Palais des Nations, Geneva Mr. Chairman.
Franciscans International in collaboration with Dominicans declares its strong
support for the Draft Declaration on the rights of human rights defenders. In
view of the importance and the precarious and dangerous nature of their work
in many countries of the world, it is incumbent upon this body to affirm the
vital role of human rights advocates and imperative that the Commission adopt
the Declaration.
Human rights defenders often live at risk of being arrested, tortured, attacked,
harassed and in some cases assassinated for working for human rights. Human
rights workers are men and women, young and old, of all races, religions and
cultures who believe strongly in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
who are committed to advocating on behalf of those whose rights are violated
and infringed.
Any compromise on the principles contained in the Draft Declaration would diminish
rights, which are already guaranteed to defenders in existing international
human rights instruments.
Once adopted by the Commission, the next step will be to ensure that steps are
taken for the implementation of the Declaration worldwide. There will also be
a need to consider the development of appropriate implementation and monitoring
mechanisms.
Such a Declaration is necessary since in a number of countries, human rights
defenders or those who speak out against rights violations receive threats,
are persecuted and expelled. For example, in Mexico, since 1995 one hundred
human rights defenders working for different NGOs have received death threats
and have suffered harassment and persecution. Some have seen their homes broken
into and their documents stolen. Presently, there appears to be a systematic
campaign underway in Mexico to discredit human rights organizations alleging
that they have political and financial objectives. For example, last week a
senior government official from Mexico publicly stated in this chamber concerning
the problems in Chiapas that Mexico wanted NGOs to be part of the solution for
the conflict in Chiapas, not part of the problem. The implication for many was
clear and most alarming. Further, the Mexican authorities have also expelled
members of international NGOs delegations that were investigating the human
rights situation in that country.
We are also concerned about the expulsion of four foreign priests who had been
working with indigenous peoples for more than ten years in the Diocese of San
Cristobal de las Casas in the State of Chiapas.
Moreover, Mexico has with Peru and Colombia one of the highest records of attacks
against journalist in Latin America. These attacks violate the right of exercising
one’s profession and the right of people to information as stipulated in
articles 6 and 11 of the Draft Declaration.
In Colombia, the government is still implementing the Doctrine of the National
Security which considers trade unionists, members of social organizations and
human rights defenders as internal enemies and are military targets in the conflict.
Further, the highest military and civil authorities interpret complaints on
gross human rights violations presented against state agents as a campaign to
discredit institutions. Many of the human rights NGOs with headquarters in small
towns had to shut down their activities because of repressive measures and a
great number of defenders are now living in exile.
For the NGO community, all this is further evidence that the Draft Declaration
is of utmost importance if we are to make progress in human rights on this the
50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Franciscans International in collaboration with Dominicans recommends the following:
- That the commission on Human Rights adopt the Draft Declaration on Human
Rights Defenders and that it move expeditiously through the system for adoption
by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1998.
- That item 19 of the Commission remain on the agenda under the title of “Implementation
of the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders” for an annual review and
monitoring of the Declaration.
- That the Commission on Human Rights considers appointing a Special Rapporteur
for the ongoing monitoring of the implementation of the Declaration.
Thank you, Mr.Chairman.
