GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD CONDEMN ARBITRARY EXECUTION OF NINE NIGERIANS, ACCORDING TO THIRD COMMITTEE DRAFT, APPROVED IN RECORDED VOTE

Press Release
GA/SHC/3351

GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD CONDEMN ARBITRARY EXECUTION OF NINE NIGERIANS, ACCORDING TO THIRD COMMITTEE DRAFT, APPROVED IN RECORDED VOTE

The General Assembly would condemn the arbitrary execution, after a flawed judicial process, of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight co-defendants, under the terms of a draft resolution approved, as orally revised, this morning in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).

The draft, approved by a recorded vote of 98 in favour to 12 against, with 42 abstentions, would express deep concern about other violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria, and would call on the Nigerian Government urgently to ensure their observance. (For details of the vote, see Annex IV.)

Speaking in explanation of the vote, before the vote, the representative of Nigeria said that the draft resolution crossed the line between concern for human rights and blatant interference in the internal affairs of his country, thus violating the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter. The execution of nine Nigerians, which had given rise to the proposed draft on his country, had been the result of their criminal indictment on murder charges involving four other Nigerians. Due process had been observed in line with Nigeria's Constitution and the laws of the land.

The representatives of Burundi, Singapore, Algeria, Rwanda, Mexico and Papua New Guinea also made statements in explanation of vote.

Also this morning, the Committee rejected -- by a vote of 32 in favour to 80 against, with 30 abstentions -- a request for a motion, made by the representative of Nigeria, to vote separately on operative paragraphs 1, 5 and 6 and the draft resolution as a whole. (For details see Annex III.)

The representatives of Spain (on behalf of the European Union), Gambia, Canada, Niger and Cuba made statements related to the motion by Nigeria.

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The Committee also rejected -- by a recorded vote of 10 in favour to 90 against, with 35 abstentions -- a proposal to amend the fourth and sixth preambular paragraphs as well as operative paragraph 1 made by the representative of the Gambia. (For details see Annex II.)

His amendment would have amended the fourth preambular paragraph to read "expressing concern that the absence of a representative government may lead to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms" -- replacing "has lead" with "may lead". In the sixth preambular paragraph, he called for the deletion of the word "arbitrary" in reference to the execution. In operative paragraph 1, he called for the replacement of the first word "condemn" with "regrets".

The representatives of Spain (on behalf of the European Union), United Kingdom and Ireland made statements in relation to the amendment proposed by the Gambia.

The Committee also rejected a proposal made by the representative of the Gambia to amend the fifth preambular paragraph of that draft, which noted with interest the recent announcement by Nigeria to, among other things, lift the ban on political activity and the press but expressed disappointment that only limited action in that regard had been taken. That proposal was rejected by a recorded vote of 18 in favour to 85 against, with 33 abstentions. (For details see Annex I).

The representatives of Nigeria, Spain (on behalf of the European Union), United States, Canada, Egypt, United Kingdom, Algeria, Pakistan and Ireland made statements on that proposal.

The Committee will meet again at 3:30 p.m. today to hear statements in explanation of vote on the draft on the situation of human rights in Nigeria. The Committee is also expected to take action on the remaining draft resolutions related to human rights.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to take action on draft resolutions dealing with human rights questions. It will also take action on the report of the Economic and Social Council.

Draft Resolutions

Under the terms of a draft on the effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights (document A/C.3/50/L.47/Rev.1), the Assembly would urge States parties to notify the Secretary-General of their acceptance of the amendments approved by the States parties and the General Assembly in its resolution 48/120. [The amendments concern a change in financing -- from assessments on States parties to funding from the regular United Nations budget.] Also, it would call upon all States parties to fulfil without delay and in full their financial obligations, including their arrears, under the Conventions on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment until the amendments enter into force.

Also under the terms of that draft, the Assembly would urge States parties to contribute, individually and through meetings of States parties, to identifying and implementing ways of further streamlining, rationalizing, avoiding duplication in and otherwise improving reporting procedures. In addition, it would request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) to ensure, from within existing resources, that the revision of the United Nations manual on Human Rights Reporting is completed as soon as possible.

That text is sponsored by Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden.

