DRAFT SEEKING TO END ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GIRL CHILD INTRODUCED IN THIRD COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/SHC/3342
DRAFT SEEKING TO END ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GIRL CHILD INTRODUCED IN THIRD COMMITTEE
19951204 Debate Continues on Human Rights QuestionsThe General Assembly would call upon Member States and the international community to take into account the rights and the particular needs of the girl child and to eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against her, under an 82-Power draft introduced this morning in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).
The draft makes special reference to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Also by the terms of the text, States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations would be called upon to mobilize the necessary financial resources and political support to achieve goals, strategies and actions relating to the survival, development and protection of the girl child in all programmes for children.
Also this morning, the Committee continued its consideration of questions relating to human rights.
Stating that safeguarding the rights of national minorities was key to the maintenance of security and stability in the contemporary world, the representative of the Russian Federation said that it was inexcusable that hundreds of thousands of the Russian speaking population in Latvia and Estonia were deprived of citizenship and subjected to systematic discrimination.
Contrary to politically motivated accusations of discrimination, his country had taken many unprecedented measures to assist the integration of its residents of foreign origin, the representative of Estonia said. And the representative of Moldova rejected any claim that a Russian military presence was necessary to protect non-ethnic Moldovan minorities in the Transdniestrian region.
There was selectivity and a lack of objectivity by certain Member States of the North in dealing with human rights issues, the representative of Cuba
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said. In the United States, racism and racial discrimination had dramatically increased and that country currently had the highest number of juvenile criminals in the world -- 827,440. Thirty-two percent of African-Americans aged 20 to 29 were included in that figure.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Guatemala, Rwanda, Philippines, Venezuela and Austria. The observer for Palestine also made a statement.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to conclude its consideration of human rights questions.
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Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue its consideration of human rights questions. Those include how the provisions of human rights instruments are being carried out, as well as alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights. The Committee will also examine human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives. And it will discuss the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
Under its sub-item on the implementation of human rights instruments, the Committee has before it reports of the Human Rights Committee (document A/50/40); of the Committee against Torture (document A/50/44) and one on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (document A/50/512); as well as a report by the Secretary-General on the status of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (document A/50/469). It will also consider the report on the status of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and of the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (document A/50/472). (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3331 of 24 November.)
On another sub-item, on human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Committee has before it reports on the following:
-- Respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes (document A/50/495);
-- Effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (document A/50/514);
-- Human rights and mass exodus (document A/50/566);
-- Human rights and terrorism (document A/50/685);
-- Assistance to States in strengthening the rule of law (document A/50/653);
-- Strengthening of the Centre for Human Rights (document A/50/678);
-- Geographical composition and function of the staff of the Centre for Human Rights (document A/50/682).
Also before the Committee are:
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-- The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the plan of action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (document A/50/698);
-- Report of the Secretary-General on the Recommendations made by his Special Representative for human rights in Cambodia (document A/50/681);
-- Report of the Secretary-General on the role of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights in assisting the Government and people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/50/681/Add.1);
-- Report of the Secretary-General on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/50/452);
-- And report of the Secretary-General on enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections (document A/50/736).
(For background on these reports, see Press Release GA/SHC/3331 of 24 November, GA/SHC/3335 of 28 November and GA/SHC/3336 of 29 November.)
Under its sub-item on human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives, the Committee has before it notes by the Secretary-General transmitting the following: interim report prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/50/568); the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan (document A/50/569); the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cuba (document A/50/663); three reports by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Rwanda (document A/50/709); and the report on the situation of human rights in Kosovo (document A/50/767). (For background, see Press Releases GA/SHC/3333 and GA/SHC/3334 of 27 November as well as GA/SHC/3335 of 28 November.)
