Special Issue Commission on Human Rights, 15 March 2004

A Year of Birthdays... From the Editors

In this issue The past year has seen a num- Secretary-General Dag Ham- munity some of the work that ber of important dates in the marksjold in 1961: the killing we do. Louise Arbour Named human rights calendar. We of High Commissioner Sergio In each issue, we will try to High Commissioner have marked the 55th anniver- Vieira de Mello, along with 21 give an overview of the most For Human Rights 1 sary of the Universal Declara- other colleagues and civilians, important activities and events tion, the 10th anniversary of the in the despicable attack in Ten Years of OHCHR 2 our Office is working on and Vienna Declaration and Pro- Baghdad on 19 August. listen to the “voices from the gramme of Action and the 10th Commission Our resolve to carry on with field”, colleagues confronted on Human Rights anniversary of the resolution our work in defense of human on a daily basis with some very Turns 60 3 creating this Office, among rights, as Sergio would have harsh realities and who can tell other events. wished, convinced us to put us what is being done to make “Modernizing” These auspicious occasions the Arab Charter pen to paper and start this fo- our maxim – “all human rights were reason enough to spur us on Human Rights 5 rum, Respect, as a way of ex- for all people” – come true. to start a regular publication. changing ideas and sharing We look forward to your feed- But last year our Office also The Pain with our colleagues and part- back as we work to make Res- of Reconciliation : faced the most tragic event to ners in the human rights com- pect a useful tool for all of us. Forgiving the hit the UN since the death of Unforgivable 6

Transitional Justice 7 Justice Louise Arbour Named High Commissioner Committee on the Rights for Human Rights of Migrants Holds First Meeting 7 Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed Canadian Mrs. Arbour, who has served on Cana-

Tribute to Sergio Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour as the next High Com- da’s Supreme Court since 1999, distin- Vieira de Mello : missioner for Human Rights. The General Assembly confir- guished herself as chief prosecutor of the International Human med the appointment on 25 February. The High Commissio- International Criminal Tribunals for the Rights Film Festival 8 ner-designate is expected in Geneva in the summer. former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda from

ConectaSur 1996 to 1999 in The Hague. Newsletter for Rights Before leaving the Dutch capital, she in the South 8 issued the first-ever indictment of a still- Louise serving Head of State, Slobodan Milose- Lessons from Arbour the Iraq Human and Kofi vic. Rights Operation 9 Annan in Mrs. Arbour gained widespread reco- Ottawa, gnition in Canada for her work at the March Publications 10 2004. head of an investigation into the opera-

(UN Photo) tion of the correctional service, based on allegations by female inmates at a women’s prison in Kingston, Ontario. Page 2 Newsletter Title Special Issue, 15 March 2004 Page 2

