Statement by the Community of Democracies
on the Human Rights Council

The Participating Countries of the Community of Democracies, gathered as the United Nations Democracy Caucus and pursuant to the mandate of the Ministerial Meeting of Santiago, submit the following contribution to the ongoing consultations on the Human Rights Council.

1. We welcome the 2005 World Summit Outcome (A/60/L.1).
2. We believe that the Council will be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.
3. We request the President of the General Assembly to continue to conduct open, transparent and inclusive negotiations, to be completed as soon as possible during the sixtieth session, with the aim of establishing the mandate, modalities, functions, size, composition, membership, working methods and procedures of the Council.
4. We welcome, in this regard, the ongoing efforts by the President of the General Assembly as well as by the co-chairs of the consultations process on the Human Rights Council in order for it to be operational as soon as possible.
5. We commit ourselves to support these efforts.
6. We reaffirm the need for the Human Right Council to uphold and integrate in its practices and methods of work the positive elements of the Commission of Human Rights, which it is called to replace, namely the special procedures and consultations with civil society as well as its close collaboration with Human Rights treaty bodies.
7. We believe also that the counsel should address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon. It should also promote effective coordination and the mainstreaming of human rights within the United Nations system
8. We underline also the need for the Members of the Human Rights Council to uphold high standards in the field of human rights.
9. We request that the mandate and modalities of the Human Rights Council take into account the following principles:
   • enhancing the effectiveness, legitimacy and the credibility of the United Nations human rights mechanisms;
   • the promotion of the universal nature of human rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development;
   • the promotion of the implementation of international human rights instruments while  pursuing its role in standards setting.
   • an approach based on cooperation, aimed at strengthening the capacities of States in the field of the promotion and protection of human rights;
   • non selectivity and non discrimination (Some members have reservation on this point);
   • periodicity and flexibility in the sequence of its meetings.

New York, November 17, 2005