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UN rights forum adopts measures promoting civil, political liberties

UN rights forum adopts measures promoting civil, political liberties

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights headed into the final stretch of its annual session today, adopting a series of measures promoting civil and political rights, and approving a three-year mandate extension of its working group on arbitrary detention.

When the Geneva-based Commission - the UN's top human rights body - took up matters concerning racial discrimination, an intense debate culminated in the approval of a resolution on follow-up to the action plan approved by the 2001 Durban World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

By a roll call vote of 38 in favour, one against, with 13 abstentions, the Commission decided that the Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action would convene its future sessions for an initial period of three years, and decided that the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent shall reconvene for an initial period of three years.

While some delegations praised Durban as one of the most important steps in combating racial discrimination at all levels, others felt the contentious atmosphere that had surrounded the conference undermined the action plan's credibility. The debate concluded with the Commission's vote not to take action on a motion to insert new language on religious intolerance into the main resolution.

In other action, the Commission adopted a resolution on arbitrary detention, encouraging Governments concerned to implement the recommendations of the working group on arbitrary detention concerning persons mentioned in its report who had been detained for a number of years. It decided to extend for three years the mandate of the Working Group.

Concerning torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Commission unanimously adopted a motion stressing that all allegations of torture or cruel treatment or punishment should be promptly and impartially examined by a competent national authority, and those responsible must be severely punished.

In a resolution on the interdependence between democracy and human rights, the Commission reaffirmed its conviction that democracy, development and respect for human rights were interdependent and mutually reinforcing. It called upon the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize a second expert seminar next year to examine further the interdependence between democracy and human rights, with the topic of "democracy and the rule of law," to be funded by voluntary contributions.

With regards to human rights and terrorism, the Commission adopted a resolution in which it reiterated its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its acts and forms, and urged States to enhance cooperation at the regional and international levels in the fight against terrorism.

The Commission also adopted resolutions on human rights and forensic science; the right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms; strengthening of popular participation, equity, social justice and non-discrimination as essential foundations of democracy; the question of enforced or involuntary disappearances; and the integrity of the judicial system.