From left to right: Ms Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief; Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma; Mr Olivier de Schutter, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food; and Mr Cephas Lumina, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights.
UN experts call on Secretary-General
8 December 2008
Three United Nations experts called on Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at the Commonwealth Secretariat on 8 December 2008.
Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief; Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food; and Cephas Lumina, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of states on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, discussed ways to develop closer collaboration with the Commonwealth to strengthen human rights.
Ms Jahangir encouraged greater interventions by the Commonwealth on the issue of religion through its experience in diversity, while Mr De Schutter said the Commonwealth can add value in addressing the food crisis by examining the issue of food aid, development co-operation and sustainable agriculture. Mr Lumina shared his thoughts on the outcomes of the recent UN International Conference on Financing for Development and the role the G20 can play to realise goals.
The Secretary-General said plans are under way to develop a partnership platform portal to connect interested parties on common issues, including agriculture.
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