United Nations Nations Unies INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM MEMORANDUM INTER1EUR TO: Mr. Michael Moller DATE: 29 April 2005 Director Political, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs Executive Office of the Secretary-General FROM: Stephen Katz Principal Legal Officer General Legal Division Office of Legal Affairs SUBJECT: Proposal for UN Recognition of the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen, Norway 1. This is in reference to a letter, dated 10 March 2005, that this Office received from the Friends of the Rafto House in Bergen, Norway, requesting us to consider designating the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen as a site recognized by the United Nations, and to permit the flying of the UN flag on special occasions. A copy of the letter of 10 March 2005, with attachments, is attached herewith. 2. As you may be aware, General Assembly resolution 92(1) of 7 December 1946 reserves the use of the UN name and emblem for official purposes of the Organization, and prohibits such use by outside entities without authorization of the Secretary-General. However, before we respond to the authors of the 10 March 2005 letter along these lines, we would like to know whether there exists a practice of the Organization to "designate" sites or places as sites "recognized" by the Organization. We would be grateful if you could inform us if you are aware of any such practice by the Organization. By a separate memorandum, we are also inquiring with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to find out if OHCHR has such a practice. 3. We thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. cc: Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye Director, OHCHR, New York United Nations W Nations Unies INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM MEMORANDUM INTERIEUR TO: Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye DATE: 29 April 2005 Director Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights New York Office FROM: Stephen Katz Principal Legal Officer General Legal Division Office of Legal Affairs SUBJECT: Proposal for UN Recognition of the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen, Norway 1. This is in reference to a letter, dated 10 March 2005, that this Office received from the Friends of the Rafto House in Bergen, Norway, requesting us to consider designating the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen as a site recognized by the United Nations, and to permit the flying of the UN flag on special occasions. A copy of the letter of 10 March 2005, with attachments, is attached herewith. 2. As you may be aware, General Assembly resolution 92(1) of 7 December 1946 reserves the use of the UN name and emblem for official purposes of the Organization, and prohibits such use by outside entities without authorization of the Secretary-General. However, before we respond to the authors of the 10 March 2005 letter along these lines, we would like to know whether there exists a practice of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to "designate" sites or places as sites "recognized" by the OHCHR. We would be grateful if you could inform us if you are aware of any such practice by OHCHR. By a separate memorandum, we are also inquiring with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General to find out if the United Nations has such a practice. 3. We thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. cc: Mr. Michael Moller, EOSG (V, FRIENDS OF THE RAFTO HOUSE Anders Kvam, Board Chair Porsvn. 27, 5142 Fyllingsdalen NORWAY Bergen, 10 March 2005 ' - I 9 1 £ .liYi UN Office of Legal Affairs, UN Headquarters NY10017NY USA Dear Sirs: Proposal for UN Recognition of the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen, Norway The foundation "Friends of the Rafto House" [Raftohusets Venner] hi Bergen, Norway, hereby requests the United Nations through its Office of Legal Affairs to designate the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen as a site recognized by the UN. If approved, we propose that this recognition entail flying the United Nations flag on special occasions as described in the UN Flag Code, and erecting an information plaque hi English: HUMAN RIGHTS PLAZA RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED NATION INAUGURATED 24 OCTOBER 2005 We also propose to put up a plaque with the UN logo. This request is endorsed and supported by the following authorities: the Municipal Government of Bergen; the United Nations Association of Norway; and the Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO (see attachments 1 - 3). The Norwegian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is cognizant of the request and has provided assistance hi processing the application. We wish to stress that this request is for symbolic support only; the recognition would not entail any financial costs to the United Nations. Background The Human Rights Plaza in Bergen is adjacent to the Rafto House, also known asjthe Human Rights House. The Rafto House is home to several organizations, including the and Children Identity Project, Amnesty International Norway, the Norwegian Peace | ;sir -2- the Kurdish Cultural Forum, and the Thorolf Rafto Foundation for Human