UN Reform - WFM-C Press Release

For Immediate Release March 23, 2005

WFM-C comments on "In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All" --- Report of the United Nations Secretary-General

Canada should support UN reform effort

Kofi Annan¹s remarks at the UN General Assembly yesterday bring the world a step closer to a renewal of the United Nations machinery for promoting peace and development.

"The Secretary-General¹s report brings together the key elements of a possible multilateral bargain," says WFMC President Warren Allmand. "But he has sketched only the broad brush strokes here. There are key details missing. Canada can and should make a significant contribution to the inter-governmental bargaining that will take place between now and September."

"As world federalists we welcome in particular the endorsement of the Responsibility to Protect principles, support for the International Criminal Court and the proposed strengthening of the UN¹s capacity to promote democracy," says Allmand. "We are concerned at the evident lack of clarity regarding the best course for reforming the UN Human Rights Commission."

The report, released yesterday by Secretary-General Kofi Annan follows the publication of two earlier documents: last December¹s "A more secure world: our shared responsibility," the report of the UN High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change; and in January, "Investing in Development," the final report of the UN Millennium Project, an effort by 250 experts to identify steps that need to be taken to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Here are some of the highlights from the Secretary-General¹s report:

Security Council reform.

Annan¹s consultations with governments have not led him to suggest any particular course of action. He simply urges member states to consider the two options that were presented by the High-level Panel, "or any other viable proposals in terms of size and balance that have emerged on the basis of either model."

Human Rights Commission

The High-level Panel surprised many with a recommendation that the 53-member Commission be expanded to include all UN members. Now, Kofi Annan is moving in another direction, proposing a small Human Rights Council whose members would be elected by a two-thirds majority of the UN General Assembly. Annan is unclear whether this new Human Rights Council would be a UN "principal organ" or a subsidiary body of the General Assembly. Meanwhile, the proposal put forward by the High-level Panel that "the High Commissioner be called upon to prepare an annual report on the situation of human rights worldwide" has not been picked up by Annan. Furthermore, the High Commissioner is asked to report in 60 days on measures required to strengthen her office. The picture emerging is one of governments spending more time haggling over how many seats will be around the table, but not focusing on what¹s required to make the UN¹s promotion and protection of human rights more effective. Canada¹s influence will be important here.

Peacebuilding Commission.

An intergovernmental Peacebuilding Commission, coupled with a Peacebuilding Support Office in the UN Secretariat is required, to help countries with the transition from war to lasting peace. This would fill what Annan refers to as "a gaping hole in the United Nations institutional machinery." Since the High-level Panel proposed creation of such a commission, there has been much debate over whether the Commission would be subsidiary to the UN Security Council or the General Assembly. On this important question, Annan¹s report is non-committal. He calls for further consultations, to be completed in advance of September 2005, leading to a more fully developed proposal for the consideration of governments.

MDGs.

The Secretary-General calls for developing countries that have not done so to develop "national strategies" for the achievement of poverty reducing Millennium Development Goals. Meanwhile, developed governments should achieve the 0.7 per cent target of gross national income for official development assistance by no later than 2015, starting with significant increases no later than 2006 and reaching 0.5 per cent by 2009.

For More Information:
Warren Allmand, President, WFM ­ Canada (514) 486-1811
Fergus Watt, Executive Director, WFM ­ Canada (613) 232-064