Making Rights Work —Ten Years Since Vienna By José Luis Díaz

Anniversaries only have the establishing the post and office the situation of human rights significance we give them. of High Commissioner. around the world ten years They are extremely useful as The new Office quickly after the Vienna conference, occasions for reflection. The made its mark. The first High acting High Commissioner tenth year of the institution we Commissioner, José Ayala- Bertrand Ramcharan told a now know as OHCHR is such Lasso, took up his post on 5 New York audience earlier this an opportunity. Looking back April 1994, one day before the year that despite much pro- at the last decade, it is plain genocide in Rwanda began. gress since the end of the Se- that after a difficult birth, the He visited the country as the cond World War, “[F]or mil- Office has achieved considera- killings were still taking place, lions of people the world over Palais Wilson, Geneva ble stability, even though it is and went on to set up there the the basic human rights of the (OHCHR Photo) still operating in a most chal- first stand-alone human-rights Universal Declaration remain lenging environment. field office. He also establis- illusory”. The formal creation of the hed an office in Burundi to This reality is probably the Office is easy enough to date. help avert mass killings like greatest challenge before the Delegates at the World Confe- those in Rwanda next-door. Office. To meet it, OHCHR is rence on Human Rights in Views still differ on the first focusing increasingly to action Vienna agreed in June 1993 to High Commissioner’s legacy, where it matters most, on the recommend to the General but these initiatives provided ground. This thinking is behind Assembly the establishment of reason for hope about how the the emphasis OHCHR places on Looking back at a High Commissioner for Hu- role of the High Commissioner the way countries protect their the last decade, it man Rights”. The complete could evolve. citizens from breaches of hu- story goes much farther back Mr. Ayala-Lasso’s succes- man rights (« national protec- is plain that after than 1993, however. In 1947 sor, Mary Robinson, raised the tion systems ») and reinforce- a difficult birth, René Cassin put forward the profile of the Office and of the ment of the rule of law. OH- idea of an Attorney-General human rights discourse gene- CHR’s field activities seek, the Office has for Human Rights. And in rally, making well known her among other objectives, to inte- become a 1967 and 1977 there were intention to be a voice for grate in a better way human relatively stable more formal proposals for a victims of violations. She rights into the activities on the “High Commissioner”. made a groundbreaking visit to ground of all United Nations institution, but With the end of the Cold China and put the international agencies and country teams, as one that is still War, things finally got mo- spotlight on a number of se- reflected in the Secretary- ving. The optimism and op- rious situations, from Sierra General’s reform plan. operating in a portunities engendered by Leone to Chechnya. How the Office responds to most challenging those events created a more The appointment as High increasing demands and a favorable climate which, Commissioner in June 2002 of generally dire human rights environment. among other things, led Mo- Sergio Vieira de Mello, widely situation in many parts of the rocco and the then Under Se- recognized as one of the Orga- world will be crucial. It was cretary-General for Human nization’s best assets, confir- very present in the late High Rights Jan Martenson to pro- med the status the Office had Commissioner’s mind when he pose, in 1989, the holding of a achieved. Sergio, as he was addressed a symposium on world conference on human known to practically everyone, OHCHR early last year : “As rights. Much hard work lay served in some of the toughest High Commissioner, I am ahead -- and a lot of the initial UN missions, constantly co- trying to emphasize […] how optimism about the supposed ming face to face with the the presence of the OHCHR in promise the end of the cold reality of human rights viola- the field can affect the situa- war held for a new human- tions. This experience forged tion on the ground. […] This rights era waned in the mean- his vision for the Office. has been the bulk of my own time -- but the formal process A big part of Sergio’s brief experience. ‘How can I make set in motion by General As- was to give the institution a this work now,’ is the very sembly resolution 45/155 sharper focus and continue to difficult question I am trying culminated in another GA text, strengthen it. For enormous to answer”. 48/141 of 20 December 1993, challenges remain. Assessing Page 3 Page 3 Special Issue, 15 March 2004

