UN REPORTS POINT TO POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES IN EASTERN DR CONGO

With two new United Nations reports detailing human rights abuses – including possible war crimes – carried out by both Government forces and rebels in the volatile far east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the world body's top rights official today stressed the urgent need for reforming the country's security and judicial systems.

Fundamental improvements in these sectors "are of paramount importance if both the authorities and the international community are serious about bringing lasting peace to eastern DRC," High Commissioner Navi Pillay said.

The new publications are a joint effort of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (<"http://monuc.unmissions.org/">MONUC) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx">OHCHR), and cover the period in late 2008 when heavy fighting engulfed North and South Kivu provinces.

One <"http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/Goma_KanyabayongaRapport_Septembre_2009.pdf">report focuses on the actions of Government troops, known by the acronym FARDC, some of whom took part in 12 arbitrary killings, as well as looting and sexual violence, of the very people they were supposed to protect in the North Kivu provincial capital, Goma, and surrounding areas as they fled advancing forces from the mainly Tutsi rebel group known as the National Congress for People's Defence (CNDP).

"As human rights violations by the FARDC are so significant, failure at the political and operational levels to act to remedy the situation in and of itself constitutes a serious human rights violation," the publication said.

The Government must take immediate and strong action on the violations committed by the Congolese armed forces, it emphasized. "Without profound change in the FARDC, the international community may be perceived as contributing to human rights violations as opposed to effectively supporting the desired change and this perception might affect its support to FARDC."

Despite some positive changes in FARDC's command structures in the wake of the Goma rampage, soldiers who committed these crimes remain in the area, according to local people.

The High Commissioner characterized the judicial response to the violations by the FARDC as "wholly insufficient."

She added that "that has, unfortunately, generally been the case since the [civil] war officially ended in 2002, and is one of the reasons why progress on the human rights front since then has been so deeply unsatisfactory."

The other <"http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/Kiwanja_Report_September2009.pdf">report highlights the rights violations committed by the CNDP, including at least 67 cases of arbitrary executions, during the 5 November 2008 killings in Kiwanja, North Kivu.

Following intense fighting between the CNDP and the Mayi Mayi militia, the CNDP carried out reprisal killings of villagers, mostly young men suspected of being members or collaborators of the Mayi Mayi.

"The fact that killings took place simultaneously in several different areas of Kiwanja and that they were preceded, days before the events, by public warnings by CNDP authorities that in case of a Mayi Mayi attack, the population would be held responsible may suggest that, at least to a certain extent, the 'opération ratissage' was retaliatory in nature and ordered and condoned by the command of the CNDP," the report found.

It also noted that in the aftermath of the attacks, MONUC was strongly criticized for not having protected civilians.

Not only is additional training of military personnel in peacekeeping operations necessary, the report said, but also, "the formulation of clearer criteria for exactly when peacekeepers are to intervene in order to protect civilians must take into account both the need for peacekeepers to possess knowledge of the dangers faced by civilians in a given situation, and the capacity of peacekeepers to make a positive difference in that situation."

Ms. Pillay pointed out that the CNDP's actions could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity and "are part of a self-perpetuating pattern of brutality in eastern DRC which continues to go largely unpunished.

"I am deeply concerned that members of the CNDP who may be implicated in these crimes – especially Bosco Ntaganda, against whom there was already an International Criminal Court arrest warrant – are either still at large, or have even been absorbed into the FARDC."

Laurent Nkunda, who led the CNDP at the time of the Kiwanja attacks, was taken into custody this January.

The High Commissioner voiced hope that the announcement of a zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence by the Government will be followed by "concrete and immediate action to hold perpetrators accountable, particularly since sexual violence continues to take place on a daily basis."

UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES US INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED CIA ABUSES

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has welcomed the decision by the United States Attorney-General to appoint a special prosecutor to look into whether Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officers and contractors broke US laws while conducting interrogations outside the US, including at Guantanamo Bay.

"I warmly welcome this responsible decision by the US Government to open a preliminary investigation," Ms. Pillay said. "I hope there is a swift examination of the various allegations of abuse made by former and current detainees in Guantanamo and other US-run prisons, and if they are verified, that the next steps will involve accountability for anyone who has violated the law."

Ms. Pillay said her concern all along "has been that there should not be impunity for torture or any other unlawful treatment of detainees, whether it is in the United States or anywhere else in the world. While we now have some idea of what occurred in Guantanamo, and to a lesser extent places like Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, we still need more transparency about secret places of detention, and what went on in them."

Ms. Pillay said that the use of secret places of detention must be curbed, and called for the release of the names of detainees currently held in these detention centres. "Secrecy has been a major part of the problem with this type of detention regime," she said. "When guards and interrogators think they are safe from outside scrutiny, and legal safeguards are circumvented, laws become all too easy to ignore."

The High Commissioner also praised the decision to release Mohammed Jawad, an Afghan who was taken prisoner in 2002 when he may only have been 12 years old. Most of the charges against him were ruled inadmissible in 2008, and last month a US District Court ordered his release from Guantanamo.

