fwd: UN Commissioner on Human Right

[QWA01214@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: fwd: UN Commissioner on Human Rights

Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 13:26:37 +0800 (HKT)
Reply-To: Owner-Asia-HR-Alert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Errors-To: owner-asia-hr-alert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: asia-hr-alert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Dear Friends,

Enclosed is a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Koffi Anan, the UN Secretary
General urging the appointment of a new UN Commissioner for Human Rights.
Kindly sent similar letters to him on the issue.

Thank you.

Sanjeewa Liyanage
Information Officer
Asian Legal Resource Centre

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14 March, 1997

Mr. Koffi Anan
United Nations Secretary General
United Nations Headquarters
New York
NY 10017
U. S. A.

Fax: +1-212-963-2155

Dear. Mr. Anan,

The Board of directors of the Asian Legal Resource Centre, having learned
that the United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights, Mr. Jose Ayala Lasso
has resigned and that the Director of the United Nations Centre for Human
Rights, Mr. Ibrahima Fall has be en transferred to a different position,
wish to urge the Secretary General of the United Nations to appoint
suitable, competent persons, with a demonstrated record of commitment to
human rights, to these positions as soon as possible, without keeping the
positions vacant. 

The occasion also provides for an opportunity to reflect on some important
aspects relating to the Office of the Commissioner on Human Rights as well
as the Office of the Director of the Centre for Human Rights. 

The initial appointment of the Commissioner on Human Rights came as a
great moment of hope for the human rights community in the world.  The
first Commissioner, Mr. Ayala Lasso, himself described it as a dream come
true.  We were among those who celebrate d the occasion. 

Like most institutions, the Office of the Commissioner too has had the
initial difficulties of growing up into a strong institution.  These basic
problems need to be resolved urgently as there are pressing human rights
problems everywhere in the world -- particularly in the poorer countries
-- that await solution.  The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner could
make a significant contribution in this area. 

The UN Centre for Human Rights in Geneva is well known to be in need of
significant reforms.  The basic issues once addressed by Professor Theo
Van Bovan, the Director of the Centre from 1977-1982, remain unresolved.
The concepts pursued by him in his sta tements which were later published
in a volume under the title People Matter remain even more relevant today.
These must be taken in to consideration in putting into effect much
discussed reforms.  Of utmost importance is to imbibe a sense of urgency
an d responsiveness to the Centre to attend to urgent problems rising from
the world context, which may not be fully reflected in the cultural
climate in Geneva. 

It is unfortunate that in the early stage the formation of the Office of
the Commissioner for Human Rights it has met with obstacles from the
Centre for Human Rights.  It is imperative to consider proper
co-ordination which would facilitate the efficient functioning of both
institutions.  Perhaps the two institutions need to be brought under one
command structure.  What the human rights community expects from both
offices is an outward looking approach and an easily approachable working
mechanism. 

We are particularly concerned with the need to improve the responsiveness
to the human rights problems in Asia.  This could come only with greater
participation of Asians in both institutions.  It is also essential that
both institutions interact closely with the local NGOs and other agencies
dealing with human rights.  By the very mandate of protecting and
promoting human rights, both institutions are expected to keep in close
touch with the people. 

Times for changes offer new opportunities to make the work of the two
institutions relevant to the needs of the constituencies they serve.  Old
styles of bureaucracy and diplomacy do not necessarily meet the modern
communication-age requirements.  Fresh b lood and a new outlook are
greatly needed. 

In recent times, there had been openings of United Nations Human Rights
Field Offices in several countries.  There have also been human rights
components added to United Nations Peace Keeping Missions.  These
operations come to face new challenges that th e old UN human rights
system is not really familiar with.  There are also reports stating that
the old financial and administration systems are unable to cope with these
problems.  Untied Nations' own inquiring panels into the these systems
have made repo rts on these matters.  It is hoped that steps would be
undertaken to remedy these problems.  Lessons need to be learnt from the
experiences gained from the Cambodia Field Office which was the first
Field Office to be established by the UN Centre for Human Rights.  The
major problems that arose from the lack of proper co-ordination and
dedication of powers by the administration in Geneva has remained
unresolved.  The involvement of some persons from the Geneva Centre who
had no experience at all of the sit uation in a country like Cambodia has
seriously complicated the matters.  If similar operations are to meet the
expectations of the human rights community, such mistakes should be
avoided in the future. 

This would also be a good time to call for NGOs to be involved in the
discussion on the reform of the United Nations Human Rights system and
work.  We hope that facilities are made available for that purpose. 

We are hopeful that these matters will be addressed in near future.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,



Basil Fernando
Executive Director
At the request of the Board of Directors of the
Asian Legal Resource Centre
Unit E, 3rd Floor, Kadak Building, 171 Sai Yee Street, 
Kowloon, Hongkong.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339  Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367
Email: alegrcen@xxxxxxxxxxxx