By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : The United Nations Council on Human Rights has been called to take action to confront the world food crisis, according to an initiative announced by the new Special Rapporteur for the Right to Food, Oliver De Schutter.
In remarks to journalists here on Friday, the Belgian expert proposed to hold a special, high-level meeting of the CHR to discuss the crisis triggered by soaring food prices.
De Schutter said his initiative took into account that the Council was established to contribute to prevent human rights violations through dialogue and cooperation and respond immediately to emergencies in this regard.
“Now we have a human rights emergency and the Council cannot remain silent,”he said.
In his opinion, it would be advisable to convene this special CHR session for May 25 or 26, prior to the FAO summit scheduled for June in Rometo discuss the crisis.
De Schutter, an international law expert and professor of the Louvain Catholic University, replaces Swiss Jean Ziegler, who completed a long term at the UN post.
In his remarks to journalists, he cited subsidies to farm production in rich countries among factors triggering the crisis.
He also mentioned biofuel production and said discussion about this issue must focus on its impact on food security and its social and environmental effects.
He also criticized what he described as “unforgivable inaction of the international community to the calls to support agriculture in developing countries.”
“Governments cannot remain passive to this crisis. Passivity or an inappropriate reaction in this situation may amount to a violation of the right to food” said De Schutter.