HRC: Czech statement on Item 2 focuses on civil society, Egypt, Myanmar/Burma, DPRK
10.03.2014 / 17:29 | Aktualizováno: 12.03.2014 / 09:34
Civil society and a wide democratic space are key for the realization of human rights, underlined the Czech Republic in the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva on 7 March 2014. The Czech intervention also encouraged the High Commissioner to continue focusing on human rights situations in Egypt, Myanmar/Burma and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) through country and regional offices.
“Free democratic space allowing for broad public participation is a pre-requisite for a healthy society rooted in the respect for human rights,” Ambassador Kateřina Sequensová said in a dialogue with the High Commissioner taking place during the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council (item 2 of the HRC’s agenda). She expressed grave concern about continued crackdowns on civil society and commended the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for making the widening of democratic space of its priorities from 2014-2017.
Disappointed by continued delays, the Czech Republic also called upon Egypt and Myanmar/Burma to speed up the opening of the OHCHR field offices both countries agreed to host. The Czech intervention also called for a continuation of the work of the Commission of Inquiry gathering evidence about alleged human rights violations and crimes against humanity in the DPRK. “We believe that this important evidence collection must be followed up and that the OHCHR with its offices in the region is particularly well-placed to carry out such a task,” said the Czech Republic.
The full statement is at your disposal.