Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Human Rights in Turkmenistan (21 November 2005: New York)
EU Presidency Statement on the SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN TURKMENISTAN, in accordance with Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, against the motion to adjourn the debate, by the UK Mission to the UN on behalf of the European Union, UN General Assembly, Third Committee, New York
Mr Chairman,
I am speaking on behalf of the European Union.
It is an important matter of principle for the European Union to vote against any motion to adjourn the debate on the item under discussion. Any motion such as this runs counter to the spirit of dialogue to which we are all attached, and undermines the principles of transparency and freedom of expression that are essential to the work of the Third Committee. The aim of this motion is to prevent this Committee from considering any of the elements in this resolution, or to address in any way the
serious issues it covers on the situation of human rights in Turkmenistan.
Mr Chairman,
Where there have been positive developments, they are welcomed at some length in this resolution. We are committed to supporting dialogue with Turkmenistan and to supporting progress where we can. But dialogue and discussion are not in themselves enough. There are still a significant number of important issues on which real action is required if Turkmenistan is to meet its international obligations. The European Union does not believe that there can be any excuse for the Third Committee of the
General Assembly to ignore these issues.
We hear much of the supposed double standards of those of us who believe that it is right and proper to discuss here serious and systematic violations of human rights when they occur. We are told to focus entirely on the setting of norms and on cooperation. The process of setting standards is important and the EU takes a very full and active part in that. But if that work is to have any meaning or purpose, we must look for those standards to be implemented. And when they are not met we should
not turn a blind eye. We recognise, of course, that no country here has a perfect record on all issues. But that must not be an excuse for seeking to gloss over situations of widespread violations which we cannot and must not ignore.
The European Union therefore deeply regrets that this so-called 'no-action motion' on draft resolution A/C.3/60/L.46 now confronts the Third Committee, and strongly urges delegations to vote against it, regardless of their voting intentions on the draft resolution itself.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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