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Madam Chairperson,
I have the honour to make this statement in the name of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
First of all, let me begin by expressing the European Union’s great satisfaction to see you chairing once again this Working Group, at its third session. We are convinced that you will continue to lead our work in a fair, effective, impartial and transparent manner.
We would like to thank you for your efforts in the preparation of this session, including the holding of informal consultations. The programme of work we have just adopted by consensus will give us an excellent opportunity to further analyse and discuss options regarding the elaboration of an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and propose a way ahead.
We particularly welcome the paper with elements for an Optional Protocol which you have prepared and submitted for this Working Group’s consideration, as requested by a large number of delegations at last year’s session. We believe that this paper, which presents a “non-judgemental analysis of the various options for an Optional Protocol”, will be extremely useful to help focus the forthcoming discussions, clarify contending issues and indicate possible solutions. By identifying options regarding the communications, inquiry and inter-State procedures, by analysing the way existing systems function and also by giving us examples of national and regional case-law, as well as by identifying a number of cross-cutting issues and considering possible solutions, this document will be a sound basis for an in-depth and informed discussion between the participants of this Working Group concerning the scope, contents, possibilities, impact, implications, pros and cons of a possible Optional Protocol.
Madam Chairperson,
The European Union is pleased to see that, as in previous years, the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Prof. Eibe Riedel, will be here sharing with us the Committee’s position and common views on questions related to an Optional Protocol and to economic, social and cultural rights. Similarly, we welcome the participation at this year’s session of an expert from Latin America. We expect that their expert insights will, as before, enrich our debates and contribute to clarify further our options.
The European Union also welcomes the attendance and participation of a great number of Non Governmental Organisations and National Human Rights Institutions, many of which have been actively contributing to this process for a number of years.
Madam Chairperson,
As in previous years, Member States of the European Union will participate actively at this Working Group’s session. We trust that the forthcoming debates will be held in a constructive manner, through a fruitful and open dialogue that can bring us closer to a full assessment of all the options regarding the elaboration of an Optional Protocol.
In this connection, the European Union wishes to underline the importance of proceeding constructively in these deliberations, by gaining a deeper understanding of what is really necessary for better implementation of the ICESCR. In the course of our discussions, we should, in view of the expiration of the current mandate of the Working Group, also bear in mind the need to consider possible next steps for the Working Group.
The European Union commends the fairness and moderation shown in the conduct of this process so far, and trusts that a spirit of constructive cooperation, inclusiveness and openness will continue to prevail in the deliberations that will have to be taken throughout this process.
Madam Chairperson,
The European Union once again reaffirms its commitment to the full realisation of economic, social and cultural rights and to the effective empowerment of the right-holders, as an integral part of efforts towards the promotion and protection of all human rights all over the world. This should always be the focus in our forthcoming debate. The universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights, as stated in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, are now firmly established principles. Full and equal emphasis must be given to the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights, since all human rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person.
It is in the interest of identifying the best possible way to implement all human rights that the European Union participates in this Working Group, and truly hopes that our debates and deliberations will effectively contribute to that end.
Thank you.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
