Ministry Statements and Speeches 2007

United Nations General Assembly 62nd Session Third Committee: Item 70(c) Human Rights Situation: Statement in opposition to a motion of no action on draft resolution A/C.3/62/L.41/Rev1 – the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Delivered by the New Zealand representative, Janet Lowe, 20 November 2007

Mr Chairman

The General Assembly has a mandate to consider human rights situation. We have passed resolutions expressing our collective concern about some of the worst human rights situations for more than thirty years. In many cases, this international attention has helped to increase the pressure on States that have since turned into strong promoters of human rights.

New Zealand is committed to dialogue and cooperation on situations where there is evidence of serious violations of human rights. We believe resolutions should only be adopted after negotiations with the countries concerned and with the broadest consensus possible. This has always been the case with the resolution on Myanmar.

There continue to be very serious questions about the situation of human rights in Myanmar raised in the draft resolution before us. This Committee needs to deal with those questions. My delegation will be voting against this no action motion, and we hope all others can do the same, particularly in light of current events which we believe deserve the attention of this Committee.

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