Independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization Geneva International Centre for Justice

Oral Statements

Geneva International Centre for Justice delivered several joint oral statements in cooperation with International Organization for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD), International-Lawyer.org, and Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration. With these oral statements, we shifted the focus to often neglected topics by the UN and its member states, and publicly addressed human rights violations across a variety of countries and issue areas.

Contents

ITEM 7 - ID Human Rights Council report on recommendations of the independent international commission of inquiry of the protests held in the Occupied Palestine Territory

Delivered by: Charlotte Taillon

Thank you, Mr. President,

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice welcome the report by the High Commissioner on ensuring accountability and justice for all violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. The ongoing protests in Palestine are caused by decades of suppression and violations of international law by the Israeli Government. The people of Palestine protest for the right of self-determination and sovereignty as well as a solution that brings lasting peace, economic development and increased living standards to the region. However, this desperate cry for independence is forcefully supressed and muzzled by Israel’s armed forces.

The Israeli authorities constantly suppress the political voice of the Palestinians with disproportionate force.  In addition, the protesters are accused and restrained with unjust punishments. This violent suppression of the Palestinians violates several treaties of international human rights law and United Nations resolutions. Israel denied accountability for those violations and will continue to do so in the future. It is the responsibility of the UN and all its member states to hold Israel accountable for any violation of international law.

Despite numerous recommendations by the UN and non-governmental bodies Israel has not refrained from the excessive use of force. The non-cooperation by the state of Israel shows their ill-intend towards Palestine and unwillingness to find a solution for peace.  This notion of suppression is further reiterated by the so-called peace plan published by the United States in support of Israel.

It became apparent over the past decades that Israel ignores recommendations by the international community. Thus, we call upon the UN to exceed the tool of recommendation and apply measures that protect the people of Palestine from violence carried out by Israel. Furthermore, we reiterate the need for a lasting solution for peace.

Thank You. 

TEM 2 - ID on HC report on Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar

Delivered by: Marcel Florian Loehr

Thank You Madam President,

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice welcome the High Commissioner report on Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar, however we identify various issue areas that the report failed to mention.

It is beyond our understanding, how it is possible to not mention “National Verification Cards” that are currently issued by the Myanmar government, particularly when one of the subheadings the report uses is titled “Contemporary Drivers of Discrimination”.

The Myanmar authorities force the Rohingya in Rakhine State to acquire NVC’s, and use excessive force, such as torture or detainment, if Rohingya resist. Officially the authorities claim this process to be the first step to claim citizenship in the future, but in reality, it renders the Rohingya stateless.

Instead of calling out this serious violation of international law, the report proceeds to blame Facebook and the availability of mobile phones as contemporary drivers of discrimination, when in fact the Myanmar government is the entity that continuously supresses the Rohingya population.

It does not come by surprise that the repatriation process failed, considering the ill-intent shown by the Government of Myanmar. Rohingya remain stuck in a vacuum, they live under poor circumstances in refugee camps in Bangladesh yet returning to Myanmar is not an option until government sponsored discrimination stops.

Finally, we want to ask the High Commissioner, if the report has the promotion of human rights and the well-being of the Rohingya as its main priority or is a solely political statement that tries to avoid holding the Government of Myanmar accountable?

Thank You.

ITEM 2 - GD on HC oral update, HC/SG country reports on OHCHR activities in Iran

Delivered by: Marcel Florian Loehr

 

Thank you, Mrs./Mr. (Vice-) President,

We welcome the oral update of the High Commissioner/Secretary-General on the situation in Iran. We want to especially highlight the peaceful protests nationwide of citizens fed up with the deteriorating human rights situation. During those protests, minorities, journalists and human rights activists are targeted by the government with excessive use of force and violence. Many protesters were detained, some injured, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly were restricted to a point that they are practically non-existent.

The violent and disproportionate reaction by the military further legitimizes the roots of the protests. Protestors are calling for a structural change in their national political landscape. The current political establishment violates their basic human rights and international law in various ways.

While EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice denounce all forms of violence against peaceful protesters, we specifically want to focus on the targeting of the Ahwazi Arabs by the Iranian authorities. The persecution and extrajudicial killing of Ahwazis has been a longstanding problem, yet recent protests led to a deterioration of the situation and  an increase in the brutality and attacks against Ahwazi Arabs.

Furthermore, we are alarmed by the situation in detention centres and prisons. Men, women and even minors are reportedly being forced to confess, tortured, and executed. We call on the Human Rights Council, as a matter of urgency, to take all available measures to address more firmly such crimes.

