USUN PRESS RELEASE # 167 (01)
November 15, 2001

Statement by John Davison, Deputy United States Representative on the UN Economic and Social Council, on agenda item 119 (c): Human Rights Situations and Reports of Special Rapporteurs and Representatives, in the Third Committee, General Assembly, November 15, 2001

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Over the past twelve months, a number of governments undertook measures to improve their citizens' human rights conditions. While the international community does not always take note of such steps, we believe it is important to highlight positive developments whenever they occur. In particular, certain countries have advanced the protection of human rights and the promotion of democracy within their borders.

Last December, an opposition political leader took office as the freely elected president of Mexico for the first time in over 70 years. The smoothness of the Fox administration's transition should not obscure the significance of this event. Mexico's commitment to democratic and political pluralism has brought with it a strong dedication to human rights.

The Mexican people are clearly committed to the values of democracy and human rights. That commitment finds expression in their government's pledges to vigorously address challenges, such as the recent murder of a prominent human rights lawyer and threats to workers' rights. We welcome Mexico's international leadership to defend human rights throughout the hemisphere and beyond.

Last September's election of Yugoslav President Kostunica following the removal of Milosevic was a positive step to that country' s integration into a Europe that is fully committed to implementing universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. We will continue to support the people of Yugoslavia in their efforts to protect human rights, consolidate democracy and pursue accountability for past human rights violations.

Though we continue to have serious concerns about religious freedom and human rights for those in custody in China, we do note, however, that there have been important developments in terms of rule of law, basic elections at the village level, nascent legislative oversight and some journalistic independence.

In the Persian Gulf, Oman is experimenting with an increasingly independent legislature. Qatar will hold parliamentary elections in the year 2003 - including with the participation of women.

In early October, the Turkish Parliament passed groundbreaking human rights reforms. Legislation to amend the Constitution widens freedom of expression and assembly; limits the allowed period of incommunicado detention; and sets the stage for improved broadcasting and publication laws regarding Kurdish. While we welcome these and other positive developments, more needs to be done, and we look forward to further improvements in the human rights situation in Turkey.

Mr. Chairman:

We applaud these democratic openings, the extension of voting rights to those who did not previously have them, and the actions to end impunity, to protect those detained from torture and to extend freedom of expression to minorities. We are committed to supporting these and similar efforts in other countries.

Even though we are heartened by the improvements shown this past year, however, there are many other countries where universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are neither enjoyed nor respected. We continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in many countries.

Iraq: The Iraqi government remains one of the most repressive in the world. The abuses by security forces are wide-scale, and targeted against perceived "opponents" who are exercising their right to non-violent expression. These forces routinely beat, rape and otherwise torture detainees. There is increasing evidence that rape is "policy" for the treatment of detainees. We are also very concerned by the forcible expulsion from their homes of non-Arabs, mostly Kurds.

Cuba: The government of Cuba remains hostile to all who question its human rights practices. Members and supporters of opposition political groups are regularly detained without trial. Journalists and human rights defenders are subjected to severe harassment. The repression of dissent is legitimized by the Constitution and the Penal Code. In addition, strict limits on church activities and expansion, as well as restrictions on the freedom of movement, continue.

Zimbabwe: State-sponsored violence, torture, and harassment directed at opposition officials and followers are increasingly common as Zimbabwe nears its presidential election. The chaotic and often violent land reform program has destabilized the country's economy and threatens to undermine regional economic growth. Press freedoms have been repeatedly violated in recent years, with reporters and editors subject to frequent harassment and occasional arrest. In addition, the Government of Zimbabwe has announced its intention to bar international election monitors.

Iran: Systematic human rights abuses remain widespread in Iran. The treatment of Bahai's and other religious minorities fails to meet international standards. Restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of the press, including newspaper closures and the use of the judiciary to harass political opponents, continue.

Sudan: We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Sudan. Slavery continues with no concerted action from Khartoum to stop it. Government sponsored Baggarah raiders abduct women and children to sell as slaves. Government security forces' abuses include killings, disappearances, torture, rape, harassment, kidnapping, arbitrary arrests, displacement, forced labor and forced conscription of children. The government restricts most civil liberties, including freedoms of assembly, association, privacy and movement. There are no independent human rights organizations.

Southern rebel forces also have committed killings, beatings, rape, forced displacement, arbitrary detention and forced conscription. Insurgents also recently attacked a UN facility.

Khartoum is making slow progress on allowing relief flights, despite Pesident Bashir's claim that Sudan intends to provide unlimited humanitarian access to all areas of the country. The soon-to-be undertaken Nuba Mountain relief effort is a promising start.

In Sierra Leone, we acknowledge and welcome the progress that has been made towards establishing a special court to bring to justice those bearing the greatest responsibility for violations of international humanitarian law and relevant Sierra Leonean law during the RUF's 10-year reign of terror. The United States has been a strong proponent of the Sierra Leone Special Court and has made a $5 million dollar contribution for its establishment. We urge the government of Sierra Leone to sign now and without amendment, the current draft agreement with the UN to establish the Special Court. It is our fervent hope that the people of Sierra Leone will obtain the justice they so richly deserve and that those who have visited a nightmare of brutality and slaughter on them will be held accountable.

Central Asia: Throughout the region, there continue to be reports of torture and ill-treatment in police custody and pre-trial detention. In some countries, independent Islamic congregations or followers of independent imams have been singled out for these abuses. In other countries, members of "unregistered" religious denominations and their families face frequent harassment by the authorities, including deportation and internal exile. Restrictions on freedom of the press and the work of human rights defenders are also a serious concern.

Belarus: The United States Government agrees with the OSCE that the September 9 presidential election failed to meet OSCE commitments for democratic elections, and that there were fundamental flaws in the electoral process. The Lukashenko regime has limited dissent by closing newspapers and harassing journalists. A series of disappearances, which includes opposition figures and a journalist, have been tied to the Lukashenko regime. We reiterate our call for credible investigations and accountability for these crimes.

In Burma: Forced labor, forced resettlement, and the denial of basic freedoms of expression, assembly, association and movement continue. The treatment of ethnic minorities is an ongoing concern. Political activities are severely restricted. While approximately 180 political prisoners have been released, over 1000 political prisoners remain. We welcome the recent ILO visit, and call upon the regime to favorably consider the recommendations of the ILO report. We look forward to progress in the talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the government of Burma and to UN Special Envoy Razali's upcoming trip.

In North Korea: North Korea remains one of the world's most serious human rights abusers. Restrictions on the freedom of expression, individual liberties, and the freedom of assembly continue. There are reports of public executions of political prisoners, opponents of the regime, and others. There are no restrictions on the ability of the government to detain and imprison people at will and to hold them incommunicado. Extensive forced labor is used in prison camps, and prison conditions are harsh.

China: We welcome China's increasing prosperity and the atmosphere of greater personal freedom enjoyed by the Chinese population. Nonetheless, we remain concerned about the human rights situation throughout the country. The imprisonment of people, without due process, for the peaceful expression of their political or religious views remains a primary concern. Moreover, the continued detention of hundreds for the crime of "counter-revolution," an offense that was taken off the books in l 997, is troubling.

Mr. Chairman, the United States has a deep and ongoing commitment to the promotion of universal human rights in every country, at home and abroad. We will continue to raise our concerns in this regard, and look forward to working with the other members of this body to advance human rights in all countries.