THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVES TEXT AIMED AT IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL WOMEN'S SITUATION

6 December 1995

Press Release
GA/SHC/3345

THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVES TEXT AIMED AT IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL WOMEN'S SITUATION

19951206 Nine Draft Texts Introduced on Other Human Rights Questions

The General Assembly would request the international community to promote the realization of the programme and projects aimed at the improvement of the situation of rural women within the overall framework of an integrated follow-up to relevant global conferences, under the terms of a draft approved without a vote this afternoon in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).

Also by that text, the World Food Summit, to be held in 1996, would be invited to give due consideration to the improvement of the situation of women in rural areas, taking into account their role in food production and food security. In addition, the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) would be invited to consider the gender aspects of rural-urban migration and its impact on the situation of rural women, in formulating relevant strategies and actions.

Statements relating to the draft resolution were made by the representatives of Mongolia, Spain and Zambia on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

Also this afternoon, the Committee heard the introduction of nine draft resolutions relating to human rights questions.

Under a draft text on the situation of human rights in Kosovo, the Assembly would condemn the large-scale repression by the police and military of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) against the defenceless ethnic Albanian population and the discrimination against the ethnic Albanians in the administrative and judiciary branches of government, and in education, health care and employment aimed at forcing ethnic Albanians to leave. The text, introduced by the representative of Albania, would also have the Assembly urgently demand that the authorities of that country take all necessary measures to end all human rights violations against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

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The representative of Cuba introduced draft resolutions on respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes; respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification; and strengthening of United Nations action in the human rights field through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non- selectivity, impartiality and objectivity.

Two draft resolutions on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education were introduced by the representatives of Peru and Namibia, respectively.

The representative of Mexico introduced a draft resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Another draft text, on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, was introduced by the representative of Australia. And a draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law was introduced by the representative of Brazil.

The representative of Pakistan made a statement on the Committee's programme of work, noting that consultations were progressing on drawing up draft resolutions.

The Committee will meet again on a date to be announced.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to take action on a draft resolution on improving the situation of rural women (document A/C.3/50/L.24). (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3344 of 5 December.) The Committee is also expected to hear the introduction of several draft resolutions relating to human rights.

Draft Resolutions

Under the terms of a draft resolution on respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes, the Assembly would strongly appeal to all States to refrain from financing or providing, directly or indirectly, any form of overt or covert support for political parties or groups and to refrain from taking actions to undermine the electoral processes in any country (document A/C.3/50/L.32).

That draft would also have the Assembly condemn any act of armed aggression or threat or use of force against peoples, their elected governments or their legitimate leaders. In addition, the Assembly would reaffirm that all countries have the obligation under the Charter to respect the right of others to self-determination and to determine freely their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

The draft text was sponsored by China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Gambia, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Myanmar, Namibia, Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.

Under the terms of another draft before the Committee on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education: culture of peace, the Assembly would encourage countries, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to take all necessary action to ensure education for peace, human rights, democracy, international understanding and tolerance (document A/C.3/50/L.33). Also, the Assembly would express its satisfaction at the recent resolution adopted by the twenty- eighth General Conference of UNESCO, which contain the transdisciplinary project entitled "Towards a culture of peace".

That draft is sponsored by Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Honduras, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Venezuela.

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Also before the Committee is a draft on strengthening of United Nations action in the human rights field through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (document A/C.3/50/L.34). By the terms of that text, the General Assembly would call upon Member States to base their activities for the protection and promotion of human rights on the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other relevant international instruments.

Also by that text, all human rights bodies within the United Nations system as well as the special rapporteur and representatives, independent experts and working groups, would be requested to take duly into account the contents of the present resolution in carrying out their mandates. In addition, the Assembly would stress the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries. The Commission on Human Rights would be requested to give due consideration to the present resolution and to formulate concrete proposals for its implementation.

That text is sponsored by Angola, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Peru, Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Also before the Committee is a draft, sponsored by Cuba, on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/50/L.36). Under its terms, the Assembly would call upon all States to allow, in conformity with national legislation, the free flow of financial remittances by foreign nationals residing in their territory to their relatives in the country of origin.

Also by that text, all States would be also called upon to refrain from enacting, and to repeal if it already exists, legislation intended as a coercive measure against another State which discriminates against individuals or groups of legal migrants by adversely affecting family reunification and the right to send financial remittances to their relatives in the country of origin.

