Human Rights Council
MIDDAY/AFTERNOON
The Human Rights Council this afternoon held separate interactive dialogues with Ahmed Shaheed, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Yanghee Lee, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, said his report reiterated some concerns and presented emerging problems that may have further impacted the Government’s capacity to improve conditions. Of particular alarm was the surge in executions documented during the past year. The Government of Iran continued to harass, arrest, prosecute, and imprison members of civil society, who expressed criticism of the Government, on the grounds of “national security crimes.” These concerns were further compounded by reports of malfunctions in the administration of justice.
Iran, speaking as the concerned country, recalled that the Human Rights Council was established to rectify the prevailing malaise of double standards and politicisation, to avoid dividing the international community and to revive the duty of States to cooperate in the field of human rights. However, it was lamentable to witness the old habits of politicisation of human rights by a few erode such hope and optimism. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran was appointed unjustifiably, bringing no fruitful results and instead furthering division and fragmentation at the very expense of human rights. The report devoted little space to the responses given by the Government.
In the interactive dialogue on Iran, some speakers highlighted the critical human rights situation in Iran, particularly the alarming level of executions, including juvenile offenders, attacks on human rights defenders, harassment of journalists, as well as intimidation, threats and violence against ethnic and religious minorities. Other speakers warned that reports of the mandate holders should be based on primary sources and with active engagement of the country concerned, along with all stakeholders. Iran had participated fully in the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review and had accepted many recommendations.
Speaking in the interactive dialogue were European Union, France, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Italy, Venezuela, United States, Ireland, Belarus, Israel, Cuba, Germany, Eritrea, Russian Federation, Netherlands, Iraq, China, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom, Sudan, Norway, Lebanon, Australia, Portugal, Syria, Myanmar, Canada, Belgium, New Zealand, Viet Nam, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Zimbabwe.
Representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also took the floor: Baha'i International Community, Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, Association for Prevention of Social Harm, Women’s Human Rights International Association, International Educational Development Inc., and International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
The Council also held an interactive dialogue with Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. Ms. Lee said that 2015 was a tipping point for the reform process in Myanmar, with the prospect of democratic reforms to the 2008 constitution and the holding of free and fair general elections. Despite some positive developments, the report described continuing challenges indicating worrying signs of backtracking on key human rights issues. Examples included discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, abysmal conditions in camps for displaced Muslims, alarming escalation of fighting last month in the Kokang region which had resulted in the declaration of a state of emergency, as well as recent reports of the use of excessive and disproportionate force against students and other civilians in Latpadan.
Myanmar, speaking as the concerned country, said it was not possible to have a balanced report if its preparation process was not transparent and impartial enough. The selectivity of the Special Rapporteur during her visit, meeting with some media and civil society organizations but leaving out others, had been surprising. In light of the Rapporteur’s view on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, it appeared clear that the human rights situation in Myanmar did not deserve the Council’s attention. Comments by the Special Rapporteur on the State Constitution and on legislative norms, including some currently being debated, were intrusive and beyond her mandate.
In the interactive dialogue on Myanmar, speakers shared the assessment of the Special Rapporteur that Myanmar had undergone significant changes and that extensive legislative reform efforts had been initiated. However, a number of significant human rights challenges remained to be addressed. Concerns remained about the situation of religious minorities, such as the Muslim minority Rohingya and the Government’s refusal to grant them citizenship rights. Other States recommended that a balanced and constructive approach be taken with respect to Myanmar, noting that the far-reaching reforms in that country would only be successful if the social and political situation remained stable. They also stressed that the intention of international stakeholders to engage with Myanmar in its electoral process had to be carried out in accordance with the principles of international relations, especially those of self-determination and non-interference.
Speaking in the interactive dialogue were European Union, Viet Nam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Norway, India, New Zealand, Iran, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Japan, Russian Federation, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Viet Nam, Australia, France, United Kingdom, Ghana, Republic of Korea, Ireland, United States, Venezuela, Albania, Latvia, Cuba, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Estonia, Saudi Arabia, China, Denmark, Cambodia, and Belgium.
Representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also took the floor: Charitable Institute for Protecting Social Victims, Human Rights Now, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, International Education Development, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, and Article 19 – International Centre against Censorship.
Joachim Rücker, President of the Human Rights Council, said that he had received a letter from the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict, requesting the postponement of the presentation of the report to June 2015, and recommended that the Council request the Commissioners to present a short procedural update on 23 March 2015, and that the consideration of the comprehensive report as mandated in the operative paragraph 13 of the resolution S/21/1 be postponed to the twenty-ninth session in June 2015. It was so decided. Palestine briefly took the floor as well.
When the Council next meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, 17 March, it will hold an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria.