UN chief warns rights body against attempts to take control of watchdog's office
AP
March 3, 2008
GENEVA (AP) - The top U.N. rights body opened its first regular session this year on Monday with a warning from the U.N. secretary-general against any attempts to control the office of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.
Ban Ki-moon was clearly referring to an attempt by African and Islamic countries on the 47-nation body to rein in U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour and her successors.
The secretary-general said the U.N. General Assembly had intentionally set up «independent and distinct mandates» for the council and the high commissioner to protect human rights around the world.
Egypt and Pakistan, on behalf of the African group in the council and the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, requested a discussion in the council on whether the high commissioner's office is run in conformity with the council's policy.
"It is our joint belief that the differing views expressed during the informal briefing organized by the High Commissioner on Human Rights on the subject ... reinforce the urgency of our request," said the letter obtained by The Associated Press.
Diplomats said there have been attempts by the African and Islamic countries to put the high commissioner's office under control of the council, which is heavily dominated by developing countries that are often in conflict with Arbour and Western nations over rights issues.
Arbour's office has released critical reports of major hot spots such as Darfur, including details of rapes of women, reportedly by soldiers and government militia. It has accused the Sudanese government of failing to investigate the crimes _ criticism the African group has blocked in the council.
Arbour, a former Canadian supreme court justice, also has condemned the arrest and reported beating and torture of senior opposition leaders in Zimbabwe, a country that is off the council's radar screen because of African solidarity.
"The office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights ... has for many years played a crucial role in advancing the cause of human rights worldwide, and continues to do so," Ban told the council on the first day of its spring four-week session.
"These kinds of attacks from members of the council are done because they don't want to be transparent and accountable," said Juliette de Rivero of Human Rights Watch. "They don't want independent structures in the U.N. to hold them accountable."
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Senator Tom Coburn
Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security
340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2254 Fax: 202-228-3796
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