natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The High Commissioner’s report, which was submitted last week, reveals a pattern of widespread, grave and systematic human rights violations by the authorities, including murder, torture and enforced disappearances.
Høykommissærens rapport som ble fremlagt i forrige uke avdekket mønstre av omfattende, grove og systematiske overgrep fra myndighetenes side, inkludert drap, tortur og forsvinninger.
According to the report, these abuses may amount to crimes against humanity.
Rapporten fastslår at overgrepene kan være å regne som forbrytelser mot menneskeheten.
Last week the High Commissioner for Human Rights recommended that the Security Council should consider referring the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Høykommissæren for menneskerettigheter anbefalte i forrige uke FNs sikkerhetsråd å vurdere å henvise situasjonen i Syria til Den internasjonale straffedomstolen i Haag (ICC).
Norway aligns itself with new EU sanctions against Syria
Norge slutter seg til nye EU-tiltak mot Syria
Human rights are an important foreign policy interest.
Oslo, 18. august 2009
In the long term, a stable international legal order – which is in Norway’s interests – can only be developed by countries that respect fundamental human rights, Anne Merchant said in her speech at Vitenskapsakademiet.
Fagdirektør Anne Merchant fra Utenriksdepartementet holdt innlegg under den høytidelige åpningen av forskningssamarbeidet på Vitenskapsakademiet.
As a diplomat having participated both in the former Human rights Commission and the Human Rights Council and served in New York at our mission to the UN for quite a few years, I will try to give you a brief overview of why it was decided to establish a new body to deal with human rights within the UN - what we have gained by this and what are the challenges.
As a diplomat having participated both in the former Human rights Commission and the Human Rights Council and served in New York at our mission to the UN for quite a few years, I will try to give you a brief overview of why it was decided to establish a new body to deal with human rights within the UN - what we have gained by this and what are the challenges.
I will also touch upon why Norway sought membership in the Council for the period 2009-2012 and what are our main priorities.
I will also touch upon why Norway sought membership in the Council for the period 2009-2012 and what are our main priorities.
Why a new body?
Why a new body?
Despite its role of creating an extensive framework of human rights mechanisms and instruments, the former Human Rights Commission, the predecessor of the Human Rights Council, was increasingly being criticised for being selective, politicised and operating with double standards when states were criticised for human rights violations.
Despite its role of creating an extensive framework of human rights mechanisms and instruments, the former Human Rights Commission, the predecessor of the Human Rights Council, was increasingly being criticised for being selective, politicised and operating with double standards when states were criticised for human rights violations.
Opponents of the UN in the West called the Human Rights Commission a platform for right abusers like Libya and Sudan, yet many in the developing world saw it as a mechanism for the West to bully poor countries.
Opponents of the UN in the West called the Human Rights Commission a platform for right abusers like Libya and Sudan, yet many in the developing world saw it as a mechanism for the West to bully poor countries.
Western countries were accused of political interference with what countries in the south regarded as internal affairs, they claimed that the criticism most often was targeted at poor countries of the south.
Western countries were accused of political interference with what countries in the south regarded as internal affairs, they claimed that the criticism most often was targeted at poor countries of the south.
The Commission of Human Rights had also earned the particular animosity of the Bush administration after the US was blocked from continued membership of the body in 2001, in part because of its opposition to the International Criminal Court.
The Commission of Human Rights had also earned the particular animosity of the Bush administration after the US was blocked from continued membership of the body in 2001, in part because of its opposition to the International Criminal Court.
While the 1993 World conference on Human Rights in Vienna upheld the indivisibly of all human rights, many developing countries believe the UN, and developed countries, failed to deliver on the Plan of Action adopted in Vienna.
While the 1993 World conference on Human Rights in Vienna upheld the indivisibly of all human rights, many developing countries believe the UN, and developed countries, failed to deliver on the Plan of Action adopted in Vienna.
In very simple terms, for most developing countries, the achievements of economic, social and cultural rights is a priority; and they claim that progress in achieving civil and political rights has to be assessed in relation to the former.
In very simple terms, for most developing countries, the achievements of economic, social and cultural rights is a priority; and they claim that progress in achieving civil and political rights has to be assessed in relation to the former.
The North-South analysis is of course disputed, including by some non-governmental organisations; some regard it as a political tactic.