Trying to Make a Difference : Human Rights Commission Meets for 60th Session

The most important global sioner, Bertrand Ramcharan, of human rights and rapid annual event on human rights will be presenting one flagship intercession to protect poten- is upon us again, along with all report to the Commission tial and actual victims. “The the hopes, controversies and (document E/CN.4/2004/12) Commission on Human Rights excitement it generates. It has in which he paints a grim pic- has the primary role in preven- become predictable to hear it ture of the current human righ- tion”, the acting High Com- said this time of year that the ts situation. Bertrand Ramcha- missioner writes. Commission on Human Rights ran writes that, “Since the On specific questions, the is meeting at a critical juncture World Conference on Human acting High Commissioner Acting High Commissioner in international affairs. That Rights was held in Vienna in makes a strong appeal to the Bertrand Ramcharan does not make it less true that 1993, human rights have conti- Commission to act on the pro- (OHCHR Photo) the issues on its agenda for this nued to be violated. Poverty blem of trafficking in young 60th session are likely to focus has not declined; civilians are women, which he calls “the international attention with targeted in violation of interna- negation of every basic human unusual intensity (for back- tional law; violence continues right”. He urges the Commis- ground on this session, see to be perpetrated by State and sion to consider the establish- article page 4). The war on non-State actors; racism and ment of a mechanism to ad- terrorism and its impact on intolerance, in all their dress “this shocking and all- The acting High civil liberties; situations in contemporary manifestations, too-pervasive problem”. Commissioner countries like Iraq, Afghanis- can be said to have increased; Bertrand Ramcharan has makes a strong tan and the Democratic Repu- democracy and the rule of law also indicated his support for blic of Congo; the occupied are under threat. And to the the establishment of another appeal to the territories including the wall litany of the world’s ills, we mechanism to study how the Commission to Israel is building; the effects of must now add terrorism”. fight against terrorism is affec- address the globalization on human rights; Calling on States to recom- ting human rights. A report sexual orientations; human mit themselves to their respon- from OHCHR (document problem of rights guidelines for transna- sibilities under the Internatio- E/CN.4/2004/91) lists the ap- trafficking in tional corporations, to mention nal Bill of Human Rights, and pointment of an expert or rap- young women, only a few, should all be the the other international instru- porteur to examine this ques- subject of heated debate. ments adopted since, he outli- tion as an option the Commis- “this shocking and But stopping at these “hot” nes five areas of activity that sion could consider. The ac- all-too-pervasive issues would be to miss much are assuming increasing im- ting High Commissioner has of the point of the Commis- portance: the emphasis on also called for an international problem”. sion. The panel remains the strengthening national protec- convention on human rights most inclusive international tion systems in each country; education. human rights body, bringing better implementation of the Six weeks of public discus- together country representati- human rights treaty system; sions and behind-the-scenes ves and “civil society”, or non- strengthening the system of negotiations await the thou- governmental delegates, and a special procedures; promoting sands of delegates that will host of other types of partici- human rights education; and attend this year’s Commission pants in between. Members developing the role of the session. And while views and observers discuss the courts in the protection of differ on the Commission, the whole range of human rights human rights. The report deals level of participation at each concerns, not least economic, with each of these in turn. session and the intensity of social and cultural rights, The report then turns to an debate on its floor make it an which some still don’t consi- assessment of the current state essential stop for those who der rights at all. of protection, emphasizing the want to make a difference. The acting High Commis- prevention of gross violations J.L.D. Page 4 Newsletter Title Special Issue, 15 March 2004 Page 4

