Human rights and UN mechanism

[By S. V. Kirubaharan, France [TCHR]]

Human rights and UN mechanism

- ENGLISH   - TAMIL

"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty". - Article 2 of the UDHR

Some trace the origin of the concept of human rights to ancient Greece and Rome. However, the "Cyrus Charter of Human Rights" was discovered in 1878 in excavation of the site of Babylon. Many historians have considered this as the first declaration of human rights.

On 4 October 539 BC, Iranian (Persian) soldiers entered Babylon then the capital of Iraq (Babylonia). It was said that this bloodless war freed all the captive nationalities held as slaves for generations in Babylon. On 9 November Cyrus of Iran (Persia) visited Babylon and issued a declaration, inscribed on a baked clay barrel (cylinder) which was known as "the Cyrus Charter of Human Rights". The Cylinder is in the British Museum in London and this will be lent to the National Museum of Iran for two years from 2006.

However the concept and mechanisms of human rights were institutionalised and internationalised only after the birth of the United Nations. Human Rights are based on freedom, dignity, equality and justice. These are interdependent.

Human Rights cannot be achieved if someone considers that his/her rights are more important than those of others or that certain rights are more important compared to other rights. Generally, Human Rights guarantee freedom, dignity, equality and justice for everyone irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality and any regional differences.

The United Nations Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by 50 countries in a UN conference in San Francisco. But the United Nations officially came into existence only on 24 October 1945 when all five major powers - France, UK, USA, USSR and China ratified the Charter. To commemorate this occasion, 24 October is United Nations Day.

The Economic and Social Council (UN Charter article 60/61), composed of 54 member states elected by the General Assembly (GA), reviews reports and resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and transmits them with amendments to the GA. It also makes recommendations to the GA on human rights issues. Further more works closely with agencies of the United Nations system which have a specialised interest in human rights.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) established the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on 16 February 1946, in accordance with article 68 of the UN Charter,.

The CHR is the main policy-making body dealing with human rights. It is composed of 53 member states elected by the ECOSOC. The CHR prepares studies, makes recommendations and drafts international human rights conventions and declarations. It also investigates allegations of human rights violations. This body passes resolutions condemning states which have the worst records on human rights.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

At its first session, the CHR was given a mandate to draft a declaration on human rights. In January 1947, an eight-member drafting committee was formed which included prominent figures like Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt of USA, Mr. René Cassin of France, Mr. Charles Malik of Lebanon and Mr. Peng-chun Chuang of China. This committee was chaired by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on 10th December 1948 in the United Nations General Assembly at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. This day is celebrated all over the world as "International Human Rights Day".

In 1948 there were only fifty eight member states in the United Nations. The UDHR was adopted with forty eight votes in favour, eight abstentions and two absentees.

There are thirty articles set forth in the UDHR - article 1 (one) lays down the philosophical claim upon which the UDHR is based, article 2 (two) emphasises that human beings are born free in equal dignity and are entitled to all rights and freedoms set out in the UDHR without any kind of discrimination such as on grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, social, political or other opinion. The following nineteen articles, articles 3 to 21 deal with Civil and Political rights to which all human beings are entitled. The next six articles, articles 22 to 27 deal with Economic, social and cultural rights and the concluding articles, article 28 and 29 recognise that everyone is entitled to social and international order in which human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised, stressing the duties and responsibility which the individual owes in a democratic society. The final article 30 - gives cautionary notice that nothing in the UDHR may be interpreted as implying that any group or person has any right to do anything aimed at destroying the rights and freedoms set forth in the UDHR.

Even though the UDHR is not legally binding on member states, it is considered as having the value of customary international law since the main principles of UDHR are highly respected by all States. Also it is used for measuring the respect that states have for human rights. Now a days universally accepted standards of human rights often refer to the UDHR.

In July 1997 when the fiftieth anniversary of UDHR was about to be celebrated, one of the UN member states Malaysia, called for a review of the UDHR, claiming that the document was outdated. Malaysia further stated that when the UDHR was adopted by the UN, there were only 58 members states and this figure had since tripled. Later this claim for review was endorsed by the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.

While UDHR was in progress, the CHR was drafting two legally-binding covenants on human rights. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). These two covenants were eventually adopted by the General Assembly in December 1966. Almost ten years later both Covenants came into effect. These Covenants incorporated the rights set out in the UDHR. The ICCPR and ICESCR are legally binding on member states who are signatories. Some states have ratified these Covenants with reservations to certain articles.

The UDHR is part of the International Bill of Human rights (IBHR). This consists of the UDHR, both Covenants the ICCPR, ICESCR and the two Optional Protocols of the ICCPR.

The CHR also drafts other conventions and protocols. Many International NGOs lobby for the implementation of conventions and protocols because INGOs are sure that certain states will fund the promotion of their favourite conventions and protocols.

Normally the conventions which give a hard time to, interfere with the revenue of states, get the least funding and those conventions are not very popular among the money making INGOs. The Rome statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Optional protocol to the CRC on the sale of Children, child prostitution and child pornography are very good examples. Even though there are 191 member states in the UN, as of 3 May 2004, only 94 countries have ratified the Rome Statute (ICC) and as of 14 November 2003 only 67 countries have ratified the Optional protocol of the CRC on the sale of Children, child prostitution and child pornography.

