Hellenic Cyprus
31-07-2005, 13:48
With regards to the recent UN resolution entitled ‘Freedom of Conscience’ we would like you to re-consider your vote on the basis that this resolution is inaccurately written.
We agree strongly with the description of the resolution, but fail to make definite meaning of the 3 points raised.
Point 1)
The phrase ‘…NOT for use of…racial, religious, sexual or similar reasons…’ used to describe exemption to the phrase ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ is then contradicted with ‘…but for their political, religious or other beliefs, or their ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, colour…’
Point 2)
The word ‘disappearance’ or any other word that is to be used as the terminology to describe ‘…a person has been taken into custody by government authorities or by an armed political group, when this person’s whereabouts and wellbeing are kept secret without the full, informed, uncoerced consent of the individual in question…’ is not of great importance in such a resolution. What is of importance however is that national security is not jeopardized by police authorities or governmental bodies revealing the whereabouts of suspected criminals such as terrorist suspects to the mass media.
Point 3)
‘…CONDEMN…killings caused by the unnecessary use of lethal force…’ Again it is the opinion of any government active in human rights to condemn such actions however the issue is not if to condemn such actions or not. This point is completely unclear in two aspects. Firstly, Who and How will the term ‘unnecessary’ be judged, and most importantly, what will be the penalty for such condemnation.
On the whole, we believe that although this resolution is a positive step forward in the issues of human rights, it unfortunate that it has not been written in full consideration and complete clarity. Such a resolution could jeopardize matters of national security if misinterpreted.
We urge you to reconsider your voting stance on this matter for your great nation and those of your endorsees, since no decision shall be made until the 3rd August 2005.
We thank you kindly for your kind attention on this matter and hope to collaborate both politically and economically in the future.
A. Mikellides
President
Hellenic Cyprus
Of the Hellenic Empire
We agree strongly with the description of the resolution, but fail to make definite meaning of the 3 points raised.
Point 1)
The phrase ‘…NOT for use of…racial, religious, sexual or similar reasons…’ used to describe exemption to the phrase ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ is then contradicted with ‘…but for their political, religious or other beliefs, or their ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, colour…’
Point 2)
The word ‘disappearance’ or any other word that is to be used as the terminology to describe ‘…a person has been taken into custody by government authorities or by an armed political group, when this person’s whereabouts and wellbeing are kept secret without the full, informed, uncoerced consent of the individual in question…’ is not of great importance in such a resolution. What is of importance however is that national security is not jeopardized by police authorities or governmental bodies revealing the whereabouts of suspected criminals such as terrorist suspects to the mass media.
Point 3)
‘…CONDEMN…killings caused by the unnecessary use of lethal force…’ Again it is the opinion of any government active in human rights to condemn such actions however the issue is not if to condemn such actions or not. This point is completely unclear in two aspects. Firstly, Who and How will the term ‘unnecessary’ be judged, and most importantly, what will be the penalty for such condemnation.
On the whole, we believe that although this resolution is a positive step forward in the issues of human rights, it unfortunate that it has not been written in full consideration and complete clarity. Such a resolution could jeopardize matters of national security if misinterpreted.
We urge you to reconsider your voting stance on this matter for your great nation and those of your endorsees, since no decision shall be made until the 3rd August 2005.
We thank you kindly for your kind attention on this matter and hope to collaborate both politically and economically in the future.
A. Mikellides
President
Hellenic Cyprus
Of the Hellenic Empire