The 60th Session - an Overview

The principal human cupied Arab territories, Myan- right to education; the illicit rights organ of the United mar, Cuba, the Democratic movement and dumping of Nations will conduct its Republic of the Congo, Burun- toxic and dangerous products di, and Iraq. Reports of the and wastes; structural adjust- annual six-week session High Commissioner for Hu- ment policies and their effects for 2004 from 15 March man Rights will address situa- on human rights; the impact of to 23 April. tions in Sierra Leone and globalization on the full en- OHCHR Photo The Commission on Hu- Timor-Leste. A report of the joyment of human rights; ex- man Rights, created in 1946 Secretary-General will deal treme poverty; the right to and made up of 53 member with the question of human food; adequate housing; the States, will begin its meeting rights in Cyprus. All these right to physical and mental at the Palais des Nations with a situations fall under the Com- health; access to medication in three-and-a-half-day "high- mission’s agenda item on "the the context of pandemics such level segment" featuring inter- question of the violation of as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and The Commission ventions by senior Govern- human rights and fundamental malaria; human rights and on Human Rights ment officials and by heads of freedoms in any part of the terrorism; incompatibility various United Nations agen- is the world’s world". between democracy and ra- cies. The situation in Colombia cism; arbitrary detention; tor- foremost human It will then work its way will be reviewed under an ture; enforced or involuntary rights forum, through an agenda covering agenda item on "organization disappearances; extrajudicial, such topics as human rights where countries of work", and matters in summary or arbitrary execu- violations around the world; Afghanistan, Somalia, Cambo- tions; freedom of opinion; and large and small, racism; the rights of minori- dia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, freedom of religion. non-governmental ties, migrant workers, and Timor-Leste and Haiti will be In addition, as in previous indigenous peoples; the rights groups and human debated when the Commission years, in closed meetings un- of women and the prevention discusses "advisory services der what is called the "1503 rights defenders of violence against women; the and technical cooperation in procedure", the Commission from around the rights of children; the preven- the field of human rights". will discuss communications tion of torture, disappearances, world can voice Trends and themes in the concerning alleged violations and summary executions; ef- field of human rights deemed of human rights in specific their concerns. forts to end religious intole- pressing enough to warrant the countries. rance; the promotion of econo- appointment of Special Rap- mic, social and cultural rights; porteurs, Special Representati- Bureau composition and the advancement of the ves, Independent Experts, or The Commission in January right to development. Working Groups also will be elected Ambassador Mike Among long-standing to- reviewed. Reports will be Smith of Australia as Chair- pics of consideration will be a presented, among other things, person of the sixtieth session. review of the human rights on combating defamation of It also elected Saeed Mohamed situation around the world. religions as a means to pro- Al-Faihani of Bahrain, Manuel Numerous non-governmental mote human rights, social Antonio Gonzalez Sanz of organizations (NGOs) will, as harmony and religious and Costa Rica, and Gordan Mar- every year, address the subject. cultural diversity; the use of kotic of Croatia to the Bureau. Accountings also will be pre- mercenaries to undermine the Michael Gbadebo Omotosho sented by the Commission’s right to self-determination; the of Nigeria was elected as rap- Special Rapporteurs or Special right to development; unilate- porteur. Representatives on the status ral coercive measures; the of human rights in the oc- Page 5 Page 5 Special Issue, 15 March 2004

“Modernizing” the Arab Rights Charter By Sonja Mann

The Permanent Arab Human allowing for non- mandated by OHCHR and the Rights Commission (PAHRC), discrimination laws that are LAS to work with the commis- based in Cairo, has embarked applicable only for citizens; sion was selected from among on a process of and limitations on the free- the Arab members of UN hu- “modernization” of the Arab doms of expression and asso- man rights bodies, based on Charter on Human Rights. ciation and gender equality. their expertise and taking into Last January, in the Egyptian Another contentious issue account geographical and gen- capital, the Commission adop- concerns the language in the der balance. The experts recei- ted most of the recommenda- Charter related to Zionism. ved input from a number of tions of an independent team In its deliberations, the Arab and international human of experts appointed by the team emphasized the non- rights groups, including the OHCHR and the League of derogable rights agreed upon Arab Organization for Human Arab States (LAS) to bring the internationally regarding the Rights, the Cairo Center for Charter into conformity with suspension of some civil and Human Rights Studies, the internationally-accepted hu- political rights during states of Arab Lawyers’ Union, Amnes- A group of experts man rights standards. The emergency. This would en- ty International and the Inter- has recommended Council of the LAS endorsed sure that the prospective Char- national Commission of Ju- the strengthening the revised Charter on 4 March ter would enshrine those rights rists. and has submitted it to the and liberties considered indis- The LAS Council approved of the charter's Arab Summit (Tunis, 28-29 pensable for any regional and the original Charter in March provisions on civil March) for adoption. national human rights instru- 1994. It never entered into The recommendations ment worthy of its name. The force because it failed to ob- and political adopted in January provide for experts also made clear their tain a sufficient number of rights, minority the strengthening, in the Char- belief that the prospective ratifications. In addition, the rights, and ter, of civil and political rights, charter had to be a covenant Charter has been criticized by minority rights, and of the which Arab States could then many Arab and international guarantees of fair mechanism of monitoring the ratify. NGOs for containing articles trial, among compliance of Member States The team of five experts -- that are believed to be in- with the Charter’s provisions; two women and three men consistent with international others. the extension of guarantees of from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, human rights standards. fair trial, protection from tor- Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria -- ture and the imposition of restrictions on inflicting and executing the death penalty; the furthering of aspects related to the equality of the two genders; the addition of new rights particularly in areas such as children rights, rights of persons with disabilities and economic and social rights. There remain, however, a number of provisions of the Charter that are contrary to international human rights standards, including the possi- The recommendations adopted in January provide for the bility of sentencing people addition of new rights particularly in areas such as children under 18 years of age to death; rights, rights of persons with disabilities… (UN Photo) Page 6 Newsletter Title Special Issue, 15 March 2004 Page 6

