CHIEF
The United Nations human rights chief today called on authorities in
countries in North Africa and the Middle East going through political
transition to exercise restraint and to take steps to prevent acts of
retribution or revenge.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11358&Lan
gID=E">noted that leadership in human rights requires a "particular and
sustained" focus on situations where the old governing guard has been
challenged but not yet ousted or replaced.
"In situations of transition or unrest, restraint must be observed," she
said in her opening statement to the 18th session of the UN Human Rights
Council, which began today in Geneva.
"I call on all those in positions of authority to take steps to prevent the
commission of crimes or acts of revenge, and for other concerned parties to
strongly refrain from undertaking any acts of retribution," she stated.
"Justice cannot be meted out summarily. Rather, it must be delivered,
whether through national judicial mechanisms or international mechanisms, in
accordance with human rights principles and the rule of law."
In her statement, Ms. Pillay referred to several countries in the Middle
East and North Africa that are currently experiencing unrest or undergoing
political transition, such as Syria, Yemen and Libya. The situations in
these countries are part of a wider pro-democracy movement that began
earlier this year across the region, and that has already toppled regimes in
Tunisia and Egypt.
On Libya, which has seen ongoing fighting between opposition forces and
those loyal to the regime of Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi, the High
Commissioner said that emerging reports of brutal violations, including mass
summary executions and disappearances, are "extremely alarming."
She also voiced concern about the safety of migrants in Libya, in particular
those from other African countries.
The Security Council is currently considering the deployment of a UN support
mission for Libya, and Ms. Pillay stressed that the protection of civilians
must be at the centre of any UN response in the immediate future.
In Yemen, protesters calling for greater freedoms, an end to corruption and
respect for the rule of law are being caught in an "increasingly violent
struggle for power," she noted. "Hundreds have been killed and thousands
have been injured."
Information collected by an assessment team from the High Commissioner's
office (OHCHR) indicated that those seeking to achieve or retain power have
deliberately sought to punish and cause severe hardship to the civilian
population, including by cutting off vital access to basic services such as
electricity, fuel and water, said Ms. Pillay.
Meanwhile, reliable sources on the ground in Syria report that the number of
those killed since the onset of the unrest in mid-March has now reached at
least 2,600.
Ms. Pillay noted that in all transitioning countries, the primary
responsibility for taking steps that can ensure a successful outcome rests
with the transitioning authorities. But the international community should
stand ready to support them in these efforts, she added, stating the
readiness of her office to offer its considerable expertise, including in
the field of transitional justice.
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