natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The only geographical conflict that figures as a permanent item on the agenda of the Council is the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.
The only geographical conflict that figures as a permanent item on the agenda of the Council is the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.
Why is that?
Why is that?
Since the Arab countries know they will be met by a veto in the UN Security Council, they are using the HRC as an arena for focusing on this conflict.
Since the Arab countries know they will be met by a veto in the UN Security Council, they are using the HRC as an arena for focusing on this conflict.
To get a deal on the institutional package it was unavoidable to accept that this conflict is dealt with at every ordinary session.
To get a deal on the institutional package it was unavoidable to accept that this conflict is dealt with at every ordinary session.
What are our challenges?
What are our challenges?
The international climate is demanding and the challenges for the Council are numerous:
The international climate is demanding and the challenges for the Council are numerous:
On the basis of universal standard setting and universal monitoring of States compliance with their human rights obligations we know what the human rights are, we know the obligations of States and other duty-bearers to respect protect and fulfil these human rights, and we know that these human rights are systematically violated and disregarded in all regions of the world.
On the basis of universal standard setting and universal monitoring of States compliance with their human rights obligations we know what the human rights are, we know the obligations of States and other duty-bearers to respect protect and fulfil these human rights, and we know that these human rights are systematically violated and disregarded in all regions of the world.
The gap between high aspirations of human rights and its sobering realities on the ground, between human rights law and its implementation, between the lofty rhetoric of governments and their lack of political will to keep their promises is the major problem.
The gap between high aspirations of human rights and its sobering realities on the ground, between human rights law and its implementation, between the lofty rhetoric of governments and their lack of political will to keep their promises is the major problem.
Bridging this gap or at least significantly narrow this implementation gap which clearly undermines the validity and legitimacy of the legally binding universal human rights framework is the major challenge of our time.
Bridging this gap or at least significantly narrow this implementation gap which clearly undermines the validity and legitimacy of the legally binding universal human rights framework is the major challenge of our time.
Working with human rights is sensitive and politically controversial.
Working with human rights is sensitive and politically controversial.
The UN reflects the political realities that exist in the world.
The UN reflects the political realities that exist in the world.
The UN and the Human Rights Council are political bodies and they are not bodies of likeminded countries.
The UN and the Human Rights Council are political bodies and they are not bodies of likeminded countries.
A serious gap still separates the vision of the UN’s founders from the institution of to day.
A serious gap still separates the vision of the UN’s founders from the institution of to day.
The UN is imperfect but it is also indispensable.
The UN is imperfect but it is also indispensable.
There can be no substitute for the legitimacy the UN can impart or its potential to mobilize the widest possible coalitions.
There can be no substitute for the legitimacy the UN can impart or its potential to mobilize the widest possible coalitions.
There are of course cultural and ideological reasons for viewing human rights different.
There are of course cultural and ideological reasons for viewing human rights different.
The work with human rights is marked by a polarization between regional groups.
The work with human rights is marked by a polarization between regional groups.
The polarization is now more pronounced than it seemed to be earlier.
The polarization is now more pronounced than it seemed to be earlier.
Increasingly we have had to fight anew for principles we thought were firmly established – like for instance the absolute prohibition of torture and attacks on the right of freedom of expression.
Increasingly we have had to fight anew for principles we thought were firmly established – like for instance the absolute prohibition of torture and attacks on the right of freedom of expression.
The global balance of power has changed.
The global balance of power has changed.
Countries such as China, India and Russia have increased their power and influence.
Countries such as China, India and Russia have increased their power and influence.
The fight against terrorism that arose out of the smoke of September 11 has weakened the leadership of Western countries in the field of human rights.
The fight against terrorism that arose out of the smoke of September 11 has weakened the leadership of Western countries in the field of human rights.
Not just because they are in a political minority, but also because the pictures from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and Abu Ghraib in Iraq are eating away at our ability to show leadership.
Not just because they are in a political minority, but also because the pictures from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and Abu Ghraib in Iraq are eating away at our ability to show leadership.
Regional blocks around the UN is structured, they themselves tend to provoke counter-reactions, particularly when country situations are under consideration.
Regional blocks around the UN is structured, they themselves tend to provoke counter-reactions, particularly when country situations are under consideration.
Group solidarity has become stronger.
Group solidarity has become stronger.