"I am delighted to hear that on Monday Mohammed Jawad was allowed to return to his family in Afghanistan," Ms. Pillay said. "It has taken an extraordinarily long time, but the US justice system – once it was able to operate properly in his case – has, I believe, finally delivered justice."

However, she added that "in Jawad's case and those of other people held in detention for unacceptably long periods, without any charges being proven, or who were tortured or otherwise treated unlawfully, compensation and other remedies are essential. Some people have lost seven years of their lives, and may have been severely psychologically, physically or financially scarred by their experience, simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Ms. Pillay reiterated her support for US President Barack Obama's commitment to close the Guantanamo camp by 2010 and asked him to urgently review the status of detainees at the Bagram facility in Afghanistan.
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LOW HEALTH STANDARDS IMPEDING RECOGNITION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' RIGHTS -- BAN

The low standards of health among indigenous communities is perpetuating the gap in many countries between the recognition of their rights and the actual situation on the ground, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for swift action to find solutions.

In his message on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, the Secretary-General appealed to governments and civil society "to act with urgency and determination to close this implementation gap, in full partnership with indigenous peoples."

This year's Day focuses on the threat posed by HIV and AIDS, and Mr. Ban underscored the importance of indigenous people having access to the information and services needed for detection, treatment and prevention.

This marginalized group -- numbering 370 million in 70 countries -- suffers disproportion
ately from low health standards linked to poverty, malnutrition, environmental contamination and inadequate healthcare, he said.

Calling the world's indigenous peoples the "custodians of some of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth" who speak a majority of all languages, the Secretary-General welcomed some recent national moves in which governments have apologized for past injustices, while others have adopted legal reforms.

But he cautioned that "many face discrimination and racism on a daily basis," as well as poverty and inadequate access to education.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the International Day is an occasion to reaffirm the commitment to translate positive developments in international human rights standards into concrete progress for indigenous peoples.

"To achieve this, we all -- States, indigenous peoples, the United Nations system and others concerned -- must join our efforts and reach solutions based on true dialogue, mutual under
standing, tolerance and respect for human rights," she noted in a statement.

"This is no easy task. But it is the only way we can move the rights of indigenous peoples from paper to practice."

In 1994, the General Assembly proclaimed 9 August -- the anniversary of the first meeting in 1982 of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights -- to be the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

It will be commemorated this year at UN Headquarters in New York tomorrow with cultural events and panel discussions.

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UN RIGHTS CHIEF CONCERNED OVER CIVILIAN DEATHS IN NIGERIAN CLASHES

The top United Nations human rights official today expressed deep concern over sectarian clashes in northern Nigeria, especially over reports of civilians killed during the fighting between a local Muslim sect and Government troops.

According to media reports, more than 800 people have been killed since the Boko Haram sect began an uprising last week.

In a <"http://www2.ohchr.org/english/press/newsFrameset-2.htm">statement issued in Geneva, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay also pointed to wide-scale arrests and detentions, as well as people forced to take shelter in barracks for safety, as sources of concern.

"The High Commissioner recognizes that the Government faced a major crisis, with fighting taking place in the heart of the state capitals," it said. "She hopes, however, that the Government makes every effort to achieve security with full adherence to legality and respect for human rights."

Ms. Pillay also underscored the need to ensure that all possible measures are taken to prevent unlawful killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, calling on the Nigerian Government to investigate all incidents and bring offenders to justice.

"The High Commissioner extends her deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and to the wounded," said the statement, issued by the spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx">OHCHR).

Last week, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned "the unnecessary loss of human life and the destruction of property as a result of militant attacks." UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists that Mr. Ban hopes that those behind the attacks "would be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law."

Mr. Ban called on the Government, law enforcement, security agencies, and religious and community leaders to coordinate efforts to address "the underlying causes of the frequent religious clashes in Nigeria so that a resolution could be found through dialogue, tolerance and understanding."

Deadly fighting between Muslims and Christians in the Nigerian city of Jos last November killed several hundred people and displaced thousands of others, sparking a similar statement of concern from the Secretary-General.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR NEPAL

The top United Nations human rights official today voiced her continued support for Nepal as it rebuilds after a decade-long civil war, with the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the South Asian nation being extended until next year.

In her letter to the Nepalese Government confirming her acceptance of that agreement, High Commissioner Navi Pillay wrote that OHCHR "remains strongly committed to further strengthen the national human rights protection system, in particular the National Human Rights Commission, through continued cooperation and capacity building," according to a press release issued in Kathmandu.

The Office's mandate is now set to expire on 9 June 2010.

Last weekend, a new UN-backed project was launched to help heal the scars left by Nepal's civil war, using transitional justice mechanisms to spur reconciliation.

The "Peace through Justice" initiative, financed through a $2 million grant from the UN Peace Fund for Nepal (UNPFN), seeks to aid in setting up effective transitional justice systems provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the 2006 pact ended the conflict between forces loyal to the former King of Nepal and Maoists.

OHCHR said that "a systematic approach to dealing with the past can help societies heal and work their way back to normality. Establishing the facts of the conflict, acknowledging the losses suffered by the victims and providing a platform for justice helps end impunity and aids reconciliation."

