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EU Presidency Statement - Appointment of UNHC for human rights

Summary: July 23, 2002: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN, on behalf of the European Union, at the General Assembly 56th session on the approval of the appointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human rights (New York)

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union on the approval of the appointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Central and Eastern European Countries associated with the European Union: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia: and the associated countries: Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, as well as the EFTA country of the European Economic Area: Iceland, align themselves with this statement.

The European Union warmly welcomes the appointment of Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello to succeed Mary Robinson as High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello has an impressive record as an outstanding UN diplomat. He has demonstrated a deep and genuine commitment to human rights. The European Union is confident that the worldwide promotion and protection of human rights will be further advanced under his able leadership.

Ensuring the respect for human rights in cooperation with other global and regional human rights mechanisms is indeed a challenging task. Let me ensure you that Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello has the full support of the European Union in these endeavours.

At this juncture, allow me also to pay tribute to the outgoing High Commissioner Mrs. Robinson. During her five years in office impressive results have been obtained. The personal and professional integrity combined with hard labour with which Mrs. Robinson has constantly fought for human rights all over the world, is a model to us all. We wish her all the best in the future and we sincerely hope to be able to continue to benefit from her experience and many talents in the future.

Mr. Chairman, thank you.

  • Ref: PRES02-216EN
  • EU source: EU Presidency
  • UN forum: General Assembly (including Special Sessions)
  • Date: 23/7/2002


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See also
 

European Union Member States