NAM 2007/TEHRAN/DOC.4

Final Report of the Rapporteur-General of the Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity
Tehran, 3-4 September 2007

1. The Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity was held in Teheran, Islamic Republic of Iran from 3rd to 4th September 2006.

2. The following members of the Movement attended the Ministerial Meeting:
 Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, , Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania(Islamic Republic of), Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, State of  Palestine, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor Lester,  Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela(Bolivarian Republic of), Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

3. The following countries attended the Ministerial Meeting as Observers:

 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Mexico,  People's Republic of China ,Serbia. 

4. The following Organizations also attended the Ministerial Meeting as Observers:

League of Arab States , Organization of Islamic Conference , United Nations (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)

5. The following organizations attended the Ministerial Meeting as Guests:

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), UNICEF, ICRC, Asian-African legal Consultative Organization (AALCO)

Opening of the Ministerial Meeting

6. The Honorable Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, in his capacity of NAM Chairperson at Ministerial level, declared open the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Countries on Human Right and Cultural Diversity.

7. The Honorable Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba invited H. E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to make the opening statement on behalf of the host country.

8. In his statement H. E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad welcomed the delegations participating in the Ministerial Meeting. Referring to human characteristics and what differentiates humans from other creatures, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran said, “Irrespective of any ethnicity or culture, human communities are all built around the common human nature that is monotheism and justice. This nature embodies a great unity among humans which results in dynamism and diversity paving the way for cooperation, synergy and directing all humans toward a benign destination”.

9.  President of the Islamic Republic of Iran added that “Local cultures of nations normally have divine roots, and if one pays close attention, they can easily notice that all these cultures are based on monotheism, affection, fraternity, justice, love and human perfection. He underlined that local cultures are culminated in the creation of prosperous societies for all humankind”. 

10.  Referring to some of the maladies the World is grappling with these days, H.E. Dr. Ahmadinejad said, “Today, maverick and self-based initiatives, economic, cultural and political domination as well as monopolized profiteering have all caused an unpleasant and regrettable situation for mankind”.

11.  President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also said “Instead of rejecting human rights or abusing people under the guise of human rights, we now have to find a new way which is reconsidering human rights as a project based on spirituality and justice to ensure dignity for all mankind. Without any doubt, the logical and basic dialogue among the members of the Non-Aligned Movement can sure lead to the closeness of different views and approaches to each other. The Non-Aligned Movement Meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity is an important step forward in defining the factors necessary for establishing an international system of rights based on  spirituality, justice, fairness, human dignity and values, and respect for other cultures. These are all the necessities of a desirable life”, he said.

12.  Stressing the need for looking at the human rights from a fresh viewpoint, H.E. Dr. Ahmadinejad invited all the member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement to reconsider the theoretical rudiments of human rights so that certain countries can not define human rights in their own malicious ways shaped by their political and economic objectives. 

13. H.E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque, Chairperson of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries at Ministerial Level, expressed his appreciation to H. E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran for his opening remarks

14. H. E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque delivered statement as NAM Chairperson at Ministerial Level. In his statement .H.E Mr. Felipe Roque Perez Called upon NAM members review and asses the performance of the Non Aligned Movement in the light of the current challenges in the field of human rights and culture diversity. He also called upon NAM's countries to work together to turn into action and concrete results the objectives of the UNESCO Convention of the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In this regard he stressed on the need to enhance NAM activism within UNESCO, fundamentally after the re-activation of NAM coordinating group in UNESCO.

15.  H. E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque proposed that NAM start working to prevent the powerful from trying to manipulate the Human Rights Council. As part of that effort NAM should work to get the Human Rights Council to proclaim the international recognition of the human rights to cultural diversity. He assured that today defending cultural diversity is tantamount to defending our right to preserve the future of human kind and in that battle to vindicate the aspirations of the peoples of the South, NAM should be in the forefront.

16. H. E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque proposed to the Meeting the adoption of the agenda as appears in Document (NAM 2007/ TEHRAN/DOC 1)

17. The Meeting adopted the following Agenda:

I. Opening Ceremony
II. Adoption of Agenda
III. Election of Officers
IV. Organization of Work
V. General Debate
VI. Consideration and Adoption of the Declaration and Program of Action
VII. Other Matters
VIII. Closing Session

18. H. E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque proposed to the Meeting the candidates to members of the Bureau of the Ministerial Meeting.

19. H. E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque proposed the election by acclamation of H. E. Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as Chairperson of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity. 