The project, which will run initially for 12 months, will support the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction (MoPR) to set up bodies, such as the Commission on Inquiry on Disappearances, and will focus on documenting human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed during the conflict, which claimed some 13,000 lives.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his latest report on Nepal's request for UN assistance in support of the peace process, wrote that progress on key elements in Nepal's peace process has slowed down or stalled altogether owing to the country's recent political crisis.

"The two major tasks at the current stage of the peace process are the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist army personnel and the drafting of the new constitution," he said, noting that efforts to advance on both these fronts slowed with the onset of the crisis sparked by the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ("Prachanda") in early May, which occurred one day after the Chief of Army Staff – who he had fired – was reinstated.

A senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML), Madhav Kumar Nepal, was elected Prime Minister on 23 May and subsequently formed a new coalition Government with the support of 21 other political parties but without the participation of the Maoists.

"The modest progress witnessed in some aspects of the peace process during the first quarter of 2009 has stalled against a backdrop of mistrust and a further deterioration of relations among key stakeholders, notably between UCPN-M [Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist] and the other major parties and between UCPN-M and the Nepal Army," says the Secretary-General, proposing a six-month extension of the United Nations mission to continue assisting with remaining tasks.
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NEW REGIONAL BODY WILL HELP PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA – UN OFFICIAL

The United Nations human rights chief today welcomed the latest move to set up a regional body to protect the rights of people living in South-East Asia, highlighting the need to appoint "independent and impartial" experts to serve on it when it is launched in October.

The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have endorsed the terms of reference for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, which will be the first regional body of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called the endorsement "an important step forward" in the establishment of the new mechanism, noting that similar bodies are already functioning in other regions, including Africa, the Americas and Europe.

She strongly encouraged ASEAN States to appoint Commission members who are "independent and impartial, and have proven expertise in human rights."

In addition, the national selection processes should include wide consultation and participation by various actors in society, said Ms. Pillay, noting the regional leaders' stated commitment to create a "people-oriented ASEAN."

At the same time, the High Commissioner voiced her disappointment at the Commission's "lack of a clear protection mandate," but said she hoped its role would expand after its launch in October at the 15th ASEAN Summit, to be held in Phuket, Thailand.

She also stressed that close cooperation and partnership with independent and effective national human rights institutions, which are already established in some ASEAN nations, will help to reinforce the new Commission's role.

According to the High Commissioner's office, regional arrangements – such as the one being created by ASEAN – can play an important role in protecting and promoting international human rights standards, including by helping to address shortcomings in national frameworks.
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TOP UN OFFICIALS CALL FOR THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO KILLING OF RUSSIAN ACTIVIST

Russian authorities must conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the murder of a prominent activist looking into alleged human rights abuses in Chechnya, top United Nations officials said today.

Natalia Estemirova, who worked for the Russian non-governmental organization (NGO) Memorial, was kidnapped on Wednesday near her home in the Chechen capital, Grozny, and her body was found in neighbouring Ingushetia later in the day with bullet wounds to the head and chest.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today welcomed the announcement that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a high-level investigation, urging authorities "to do all they can to ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted and brought to justice."

Ms. Estemirova's death – the latest in a series of killings or attacks against rights activists, journalists and lawyers in the country – "sadly underlines once again the need for governments to do much more to protect human rights defenders," Ms. Pillay said.

For his part, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is appalled and saddened by Ms. Estemirova's "heinous" killing, calling on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice "to send a strong and unambiguous message that the targeting of human rights will not be tolerated," according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with human rights defenders around the world who work courageously and selflessly each and every day, in defense of basic rights and freedoms," it added.

The slain activist had worked for many years to promote human rights in the North Caucasus, having received numerous awards. Those included the Anna Politkovskaya Prize from the Nobel Women's Initiative, which was named for the Russian journalist and outspoken human rights campaigner who was killed in 2006, with whom Ms. Estemirova had worked.

She had also worked alongside Stanislav Markelov, a human rights lawyer who was killed after having given a press conference in Moscow on 19 January.
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REPORTS FROM SOMALIA SUGGEST POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES, SAYS UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF

It is clear that grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law – possibly amounting to war crimes – are being committed in strife-torn Somalia, a top United Nations official said today.

Despite the signing of a peace accord last year and the formation of a new government this past February, ongoing violence has caused enormous suffering and massive displacement in the Horn of Africa nation.

More than 200,000 people have been forced to flee the capital, Mogadishu, since the latest round of fighting began in early May between the Government and the Al-Shabab and Hisb-ul-Islam groups.

"In this new wave of attacks, it is clear that civilians – especially women and children – are bearing the brunt of the violence," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said, noting that attacks against civilians have been one of the main features of the conflicts that have engulfed the country since 1991.

"There needs to be a much greater effort to protect civilians. Displaced people and human rights defenders, aid workers and journalists are among those most exposed, and in some cases are being directly targeted," she added.

UN investigators who spoke with refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) that fled the recent surge in fighting were told that the Al-Shabab groups have carried out extrajudicial executions, planted mines, bombs and other explosive devices in civilian areas, and used civilians as human shields, according to a news release from the High Commissioner's office (OHCHR).