A country’s position on a certain issue is often decided out of solidarity to its regional group.
A country’s position on a certain issue is often decided out of solidarity to its regional group.
The organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has gained power and influence.
The organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has gained power and influence.
A negotiation often take place between spoke persons of regional blocks, and is often the most radical countries within a group that sets the tone of the groups position.
A negotiation often take place between spoke persons of regional blocks, and is often the most radical countries within a group that sets the tone of the groups position.
This makes it more difficult to win over more moderate countries and what we called “swing voters”.
This makes it more difficult to win over more moderate countries and what we called “swing voters”.
The impression has arisen that it is a case of “the West against the rest” and “the West against Islam”.
The impression has arisen that it is a case of “the West against the rest” and “the West against Islam”.
Religion has gained importance as an indicator of difference.
Religion has gained importance as an indicator of difference.
Why did Norway seek membership in the Council?
Why did Norway seek membership in the Council?
Firstly, Norway is committed to respecting human rights through a number of international agreements.
Firstly, Norway is committed to respecting human rights through a number of international agreements.
Secondly, respect for human rights is one of the key values underpinning Norwegian society.
Secondly, respect for human rights is one of the key values underpinning Norwegian society.
Thirdly, human rights are an important foreign policy interest.
Thirdly, human rights are an important foreign policy interest.
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.
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.
There are clear links between respect for the individual, efforts to promote peace, and a just world order.
There are clear links between respect for the individual, efforts to promote peace, and a just world order.
There is one question that is often raised.
There is one question that is often raised.
Should Norway speak out strongly and clearly – either alone or together with other like-minded countries?
Should Norway speak out strongly and clearly – either alone or together with other like-minded countries?
Or is it better to build alliances and enter into dialogue?
Or is it better to build alliances and enter into dialogue?
These are not questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
These are not questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
The answer will vary.
The answer will vary.
Our aim is to ensure that individuals are better protected against abuse and have better access to the rights set out in existing standards and conventions in the field of human rights.
Our aim is to ensure that individuals are better protected against abuse and have better access to the rights set out in existing standards and conventions in the field of human rights.
The choice of foreign policy tool should be based on the nature of the human rights violation and an assessment of what would be most effective in the concrete situation.
The choice of foreign policy tool should be based on the nature of the human rights violation and an assessment of what would be most effective in the concrete situation.
We must keep our focus on our goal.
We must keep our focus on our goal.
In some cases, loud protests can be counterproductive.
In some cases, loud protests can be counterproductive.
They can shut down channels of communication and put lives in danger.
They can shut down channels of communication and put lives in danger.
We will not make headway if we just shout out our ideas, while condemning others’ viewpoints.
We will not make headway if we just shout out our ideas, while condemning others’ viewpoints.
A naming and shaming exercise is not always the best way of achieving the results we are seeking.
A naming and shaming exercise is not always the best way of achieving the results we are seeking.
In our meetings with people who have a different background and different experiences to our own, we need to listen – and to listen carefully.
In our meetings with people who have a different background and different experiences to our own, we need to listen – and to listen carefully.
And we need to take the time to try to understand.
And we need to take the time to try to understand.
This will improve our chances of being heard.
This will improve our chances of being heard.
Norway appreciates that national conditions and capabilities differ.
Norway appreciates that national conditions and capabilities differ.
Dialogue should not however, preclude criticism when this is required.
Dialogue should not however, preclude criticism when this is required.
We will use our voice in the Council to to draw attention to serious human rights violations when suppressing regimes are unwilling to show signs of cooperation or unwilling to seek improvements.
We will use our voice in the Council to to draw attention to serious human rights violations when suppressing regimes are unwilling to show signs of cooperation or unwilling to seek improvements.
The UN is neither more nor less than what its members make it.
The UN is neither more nor less than what its members make it.
Norway works for change from within rather than criticizing from the sidelines.
Norway works for change from within rather than criticizing from the sidelines.
It is our responsibility to raise our voice.
It is our responsibility to raise our voice.
Keeping silent is no solution.
Keeping silent is no solution.
Silence can soon become tantamount to surrender.
Silence can soon become tantamount to surrender.
At the Durban Review Conference, that took place between 20 and 24 April 2009, to review steps taken to combat racism and discrimination since the World Conference against Racism held in Durban in 2001, my government was criticised for its decision not to withdraw from the preparation of the conference and the conference itself.