The Pain of Reconciliation : Forgiving the Unforgivable - The Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission By Abigail Noko

Throughout much of the 1990s crimes against humanity and lations during the war, as their Sierra Leone was the scene of humanitarian law during the testimonies were crucial to the some of the worst human righ- conflict. process of establishing the ts violations ever seen. The One of the TRC’s biggest truth and creating conditions Lomé Peace Agreement of challenges has been to over- for national reconciliation. 1999 signaled the end of the come the antagonism between Several pleas for apology and war after a decade of fighting victims and perpetrators. As a forgiveness were made inclu- and gave Sierra Leoneans a widow who testified before the ding from rebels, ex- Although the reason for hope, even as many Commission said, the pain of combatants and politicians. wondered how the country reconciliation is forgiving the This phase of the Commis- Commission is would overcome its recent unforgivable. There was a sion’s work ended with a Na- victim-oriented, it tragic past. healthy skepticism at the be- tional Reconciliation Ceremo- still sought the Much of that work of hea- ginning of the process, but as ny in Freetown. ling fell upon the Truth and public awareness of the Com- The hearings phase was an cooperation of Reconciliation Commission mission’s goals grew so did a important part of the TRC’s those who (TRC), called for in the Lomé better understanding of the work. As one displaced per- perpetrated Agreement and enacted into Commission’s work, meaning son remarked, it provided “an law by Parliament in 2000. that calls for revenge have opportunity to address reconci- human rights The TRC was to be a national become less prominent. liation at the community le- violations during reconciliatory body rooted in In order to bring together vel…because the legacy of the human rights standards and communities torn apart by the past conflicts still leaves many the war, as their supported by local civil society conflict, the Commission devi- communities internally divi- testimonies were and the international commu- sed an operational plan in ded. We want to know the crucial to the nity. OHCHR has been among three stages -- deployment, causes of war so that we can its most committed and long- hearings and report writing. begin to reconcile and heal our process of standing partners, all the while During the deployment phase wounds”. establishing the ensuring national ownership of (December 2002 – March The Commission has ente- truth and creating the reconciliatory process. 2003), it collected over 7,500 red into its final phase and The Commission began its statements from target groups aims to finalize its report, to be conditions for work in July 2002 to try to including women, children, submitted to President Kabbah national create an impartial historical and ex-combatants. Based on and the Security Council, this reconciliation. record of violations and abuses those statements witnesses month. According to the TRC of human rights and internatio- were invited to give testimo- Act (2000) the Commission’s nal humanitarian law related to nies during the hearings phase recommendations are binding the armed conflict in Sierra (April – July 2003). The Com- upon the Government, amd Leone; to address impunity; to mission heard some 400 wit- considerable political will will respond to the needs of vic- nesses in private and public be required to implement tims; to promote healing and sessions across the country. At them. Even before its final reconciliation; and to prevent a the conclusion of each district report is published, it is clear repetition of the violations and hearing a closing ceremony that despite the constraints it abuses suffered. It has opera- was held involving traditional has faced, the Commission has ted alongside the Special Court and religious leaders. Al- been instrumental in a number for Sierra Leone, which is though the Commission is of efforts at establishing truth responsible for bringing to victim-oriented, it still sought and facilitating healing and justice “those who bear the the cooperation of those who peace-building. greatest responsibility” for perpetrated human rights vio- Page 7 Page 7 Special Issue, 15 March 2004