Monitoring Mechanisms

The monitoring mechanisms on human rights of the United Nations vary. The states which have signed and ratified the conventions are monitored through the Treaty bodies : Human Rights Committee-ICCPR; Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - ICESCR; Committee on the Rights of the Child - CRC; Committee Against Torture - CAT; Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - CERD; Committee on the Elimination Discrimination against Woman-CEDAW and Committee on Migrant workers - ICPRMW……. This monitoring is done through scrutinizing periodical reports submitted by the states. There are states which prepare exaggerated reports regarding their human rights track record. The experts of the Treaty bodies grill the representatives of states to obtain the facts and the NGOs play their part by submitting counter reports to the Treaty bodies.

These Treaty bodies function under the supervision of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR). The post of High Commissioner for Human Rights was established in December 1993 and functions under the Secretary General of the United Nations. The High Commissioner co-ordinates his/her task with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN General assembly.

The human rights records of all the member states are also monitored through the CHR using Working Groups, Special rapporteurs, Country rapporteurs, Special representatives and Independent experts. The Working Groups (eg. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, Communication procedure - 1503, etc), Special rapporteurs (Thematic - eg. Extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions, Freedom of opinion and expression, Freedom of religion or belief, Independence of judges and lawyers, Torture and other cruel, inhuman treatment, Violence against women, Right Food, Right to Education, Adequate housing, etc ) and Country rapporteurs (Burundi, Cuba, Myanmar, etc) operate under the guidance of the CHR. The CHR works closely with the OHCHR.

In the meantime there are Special representatives and Independent experts under the UN Secretary General who also monitor Thematic issues and country situations (Human Rights Defenders, Children and Armed conflict, Internally Displaced people, Children and armed conflict, Cambodia, Haiti, Somalia, etc). They also report on their findings to the session of the CHR.

In addition, Technical co-operation is given to some member states. This includes training, advisory services, promotional activities on free and fair elections, legislative reform, National and regional human rights institutions, internal conflict resolution, etc.

In 1947, the Sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities was established by the CHR. In 1999 it was renamed as the Sub-commission on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. This body does not monitor human rights in any country. It undertakes studies and make recommendations to the CHR. It is composed of 26 experts who are elected by the CHR. They set up working groups and appoint Special rapporteurs to assist them in their tasks. Presently, the existence of this forum in future is under question.

Now a days the countries which have the worst records on human rights seek membership in the CHR. This is mainly to protect their country from any UN scrutiny and to defend their record on human rights in the CHR. Such states also aim to insert their favourable candidate as an expert to the Sub-commission on Human rights. Through this initiative the Sub-Commission has been contaminated with politicisation.

Politicisation of the CHR

There is an accusation that the CHR is politicised, is it true?

Governments other than the Monarchy, military and dictatorship are elected from political parties. Whether a government is formed by a President/Prime Minister or Monarchy or a Military Leader, they appoint their favourable candidates as Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Representatives to their respective embassies and consulates in foreign countries including to the United Nations. These people are known to the world as Diplomats. There are career Diplomats as well as political appointees. Now a days even the career Diplomats from developing countries are using their political influence to get their promotions and appointments to better places.

These Diplomats become the Spokespeople for their governments policy and carry out the orders given by their political leaders through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Ministries.

When these people are involved in UN Affairs, obviously the UN bodies also become politicised. The CHR is one of the well known political bodies. Obviously any members elected through this body to other UN bodies are contaminated with politics.

Now a days, the regional amity among the states, the club mentality among governments which have the worst record on human rights, the fact that many countries oppose UN scrutiny under the pretext of fighting terrorism make the UN human rights mechanism unmoveable. Since 11 September 2001, the states have found the easiest method of covering their bad record on human rights.

In the CHR, the powerful states use their political influence and support to avoid the examination of human rights violations in their countries and also to protect the countries which have bilateral links with them. Some states even insist that they are exempt from UN scrutiny because what takes place in their countries is an "internal affair".

In the recent past, the world has experienced the politicisation of the CHR. In the year 2002, when one of the powerful states lost its membership in the CHR, the whole work of the CHR was paralysed, some say it was sabotaged.

Every year the appointment of the Chair to the CHR on basis of geographical rotation by continent is uncontested. The usual practice of acclamation of the Chair was brought abruptly to an end when the USA requested a vote, after the African countries proposed the Libyan Ambassador Najat Al-Hajjaji as their candidate for the 59th session in 2003. Eventually Ambassador Al-Hajjaji was elected by a secret ballot - 33 votes in favour, 3 states opposed and 17 abstained.

Right to self-determination and the UN

Oppression against the struggles in exercise of the right to self-determination is one of the main root causes for the horrendous human rights violations around the world.

Article 1 (one) of both the ICCPR and ICESCR states that "all peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development".

Gradually this article has lost it weight because all five permanent members of the Security Council - the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China have their own problem concerning this article. In USA the people of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are struggling for self-determination, in UK the Northern Island crisis is still not resolved. In France the people of Corsica and Bretagne are demanding their political rights, in Russia and China - people of Chechnya and Tibet are struggling for their self-determination. On such situations regarding the question of right to self-determination, International law appears to be powerless. Some years back it was a different story.