In addition, fighters from both sides are reported to have used torture, and fired mortars indiscriminately into areas populated or frequented by civilians. There has also been increasing evidence of child recruitment by various forces.

"Some of these acts might amount to war crimes," Ms. Pillay said.

She added that the work of human rights defenders and journalists in Mogadishu has become "extremely precarious," with six journalists having been killed in Mogadishu – four of them apparently victims of target assassinations – since the beginning of the year.

"It is vital that the fighting and violence stop as soon as possible," the High Commissioner said, adding that once order has been restored, those responsible for human rights violations and abuses should be brought to justice.

"The gathering of evidence, by all who are in a position to do so, has to continue so that those committing these terrible crimes in Somalia will one day receive their due punishment before a court of law, and their victims will finally see justice being done," she stated.

Meanwhile, in response to the displacement crisis facing many civilians from Mogadishu, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its partners are working to address the needs of those uprooted from their homes.

They are distributing emergency supplies, including plastic sheets, blankets, jerry cans, soap and mosquito nets, for over 6,000 households – about 47,000 people – in and around Mogadishu.

The majority of the displaced persons have moved to the Afgooye corridor, a stretch of very densely populated displacement settlements, which is already hosting about 400,000 people.
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REPORTS FROM SOMALIA SUGGEST POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES, SAYS UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF

It is clear that grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law – possibly amounting to war crimes – are being committed in strife-torn Somalia, a top United Nations official said today.

Despite the signing of a peace accord last year and the formation of a new government this past February, ongoing violence has caused enormous suffering and massive displacement in the Horn of Africa nation.

More than 200,000 people have been forced to flee the capital, Mogadishu, since the latest round of fighting began in early May between the Government and the Al-Shabab and Hisb-ul-Islam groups.

"In this new wave of attacks, it is clear that civilians – especially women and children – are bearing the brunt of the violence," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said, noting that attacks against civilians have been one of the main features of the conflicts that have engulfed the country since 1991.

"There needs to be a much greater effort to protect civilians. Displaced people and human rights defenders, aid workers and journalists are among those most exposed, and in some cases are being directly targeted," she added.

UN investigators who spoke with refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) that fled the recent surge in fighting were told that the Al-Shabab groups have carried out extrajudicial executions, planted mines, bombs and other explosive devices in civilian areas, and used civilians as human shields, according to a news release from the High Commissioner's office (OHCHR).

In addition, fighters from both sides are reported to have used torture, and fired mortars indiscriminately into areas populated or frequented by civilians. There has also been increasing evidence of child recruitment by various forces.

"Some of these acts might amount to war crimes," Ms. Pillay said.

She added that the work of human rights defenders and journalists in Mogadishu has become "extremely precarious," with six journalists having been killed in Mogadishu – four of them apparently victims of target assassinations – since the beginning of the year.

"It is vital that the fighting and violence stop as soon as possible," the High Commissioner said, adding that once order has been restored, those responsible for human rights violations and abuses should be brought to justice.

"The gathering of evidence, by all who are in a position to do so, has to continue so that those committing these terrible crimes in Somalia will one day receive their due punishment before a court of law, and their victims will finally see justice being done," she stated.
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UPCOMING HEARINGS ENABLE VICTIMS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO UN GAZA RIGHTS PROBE

Members of the independent fact-finding mission set up by the United Nations Human Rights Council will hold public hearings in Gaza next week as part of its investigations into violations committed during the recent conflict in the Strip, allowing those affected to tell their stories to the world.

The hearings will "enable victims from all sides in the conflict and experts on its consequences and impacts to speak directly to the international community of their experiences," according to a statement issued in Geneva.

The four-member team, led by Justice Richard Goldstone, will interview victims, witnesses and experts in Gaza City on 28 and 29 June, at the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Hearings will also be held on 6 and 7 July in Geneva, as part of the investigations into rights violations committed during the December 2008-January 2009 conflict, which killed over 1,400 people and injured 5,000 others.

Both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN human rights chief Navi Pillay have called on Israel to cooperate with the investigation team, which travelled to Gaza earlier this month in the first of several planned visits to the area.
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NEW MANDATE CREATED FOR INDEPENDENT UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT ON SUDAN

The United Nations Human Rights Council today established a one-year mandate for an independent expert tasked with examining the situation in Sudan, as it concluded its 11th session.

In one of several resolutions adopted prior to wrapping up the two-week session, the Council requested the new Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan to report to the Geneva-based body at its 14th session.

The new mandate replaces that of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Sudan, which expires this month.

Also by the same text, the Council called on Sudan's Government of National Unity to continue and intensify its efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights across the country.

Among the other issues the 47-member body took action on were the human rights of migrants in detention centres, the acceleration of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, trafficking in persons, the right to education and the Draft Guiding Principles on extreme poverty and human rights.

During its session, the Council also received an update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, on human rights themes and situations of particular concern, especially the condition of civilians in armed conflict, and the human rights of migrants.

In addition, the Council held its annual full-day meeting on women's human rights, on the theme of equality before the law.