20. The Meeting agreed that the Bureau of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non Aligned Movement would  be integrated as follows:

Chair: Islamic Republic of Iran
Vice Chairs:
• Africa: Ghana, South Africa, Zambia  
• Asia: Afghanistan, Philippines  
• Europe: Belarus   
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Haiti, Nicaragua  
Rapporteur General:   Venezuela   
Ex-Officio Member:  Cuba (NAM Chair)

21. The Ministerial Meeting also noted that H. E. Mr. Seyed Hossein Rezvani had been appointed as Secretary of the Ministerial Meeting.

22. Thereafter, H. E. Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque handed over the Chair of the Meeting to. H. E. Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

23. The Meeting was suspended for a minute to allow the Honorable President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to leave the Meeting.

24.  His Excellency Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, delivered the Opening Address.

25. Underlining the relationship between human rights and cultural diversity as one of the fundamental issues , H.E. Mr. Mottaki noted  nations that were under the pressure of the bi-polar world are trying in different ways to stand up for their rich and independent culture in light of the opportunity arising from the new era of cultural diversity. He added. Parallel to these efforts, there are certain thoughts and fantasies of the Cold War era that continue to haunt us by using new instruments and opportunities to assert and justify cultural domination through new and complex structures and forms.

26. H.E. Mr. Mottaki underlined the importance of the broadest participation in the enrichment of international standard-setting which will result in the universal recognition of human rights norms and standards. He also refered to some defeciencies and failuers  arising from the lack of participation of all countries in different regiones in particular the Islamic countries in the drafting process of international human rights instruments.

27.  H.E. Dr Mottaki stressing the sustainability of the NAM rasion d' etre, said the Movement is unique in its cultural, economic and political diversity and such capacity could be  used as a guarantee of peace, Justice  and security  for human being worldwide.  

28. His Excellency Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran as Chairperson of the Ministerial Meeting invited the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Deputy Director General of UNESCO to deliver statements at the Opening Ceremony.

29. The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Deputy Director General of UNESCO delivered statements in the following order:

• As the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, H.E. Mr.Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu
• As representative of the U.N. Secretary General, H. E. Mrs. Louise Arbour
• On behalf of UNESCO, H. E. Mr.Pierre Sane

30. His Excellency Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran as Chairperson of the Ministerial Meeting recommended to the Ministerial Meeting the Organization of Work. The proposed Organization of Work appears as Document (NAM 2007/TEHRAN/DOC 2)

31. His Excellency Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran as Chairperson of the Ministerial Meeting, informed the plenary that the meeting would take place in six sessions of general debates held between the two days of the Ministerial Meeting. During the 6th Session participants delegation would also considere for adoption the following Outcome Document:

• Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity
 
32. His Excellency Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran as Chairperson of the Ministerial Meeting, informed the plenary that a panel open to all interested delegations has been established parallel to the Ministerial Meeting to discuss the Theme: “Enhancement of International Cooperation in the field of Human Rights”.

General Debate

33. The Ministerial Meeting devoted six plenary sessions to the general debate. 76 speakers participated in the general debate, where there was a profound exchange of views on human rights and cultural diversity.  The following member States participated in the general debate:
Algeria, Belarus, Qatar, Morocco, Bahrain, India, Iraq, Ghana, Afghanistan, Oman, Nicaragua, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Uganda, Djibouti,  United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Bolivia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Libya, Myanmar, Guinea-Bissau, Egypt, Tunisia, Vietnam, Laos, State of Palestine, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Ethiopia, Guinea, Sudan, Indonesia, Syria, Haiti, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Sri Lanka, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Yemen, Nigeria, Thailand, Eritrea, Lesotho, Nepal,  Dominican Republic, Mozambique, Philippines, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Congo, Botswana, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

34. The Conference also heard statements from the following Observers:
 Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Brazil, Serbia, Kazakhstan, People's Republic of China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Asian-African legal Consultative Organization, League of Arab States

