I wrote last time a bit wistfully on the lack of personality and passion in the process of the way the UN works. So, of course, the very next day, the UN goes and proves me wrong. Cheeky!

The Special Rapporteurs section has started in the 3rd Committee. Special Rapporteurs (also sometimes called ‘Independent Experts’) are people employed by the UN Secretariat to investigate and then report to the GA on given topics. Given that these SR’s are speaking in the 3rd committee - their mandates are on issues of Social, Cultural and Humanitarian importance.

It has been the most incredibly interesting few days. There was passion and fire and anger, and actual REAL feeling emanating around the 3rd Committee as Special Rapporteur’s (SR) delivered their statements (which are usually abridged versions of reports they have prepared), and member states responded.

These are people whose mandate is to be without fear, and tell it how it is. To be real. They are not connected to any country, but are connected to 191 countries. Their mandate is to show the world the reality, to enable dire situation to change. In a way they get the UN Member states to (and excuse my French) cut the crap!

In a place where diplomacy often (albeit thinly) veils what states are really wanting to say, to hear SR’s walk up and simply state the truth as they see it - is very confronting. For everyone.

The SR’s are people who are very well known and respected right throughout the UN, and through the international community. I watched as the SR on Human Rights in Myanmar, answered questions from member states in 5 of the six UN languages (depending on who asked the question). Impressive.

As I sat behind the Australian name plate, I listened to a SR on the situation of Human Rights in Sudan, explain just how bad the situation really is; and then felt the tension as the Sudanese Ambassador responded to the SR’s report. And then other countries (divided) responded.

I listened to the Israeli Representative respond to the SR on the ‘Palestinian Question’ (as it is called). As the US responded to the SR’s damning indictment of Israel, citing the report as ‘one-sided’ and ‘biased against Israel’. As nearly every Arab state responded to the US.

As the SR on Human Rights in Myanmar responded to allegations of bias (from Myanmar of course) by saying that “it is impossible to report properly on a country without visiting a country (he wasn’t allowed in). If I was invited to Rangoon, then maybe our discrepancies might be cleared up.” He then went on to chastise (actually have a real go at) the International Community for allowing Myanmar to isolate itself.

As the SR on the Right to Food, criticised countries (and naming Australia) for allowing the free-market to determine the direction of the way the world’s food is distributed.

My spine tingled with every word.

It was almost like listening to a whole bunch of philosophers reading out powerful quotes from those corny quote books.

I don’t want to say too much more as I thought I’d let the SR’s words do that. I have included a brief quote from some of them (there were about 20 in all). I have tried not to include quotes that necessarily capture their entire speech, but rather give a bit of a balance (I didn’t want to depress you with only negative quotes). AND the quotes I’ve included in no way reflect my own points of view, or that of the Aussie Government. They are just a selection at random. Enough said….enjoy!

************************************************************
Professor John Dugard, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied by Israel since 1967:

“The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continues to challenge the commitment of the international community to human rights. The past year has seen the withdrawal of Israeli settlers and forces from Gaza, but it has also witnessed the continued territorial expansion of Israel into the West Bank, with a concomitant infliction of human rights violations on the Palestinian people.”

Walter Kalin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons:

“It is sad to realise that, despite all efforts, this past year has not seen a substantial reduction of conflict-induced internally displaced persons. Darfur has been highlighted in the media with reportedly over 2 million IDPs, next to Northern Uganda that has up to 1.5million IDPs. There are many other situations, however that tend to be overlooked…..such as Nepal, Balkans, Southern Caucasus, Peru. Given the sudden impact of several major natural disasters, such as the Tsunami, the Hurricanes Rita, Katrina, Stan and Wilma, as well as the recent earthquake in the Himalayas, the international community has become increasingly aware of the assistance and protection needs of virtually millions of human beings displaced by natural disasters.”

Statement by Mr Paul Hunt, Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health:

“It (a health system) must be accessible to all. Not just the wealthy, but also those living in poverty. Not just majority ethnic groups, but minorities and indigenous peoples, too. Not just those living in the urban areas, but also remote villagers. The Health System has to be accessible to all disadvantaged individuals and communities……The first Millennium Development Goal - to reduce the proportion of population living in extreme poverty - cannot conceivably be accomplished if the health goals are not achieved. Societies burdened by large numbers of sick and dying individuals cannot escape poverty.”

Statement by Professor Yakin Erturk, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences:

“As victims of violence, women are susceptible to HIV infection, which in turn increases the risk of further violence against them. Rape and sexual assault take away women’s control over when, with whom and how they experience sex. Most striking, however, is that evidence from around the world shows that women are at risk in monogamous and long-term relationships…”

Mr Jean Ziegler, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food:

“Despite the promise made by Member states to halve hunger in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals, the shocking news is that globally, hunger is continuing to increase.”

“It isn’t all bad news. Today there is no one dying in India or China as a result of lacking in food, whereas 30 years ago, millions were. Well done.”

Ms Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief:

“I have noticed that everywhere the religious dimension is at the heart of many situations that raise human rights concerns. It is often at the origin of many potential or actual conflicts. Religious issues may therefore constitute appropriate early warning indicators and it is thus necessary that human rights mechanisms take into account more systematically the religious aspects of analysing situations that are presented to them.”

Ms Sima Samar, Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in the Sudan:

“I believe that lasting and sustainable peace is not possible without justice and reconciliation. In this regard, ending impunity (for Human Rights violators) and ensuring accountability is of the utmost importance. The commitment of the Government to bring the perpetrators of human rights violations to justice is yet to be confirmed.”

Mr Akich Okola, Independent Expert on the Situation on Human Rights in Burundi:

“I urge all parties to ongoing conflict to discontinue all hostilities and sit down at the negotiating table without further delays. I further appeal to the belligerents to respect the rights of the civilian population, and especially the right to life, security and inviolability of the person, and urge them to not involve civilians in the armed conflict.”

Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar:

“Let me stress this point: I believe that the increased scrutiny and excessive bureaucratic restrictions which humanitarian organisations are being subjected should not deter the international community from its duty to respond to the humanitarian crisis within the country. The ability to provide assistance when and where it is required and to assess the needs is a key humanitarian value that all Member States are bound to uphold. The people of Myanmar have a right to be supported…… Humanitarian assistance can not be held hostage to politics.”

Mr Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea:

“To Date, while I have sought access into the DPRK, I have not been invited into the country and the Government of the DPRK has not cooperated with the mandate. I have thus based my report on information from a variety of sources – governmental, non-governmental, and inter-governmental.”

Mr Manfred Nowak, Special Rapporteur on Torture:

“In June 2005, on the first anniversary of the request by the four independent experts of the Human Rights Commission for an invitation from the United States to visit Guantanamo Bay, the commencement of an investigation, based on all credible sources, regarding the situation of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay was announced. I am confident that an official invitation by the US Government will soon be forthcoming.”