Minister Hilde F. Johnson

Statement by Norwegian Minister for International Development and Human Rights

To the 54th UN Commission for Human Rights, Geneva, March 17 1998

Mr. Chairman,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome this opportunity to address the Commission on Human Rights. This is the first time a Norwegian Minister for Human Rights has the privilege to speak from this podium. The Government I represent is the first in Norway to appoint a member of the Cabinet in this capacity.

Our ambition is to create a consistent and more focused human rights policy. The priority given to human rights reflects our fundamental respect for human dignity, the worth of the human being. It is our firm conviction that the right of and the respect for the individual human being constitutes the basis for human development.

For our part, we are focusing increased attention on human rights in Norway. We have become increasingly aware of the need to live up to the standards we have set ourselves. We must make sure our own house is in order, if our efforts to address human rights violations abroad are to maintain credibility. Respect for human rights in Norway is enshrined in laws, enacted by courts, monitored by the Ombudsmen, and supported by the active involvement of the general public. Some of the human rights issues we are currently addressing include our policy towards asylum-seekers and refugees, racial discrimination, the use of remand in custody, gender equality, the rights of the disabled and the rights of the Sami people and minorities, including the Romany people. Human rights obligations can always be complied with even better, to an even greater extent, for even longer.

We are also addressing the issue of human rights and business ethics. A well-known saying says: "Put your money where your mouth is." This too, is an issue of credibility. The Norwegian government is now encouraging business and industry to give higher priority to human rights issues. The Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry has issued an ethical checklist to help member companies to draw up their own human rights policy. We have also established what promises to be a close and rewarding co-operation between NGOs, research institutions, employers and trade unions and government to this end.

Mr. Chairman,

Human rights is now an accepted issue in relations between almost all states. This provides new opportunities for dialogue and constructive co-operation in order to improve respect for human rights. Norway makes the most of these opportunities, and we will continue to do so. Bilateral dialogues do not detract from the importance or relevance of multilateral fora. We share a commitment to human rights and should therefore discuss implementation together - in an open and constructive fashion - in order to contribute to a more just world. This is why Norway is a candidate for membership of this Commission at the forthcoming ECOSOC session.

In conjunction with an increased acceptance of human rights as an issue of the international community, we experience a contradicting debate on the actual relevance of human rights todifferent cultures. As a social anthropologist, I have studied variations in the cultural expression of human nature. Mankind offers a rich tapestry of peoples and societies, traditions and rituals, all in all - cultures. In my view, the inherent respect for human dignity is the common thread that holds this tapestry together - across cultures. Human dignity and the fundamental value of the human being is the basis for all human rights principles. This is about individual human beings, about protecting the individual against oppression and exploitation, poverty and injustice, marginalization and degradation. They are universal. As a South-African Parliamentarian of the ANC once pointed out, "Culture can never be an excuse for abuse."

Let me be quite clear on this point. Human rights standards are neither selective, nor relative. It is not the case that some apply today and others tomorrow. Nor do some of them apply to you and others to me. Nor do some apply to men and others to women. The obligations are universal. Thus, Norway does not accept reservations to the human rights treaties which are incompatible with the object and purpose of those treaties. They should be respected by all.

That is the case not only for the civil and political rights. It is also the case for the social, economic and cultural rights. If we as human rights defenders among governments, are to be credible in addressing torture, use of the death penalty, wrongful imprisonment, discrimination - or other violations of human rights, we also have to address issues of poverty and the rights of the world's poor to basic needs. This is not a question of either/or. Certain human rights are of little value to people who are starving and in need. Increased attention should be given to social, economic and cultural rights. Development is a way of fulfilling human rights. Norway would like to contribute to this end.

That is why my Government has declared its intent to bring development aid back up to 1% of our GNP within this Parliamentary period. In May, I will also present a new national debt strategy for the poorest and most heavily indebted countries. These are measures that will help countries to promote and realise the Right to Development. It is my sincere hope that this session will address the debate on these issues in a direct and practical manner. Let me state that we are prepared to support the establishment of a special rapporteur on the right to education under the Convention on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights.

