United Nations

A/60/827
Distr.: General 27 April 2006 English Original: French

General Assembly

Sixtieth session Agenda item 112 (e) Elections to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and other elections: election of 47 members of the Human Rights Council

Letter dated 25 April 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Gabon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
I have the honour to inform you that Gabon has decided to present its candidacy for one of the 13 seats on the Human Rights Council allocated to Africa by resolution 60/251. In accordance with that resolution, I will transmit to you at a later date an aidememoire detailing Gabon's pledges in the area of human rights. (Signed) Denis Dangue Réwaka Ambassador Permanent Representative

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Annex to the letter dated 25 April 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Gabon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
Sir, Further to my letter dated 25 April 2006, I have the honour to transmit herewith the aide-memoire on the pledges of Gabon in the area of human rights. (Signed) Denis Dangue Réwaka Ambassador Permanent Representative

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Enclosure Aide-memoire Candidacy of Gabon for a seat on the Human Rights Council
The promotion and protection of human rights are core principles and values of the Gabonese Republic. Guided by the values of peace, dialogue, respect for others and solidarity, Gabon has consistently worked towards the strengthening of mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national, regional and international levels. 1. At the national level The Gabonese Constitution guarantees respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The following bodies have been established to ensure that the rights of citizens, including women, children and handicapped persons, are respected: ­ Ministry of Human Rights; ­ Ministry of the Advancement of Women and Child Protection; ­ Ministry of Social Affairs, National Solidarity and Poverty Alleviation; ­ National Human Rights Commission; ­ National Observatory on the Rights of the Child; ­ National Observatory for Women's Rights and Equality. In close cooperation with a number of countries and international organizations, Gabon has been consistently working to strengthen its national human rights promotion and protection system. 2. At the regional level Gabon played a key role in the establishment of the African Commission on Human Rights, which it had the honour of chairing. Gabon has always offered its good offices in efforts to find solutions to the many conflicts plaguing Africa, which often cause political instability that could result in serious human rights violations. 3. At the international level Gabon, which has been a Member of the United Nations since it became independent in 1960, is genuinely committed to promoting the goals and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. Accordingly, Gabon has signed, ratified or acceded to the following major legal instruments:

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­ African Charter of Human and People's Rights; ­ Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; ­ International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; ­ International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; ­ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; ­ International Convention on the Elimination and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid; ­ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; ­ Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; ­ Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; ­ Convention on the Rights of the Child; ­ Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; ­ International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. Gabon also contributes to the strengthening of international law through the International Law Commission; indeed, one of its eminent citizens is currently a member of the Commission. 4. Gabon's pledge to the Human Rights Council Gabon pledges to cooperate fully with the Human Rights Council in all the areas that, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 60/251, fall under the Council's purview. In that regard, it pledges to engage in all the work of the Human Rights Council with a view to promoting and strengthening human rights protection mechanisms. Gabon makes this pledge in the firm belief that this new body will serve as a democratic forum where Member States can, on the basis of mutual respect, undertake dialogue and consultations with a view to finding solutions to human rights issues.

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