SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN ADDRESS TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, CALLS FOR ITS STRENGTHENING AS REQUIREMENT FOR UN REFORM EFFORTS

Press Release
ECOSOC/5681

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN ADDRESS TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, CALLS FOR ITS STRENGTHENING AS REQUIREMENT FOR UN REFORM EFFORTS

Addressing the Economic and Social Council this morning, Secretary- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali expressed his conviction that strengthening the role of that body in both the policy and the operational areas was a crucial requirement for the reform efforts of the United Nations.

The Secretary-General stressed that it was essential that reform efforts be guided by strategies identified by the General Assembly with the support of the Council, reflecting the outcome of the global conferences held during the 1990s. Decreased funding was weakening the Organization's capacity to respond to the needs of developing countries at a time when the global conferences had placed new demands on it. While reform was necessary, a professional organization required adequate and predictable resources, he added.

Also this morning, the Council adopted 17 decisions on the recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights, as well as three resolutions on the recommendation of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

The Council voted 32 in favour to 19 against, with no abstentions, to endorse the Human Rights Commission's decision to establish an open-ended working group to elaborate policy guidelines on structural adjustment programmes and economic, social and cultural rights. (For details of the voting, see Annex II.)

By a vote of 25 in favour to 20 against, with 5 abstentions (Bangladesh, Brazil, Malaysia, Portugal, Thailand), the Council authorized the holding of an expert seminar on the practice of forced evictions with a view to developing comprehensive human rights guidelines on development-based displacement. (See Annex III.)

In addition, the Council endorsed the Commission's decision to extend for a further year the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran by a vote of 28 in favour to 8 against (Bangladesh,

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China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sudan), with 15 abstentions. (See Annex I.)

Acting without a vote, the Council adopted a series of decisions submitted by the Human Rights Commission by which it:

-- Approved the Commission's invitation to the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions to report to the Assembly's fifty-first session on ways to combat that phenomenon;

-- Extended for one year the mandates of the special rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Rwanda, Zaire, and Myanmar;

-- Approved the Commission's request to the two thematic special rapporteurs who have requested a joint investigative visit to Nigeria to report to the Commission's next session on their findings;

-- Endorsed the Commission's recommendation that the Council consider devoting the coordination segment of its 1998 substantive session to the question of the coordinated follow-up to, and implementation of, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights;

-- Approved the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to continue to convene at least twice a year in Geneva meetings with interested States to provide information and exchange views on the activities of the Centre for Human Rights;

-- Approved the Commission's requests to the working groups drafting optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to meet prior to the Commission's fifty-third session; and requested the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography with all necessary resources to discharge her mandate;

-- Approved the Commission's decision to endorse the decision of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to appoint Linda Chavez as Special Rapporteur with the task of undertaking an in- depth study of the situation of systematic rape, sexual slavery and slavery- like practices during periods of armed conflict; and to request the Special Rapporteur on the question of the human rights dimensions of population transfer, including the implantation of settlers and settlements, to report to the Subcommission's forty-eighth session.

Further, the Council approved the Commission's decision to endorse the recommendation of the Subcommission to request the Special Rapporteur on treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between States and indigenous populations to report to the Working Group on Indigenous

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Populations at its fourteenth session and to the Subcommission at its forty- eighth session.

It also approved the Commission's recommendation that the fifty-third session be rescheduled to take place from 10 March to 18 April 1997; and authorized meetings services for that session.

The resolutions considered on the recommendation of its Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice were all adopted without a vote.

By a text on measures to prevent illicit international trafficking in children, the Council requested the Secretary-General to seek the views of governments regarding the elaboration of an international convention on such trafficking. It also invited governments to ensure that all persons involved in the trafficking of children were subject to prosecution.

By a text on implementation of the Naples Political Declaration and Global Action Plan against Organized Transnational Crime, the Council took note of the Buenos Aires Declaration on Prevention and Control of Organized Transnational Crime which was adopted by the Regional Ministerial Workshop on Follow-up to the Naples Outcome, held in Buenos Aires in November 1995. It also requested the Secretary-General to assist in the implementation of the Naples Plan.

The Council requested the Secretary-General to continue studying the regulation of firearms by the third text on crime prevention adopted this morning. It also endorsed a survey questionnaire and the preparation of country reports on firearms regulation.