At the Durban Review Conference, that took place between 20 and 24 April 2009, to review steps taken to combat racism and discrimination since the World Conference against Racism held in Durban in 2001, my government was criticised for its decision not to withdraw from the preparation of the conference and the conference itself.
In his speech at the Conference the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that “I decided to attend this conference to convey Norway’s views.
In his speech at the Conference the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that “I decided to attend this conference to convey Norway’s views.
We will not surrender the floor of the United Nations to the extremists”.
We will not surrender the floor of the United Nations to the extremists”.
There is an urgent need to build bridges among regional groups and create confidence more broadly among member states of the UN.
There is an urgent need to build bridges among regional groups and create confidence more broadly among member states of the UN.
Let me shed some lights how my country has put this into practice.
Let me shed some lights how my country has put this into practice.
For a number of years, Norway has been responsible for presenting a draft resolution on efforts to protect human rights defenders all over the world.
For a number of years, Norway has been responsible for presenting a draft resolution on efforts to protect human rights defenders all over the world.
This is an important resolution, which addresses matters of life and death for activists worldwide.
This is an important resolution, which addresses matters of life and death for activists worldwide.
During the negotiations on the most recent resolution on human rights defenders, we chose not to take the traditional approach, namely, first to ensure that we had the support of those closest to us, that is to say like-minded countries.
During the negotiations on the most recent resolution on human rights defenders, we chose not to take the traditional approach, namely, first to ensure that we had the support of those closest to us, that is to say like-minded countries.
Instead, we took the following three steps:
Instead, we took the following three steps:
Firstly, we held broad consultations with all countries.
Firstly, we held broad consultations with all countries.
We had open lines of communication with everyone; including those countries that we knew from experience could create the greatest problems.
We had open lines of communication with everyone; including those countries that we knew from experience could create the greatest problems.
By establishing a good dialogue with these countries, we avoided deadlock.
By establishing a good dialogue with these countries, we avoided deadlock.
Secondly, we carefully selected our strategic cooperation partners.
Secondly, we carefully selected our strategic cooperation partners.
We chose countries from the various regions, in order to ensure that we had a base in all these regions and that they felt a sense of ownership of the ideas we were espousing.
We chose countries from the various regions, in order to ensure that we had a base in all these regions and that they felt a sense of ownership of the ideas we were espousing.
And thirdly, we entered into strategic cooperation with civil society organizations, in a process where they suggested possible compromises on an ongoing basis, and helped us identify areas where there was room for manoeuvre.
And thirdly, we entered into strategic cooperation with civil society organizations, in a process where they suggested possible compromises on an ongoing basis, and helped us identify areas where there was room for manoeuvre.
The resolution on renewing the mandate of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression – a resolution that has been much discussed – suffered a different fate.
The resolution on renewing the mandate of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression – a resolution that has been much discussed – suffered a different fate.
The Special Rapporteur was instructed to report on so-called “misuse of freedom of expression”.
The Special Rapporteur was instructed to report on so-called “misuse of freedom of expression”.
The country leading this process decided to take the traditional approach: to negotiate a forceful text, in a closed circle of like-minded countries and then present this in plenary.
The country leading this process decided to take the traditional approach: to negotiate a forceful text, in a closed circle of like-minded countries and then present this in plenary.
But this approach is not that easy when the traditional group of like-minded countries is in the minority.
But this approach is not that easy when the traditional group of like-minded countries is in the minority.
Strong objections from countries that felt excluded from the process led to amendments that should never have been adopted.
Strong objections from countries that felt excluded from the process led to amendments that should never have been adopted.
Norway withdrew as co-sponsor of the resolution.
Norway withdrew as co-sponsor of the resolution.
If we had been a member of the Human Rights Council, we would have voted against it.
If we had been a member of the Human Rights Council, we would have voted against it.
In our view, the change in the mandate conflicts with established principles.
In our view, the change in the mandate conflicts with established principles.
What is Norway doing now to prevent further setbacks for the UN regarding freedom of expression?
What is Norway doing now to prevent further setbacks for the UN regarding freedom of expression?
Together with the Latin American countries, we worked hard to ensure the appointment of a Special Rapporteur who has great expertise and integrity.
Together with the Latin American countries, we worked hard to ensure the appointment of a Special Rapporteur who has great expertise and integrity.
