Below is an excerpt from a Press Release published by the United Nations:

The Human Rights Council opened its fourth session this morning, hearing a video message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and an address by High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour before starting its high-level segment and hearing from a number of dignitaries.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said in his video message that the world was watching to see if the Council would live up to its promise. He hoped that the Council's members would work together to promote an objective and universal approach to human rights. In the weeks and months ahead, this would be put to the test time and again, and acute crises and long-simmering human rights issues would demand scrutiny and remedy. It was crucial that the Council had the components in place to pass this test. By the first anniversary of the Council in June, the wheels of the Council should be in full motion, including the Universal Periodic Review.

Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said poverty and discrimination were both the causes and the consequences of the most egregious violations of human rights and attacks on human dignity. Armed conflict, whether internal or international, inevitably increased the threats to life and the vulnerability of civilians. Yet, poverty and war were often perceived as akin to natural disasters, unfortunate and deplorable things that happened, but that were essentially unavoidable and for which no one could really be held responsible.

Ambassador Luids Alfonso de Alba of Mexico, President of the Council, said while significant progress had been made in building the Council's institutions, progress remained to be made on points as to what the new system would be for the protection and promotion of human rights in the world. This meant that in negotiations, there was a need for a constructive spirit and dialogue. This was the only way of overcoming differences and avoiding polarisation. The best possible result should be sought, and the lowest common denominator should not be accepted.

Thirteen speakers took the floor under the high-level segment. Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Confederation of Switzerland, said it was necessary to overcome the divisions of the past and demonstrate creativity and capacity for innovation in order to adopt new solutions that would benefit everyone. The success of the Council depended primarily on cooperation between States. Switzerland attached overriding importance to the fact that rights to life, liberty and security should remain absolutely valid in all circumstances.

Paul Mba Abessole, Vice Prime Minister of Gabon, said Gabon was firmly committed to put in place all the necessary institutions to consolidate the rule of law. The Constitution of Gabon affirmed the country's attachment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Gabon recognized that it fell short in some areas, and it was not afraid to present the situation of human rights in the country. Gabon needed help to improve the conditions in its prisons and to fight trafficking in children. At the same time, the result of Gabon's efforts could be seen in the good conditions of its institutions, in the consolidation of the rule of law, and in matters dealing with democracy and good governance.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said it had been shown time and again that human rights could only be implemented and protected effectively if the world adhered strictly to the following fundamental principles: that human rights were universal, indivisible and interdependent, that civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights were of equal importance, that the respect and protection of human rights were only possible in an environment where security was organised and guaranteed, and that these values should not be sacrificed in the fight against terrorism.

Jean Asselborn, Vice Prime Minister of Luxembourg, said Luxembourg believed that the system of Special Procedures should be maintained and strengthened, thematically, and by country. The Universal Periodic Review was an ambitious project and should have great influence on the credibility and future statute of the Human Rights Council. Close cooperation between States and civil society in the Council should continue and the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should be maintained as Luxembourg considered that it was key to ensure efficient work.

Hamid Awaluddin, Minister of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia, said the Council had a dual role; on one hand forging ahead its normative work, remaining vigilant and innovative in respect of the societal issues, and on the other hand continuing to attend to the major existing issues that had not yet been resolved. Economic, social and cultural rights had a big part to play as there was a close correlation between development and poverty. Indonesia was looking forward to expanding and strengthening its cooperation and dialogue with the Council's various human rights mechanisms.

Abdelelah Al-Khatib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, said the international community had cooperated to provide the enabling environment to allow most groups to enjoy their rights and fundamental freedoms, and to practice these rights in a natural way. The gap between theory and practice was increasing, which was why the Member States had created the Council, accompanied by great hopes. The Council should be rid of the impediments of the past, and attention should be paid to eliminating conflicts, whilst preserving the independence of States.

Abdelwaheb Abdallah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, said the constant interest expressed by the international community to spread and strengthen human rights in the different regions of the world had to be reinforced by the conviction of the universality, interdependence and complementarity of all human rights, including civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to development. In its efforts to promote and protect human rights, Tunisia was strongly convinced that democracy and development were interdependent and necessary to ensure a free and responsible society.

Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, said to turn the tide, the Council should translate respect and protection for human rights from abstractions into a defined, accepted and verifiable reality. The decisions of the Council on the need for action against extreme poverty, on the right to development, on regional cooperation, and on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments would serve to reinforce these efforts.

Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights of Sri Lanka, said the Council should be primarily focused on institution building to meet expectations stipulated in the founding resolution. Sri Lanka was committed to provide all necessary assistance to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and to the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons to carry out its tasks and inquire into alleged violations of human rights.

Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, said there was a definite link between freedom, prosperity and security. Respect for human rights would therefore be an integral part of his Government's foreign policy. The Council was still under construction but the promises made should be kept. The Council could not be expected to work miracles, but it was the responsibility of the international community to make it do so. Human rights situations should be regularly assessed in every country and followed up, requiring thus a strong Universal Periodic Review mechanism. In addition, unbiased information from independent sources should guide the members in their deliberations.

Carl Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, said the protection and promotion of human rights was one of the central duties of the international community in these times. Not only was it a question of protecting the rights of individuals, but it was also a matter of protecting peace and stability across the globe. It was up to the Council itself through its actions to disprove those that feared that it would not live up to the high expectations placed on it, and this could only be done by vigorously and objectively addressing all the different human rights challenges of today.

Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said there was now an historic opportunity to put in place the building blocks for the new structure, agenda and working methods of the Council. The humanitarian situation of Muslim minorities was being closely followed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Violations of human rights in Palestine and the Arab Territories were a matter of deep concern. The Human Rights Council could make an important contribution to alleviating the difficulties. The Human Rights Council should not stand idle in the face of rising incidents of Islamophobia, but should take action to combat defamation of religion and enhance understanding among civilizations, cultures and religions.

Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, speaking on behalf of the Community of Democracies which includes Cape Verde, Chile, Czech Republic, El Salvador, India, Italy, Republic of Korea, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, United States, and special guests Peru and Romania, said while emphasising the primary responsibility that each country had for its own economic and social development and the role of national policies and development strategies, the importance of international cooperation and of a democratic, transparent and enabling economic environment was underlined. Much work remained to be done during the closing months of the inaugural year, and many new challenges would surely present themselves in the year ahead. […]