With all these hurdles, the NGOs have been successful to a certain extent in their human rights advocacy, "Naming and shaming" the states which are violating human rights. This is one of the reasons, why the worst violating countries hate NGOs participating in international forums. Some states misuse the UN procedures and have their own NGOs who are known as GONGOs (Government NGOs) in UN circles. These GONGOs not only advocate government policy, they also counter the accusations made by the genuine NGOs against the states. The representatives of GONGOs appears as members of organisations working on religion, education, research, etc. GONGOs are indirectly funded by the governments and they are to some extent members of the espionage.

A few states in the CHR have regular debates about their border disputes and other matters. This dominates the working hours of the CHR. It is not a healthy approach. Countries like India and Pakistan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, USA and Cuba are a few examples.

The same states which advocate the fight against terrorism, indirectly encourage violence in another country. Presently, what we see in the Ivory Coast, Sudan and Kashmir are typical examples of this.

UN reform is the only way which will stop politicisation of the human rights body and other bodies. This should be done at the earliest to prevent the world's citizens losing their confidence in the UN Human Rights mechanisms.

(S. V. Kirubaharan, General Secretary, Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR, France)
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10 December 2004

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xUth; jdJ kdpj chpik kl;Lk;jhd; Kf;fpkhdnjd;Nwh my;yJ Xh; Fwpg;gpl;l chpikjhd; Kf;fpakhdnjd;W ek;Gk; fl;lj;jpy; kdpj chpikfs; mh;j;jkw;W Ngha;tpLfpd;wd. nghJthf kdpj chpikfs; Rje;jpuk;> nfsutk;> rkj;Jtk;> ePjp Nghd;wtw;iw ahtUf;Fk; taJ> ,dk;> Njrpak;> rkak;> gpuhe;jpak;> Mz; ngz; NtWghbd;wp cWjpg;gLfpd;wJ.

I. eh rigapd; mjpfhug;gj;jpuk; (U.N.CHARTER) 1945k; Mz;L a+d; khjk; 26k; jpfjp Ik;gJ mq;fj;Jt ehLfspdhy; rd;gpuhd;rp];Nfh efhpy; ifr;rhh;jplg;gl;Ls;sJ. Mdhy; If;fpa ehLfs; rig> cj;jpNahf g+h;tkhf 1945k; Mz;L xf;Nlhgh; 24k; jpfjpNa eilKiwf;F te;Js;sJ. fhuzk; ,j; jpdj;jd;Nw gpuhd;];> gphp;j;jhdpah> mnkhpf;fh> u];ah> rPdh Mfpa ehLfs; I. ehtpd; mjpfhug;gj;jpuj;ij cWjpg;gLj;jpdhh;fs;. ,j; jpdj;ijNa cyfk; g+uhfTk; I. eh jpdkhf nfhz;lhlg;gLfpwJ.

I. eh. mjpfhug;gpj;jpuj;jpd; 60/61k; rhuq;fSf;F mika> I.eh. rKf nghUshjhu rig (ECONOMIE AND SOCIAL COUNCIL) epWtg;gl;lJ. ,r; rigf;F 54 mq;fj;Jt ehLfis I. eh nghJr;rigapdhy; gpujpepjpfshf njhpT nra;ag;gLth;. ,r;rig I. eh. kdpj chpik Mizf;FOtpd; mwpf;iffs;> KbTfis ghprPypj;J mjw;fhd jpUj;jq;fis nra;jgpd;dh; ,tw;iw I. eh. nghJr;rigf;F mDg;gp itg;gJld; kdpj chpik rk;ke;jg;gl;l rpy rPghhpRfis nghJr;rigf;F mDg;gp itf;Fk;.

,r;rigapdhy; I. eh mjpfhug;gj;jpuj;jpd; 68tJ rhuj;Jf;F mika 1946k; Mz;L ngg;uthp khjk; 16k; jpfjp I.eh kdpj chpik Mizf;FO epWtg;gl;lJ. ,t; Mizf;FO kdpj chpikfs; tplaq;fis Muha;tjw;nfd mikf;fg;gl;lJ. ,t; Mizf;FOTf;F 53 mq;fj;JtehLfis r%f nghUshjhu rigapdhy; gpujpepjpfshf njhpTnra;ag;gLth;. ,t; Mizf;FOtpdhy; cyf ehLfspy; eilngWk; kdpk chpik kPwy;fs; gw;wp Muha;tJld;> rh;tNjr kdpj chpik rkgpujhaq;fs;> rl;lq;fs;> gpufldq;fisAk; jahh; nra;thh;fs;. mj;Jld; kdpj chpikfis fLikahf kPWk; mq;fj;JtehLfs; kPJ fz;ld jPh;khdq;fisAk; gpufldg;gLj;Jthh;fs;.

rh;tNjr kdpj chpik gpufldk; (r.k.c.gp)
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMANRIGHTS (UDHR)

I.eh kdpj chpik Mizf;FO jdJ Kjy; mkh;tpNyNa Xh; gpufldk; cUthf;fg;gl Ntz;Lnkd;W> vl;L mq;fj;jth;fis nfhz;l Xh; FOit cUthf;fpaJ. ,f; FOtpy; mnkhpf;fhtpd; Kd;dhs; [dhjpgjp gpuhq;fpspd; &];nty;bd; kidtp vypNdhh;> gpuhd;ir Nrh;e;j jpU. NuNd frd;> nygdhidr; Nrh;e;j rhs;]; kypf;> rPdhitr; Nrh;e;j ngd;-Rd;rq; Nghd;NwhUk; mlq;Fthh;. ,f; FOtpd; jiytpahf jpUkjp vypNdhh; &];nty;lh; flikahw;wpdhh;.

