Ministry Statements and Speeches 2008

UNGA 63: Third Committee: Item 63b - Rights of the Child: Explanation of Position on the Omnibus Resolution on the Rights of the Child

Statement by Svein Michelson, Norwegian Representative on behalf of Norway, New Zealand and Switzerland, 25 Nov 2008

Mr Chair

I make this statement on behalf of the delegations of New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland in explanation of position on resolution L.16/Rev.1 – the Rights of the Child.

At the outset we would like to commend the facilitators of GRULAC and the EU, Dianela Pi of Uruguay and Fabien Fieschi of France for their outstanding dedication and patience during the long process of informals for this resolution.

Their ability to balance the many concerns voiced by delegations from all regions has allowed us to make progress on issues of great importance to our delegations.

However, as expressed by our delegations at the start of informals in October, we have longstanding and fundamental concerns about the process of agreeing a resolution between two regional groups before opening it up to the wider membership. We believe that a more open process may allow for further progress to be made on the promotion and protection of the rights of the child.

Furthermore, the omnibus approach may previously have served the purpose of focusing our efforts to protect and promote the rights of children. In its current form, the omnibus has become an unwieldy instrument w hic h does not allow us to pay appropriate attention to challenges of particular concern.

In view of these concerns we would contend that the omnibus resolution should not, in the future, be the exclusive vehicle for promoting the rights of the child. We would seek to put forward alternative initiatives to focus the committee’s effort on questions of immediate concern.

Thank you, Mr Chair

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