Address of H.E. Mr. Mircea Geoana to the 57th annual session of the UN Human Rights Commission on March 30, 2001

Monsieur le Président,
Mesdames et Messieurs,

Permettez-moi de rendre un chaleureux hommage à Madame Mary Robinson, Haut Commissaire pour les Droits de l'Homme, pour son activité infatigable au service du respect des droits de l'homme dans le monde. Durant son mandat, elle a contribué également, d'une manière décisive au développement de la capacité de l'OSCE de donner des réponses adéquates et efficaces aux défis auxquels notre Organisation s'est trouvée confrontée aux moments les plus importants de son existence. Nous avons pris connaissance de sa décision de ne pas postuler pour un deuxième mandat. Tout en respectant cette décision, nous la regrettons et lui souhaitons succès dans ses activités futures.

Aujourd'hui, l'OSCE occupe une place importante dans l'architecture de sécurité européenne, en tant qu'instrument à même de répondre aux nouvelles menaces contre la paix et la sécurité. Cette institution, basée sur les valeurs et les normes démocratiques pour tous les Etats membres, est devenue un pilier de stabilité et de paix dans cette région.

La sécurité est aujourd'hui un concept plus vaste par rapport au passé, quand il était lié surtout aux dimensions politique et militaire. Il couvre aussi la démocratie, le respect des droits de l'homme et la diversité culturelle, la lutte contre la violence causée par la haine et contre le crime organisé. Ce sont des aspects qui prouvent que l'OSCE n'est pas seulement une organisation de sécurité, mais aussi une organisation des droits de l'homme.

Tout en faisant appel à votre appui et à votre coopération pour assurer le plein respect des droits de l'homme et des libertés fondamentales dans la région de l'OSCE, en accord avec les décisions du Sommet d'Istanbul, nous soulignons, une fois de plus, que nous avons besoin d'une utilisation maximale des structures prévues dans la Charte de Paris pour une nouvelle Europe. Il s'agit des institutions de l'OSCE sur la dimension humaine, à savoir : le Bureau pour les Institutions Démocratiques et les Droits de l'Homme, le Haut Commissaire pour les Minorités Nationales et le Représentant pour la liberté des médias, qui travaillent ensemble, d'une manière concertée, avec les missions de l'Organisation sur le terrain.

Romania's Priorities as CIO relating to the Human Dimension

Mr. Chairman,

In connection to this, we attach particular importance to the proper understanding of the concept, and implementation of the practices of good governance, which will be the main topic of the OSCE Economic Forum this year.

Intolerance and discrimination continue to be serious threats to the security of the individual. We have all seen the consequences when ethnic intolerance and hatred have erupted into violence.

We have decided to dedicate the second of our Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings to be held this year to the issue of promoting tolerance and non-discrimination in the OSCE area.

In September this year, we will host in Bucharest an OSCE Conference on Roma and Sinti issues. Tackling their problems has become more and more a European challenge to solidarity and responsibility. I want to stress again and again that their fundamental rights should be addressed in an open manner and without any preconceptions.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Mr Max van der Stoel, continues to work tirelessly to advocate a multicultural approach in promoting minority rights, based on mutual respect and shared values. A few days ago, I discussed with him about the role he can play in promoting ethnic reconciliation as a precondition for lasting solutions in the Balkans. I want to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for his dedication in promoting respect for human values and dignity.

Trafficking in human beings is a growing industry for organised crime networks which profit from exploiting the vulnerable. Therefore, combating trafficking in human beings is now a political priority, regionally and internationally. I believe there is a role for the OSCE to foster and monitor co-operation against trafficking, using our OSCE field missions to identify gaps, define common approaches and spread best practices.

It is well known fact that Romania like other states in our region is both a source and a transit country for human trafficking. We will be hosting a Conference on Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigration on 21 May to which countries from the region and other partner governments and organisations have been invited. Our aim is to strengthen concrete measures at the national, regional and international level to tackle this problem.

The OSCE recently organized the first of our supplementary OSCE Human Dimension Meetings on Freedom of Expression. The meeting underlined the importance of free media in a democratic society and the need to address the challenges we face throughout the OSCE area.

As you know, one of the fields where the OSCE has played a key- role has been in monitoring electoral activities. We will mark the tenth anniversary of the OSCE's involvement by holding the annual Human Dimension Seminar on the issue of "The Electoral Process".

The promotion of the rights of the child is an important issue. As CIO, we will build on the efforts of the previous Austrian Chair to advocate for adoption of an OSCE Document on this matter.

