Commission on Human Rights

There are those among us who say this agenda item should be eliminated. It is true that the practical guarantee of human rights is not a lofty aspiration. It is the "web of restraints, permissions, interests and traditions" of the rule of law and its practice.

Acknowledging these facts, however, does not diminish the requirement to stand up for the victims of human rights abuse, the victims too often voiceless in their own land. Our sense of duty to speak out reaffirms our own values.

But, in fact, "naming and shaming" gross violators of human rights does advance the cause. It gives those struggling to achieve their rights solidarity with the international community. Furthermore, we should not diminish the desire of governments for international respectability. To be "named and shamed" for violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is to have that respectability challenged.

There is no one simple path or one act that prompts nations to be just, to respect and sustain human rights. Sometimes it is the conscience and moral outrage of nonvictims that makes the difference. Now, let me briefly touch upon some countries who have made real progress recently in advancing human rights.

In Afghanistan, the last two years have witnessed dramatic improvements in democracy and human rights since the days of the Taliban.

The liberation of Iraq by Coalition forces one year ago ended decades of terrible human rights violations committed by Saddam Hussein’s brutal authoritarian regime.

Elsewhere across the Arab world positive change also continued. In Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Jordan and Morocco progress was made.

In Liberia, a cooperative transitional power sharing agreement emerged, however, numerous abuses occurred in the context of the conflict, and sporadic fighting, looting and human rights violations continued in remote areas.

In Sierra Leone the Government continued efforts to stabilize the country. In Rwanda, a new constitution was adopted in 2003, and the country held its first post-genocide elections. However, the right of Rwandan citizens to change their government was effectively restricted, and government harassment of the political opposition continued. In Kenya, the Government established an autonomous national human rights commission.

In Guatemala, the Government created a U.N. commission to investigate clandestine groups and in Peru, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report.

While these developments are good news, there also are governments that continue to deny their people the rights to which they are entitled.

In the Western Hemisphere, in Cuba, human rights abuses worsened dramatically: In March 2003, 75 peaceful dissidents were sentenced to prison terms averaging 20 years for trying to exercise their fundamental rights.

In Cuba, discrimination continues. The judiciary is not independent. There is repression. There is no freedom of the press or expression. Furthermore inhumane prison conditions are common.

In the Middle East, the Iranian Government's poor human rights record worsened. The Syrian Government's human rights record also remained poor and it continued to commit serious abuses. In Saudi Arabia, freedom of religion still does not exist. In Egypt, the Government introduced some potentially significant reforms in 2003, however, many more improvements are needed.

In Russia, credible reports of violence and human rights abuses persisted in conflict-torn Chechnya. In Belarus, the Government intensified efforts to harass and intimidate pro-democracy activists, human rights advocates, and other NGOs. Turkmenistan intensified its harsh crackdown on political opponents and their families. In Uzbekistan there were at least four new torture deaths in custody during the year and continued reports of torture with impunity and unfair trials.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the Government of Zimbabwe continued to conduct a concerted campaign of violence, repression and intimidation. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we are deeply concerned that various armed groups continue to commit massacres and other atrocities in the eastern Ituri district, and provinces of North and South Kivu. Although there was considerable progress in the peace negotiations in Sudan between the Government and the rebels in the south, the conflict in Darfur (DARFOUR) resulted in numerous human rights violations.

In East Asia, Burma's extremely poor human rights record worsened in 2003. While the Government of Vietnam has made progress opening up economically, its human rights record remains poor. The Vietnamese Government’s intolerance of political dissent, resulted in the arrests and sentencing of several democracy activists in 2003. Religious freedom problems persist. The Indonesian province of Aceh (ACHAI) has been under martial law since May 19 of last year. North Korea continues to be one of the world's most inhumane regimes.

We began 2003 with hopes that progress in China seen in 2002 would continue and expand. Regrettably, we saw backsliding on key human rights issues. Arrests increased of democracy activists. Harsh repression of the Falun Gong continued. The Chinese Government's record in Tibet remains poor.

There is much China can do to meet its commitments as outlined in the 2002 bilateral human rights dialogue and to make key structural reforms.

The UN Commission must give voice to the victims of human rights abuse. We must meet our responsibilities and our opportunity.