Now, our focus will be on the Human Rights Council’s next discussion of the resolution on freedom of expression.
Now, our focus will be on the Human Rights Council’s next discussion of the resolution on freedom of expression.
Here we must do everything in our power – with wisdom and resolve – to prevent a repetition of last year’s process.
Here we must do everything in our power – with wisdom and resolve – to prevent a repetition of last year’s process.
One important lesson learned is that we cannot afford to become set in a single way of working, with just one group of cooperation partners.
One important lesson learned is that we cannot afford to become set in a single way of working, with just one group of cooperation partners.
In our efforts to promote human rights – both in the UN and in all other arenas – we must seek to create new room for manoeuvre.
In our efforts to promote human rights – both in the UN and in all other arenas – we must seek to create new room for manoeuvre.
To find new partners in addition to our traditional partners.
To find new partners in addition to our traditional partners.
To look for dialogue processes that can help us to understand how others think.
To look for dialogue processes that can help us to understand how others think.
To win support for our positions in a context where others are willing to listen.
To win support for our positions in a context where others are willing to listen.
Freedom of expression is a crucial value to fight for in our time.
Freedom of expression is a crucial value to fight for in our time.
Without this freedom, our efforts to promote human rights will be virtually impossible.
Without this freedom, our efforts to promote human rights will be virtually impossible.
It is key to ensuring that democracies function with all their diversity.
It is key to ensuring that democracies function with all their diversity.
And it is key to safeguarding diversity in our increasingly multicultural, multifaceted societies.
And it is key to safeguarding diversity in our increasingly multicultural, multifaceted societies.
This is why we need more freedom of expression, not less.
This is why we need more freedom of expression, not less.
But freedom of expression must be defended in a context where there are also other fundamental rights.
But freedom of expression must be defended in a context where there are also other fundamental rights.
Our view is that freedom of expression cannot and must not be limited.
Our view is that freedom of expression cannot and must not be limited.
But there is such a thing as showing consideration – and this too is a value of great importance in our closely interconnected world.
But there is such a thing as showing consideration – and this too is a value of great importance in our closely interconnected world.
What are our priorities?
What are our priorities?
Firstly, we want to secure the effective work of the Council, bridging the gap between the North and the South, the east and the West.
Firstly, we want to secure the effective work of the Council, bridging the gap between the North and the South, the east and the West.
I have already mentioned freedom of expression and freedom of assembly as Norwegian top priorities.
I have already mentioned freedom of expression and freedom of assembly as Norwegian top priorities.
So are our continued leadership in protecting human rights defenders and our leadership of promoting corporate social responsibility.
So are our continued leadership in protecting human rights defenders and our leadership of promoting corporate social responsibility.
With regard especially to civil and political rights, my Government has given priority to the fight against the death penalty, the fight against torture, freedom of expression, the right of the child and gender-issues, including equality before the law, protection of special vulnerable groups and the protection of internally placed persons.
With regard especially to civil and political rights, my Government has given priority to the fight against the death penalty, the fight against torture, freedom of expression, the right of the child and gender-issues, including equality before the law, protection of special vulnerable groups and the protection of internally placed persons.
New Zealand recently raised the issue of maternal health in the Council and Norway is a member of the core group.
New Zealand recently raised the issue of maternal health in the Council and Norway is a member of the core group.
The promotion of human rights is at the core of the UN mandate.
The promotion of human rights is at the core of the UN mandate.
The Human Rights Council - What have we gained by establishing a new body and what are the challenges?
The Human Rights Council - What have we gained by establishing a new body and what are the challenges?
Geneva, 2 March 2009
Genève, 2. mars 2009
Mr President, High Commissioner, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Mr President, High Commissioner, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Since its inaugural session in June 2006, the Human Rights Council has undertaken a substantial institution-building task, creating innovative mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review.
Since its inaugural session in June 2006, the Human Rights Council has undertaken a substantial institution-building task, creating innovative mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review.
The UPR provides a valuable opportunity to review all countries’ human rights records and has become a promising tool for adding value to the existing UN human rights machinery.
The UPR provides a valuable opportunity to review all countries’ human rights records and has become a promising tool for adding value to the existing UN human rights machinery.
We cannot afford, however, to become complacent.
We cannot afford, however, to become complacent.