131st IPU Assembly and Related Meetings

Geneva, 11-17 October 2014

 

Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights      

 

Item 4:          International law as it relates to national sovereignty, non-intervention in the internal affairs of states and human rights

 

TALKING POINTS

 

 

Senator Augustin-Constantin MITU

Romanian IPU Group

 

 

Madam President,

Distinguished colleagues,

 

Thank you for giving me the floor.

 

I highly appreciate the work of the rapporteurs and the exchange of views we had so far. The draft resolution before us captures many of the aspects we need to take into consideration in this very topical debate.

 

We are witnessing troubled times, with serious threats against international security, when the principles of independence, territorial integrity and national sovereignty, and cooperation based on mutual trust and respect become even more relevant and must be re-endorsed.    

Romania is very concerned by the crisis in Ukraine, its causes and the impact on the security of Eastern Europe. I take this opportunity to reconfirm our firm support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as our commitment towards defending international law and the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Dear friends,

 

Respect for all human rights is a priority for Romania, including as key dimension of its foreign policy. My country ratified most human rights treaties, both universal and European, and is strongly in favor of developing solid international institutions to protect human rights.

Romania contributed to the creation, in 2006, of the UN Human Rights Council, was the first EU member state to preside over this body and is currently holding a second mandate as member of the Council. 

Also, at the initiative of Romania the Council adopted for the first time, in 2012, a resolution on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The document – co-sponsored by 124 states - highlights the principles, values and mechanisms defining democracy and the rule of law in relation to human rights, as well as the connection between them.

 

In parliament, our specialized committees are following closely the work of the Human Rights Council. Last February, we hosted in Bucharest, a regional IPU seminar for Central and Eastern European countries where we examined the modalities of increasing the contribution of parliaments to the activity of the Council, particularly its Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

Dear colleagues,

Our delegation made some proposals for the draft resolution. They relate mostly to the role of parliaments in fulfilling international human rights obligations and to the need to develop independent and effective human rights institutions, as key part of national systems for the protection of human rights.

At the same time, when addressing rule of law and human rights, we cannot leave aside justice, including transnational justice.

Romania is making every effort to assist parties in joining the Rome Statute. Achieving ICC universality is the most powerful preventive approach, as it reduces the risk of impunity and ensures the compliance with the most important norms of international law.

Thus, while reiterating the primary responsibility of states to investigate and prosecute international crimes, we should call for full cooperation with the International Criminal Court and for the strengthening of ICC.

Finally, it is our conviction - based on a 25-year long experience of transition and democratic exercise - that human rights, the rule of law and democratic governance should be duly reflected in the post-2015 development agenda, as indispensable factors in building sustainable societies, equitable, inclusive and peaceful.

Thank you for your attention!