Also this morning, the representative of the Bahamas introduced a draft resolution on the system-wide medium-term plan for the advancement of women, 1996-2001. Representatives of Costa Rica (on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries) introduced two draft resolutions, on implementation of and follow-up to the major international United Nations conferences and summits, and on follow-up to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, respectively. The representative of Guatemala introduced a draft on the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women.

The Council will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its general segment.

Council Work Programme

The Economic and Social Council met this morning to continue its general segment and hear an address by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

The Council was scheduled to hear introduction of draft resolutions, including texts on the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women; the system-wide medium-term plan for the advancement of women, 1996-2001; and the implementation of, and follow-up to, major United Nations conferences.

In addition, the Council was expected to continue taking action on reports of its subsidiary bodies. Documents before this morning's meeting include the extract of the report of the Commission on Human Rights (documents E/1996/L.18 and Add.1), and reports of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (documents E/1996/30 and Corr.1) and of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (document E/1996/27). (For background on the extract of the report of the Human Rights Commission, see Press Release ECOSOC/5680, of 23 July. For background on the reports of the Crime Prevention Commission and the Narcotic Drugs Commission, see Press Release ECOSOC/5677, of 22 July.)

Further, the Council will continue its consideration of coordination questions. (For background, see Press Release ECOSOC/5652, of 1 July.) In addition, the Council has before it a note by the Secretary-General (document E/1996/90) transmitting a cooperation agreement between the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration, which was signed on 25 June.

In 10 articles, the agreement covers cooperation and consultations; attendance at meetings; exchange of information and documentation; statistical and legal information; administrative and technical cooperation; joint action; cooperation between the secretariats; implementation of the agreement; supplementary; and entry into force, amendments and duration.

The Council also has before it a draft resolution and a draft decision for action related to the relationship between non-governmental organizations and the United Nations.

Drafts for Introduction

The draft resolution on the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (document E/1996/L.36) would have the Council call upon States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute through voluntary contributions and pledges to the Institute's Trust Fund. The Council would commend the work of the Institute on issues addressing the economic and political empowerment of women; statistics and indicators in gender issues; women, natural resources and sustainable

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development; and issues related to the elderly, displaced, refugees and migrant women.

In addition, the Council would commend the Institute for its efforts to further develop cooperation with specialized and related agencies of the United Nations system. It would also reiterate the importance of maintaining the level of resources devoted to independent research and training activities that are crucial to the empowerment of women. The draft is sponsored by Guatemala, Morocco, Nigeria and Turkey.

A draft resolution on the system-wide medium-term plan for the advancement of women, 1996-2001 (document E/1996/L.37) would have the Council endorse the revised system-wide plan, taking into account the comments of the Commission on the Status of Women, and the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee for Programme and Coordination. The Council would request bodies of the United Nations system to implement the revised plan in light of those views.

The Inter-agency Committee on Women and Gender Equality of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) would be invited to use the revised plan and comments on it as a basis for monitoring increasing collaboration in the United Nations system activities for the advancement and empowerment of women. It would also be invited to inform the Commission on the Status of Women and the Council of progress in its work for the purpose of system-wide coordination.

Further by the draft, the Council would decide to undertake, in 1998, a comprehensive mid-term review of the implementation of the revised plan as a basis for future programming and coordination of activities for the advancement of women. It would request the Secretary-General to submit to it, through the Commission at its forty-second session, a progress report on the implementation of the plan; and to formulate a new system-wide medium-term plan for the advancement of women to cover the period 2002-2005 for presentation to the Council at its substantive session in the year 2000.

The draft is sponsored by Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

The draft resolution on the follow-up to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (document E/1996/L.38) would have the Council note that the procedure for election of the members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was not consistent with the established procedure of electing members of committees under other human rights treaty bodies. The Council would recommend to States parties to the Covenant that they consider amending it to provide for its follow-up by a committee whose members would be elected by its States parties. The Council

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would also request the Secretary-General to consult the States parties to the Covenant on holding a meeting to consider the implementation of the draft. The draft is sponsored by Costa Rica, on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries.