Also before the Committee is a report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/50/782). It follows paragraph 19 of General Assembly resolution 49/197 of 23 December 1994 in which the Special Rapporteur was requested to continue his discussions with the Government of Myanmar "in order to assist national reconciliation, and to report to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session and to the Commission on Human Right at its fifty-first session". Since the adoption of that resolution, three rounds of talks had been held between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar and the Special Rapporteur's representative, Alvaro de Soto, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
According to the report, the first round of talks took place from 6 to 8 February in Yangon; the second, also in Yangon, from 13 to 19 August; and the third at United Nations Headquarters on 10 October. In his discussions with the Myanmar authorities, the Special Rapporteur's representative raised a series of ideas which included the following: plans for the establishment of a multi-party democratic system and, in that context, the mandate, composition, procedures and
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functioning of the National Convention; the desirability of dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders and their situation; and the desirability of granting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) free and confidential access to prisoners and detainees.
During his discussions, the representative was informed that over 70 prisoners had been released since the beginning of the year, including 19 persons whose names and particulars were given to him, the report states. The Government also mentioned to him that other prisoners would continue to be released once it considered that they no longer posed a threat to the security of the State. Also, the restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were lifted and the Government stated that she was now an ordinary citizen. In her meetings with the representative, Daw Aung Sna Suu Kyi had repeatedly expressed her own and her party's readiness to engage at the earliest possible date in a substantive dialogue with the Myanmar authorities. In her view, the National Convention, in its present form, could not be regarded either as a valid process of democratization or as a substitute for a genuine political dialogue. She hoped the Convention would change its composition, functioning and working procedures.
The report states that during the discussions, the Myanmar authorities had said that a counterproposal had been conveyed to the ICRC, and that the door remained open to discussions. However, the Government and the ICRC did not seem to have succeeded in overcoming their differences. Regarding the military developments that had taken place in the Kayin (Karen) State earlier this year, and the situation of the Karens and the Karennis within Myanmar and on the Thai side of the border, the Minister for Foreign Affairs had stated that the Karenni National Progressive Party had "returned to the legal fold". That had happened although no cease-fire agreement had been signed between the State Law and Order Restoration Council and that Party. In addition, the fighting that had been reported in the foreign media did not involve the forces of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, but had been caused by a rift among the military commanders of the Karennin National Progressive Party.
The report concludes that, crucial to the efforts of establishing a multi- party democratic system, would be to start a substantive and productive dialogue with the political forces and national races as well as to address the underlying problems that were the root of the political strife and of the armed conflicts which have afflicted the country in the past.
Under its sub-item on the implementation of the follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the Committee has before it the Secretary- General's report on the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development (document A/50/670). (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3335 of 28 November.)
The Committee is also expected to hear the introduction of a draft resolution on the promotion and protection of the rights of children.
Draft Resolution
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By the terms of a 75-Power draft resolution on the girl child, (document A/C.3/50/L.31/Rev.1) the General Assembly would call upon the international community and, in particular, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to take into account the rights and the particular needs of the girl child and to eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against her. It would call upon States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to help mobilize the necessary financial resources and political support to help achieve goals, strategies and actions relating to the survival, development and protection of the girl child in all programmes for children.
Also under the terms of that text, the Secretary-General would be requested to ensure that the goals and actions relating to the girl child receive full attention in the implementation of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women through the work of all organizations and bodies of the United Nations system.
That draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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SOMAIA BARGHOUTI, observer for Palestine, said the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, was of great concern. The Palestinian people were still being denied the right to self-determination, which was considered a basic human right. "More effort by the United Nations system is required to assist the Palestinian people in their endeavour to realize this right", she said.
Also of great concern was the situation of Palestinian refugees and displaced persons, she said. Approximately half of the Palestinian people were refugees, and a large number were displaced persons who remained scattered throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere. Their plight and their right to
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repatriation and compensation awaited solution.
Israeli practices and policies against Palestinians included the demolition or sealing of Palestinian homes, the imposition of curfews and arbitrary arrests, she said. Furthermore, land confiscation and the building and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements had continued. "In order for the objectives of the peace process to be achieved, it is imperative that Palestinian people experience a real change in their human rights situation and thus in their living conditions", she said.
JUAN ANTONIO FERNANDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba) said his Government would continue its support to the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The only serious way to solve human rights problems was through cooperation. He hoped for the strengthening of the Centre for Human Rights.
