UN: EU Statement on Globalisation and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights

UN 61st Session; III Committee, Agenda Item 67(b): Globalisation and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights (A/C.3/61/L.20)

Explanation of Vote on behalf of the European Union by Ms. Kirsti Pohjankukka, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations

New York, 16 November 2006

Mr. Chairperson,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

*) Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Mr. Chairperson,

The European Union cannot support the draft resolution on Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights.

Dealing with globalisation and its effects in a comprehensive manner is high on the agenda of the European Union. When looking at globalisation from the angle of the Third Committee, we acknowledge that globalisation can have implications on the full enjoyment of human rights. However, the draft resolution before us, just like in the past, inaccurately generalises that, in essence, globalisation has a negative effect on the enjoyment of all human rights. 

In our view, globalisation is a multidimensional phenomenon. We realize that the problems and challenges faced in the world are increasingly of a global nature, yet globalisation can also offer the means to tackle the most acute problems of our time, including extreme poverty. The EU acknowledges that, at present, the benefits of globalisation are not evenly shared, but it provides a great opportunity for stimulating growth and prosperity all over the world and, in this regard, can wield a positive influence on the protection and promotion of human rights.

Besides, we are not convinced that globalisation has an impact on all human rights, as suggested throughout this resolution. There are human rights and fundamental freedoms which are not affected  by globalisation; the EU believes this relationship should be assessed on a case by case basis.

For these same reasons, the European Union voted against the resolution last year. On that occasion, we expressed hope that the gap between the views of the main sponsors and other delegations would in future be bridged by open discussions among all interested parties. Unfortunately, we have to note with regret the lack of will of the main sponsors to engage in consultations on the draft resolution at this session of the Third Committee.

Consequently, the European Union will vote against the draft resolution.

Thank you Mr. Chairperson.