Combating information technology crimes

France recalling the ICESCR believes its importance concerning the human right of authors to benefit from the moral and material aspects of their artistic expression E/CN.4/Sub.2/2001/12/Add.1. We reaffirm the need for the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works that allows governments to remove and confiscate infringing work. France further seeks to recall Article 8 of the TRIPS agreement, which seeks to protect the rights of countries to provide health and nutrition to their populace considering as well, socio-economic factors with legislation. France draws attention to India and congratulates them on their efforts to combat information technology (IT) crimes with the Information Technology Act of 2000, which aims punish those who hack or damage computer source codes. We draw attention to the WIPO Performances and Phonograph Treaty (WPPT) for its in-direct insight towards the pandemic of file swapping.
—Christos Fouras, Wright State University, 2004.

Patent protection and access to pharmaceuticals

France, recalling Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, endorses that all humans have the right to sufficient mental and physical health care and life. Drawing attention to the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health, France believes that every Member State has the right to provide its population with adequate healthcare and to protect the intellectual property of pharmaceuticals WT/MIN(01)/DEC/W/2. We encourage Member States to uphold Article 4 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, respecting the rights of the patent holder.
—Christos Fouras, Wright State University, 2004.

Genetic modification and intellectual property rights

France further proclaims its disapproval towards genetic modification and seeks to end non-therapeutic research on human genomes, as realized in E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/36, naming the genome as the fundamental unity of the human family. France emphasizes the preamble to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which lists the family the foundation of freedom. Also, France notes with deep concern the question brought about by the World Heath Organization in its assessment of genetically modified food in its report, WHA53.15. France further recommends that individuals procure patents for new hybrids of existing crops to replace genetically modified crops.
—Christos Fouras, Wright State University, 2004.

International peace and security in the Middle East

In the area of security, the instability of the Middle East has placed a great responsibility on all democratic nations of the world. The French Republic is thoroughly committed to working collectively towards a lasting stabilization and just peace in the Middle East in the context of goals and principles of the United Nations (UN). An issue of grave concern to the entire global community is that of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict. The French Republic shares this sentiment, and fully supports S/RES/1515 (2003), demanding for an immediate cessation of all acts of violence. Furthermore, France endorses the Quartet Performance-based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution. While France realizes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one that consists of violence from both sides, France reminds Israel that disregarding Palestinian political realities is not the way to achieve an independent, viable, democratic Palestinian state in peaceful coexistence with the State of Israel, which has a legitimate right to live in security within internationally recognized borders. France also emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, especially in regards to the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese contentions. Acts of terrorism have long destabilized the Middle East region, and since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, terrorism has been a forefront issue on the international stage. France is wholly committed to S/RES/1373 (2001), S/RES/1269 (1999), and S/RES/1368 (2001), adamantly condemning all acts of terrorism. Recalling S/RES/1526 (2004), France urges all States to, within the guidelines of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. France reminds all States that terrorism is fought not only with force, but also with compassion and humanitarian action. We encourage all States to recall and heed the findings of the UN Development Progamme’s Arab Human Development Report. The issue concerning the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, by both individual States and terrorist groups, is one of greatest concern. France calls all States to adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Biological Weapons Convention, Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Proliferation Security Initiative. We strongly believe in the implementation of the NPT by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and support action by the international community to promote the comprehensive safeguards of the IEAE. France welcomes and encourages all States to work within the international community to develop a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. While pleased to see significant progress being made in Iraq, France is deeply disturbed by the rising attacks on international organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and coalition forces themselves. While these attacks must be condemned and strongly punished, we strongly believe in the swift restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty and the end of occupation that. To this end, France strongly supports the renewal of the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force as stated in S/RES/1520 (2003). In the event of increased conflict in the Middle East, particularly one that threatens the rights of a sovereign State, France is prepared to take multilateral decisive action. Any undertaking will be in full accordance with ideals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
—Dylan Borchers, Wright State University, 2004.

