Statement by Ambassador Masood Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Nations Report of the Human Rights Council (Agenda item 63) Third Committee, (17 November 2014)

Madam Chairperson,

We thank President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Baudelaire Ndong Ella, for his update report and his address this morning.

Madam Chairperson,

His reports testify, once again, that the Human Rights Council continues to play its pivotal role in advancing the universal human rights agenda. The principles of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization that undergird the work of the Council strengthen consensus around the important mandate of the Council and help produce positive results on the ground.

Pakistan favours a balanced and integrated approach that places equal emphasis on civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

Discussions here in New York on sustainable development goals and post-2015 development agenda have once again established that rights cannot be fully protected without eliminating poverty, promoting inclusive growth, and empowering all segments of society. We hope that the Human Rights Council would use its convening power to create awareness about the post-2015 development agenda and be a partner in its implementation. We also hope that partnership will enable the Council to work more vigorously towards the realization of the right to development.

In March this year, the Council in its resolution 25/22 raised concerns about of the use of armed drones leading to violation of international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law. Armed drone strikes have a devastating impact on individuals, children, families and communities in regard to safety, education, religious and cultural practices. The fear of secondary or fresh strikes keeps them traumatized.

This was further substantiated by the Panel discussion held by the Human Rights Council this September on remotely piloted aircraft or armed drones in counter-terrorism and military operations. The discussion rightly underlined that the right to life is placed under serious threat by the use of lethal force; and that the use of armed drones creates an atmosphere of fear in the affected communities.

The Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights have repeatedly emphasized that drone attacks must comply with the international law and should be subject to accountability and transparency.

The use of armed drones against Pakistan's tribal territory violates international law by infringing our sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is also a breach of the well established principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality. Moreover, there is no justification for these strikes because Pakistan is pursuing with full vigour the Zarb-i-Azb operation to take out terrorists and dismantle their networks.

Civilian casualties resulting from drone-strikes incite public sentiment and radicalize more people. Drone-strikes are, therefore, counterproductive in combating terrorism and extremism in the long run.

Pakistan calls for the immediate cessation of all drone-strikes.

We appreciate that the Human Rights Council has addressed the widespread and systematic human rights violations against civilians being committed by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. These violations have forced more than one million people to flee their homes. Ethnic and religious communities are facing ruthless persecution. The Human Rights Council should coordinate with other international bodies to take effective measures to protect civilians under attack from ISIL. In this regard, the decision to dispatch a Fact Finding Mission by the Human Rights Council is an important step in the right direction.

Madam Chairperson,

The Council should ensure that its decisions are implemented faithfully and non-selectively. In this context, it is important that the Human Rights Council follows through its decisions to protect the rights of Palestinian in the Gaza Strip and other Occupied Palestinian Territories; and the Commission of Enquiry established to investigate human rights violations during the invasion of Gaza is enabled to complete its work.

We do understand that there are immense pressures of work on the Human Rights Council to deliver on its year long, almost unending agenda. The Council almost works round the clock and this puts enormous burden on the President, other members of the Bureau, member states and the OHCHR.

I thank you.