By a draft on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (document A/C.3/50/L.66) the Assembly would condemn the arbitrary execution, after a flawed judicial process, of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight co-defendants, and emphasize that everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty, according to law, in a public trial with all the guarantees necessary for defence. It would express deep concern about other violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria, and would call on the Nigerian Government urgently to ensure their observance, in particular by restoring habeas corpus, releasing all political prisoners, guaranteeing freedom of the press and ensuring full respect for the rights of

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all individuals, including trade unionists and persons belonging to minorities.

The Assembly would also call upon the Government to abide by its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international instruments on human rights and urge it to restore democratic government. It would welcome actions by the Commonwealth and other States designed to underline to the Nigerian Government the importance of a return to democratic rule and the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and invites Member States in a position to do so to consider appropriate steps, consistent with international law, for that specific purpose.

The sponsors are: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Samoa, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

By the terms of another draft resolution on strengthening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights/Centre for Human Rights (document A/C.3/50/L.62/Rev.1), the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to make available additional human and financial resources, having due regard to the need to finance and implement activities of the United Nations related to development and within the overall regular budget of the United Nations, to enhance the capability of the High Commissioner and of the Centre to fulfil effectively their respective mandates and their ability to carry out mandated operational activities and to coordinate efficiently with other relevant departments of the Secretariat, as well as other organs, bodies and specialized agencies of the United Nations system on logistical and administrative questions.

The draft text is sponsored by Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and Venezuela.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Rwanda (document A/C.3/50/L.67), the Assembly would call upon the Government of Rwanda to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of all personnel attached to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda,

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United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations operating in the country.

It would also have the Assembly urge all States, pursuant to Security Council resolution 978 (1995), to exert, without delay, every effort, including arrest and detention, in order to bring to justice those responsible for acts within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994 in accordance with international principles of due process, and also urges States to honour their obligations under international law in this regard, particularly under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The Assembly would also urge all States concerned to cooperate fully with the International Tribunal for Rwanda, taking into account the obligations contained in Security Council resolutions 955 (1994) and 978 (1995), and to intensify efforts for the effective functioning of the International Tribunal without delay.

The draft resolution was sponsored by Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Benin, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Gabon, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Panama, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and United Kingdom.

Under a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (document A/C.3/50/L.46), the Assembly would condemn, in the strongest terms, all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the parties to the conflict there, recognizing that the leadership in territories under the control of Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and formerly Serb-held areas of Croatia, the commanders of Serb paramilitary forces and political and military leaders in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) bore primary responsibility for most of those violations, and that persons who committed such acts would be held personally responsible and accountable.

It would also have the Assembly condemn the attacks on the safe areas of Srebrenica and Zepa by Bosnian Serb forces, which led to gross abuses of human rights and grave breaches of international humanitarian law and the disappearance of thousands of persons, as detailed in the reports of the new and the former Special Rapporteurs. It would also condemn the indiscriminate shelling of civilians in the safe areas of Sarajevo, Tuzla, Bihac and Gorazde and the use of cluster bombs on civilian targets by Bosnian Serb and Croatian Serb forces.

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It would have the Assembly request States, as a matter of urgency, to continue to make available to the International Tribunal on the former Yugoslavia expert personnel, adequate resources and services to aid in the investigation and prosecution of persons accused of having committed serious violations of international humanitarian law. It would also demand that all parties refrain from any action intended to destroy, alter, conceal or damage any evidence of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and that they preserve such evidence.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, United States, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, France, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Netherlands, Jordan, Tunisia, Ireland and Senegal.

The Committee will also take action on its draft biennial programme of work for 1996-1997 (document A/C.3/50/L.69). Biennial items which will be before the Committee in 1996 include elimination of racism and racial discrimination; the right of people to self-determination; social development; crime prevention; advancement of women; implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women; international drug control; the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); the promotion and protection of the rights of children; the programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People; and human rights questions.

Action on draft resolutions

The Committee first took up the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (L.66). Barbados, Ecuador, El Salvador, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Guatemala and Latvia joined as co-sponsors of the draft text.

The representative of Spain said that Malawi, Mali, Peru, Slovak Republic, Suriname and Uzbekistan had also joined in the sponsorship.

