Statement on behalf of the Asian Group by Mr. O.L. Ameer Ajwad, Counsellor, Permanent Mission/Sri Lanka on 20 September 2007 under item: 8 during the discussion on gender perspective in the work of the HRC at the 6th Session of the Human Rights Council

Madam Moderator,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Asian Group.

First of all let me express our thanks to the President of the Human Rights Council and members of the Bureau for providing a space for this discussion on gender perspective in the work of the Human Rights Council. We also take this opprtunity to thank to all those delegations who were instrumental for this initiative. This is a good opportunity for exchange of views on this important subject.

The Human Rights Council resoultion 5/1 on institution building has recognized gender perspective as an important principle during the work of the Human Rights Council and it has provided adequate space in the work of the Human Rights Council by addressing this issue under each first main five section of the institution building package.

Integration of gender perspective has been identified as one of the principles under Universal Periodic Review. The resolution 5/1 provides, I quote ‘ensure that gender perspective is fully integrated in UPR’ end of quote.

Integration of gender perspective has also been recognized under Special Procedures. When selecting mandate holders, the resolution provides, I quote: ‘due consideration should be given to gender balance’ end of quote,

When electing Human Rights Council Advisory Comittee, the resolution provides, I quote: ‘due consideration should be given to gender balance’

Under Complain Procedure, when appointing Working Group on Communication and when nominating Working Group on Situations the resolution provides to give ‘due consideration to gender balance’.

Under agenda and framework for the programme of work of the Human Rights Council, gender perspective has been recognized as one of the principles.

Madam Mooderator,

This is a major achivement for all who had been advocating actively and working hard for this important cause of mainstreaming a gender perspective into the work of the human rights machanisms.

The Asian Group welcomes this opportunity for exchange of views as to how a gender perspective can be integrated into the work of the newly established Human Rights Council. We thank all the panelists for thier valuable contributions on the panel topics. We had a rich discussion yesterday we hope the same today as well. The Asian Group believes that our deliberations on this topic and the suggestions given by the panelists would be useful for our work in the Council in relation to the question of mainstreaming a gender perspective into the work of the Human Rights Council.

I thank you Madam Moderator.

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