Helping Put “Post-Conflict” States Together Again

One of the many difficulties funded project, “Rights- provision of technical advice countries emerging from sensitive Transitional Justice in these areas to UN missions. war and armed conflict face in Post-conflict and Post- At the end of the project there is that often the rule of law crisis Countries”, has four will be an Operational Manual and their systems of justice major components: underta- that will help UN field mis- are among the casualties of king assessment missions to sions and transitional adminis- the fighting that has just UN field presences to review trations in their work to reesta- stopped. OHCHR is embar- approaches in this area and blish the rule of law and the king on a two-year project to identify needs and lessons administration of justice in help countries in this bind. learned; consultations with post-conflict situations. The aim is to enhance partner institutions on the OHCHR will host a work- OHCHR’s capacity to pro- needs in the transitional jus- shop on the subject from 27 to vide expertise in the field of tice area and the establish- 29 September 2004. A pre- international standards for ment of a project network; workshop session for UN field the administration of justice, research and development of personnel will get their pers- including truth and reconci- a framework to explore prin- pectives and feedback on the liation processes, and inter- ciples and rules applicable manual and its tools. More national criminal law in for transitional justice practi- information on the “pre- post-conflict countries. The ces and mechanisms in post- workshop” will follow in fu- European Commission – conflict situations; and the ture issues. J.L.D.

New Rights Panel Calls for Greater Acceptance of Migrants Convention By Gabriella Habtom

The newest UN human-rights nisation, the International Or- first session, as it allowed for a body, the Committee on the ganization for Migration, UNI- productive exchange of views Protection of the Rights of All CEF and the United Nations with relevant UN agencies and Migrant Workers and Mem- High Commissioner for Refu- the Office of the High Com- bers of Their Families, met for gees. It also exchanged views missioner for Human Rights, the first time at OHCHR with the Special Rapporteur of non-governmental organiza- Headquarters from 1 to 5 the Commission on Human tions and States parties", Mr. March. Rights on the human rights of Kariyawasam said. "It is of The Committee, made up of migrants and with the Special supreme importance that more 10 independent experts, is Rapporteur of the Sub- States ratify the Convention in charged with monitoring the Commission on the Protection order that its protection may implementation of the migrant and Promotion on Human be extended to the very large workers’ convention in the Rights on the Rights of non- number of migrant workers countries that are party to the citizens. Several NGOs ad- around the world, estimated to treaty. Those countries – 25 dressed the Committee and be over 120 million and gro- so far – must report to the pledged their full support for wing", the Chairman said. "We Committee on a regular basis. its work. are somewhat concerned at the At this first session, the Speaking at the end of the relatively low level of ratifica- panel met informally with session, Committee Chairman tion of the Convention", he representatives of States par- Prasad Kariyawasam (Sri Lan- added. ties to the Convention as well ka) called the one week of Echoing the words of Uni- as with officials of OHCHR, meetings successful. ted Nations Secretary-General the International Labour Orga- "We are pleased with this - (continued page 8) Page 8 Newsletter Title Special Issue, 15 March 2004 Page 8

