Outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson has said developed countries became her sharpest critics when she spoke out about freedoms there.
Mrs Robinson also said her greatest regret during her five years in office was failing to gain greater support to help developing countries that are lagging in their respect for human rights.
|
She was speaking ahead of stepping down from her extended term as the UN's top human rights official on Thursday, when she hands over to Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello of Brazil.
During her time in office, Mrs Robinson earned a reputation among some for acting as the moral voice for victims of abuse, although some activists and diplomats thought she was too hesitant at times.
But she said 90 per cent of her job had involved careful dialogue and diplomacy with all countries. "The system applies to both developed and developing countries, it is when I have criticised developed countries that I have got the sharpest criticism," she said. "You focus on the speaking out when it is necessary and I have never regretted it, I think it's most important there is a voice".
Mrs Robinson said: "I learned that human rights are not protected from Geneva or New York. They're protected in those [developing] countries, and they need much more support in building up their administration of justice, rule of law and human rights standards," the former Irish president said.
"The main disappointment is that it wasn't possible to get more support for developing countries".
AFP