The North-South analysis is of course disputed, including by some non-governmental organisations; some regard it as a political tactic.
Following from this divide, much of the disagreement between members states about how the Council should function is due to a perceived dichotomy between dialogue” and confrontation” or naming and shaming” in particular through the adoption of country specific resolutions , when dealing with governments deemed responsible for human rights violations.
Following from this divide, much of the disagreement between members states about how the Council should function is due to a perceived dichotomy between dialogue” and confrontation” or naming and shaming” in particular through the adoption of country specific resolutions , when dealing with governments deemed responsible for human rights violations.
Focusing on violations is perceived, by some, to be inherently confrontational; to be unsuccessful, since government cooperation, or at least acquiescence is required for sustained meaningful action; and it fails to capture the complexity of a situation.
Focusing on violations is perceived, by some, to be inherently confrontational; to be unsuccessful, since government cooperation, or at least acquiescence is required for sustained meaningful action; and it fails to capture the complexity of a situation.
As a consequence of the increasing criticism and the UN’s need to restore its credibility in its work to protect and promote human rights, The Human Rights Council was launched in 2006 amid high hopes for the forum’s ability to advance universal human rights.
As a consequence of the increasing criticism and the UN’s need to restore its credibility in its work to protect and promote human rights, The Human Rights Council was launched in 2006 amid high hopes for the forum’s ability to advance universal human rights.
The proposal for a new body was launched in the report of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan entitled “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all” prior to the 2005 World Summit.
The proposal for a new body was launched in the report of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan entitled “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all” prior to the 2005 World Summit.
At the Summit the UN Member States reaffirmed the importance of human rights as one of the three principal goals of the United Nations, alongside development and security.
At the Summit the UN Member States reaffirmed the importance of human rights as one of the three principal goals of the United Nations, alongside development and security.
The goal of establishing a Human Rights Council was to reflect in concrete terms the increasing importance being placed on human rights.
The goal of establishing a Human Rights Council was to reflect in concrete terms the increasing importance being placed on human rights.
The upgrading of the Commission into a full-fledged Council would raise human rights to the priority accorded to it in the Charter of the UN.
The upgrading of the Commission into a full-fledged Council would raise human rights to the priority accorded to it in the Charter of the UN.
Such a structure would offer architectural clarity, since the United Nations already has a Council that deals with two other main purposes – security and development.
Such a structure would offer architectural clarity, since the United Nations already has a Council that deals with two other main purposes – security and development.
After difficult negotiations for more than a year The Human Rights Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 as the principal human rights political body of the UN.
After difficult negotiations for more than a year The Human Rights Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 as the principal human rights political body of the UN.
Most of the western countries including the USA wanted a replacement that excluded the worst rights abusers – but finding fair and effective criteria proved difficult, rousing the suspicions of developing countries.
Most of the western countries including the USA wanted a replacement that excluded the worst rights abusers – but finding fair and effective criteria proved difficult, rousing the suspicions of developing countries.
The problem was also that most any criteria would also exclude the US.
The problem was also that most any criteria would also exclude the US.
Some objected that excluding human rights abusers would only succeed in limiting the Councils influence over them.
Some objected that excluding human rights abusers would only succeed in limiting the Councils influence over them.
The General Assembly decided that the Council shall be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, constructive international dialogue and cooperation, with a view to enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights.
The General Assembly decided that the Council shall be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, constructive international dialogue and cooperation, with a view to enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights.
The General Assembly also decided that the Council should review and when necessary improve and rationalize all mandates mechanisms, functions and responsibilities of the Commission on Human Rights in order to maintain a system of special procedures, expert advise and complaint procedures and that the Council should complete this review within one year after holding the first session.
The General Assembly also decided that the Council should review and when necessary improve and rationalize all mandates mechanisms, functions and responsibilities of the Commission on Human Rights in order to maintain a system of special procedures, expert advise and complaint procedures and that the Council should complete this review within one year after holding the first session.
In June 2007 the Council, after difficult negotiations adopted and recommended to the General Assembly for adoption - the institutional package that to day forms the Council.
In June 2007 the Council, after difficult negotiations adopted and recommended to the General Assembly for adoption - the institutional package that to day forms the Council.
The divide that existed in the HRC between those countries that wanted to get rid of the finger pointing of human rights violations, the naming and shaming and wanted the new Council to work on basis of cooperation and dialogue – a new spirit – a new culture -and the traditionally countries that defend human rights prevailed in the negotiations of the institutional package.
