The Netherlands has been regrettably absent from the international human right debate. Former UN human rights Commissioner and former Irish president Mary Robinson made that statement in an interview with current affairs programme Nieuwsuur (News Hour).

Mary Robinson is a member of 'The Elders', a group of elderly statesmen –and women – founded by former South African president Nelson Mandela four years ago. The Elders visit conflict areas across the globe. Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, former USA president Jimmy Carter and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu are all members. Dutch Princess Mabel is director of the group.

In the interview, Ms Robinson said she was disappointed in the role the Netherlands is currently playing in the human rights debate.

“I have always regarded, you know, this country as being a really good leader on humanitarian aid and human rights issues. And more recently, I don’t see that voice strongly and I would just like to encourage it very much, and encourage the people of this country who I know have a very strong sense of leadership on human rights.”

Osama bin Laden
In the interview, Mary Robinson also talked about the death of Osama Bin Laden. She would have preferred the US had arrested the al-Qaeda leader and put him on trial.

"I have to say personally, I get a bit uncomfortable when somebody who does not appear to be armed, who potentially could be arrested and brought to justice, is shot. I can understand the desirables to find him, but it was always: 'Find him and bring him to justice'.”

The Elders have been involved in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for years. The group has held talks with the leaders of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas. So far, the Dutch cabinet has refused to talk to Hamas. Former US president Jimmy Carter urged the Netherlands to initiate dialogue. Mr Carter was one of the observers at the 2006 elections which were eventually won by Hamas:

“Subsequently to that, Hamas candidates were declared to be terrorists. I believe that dialogue is the best way to get Hamas to moderate their position to accept the right of Israel to exist within the '67 borders and to have a ceasefire in the West Bank and also Gaza.”

Queen Beatrix
The Elders are in the Netherlands this week. They met Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal on Tuesday morning, followed by a dinner hosted by Queen Beatrix at Huis ten Bosch palace on Tuesday evening. Prime Minister Mark Rutte also attended the dinner.

(gsh/rk)