Geneva: Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs emphasises need for protection of human rights defenders

Mr Micheal Martin TD Minister for Foreign Affairs speaking at the Front Line Dublin Platform 2010

Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council High Level Segment, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheal Martin TD emphasised the central importance of "equal and inalienable rights" and paid special tribute to the legitimacy and importance of the work being done by human rights defenders.

Extracts from speech by Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Micheal Martin TD

"It is the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which this Council seeks to promote and protect.  The common values enshrined within universal human rights transcend our differences of nationality, race, religion, wealth or power and are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world".

Referring to his recent visit to Gaza the Minister said, "My visit reinforced my belief that the conditions under which the people of Gaza have to live as a result of the blockade are inhumane and utterly unacceptable.....It is completely unjust that an entire population should be subjected to medieval siege conditions of this kind. As this situation strengthens extremism and undermines the voices of moderation, it is also wholly counter-productive in terms of achieving the wider political progress which is so urgently needed in the Middle East".

Mr Martin also underlined the importance of the Special Procedures and in particular the role of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. "The practical expression of human rights work is the real measure of work on promotion and protection. This is why the work of the independent Special Procedures is vitally important.  The work done by the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders is also a good example of well-focussed activities by a UN Special Procedure.  Ireland attaches particular importance to the work of human rights defenders and makes every attempt to support their endeavours. We look forward to a strong resolution on human rights defenders coming out of this session which will hopefully strengthen the security and protection of human rights defenders.    I believe that civil society groups are vital partners in the area of human rights. The valuable work of these individuals, groups and associations helps contribute to the effective elimination of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals. One of the notable successes of the Human Rights Council is that it has opened up increased space for NGOs to engage with human rights issues at an international level, particularly through their voice in the Universal Periodic Review Process".

The full text of Minister Martin's speech is attached.