Brussels, 19/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 18 February, EU foreign affairs ministers stated that the EU will ensure that the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) deals with the very serious human rights situation in Syria as a priority at its 22nd session on 25 February-22 March. In their conclusions the EU ministers say that the EU will stress the need for the perpetrators of the serious violations and abuses of human rights to be accountable for their acts, and the ministers stress the need of preventing these acts from remaining unpunished. The EU calls for appropriate measures to be set up on Mali, and the foreign affairs ministers stress that the EU is seriously concerned by the situation.
The ministers also want the human rights situation in North Korea to be highlighted and the EU proposes, with Japan, an independent mechanism of inquiry to support the special rapporteur. They add that the EU will actively support extending the mandate of the special rapporteur on Iran and they want the HRC to continue working on Belarus, Sri Lanka, Congo, Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan.
The Council says that one of the key tasks of the HRC will be to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur on the freedom of religion or belief. The rights of children, women, the handicapped, human rights on the internet, and the freedom of association and assembly are also EU priorities.
Lastly, the EU foreign affairs ministers call on all UN member states to cooperate effectively in the universal periodic review of the human rights situation. (CG/transl.fl)