Sanctions and enforcement

Recalling Chapter VII, Article 41 of the United Nations Charter the French Republic fully supports the use of sanctions as a legitimate governing tool when used in accordance with the U.N. Charter. The French Republic also recognizes, however, the unwanted effects of sanctions on untargeted states and individuals. For sanctions to be effective they must be carefully targeted to affect those responsible for the situation. It is imperative to make greater use of Article 50 of the U.N. Charter to allow other states confronted with problems to address the Security Council to correct unwanted effects of sanctions. Acknowledging S/RES/1483 the French Republic stresses the need for sanctions to be limited in time and regularly assessed by United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, created in S/RES/1284. In addition, sanctions should be imposed with clear political objectives and specific criteria for their removal and coupled with provisions for effective humanitarian exemptions as emphasized in S/RES/1472. The French Republic urges the implementation of sanctions to be exceptional. They must be imposed gravely to only those situations referred to in Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter.
—Jennifer Cook, Wright State University, 2004.

Nuclear materials security

Cognizant of the link between terrorism and nuclear materials trafficking, the French Republic fully supports the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and urges the implementation of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Transparency is vital to the regulation of nuclear materials. The process of developing legal tools to control conventional weapons is crucial so that crises may be avoided by strengthening confidence and security building measures between states and further encouraging transparency, as called for in the Open Skies Treaty.
—Jennifer Cook, Wright State University, 2004.

Peace making and nation building

The French Republic fully notes the importance of peace making as stressed in the “An Agenda for Peace”. The French Republic stresses three major steps in accomplishing peace in countries affected by conflict during the nation building process. The first of which is to strengthen confidence and national reconciliation with respect to culture as stated in S/RES/1491, S/RES/1510 and S/RES/1511. Secondly, there must be economic reconstruction along with humanitarian aid. Special importance must be paid to disarmament and reintegration programs for former combatants, children, women having been acknowledged by S/RES/1325 and S/RES/1522. The French Republic further urges full integration for communities, minority groups, refuges, and foreign or displaced populations. Disarmament is vital to small arms control in African countries where peace making efforts have been mired by the illegal trafficking of small weapons as mentioned in S/RES/1467 and S/RES/1456. Thirdly, political institutions must be rebuilt. This includes transferring political power to native citizens. This is notably important in Iraq, as noted in S/RES/1511. The complex approach required for peace making and nation building requires international cooperation, as called for in S/RES/1373. This necessitates the involvement of the all U.N. members to secure international peace in accord with Article 1 of the U.N. Charter.
—Jennifer Cook, Wright State University, 2004.

Nuclear free zones

Supporting all existing Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (NWFZ) agreements and their contribution to non-proliferation, disarmament and regional security, The Republic of France reaffirms its commitment to security assurances on a global level. France firmly believes that the success of the NWFZ is based on unanimous support of the Member States in the regions concerned, geographical and strategic relevance and the compliance with universal legal norms (such as United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982). Recognizing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapon (NPT) as the cornerstone of the international efforts regarding non-proliferation, France acknowledges its own responsibility and is prepared to accept our share of implementation in the International Atomic Energy Agency Program for Strengthening the Safeguards System. France calls on nuclear-weapon States and States not parties to NPT to join in contributing to the 93+2 Program.
—Andreas Lundberg, Wright State University, 2004.

The struggle against terrorism and its implications for human rights

Recalling United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions S/RES/1373 (2001), S/RES/1456 (2003), the Group of Eight (G-8) Financial Action Task Force Forty Recommendations and Eight Special Recommendations on Terrorism Financing (2001) and the 12 UN Conventions from 1963 to 1999 relating to terrorism, France recognizes the need for a combined international effort in combating terrorism. Being vigilant against the risk of weakening human rights in the fight against terrorism, France affirms its strong support for the UN Counter Terrorism Committee and endeavors to strengthen the still incomplete international legal standards in the General Assembly. Condemning any terrorist act wherever it may appear, and at the same time fighting against the human, political and social dramas that feed terrorism, France underlines the compatibility of an uncompromising fight against terrorism with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
—Andreas Lundberg, Wright State University, 2004.