The contribution of NGOs to the work of the OSCE has been particularly valuable. In this context, I want to express my personal appreciation for the activity and commitment of the NGO community within the OSCE in promoting observance of human rights. Their experience and views are of enormous benefit to us. We particularly look forward to their contribution to the third of our supplementary Human Dimension meetings later this year on "Human Rights Defenders".

OSCE's Role in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations

Mr Chairman,

We are deeply concerned about the recent crisis in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The international community must react in a firm, coherent and resolute manner to prevent the escalation of violence. We welcome here the close co-operation between the European Union and NATO, through the remarkable personal efforts of Mr. Javier Solana and Lord Robertson. The OSCE, in turn, is committed to work together and to bring its own contribution to the stabilisation of the area, in particular in promoting ethnic reconciliation.

So far, we have endeavoured to approach the FYROM challenge in a multi-track way. The High Commissioner on National Minorities will pursue the inter-ethnic aspects, the Head of OSCE Mission in Skopje will concentrate on the border crisis, while the recently appointed personal representative for the situation in FYROM shall engage the OSCE in a co-ordinated effort alongside the other international organizations present in the area. I shall continue my visits in the field and I plan to visit Skopje with my Troika colleagues in the near future.

We are optimistic in this sense. We have found in the Macedonian society a young and vibrant democracy, with all the inner resources to overcome the present crisis, if we are only to think of how actively the Albanian community has been involved in the decision-making process in these past years. Very soon, FYROM and its neighbours will be signing the Stabilization and Association Agreements with the European Union, a moment of historic importance in setting the framework and direction of these countries towards finding their rightful place among the European family of free, democratic and prosperous nations.

Elsewhere in South-East Europe, the new OSCE Mission in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been mandated to assist in strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law. We will support the process of normalisation in the country and in the region, including the return of refugees and of internally displaced persons.

In Kosovo, the organisation of province-wide elections, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, is one of the most challenging issues for the international community and for the OSCE.

Pending the political decision on the timing of elections, there are still several issues to be solved, including completion of the process of the safe return of refugees and displaced persons and registration of voters.

We will continue to give our full support for building a multi-ethnic society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the establishment of a legal and security framework for the return of refugees and internally displaced persons and the implementation of Good Governance projects by the OSCE Mission.

In the Caucasus, the situation in Chechnya continues to be unstable and tense. The Romanian Chairmanship has now received assurances from the Russian Federation on the return of the OSCE Assistance Group (AG). This will enable the OSCE to co-operate in humanitarian actions with field representatives of the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as with relevant international NGOs active in the area.

I have recently visited the Southern Caucasus, a region where thousands of refugees and displaced persons still have no permanent place to live, where poverty affects large segments of the population, where respect for human rights is not yet a current practice. The OSCE, together with other international organizations, can contribute to building a proper democratic institutional framework, able to guarantee the rule of law, public order and safety of the individual. The establishment of Ombudsman-type institutions should be a priority.

In Central Asia, the OSCE field offices are engaged in human rights monitoring as well as education and public awareness projects. We call on the Governments in Central Asia to take the necessary legislative steps to meet international standards in the field of human rights and put and end to the practices of harassment and detention of human rights activists, political opposition leaders or religious activists, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan.

The situation of refugees in Tadjikistan and Uzbekistan is of utmost concern. The OSCE supports the actions undertaken by the UNHCR and other international organisations in providing humanitarian assistance.

UNCHR Resolution on Democracy

Mr Chairman,

The search for a real democratic society is a never-ending process. We need to continue an action-oriented debate on new concrete steps to sustain and strengthen the power of democracy.

Romania is therefore sponsoring a new resolution entitled "Dialogue on the ways and means to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies". We appeal to all Member States for support.

Cooperation and Co-Responsibility

Mr. Chairman,

The lessons learned from the conflicts and crises in the OSCE region have underlined the need for an ever closer and more efficient co-operation among the organisations active in Europe. It is our responsibility to develop structures of cooperation in a way that guarantees the synergy of our efforts.

We are currently discussing with the UN Secretariat the possibility of holding a conference "Ten Years in the Balkans: Lessons Learned". It should provide us with the opportunity to assess the activities of international organisations and identify ways to improve their efficiency and co-ordination. With this in mind, I recently appointed an OSCE Co-ordinator for enhancing the OSCE role to reinvigorate the Stability Pact for South East Europe.

I would like to conclude with an appeal.

Thank you for your attention.