UN's Ban Defers on Human Rights, But Not on Climate Change, UN Charter Put In Question

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN: News Analysis

UNITED NATIONS, September 12 -- On climate change, Ban Ki-moon speaks for the UN, leaving the UN Environment Program to follow behind, explaining or filling in the holes. On human rights, however, it appears that Ban does not want to speak. At Wednesday's noon briefing, Ban's spokesperson was asked to respond to a call that Ban take action on human rights, and answered:

Spokesperson: Well, such an action would definitely, if it is to be undertaken, be undertaken by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, not directly by the Secretariat here.  As you know, we have a body that takes care of this type of situation.

Correspondent: Michele, that was addressed directly to the Secretary-General, not to the (inaudible).

Spokesperson: Whether it is directed to the Secretary-General or not, there is a structure here and the Secretary-General certainly refers violations of human rights first and foremost to the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  That's my answer.

            That is in fact Ban Ki-moon answer. At the Security Council stakeout on September 10, asked about his penchant for treating dictators with respect, Ban said that "for individual countries' human rights record, there may be many different understandings or, again, interpretations."

UN human rights' Louise Arbour, Mr. Ban not shown

            There is no such deference to structure in the Secretary General's approach to climate change. On Wednesday, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesperson:

Inner City Press: You said on human rights the Secretary-General defers to Ms. Arbour.  On climate change, is UNEP in charge or is the Secretary-General the one who speaks on that?

Spokesperson: Of course, you have specialized agencies or specialized departments that take charge.  But the Secretary-General has decided to put his own advocacy behind the whole climate change issue and mobilize political will in addressing climate change.  So I think you are dealing here with a different subject. 

            Clearly -- and a different approach: a decision by Ban to put his advocacy into climate change, to the remain silent, and delegate to others, on human rights.

            But which issue is included in the UN Charter?  Developing.

  Again, because a number of Inner City Press' UN sources go out of their way to express commitment to serving the poor, and while it should be unnecessary, Inner City Press is compelled to conclude this installment in a necessarily-ongoing series by saluting the stated goals of the UN agencies and many of their staff. Keep those cards, letters and emails coming, and phone calls too, we apologize for any phone tag, but please continue trying, and keep the information flowing.

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