Human rights Council

Statement by Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor
On the Report of Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders

Friday, September 22, 2006
Afternoon Session

Thank you, Mr. President.

We welcome Ms. Jilani’s report, in which she states that the “recognition of the legitimacy of human rights defenders is the first step to prevent or at least reduce threats and risks against them.” We could not agree more. But not surprisingly, there are those in power who do not welcome human rights related NGOs and other agents of peaceful, democratic change.

The United States government often meets with NGOs who want to discuss our human rights record. Though we do not always agree with them, we never view them as a threat.

Unfortunately, some governments do feel threatened by human rights defenders. In many countries, we see disturbing attempts to intimidate, restrict or shut NGOs down, including through restrictive laws and regulations and burdensome registration and tax requirements. Charges against human rights defenders are often vague, such as "disturbing social order." Implementation and enforcement are arbitrary, fostering a climate of self-censorship and fear.

Repressive regimes also resort to other forms of intimidation or persecution, justifying their actions by accusations of treason, espionage, subversion, foreign interference or terrorism. The motivation is obviously political: to protect those in power and silence dissent and the promotion of human rights.
This is the reason President Bush convened a meeting of heads of state and government at the UN this week on the importance of civil society actors and the increasing threat to them.

We strongly support Ms. Jilani’s recommendations about the need for a safe environment for human rights defenders and an independent judiciary based on the rule of law.

We must work in practical ways to advance a robust civil society to help guarantee fundamental freedoms, pluralism, and democracy. Technical assistance by OHCHR’s field offices and the UN Democracy Fund to assist civil society actors do important practical work in that regard.

Thank you, Mr. President