A draft resolution on the implementation of and follow-up to the major international United Nations conferences and summits (document E/1996/L.39) would have the Council urge all Member States to honour their commitments, particularly with respect to the provision of adequate resources, to ensure full implementation of the results of major international conferences in the economic, social and related fields. Member States would be urged to continue considering the vital issue of mobilizing new and additional resources, including new and innovative sources of financing. In addition, the draft would have the Council urge Member States and the United Nations system to facilitate transfer of technology to developing countries on concessional and preferential terms. The Council would also call upon all organizations of the United Nations system to integrate the results of major conferences into their programmes of work. The draft is sponsored by Costa Rica, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Non-governmental Organizations

By a draft decision submitted by the President of the Council on the basis of informal consultations (document E/1996/L.24), the Council would decide to recommend to the Assembly's fifty-first session the consideration of the question of participation of non-governmental organizations in all areas of the work of the United Nations, in light of the experience gained through the arrangements for consultation between non-governmental organizations and the Economic and Social Council.

Also before the Council is the report of the Open-ended Working Group on the Review of Arrangements for Consultation with Non-Governmental Organizations (document E/1996/58), which held its third session at Headquarters from 10 to 23 January, and on 3 May. Annexed to the report is a draft on the consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.

In addition, the Council has before it a draft (document E/1996/L.25) submitted by its President on the basis of informal consultations on that text. Under its provisions, the Council would approve an update to its 1968 arrangements for consultation with those organizations -- set out in resolution 1296 (XLIV) of 23 May 1968.

The update, attached to the draft resolution, states that the Committee on Non-governmental Organizations, in considering applications for consultative status, should ensure participation of non-governmental organizations from all regions, and particularly from developing countries, in

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order to help achieve just, balanced, effective and genuine involvement. Greater participation of non-governmental organizations from developing countries and from countries with economies in transition should be encouraged.

Organizations should be of recognized standing within the particular field of its competence, should have an established headquarters and executive officer, a democratically adopted constitution, authority to speak for its members, and a representative structure with accountability to its members, the text continues. Any organization not established by a governmental entity or intergovernmental agreement should be considered as a non-governmental organization, including organizations which accept members designated by governmental authorities, provided that such membership does not interfere with the free expression of views of the organization.

Where voluntary contributions have been received, their amounts and donors must be faithfully revealed to the Committee, according to the text. Financial contributions or other support from a government must be openly declared to the Committee through the Secretary-General.

Regarding principles governing the nature of consultative arrangements, the text states that arrangements should not be allowed to overburden the Council or transform it from a policy body into forum for discussion. Arrangements for consultation made with each organization should relate to the subjects for which that organization has a special competence or in which it has a special interest.

The establishment of consultative relationships should apply to organizations which are concerned with most of the activities of the Council and its subsidiary bodies and can demonstrate that they could make substantive and sustained contributions to the achievement of the objectives of the United Nations, the text states. Organizations concerned with the economic and social life of the peoples of the area they represent and whose membership is broadly representative of major segments of society in a large number of countries in different regions of the world should have general consultative status. Organizations with special competence in only a few of the fields of activity should have special consultative status. Organizations which do not have general or special consultative status, but which may make occasional and useful contributions to the work of the Council or its subsidiary bodies, will be included on a roster.

Organizations to be accorded special consultative status because of their interest in the field of human rights should pursue the goals of promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the text continues.

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Regarding consultation with the Council, the text states that organizations in general consultative status may propose to the Committee that it request the Secretary-General to place items of special interest to the organizations on the provisional agenda of the Council. Organizations in general consultative and special consultative status may designate authorized representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. Those on the roster may have representatives present at such meetings concerned with matters within their field of competence. Written statements relevant to the work of the Council may be submitted by organizations in general consultative status and special consultative status on subjects in which those organizations have a special competence.

The text states that organizations in general consultative status may propose items for the provisional agenda of commissions, among other provisions on their relationship with those bodies. Regarding the participation of non-governmental organizations in United Nations conferences and their preparatory processes, the text states that organizations in general consultative status, special consultative status and on the roster should, as a rule, be accredited for participation in international conferences and their preparatory bodies. Other non-governmental organizations wishing to be accredited may apply to the secretariat of the conference.

The consultative status of non-governmental organizations and the listing of those on the roster should be suspended up to three years or withdrawn if an organization, either directly or through its affiliates or representatives acting on its behalf, clearly abuses its status by engaging in a pattern of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including unsubstantiated or politically motivated acts against Member States of the United Nations incompatible with those purposes and principles; if there exists substantiated evidence of influence from proceeds resulting from internationally recognized criminal activities such as the illicit drugs trade, money laundering or the illegal arms trade; or if, within the preceding three years, an organization had not made any positive or effective contribution to the work of the United Nations and, in particular, of the Council or its commissions or other subsidiary organs.

