Human Rights Council Decides to Hold an Urgent Debate on 11 July to Discuss Recurrent Desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other Countries
Council Concludes Interactive Dialogue with Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria
The Human Rights Council this afternoon held an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and concluded an interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Council agreed to hold an urgent debate on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 3 p.m. to discuss the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European and other countries. Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation introduced the request for the urgent debate. Kyrgyzstan and Morocco also took the floor to discuss the request.
Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, acknowledged Venezuela’s engagement with his Office, which was, in and of itself, an important signal. The number of documented killings by agents of the State, as well as reports of torture and ill-treatment, continued to decrease. It was important that the authorities implemented the recommendations regarding the full enjoyment of civic space. The Office had documented threats and stigmatisation of civil society activists, members of opposition parties and other dissenting voices, as well as instances of undue judicial proceedings and arbitrary detention, in decline from the previous year but remaining preoccupying. Restrictions on public information, as well as on freedoms of opinion and expression were also worrying. In these and other areas, legislation needed to be reformed to align with international standards, in order to strengthen freedom of association through an enabling environment for the participation of civic associations in public life.
Mr. Türk said Venezuela’s upcoming national electoral processes must be transparent, inclusive, and participatory. He urged the lifting of all undue restrictions on the right to participate in public affairs. The Office continued to document threats and intimidation by non-State armed and criminal groups against indigenous defenders protecting their territory from drug trafficking and mining. Sectoral sanctions continued to exacerbate the country’s human rights challenges, and affect the rights of Venezuelans, including their access to medicine and adequate healthcare. They needed to be lifted.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, speaking as a country concerned, said the presentation of the new report of the High Commissioner on Venezuela was mandated by a resolution adopted by vote and without Venezuela’s consent, prioritising the path of confrontation rather than dialogue and cooperation. Venezuela deplored the prevalence of hostile wording in the report, based on unsubstantiated and unverified statements, which would undoubtedly stoke the negative and unfair media campaign financed against Venezuela by major media outlets. Earlier this year, the High Commissioner visited Venezuela at the invitation of the President. It was important that the High Commissioner pronounced the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures and recommended that they be lifted.
In the ensuing discussion, some speakers welcomed the tangible impact of the reinforcement of the presence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela, and the improved cooperation with the authorities. A number of speakers were deeply worried by human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela, as well as perpetrators’ impunity and the lack of accountability. They condemned the drastic restrictions imposed on political opponents, as well as civil society, rights defenders, journalists and press freedom. Some speakers said they categorically rejected double standards in the field of human rights, which prevented progress. There should not be mandates which did not have the support of the countries concerned, and instead responded to covert political agendas. It was pleasing to note that the Office of the High Commissioner had recognised the negative impact of the unilateral sanctions and coercive measures imposed on Venezuela on the country’s enjoyment of human rights.
Speaking in the interactive dialogue were Belgium on behalf of the Benelux countries, European Union, Zimbabwe on behalf of a group of countries, Cuba on behalf of a group of countries, Portugal, Peru, Ecuador, France, Canada, United States, Brazil, Syria, United Kingdom, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Zimbabwe, China, Switzerland, Spain, Chile, Yemen, Sudan, Argentina, Georgia, Cuba, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Bolivia, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Eritrea, Egypt, Australia, Uruguay, Iran, Burundi, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nicaragua and Russian Federation.
Also speaking were Fundación Latinoamericana por los Derechos Humanos y el Desarrollo Social, Aula Abierta, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, International Commission of Jurists, CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Amnesty International, International Service for Human Rights, International Bar Association, Human Rights Watch, and World Organization against Torture.
The Council also concluded its interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.
Lynn Welchman, Member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, in concluding remarks, said the Commission welcomed the landmark initiative which sought to hold the Syrian State accountable for the torture of tens of thousands, brought before the International Court of Justice. There were 16 recommendations within the report, which gave detailed suggestions of what the Syrian Government could be doing legislatively and procedurally to take steps towards greater equality for women and less discrimination. It was hugely pleasing to see the Institution on Missing Persons in Syria, but the family struggles continued.
Hanny Megally, Member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, also speaking in concluding remarks, said the Institution on Missing Persons was a mechanism for all Syrians which would work across all parties in the conflict in Syria. It was therefore essential for all other actors in Syria to cooperate with this new institution for it to be a success.
In the discussion, some speakers expressed serious concern for reported continued violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Syria. All indiscriminate and direct attacks on civilians must cease immediately, as well as torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Ongoing grave breaches of human rights and international humanitarian law continued all across Syria and must stop. Some speakers said the humanitarian and human rights situation could be better addressed through the respect of the sovereignty and integrity of Syria, and supporting its anti-terrorist effects, creating a conducive environment for the further protection and promotion of human rights. The Council should engage in a constructive and inclusive dialogue with the Government, with the aim of supporting national efforts towards addressing the prevailing challenges.
Speaking in the discussion were Iceland on behalf of a group of countries, Qatar, Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Germany, Luxembourg, United States, Belgium, France, Iraq, Brazil, Malta, United Kingdom, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Türkiye, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, China, Switzerland, Jordan, Sudan, Albania, Georgia, Cuba, Romania, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Cyprus, Iran, Belarus, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russian Federation and Greece.