Human Rights Film Festival: Tribute To Sergio Vieira de Mello

The second edition of the International Committee of the tival’s main prize will bear his International Film Festival Red Cross, the World Organi- name. As Bertrand Ramcha- on Human Rights is taking zation against Torture, and ran, who is a patron of the place in Geneva from 12 to associations of filmmakers present edition, said : “This 19 March 2004. also provided a boost. festival stands as a tribute to Sergio Vieira de Mello The inspiration for the series Sergio Vieira de Mello was human rights defenders like and Barbara Hendricks of screenings, directed by the first to sponsor the Festival Sergio and all the others who at the opening of the first filmmaker Léo Kaneman, in 2003, alongside Ken Loach, have paid the ultimate price or edition of the Festival, came from the Human Rights Robert Badinter and Barbara who toil tirelessly and often March 2003. Watch’s International Film Hendricks. The organizers under threat so that we can all Festival, as well as from the have dedicated this second enjoy a decent life in free- Photo Sarkis Ohanessian/FIFDH University of Geneva, the edition to Sergio, and the Fes- dom”. A.S.

“ConectaSur” Newsletter

ConectaSur, a portal for human rights in the South created by world. Through networking, Human Rights Dialogue and Sur — Human Rights University ConectaSur promotes the ex- Network, has just published the first issue of ConectaSur Newslet- change of information and the ter, available on the web in development of cooperative English, Spanish and Portu- initiatives to strenghten the guese. human rights movement, parti- The objective of Conecta- cularly in the southern hemis- Sur, created largely thanks the phere. financial support of the UN The monthly Newsletter can Foundation and the Ford Foun- be read at the following ad- dation, is to strenghten respect dress: www.conectasur.org for human rights around the

New Rights Panel Calls for Greater Acceptance of Migrants Convention

(cont’d from page 7) and human rights of both do- The General Assembly Kofi Annan, he said the situa- cumented and undocumented adopted the Convention on 18 tion of many migrant workers migrants, as well as the obliga- December 1990. The treaty amounted to a silent human tions and responsibilities on entered into force on 1 July rights crisis. He noted that the the part of sending and recei- 2003. Convention seeks to prevent ving States. The next session of the and eliminate all forms of In particular, it seeks to put Committee is scheduled for exploitation of migrant wor- an end to the illegal or clan- July 2005. kers throughout the entire destine recruitment and traffic- For more information, please migration process and to grant king of migrant workers and visit the following Internet their rights and obligations by discourage the employment of address: providing a set of binding migrant workers in an http://www.unhchr.ch/html/me international standards to ad- irregular or undocumented nu2/6/cmw/ dress the treatment, welfare situation. Page 9 Page 9 Special Issue, 15 March 2004

Lessons From the Iraq Human Rights Operation By Mona Rishmawi

Upon returning from mis- images that should not be workshop ever convened in sion to Baghdad late last erased. When I think of my Iraq, on 30 June and 1 July, year, Mona Rishmawi, Se- time in Iraq I think of the ex- thanks to OHCHR support. I nior Adviser to Sergio Vieira tremely precious and fulfilling think of the young and energe- de Mello at OHCHR head- work I was engaged in under tic Iraqi human rights NGOs quarters, sent the message Sergio's leadership. that were beginning to emerge. below to all OHCHR staff. It was remarkable to work I think of the first UN human Mona wished to show how with a Special Representative rights training workshop for the late High Commissioner, who placed human rights at Iraqi human rights groups, “I particularly acting as Special Representa- the centre of all his action. We women's organizations, and tive to the Secretary General at OHCHR speak often about media professionals that we remember the in Iraq, has managed to inte- the importance of placing were about to convene. I think competent, highly grate a strong human rights human rights at the centre of of the four institutions that educated, hard- concern in all aspects of his UN action, but these are often Sergio was so keen to start, activities. Mona, who was words that are not translated including the Human Rights working, injured in the 19 August into practice. Well -- that is Documentation Centre at Bag- committed and attack, accompanied Sergio exactly what Sergio did in Iraq dad University and the Media pleasant Iraqi UN to Baghdad as his Human on a daily basis. So we have Center. I think of the Iraqi Rights and Women’s Rights multiple reasons to be proud women and their determina- staff that we were Adviser. of our late High Commissio- tion to fight for their rights. I surrounded by...” ner, who, I know for a fact, think of the Iraqi lawyers and Dear colleagues, had set his heart on coming the Bar Association, and the In my first day in the Office back to OHCHR on 30 Sep- newly-elected Bar Council, after the events in Iraq, I tember. which was the first elected would like to thank you all for When I think of Iraq, I think body in Iraq. And I think of the wonderful support you of the many outstanding UN the Iraqi detainees - on whose have extended to me over the staff I encountered there. behalf Sergio regularly inter- last few weeks (…) Many of them have now moved vened. We traveled a hard and on to other UN assignments unexpected journey together in and we shall remain friends the last few weeks. We mour- for ever. But I particularly ned together the loss of many also remember the competent, friends and colleagues, inclu- highly educated, hard- ding our leader and High working, committed and plea- Commissioner. So, we are now sant Iraqi UN staff that we connected in grief and pain were surrounded by: I think of that is difficult to overcome. the exceptionally talented As I return to the Office, I Information Technology team; would like you to think of me I think of George the head of however as a friend who came transportation; and I think of through a powerful experience Adnan, the driver with a law with its tragic and positive degree who often helped me Mona Rishmawi sitting right sides. finding my way through Bagh- to Sergio Vieira de Mello Despite the sad memories dad. during a Press Conference of our last few days in Iraq, I also think of the partici- in Baghdad – mid August 2003 there are important positive pants at the first human rights (UN Photo) Your business tag line here. Special Issue, 15 March 2004 Page 10