He made an oral amendment to the draft resolution, in the fourth preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 4, 5, and 7, replacing the words "democratic government" with "democratic rule" in the English text.

In operative paragraph 5, he replaced the last sentence that starts with "and invites Member States" with the words "and expresses the hope that these actions and other possible actions by other States, consistent with international law, would encourage the Government of Nigeria to achieve that specific purpose".

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The representative of Gambia, speaking before action on the draft resolution, said that his country would propose amendments to the resolution in the fourth, fifth and sixth preambular paragraphs and operative paragraph 1.

The fourth preambular paragraph should be amended to read "expressing concern that the absence of a representative government may lead to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

In the fifth preambular paragraph, the following words at the end of the paragraph should be deleted, "but disappointed that only limited actions in this regard had followed".

In the sixth preambular paragraph, delete the word "arbitrary". That word was too harsh and was arbitrarily used.

In operative paragraph 1, replace the word "condemn" with "regrets" at the beginning and delete the word "arbitrary" wherever it appeared.

The representative of Spain, on behalf of the European Union and the sponsors, opposed the amendments put forward by the representative of Gambia.

The representative of the United States proposed that the amendments be voted on as a collective group.

The representative of Spain supported the proposal by the United States.

The representative of Gambia said that his country had no difficulty with the proposal by the United States, but said that the fifth preambular paragraph should be put to the vote separately. It was only on 10 October that the Government of Nigeria indicated its intention to make some changes. Why, only eight weeks later, were the sponsors totally disappointed that only limited action had been taken. That paragraph should be deleted; otherwise there should be a vote.

UGYEN TSHERING (Bhutan), Committee Chairman, said that there should be a vote, first on the proposed amendment to the fifth preambular paragraph and then another vote on the other preambular paragraphs as a whole.

The representative of Canada asked for clarification of the proposed vote.

The representative of Egypt also asked for clarification of the proposed vote.

The representative of the United Kingdom said that the words proposed to be deleted in the fifth preambular paragraph were some of the most modest to

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be submitted to the United Nations. The paragraph was polite and was laboured over by the co-sponsors. It took account of the developments in Nigeria and merely expressed disappointment that not enough had been achieved.

The representative of Algeria, on a point of order, said a co-sponsor should make a statement on its own draft resolution. The vote should proceed on the basis of request by Gambia.

MR. TSHERING (Bhutan), Committee Chairman, said that the vote was on the draft text as amended by the representative of Spain.

The representative of Ireland said that co-sponsors might not explain their votes but could make general statements. Also, the proposal being considered was by the delegation of Gambia, which the co-sponsors were not sponsors of.

The Committee rejected the amendment to the fifth preambular paragraph proposed by Gambia with a vote of 18 in favour and 85 against, with 33 abstentions. (See Annex 1.)

The fifth preambular paragraph reads "Noting with interest that the Government of Nigeria, on 1 October 1995, affirmed the principle of multi- party democracy, announcing its intent to accept the principle of power- sharing, lift the ban on political activity and the press, devolve power to local levels of government and subordinate the military to civilian authority, but disappointed that only limited action in this regard has followed,".

Next, the Committee proceeded to vote as a block on the proposed amendments on the fourth and sixth preambular paragraphs as well as operative paragraph 1.

Speaking in explanation of the vote, before the vote, the representative of Spain said his Government rejected the proposed amendments made by the representative of Gambia. The executions referred to in the draft had been arbitrary. He would thus vote against such amendments.

The representative of the United Kingdom said in amending the fourth preambular paragraph, an important component of the text could be lost. Such component was the reference to the 1993 elections that took place in that country.

The amendments to the fourth and sixth preambular paragraphs and to operative paragraph 1 were rejected by a vote of 10 in favour to 90 against, with 35 abstentions. (For details see Annex II.)

Speaking in explanation of the vote, before the vote, the representative of Nigeria said that the draft resolution crossed the line

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between concern for human rights and blatant interference in the internal affairs of his country, thus violating the letter and spirit of the Charter. There was a basic flaw underpinning the inappropriateness of both the tenor and the content of the draft text. Member States needed to, for the sake of the credibility of the Organization, live by their own rules and by the provisions of the Charter. The only way to do that was to reject the draft resolution. In its present form, the draft resolution was an "ill-wind that would blow no one any good, not even the authors".