Our joint efforts in this regard are reinforced by the reform process in the UN. Yesterday we heard Secretary General Kofi Annan and Heads of UN Agencies reflect on how to deal with human rights in an integrated manner and to allocate more resources to this end. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has a unique position in this regard, and I would like to express my whole-hearted support for her work. The ability of the UN system to deal with human rights should be strengthened. The work of the Treaty Bodies should be made more efficient. Regrettably, there is an ever-increasing need for field operations and a need to streamline them and make them more effective. Norway would, for her part, like to make a contribution of approximately USD 1.5 mill. to the Office of the High Commissioner.

Mr. Chairman,

There is still a long way to go. More than a quarter of the world's population lives below the poverty line. 140 million children receive no basic schooling. 250 million children work - often in jobs that are harmful to their development. Prisoners are tortured, ill-treated and raped in at least 124 countries. Prisoners of conscience can be found in 94 countries, and extra-judicial executions have been reported from 69 countries. The right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly are still being violated in too many countries. These numbers must go down.

The Human Rights Commission must continue to address these situations. My government will return to the human rights situation in specific countries under the relevant items on the agenda. One of the objectives for us at this session is to secure strong and relevant mandates for a number of the rapporteurs and thematic working groups. The mechanisms act as defenders of human rights with a UN mandate. I am very pleased that this Commission has the opportunity to recognise the invaluable work carried out by the numerous human rights defenders who act without any other mandate than the one provided by the human rights instruments themselves. The draft Declaration on Human Rights Defenders before us carries an important message to our nations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. The 10th of December 1998 will be the day that we pay homage to the Universal Declaration by providing human rights defenders with a stronger mandate for their essential task.

I wish equal progress could be reported on the work on a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. My Government attaches great importance to this, and to the efforts to establish a Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations.

Despite the progress that has been made, there are trends internationally that give reason for concern. The spread of internal conflicts is particularly serious. We share the deep concern expressed by humanitarian agencies and human rights bodies for the deteriorating respect for the core of humanitarian law and human rights standards in situations of internal conflict and civil wars. Innocent civilians and vulnerable groups, women and children seem to be targeted in campaigns of intimidation, displacement, sexual violence, and even massacres. Norway will continue to work with other countries to enhance the legal protection of vulnerable groups in internal conflicts and to improve international monitoring and the active role of the international community to protect human rights and basic humanitarian standards in such situations.

It is high time to establish an International Criminal Court to deal with the most serious violations of international humanitarian law. Norway has consistently supported the idea of such a court. It is with great anticipation that Norway awaits the diplomatic conference in Rome this summer.

Mr. Chairman,

One of the many difficult issues before us is freedom of religion and belief. This is also linked to the principle of universality. Respect for the right to freedom of belief requires vigilance at home and abroad, not the least relating to religious minorities. This is why a Conference on the Freedom of Religion or Belief will be held in Oslo this summer, where NGOs will also focus on the way the UN deals with these issues.

Child labour violates the Rights of the Child. We are very concerned about the increasing numbers of children who are being exploited, in many cases as bonded labour and under extreme conditions. Last fall, Norway hosted an International Conference on Child Labour, which adopted an Agenda for Action ( UN documentA/53/57 of 13 January 1998). We hope the Agenda can be a useful tool for other countries in their efforts to combat child labour. My Government has set aside up to 200 million Norwegian kroner for this important task over the next three years.

Mr. Chairman,

A meeting of the Human Rights Commission is always a time to take stock. This session is particularly appropriate - five years after the World Conference on Human Rights. We continue to witness massive violations of human rights. But there is also a trend towards genuine dialogue between nations, a new willingness to discuss problems and address how human rights can be enhanced. When the values at stake are human life, human dignity, freedom from poverty, oppression and injustice, words are not enough. It requires awareness, responsibility and courage by individuals, by human rights groups, by governments and by the United Nations. For the only meaningful response is action. It is this kind of concerted effort that will be the most worthy result of our deliberations - and the most worthy celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The challenge before our family of nations is to ensure that our deeds respond to our needs.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.