The next regular session of the Council – which replaced the Human Rights Commission in 2006 – will be held from 7 to 25 September.
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BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS MATTER MORE THAN EVER, EXPERT TELLS UN COUNCIL

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS MATTER MORE THAN EVER, EXPERT TELLS UN COUNCIL
New York, Jun 2 2009 3:00PM
There has never been a more critical time to address business and human rights, the United Nations <"http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/">Human Rights Council was told today as it began its 11th session in Geneva with a discussion on how to make companies rights-friendly.

"Human rights are most at risk in times of crisis, and economic crises pose a particular risk to economic and social rights," John Ruggie, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Business and Human Rights, said as he presented his 2009 report to the Council.

"Business and human rights matters more than ever because progress on this front directly contributes to the transition we all seek toward more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

"The solutions for the economic crisis and for business and human rights point in the same direction: governments adopting policies that induce more responsible corporate behaviour, and companies adopting strategies that reflect the inescapable fact that their own long-term prospects are tightly coupled with society's well-being," he stated.

The 47-member Council had previously backed the framework devised by Mr. Ruggie to better manage the human rights challenges posed by transnational corporations and other business enterprises.

Mr. Ruggie pointed out that the "protect, respect and remedy" framework rests on three complementary pillars: the State duty to protect against human rights abuses by third parties; the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, which in essence means to act with due diligence to avoid infringing on the rights of others; and greater access by victims to effective remedy, judicial and non-judicial.

The Council had also asked Mr. Ruggie to provide "practical recommendations" and "concrete guidance" to governments, businesses and other social actors on the framework's implementation.

The Special Representative emphasized the importance for companies to exercise "human rights due diligence," whereby they can prevent and mitigate adverse human rights impacts through having a human rights policy in place to assess their activities.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx">OHCHR) contributes to the business and human rights agenda through its support to the Special Representative and partnership work with the UN Global Compact, a voluntary initiative to promote corporate citizenship which currently involves over 5,000 companies across 130 countries.

"The partnership between some of the world's largest corporations, OHCHR and the UN Global Compact sends a powerful signal that human rights is indeed a business issue and that business itself should be directly involved in finding solutions to the challenge of integrating human rights into its core activities and policies," said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

At its current session, which will run through 18 June, the Council will consider, among others, the protection of human rights of civilians in armed conflict, and the draft guiding principles on extreme poverty and human rights.

The Council will also discuss the report of the High Commissioner on the resolution to dispatch an urgent, independent international fact-finding mission to investigate all violations of international humanitarian law against the Palestinian people throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip.
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INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED ABUSES CRUCIAL FOR SRI LANKA’S RECOVERY – UN RIGHTS CHIEF

INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED ABUSES CRUCIAL FOR SRI LANKA'S RECOVERY – UN RIGHTS CHIEF
New York, May 26 2009 3:00PM
Investigating human rights abuses allegedly committed against civilians by both the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil rebels will help the country transition into a new future, the United Nations human rights chief stated.

"There are strong reasons to believe that both sides have grossly disregarded the fundamental principle of the inviolability of civilians," Navi Pillay said in a video message to the <"http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/">Human Rights Council's special session on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

Today's meeting in Geneva takes place one week after the Government announced that its military operation against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and on the heels of a visit to the South Asian island nation by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several of his top aides.

Ms. Pillay said an "independent and credible international investigation into recent events should be dispatched to ascertain the occurrence, nature and scale of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as specific responsibilities."

The LTTE has been accused of purposefully preventing civilians from leaving the conflict zone, forcefully conscripting people, and using civilians as human shields. "There were even alleged cases of the LTTE firing on civilians as they sought to flee, or targeting with suicide attacks checkpoints as the [internally displaced persons] IDPs left the area," Ms. Pillay said.

For its part, the Government reportedly utilized heavy weapons on the small and densely-populated area of conflict in Sri Lanka's north, she noted, in spite of assurances that it would take precautions to protect civilians. Further, Government forces allegedly shelled a hospital several times in the last weeks of fighting, and accusations that the army may have killed LTTE members as they were trying to surrender would constitute violations of the laws of war.

"Establishing the facts is crucial to set the record straight regarding the conduct of all parties in the conflict," the High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed, with victims and survivors to the conflict entitled to justice and remedies.

In her message to the 47-member Council, she reiterated the call issued by Mr. Ban to tackle the root causes of the conflict.

"A new future for the country, the prospect of meaningful reconciliation and lasting peace, where respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms can become a reality for all, hinges upon such an in-depth and comprehensive approach," she said.

During his visit, Mr. Ban urged the Government to undertake certain confidence-building measures to "clearly and unmistakably" signal its good intentions in addressing root causes of Tamil and Muslim grievances, warning that if issues of reconciliation and social inclusion are not dealt with, history could repeat itself.

Mr. Ban also visited IDP camps, an experience he called "very sobering," and flew over the former conflict zone.

In the camps in Menik Farm, one of the largest IDP sites, the Secretary-General was "able to see from himself that while a lot as been done, there is still long way to go," Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, who accompanied Mr. Ban on the trip, told a press briefing today in New York.

Regarding the flight he took over the former area of conflict, the Secretary-General could "imagine just by looking at it what kind of hell it must have been," Mr. Holmes noted.