The divide that existed in the HRC between those countries that wanted to get rid of the finger pointing of human rights violations, the naming and shaming and wanted the new Council to work on basis of cooperation and dialogue – a new spirit – a new culture -and the traditionally countries that defend human rights prevailed in the negotiations of the institutional package.
Countries that always have rejected a strong international monitoring system saw their chance of weakening some of the procedures what we thought had worked well in the Commission, especially the system of special procedures.
Countries that always have rejected a strong international monitoring system saw their chance of weakening some of the procedures what we thought had worked well in the Commission, especially the system of special procedures.
The Commission had a system of approximately 40 special rapporteurs, both thematic like the special rapporteur to on the fight against torture, the special rapporteur on involuntary disappearances; and specific country rapporteurs to report on the human rights situation in a specific country.
The Commission had a system of approximately 40 special rapporteurs, both thematic like the special rapporteur to on the fight against torture, the special rapporteur on involuntary disappearances; and specific country rapporteurs to report on the human rights situation in a specific country.
Let me underline the importance of the work of the special procedures.
Let me underline the importance of the work of the special procedures.
A priority for Norway and other likeminded countries during the negotiations was to preserve their independence and integrity while a majority from the south wanted more control of their activities.
A priority for Norway and other likeminded countries during the negotiations was to preserve their independence and integrity while a majority from the south wanted more control of their activities.
So what did we achieve by establishing a new body First let me mention the following: The Commission of Human Rights was composed by 53 elected Members States of which 10 were allocated to the western countries.
So what did we achieve by establishing a new body First let me mention the following: The Commission of Human Rights was composed by 53 elected Members States of which 10 were allocated to the western countries.
The Council is composed by 47 elected Member States.
The Council is composed by 47 elected Member States.
7 of the seats are allocated to the western countries while Afrika and Asia were allocated 13 seats each.
7 of the seats are allocated to the western countries while Afrika and Asia were allocated 13 seats each.
It was inevitable that the composition of the Council would be updated to reflect overall changes in the UN membership.
It was inevitable that the composition of the Council would be updated to reflect overall changes in the UN membership.
The reallocation of seats saw therefore a significant shift towards the African and Asian groups that has effectively given the western countries opponents a structural majority.
The reallocation of seats saw therefore a significant shift towards the African and Asian groups that has effectively given the western countries opponents a structural majority.
Thus the Western countries have lost its structural influence and are in minority.
Thus the Western countries have lost its structural influence and are in minority.
To win a majority vote in the Council we are dependent on support from African and Asian countries.
To win a majority vote in the Council we are dependent on support from African and Asian countries.
On the positive side the Human Rights Council has a higher status than the Commission by reporting directly to the General Assembly.
On the positive side the Human Rights Council has a higher status than the Commission by reporting directly to the General Assembly.
The former Commission reported to the UN’s Economic and Social Council.
The former Commission reported to the UN’s Economic and Social Council.
The Human Rights Council meets more frequently – minimum 10 weeks a year, as compared to the former Human Rights Commission that only had one session yearly meeting for 6 six weeks.
The Human Rights Council meets more frequently – minimum 10 weeks a year, as compared to the former Human Rights Commission that only had one session yearly meeting for 6 six weeks.
Thus the Council is made more relevant and more adapt to deal with human rights violations as they occur.
Thus the Council is made more relevant and more adapt to deal with human rights violations as they occur.
A key component of the Council was the creation of a new mechanism - the Universal Periodic Review.
A key component of the Council was the creation of a new mechanism - the Universal Periodic Review.
Under this mechanism the human rights performance of all 192 member states will be routinely examined, responding to the criticism that the CHR had used double standards in targeting specific countries only.
Under this mechanism the human rights performance of all 192 member states will be routinely examined, responding to the criticism that the CHR had used double standards in targeting specific countries only.
Many of the developing countries meant that this new mechanism should replace resolutions where we focus on and express concern about human rights violations in a specific country, so called country resolutions.
Many of the developing countries meant that this new mechanism should replace resolutions where we focus on and express concern about human rights violations in a specific country, so called country resolutions.
Norway and other human rights defender countries on the other hand have always underlined that the Universal Review is complementary and should not replace country specific resolutions when this is warranted.
