08 April 2002

U.S. Prepared to Work with U.N. Human Rights Commission

(Moley addresses commission in Geneva)

The United States looks forward to working with the U.N. Commission on Human Rights on matters of concern to the international community, says Ambassador Kevin Moley, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva.

Speaking as head of the U.S. observer delegation to the 58th session of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva April 8, Moley said "positive things" have happened during the past year in Sierra Leone and Peru, but he used the bulk of his remarks to point out examples of countries where little or no progress has been made in the area of human rights.

He spoke during the segment of the commission debate known as "Item 9: Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Any Part of the World."

Following is the text of Moley's remarks, as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)

Ambassador Kevin E. Moley
U.S. Permanent Representative United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva

Remarks to the 58th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights
April 8, 2002
(As Prepared for Delivery)

Mr. Chairman,

Many positive things have happened over the last year. Progress was made with respect to human rights and democratization in Sierra Leone and democratic elections occurred in Peru.

The world watched as Afghan men, women and children celebrated the fall of the oppressive Taliban regime, which had denied the people their inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms. Although there is still much to be done, the international coalition and the people of Afghanistan can be proud of their accomplishment.

Unfortunately, there are still countries where little or no progress has been made. Iraq neither respects the rule of law nor the rights of its citizens and it defies UN Security Council resolutions.

Cuba continues to violate the fundamental rights of its citizens as its authorities routinely harass, imprison, and defame human rights advocates, members of independent professional associations, and others who criticize the government, as illustrated by the recent arrests of over 30 activists.

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea continues to commit egregious human rights abuses and deny its citizens fundamental freedoms. North Korea devotes scarce resources to developing missiles and weapons of mass destruction even as its people face hunger and disease.

China's human rights record remains poor. The Chinese have failed to carry through on commitments made during human rights dialogues. Thousands remain jailed for expressing their beliefs and China remains a country of particular concern for its restrictions on religious freedom.

Repression in Iran intensified the past year as hard-liners increased efforts to contain the majority supported calls for a more free and open society. Approximately 60 parliamentarians were arrested for "inciting public opinion." Fifty newspapers were issued closure orders, and more than 20 journalists, editors and publishers remain in prison. Religious minorities are persecuted.

Recent elections in Zimbabwe were neither free nor fair. Attacks and murder of opposition supporters, charges of treason against main the opposition candidate, violence against landowners, and reprisals against journalists are only some of the egregious violations of human rights standards in Zimbabwe today.

The Sudanese Government continues to intentionally target Sudanese civilians, and increasingly, the UN itself; UN food distribution sites were attacked three times in February with helicopters and gunships. Toleration or abetment of abductions and slavery and religious persecution continues. The war has already killed two million people and displaced another four million.

Reports of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Chechnya continue. Russian forces and Chechen fighters committed atrocities against each other and innocent civilians. Yet, despite the Commission's call for an independent broad-based commission of inquiry, there has been little meaningful accountability.

The Government of Vietnam's human rights record worsened in some respects last year. There were increased incidents of arbitrary detention of citizens, including detention for peaceful expression of political and religious views and several religious leaders who were detained under house arrest or received harsh prison sentences. We also remain concerned with abuses of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands region.

In Burma the government's record on political repression, forced labor, ethnic persecution, religious freedom, and trafficking in persons remains dismal.

Haiti's historically poor human rights record deteriorated even more in the last year.

Mr. Chairman, the United States seeks respect for universal human rights. The values that we cherish are the fundamental freedoms to which all the people are entitled. We look forward to working with all of you on these matters of concern to the entire international community.

Thank you.

(end text)