The Committee on Non-governmental Organizations should be responsible for regular monitoring of the evolving relationship between those organizations and the United Nations, the text continues. Organizations in general consultative status and special consultative status should submit to the Committee, every fourth year, a brief report of their activities, specifically as regards the support they have given to the work of the United Nations.

Regarding consultation with the Secretariat, the text states that the Secretary-General should be authorized to offer to non-governmental organizations in consultative status access to documents, to the press

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documentation services, arrangement of informal discussions on matters of special interest, use of the libraries of the United Nations, provision of accommodation for conferences or smaller meetings, seating arrangements and facilities for obtaining documents during public meetings of the General Assembly dealing with matters in the economic, social and related fields.

Introduction of Drafts SHARON BRENNEN HAYCOCK (Bahamas) introduced the draft resolution on the system-wide medium-term plan for the advancement of women, 1996-2001. She announced that Costa Rica, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and Belgium had joined as co-sponsors. FERNANDO BERROCAL SOTO (Costa Rica), speaking on behalf of the Group of 77, introduced the draft resolution on implementation of and follow-up to the major international United Nations conferences and summits.

EMILIA CASTRO DE BARISH (Costa Rica), also on behalf of the Group of 77, introduced the draft resolution on follow-up to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. IRENE SOLARES (Guatemala) introduced the draft resolution on the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women. Lebanon joined in co-sponsoring the draft. Statement by Secretary-General

Secretary-General BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI told the Council that international cooperation for development stood at a crossroads. With waning ideological confrontation, the rise in globalization, and deepening of global interdependence, a historic opportunity for political mobilization in support of development cooperation had arisen. Economic globalization had generated transparency and freer movement of goods and people, and innovations in communication had brought about the dissemination and co-existence of ideas, cultures, and lifestyles.

The international community must address the consequences of those trends, the Secretary-General said. An increasing number of problems required international cooperation; they could not be effectively addressed by countries individually. Also, non-State actors -- corporations, financial institutions, and non-governmental organizations -- had important roles to play. A number of developing countries had experienced rapid economic growth, increasing their share in world trade and foreign direct investment, but many others were mired in poverty and economic stagnation with slow or negative growth, despite their efforts at undertaking economic reforms, he said. Poverty, hunger and malnutrition, lack of education and violence still afflicted too many developing countries. The existence of absolute poverty rendered democracy weak and led to hopelessness for over 1 billion people.

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It was against that background that the international community should live up to all the international development commitments entered into since 1990, he stated. Poverty eradication would remain the centre of the Organization's development efforts. Africa was the only region of the world in which poverty was expected to increase. And yet economic and political reform was still possible. Too many African countries were hampered by limited internal and external resources and were too marginalized from the international economy. The United Nations System-wide Special Initiative on Africa was already showing results.

The round of global development conferences had established a solid basis for international cooperation, he said. They had helped define the areas in which the United Nations system could make a vital contribution to promoting the goals of the Charter. Over the past year, the ACC had agreed to a new inter-agency mechanism for responding to conference proposals. The system was now in place and would help to coordinate policies that had the backing of Member States. The willingness of political leaders to implement the commitments made at the global conferences would be the most critical element; the gap between what had been agreed and what had been implemented left much to be desired.

The United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions should build on their respective strengths, based on a clear division of labour, in order to respond effectively to the growing interaction between trade, finance and development, and should systematize and deepen their connections at all levels, the Secretary-General said. He told the Council that he had met with the heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) , the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO) several times. They had adopted new approaches to assist the Organization and were fully involved in coordinated follow-up to the United Nations conferences.

The United Nations was the only global organization with responsibilities for both peace and development, he said, adding that it played a central role in linking peace-keeping, peace-building and development. The United Nations, in cooperation with the Bretton Wood institutions, other parts of the United Nations system and the WTO, must also foster greater coherence in global economic policy-making through greater policy coordination. A major strength of the United Nations derived from its operational capacity for development. Its field presence had enabled it to play a leading role in supporting governments.

But the United Nations could not fulfil its role in promoting development cooperation without resources, he continued. At present, the capacity of the United Nations and of its funds and programmes to respond to the needs of developing countries was being weakened by decreased funding. Yet, the global conferences had place new demands on the Organization. While reform was necessary, a professional organization required adequate and

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predictable resources. It was essential that reform efforts be guided by clear priorities and strategies identified by the General Assembly with the support of the Economic and Social Council, reflecting the outcome of the global conferences. Towards that end, the Assembly should better focus its general debate and limit the number of target themes in its main committees.