I. eh. rh;tNjr kdpj chpik gpufldk; (r.k.c.gp) 1948k; Mz;L brk;gh; khjk; 10k; jpfjp> I. eh nghJr;rig ghhPrpy; cs;s rhspNahw; kz;lgj;jpy; $baNghJ epiwNtw;wg;gl;lJ. mt;Ntisapy; 58 ehLfs; kl;LNk I.eh rigapy; mq;fj;Jt ehLfshf ,Ue;jd. ,t; r.k.c.gp 48 thf;Ffis rhjfkhf ngw;W epiwNtwpaJ.

,g; gpufldk; 30 rhuq;fis nfhz;lJ. ,jd; KjyhtJ rhuk; ,g;gpufldj;jpd; mbg;gil jj;Jtj;ijAk;> ,jd; ,uz;lhtJ rhuk; \\kdpjg; gpwtpfs; rfyUk; rkj;Jtj;JlDk; nfsutj;JlDk; vy;yh chpikfis ve;jg; ghFghbd;wp mDgtpf;f chpikAilath;fs; vdf;$wg;gl;Ls;sJ. ,jid njhlh;e;J tUk; rhuq;fshd %d;wpypUe;J ,Ugj;jpnahd;Wtiu (3-21) FbAhpik> murpay; (CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGTHS) chpikfs; gw;wpAk;> mjidj;njhlh;e;J tUk; 22y; ,Ue;J 27 tiuapyhd rhuq;fs; nghUshjhu> r%f> fyhr;rhu chpikfs; (ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS) gw;wpAk;> ,Ugj;njl;lhk;> ,Ugj;njhd;gjhk; (28>29) rhuq;fs; xt;nthUtUk; r%f> rh;tNjr mikg;G Kiwf;F chpikAilath;fs; vd;Wk; mj;Jld; r%fj;jpDs; mth;fsJ flikapd; Kf;fpak; gw;wpAk; filrp Kg;gjhtJ (30) rhuk; Xh; vr;rhpf;ifahd Kiwapy; ,g;gpufldj;jpy; $wg;gl;Ls;s ve;jrhuq;fSk;> tplaq;fSk;> Rje;jpuq;fSk; ve;j xU ehl;Lf;Nfh> FOTf;Nfh> egUf;Nfh khw;wNth gpioahd Kiwapy; jphpTgLj;jNth mopf;Fk; Kaw;r;rpapy; <LglNth KbahJ vdf; $wg;gl;Ls;sJ.

,g;gpufldk; mq;fj;Jt ehLfs; kPJ rl;lhPjpahf ve;j mOj;jq;fisAk; nfhLf;fKbahj NghjpYk;> ,g;gpufldj;jpd; nfhs;ifia vy;yh ehLfSk; KOkdjhf Vw;gjd; %yk>; ,g;gpufldj;ij Xh; \\tsf;fkhd rh;tNjr rl;lj;jpw;F|| (CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW) Vw;w tYit nfhz;Ls;sjhf $wKbAk;. jw;Nghija fhyg;gFjpapy; rh;tNjr kdpj chpik gpukhdq;fs; ahTk; ,g;gpufldj;ij Mjhukhf nfhz;lit. ,g;gpufldj;jpid cyf ehLfspd; kdpj chpik kPwy;fis msf;Fk; msT NfhyhfTk; ghtpf;fg;gLfpd;wd.

gpufldKk; kPs; ghprPypidAk;

,g;gpufldj;jpd; Ik;gjhtJ Mz;bidf; nfhz;lhl ,Ue;j NtisapNyNa I. eh tpd; mq;fj;Jt ehLfspd; xd;whd kNyrpah> 1997k; Mz;L a+iy khjk>; ,g;gpufldk; Xh; goik tha;e;jJ vd;Wk;> ,g;gpufldk; I.eh. nghJr;rigapdhy; epiwNtw;wg;gl;lnghOJ Ik;gj;jpnal;L ehLfs; kl;LNk ,Ue;jJ vd;Wk; jw;nghOJ mq;fj;Jt ehLfs; %d;W klq;fhy; $bAs;sjhfTk;> Mifahy; ,g;gpufldk; kPs; ghprPypid nra;ag;glNtz;Lk; vd;Wk; $wpAs;sJ. XU rpy fpoikfspd; gpd;dh; Mrpahd; (ASEAN) ehLfspd; ntspehl;L mikr;rh;fSk;> rPdhTk; ,t; tplaj;ij MNkhjpj;jhh;fs;.

