natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
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.
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.