Thank You. 

ITEM 3 - ID with SR on Sale of Children

Delivered by: Elizabeth Leach

Thank you, Madam/Mr. (Vice-) President,

We welcome the oral update of the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children; however, we wish to draw your attention to the sexual exploitation of children for prostitution in Iraq.

The Sale of Children for sexual purposes is a longstanding problem that already appeared in the early days of U.S. presence as an occupying force in 2003, yet the situation is deteriorating as of recent.

An organized system of prostitution and sexual slavery was created by ISIL with a network of warehouses to retain, inspect, market and sell victims.

The fostering of the widespread and systematic sale of the exploitation of children is thanks to ongoing poverty, patriarchal structures, humanitarian crises and weak legal frameworks.

Furthermore, EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice are alarmed by the increase of mutaa, also known as pleasure marriages, of vulnerable teenage girls to adult men. This abhorrent practice puts male economic benefits over the well-being and human dignity of women and young girls.   Additionally, a practice - which is illegal under Iraqi law - allows men to pay for a temporary wife. This procedure is further aided by clerics who abuse Sharia laws while not receiving the prosecution and punishment they deserve.

We call upon the Special Rapporteur to further investigate this issue area since it has not been mentioned in his/her current report.

Thank You.

ITEM 3 – HRD, Attacks on Human Rights Defenders and Civil Activists

Delivered by Valentina Ferreira Gutierrez

Thank you, Mr. President,

We appreciate the Special Rapporteur’s specific mention that the State’s responsibility to protect defenders cannot be outsourced or renounced on account of special circumstances.

In this regard we would like to bring to his attention that the number of abductions and assassinations of human rights defenders and civil activists in Iraq since October 2019 is shocking. Security forces are not only attacking protests leaders and activists but are also intentionally targeting medics whose only objective is to treat those who have already fallen victim to the violence. We would appreciate the Special Rapporteur taking this into account.

We regret however that, in its various press releases, the High Commissioner maintains that the perpetrators remain unidentifiable, and that it continues to rely on the government to prevent and punish violations.

Mr. Special Rapporteur,

In this matter International Lawyers and Geneva International Centre for Justice wish to bring up two issues. First, the perpetrators are easily identifiable: they are the militias, not vague entities. They are linked to the ruling parties and officially to the Prime minister and have admitted on many occasions that they play a direct role in the crackdown. Second, the UN cannot rely on the government of Iraq to track and punish the perpetrators. In Iraq, the targeting of human rights defenders is the ordinary course of business and follows a deep trend that developed due to 17 years of corrupt rule and impunity. Indeed, given the links between the government and those generally regarded as responsible for the killings, it is unlikely that investigation will bear any fruit.

Once again, I thank Mr. President and Mr. Special Rapporteur.

ITEM 3 ID on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material

Delivered by: Sarah Tayara

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President,

Ma’onah and Geneva4Justice would like to thank the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children for her report and the overview of her activities over the last year. 30 years after the creation of the mandate, it is still as relevant as ever.

As mentioned in the report, conflict zones increase the vulnerability of children, a phenomenon which is rife in countries such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen. I witnessed this in December 2019, when I visited Syrian refugees in Hatay on the Turkish-Syrian border.

Mme. Special Rapporteur, the plight of the security and the rights of children was devastating.

Their vulnerability is exacerbated due to a lack of birth certificates, the loss of their parents and the knowledge of offenders that there is an absence of effective mechanisms which will hold them accountable for their actions.

Humanitarian crises strip parents of their ability to protect their children from exploitation. As a result, the responsibility of states to protect children who have found themselves trapped in the turmoil of war is greater now than ever.

We recommend, Mme. Special Rapporteur, that comprehensive legal systems and educational programmes centred on women and children are implemented in conflict zones such as Syria, Yemen and Iraq in order to ensure protection of vulnerable children and their human rights.

Thank You.

ITEM 3 – General Debate on humanitarian situation in Syria and Yemen

Delivered by: Sarah Tayara

Thank You, Madam President

The humanitarian situation in Yemen is rapidly deteriorating. The Houthi militia, backed by Iran, is committing indiscriminate violations of human rights. Taking over schools and targeting hospitals are just some of the ways in which innocent civilians are suffering. In an attempt to silence criticisms of their actions, the Houthi’s are assassinating and abducting political leaders and human rights activists who seek to shed light on the injustices against the people of Yemen. Maonah and Geneva4Justice call upon the international community not to be silenced until justice has been achieved for the victims of the Houthi crimes.  

