Finland, 1998

This year we are

commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation

of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I should like

therefore to congratulate Mr. Opertti very warmly upon his

election to the presidency of this session. Finland will give

him its full support in his demanding task.

Finland aligns itself with the statement made by my

Austrian colleague, Mr. Wolfgang Schüssel, on behalf of

the European Union.

As has been mentioned in other statements, one of the

catchwords of our time is globalization. We all should be

ready to contribute to a constructive international dialogue

aiming at improving the joint global responses to the

various challenges emanating from this globalization.

We have also done a lot. The United Nations has in

the 1990s convened global conferences to enhance

development in the fields of human rights, sustainable

environmental development, population policies, social

development, the advancement of women, food security,

human settlements and the rights of the child.

These conferences have set an ambitious global agenda

to which Governments are committed. These commitments

form a road map which guides the Governments, non-

governmental organizations and individuals as well as the

United Nations system. The question remains: can the

United Nations deliver? Do we, the Member States, want

our Organization to be able to deliver? And do we make it

our own responsibility to realize our commitments? Then

and only then can the United Nations deliver.

And are we also able to see good partners?

Democratic Member States and free, capable citizens and

their organizations form a good basis for an international

network of safety in the world of globalization.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been

and is the basis for developing human rights. We should

commemorate the Declaration in the daily activities of our

Governments and common international institutions.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has emphasized that human

rights are the basis for sustainable human development and

for the sustainability of any community. I subscribe to his

words and endorse his objective of knitting human rights

into all United Nations activities. Adequate resources

should be secured for this process.

The universal nature of human rights should be

beyond question and doubt. All women, men and children

who enjoy or are demanding those rights are equal

regardless of their nationality or cultural identity.

This year, human rights are being made more widely

and better known because there are still women, men and

children who are not aware of their rights. Yet

consciousness of oneâs rights is the basis for the rule of

law, democracy, good governance and full enjoyment of

human rights. Awareness-raising is the key to concrete

results in the field of human rights.

The Criminal Court will become an effective

mechanism for the trial of war criminals, as well as a real

deterrent against genocide, crimes against humanity and

war crimes. It is particularly important that the Court

make sure also that those individuals who are responsible

for atrocities in connection with internal conflicts will be

brought to justice.

It is important that special provisions for the

protection of women and children were included in the

definition of war crimes and crimes against humanity as

well as elsewhere in the Statute. The Criminal Court

should keep this in mind in its everyday work. As the

experience of the two ad hoc tribunals shows, special

expertise is needed for that purpose.

In this connection, let me emphasize that Finland

also strongly supports the finalization of an optional

protocol on children in armed conflicts based on an age

limit of 18 years. The suffering inflicted on children by

conflicts is intolerable. It is high time to act.

We have once again been reminded that terrorism

constitutes a growing threat to human beings, internal and

international security and the functioning of democratic

institutions. Within the framework of the United Nations,

important work has been done in the fight against

terrorism. A sustainable response to terrorism can be

found only through intensified efforts within the United

Nations and improved operational cooperation between

States. In this regard, I want to stress that the fight

against terrorism should be carried out in accordance with

relevant international instruments, including those related

to human rights.

Finland calls for ratification and full implementation

of the international conventions on the suppression of

terrorism and an early finalization and acceptance of the

convention on the suppression of acts of nuclear

terrorism.

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Another way to secure our global neighbourhood is to

continue disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. The

ongoing efforts of the international community were

challenged by the nuclear test explosions by India and

Pakistan. Finland deplored these actions. Now it is

important to prevent a nuclear arms race in South Asia. We

call on India and Pakistan to confirm their promises not to

test again through adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear-

Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT remains a strong and

dynamic cornerstone of the global security system. It serves

the interests of all States.

Finland welcomes the agreement to begin negotiations

at the Conference on Disarmament on a treaty banning the

production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. A cap on

the production of fissile material will serve both nuclear

disarmament and non-proliferation.

Conventional weapons are increasingly included in

disarmament efforts. Finland warmly welcomes this

development. In several conflict areas, the accumulation of

weapons is threatening the very existence of nations. We

welcome the entry into force of the Ottawa Convention on

anti-personnel landmines following the fortieth ratification

last week.

The issue of small arms is acute. Readily available and

easy to use, small arms are the main tools of violence in

todayâs conflicts. The world community needs to respond

to the problem of small arms through both enhanced global

and regional cooperation. Member States need to control

their exports and other transfers of small arms. But that is

not enough. An integrated approach involving measures

addressing both security and development of societies is

required. Finland supports a lead role for the United

Nations on the issue of small arms. We look forward to the

recommendations next year by the United Nations panel on

small arms.

On the opening day of this session due tribute was

paid to the women and men who have served during the

past 50 years in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The Organization has a unique role in peacekeeping.

Finland reiterates its firm support and commitment to this

essential function of the United Nations in global collective

security. The world needs the peacekeeping and peace-

building capability of the United Nations. We have to

strengthen the capacity of the Organization in these fields.

Finland calls upon Member States to secure financing for

this purpose.

Attacks against unarmed United Nations personnel

and humanitarian workers are increasing. This trend has

to be reversed. Parties to any conflict must respect

international humanitarian law.

We have the global agenda, and the commitments

are there. For implementation we need a strong United

Nations. The Secretary-Generalâs reform package must be

implemented without delay. The proposals for reform in

the economic and social sector need to be realized. It is

also high time to enter into real negotiations on the

reform of the Security Council. All we need is political

will. The reform process must lead to a strengthened and

more efficient United Nations.

Finland values the reforms undertaken by the

Secretary General, Kofi Annan. We highly appreciate his

leadership as the head of this Organization, and we

continue to support him in his endeavours. Member States

must provide the United Nations with sufficient means.

They must fulfil their financial obligations towards the

United Nations, in full, on time and without conditions.

Without a sound financial basis even the efforts at

reforming the United Nations are bound to fail.

Finland also calls for better cooperation and

coordination of development activities both within the

United Nations system and between the United Nations

and the Bretton Woods institutions. An efficient

implementation of the global agenda requires more

coherent approaches from the different actors in the field

of development.

Todayâs global, regional and local problems have

their economic, environmental and social dimensions. A

large-scale problem of a developmental, ecological or

humanitarian nature may even turn into an armed conflict.

Intertwined problems call for integrated responses. We

have good examples of integrated approaches in southern

Africa, as well as in Guatemala and in El Salvador. Peace

agreements and operational agendas include agreements

on human rights, identity and the rights of indigenous

people, social and economic aspects and strengthening of

civilian power, as well as defining the role of the armed

forces. Constitutional reforms and electoral regimes are

also essential, as is monitoring of the functioning of the

courts as a prerequisite for the reform of judicial systems.

We also see the importance of good governance.

We must secure the future of the United Nations, in

terms not only of finance but of political support as well.

Here Governments and the Organization can benefit from

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public interest in the United Nations. We attach high

expectations to the Millennium Assembly and to the role

and participation of civil society in the Millennium Forum.

The Forum can give us guidance from all sectors of our

societies on which way to continue.