35. Among the issues that were raised at the meeting, the speakers outlined the following :

- Need to promote tolerance, solidarity, mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity,
 - Importance of promotion of respect for cultural diversity as a key element for effective realization of all human rights for all, given the existing danger of further division among cultures and religions caused by ill intentions which will have negative impacts on human rights values.
 - The religious and cultural diversity is a fact of life and in general human rights is a common value within the human societies. In this regard the necessity of the consideration of all human cultural values is a must in the frame of the global common values. 
- The important role of NAM in promoting understanding among different cultures and religions which will lead to promotion of human values and constructive interactions between societies,
 - Calling the newly established Human Rights Council for developing appropriate frameworks and mechanisms to address challenges facing cultural diversity in promoting and protecting human rights. In this respect the role of education in promoting human rights and cultural tolerance  is of vital importance.
 - Recognizing various cultures as one of the most significant parts of mankind common heritage, which facilitates the sustainable development of different nations and emergence of global peace.
 - Condemning the inhumane  measures imposed by the occupying power on the Palestinian people and all the actions designed to change the legal status, geographical nature and demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian Territory and the occupied Syrian Golan and destroy their cultural heritage,
 - Other cultures should be embraced in order to adopt their beautiful aspects and enrich our own culture.
 - Human rights cannot be preserved without due respect for sovereignty of states. NAM should remain united and actively encourage cultural diversity as a symbol of dynamism among human societies.
 - Welcoming establishment of  the NAM Center for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity in Tehran and the key role of this Center in enhanceing cooperation for the realization of the goals and bojectives of Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity.
-Role of States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations in promoting respect for cultural diversity.
- Globalization should be oriented in the line of promoting respect for cultural diversity not cultural dominance.
- Supporting the annual resolution to the United Nations General Assembly presented by the Islamic Republic of Iran on human rights and cultural diversity.
- Urging all participants to support the transmission of the outcome of the Meeting to ongoing Geneva preparatory processes for the 2009 Durban Review Process, as substantive contribution.
-The recent increased attention on human rights in UN at different levels requires resolute actions by the Non-Aligned Movement to correspondingly match this trend. The prominent and decisive role of the NAM within the international human rights system is an imperative.
- The importance of the contents of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (1993) and its follow up in particular paragraph 5 of the VDPA which emphasizes the significance of national and regional particularities as well as historical, social and religious backgrounds in promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

Consideration and adoption of the Outcome Documents

36. The Meeting noted that the Coordinating Bureau discussed the “Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity”, presented as a result of negotiations among NAM member countries in Geneva and recommended it to be referred to the Ministers and Heads of Delegation to the Ministerial Meeting for consideration and adoption.

37. The Conference considered the following Outcome Documents:

• Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity
• Report of the Rapporteur-General

38. The Conference adopted the Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity (NAM 2007/TEHRAN/DOC3).
 
39. His Excellency Nicolas Maduro Moros, Minister of the Popular Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and Rapporteur–General of the Ministerial Meeting, presented the Report of the Rapporteur–General. The Conference adopted the report (NAM 2007/TEHRAN/DOC 4)

40. Delegations interested in presenting reservations or editorial corrections to the Outcome Documents were requested to submit them in writing to the Coordination Bureau in New York, within two weeks of the closure of the Ministerial Meeting.

Panel Discussion

41. An informal Panel Discussion under the theme “Enhancement of International Cooperation in the field of Human Rights” was held on 3rd September 2007 open to all interested delegations. The Chairman's Summary of the Panel Discussion was distributed among participants as an annex to the General Report of the Ministerial Meeting.

42. During the informal debate participants supported the view that cultural diversity must be a source of unity rather that division within the international community and should serve to promote peace and security. They agreed on the need to reject all doctrines of exclusion based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and reaffirm that justice, equality, equity and non discrimination must permeate within all government and non-governmental interactions. The participants underlined the importance of international cooperation to promote and protect human rights worldwide and considered that international cooperation should pave the way for the better realization of the right to development.  As a result of the debate the participants recommended that NAM use its full potential to play even a greater role in the international fora on human rights, particularly the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, and also to initiate a meaningful cooperation with UNESCO in order to further promote international cooperation in the field of cultural diversity.

Special Declarations
 
43.  The Ministerial Meeting adopted a special declaration endorsing the supporting role of the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the search for humanitarian solutions in the Republic of Colombia.( NAM 2007/TEHRAN/ DOC.7)
 
44. The Ministerial Meeting adopted also a special declaration supporting the Nicaragua’s candidate to chair the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations during the period 2008-2009. (NAM 2007/ TEHRAN/ DOC.8)

Closing Session

45. The closing session of the Conference was held on 4 September 2007.

46. The Representatives of the various regional groups presented concluding statements.

47. The representative of Gabon spoke on behalf of the African Countries.

48. The representative of Philippines spoke on behalf of the Asian Countries.

49. The representative of Bolivia spoke on behalf of the Latin American and the Caribbean Countries.

50. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H. E. Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki delivered the closing statement and expressed his appreciation to the delegations that attended the Ministerial Meeting for their valuable contributions to the success of the Meeting.