The Secretary-General said that, in his statement of 11 March to the intergovernmental working group on the strengthening of the United Nations, he had stressed that reform required mutually supporting actions by the Secretary-General and the Member States. He had referred to the need for a better balance in the functioning, responsibilities and authority of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and had sketched out a view of the respective roles of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council with regard to policy assessment and coordination.

The decision adopted by the Assembly in its resolution 50/227, and ongoing discussions at the current session of the Council on modalities for their implementation, had represented significant progress. He was convinced that strengthening the role of the Council in both the policy and the operational areas was a crucial requirement for the reform effort.

Action on Human Rights Drafts

Continuing to take action on drafts submitted by the Commission on Human Rights -- which it began yesterday afternoon -- the Council adopted without a vote the decision on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

Also acting without a vote, the Council adopted decisions concerning the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and the situation of human rights in Rwanda, respectively.

The decision on the situation of human rights in Zaire was then taken up.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Ireland said the Union was concerned about the situation in Zaire and fully supported an extension of the Special Rapporteur's mandate. The Union was perturbed that a proposed agreement for having a human rights office in Zaire had not been signed by the country's authorities. He called on them to sign the agreement without delay.

The decision on the situation of human rights in Zaire was then adopted without a vote.

Next, the Council adopted the decision on follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action without a vote.

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Again without a vote, the Council adopted the decision on the situation of human rights in Nigeria.

The representative of Ireland, again on behalf of the European Union, said it remained deeply concerned about continuing rights violations in Nigeria. While there had been some positive developments, serious concerns persisted about the general human rights situation and the pace of change. The Government must fully respect human rights and the review of law, and it must cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteurs who had been requested to investigate the situation in Nigeria.

The Council then took up the draft on the human rights situation in Myanmar.

The representative of Myanmar said his country's position on the draft, which it totally rejected, had been stated previously. The appointment of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar was unacceptable, as it constituted interference into the country's internal affairs. Yesterday, representatives of the United States and the European Union had made references which constituted blatant interference in the affairs of a Member State, and Myanmar strongly rejected them.

The representative of Ireland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the Union was deeply concerned that, since the adoption of the resolution on Myanmar by the Commission, the human rights situation had further deteriorated. Arbitrary arrests, forced labour, displacement of communities and other violations had persisted. The Union reiterated its call to the State Law and Order Restoration Committee to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. The suspicious death of James Leander Nichols, who had been in Myanmar working for several European governments, had caused great concern and must be investigated. The Union also considered it important that the Special Rapporteur would be able to visit the country.

The representative of Norway said his country wholeheartedly concurred with the statement of the European Union. The Government of Norway was deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation of human rights in Myanmar. It was particularly concerned about the Myanmar authorities refusal to enter into dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi. Norway strongly urged the authorities of Myanmar to release all detained political prisoners. The death of James Leander Nichols was an indication of the state of the human rights situation in Myanmar. Concerned countries had not received satisfactory information on his death. The time had come to consider an international embargo and perhaps economic sanctions within the United Nations against Myanmar.

The decision on the human rights situation in Myanmar was then adopted without a vote.

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Also without a vote, the Council adopted the decision on the activities of the Centre for Human Rights.

The decision on the human rights situation in Iran was then put to a vote at the request of Pakistan.

The representative of Ireland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, welcomed the reports of Special Rapporteurs on the situation in Iran. Despite the cooperation of the Iranian Government, there had been little improvement in the situation of human rights there. It was essential that Government implement fully the conclusions and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance. The European Union deplored the continuing "fatwa" on Salman Rushdie.

The representative of Iran said that the Special Representative on the situation of human rights in his country had an "ancient mandate" which dated back more than a decade. Based on a non-selective and fair approach to human rights, Iran no longer qualified to be singled out. Nevertheless, Iran had given every chance to constructive cooperation. During the past year, his Government had made use of technical assistance from the Centre for Human Rights; had established the Commission on Islamic Human Rights; had extended invitations to the thematic Special Rapporteurs of the Commission on religious intolerance and freedom of expression; had enhanced cooperation with the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance; and had extended an invitation to the new Special Representative of the Commission and facilitated his visit to Iran in February.

