Source: http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/conferences/hrc2006/four/hrc070315pm1-eng.rm?start=02:47:57&end=02:51:15

Human Rights Council, Fourth Session
March 15, 2007
Introduction of progress reports from the institution–building

International League for the Rights and Liberation of People

Thank you, President.  This declaration is made on behalf of the International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples, the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples, the _____,  and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.  President, following the work of the different working groups and their reports which have been submitted to us, at this point in time we wish to present the following comments:

The first one is a general comment. It does indeed appear to us the opportune moment to reassess our approach to human rights, focusing on the defense and promotion of human rights and the furtherment of freedoms of the individual and peoples. Sometimes, far too often, these are opposed to the so-called interests of states.  Then on the advisory body of experts, this body must keep the freedom of initiative which characterizes the sub-commission of human rights which allowed it to make an important contribution to enhancing the normative and regulatory standards and if experience is of course important, we believe that new energy injected is also a determining factor for success and we believe that it would be wise for each expert just to do a maximum of two consecutive mandates and we would reassess the importance of transparency of the working methods of the expert advisory body which would guarantee in particular the participation of NGOs and its work.  Then on the review of mandates, we reassert our conviction that rebalancing the attention paid to the two categories attached to human rights is vital.  The violations of economic, social, and cultural rights as well as of the right to development are without a doubt, those violations, which provoke directly more suffering and more casualties in the world and these violations deserve attention and commitment which should be strengthened.  And in this context we believe that each mandate holder should do a maximum of two consecutive mandates and should not be able to accumulate different mandates.  And we believe that we should have a code of conduct for work for special procedures which should not in any way muzzle the work of mandate holders or reduce their room for maneuver. The creation of the UPR seems to lead us along a path of disillusionment because it seems to be a pure exercise in style and form without having any in-depth work and we believe that we should avoid any lack of credibility if members of the council should have the right of veto on their own review.  And we believe that we should reassert the key elements which are vital for the establishment of a UPR which would be beneficial to the promotion and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, participation of experts in the UPR, participation in all stages of nongovernmental organizations and INGOs and the global approach to UPR in geographical terms, in institutional terms, commitments and conduct of state within the institutions and UN family and the commitment in the field of human rights and in terms of rights.  Then, President, we wish to reassert the importance of participation of civil society, and in particular of NGOs in all stages of this council.  It would be beyond belief if we did not see participation, and if it was reduced to other meetings of the council.  Thank you very much, President.