights mechanisms of the African Union to ensure the effective follow-up of the implementation of resolutions and recommendations on Darfur and to contribute to monitoring the human rights situation on the ground.

In a decision on human rights and unilateral coercive measures, the Council decided to request the Secretary-General to bring the present decision to the attention of all States and to seek their views and information on the implications and negative effects of unilateral coercive measures on their populations.

In a resolution on the right to development, the Council decided to act to ensure that its agenda promoted and advanced sustainable development and the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and to agree on a programme of work that would lead to raising the right to development to the same level and on a par with all other human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the core human rights instruments.

In a decision on enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to consult States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on ways and means to enhance the international cooperation and dialogue in the United Nations human rights machinery, including the Human Rights Council.

In a resolution on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights, the Council emphasized that development should be at the centre of the international economic agenda and that coherence between national development strategies and international obligations and commitments would contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for development, which was conducive to the full realization of all human rights for all.

In a resolution on strengthening the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council reaffirmed that the tasks of the High Commissioner included promoting and protecting the realization of the right to development, and requested the High Commissioner to enhance international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all human rights.

In a resolution on rectification of the legal status of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Council decided to initiate a process to rectify the legal status of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, with the aim of placing the Committee on a par with all other treaty monitoring bodies.

In a resolution on combating defamation of religions, the Council urged States to take resolute action to prohibit the dissemination of racist and xenophobic ideas and material aimed at any religion or its followers that constituted incitement to racial and religious hatred, hostility or violence, and also urged States to provide adequate protection against acts of hatred, discrimination, intimidation and coercion resulting from defamation of religions.
In a resolution on elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief, the Council decided to continue substantive consideration of this matter at its sixth session; and requested the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to report on this issue to the Human Rights Council at its sixth session.

Speaking as a concerned country was Sudan.

Speaking in introductory remarks, general comments and explanation of vote were Cuba, Germany on behalf of the European Union, Canada, China, Japan, Morocco, South Africa, Algeria on behalf of the Arab and African Groups, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, Republic of Korea, France, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Guatemala, India, Brazil, the Philippines, Argentina, Peru, and Zimbabwe.

The Council is scheduled to conclude its fourth session when it meets at 3 p.m. this afternoon, subsequent to the adoption of its report and examination of documents on timetables and programmes of work.

Action on Decision on Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures

In a decision (A/HRC/2/L.14) on Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures, adopted by a vote of 32 in favour, 12 against, and one abstention, the Council decided: to request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in discharging her functions in relation to the promotion and protection of human rights, to pay due attention and give urgent consideration to the above mentioned resolution and to the present decision; and to request the Secretary-General to bring the present decision to the attention of all States and to seek their views and information on the implications and negative effects of unilateral coercive measures on their populations, and to submit a report thereon to the Human Rights Council at its fourth session.