The authors of the draft resolution demonstrated their total lack of respect for the sovereignty of Nigeria, a country that had been a good member of the Organization. Nigeria was a responsible Member State which had continued to fulfil its obligations under the Charter and had faithfully complied with other obligations implicit in its membership of relevant covenants and declarations on human, civil and political rights. His country believed strongly that there was no political or single model for electoral processes equally suited to all nations and their peoples. Political and electoral processes were subject to historical, political, cultural and religious factors. The draft text failed to take into account such factors. It was not appropriate for the Assembly to prescribe the form of government a Member State should have or operate.

The execution of nine Nigerians -- which had given rise to the proposing of the draft resolution on his country -- had been the result of their criminal indictment on murder charges involving four other Nigerians. Due process was observed in line with Nigeria's Constitution and the laws of the land. To characterize the execution as arbitrary and to pronounce the trials as flawed, as the draft text intended, was the height of arrogance. Their conviction had nothing to do with human rights or their political views or their environmental advocacy claims. Nigeria had over 250 ethnic groups and did not have separate laws governing majority as distinct from minority groups. The same law applied to all Nigerians contrary to what operative paragraph 2 of the draft resolution stated.

Many Member States, including some of those that had been "very vociferous on the Nigerian question", had capital punishment on their statute books. "Nigeria should not be condemned for the use of capital punishment after due process under its laws and constitution", he went on. Furthermore, his country should not be put selectively on trial in the General Assembly only because it had a military administration. It was not the only Member country that had had or still had such an administration. His Government had put in place a programme of transition to democratic rule. It needed to be encouraged and given an opportunity to implement its own democratization programme without hindrance.

On the reported unease of some countries about Nigeria's human rights record, he said that it was appropriate for the Commission on Human Rights to

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concern itself with that matter. "The General Assembly should not usurp the functional authority of the Economic and Social Council nor those of treaty bodies", he emphasized. Neither of those bodies nor the Committee on Human Rights had pronounced on the events in Nigeria, yet the General Assembly was being asked to take action to condemn the country. That was an abuse of the process of the General Assembly and the United Nations.

Nigeria had not breached or threatened to breach any peace, he continued. Thus, the General Assembly could not allow itself "to be micromanaged or misled into asking Member States to consider additional steps, as contained in the draft resolution, to force Nigeria to democratize". He noted that there were only four African States sponsoring the draft resolution. Also, the draft made no mention of the six Nigerians that had been acquitted. He requested a recorded vote on the draft resolution as well as separate votes on operative paragraphs 1, 5 and 6.

The representative of Ireland said the proposal made by the representative of Nigeria went against the rules of procedure. He, therefore, opposed such a motion.

MR. TSHERING (Bhutan), Committee Chairman, proposed to hear the opinions of two speakers on each side to decide on how to proceed on the proposals made.

MR. TSHERING said that in accordance with rule 129, he would give the floor to two speakers each on opposite sides of the Nigerian proposal for separate votes on different operative paragraphs.

The representative of Spain opposed the motion of division. The Committee had spoken out on the content of those paragraphs. The wording of rule 129 could support the position of Nigeria but the spirit of that rule was different.

The representative of Gambia supported Nigeria's position. The representative of Nigeria had just delivered a statement detailing the situation in his country. The earlier vote was before that statement. There should be separate voting in the light of that statement.

The representative of Canada said that the Committee had already expressed itself on the substance of the resolution. Canada therefore opposed the motion to divide the vote on the draft resolution. The entire resolution should be voted on as a whole.

The representative of Niger supported the proposal by Nigeria.

The representative of Ireland asked for a clarification of what the vote would be on. He expressed his understanding of the vote to be taken.

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The representative of Cuba, making a point of order, said that the representative of Ireland had made an explanation of vote, contrary to the rules.

The Committee rejected the motion by Nigeria for separate votes on the operative paragraphs and on the entire draft resolution, with a vote of 32 in favour and 80 against, with 30 abstentions. (See Annex III.)

The Committee then took up the entire draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria.

