The following information was released by the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG):
The Human Rights Council in a midday meeting today held a general debate on human rights situations that require the Council's attention.
Speakers raised concerns about violations affecting human rights defenders, freedom of opinion and expression, independence of the judiciary, the death penalty and other issues in countries and territories around the world. Countries were urged to hold credible, impartial and independent investigations into alleged violations. Some speakers said the attention given by the Council to egregious human rights abuses was not a pro forma exercise, but rather an important means of working towards alleviating the suffering of people who had no voice. But other speakers said Western countries had no right to turn the Council into a courtroom for the countries of the South, whilst enjoying impunity for their own human rights violations.
Speaking in the general debate were Spain on behalf of the European Union, France, Norway, Japan, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Slovakia, United States, Belgium, Cuba, China, Pakistan, Netherlands, Algeria, Switzerland, New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, Australia, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Canada, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Iran, Ethiopia and Syria.
The following non-governmental organizations also took the floor: France Liberte Fondation Danielle Mitterand, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizens Participation and Baha'i International Community.
Extract of General Debate on Human Rights Situations that Require the Council's Attention:
WENDY HEATON (New Zealand) situation in Iran, in particular the execution of those who committed crimes as minors, restrictions on the right to freedom of religion, and discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities. The self-imposed international isolation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had contributed to the deterioration of the said serious and urgent situations continued to require attention by the Human Rights Council. The attention given by the Council to egregious human rights abuses was not a pro forma exercise, but rather an important means of working towards alleviating the suffering of people who had no voice. New Zealand was seriously concerned about the human rights situation and absence of democracy in Myanmar, and reiterated its call for the immediate release of political prisoners to allow them to participate fully in this year's elections. New Zealand remained concerned about the human rightshuman rights of its people, and the country should allow access to the new Special Rapporteur, as a first step in establishing a dialogue with the international community.
A military regime in Fiji continued to rule by decree, and regional and international communities had called for genuine, independent and open political dialogue, and a prompt return to democracy.
