Message-ID: <199703151343.WAA29946@inetnif.niftyserve.or.jp> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 1997 22:41:00 +0900 From: FORWARDED <mailto:QWA01214@NIFTYSERVE.OR.JP> Subject: fwd: UN Commissioner on Human Rights To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 13:26:37 +0800 (HKT) From: Asian Human Rights Commission <mailto:ahrchk@HK.Super.NET> Reply-To: mailto:Owner-Asia-HR-Alert@mail.jca.or.jp Errors-To: mailto:owner-asia-hr-alert@mail.jca.or.jp To: mailto:asia-hr-alert@mail.jca.or.jp
Dear Friends,
Enclosed is a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Koffi Anan, the UN Secretary General urging the appointment of a new UN Commissioner for Human Rights. Kindly sent similar letters to him on the issue.
Thank you.
Sanjeewa Liyanage Information Officer Asian Legal Resource Centre
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14 March, 1997
Mr. Koffi Anan United Nations Secretary General United Nations Headquarters New York NY 10017 U. S. A.
Fax: +1-212-963-2155
Dear. Mr. Anan,
The Board of directors of the Asian Legal Resource Centre, having learned that the United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights, Mr. Jose Ayala Lasso has resigned and that the Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights, Mr. Ibrahima Fall has be en transferred to a different position, wish to urge the Secretary General of the United Nations to appoint suitable, competent persons, with a demonstrated record of commitment to human rights, to these positions as soon as possible, without keeping the positions vacant.
The occasion also provides for an opportunity to reflect on some important aspects relating to the Office of the Commissioner on Human Rights as well as the Office of the Director of the Centre for Human Rights.
The initial appointment of the Commissioner on Human Rights came as a great moment of hope for the human rights community in the world. The first Commissioner, Mr. Ayala Lasso, himself described it as a dream come true. We were among those who celebrate d the occasion.
Like most institutions, the Office of the Commissioner too has had the initial difficulties of growing up into a strong institution. These basic problems need to be resolved urgently as there are pressing human rights problems everywhere in the world -- particularly in the poorer countries -- that await solution. The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner could make a significant contribution in this area.
The UN Centre for Human Rights in Geneva is well known to be in need of significant reforms. The basic issues once addressed by Professor Theo Van Bovan, the Director of the Centre from 1977-1982, remain unresolved. The concepts pursued by him in his sta tements which were later published in a volume under the title People Matter remain even more relevant today. These must be taken in to consideration in putting into effect much discussed reforms. Of utmost importance is to imbibe a sense of urgency an d responsiveness to the Centre to attend to urgent problems rising from the world context, which may not be fully reflected in the cultural climate in Geneva.
It is unfortunate that in the early stage the formation of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights it has met with obstacles from the Centre for Human Rights. It is imperative to consider proper co-ordination which would facilitate the efficient functioning of both institutions. Perhaps the two institutions need to be brought under one command structure. What the human rights community expects from both offices is an outward looking approach and an easily approachable working mechanism.
We are particularly concerned with the need to improve the responsiveness to the human rights problems in Asia. This could come only with greater participation of Asians in both institutions. It is also essential that both institutions interact closely with the local NGOs and other agencies dealing with human rights. By the very mandate of protecting and promoting human rights, both institutions are expected to keep in close touch with the people.
Times for changes offer new opportunities to make the work of the two institutions relevant to the needs of the constituencies they serve. Old styles of bureaucracy and diplomacy do not necessarily meet the modern communication-age requirements. Fresh b lood and a new outlook are greatly needed.
In recent times, there had been openings of United Nations Human Rights Field Offices in several countries. There have also been human rights components added to United Nations Peace Keeping Missions. These operations come to face new challenges that th e old UN human rights system is not really familiar with. There are also reports stating that the old financial and administration systems are unable to cope with these problems. Untied Nations' own inquiring panels into the these systems have made repo rts on these matters. It is hoped that steps would be undertaken to remedy these problems. Lessons need to be learnt from the experiences gained from the Cambodia Field Office which was the first Field Office to be established by the UN Centre for Human Rights. The major problems that arose from the lack of proper co-ordination and dedication of powers by the administration in Geneva has remained unresolved. The involvement of some persons from the Geneva Centre who had no experience at all of the sit uation in a country like Cambodia has seriously complicated the matters. If similar operations are to meet the expectations of the human rights community, such mistakes should be avoided in the future.
This would also be a good time to call for NGOs to be involved in the discussion on the reform of the United Nations Human Rights system and work. We hope that facilities are made available for that purpose.
We are hopeful that these matters will be addressed in near future.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Basil Fernando Executive Director At the request of the Board of Directors of the Asian Legal Resource Centre Unit E, 3rd Floor, Kadak Building, 171 Sai Yee Street, Kowloon, Hongkong. Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367 Email: mailto:alegrcen@hk.super.net