By the terms of another draft resolution, the Secretary-General would be requested to give a high priority to requests from Member States for assistance in the establishment and strengthening of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights as part of the programme of human rights advisory services and technical assistance (document A/C.3/50/L.37). Also, the Assembly would encourage the establishment of such institutions by

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Member States to prevent and combat all violations of human rights as enumerated in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and relevant international instruments.

That text is sponsored by Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Mongolia, Morocco, Tunisia and Venezuela.

Under the terms of another draft before the Committee, on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education the General Assembly would request the High Commissioner for Human Rights to coordinate the implementation of the Plan of Action for the Decade and to carry out the tasks enumerated therein (document A/C.3/50/L.38). It would also have the Assembly request the Secretariat's Centre for Human Rights and the Commission on Human Rights, in cooperation with the existing human rights monitoring bodies, United Nations specialized agencies and programmes, other competent intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to support efforts by the High Commissioner in the implementation of the Plan of Action. Existing human rights monitoring bodies would, in addition, be requested to place emphasis on the implementation by Member States of their international obligation to promote human rights education.

Also by the terms of the draft resolution, the General Assembly would call upon international, regional and national non-governmental organizations to increase their involvement in formal and non-formal education in human rights and to cooperate with the High Commissioner and the Centre for Human Rights in implementing the Plan of Action. The draft text would further have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to consider the possibility of establishing a voluntary fund for human rights education, with special provision for the support of the human rights education activities of non-governmental organizations, to be administered by the Centre for Human Rights.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovenia, Suriname, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

By the terms of a draft text (document A/C.3/50/L.39), the Assembly would call upon all Member States to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families as a matter of priority, and

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would express the hope that it will enter into force at an early date. Also, the Secretary-General would be requested, within existing resources, to provide all facilities and assistance necessary for the promotion of the convention through the World Public Information Campaign on Human Rights and the programme of advisory services in human rights.

That text is sponsored by Argentina, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Tunisia, Turkey and Uruguay.

Under the terms of another draft before the Committee, the Assembly would request the Special Representative on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights office in that country, to continue his evaluation of the extent to which his recommendations in current and in previous reports are followed up and implemented, and would strongly encourage the Government of that country to continue to cooperate with the Special Representative (document A/C.3/50/L.40).

Also by that draft resolution, the Secretary-General would be requested to provide all necessary resources, from within the regular budget of the United Nations, to enable the Special Representative to continue to fulfil his tasks expeditiously. And, the Government of Cambodia would be called upon to ensure the full observance of human rights for all persons within its jurisdiction in accordance with the International Covenants on Human Rights and other human rights instruments to which Cambodia is a party.

Also by that draft, the Centre for Human Rights would be requested along with relevant specialized agencies and development programmes to develop and implement programmes, with the consent and cooperation of the Government of Cambodia in the priority areas identified by the Special Representative, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups, including women, children and minorities. Furthermore, the Assembly would condemns unreservedly attacks on and threats against United Nations, non-governmental organizations and Cambodian Government staff, as well as individuals, and would call upon the Government of Cambodia to investigate those attack and threats and to prosecute those who are responsible.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Australia, Austria, Canada, Israel, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

By the terms of a draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law, the High Commissioner for Human Rights would be requested to continue to explore the possibilities of obtaining from all relevant institutions of the United Nations system, including financial institutions, technical and financial means to strengthen the capacity of the Centre to assist national projects

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aiming at the realization of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law (document A/C.3/50/L.42). Also, the High Commissioner would be encouraged to pursue his consultations with other relevant bodies and programme of the United Nations system taking into account the need to explore new synergies with other organs and agencies.

That draft is sponsored by Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Honduras, India, Israel, Italy, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The Committee also heard the introduction of a draft resolution entitled the situation of human rights in Kosovo by which the General Assembly would strongly condemn the measures and practices of discrimination and the violations of human rights of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo committed by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (document A/C.3/50/L.43).

Also by the terms of that text, the Assembly would condemn the large- scale repression by the police and military of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) against the defenceless ethnic Albanian population and the discrimination against the ethnic Albanians in the administrative and judiciary branches of government, education, health care and employment aimed at forcing ethnic Albanians to leave. The Assembly would urgently demand that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) take all necessary measures to bring to an immediate end all human rights violations against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. They should end the discriminatory measures and practices, arbitrary searches and detention, the violation of the right to a fair trial and the practice of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as revoke all discriminatory legislation, in particular that which has entered into force since 1989.

