Geneva,
March 23, 2007

Thank you, Mr. President.

We warmly welcome the two reports we just heard on Burundi and Liberia and the opportunity to highlight the efforts of governments to improve human rights in their country.

We have been encouraged by the generally constructive debate on Burma and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  This is a good example of the need for country mandates, particularly where the situation is dire and the government unresponsive.

In order to keep the international spotlight on these situations and hear the voice of victims of human rights abuse, it is critical that this council retain the current country mandates.

Thank you, Mr. President.