r.k.c.gp. rh;tNjr kdpj chpik Kd;tiuapd; (INTERNATIONAL BILL OF HUMAN RIGHTS) Kjyhtjhf Mf cs;sJ. rh;tNjr kdpj chpik Kd;tiuapd; kw;iwa gFjpfshf FbAhpik murpay; chpukfSf;fhd rh;tNjr cld;ghLk; mjidr; Nrh;e;jitAk; (ICCPR AND PROTCOLS)> mj;Jld; nghUshjhu r%f> fyhr;rhu chpikfSf;fhd rh;tNjr cld;ghLk; (ICESCR) ,lk; ngWfpd;wJ.

r.k.c.gp. Kd;Ndw;wk; mile;JtUk; NtisapNyNa r.k.c.gp. $w;Wf;fis cs;slf;fp cUthf;fg;gl;l ,t;tpU rh;tNjr cld;ghLfSk; (COVENANTS)> 1966k; Mz;L khh;fop khjk; I.eh. nghJr;rigapdhy; Vw;Wf;nfhs;sg;gl;L rhpahf gj;JtUlq;fspd; gpd;dh; eilKiwf;F te;Js;sJ. ,t;tpU cld;ghLfSk;> rl;lhPjpahf Vw;Wnfhz;l mq;fj;Jt ehLfs; kPJ fz;fhzpg;ig nfhz;lJ. Mdhy; ,t; cld;ghLfis Vw;Wf;nfhz;l rpyehLfs; ,tw;wpy; $wg;gl;l rpy tplaq;fis tpjptpyf;FfSlNdNa Vw;wd.

I.eh. kdpj chpik Mizf;FO NtW gy rh;tNjr Nfhl;ghLfisAk; (CONVENTIONS) Ak; jahh; nra;Js;sJ. ,g;gbahf jahh; nra;ag;gl;l Nfhl;ghLfis eilKiwg;gLj;j rh;tNjr mur rhh;gw;w epWtdq;fs; gy MjuTNjb Ntiy nra;tij ehk; fhzyhk;. rpy murhq;fk; jkf;F rhjfkhd rpy Nfhl;ghLfSf;F MjuTNjLk; rh;tNjr mur rhh;gw;w epWtdq;fSf;F (INGOs) epjp cjtp nra;tJ toik. Mdhy; muRfSf;F njhy;iy nfhLf;Fk; Nfhl;ghLfis nghJthf rpy rh;tNjr murrhh;gw;w epWtdq;fSk; iffOtp tpLtJk; tof;fk;. Kf;fpa fhuzk; murhq;fq;fspd; epjp cjtpfpilahJ vd;gNj. ,jw;F ey;y cjhuzkhf \\Nwhk; rhrdk; vdf;$wg;gLk;- rh;tNjr Fw;wthspfSf;fhd ePjpkd;wk; (INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS - ICC)> mj;Jld; rpWgps;isfs; tpw;gidAk;> tpgr;rhuKk;> Mghrglq;fSf;fhd Nfhl;gl;il kpfTk; Fiwe;j tpfpjj;jpNyNa rh;tNjr murrhh;gw;w epWtdq;fs; MjuT Njbdhh;fs;. If;fpa ehLfs; rigapd; 191 ehLfs; mq;fj;JtehLfshf ,Ue;j NghjpYk;> 2004k; Mz;L Nk khjk; tiu 94 ehLfs; kl;LNk rh;tNjr Fw;wthspfSf;fhd ePjpkd;wj;ijAk;> 2003k; Mz;L etk;gh; khjk; tiu 67 ehLfs; kl;LNk rpWgps;sif tpw;gid> tpgr;rhuj;ij Vw;Wf;nfhz;ldh;.

I.eh. kdpj chpik kPwy; fz;fhzpg;G

I.eh rigapd; kdpj chpik kPwy;fs; gw;wpa fz;fhzpg;G gytpjg;gl;lJ. I.eh. Nfhl;ghLfisAk;> cld;ghLfisAk; Vw;w ehLfis cld;gbf;if rig (TREATY BODIES) fs; %yk; fz;fhzpf;fg;gLfpwJ. kdpj chpik nraw;FO (Mizf;FO my;y)> rpwhh;fspd; chpikf;fhd nraw;FO> nghUshjhu> r%f> fyhr;rhu nraw;FO> rpj;jputijf;F vjpuhd nraw;FO> ngz;fSf;F vjpuhd ghFghLfis fisAk; nraw;FO> ntspehl;L Ntiyahsh;fSf;fhd nraw;Fo Mfpait ,jpy; mlq;Fk;. ,t; fz;fhzpg;G Kiw jtizKiwapyhd murhq;fq;fspd; mwpf;if ,r;nraw;FOf;fSf;F rkh;g;gpf;fg;gl;Ntz;Lk;. gy murhq;fq;fs; cz;ikf;F Gwk;ghd tplaq;fis mwpf;ifapy; $WtJld; mij epahag;gLj;JtJk; cz;L. ,r;nraw;FOtpd; mq;fj;jth;fs; mur gpujpepjpfis Nfs;tpf;F Nky; Nfs;tp Nfl;L cz;ikfis Muha;tJz;L. ,NjNtis mur rhh;gw;w epWtdq;fSk; mur mwpf;ifapd; ngha;fis vLj;Jf;$wp mwpf;if rkh;g;gpg;gJk; cz;L. ,t; cld;gbf;ifrig If;fpaehLfs; rigapd; kdpj chpikahizahshpd; fz;fhzpg;gpd; fPo; ,aq;Ffpd;wJ (HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS). I. eh rigapd; kdpj chpikfSf;fhd Mizahsh; gjtp 1993k; Mz;L brk;gh; khjk; cUthf;fg;gl;lJ. ,t; Mizahsh; nrayhsh; ehafj;jpd; fPo; ,aq;FtJld; jdJ Ntiyfis rKf nghUshjhu rigAlDk; I.eh. nghJr;rigAlDk; xUq;fikg;ghh;.

