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UN: New Leader Must Speak Out on Human Rights

13 Dec 2006 21:02:23 GMT
Source: Human Rights Watch

(New York, December 13, 2006) – The new UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, should put human rights at the center of his agenda, Human Rights Watch said today. In a letter to the incoming secretary-general, Human Rights Watch addressed a number of the key issues that will confront Ban Ki-moon after his inauguration tomorrow and when he takes up his post on January 1.

At the 2005 World Summit, world leaders recognized their responsibility to protect civilians from genocide and crimes against humanity. Human Rights Watch argued that the doctrine of "responsibility to protect" is crucial. "Your challenge is to make the agreed principle a reality," said Human Rights Watch's executive director, Kenneth Roth, in his letter to Ban.

"The UN's apparent impotence in the face of the government of Sudan's barbarity and stubborn refusal to allow a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur raises justified concerns that the responsibility to protect is merely rhetoric," Roth noted.

Human Rights Watch identified a number of problems associated with the new Human Rights Council, and called on Ban to help rally support for a broad coalition within the council that would act as "a counterweight to those states which are seeking to weaken the new body."

Human Rights Watch argued strongly for a more unified approach at the United Nations to women's rights, and suggested that this could become Ban's "signature achievement."

Other issues touched on included Security Council reforms, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the special advisor for the prevention of genocide, and mainstreaming human rights.

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Last updated:Wed Dec 13 21:03:23 2006