SWISS DELEGATION

MULTILATERAL PEACE PROCESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

PLENARY SESSION OF THE STEERING GROUP
MOSCOW,JANUARY 31- FEBRUARY 1st 2000

INFORMATION ON THE HUMAN DIMENSION

1. Human Dimension in the Middle East Peace Process: its origins

From the co-sponsors' summary of the Multilateral Steering Group meeting  hold in Montreux, Switzerland, on May 17 -18, 1995:

The Swiss delegation presented its proposal for the establishment of a multililteral group in the field of civi1, political, social, economic, and cultural rights and of intercultural understanding. Having listened to the views of the delegations, the co-sponsors noted the general acceptance of the broad Swiss concept and of its inclusion in the work of the multilaterals.

Switzerland was entrusted by the Steering Group to be the shepherd fir these issues within the framework of the existing working groups. The gavel-holders will work. with Switzerland to help the working groups to identify and undertake activities in this field, drawing from specific ideas it has previously discussed with the regional parties.

Switzerland will report to the next plenary session of the Steering Group on progress achieved, at which time the Steering Group will consider further the establishment of a working group on these irsues.

In addition, Switzerland will act as adviser to the co-sponsors on the human dimension of the multilateral process.

2. Aims pursued by Switzerland

Switzerland has followed an idea, which is as simple as it is difficult: to create an environment where the right to life, liberty and security can be secured for everyone.

The goals pursued by Switzerland have aimed to:

• Further tolerance and mutual understanding between the various cultures in the region;
• Promote the idea of human rights;
• Promote co-operation, exchanges and contacts among people and aUtures in the Middle East.

To achieve these aims within the five working groups, Switzerland has decided to concentrate its efforts on three main fidds:

• Dissemination of international humanitarian law;
• Co-operation to promote human dghts;
• Intercultural understanding.

3. Proposals made - Symposium on the Rights of the Child

Following the Montreux Steering Group meeting, several projects have been proposed, in different fidds, such as the dissemination of international humanitarian law and the preparation of guidelines for educational curricula. Among various proposals, it emerged as a consensus that the first initiative to be implemented should be a Symposium on the Rights of the Child. Organised on a regional basis, this symposium was intended to be integrated in the Multilatera1s and this proposal was introduced and adopted at the plenary meeting of the Regional Economic Development Working  GrouP in Amman in May 1996. Four aspects were to be discussed: the basic rights of the child; the teachring of the rights of the child; juvenile justice; the specific needs of Palestinian children in a period of transition.

4. Difficulties and achievements

Within the Multilaterals, several obstacles, mainly of procedural or of technical nature (as the irIrgular plenary meerings of the Working Groups), have also been encountered. Therefore, the inclusion of the human dimension in the Mulrilaterals could not be achieved yet to any significative extent. However, all parties to the Multilaterals and especially regional parties have acknowledged the importance of the  human dimension of the peace process and have welcomed the gradual and flexible approach chosen by Switzerland in this field.

The above-mentioned Symposium on the Rights of the Child, scheduled for March 4-6, 1997 in Hammamet, had to be postponed mdefinitely. During the stalemate of the Mulrilaterals, Switzerland has continued to take part to the informal meetings or brain-stormings and has tried to adapt its activities for the human dimension as follows:

- setring up bilateral working arrangements,
- supporting civil society initiatives with such partnes as NGOs, universities, publishers.

More than 50 "human dimension " projects or activities have been supported during the years 1996-1999, in addition to other Swiss contributions already going in tandem with the "human dimension " mandate (humanitarian aid, development co-operation).

5. Future prospects

• Switzerland is ready to resume its efforts to promote human rights and intercultural understanding, in co-operation with the co-sponsors of the Middle East Peace Process, the gavel-holders and the participants of the multilateral working groups - with a gradual and flexible approach .
• In particular, Switzemnd is ready to do the appropriate consultations on the convening of a Symposium on the Rights of the Child, as well as on other proposals made in the past, with the necessary adaptations.
• Switzerland will also propose to the parties to the various working groups to discuss informally, at an appropriate time but as soon as possible, on those aspects of the "human dimension" to be considered in their respective fields. On that basis, Switzerland would be ready to do further proposals.
• In a near future and as in the past, Switzerland will be honored to host talks and meetings linked with the Multilateral Peace Process. Informal consultations on this issue will take place soon.