In his "useful" discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr. Ban discussed humanitarian issues, including greater Sri Lankan-UN cooperation to improve conditions in the camps. Mr. Ban pressed upon the Sri Lankan leader the need for unimpeded access – for both people and for vehicles – to the camps.

Also accompanying Mr. Ban to Sri Lanka was B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who told reporters that although the military part of the conflict is over, the Sri Lankan Government must lead the humanitarian, reconstruction and political aspects of the recovery process.

The international community must also play a role, he stressed, adding that "we don't want to see a recurrence of the difficulties and problems that have occurred in the past."
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INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED ABUSES CRUCIAL FOR SRI LANKA'S RECOVERY – UN RIGHTS CHIEF<br />New York, May 26 2009 3:00PM<br />Investigating human rights abuses allegedly committed against civilians by both the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil rebels will help the country transition into a new future, the United Nations human rights chief stated.<p>"There are strong reasons to believe that both sides have grossly disregarded the fundamental principle of the inviolability of civilians," Navi Pillay said in a video message to the <"<a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/</a>">Human Rights Council's special session on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.<p>Today's meeting in Geneva takes place one week after the Government announced that its military operation against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and on the heels of a visit to the South Asian island nation by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several of his top aides. <p>Ms. Pillay said an "independent and credible international investigation into recent events should be dispatched to ascertain the occurrence, nature and scale of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as specific responsibilities."<p>The LTTE has been accused of purposefully preventing civilians from leaving the conflict zone, forcefully conscripting people, and using civilians as human shields. "There were even alleged cases of the LTTE firing on civilians as they sought to flee, or targeting with suicide attacks checkpoints as the [internally displaced persons] IDPs left the area," Ms. Pillay said.<p>For its part, the Government reportedly utilized heavy weapons on the small and densely-populated area of conflict in Sri Lanka's north, she noted, in spite of assurances that it would take precautions to protect civilians. Further, Government forces allegedly shelled a hospital several times in the last weeks of fighting, and accusations that the army may have killed LTTE members as they were trying to surrender would constitute violations of the laws of war.<p>"Establishing the facts is crucial to set the record straight regarding the conduct of all parties in the conflict," the High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed, with victims and survivors to the conflict entitled to justice and remedies.<p>In her message to the 47-member Council, she reiterated the call issued by Mr. Ban to tackle the root causes of the conflict.<p>"A new future for the country, the prospect of meaningful reconciliation and lasting peace, where respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms can become a reality for all, hinges upon such an in-depth and comprehensive approach," she said.<p>During his visit, Mr. Ban urged the Government to undertake certain confidence-building measures to "clearly and unmistakably" signal its good intentions in addressing root causes of Tamil and Muslim grievances, warning that if issues of reconciliation and social inclusion are not dealt with, history could repeat itself.<p>Mr. Ban also visited IDP camps, an experience he called "very sobering," and flew over the former conflict zone.<p>In the camps in Menik Farm, one of the largest IDP sites, the Secretary-General was "able to see from himself that while a lot as been done, there is still long way to go," Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, who accompanied Mr. Ban on the trip, told a press briefing today in New York.<p>Regarding the flight he took over the former area of conflict, the Secretary-General could "imagine just by looking at it what kind of hell it must have been," Mr. Holmes noted.<p>In his "useful" discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr. Ban discussed humanitarian issues, including greater Sri Lankan-UN cooperation to improve conditions in the camps. Mr. Ban pressed upon the Sri Lankan leader the need for unimpeded access – for both people and for vehicles – to the camps.<p>Also accompanying Mr. Ban to Sri Lanka was B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who told reporters that although the military part of the conflict is over, the Sri Lankan Government must lead the humanitarian, reconstruction and political aspects of the recovery process.<p>The international community must also play a role, he stressed, adding that "we don't want to see a recurrence of the difficulties and problems that have occurred in the past."<br />________________<p>For more details go to UN News Centre at <a href="http://www.un.org/news">http://www.un.org/news</a><p>To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:<br /><a href="http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml">http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml</a>

MYANMAR: SECURITY COUNCIL VOICES CONCERN OVER DETENTION OF PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER

MYANMAR: SECURITY COUNCIL VOICES CONCERN OVER DETENTION OF PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER
New York, May 22 2009 7:00PM
The Security Council today expressed its concern over the political impact in Myanmar of the detention of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/sc9662.doc.htm">press statement, the 15-member body reiterated "the importance of the release of all political prisoners," repeating the need for Myanmar's Government to "create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the support of the United Nations."

Security forces arrested Aung San Suu Kyi, who leads the National League for Democracy (NLD), and two aides on 14 May and took them to Insein Prison, where they were charged by a special court. They are said to have been charged with violating the terms of her house arrest, after an uninvited United States citizen gained access to their home, and her trial is currently under way.

Last week, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that "her continued detention, and now this latest trial, breach international standards of due process and fair trial."

It had been hoped that she would be released when her current detention order, which has already continued for one year longer than the maximum of five years permitted under Myanmar's laws, expires at the end of this month.

"The Myanmar authorities might claim Aung San Suu Kyi has breached the conditions of her detention, but they have broken both their own laws and their international human rights obligations," Ms. Pillay said. "She should not be detained in the first place."

