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We express our appreciation to the High Commissioner for her update and comment on the issues identified in report this morning. We take this opportunity to express New Zealand’s appreciation to you Madame High Commissioner for the leadership and personal commitment you have shown to defending fundamental human rights, in particular in situations when States have been unwilling or too slow to draw attention to human rights violations. Your leadership in the transition from the Commission on Human Rights to the Human Rights Council is an important achievement in UN reform. In addition, the frank, constructive and objective manner in which you have highlighted human rights violations, civil, political, economic, social or cultural, in all regions of the world, demonstrates what can be achieved at the highest-level in defence of human rights through an independent mandate. Your update to the Council this morning is no exception in this regard.
We appreciate the fact that as well as maintaining momentum on existing issues you have also used your independent mandate to highlight human rights abuses and push for reform, for example, in respect of the use of the death penalty, arbitrary detention, early warning protection from genocide, non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and witness protection in high-profile investigations.
Perhaps the most sensitive and difficult aspect of the independent mandate of the High Commissioner is the expression of concern about human rights violations that occur in country-specific contexts. We admire the non-selective way in which you have guided your Office’s engagement in difficult contexts in all regions of the world, in particular the tireless efforts to engage in those situations that are most urgent. In this context, we welcome the advice that OHCHR plans to deploy a mission to Kenya and Somalia in July tasked with making a first-hand assessment of the human rights conditions on the ground. In the case of Myanmar, we appreciate the frankness of your observation this morning that the obstruction to the deployment of assistance to victims of the cyclone illustrates the invidious effects of long-standing international tolerance for human rights violations that made such obstruction possible.
Finally, Madame High Commissioner, on a personal note, could I express appreciation for your support in promoting the human rights of perhaps the most vulnerable group in our society in the way you and your office so actively supported the negotiations on the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