As for Syria, the terrors unleashed on Idlib over the last year has triggered the largest displacement crisis of the 21st century, forcing millions out of their homes and into the open in search of shelter for themselves and their families. As they try to seek refuge in makeshift tents, many are unable to escape death as they are stalked by the brutality of the cold. One devastating example is that of Abdul-Wahab. The loss of the 7-month-old baby due to the freezing temperatures is a symbol that we have failed the people of Syria. But how many symbols will it take, Mr President, how many more Abdul-Wahab’s need to be lost before the international community makes a real effort to protect those who are fleeing to find safety?

 Thank You.

ITEM 4 – Discussion on SG oral update on involvement of UN in Myanmar

Delivered by: Mathieu James Fournier

 

Thank you, Mr. President,

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice commend this Council for its successful Independent Inquiry mission in Myanmar. Ending the atrocities in the country is the ultimate objective. This starts with the recognition that the conditions for genocide exist. The recent Order for Provisional measures from the International Court of Justice is a step in the right direction.

It should be further noted that, in making its decision, the Court relied heavily on the Inquiry mission report. This is a testament to the efficiency and the objectives of this Council.

We must not stop here though. We are disappointed in Myanmar’s negative reaction to the provisional measures. Its government has been ordered to submit a compliance report within 4 four months, then a report every 6 months thereafter.

We fear that any such report, if one is submitted at all, will be incomplete and unspecific.

There is no doubt that the ICJ may refer the enforcement of the Order to the UN Security Council, however, we live in the aftermath of the events in Yugoslavia. We note that the ICJ ordered provisional measures in that case as well, without concrete follow up  As cynical as this may sound, we know what humans are still capable of.

The United Nations and the wider international community should continue to be cautious and keep their eyes peeled on the situation. A proactive approach is necessary to secure an adequate report on behalf of the Myanmar Government. We invite this Council to devote a special item at the 44th Human Rights Council Session, focused solely on Myanmar’s compliance with the Order.

Thank You.

ITEM 3 - GD Attacks on Human Rights Defenders and Civil Activists

Delivered by: Eva Kehoe

Thank you, Mr. President,

As the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights defenders mentioned in his report, the State’s responsibility to protect defenders cannot be outsourced or renounced on account of special circumstances.

In this regard we would like to bring to this Council’s attention the number of abductions and assassinations of human rights defenders and civil activists in Iraq since October 2019. Security forces are not only attacking protests leaders and activists but are also intentionally targeting medics whose only objective is to treat those who have already fallen victim to the violence.

We regret however that, in its various press releases, the High Commissioner maintains that the perpetrators remain unidentifiable, and that it continues to rely on the government to prevent and punish violations.

In this matter EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice wish to bring up two issues.

First, the perpetrators are easily identifiable: they are the militias, not vague entities. They are linked to the ruling parties and officially to the Prime minister and have admitted on many occasions that they play a direct role in the crackdown.

Second, the UN cannot rely on the government of Iraq to track and punish the perpetrators. Indeed, given the links between the government and those generally regarded as responsible for the killings, it is unlikely that investigation will bear any fruit.

We urge the High Commissioner and this Council to adopt a more direct approach, less reliant on rhetoric.

Once again, I thank Mr. President.

GD item:4 Brutality against peaceful demonstrators in Iraq

Delivered by: Mr. Naji Haraj

Madam President,

I would like to draw the Council's attention to the systematic and widespread violations against the peaceful demonstrators in Iraq, which have consisted of the use of various weapons, including by sniper fire. Since October 1, 2019, up to 700 protesters have been killed and over 25,000 injured.

 The authorities intentionally killed the demonstrators. This is what the United Nations Mission in Iraq confirmed in its reports to the UN Security Council, but we have not seen practical measures on the ground that deter the authorities and provide protection for the demonstrators.

We must point out that The main demand for which the demonstrators went out on the streets is to restore their homeland and build a real democratic system of governance, absolutely rejecting the sectarian quota system that the American occupation imposed on the country in 2003. Since then, Iraqis have been deprived of their most basic rights, power has been shared according to sectarian and ethnic loyalties, at the expense of citizenship, and the country's wealth and international aid have been shared among the powerful in the same way.

Madam President,

The demonstrators hope that the international community will help them in organizing early and transparent elections under effective international supervision, liberated from the domination of the ruling parties’ militias. Through this, they can achieve their main goal of a real civilized democratic system instead of the current repressive regime.

Thank you.

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