Rights. These and other organizations form the Human Rights House Network. The work on human rights carried out by these organizations has won international recognition. In addition to the information and capacity building all of them engage in, the Rafto Foundation awards an annual memorial award for human rights. This award has become an internationally reputed prize. The eighteen winners to date (see attachment 6) include several who at a later date received the Nobel Peace Prize: Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma; Jose Ramos-Horta of East-Timor; Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea; and Shirin Ebadi of Iran. Location and features of the Human Rights Plaza The plaza has already become an important symbol and reminder of the work for human rights. The location is circular in shape, approximately 50 square meters in size, and paved with cobble-stones. It is decorated with artwork by the Norwegian sculptor Hans Jacob Meyer (1907-1993). The artwork includes two bronze plaques depicting Knowledge and Mercy, as well as a bronze sculpture named Kneeling Woman. It is an attractive location, situated on one of Bergen's many hills, with a broad view south towards mountains and fjords. Purpose of the Request We and the other organizations supporting this request strongly believe that the symbolic value of the Human Rights Plaza will be greatly strengthened through its official recognition by the United Nations. In addition to greater attention and support for work concerning human rights we believe this will also contribute positively to the recognition and esteem of the United Nations in Norway, which has always been among the strongest supporters of the United Nations and multi-nationalism. Norway continues to be among the world's major donors for development assistance, and the official recognition of the plaza will serve as a valuable reminder of this and inspiration to continued contributions and efforts. Statements of Support and Process to Pate In addition to the endorsements and statements of support in the attachments, this proposal has been reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway, both through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations, and by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, DC. We were informed in a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated January 10th, 2005, that they have consulted the UN Office of Legal Affairs on the matter. (See attachment 4). The information gathered through this information indicates that while the UN wishes to limit the use of the UN flag, the purpose of the present request may fall within the accepted guidelines. We were therefore recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make a formal application directly to the Office of Legal Affairs. -3- We would be happy to provide additional background information or other details concerning this request. We hope our request and efforts on behalf of human rights and strengthening the United Nations system will receive your favorable consideration. With best regards, Yours sincerely, / Hansen / Anders Kvam Severin J. Overaa \i t Attachments: 1. The Municipal Government of Bergen, letter 11 March 2005 2. United Nations Association of Norway, letter 26 November 2004 3. Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO, letter 28 February 2005 4. Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, letter 10 January 2005 (Norwegian) 4B.Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, letter 10 January 2005 (Translated) 5. Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washington D C , letter 21 February 2005 (Norwegian) 5B.Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washington, D.C., letter 21 February 2005 (Translated) 6. The Thorolf Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, brochure 7. Pictures and small Maps 8. Picture Map of Bergen Centre cc: The Municipal Government of Bergen Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations United Nations Association of Norway Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Knut Vollebaek The Thorolf Rafto Foundation for Human Rights Attachment 1 BERGEN KOMMUNE BYRADSAVDELING FOR BYUTVIKLING Raftohusets vernier Mr. Anders Kvam Porsvn. 27 N-5142 FYLLINGSDALEN Deres ref. Deres brev av: Vir ref. Emnekode Dato 200408858-10 BBY-5613 11. mars 2005 SIDS REQUESTING THAT MENNESKERETTIGHETENES PLASS is GIVEN UN-STATUS On 14 October 2004, case 1580, The City Government made the following resolution: " The City Government recommends and supports the initiative that is taken to request the recognition ofMenneskerettighetenesplass (The Human Rights" Plaza) by the United Nations, and that such recognition should be visualized by a special plaque, as mentioned in the letter of 25 May 2004. " The Commissioner is at your disposal concerning further inititatives related to the request, and would like to be contacted when such a request is made. Yours sincerely Lisbeth Iversen Commissioner Attachment 2 JIA vTt United Naticns Association of i To whom it may concern The UN Association of Norway hereby expresses its support of the initiative of the Egil Rafto House Foundation to call for the UN's recognition of the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen.