Twenty-second Session of the Human Rights Council, High-Level Segment

 

Mr. President,

Madam High Commissioner, 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honour to address the Human Rights Council at the commencement of its 22nd session. At the very outset, I would like to commend the personal commitment and work of Madam High Commissioner and her Office for the concrete, constructive and visible contribution to the further strengthening of the human rights protection framework within the United Nations (UN) system and timely reponse to different human rights situations worldwide.

During the past year, we have been faced with important challenges related to situations of gross human rights violations, testing once again our capacities and determination to address these situations in an adequate and responsible manner.

More than a year after the outbreak of hostilities in Syria, we are more than ever appalled by the increasingly deteriorating human rights situation in the country, raising level of violence and continuing widespread and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which according to the Independent International Commission on Inquiry – may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes. As no crime – and in particular those envisaged by the international law – should go unpunished, it remains crucial to undertake all efforts to ensure responsibility for such crimes and to bring all responsible to justice, including through referring the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Croatia supports the recent initiative of Switzerland towards the Security Council for such referral. By strongly countering impunity we shall be better prepared to create fundaments for building peace, genuine reconciliation and development of democratic and prosperous society in post-conflict Syria. In view of special responsibilities and pivotal role of the Council in addressing human rights situations worldwide, Croatia commends the activities and role of the Independent Commission of Inquiry – as the only international mechanism focusing on human rights violations in Syria - and strongly supports the extension of its mandate, possibly for another year. Syria should remain high on the agenda of the Council, as the current situation and developments call for additional vigilance and concerted efforts of international community as a whole aimed at bringing a peaceful solution to violence in Syria, based on all-inclusive Syrian dialogue and full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.  

The issue of protection of human rights in the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK) remains equally of serious concern, as it clearly represents one of the most difficult human rights situations on the globe. It is of particular urgency to ensure concrete responses which would provide for positive democratic developments and strengthened respect for human rights in the country, which – in our view – could not be ensured solely by rather “routine” adoption of different resolutions and documents in the UN framework. In this view, we join the voices in supporting possible creation of a new international mechanism which would contribute to our common efforts in collecting reliable reports on the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the DPRK.

 

Mr. President,

Our common efforts in addressing human rights challenges worldwide remind us also on important positive results achieved on this path. The positive developments in Burma/Myanmar speak in clear corroboration of these achievements, reconfirming that the determined and devoted approach in promoting and protecting human rights – such as the activities of Aung San Su Kyi and a number of her brave human rights defenders colleagues - bears concrete and tangible results.  In this view, I would like to commend the progress achieved in Burma/Myanmar with regard to human rights as well as the enhanced cooperation with the UN and other relevant institutions. At the same time, I would like to invite the Government of Burma/Myanmar to release remaining political prisoners and continue to pursue their efforts towards further democratization of the country. It is our firm view that the Council and the international community should continue to engage in providing assistance to democratic processes in Burma/Myanmar and Croatia remains committed to provide its contribution in that regard.

 

Mr. President,

The rights of the child represent not only a genuine litmus test for a country’s human rights record, but also a true benchmark of democratic maturity of our societies. However, it is yet our solemn and firm duty to ensure full protection of the rights of the child and to provide for the adequate environment for decent  life, education, medical protection and the overall development of our children. Regrettable, yet still widespread cases of violence towards women and girls – including horrific practices of female genital mutilation (FGM), forced and child marriages, child prostitution, recruitment of child soldiers and child work - should be vigilantly combated and brought to an end and we strongly support the determined efforts of the governments of African and Asian countries in that regard. The education is crucial to the development of full potentials of the child. Thus, the access of girls to education - under same conditions with boys - is vital for ensuring full equality and genuine participation and involvement of women and girls in – not only economic and political processes - but simply in everyday meaningful life. This is a challenging test for us all and we should live up to the expectations in implementing our universally accepted commitments in all corners of the globe, without distinctions.

Another issue that lies at the heart of the human rights agenda is the freedom of religion or belief. Croatia is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of the freedom of religion or belief – which also includes the right not to profess any religion as well as the right to change one’s religion - without any discrimination, and firmly condemns any acts of religious intolerance, in particular physical violence and hate speech. In this view, we fully support the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion or Belief, as an important mechanism in ensuring promotion and protection of this fundamental human right.

