The resolutions that will be adopted this fall must demonstrate the impeccable allegiance of the United Nations system to all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
FIDH President Souhayr Belhassen explained: "We, at FIDH, an umbrella federation of 155 member organizations in more than 100 countries, constantly hear human rights defenders from all over the world underscore the power and the meaning of the GA resolutions to their every day work and advocacy at the national, regional, and international levels. This is why FIDH deeply wishes that throughout the work of this session, the General Assembly is led by an untarnished commitment to echo the voice of victims of human rights violations, the voice of the voiceless."
When freedom to defend human rights is repressed, when people are killed or imprisoned solely for having exercised their rights, it is the duty of the international community – the General Assembly’s duty – to condemn the violations, and work together on putting an end to them through peaceful means, including thorough and open debates.
Adopting resolutions is yet only one of these means – but not one too many. We are asking that Member States to the General Assembly make all effort to hear the victims’ voices and give full significance to the mandate with which the General Assembly is highly entrusted.
FIDH Position Paper to the Attention of the United Nations General Assembly at its 63rd Session, October 2008:
GEOGRAPHIC PRIORITIES
1.Islamic Republic of Iran
2.Burma-Myanmar
THEMATIC PRIORITIES
1.Moratorium on Death Penalty
2.The Protection of Human Rights While Countering Terrorism
3.Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
4.Support for International Justice