vy;yh I.eh. mq;fj;JtehLfspd; kdpj chpik epiyg;ghLfis kdpj chpik Mizf;FO jdJ nraw;FOf;fs; (WORKING GROUPS)> tpNrl gjpthsh; (SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR )> ehl;Lf;fhd gjpthsh; (COUNTRY RAPPORTEURS)> tpNrl gpujpepjpfs; (SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES) mj;Jld; Rje;jpukhd epGzh;fs; (INDEPENDENT EXPERTS) %ykhf fz;fhzpg;gJ tof;fk;. ,th;fs; ahtUk; jkJ mtjhdq;fisAk; fz;lwpe;jtw;iwAk; kdpj chpik Mizf;FOTf;F rkh;g;gpg;ghh;fs;. ,jpy; tpNrl gpujpepjpfSk;> Rje;jpukhd epGzh;fSk; I. eh nrayhshpdhy; epakpf;fg;gl;lth;fs;.

,NjNtis 1947k; Mz;L kdpj chpik Mizf;FOtpdhy; epakpf;fg;gl;l kdpj chpik cg Mizf;FO> (THE SUB-COMMISSION ON PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS - 1999k; Mz;L tiu NtWngah;); rpy kdpj chpik Ma;TfisAk;> rpy ghpe;JiufisAk; kdpj chpik Mizf;FOTf;F rkh;g;gpf;Fk;. ,t; cg Mizf;FO ve;jnthU ehLila kdpj chpik kPwy;fisAk; fz;fhzpg;gJ ,y;iy. kdpj chpik Mizf;FOtpdhy; njhpT nra;ag;gl;l 26 mq;fj;jth;fis ,t; Mizf;FO mq;fj;jth;fshf nfhz;lJ. ,t; mikg;gpDila vjph; fhyk; Nfs;tpf;Fwpaf jw;nghoJ cs;sJ.

fle;j rpy tUlq;fshf> cyfpy; kpfTk; Nkhrkhd kdpj chpikfis nra;Ak; ehLfs; I. eh kdpj chpik Mizf;FOtpy; mq;fj;Jtj;ij ngw Kaw;r;rpg;gJ toikahfpte;Js;sJ. fhuzk; kdpj chpik Mizf;Fotpy; mq;fj;jth;fshf ,Ug;gjd;%yk;> jkJ ehl;bd; kdpjh; chpik kPwy;fis kdpj chpik Mizf;FOtpy; gpujpgypf;ftplhky; jLg;gjw;fhfTk;> mj;Jld; kdpj chpik cg-Mizf;FOTf;F mq;fj;jth;fis Mizf;FOtpdhNyNa njhpT nra;tjhy; cg Mizf;FOtpy; jkf;F Ntz;ba gpujpepjpfis mkh;j;jyhk; vd;Wk; vz;Zfpwhh;fs;. ,g;gbahd fglNehf;Fld; I.eh. mq;fj;jtehLfs; ,aq;Ftjdhy;> Mizf;FOTld; Nrh;e;j kw;iwa cg mikg;Gfof;Fk; Murpay; rhak; g+rg;gLtij ehk; mtjhdpf;f $bajhf cs;sJ.

Kdpj chpik Mizf;FO cyfpy; kdpjchpik kPwy;fis fz;fhzpf;Fk; mNjNtis> rpy ehLfSf;F gy tpjg;gl;l njhopy;El;g xOq;fikg;Gf;fisAk; (TECHNICAL COOPERATION) nra;J tUfpwJ. ,tw;wpy; MNyhrid> gapw;r;rp> Rje;jpukhd Njh;jYf;fhd Kd;ndLg;Gf;fs;> murpay; ahg;G jpUj;jq;fSf;fhd MNyhrid> Njrpa-gpuhe;jpa kdpj chpik chpik epWtdq;fs; Nghd;wit ,jpy; mlq;Fk;.

murpay; kag;gLj;jy;

I. eh. kdpj chpik Mizf;FO murpay; kag;gLj;jg;gl;Ls;sjh? vd;w Nfs;tp mz;ikf;fhyq;fspy; gykhf mbgLfpwJ. ,jpy; vt;tsT Jhuk; cz;ik cs;sJ vd;gij Muha ehk; gy tpaq;fis ftdj;jpy; nfhs;s ntz;bAs;sJ.