Given the new positive developments on international and regional levels concerning the issue of the conscientious objection to military service, Croatia has - jointly with our partners from Poland and Costa Rica - taken up initiative to raise awareness of this important issue closely linked to the freedom of religion or belief, which resulted in the resolution adopted by consensus in June last year at the 20^th session of the Council. We shall continue in pursuing this initiative in the framework of the Council, in light of the report to be prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the summer session of the Council in June this year and we count on continuing support of the whole UN membership in that regard.

Croatia pays particular attention also to combating other forms of discrimination. Still widespread practices where persons are being singled out and mistreated because of their gender or sexual orientation are simply unacceptable. While important developments have been achieved – including in the UN framework – in combating discrimination against LGBT persons – there is still a long path to go in order to ensure genuine equality and full realization of rights of this particularly vulnerable group – including both in the developed countries and the countries in development. Therefore, it remains important to keep this issue on the Council’s agenda. Based on our own internal considerations, experiences and efforts aimed at overcoming stereotyping with regard to gender and sexual orientation, Croatia stands ready to continue with the active contribution and support in combating discrimination against LGBT persons, through the engagement at the national level and through the activities of relevant Geneva and New York core-groups of like-minded countries. I would also like to take this opportunity to add our voice to the global call for decriminalization of homosexuality, which is, regrettably, still being penalized in some countries in the world.   

 

Mr. President,

Croatia greatly values the expert support of the human rights treaty bodies and we favour their streamlining into the broad variety of the activities of the Council. In this line, Croatia supports the ongoing treaty body strengthening process - facilitated by the High Commissioner - aimed at bringing gradual improvements and harmonization of working methods of this important human rights mechanism. We see this process as a necessary step in achieving full synergy between the implementation of obligations under the core international human rights instruments and their invaluable evaluation by independent treaty bodies – on one side, and the work of the Council and its procedures – on the other. However, we should remain vigilant in countering all initiatives which intend to use this important process as a platform for unacceptable efforts aimed at relativizing or departing from universally accepted human rights standards as well as the attempts to put into question the indivisibility and interrelatedness of human rights. Universally applicable human rights standards should apply equally and consistently in all parts of our world without distinction and in line with the fundamental basis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – which solemnly proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.       

Croatia attaches great importance to the system of special procedures as one of the core instruments in the context of the mechanisms of the Council, remaining committed to the cooperation with its mandate holders through, inter alia, a standing invitation for the country visit. In this context, a Special Rapporteur on the Violence against Women, Ms. Rashida Manjoo, visited Croatia in November last year and we look forward to her forthcoming report, to be presented at the next Council session.

The commencement of the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), has, in our view, additionally strengthened the role of this instrument for important the assessment of human rights situation in all the countries around the globe. In view of its unique character, it remains crucial to preserve its results and credibility. Following the conclusion of the first UPR cycle in 2011, Croatia intends to present the mid-term review report in summer this year, showing also a clear commitment of my Government to further strengthen human rights protection and framework at the national level.

 

Mr. President,

The mandate of the Human Rights Council is to address human rights situations which require particular attention throughout the world. But, the role of our Council is also to assist the UN members in promotion and protection of human rights, and in particular in implementing their obligations arising from universally accepted human rights standards. Moreover, this is not only our role but also an obligation and we should live up to this task entrusted to us. Indeed, mere “pinpointing” or “naming and shaming” is not enough to do in fulfilling this cause – it is also our duty to provide adequate, substantial and targeted assistance to the countries requiring such support. This is clearly confirmed in the experience of my country. I can still vividly recall serious difficulties and obvious shortcomings in human rights protection in Croatia during the armed conflict and in the post-conflict period in 1990s - at the time when my country was also subject to UN special procedures and a number of specific monitoring mechanisms under the auspices of regional organizations. Today, merely 20 years after, Croatia is a stable democracy and a country which is proudly becoming new EU member in a few months’ time ahead. Our society has gradually become aware of the importance of strengthened human rights standards, and has - despite some still existing deficiencies and challenges - embarked on the path of irreversible democratic processes and strengthening of human rights protection framework, which are seen as an indivisible part of our everyday life. This all would not have been possible without the assistance, support and invaluable advice from the UN, other international organizations - such as the OSCE and the Council of Europe - and our international partners. This is a living proof that targeted international assistance and support do not only matter, but also bring the difference and results.

 

Mr. President,

The challenges in addressing and providing responses to serious human rights violations in different parts of the globe are clearly ahead of us and they will not simply fade away. The Council should remain firm in its determination to address critical human rights situations worldwide with a sense of urgency.  This requires concerted efforts, devotion and energy. Let me assure you that my country remains committed to join common efforts to advocate and ensure protection of human rights for all in every corner of the world.