Item 5 - General debate on Item 5
JST GOF SPECIAL PROCEDURES
Uruguay on behalf of Uruguay (Australia, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Mexico, Norway, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of States members of the Group of Friends of Special Procedures and Republic of Korea.
Mr President, Special Procedures are at the core of the UN human rights system. We recognize and fully support the key role that they play related to both thematic and country specific mandates.
They are among the most responsive tools of the human rights machinery.
Over the years, they have helped to bring attention, objectively and independently, to key human rights issues of concern.
They play a critical role by issuing urgent appeals and transmitting letters of allegations, engaging in fact-finding missions, undertaking studies, contributing to the development of international human rights standards and preparing annual and other reports with recommendations for action by governments to promote and protect human rights.
They rapidly respond to situations and allegations of human rights violations against individuals or groups occurring anywhere in the world.
They contribute to States efforts to advance human rights at the national and international level, providing expert advice and technical cooperation, including regarding legislative and policy reforms, access to justice, raising awareness of human rights obligations and preventing violations and abuses.
Mr President,
States have built this system to ensure an independent, impartial and objective assessment of the human rights situation in every corner of the world.
We must therefore ensure that the mandate holders can carry out their work with the necessary conditions to implement their mandates in an independent, impartial and efficient manner, free from attacks, acts of intimidation or reprisals, and undue interference of any kind.
Special procedures should also have the necessary resources to operate. We remain concerned about the limited resources allocated to support their work.
We invite all States to cooperate and support the Special Procedures, as well as to respect their independence, including by allowing unhindered access and issuing a standing invitation to all Special Procedures mandate holders, to ensure the effective functioning of the UN human rights system as a whole.
The Special Procedures should be preserved in the Human Rights Council structure and strengthened in their ability to perform their core functions.
Thank you.