She has spent over 12 years under house arrest. On 30 May 2003, she was re-arrested under a law which states that a person "suspected of having committed or believed to be about to commit, any act which endangers the sovereignty and security of the state" can be detained.

In May 2007, the Government extended her arrest for another year, bringing her detention to the five-year limit, and her detention was prolonged for sixth year last May.
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MYANMAR: UNESCO CHIEF DEPLORES ARREST OF PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER

MYANMAR: UNESCO CHIEF DEPLORES ARREST OF PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER
New York, May 20 2009 10:00AM
The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO) has expressed his grave concern over the arrest and trial of opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, coinciding with when her house arrest was due to end, to the leader ofruling military junta.

In a letter sent today to General Than Shwe, UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura did not pass judgment on the validity of the charges against her, but underscored that Aung San Suu Kyi – who received the 2002 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence – plays a very important role in the country's national reconciliation process.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who leads the National League for Democracy (NLD) and two aides were taken by security forces on 14 May to Insein Prison, where they were charged by a special court. They are said to have been charged with violating the terms of her house arrest, after an uninvited United States citizen gained access to their home, and her trial is currently under way.

Mr. Matsuura added his voice to the chorus of UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in calling for her immediate and unconditional release.

Last week, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay emphasized that "her continued detention, and now this latest trial, breach international standards of due process and fair trial."

It had been hoped that Aung San Suu Kyi would be released when her current detention order, which has already continued for one year longer than the maximum of five years permitted under Myanmar's laws, expires at the end of this month.

"The Myanmar authorities might claim Aung San Suu Kyi has breached the conditions of her detention, but they have broken both their own laws and their international human rights obligations," Ms. Pillay stressed. "She should not be detained in the first place."

Ms. Suu Kyi has spent over 12 years under house arrest. On 30 May 2003, she was re-arrested under a law which states that a person "suspected of having committed or believed to be about to commit, any act which endangers the sovereignty and security of the state" can be detained.

In May 2007, the Government extended her arrest for another year, bringing her detention to the five-year limit, and her detention was prolonged for sixth year last May.
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UN RIGHTS CHIEF CALLS FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI’S IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UN RIGHTS CHIEF CALLS FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, May 15 2009 2:00PM
Calling on Myanmar's Government to drop all charges against pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the top United Nations human rights official today <"http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/E75E3FB7591BA2FBC12575B7004CA9A7?opendocument">appealed to authorities for her immediate and unconditional release.

According to reports, Ms. Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for several years, and two aides were escorted yesterday morning by security forces to Insein Prison, where they were charged by a special court. They are said to have been charged with violating the terms of her house arrest, after an uninvited United States citizen gained access to their home.

Ms. Suu Kyi, who leads the National League for Democracy (NLD), and her two aides are currently detained in the Insein compound and her trial has been scheduled for 18 May.

"Her continued detention, and now this latest trial, breach international standards of due process and fair trial," High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said.

It had been hoped that the Nobel Peace Prize winner would be released when her current detention order, which has already continued for one year longer than the maximum of five years permitted under Myanmar's laws, expires at the end of this month.

"The Myanmar authorities might claim Aung San Suu Kyi has breached the conditions of her detention, but they have broken both their own laws and their international human rights obligations," Ms. Pillay stressed. "She should not be detained in the first place."

Ms. Suu Kyi has spent over 12 years under house arrest. On 30 May 2003, she was re-arrested under a law which states that a person "suspected of having committed or believed to be about to commit, any act which endangers the sovereignty and security of the state" can be detained.

In May 2007, the Government extended her arrest for another year, bringing her detention to the five-year limit, and her detention was prolonged for sixth year last May.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and guarantees the right to fair trial and to freedom of opinion and expression, which, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Suu Kyi has exercised peacefully and courageously over many years.

Yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he is "gravely concerned" about the news of her detention.

"The Secretary-General believes that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is an essential partner for dialogue in Myanmar's national reconciliation and calls on the Government not to take any further action that could undermine this important process," according to a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3848">statement issued by his spokesperson.

Ms. Suu Kyi and all those who have a contribution to make to the future of their country "must be free to be able to do so to ensure that the political process is credible," the statement added.

Also yesterday, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tomás Ojea Quintana, who reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, called for her unconditional release.

"Since her house is well guarded by security forces, the responsibility for preventing such intrusions, and alerting the authorities, lies with the security forces and not with Aung San Suu Kyi and her aides," he said.
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MODIFIED TEXT FOR DURBAN ANTI-RACISM CONFERENCE WELCOMED BY UN RIGHTS CHIEF

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees today congratulated nations for agreeing on the text of a draft outcome to be adopted at next week's anti-racism gathering in Geneva, stressing that the process under way will help millions of people suffering from intolerance worldwide.

Navi Pillay said that the 16-page document, agreed on by the Preparatory Committee this afternoon, will have an "easy passage" through the Durban Review Conference because it was so "well-deliberated" by States.

"It has not been an easy process, but it is excellent that delegates have agreed on the key issues," she said. "This process is very important for the sake of all the millions of people who suffer from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance every day, of every week, in every part of the world."

The High Commissioner hailed the spirit of consensus that lead to agreement on the document, commending States' commitment to "move forward together to tackle the scourge of racism."

The five-day Review Conference, opening on 20 April, seeks to assess progress and implementation thus far of the landmark Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) agreed on by States eight years ago.

As of this morning, nearly 4,000 people had registered to participate in the gathering, including more than 100 heads of delegation from Member States and over 2,500 representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"The commitments made by governments in 2001 were forceful and ground-breaking, but there is still much to be done in implementing them," Ms. Pillay said. "The aim of next week's conference is to reinvigorate implementation of those wide-ranging commitments so that we can eliminate discriminatory practices and intolerance."

Acknowledging that it is only normal that opinions differ in a diverse world, she voiced hope that by the end of the gathering, which will also be attended by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a clear message will be sent out that "we are, indeed, united against racism."
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FIJI: UNESCO CHIEF VOICES CONCERN OVER RESTRICTIONS ON PRESS FREEDOM

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today voiced grave concern over the crackdown on the media in Fiji after the country's leadership scrapped its Constitution and declared a state of emergency last week.

According to new regulations in the South Pacific archipelago nation, editors are not allowed to publish or broadcast any material that shows the military in an unfavourable light, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said in a press release.

UNESCO said that sensitive stories must also be approved by Government officials, and publication and media organizations ignoring these directives may be shut down.

"I am gravely concerned about press freedom in Fiji," said UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, echoing earlier remarks made by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

Urging the authorities to allow open debate to find lasting solutions to the country's difficulties, Mr. Matsuura stressed that the basic right to "freedom of expression, which underpins press freedom, is essential for democracy, good governance and rule of law."

He warned that "depriving people of news and information about events that affect them only breeds fear and suspicions. Such measures will not promote a solution to the nation's social and political problems."

A state of emergency was issued by President Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda on 10 April. As a result, all judges and magistrates were removed, along with others who had been appointed under the Constitution.

The move came on the heels of the 9 April Court of Appeals ruling that the appointment of the Interim Government by the President following the 2006 coup was illegal. In its decision, the Court also advised Mr. Iloilovatu Uluivuda to appoint a neutral caretaker as Prime Minister to aid in holding parliamentary elections.
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AFGHAN LAW RESTRICTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS REMINISCENT OF TALIBAN ERA – TOP UN OFFICIAL

A new law in Afghanistan seriously curtailing women's rights, even explicitly permitting marital rape, is a "huge step in the wrong direction," the United Nations human rights chief said today, calling for its repeal.

Not yet published, the law, which was passed by the two houses of Afghanistan's parliament before being reportedly signed by President Hamid Karzai earlier this month, regulates the personal status of the country's minority Shi'a community members, including relations between men and women, divorce and property rights.

It denies Afghan Shi'a women the right to leave their homes except for 'legitimate' purposes; forbids them from working or receiving education without their husbands' express permission; weakens mothers' rights in the event of a divorce; and makes it impossible for wives to inherit houses and land from their husbands, even if husbands can inherit property from their wives.

"This is another clear indication that the human rights situation in Afghanistan is getting worse, not better," said Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Respect for women's rights – and human rights in general – is of paramount importance to Afghanistan's future security and development."

That such a law has been passed in 2009 targeting women in this manner is "extraordinary, reprehensible and reminiscent of the decrees made by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in the 1990s," she stressed.

Afghanistan's Shi'a community, composed mainly of the Hazara minority, comprises some 10 per cent of the country's total population, and the new law has the strong support of the Hazaras' male leadership, even though it has been vigorously opposed by others in the group as well as Afghan human rights campaigners.

There are concerns that the law will set precedents adversely affecting all Afghan women.

In addition to women's rights, there have been other setbacks to the country that have been undermining efforts to consolidate the rule of law in Afghanistan, such as both freedom of expression by the media and civil society activists being increasingly threatened, Ms. Pillay said.
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UN RIGHTS CHIEF ‘ENCOURAGED’ BY POSITIVE REACTION TO NEW ANTI-RACISM TEXT

The top United Nations human rights official today said she is "greatly encouraged" by the positive reactions to the shorter version of the draft outcome document for next month's anti-racism conference, calling for efforts towards reaching a consensus to keep pace.

Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that all of the ambassadors she has met with so far from all regional groups have indicated that they see the revised text as a "very good basis for negotiations," and appealed to them to "maintain the current momentum and spirit of cooperation."

The Durban Review Conference, scheduled for 20-24 April in Geneva, will assess progress in implementing the measures adopted at 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in South Africa eight years ago.

Regarding the text, ambassadors told Ms. Pillay that "any fine-tuning or improvements should minimal" and that the "fundamental balances contained in the current text should not be reopened."

They also told the UN official that "this text meets the basic requirements of all concerned, while still being substantive and adding value to the fight against racism, xenophobia and similar forms of intolerance," she said.

When the shortened, but still substantive, version of the text was released last week following consultation with all regional groups and interested delegations, the High Commissioner voiced hope that it would be a "major turning point" in preparations for the Conference. She has acknowledged that the text has been the target of criticism by those who fear a repetition of the anti-Semitic outbursts witnessed in Durban.
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