Norway emphasizes the importance of maintaining the independence and integrity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
07/03/2008 ::
Thank you, Mr. President,
Madam High Commissioner,
We thank you for your annual report and we pay tribute to the leading role you and your office are playing in the realisation of human rights for all. We highly appreciate your strong and personal engagement, as well as the independent and effective manner in which you run your office. We very much regret your decision not to seek a second term, and will be sad to see you leave.
Allow me also at the outset to join you and others in condemning yesterday’s attacks in Jerusalem and Baghdad.
Madam High Commissioner,
Victims of human rights violations around the world depend on your assistance. It is crucial that the independence and the integrity of your office is maintained.
In your mandate it is emphasized that you are the principal human rights official of the UN. You have a unique mandate from the General Assembly to promote and protect human rights around the world.
Your office has commendably reached out and engaged in dialogue with the Human Rights Council and the wider UN membership in Geneva. We consider the Strategic Management Plan to contribute significantly to increased transparency and openness about the objectives and activities of your office. This management and public information tool is very useful in our interactions with your office.
As a member of the United Nations and a major donor we find it of utmost importance that the formal oversight of the Secretariat, including the OHCHR, is handled by the parent body of the Human Rights Council, namely the General Assembly. It is also the parent body that adopts the strategic framework and the budget for the OHCHR through an open and transparent process with the participation of all members of the UN.
In your report you highlight a number of activities in a multitude of fields. We support your strategic vision and your efforts to protect, prevent and respond to human rights violations. We need your important work to continue and I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you, Madame High Commissioner, of Norway’s strong support.
Thank you, Mr. President