Item 8

19^th Session of the Human Rights Council

19 March 2012

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Madam President,

The convening of the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993 as well as the adoption of VDPA marked a turning point for human rights promotion and protection at the global level. Yet, we are witnessing that decades after the adoption of UN Charter, the UDHR and the VDPA, most of the concerns of the international community in enhancing international cooperation in the field of human rights still remain unaddressed.

To promote this common objective, the international community must give equal attention to economic, social and cultural rights as well as political and civil rights, together with the binding nature of the right to development, which has been specifically addressed in the VDPA.

The VDPA's call for realization of the right to development still remains as urgent today as it was in 1993. However, realization of this right faces impediments and obstacles which makes it unachievable in foreseen future.

Moreover, the VDPA paid particular attention to national and regional particularities as well as religious, historical and cultural backgrounds of Member States in dealing with human rights along with the principle of universality of human rights.

While we reaffirm universality, indivisibility, interdependence and equality of all human rights, in reality the existing international order continued to be led by selectivity and double-standard policies as well as economic and political exploitations. We believe that political considerations should not affect promotion and protection of human rights

Madam President,  

The enhancement of the status of women should be done in a comprehensive manner. We are of the view that men and women are equal in respect to dignity and human rights. This should not be confused with equaling men and women's role in family, society and in the development process.

To achieve VDPA's lofty goals and aspirations, there is a need to create favorable conditions at the national, regional and International levels. We are of the view that the Office of the High commissioner should constantly keep a balanced, impartial and independent approach while operating within the framework of the accepted principles of the Human Rights Council, and avoid in its reports and programs, insisting on the issues that are not yet internationally recognized human rights norms and standards.

 Finally, Madam President,

Despite important strides taken for promotion and protection of human rights since the adoption of the VDPA, it is generally admitted that still the international community has a long way ahead to achieve the ideals of the VDPA. Having this in mind, it is time to assess the progress achieved as well as the shortcomings on the way of cooperation for further promotion and protection of human rights at the national and international levels.  

Thank you,