cyf ehLfspy; ,uhZt Ml;rpAk;> Kbahl;rpAk;> rh;thjpfhuKk; jtph;e;j Vida ehLfspy; Njh;jy; %yk;> murpay; fl;rpfspd; Clhf murhq;fq;fs; njhpT nra;ag;gLfpd;wd. ,t;tpjkhf Xh; muR cUthdJk>; jkf;F Ntz;ba rhjfkhd egh;fis JhJth;fshfTk;> ];jhdpah;fshfTk;> gpujpepjpfshfTk; ntspehl;by; cs;s I.eh. ehLfs; rig cl;gl kw;iwa JhJtuhyaq;fSf;Fk; epakpf;fg;gLfpd;whh;fs;. ,t; ,uh[je;jphpfs; ,Utifia Nrh;e;jth;fs;. xd;W ,uh[je;jpu Ntiyia njhopyhf (CAREER DIPLOMATS) nfhd;lth;fs;> kw;iwa gphptpdh; murpay; epakdk; ngw;wth;fs;. cz;ikapy; toh;r;rp ngWk; ehLfspy; cs;s ,uh[je;jpu Ntiyia njhopyhf nra;gth;fSk; $l murpay; nry;thf;F ,y;yhky; nghpa gjtpfis milaNth> Kf;fpa ehLfspy; Ntiynta;aNth KbahJ. Mifahy; toh;r;rp ngWk; ehLfspy; ,Ue;J tUk; ve;j ,uh[je;jphpfshf ,Ue;jhYk; ,th;fs; murpay; gpz;zdp cs;sth;fNs.

,g;gbahf epakpf;fg;gLk; ,uh[je;jphpfs; mjd; murhq;fq;fspd; Ngr;rhsh;fshfTk>; jkJ murpay; jiyth;fspdhy; jj;jkJ ehLfspy; cs;s ntspehl;L mikr;R %ykhfNth ,y;iyNay; mJ rk;ke;jg;gl;l ,yhfhf;fs; %ykhf nfhLf;fg;gLk; fl;lisfis eilKiwg;gLj;Jfpwhh;fs;. Mifahy;> ,th;fs; I.eh. rigapy; gq;F nfhs;Sk; rfy tplq;fSk; murpay; kag;gLj;jg;gLfpwJ vd;gjpy; vt;tpj IaKkpy;iy. ,t;tpjj;jpy;> I.eh. kdpj chpik Mizf;FOit Xh; murpay; mq;fkhf nfhs;sg;gLfpwJ. ,jd; fhuzkhf ,t; Mizf;FO Kykhf kw;iwa cg mikg;Gf;fFf;Fk; njhpT nra;ag;gLk; gpujpepjpfs;> mq;fj;jth;fs; rfyUk; murpay; fyg;G nfhz;lth;fshf nfhs;syhk;.

mj;Jld; NtWgy fhuzq;fshd ehLfspilNaahd gpuhe;jpa el;GwT kpfTk; Nkhrkhd kdpj chpik kPwy;fis nfhz;l murhq;fq;fs; ,ilNaahd $l;lzp mj;Jld; gaq;futhjjpw;F vjpuhd Nghhnud;W $wp I. eh. kdpj chpik fz;ldq;fisAk; topKiwfisAk; Vw;f kWg;gJ Nghd;w tplaq;fs; ,d;W I.ehtpd; kdpj chpik topKiwfis efuKbahky; jLj;J epWj;jpAs;sJ. tpNrlkhf 2001k; Mz;L nrg;lk;gh; khjk; 11k; jpfjpapd; gpd;dh; murhq;fq;fspd; iffs; kdpj chpikf;F vjpuhf nghpjhf Xq;fpAs;sJ vd;gJ njspT.

,J xUGwk; ,Uf;f nry;thf;Fg;ngw;w ehLfs; jkJ nry;thf;if ghtpj;J jkJ ehLfspYk; jk;Kldhd Ner ehLfspYk; vt;tpj kdpj chpik kPwy;fisAk; ghprPypf;fKbahJ jLj;Js;sJ. rpy ehLfs; jkJ ehl;by; elg;git \\cs;ehl;L|| tplq;fs; vd;Wk; ,jdhy; jhk; ve;j tpj I. ehtpd; fl;lisfis Vw;fg;Nghtjpy;iy vd;Wk; ntspg;gilahfNt $wptUfpd;wd.

I. ehTk; Raeph;za chpik Nghuhl;lKk;

cyfpy; kdpj chpikfs; ngUkstpy; $bajd; Kf;fpa fhuzq;fspy; xd;W> Raeph;za chpik Nghuhl;lq;fs; kPjhd mur mlf;F KiwfNs.