In dealing with human rights issues, he said, there was an unfair selectivity and a lack of objectivity by certain Member States of the North. "They are giving us lessons of civility as well as of good behaviour", he said. No one could teach his country human rights values, which were fully respected. He regretted the growing racism and xenophobia in industrialized countries, especially against migrant workers and their families, refugees and linguistic minorities.
In the United States, he continued, the American dream had become a tragic reality due to discrimination and racism. In New York, 80 per cent of those living in poverty, including almost a million children, were of Hispanic and African origins. And, the Indian population in the United States had been mistreated for years. The United States' judicial and penitentiary systems were deplorable. That country had the highest prison community in the world, with close to 1,500,000 imprisoned persons. It also had the highest number of juvenile criminals -- aged 20 to 29 -- in the world -- 827,440 youngsters. That number constituted 32 per cent of the African-American population between those ages. Also, 89 per cent of those accused of capital crimes in the United States were African-Americans.
OSCAR DE ROJAS (Venezuela) said that the theme of human rights had had a positive influence on internal law. The provisions of various international human rights instruments had been incorporated in the constitutions of many States. However, the promotion and protection of human rights was not the exclusive responsibility of States but was an issue requiring universal cooperation.
He said the time had come to implement the right to development as a human right through the institution of effective national development. Democracy was
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the best framework for ensuring freedom and full enjoyment of human rights. It also encouraged a climate of peace and understanding.
He said Venezuela attached special importance to the role of the Centre for Human Rights. The programmes of the Centre must give special attention to the right to development. His country was carrying out activities to reaffirm the culture of human rights, and the teaching of human rights was included at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education.
He went on to appeal to the international community to strengthen its efforts in support of the protection of human rights in Haiti. The Centre for Human Rights must also continue its technical programme of assistance to the Government of Haiti, he said.
SERGEY V. LAVROV (Russian Federation) said that a connection between massive violations of human rights and the outbreak of armed conflict was becoming increasingly evident. Under present conditions, consideration of human rights-related issues should be closely linked to issues of maintaining peace and security on both a regional and a global scale. It would be desirable for the Centre for Human Rights to conduct research on the role and significance of human rights in the context of safeguarding peace, security and stability.
He said that politicized rhetoric in the activities of United Nations organs dealing with human rights sometimes put obstacles in the way of the search for constructive solutions to many complex problems in the area of protection and promotion of personal rights and freedoms. Equitable dialogue should be sought rather than confrontation or antagonism. The challenges of the times required a qualitative improvement of the United Nations human rights mechanism.
He said that safeguarding the rights of national minorities was of key importance to the maintenance of security and stability in the contemporary world. That issue was vital to Russia, which had 25 million of its citizens living beyond its borders as a consequence of the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Russia's strategic line on ethnic Russians was the promotion of their voluntary integration into the political, social and economic life of newly independent States while maintaining their own cultural identity. Referring to the Russian-speaking population of Latvia and Estonia, he said it was inexcusable that hundreds of thousands of people were deprived of citizenship and subjected to systematic discrimination.
On the former Yugoslavia, he said his country rejected double standards. "We view as absolutely unacceptable the approach of certain countries which on some occasions demand that air strikes be delivered in retaliation for ethnic cleansing while trying not to notice the very same ethnic cleansing in other instances."
CHRISTIAN STROHAL (Austria) said remedies for human rights violations needed to include measures against impunity of perpetrators of such violations together with compensation for the victims. Strong national institutions were
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needed, and a democratic society with a pluralistic political system was essential for the promotion and protection of human rights.
At the international level, he hoped for the universal ratification of human rights instruments and for the implementation of recommendations from treaty bodies and special procedures. He also called for the integration of human rights issues into development programmes. The provision of advisory services and technical assistance also played a crucial and expanding role in the human rights field. The High Commissioner for Human Rights had added a new dimension to the protection and promotion of human rights at the international level. He underlined the need to endorse the Secretary-General's budget proposal for human rights activities.
Further initiatives were necessary to strengthen the cooperative and preventive capacities of the international human rights system, he said. Areas needing particular attention were the protection of minorities, the specific needs of children and juveniles in conflict with the law, and the question of internally displaced persons.