The effect of HIV/AIDS on peace and security

In setting up the Ensemble pour une Solidarité Thérapeutique Hospitalière en Réseau (ESTHER) program, The Republic of France, confirms its commitment in the fight against HIV/AIDS internationally. The ESTHER program falls within the framework of the global policy against HIV/AIDS defined at the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2001 in making medication accessibility a goal as important as prevention. In fulfilling and increasing our contribution to the Global Fund for AIDS and in strongly supporting and advocating the goals of the World Health Organization regarding HIV/AIDS research both within the European Union and the G-8, France reaffirms the urgent need for an internationally combined effort in strengthening the world strategy in combating HIV/AIDS in our global community.
—Andreas Lundberg, Wright State University, 2004.

Rights of female refugees

Reaffirming the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Beijing Declaration, the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the Palermo Protocol, the French Republic strongly believes all people have the right to self-determination, including the right of women to decide on matters related to their sexuality. Fully aware of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and A/AC.96/SR.567, we recognize that all forms of gender-based threats, including those resulting from cultural prejudice, are incompatible with the dignity of the people and therefore must be eliminated for female refugees to be protected. Fully alarmed by A/AC.96/961 and S/PV.4852/Resumption.1, recognizing that female refugees are often directly targeted, France calls for more effective responses from the international community. It remains our serious concern that the conditions in refugee camps and communities may make female refugees vulnerable to sexual and other forms of exploitation, as expressed in A/RES/57/306 which considers sexual exploitation of refugees by aid workers. Reaffirming the 2002 Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and A/58/12, we welcome the “Sexual Violence Against Refugees, Guidelines on Prevention and Response” which can serve as a basis of further training for staffs in the fields, and we encourage all States to adhere to its guidelines. As stressed in S/RES/1325, we call for all States to consider crucial steps for female refugee protection, including prevention, justice and participation.
—Eriko Kobayashi, Wright State University, 2004.

Right to decent standard of living

Fully aware of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the non-governmental organization Beijing Declaration, France recognizes the importance of an adequate standard of living for each person, including food, clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services. Recalling CRC/C/65/Add.26, we welcome that various forms of financial support has been provided by the international community to guarantee a decent standard of living for the most disadvantaged families and their children, who are immediately affected by their economic problems. Noting A/C.2/56/SR.28, we reaffirm our commitment to the achievement of the right to adequate housing and furthermore we support the task of the Special Rapporteur on this issue as an integral part of fulfilling an adequate standard of living for all. Recognizing DP/CCF/BVI/1, one of the issues our government wishes to address is equity and the promotion of a social system in all developing countries that accord all segments of the population equal access to income, education, health and basic social services. Recognizing the Millennium Declaration, the French Republic remains committed to achieving the goals of poverty eradiation, including the goal of halving the number of people living in extreme poverty by the year 2015. We believe this poverty eradication should be tackled through sustainable development as called for in Agenda 21.
—Eriko Kobayashi, Wright State University, 2004.

Food security through international co-operation

Recognizing the 1996 Rome Declaration and Plan of Action on World Food Security, the World Food Summit Plan of Action and the International Code of Conduct on the Right to Adequate Food, the French Republic believes that the right to food must be secured through international cooperation. As a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we are fully aware of its mission to assist Member States in implementing policies to promote food security as recognized in E/CN.5/2002/3. Despite this endeavor, it is our concern as expressed in E/CN.5/2002/3 that armed conflicts and subsequent economic collapse typically contribute to food shortages in the affected countries. Taking note of E/CN.4/2002/58, that hunger and malnutrition still sentence millions of people to underdevelopment and death, we strongly believe governments must be held accountable to their obligations under international law. Keeping in mind E/CN.4/2001/148 that economic growth does not in itself guarantee adequate food availability, we recommend all States to develop a legislative agenda to strengthen the implementation of the right to food. Recognizing the Report of the Economic and Social Council for 2001 and A/57/356 we call for advocacy by the United Nations for trade rules that promote food security not to have negative effects in other countries. As stated in S/PV.4507, we will continue to give unreserved and considerable support to the World Food Programmes and will support emergency assistance and assistance for reconstruction as our priorities.
—Eriko Kobayashi, Wright State University, 2004.

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