Also, according to the text, the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) should release all political prisoners and cease the persecution of political leaders and members of local human rights organizations; allow the establishment of genuine democratic institutions in Kosovo, including the parliament and the judiciary, and respect the will of its inhabitants as the best means of preventing the escalation of the conflict there.

Furthermore, those authorities should abrogate the official settlement policy as far as it is conducive to the heightening of ethnic tensions in Kosovo; reopen the cultural and scientific institutions of the ethnic Albanians; and pursue dialogue with the representatives of ethnic Albanians in

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Kosovo, including under the auspices of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia.

Further, by the terms of that text, the Assembly would demand again that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) cooperate fully and immediately with the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia in the discharge of her functions. It would also urge the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to allow the immediate unconditional return of the long-term mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Europe to Kosovo, called for in Security Council resolution 855 (1993).

That draft text would also have the Assembly request the Secretary- General to continue to seek ways and means, including through consultations with the High Commissioner on Human Rights and relevant regional organizations, to establish an adequate international monitoring presence in Kosovo and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its next, fifty-first session. In addition, the Special Rapporteur would be called upon to continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in Kosovo and continue to pay due attention to that matter in her reporting.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Introduction of Draft Resolutions

JUAN ANTONIO FERNANDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba) introduced the draft resolution on respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes.

FERNANDO GUILLEN (Peru) introduced the draft resolution (document A/C.3/50/L.33) "United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education: culture of peace". He said that Belgium, Chile, South Africa, Uruguay, Burundi, Israel and Namibia had joined in sponsoring the draft resolution.

Subsequently, Monaco, Malta, Kyrgyzstan, Guinea, Georgia, Gabon, Kenya, and Benin also joined in sponsoring the draft.

LUIS PEDROSO BUERGO (Cuba) introduced the draft resolution on the strengthening of United Nations action in the human rights field through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity,

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impartiality and objectivity. She said that Lesotho had joined as a co- sponsor.

She made a technical correction which appeared in the Spanish text.

Subsequently, India announced that it would co-sponsor the draft text.

Ms. PEDROSO BUERGO (Cuba) then introduced the draft resolution on respect of the right to universal freedom of travel and vital importance of family reunification. She orally amended operative paragraph 4 (deleting the words "against another State" in lines 2-3).

HAZEL DEWET (Namibia) introduced the draft resolution (document A/C.50/L.38) on the "United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education". She said that Malta had joined the co-sponsors as well as Morocco, Monaco, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Benin, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Cameroon and the Philippines.

YANERIT CRISTINA MORGAN SOTOMAYOR (Mexico) introduced the draft resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

COLIN WILLIS (Australia) introduced the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. He made two procedural amendments orally and said that France, Italy, Belgium and Japan had joined as co- sponsors, as well as the United Kingdom, Spain, Kyrgyzstan.

EDGARD TELLES RIBEIRO (Brazil) introduced the draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law. He said that Guatemala had joined the co- sponsors.

PELLUMB KULLA (Albania) introduced the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Kosovo. He said Norway and Finland had joined as sponsors. He made several procedural amendments orally.

Action on Draft

The Committee then moved to take action on the draft on Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas as orally revised.

KATE NEWELL, Third Committee Secretary, announced that the following had joined in co-sponsoring the draft: Cape Verde, El Salvador, Gambia, Georgia, Jamaica, Kazakstan, Liberia, Nigeria, Thailand, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Russian Federation, India, Burundi, United States, Mauritania, Peru, Azerbaijan, Gabon, Benin, Niger, Solomon Islands, Germany, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey.

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OCHIR ENKHTSETSEG (Mongolia) announced that Germany, Niger, Peru, Portugal, Sweden, Solomon Islands and Turkey had also joined as co-sponsors of the draft. Botswana and Malawi had withdrawn their sponsorship, she said.

The draft was approved without a vote.

AURELIO FERNANDEZ (Spain) said that the resolution had been based on the Plan of Action adopted at the Beijing Women's Conference.

MWILA G.B. CHIGAGA (Zambia), speaking on behalf the Southern African Development Community (SADC) States -- Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe -- said that most women in the southern African subregion were rural women engaged in subsistence farming, accounting for a substantial portion of food output. The issue of land ownership was of great importance; only land ownership could stand as collateral for agricultural credits. She regretted that amendments proposed by the SADC group had not been accepted. The SADC States could not therefore co-sponsor the draft.

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