United nations a

Special Rapporteur on the right to food

178. At the 17th meeting, on 11 March 2008, the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler, presented his report (A/HRC/7/5 and Add.1-3).

179. At the same meeting, the representatives of Bolivia and Cuba made statements, as concerned countries.

180. During the ensuing interactive dialogue, at the 17th and 18th meetings, on 11 and 12 March 2008, the following made statements and asked the Special Rapporteur questions:

(a) Representatives of States members of the Council: Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt (also on behalf of the Group of African States), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palestine³ (on behalf of the Group of Arab States), Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Slovenia (on behalf of the European Union), South Africa, Uruguay;

(b) Observers for the following States: Algeria, Belarus, Belgium, Côte d’Ivoire, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Lesotho, Luxembourg, Morocco, Norway, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Zimbabwe;

(c) Observer for an intergovernmental organization: African Union;

(d) Observers for non-governmental organizations: Europe-Third World Centre (also on behalf of France Libertés: Fondation Danielle Mitterand and Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les peuples), Federation of Cuban Women, Food First Information and Action Network, Human Rights Advocates Inc., International Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements.

181. At the 18th meeting, on 12 March 2008, the Special Rapporteur answered questions and made his concluding remarks.

Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion
and expression

182. At the 17th meeting, on 11 March 2008, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, presented his report (A/HRC/7/14 and Add.1-3).

183. At the same meeting, the representatives of Azerbaijan and Ukraine made statements, as concerned countries.

184. During the ensuing interactive dialogue, at the 17th and 18th meetings, on 11 and 12 March, the following made statements and asked the Special Rapporteur questions:

(a) Representatives of States members of the Council: Canada, Cuba, Egypt, Germany, India, Malaysia, Pakistan (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), Palestine³ (on behalf of the Group of Arab States), Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Slovenia (on behalf of the European Union), Switzerland;

(b) Observers for the following States: Australia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Maldives, New Zealand, Norway;

(c) Observers for non-governmental organizations: Amnesty International, Centrist Democratic International, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les peuples and Reporters Without Borders.

185. At the 18th meeting, on 12 March 2008, the Special Rapporteur answered questions and made his concluding remarks.

186. At the same meeting, statements in exercise of the right of reply were made by the representatives of Egypt, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.