If;fpa ehLfs; rigapd; FbAhpik murpay; chpikfSf;fhd rh;tNjr cld;ghLk;> nghUshjhu r%f fyhr;rhu chpikfSf;fhd rh;tNjr cld;ghLfspd; rhuk; xd;W $Wtjhapd;: \\vy;yh kf;fSk; Raeph;za chpikf;F chpj;Jilath;fs;. mth;fs; jkJ nghUshjhu> r%f> fyhr;rhuKd;Ndw;wj;Jf;fhf jkJ murpay; epiyg;ghl;il Rje;jpukhf jPh;khdpj;J nfhs;syhk;||.

fhyg;Nghf;fpy; ,r;rhuk; tYtpoe;jJf;F Kf;fpa fhuzk; vd;dntdpy> I. eh. ghJfhg;G rigapd; epue;ju mq;fj;jth;fshd gphpj;jhdpah> mnkhpf;fh> rPdh> gPuhd;];> u];ah Nghd;w ehLfSf;Nf ,r;rhuk; ngUk; njhy;iyahf te;Js;sikNa.

mkhpf;fhtpy; my];fh> fhtha;> NgNuhwpf;Nfh Nghd;Nwh kf;fSila Raeph;za chpik Nghuhl;lk;> tlmah;yhe;Jila Nghuhl;lk; ,d;Dk; jPh;f;g;glhik> gpuhd;rpy; Nfhrpf;fh kw;Wk; gphpj;jhd; kf;fSila murpay; chpikg; Nghuhl;lk;> rPdh u];ahtpy; nr];dpah> jPngj; kf;fSila Raeph;za chpik Nghuhl;lq;fs; Kl;Lf;fl;ilahf mike;Jtpl;ld. Mifahy; ,e;j hPjpapy; ve;j tpjkhd rh;tNjr rl;lq;fSk; Raeph;za Nghuhl;lq;fSf;F eilKiwapy; rhj;tPfkhf mikAk; vd;gJ jw;Nghija epiyapy; ngUk; Iag;ghNl. rpy fhyq;fSf;F Kd; ,jd; epiyg;ghL Ntwhf ,Ue;jJ.

murrhh;gw;w epWtdq;fs; (NGOs)

,g;gbahd ,Wf;fkhd epiyg;ghLfSf;Fs;Sk; murrhh;gw;w epWtdq;fs; (NGOs) \\Ngh; nrhy;yp jiyFdpa itf;Fk;|| (NAMING AND SHAMING) El;gj;ij I.eh kl;lj;jpy; jpwk;gl nra;fpwhh;fs; vd;gJ tuNtw;ff;$ba tplak;. ,jd; fhuzkhfNt rpwpyq;fh Nghd;w murhq;fq;fs;> rpy kdpj chpikahsiu I.eh kz;lgj;jpy; fz;lJk; jpfpy; nfhs;fpwhh;fs;. ,g;gbahd murrhh;gw;w epWtdq;fis I.eh tl;lj;Jf;Fs; ,Ue;J mg;Gwg;gLj;j vj;jdpf;fpwhh;fs;.

,NjNtis> rpy murhq;fq;fs; I. eh topKiwfis gpioahd Kiwapy; ghtpj;J jkJ nrhe;j murrhh;gw;w epWtdq;fSf;F I.eh me;j];Jk; ngw;Wf; nfhLj;Js;shh;fs;. ,th;fis I.eh tl;lj;jpy>; murhq;f murrhh;gw;w epWtdk; (GOVERMENT NON GOVENMENTAL ORGANISATION - GONGO) nfhq;Nfh vd;W Nfypahf miog;ghh;fs;. ,f; nfhq;Nfhf;fs; mur nfhs;iffis gpujpgypg;gJld;> kw;iwa murrhh;gw;w epWtdq;fs; ,th;fs; Ntyhnra;Ak; ehLfs; kPJ Kd; itf;Fk; Fw;wr;rhl;Lf;fSf;F gjpYk; $Wfpwh;fs;;. ,g;gbahd nfhq;Nfh mq;fj;jth;fs; rka> fy;tp> Ma;T mikg;GfSf;F Ntiy nra;tJNghy; fhl;rp mspg;ghh;fs;. ,th;fSf;F mur epjp NtW topfshy; nfhLf;fg;gLfpd;wJ. ,th;fspy; gyh; me;j ehl;L Gydha;T mikg;Gfis Nrh;e;jth;fs;;.

,e;j hPjpapy; I. ehtpd; kdpj chpik topKiwfspy; cyf kf;fs; ek;gpf;if ,of;f Kd; $batpiutpy>; I. ehTk; mjd; kdpj chpik mq;fq;fSk; murpay; fyg;gw;w Kiwapy; kWrPuikf;fNtz;Lk;.

rpwpyq;fh Kd;ida ,yq;if 1955k; Mz;L brk;gh; khjk; 14k; jpfjp If;fpaehLfs; rigapd; mq;fj;Jt ehlhf mDkjpf;fg;gl;lJ. I. ehtpd; rpy cld;gbf;iffisAk; Nfhl;ghLfisAk; Vw;w nghOJk; - kdpj chpik tplaj;jpy; kpfTk; Nkhrkhd kdpj chpik kPwy;fis nfhz;l murhq;fq;fspd; $l;lzpapNyNa ifNfhh;j;J epd;W rh;tNjruPjpahf jk;ik epahag;gLj;jp tUfpwJ vd;gJ ,q;F Fwpg;gplj;jf;fJ.

(r. tp. fpUghfud;> nghJr; nrayhsh;> jkpoh; kdpj chpikfs; ikak;> gpuhd;];)

10 December 2004

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