Publications Respect, The Human Rights Newsletter, is produced by the OHCHR External The Digest of jurisprudence of the United Nations and regional Ten years after the Rwanda organizations on the protection of human rights while countering genocide, Accounting for Relations Branch terrorism was compiled by OHCHR and published in September horror, based on interviews 2003. The digest is a compilation of findings of judicial and quasi- conducted in the country in Editors: José Díaz, judicial bodies of the United Nations and regional organizations 1998 by author Nigel El- Annick Stevenson on the issue of the protection of human rights in the struggle tringham, argues that against terrorism. Its aim is to assist policy makers and other conventional modes of histo- concerned parties in developing a vision of counter-terrorism stra- rical representation are ina- tegies that are fully respectful of human rights. dequate in a case like Rwan- da. Eltringham maintains that if we are to understand the genocide, we must ex- Office of the High The sixth revision of OH- plore the relationship bet- CHR’s “Human Rights: A Commissioner for ween multiple explanations Compilation of International of what happened and inter- Human Rights Instruments - Universal rogate how, and why, diffe- Instruments” contains many rent groups within Rwandan Mailing address: new texts adopted up to 18 society talk about the geno- OHCHR – Palais December 2002, such as the cide in different ways. des Nations Millennium Declaration, the Nigel Eltringham is a Re- 1211 Geneva 10 Statute of the International search Associate in the De- Switzerland Criminal Court, the Declara- partment of Anthropology tion on Human Rights Defen- and Sociology of SOAS ders and the Universal Decla- Street address: (School of Oriental and ration on the Human Genome OHCHR – Palais African Studies), London. and Human Rights. Wilson He worked for three years 52 rue des Pâquis with a conflict resolution 1201 Geneva, NGO in Rwanda before conducting doctoral research Switzerland The Trainer’s Guide on Human inside the country and Rights for the Police among the Rwandan Diaspo- (Component 2 of the training TEL: ra in Europe. He has exten- package for the police) is now (41.22) 917 90 00 sively published on post- available. This publication pro- FAX: genocide Rwanda. vides outlines on a full range of (41.22) 917 90 16 Pluto Press, London, human rights topics, group exer- www.plutobooks.com E-MAIL: cises, instructions and tips for 2004, 234 pages, £15.99 [email protected] trainers, as well as a number of training tools, such as overhead paperback. transparencies, to be used in conducting police training cour- We’re on the Web! ses. See us at: http://www.ohchr.org/ne ws/index.html

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