The representative of Burundi, speaking before the vote, said that what was at stake was very important. His country would vote in the negative because of the morality of the issues involved. It should be deplored if any person lost his life unjustly. It was recognized that Nigeria had begun a democratic process on its own initiative without any outside force asking it to do so. The draft resolution would amount to dictating to Nigeria. Democracy demanded that one side should listen to the other. The supremacy of the Charter should be recognized over all other instruments. If the sponsors had agreed to a general clause that did not have selective application, his country would have voted in favour of the draft resolution.

He said that the Committee should go beyond taking stereotypical positions that the General Assembly should hasten and adopt resolutions. The possibility should be considered that another resolution be adopted which would send a delegation to Nigeria to deal with the issue diplomatically. That approach would avoid the humiliation of Nigeria.

The representative of Singapore said that his country had supported the suspension of Nigeria by the Commonwealth but would abstain from today's vote. He recalled the statement made by Singapore's Prime Minister at that Commonwealth meeting. The basic issue was how to balance the international community's concern about human rights with the principles of non-interference and respect for sovereignty of the country. There were no easy and simplistic solutions. It was his country's judgement that the draft resolution went beyond what was appropriate and beyond what was acceptable to his country. Nigeria's closest countries were also not comfortable with that draft resolution.

The representative of Algeria said that his country participated in the negotiation of the draft resolution from the beginning. Its main concern related to operative paragraph 5 and the amendments it proposed were accepted. Algeria would, however, abstain from the vote because a number of other amendments had not been retained. The objective of the draft resolution, which should be to help the people enjoy fundamental freedom, was now questionable. Algeria was opposed to all politicization of human rights

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through interference in the domestic affairs of States. Such politicization was a danger and ran counter to the promotion of fundamental freedoms.

The representative of Rwanda said his Government had no right to make any judgement on the judicial system of any State. He was appalled that the international community still acted in such a selective manner. The international community had not acted in such a fashion when dealing with genocide in his country. The international community needed to act on an equal footing and not adopt double standards. For those reasons, he would abstain from voting on the draft resolution.

The representative of Mexico said her Government would vote in favour of the draft since Nigeria had made serious human rights violations. However, she did not agree with parts of the text which interfered with Nigeria's own political process.

The representative of Papua New Guinea said judicial systems were unique to each State's necessities. For that reason he would abstain from voting.

The Committee then approved the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria by a recorded vote of 98 in favour to 12 against, with 42 abstentions. (For details see Annex IV.)

(annexes follow)

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Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3351 57th Meeting (AM) 14 December 1995

ANNEX I

Vote on Amendment of Fifth Preambular Paragraph of Draft on Nigeria

The amendment of the fifth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (document A/C.3/50/L.66) was rejected by a recorded vote of 18 in favour to 85 against, with 33 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Abstaining: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela.

Absent: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, China, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire.

(END OF ANNEX I)

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Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3351 57th Meeting (AM) 14 December 1995

ANNEX II

Vote on Gambia Amendment on Draft on Human Rights in Nigeria

The Amendment by the Gambia to the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (document A/C.3/50/L.66) was rejected by a recorded vote of 10 in favour to 90 against, with 35 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Iran, Libya, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Abstaining: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania.

Absent: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, China, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire.

(END OF ANNEX II)

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Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3351 57th Meeting (AM) 14 December 1995

ANNEX III

Vote on Nigeria Motion on Nigeria Human Rights Draft

The motion by Nigeria on the vote on the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (document A/C.3/50/L.66) was rejected by a recorded vote of 32 in favour to 80 against, with 30 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Angola, Belize, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, India, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Abstaining: Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Swaziland, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania.

Absent: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Croatia, Dominica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire.

Third Committee - 15 - Press Release GA/SHC/3351 57th Meeting (AM) 14 December 1995

(END OF ANNEX III)

Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3351 57th Meeting (AM) 14 December 1995

ANNEX IV

Vote on the Situation of Human Rights in Nigeria

The draft resolution as a whole on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (document A/C.3/50/L.66) was approved by a recorded vote of 98 in favour to 12 against, with 42 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Burundi, Chad, China, Gambia, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo.

Abstaining: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania.

Absent: Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Honduras, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Mauritania, Oman, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire.

Third Committee - 16 - Press Release GA/SHC/3351 57th Meeting (AM) 14 December 1995

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