Commission on Human Rights continues debate on violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world

UN press release - Evening, 30 March 2000

The Commission on Human Rights this evening continued its debate on the question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world.

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Statements

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EMMA BONINO, of the Transnational Radical Party, said there were serious violations of civil and political rights in Italy, where the authorities respected neither the Constitution nor other laws or international treaties on the protection of human rights. Violations in the area of human rights concerned, among other things, the right to information, protest, free democratic election and impunity of those who violated established procedures. The existing electoral jungle in Italy obliged candidates to either renounce their candidacy or act fraudulently. The media was monopolized by a single entrepreneur, Silvio Berlusconi, who was also the leader of the official opposition. The public sector was strictly controlled by the party system. The public television was also violating the law. The Commission was urged to include the situation in Italy in its agenda so that it could be treated by the Subcomission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. There were worrying signs in Europe which were being unde

restimated.

Rights of Reply

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The representative of Italy, speaking in right of reply, said that concerning the protection and right of access to the media, the Italian delegation would provide the Commission with documents related to allegations made by the Transnational Radical Party. This way, Governments, delegations, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, observers and non-governmental organizations would be able to compare the basic texts directly regardless of any electoral context.