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Panel on intercultural dialogue on human rights

141. At the 30th meeting, on 18 March 2008, a panel on intercultural dialogue on human rights was held. The following panellists addressed the plenary: Hamidou Dia; Jan Henningsson; Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad; Chandra Muzaffar; and Ömür Orhun. The panel was moderated by Professor Malcolm D. Evans.

142. In the ensuing general debate at the same meeting, the following made statements:

(a) Representatives of States members of the Council: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Egypt (on behalf of the Group of African States), India, Italy, Nigeria, Pakistan (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), Palestine³ (on behalf of the Group of Arab States), Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia (on behalf of the European Union);

(b) Observers for the following States: Algeria, Finland, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Tunisia, Turkey, United States of America;

(c) Observer for: Holy See;

(d) Observers for non-governmental organizations: Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Comisión Jurídica Para el Autodesarollo de Los Pueblos Originarios Andinos “CAPAJ”, Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations, Interfaith International (also on behalf of the Al-Hakim Foundation), International Federation of University Women (also on behalf of Interfaith International, the International Federation of Business and Professional Women and the Women’s Federation for World Peace International and Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children), International Service for Human Rights (also on behalf of Al Haq-Law in The Service of Man, the Anglican Consultative Council, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia), the Baha’i International Community, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Conectas Dereitos Humanos, Franciscans International, the Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers), Human Rights Watch, the International Association for Religious Freedom, the International Commission of Jurists, the Lutheran World Federation and Philippine Human Rights Information Centre (PHILRIGHTS)), Islamic Human Rights Commission, UNESCO Centre Basque Country (UNESCO EXTEA).

143. At the same meeting, the following panellists answered questions and made comments: Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Mr. Henningsson, Mr. Muzaffar and Mr. Orhun. The moderator, Mr. Evans, then made his concluding remarks.