Norway and other human rights defender countries on the other hand have always underlined that the Universal Review is complementary and should not replace country specific resolutions when this is warranted.
That is why is was so important for us to make sure that within the Council’s mandate we can also address situations of violations of human rights where ever they occur when dealing with other agenda items than the UPR in the Council.
That is why is was so important for us to make sure that within the Council’s mandate we can also address situations of violations of human rights where ever they occur when dealing with other agenda items than the UPR in the Council.
The UPR is a state driven cooperative process– it is not a tribunal.
The UPR is a state driven cooperative process– it is not a tribunal.
It is based on interactive dialogue with the full involvement of the country concerned.
It is based on interactive dialogue with the full involvement of the country concerned.
There is to be consideration given to each country’s capacity-building needs, there is broad agreement that the UN organs could be more responsive to countries that are trying to fulfil human rights obligations, but may have genuine resource or other constraints.
There is to be consideration given to each country’s capacity-building needs, there is broad agreement that the UN organs could be more responsive to countries that are trying to fulfil human rights obligations, but may have genuine resource or other constraints.
We were at the time of creating this new mechanism disappointed of its outcome and would have like to see a stronger mechanism that was less state driven.
We were at the time of creating this new mechanism disappointed of its outcome and would have like to see a stronger mechanism that was less state driven.
After more than a year in operation, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism has however proven itself to be a very useful tool.
After more than a year in operation, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism has however proven itself to be a very useful tool.
Through the UPR, all UN Member States is reviewed on the basis of universal and equal parameters and standards.
Through the UPR, all UN Member States is reviewed on the basis of universal and equal parameters and standards.
Issues can be raised in the UPR that are difficult to deal with otherwise.
Issues can be raised in the UPR that are difficult to deal with otherwise.
The UPR has been criticized for being too vague and overly diplomatic.
The UPR has been criticized for being too vague and overly diplomatic.
We will however do our utmost to make it an effective tool for increased cooperation on the fulfilment of all human rights.
We will however do our utmost to make it an effective tool for increased cooperation on the fulfilment of all human rights.
However, the UPR has already shown that it promotes several processes in the country under review.
However, the UPR has already shown that it promotes several processes in the country under review.
All countries that have presented reports to the UPR have had some kind of consultation with civil society in their respective countries.
All countries that have presented reports to the UPR have had some kind of consultation with civil society in their respective countries.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that they see direct effects of the UPR in the sense that more states have issued open invitation to special procedures and that there is an increase in ratifications of human rights treaties.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that they see direct effects of the UPR in the sense that more states have issued open invitation to special procedures and that there is an increase in ratifications of human rights treaties.
In addition, outstanding reports to treaty bodies are being submitted.
In addition, outstanding reports to treaty bodies are being submitted.
This is human rights education in practise for those states which are under scrutiny.
This is human rights education in practise for those states which are under scrutiny.
UPR promotes unification with recommendations from treaty bodies, which are used by organisations and human rights defenders in their continuous work to give these recommendations value.
UPR promotes unification with recommendations from treaty bodies, which are used by organisations and human rights defenders in their continuous work to give these recommendations value.
Furthermore, the UPR documents and reports provide a unique view on the UN human rights situation in the country, from the point of view of different stakeholders.
Furthermore, the UPR documents and reports provide a unique view on the UN human rights situation in the country, from the point of view of different stakeholders.
UPR will itself evolve, and its functioning is due to be examined following the first four-year cycle of work.
UPR will itself evolve, and its functioning is due to be examined following the first four-year cycle of work.
There are also other agenda items in the Human Rights Council where we can raise our concerns about human rights violations.
There are also other agenda items in the Human Rights Council where we can raise our concerns about human rights violations.
The special procedures for instance, give us a good opportunity for bringing up our concerns.
The special procedures for instance, give us a good opportunity for bringing up our concerns.
Another new feature with the Council is the frequent use of special sessions.
Another new feature with the Council is the frequent use of special sessions.
Since July 2006 we have had 11 special sessions of which four are about the Middle East.
Since July 2006 we have had 11 special sessions of which four are about the Middle East.
The HRC has been criticized for having had to much focus on the Middle East situation and as a consequence too little focus on other serious human rights violations.
The HRC has been criticized for having had to much focus on the Middle East situation and as a consequence too little focus on other serious human rights violations.