Politicization of the human rights dialogue had placed their genuine and meaningful promotion and protection in jeopardy, he said. The problem was most acute where specific situation in various countries were being addressed. True promotion and protection of human rights could be achieved only through honest and sincere international cooperation and solidarity. The Commission should exert every effort to facilitating dialogue and cooperation and ensuring the continuation of that process.

The Council then adopted the decision on the situation of human rights in Iran by a vote of 28 in favour to 8 against (Bangladesh, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sudan), with 15 abstentions. (For details of the voting, see Annex I.)

The representative of Lebanon said his country had been encouraged by Iran's statement. Lebanon had abstained on the vote in the interest of future cooperation between Iran and the Commission on Human Rights. Lebanon categorically rejected the politicization of human rights issues.

The Council next adopted the decision on the rights of the child without a vote.

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The Council then took up the draft on the effect of structural adjustment on the enjoyment of human rights.

A representative of the Centre for Human Rights said that one line had inadvertently been dropped due to an error in copy editing which read as follows: "and requests the Secretary-General to provide all the assistance necessary to enable the working group to carry out its work".

The representative of the United States requested a recorded vote.

The decision on the effect of structural adjustment on the enjoyment of human rights was then adopted by a vote of 32 in favour to 19 against, with no abstentions. (See Annex II.)

The representative of Portugal said it had intended to abstain on the vote.

The draft decision on forced evictions was then taken up.

The representative of the United States requested a recorded vote on that text.

By a vote of 25 in favour to 20 against, with 5 abstentions (Bangladesh, Brazil, Malaysia, Portugal, Thailand), the decision on forced evictions was adopted. (See Annex III.)

Next, the Council adopted without a vote decisions on the following: systematic rape, sexual slavery and slavery-like practices during periods of armed conflict; human rights dimensions of population transfers; and the study of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between States and indigenous populations.

Concerning the latter decision, the representative of the United Kingdom said his country had refrained from calling for a vote, but the study authorized by that decision was "surely of marginal benefit". It was feared that too many resources were being lavished on the project. No other mechanism benefited from similar resources. It was not clear why the Special Rapporteur, who also functioned as his country's representative in Geneva, should require resources to pay for travel to Geneva.

The representative of the Netherlands supported what was just said by the representative of the United Kingdom.

The Council then adopted the decisions on the work of the Commission's fifty-third session and on the session's organization of work without a vote.

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The representative of Lebanon said that this morning the international media had published a resolution of Amnesty International which had stated that Israeli forces had massacred Lebanese civilians in violation of human rights in wartime. That massacre, in which hundred of Lebanese civilians had died, had been an intentional action of Israeli forces, not a mistake. Israel was denying its responsibility for the event. Other Israeli actions, notably the shelling of houses in Lebanon, had killed other civilians. Amnesty International had carried out a study of those massacres and had requested the Israeli Government to establish a commission of inquiry into the matter.

Action on Drafts on Crime Prevention

The Council then took up the remaining drafts recommended by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, beginning with draft resolution IV, on measures to prevent illicit international trafficking in children.

The representative of the United States expressed concern about whether the new activities called for in the draft could be incorporated into the 1998-1999 programme budget. The Secretary-General should defer implementation of the text pending a full consideration of the costs of implementation.

SYLVIE BRYANT, Chief, New York Office, United Nations Office at Vienna and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, said the Secretariat would be guided by the wishes of Member States.

The representative of Ghana asked about the specific implications of postponing the decision on the draft.

Ms. BRYANT said the report indicated the kind of activities which were requested under the terms of the draft. It also indicated the programme budget implications involved.

The representative of Lebanon said perhaps the draft could be adopted by the Council, and during its discussion in the Assembly, interested delegations could raise their concerns about the financial implications.

The representative of Côte d'Ivoire supported Lebanon's proposal, stating that, since the necessary financial experts were not present, it would be better to consider financial implications during the Assembly's session.

The representative of Costa Rica expressed support for the positions of the representatives of Lebanon and Côte d'Ivoire.

The representative of the United States said that in light of the views expressed, the United States would disassociate itself from the draft. The United States strongly supported the resolution at the meeting of the Crime

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Commission, and stated its reservations about budgetary implications. On substantive grounds, it strongly endorsed the text, but on financial terms it must disassociate itself from both that text, as well as draft resolution IV. The substantive aspects of the texts must be implemented from within existing resources.

The representative of the United Kingdom said his country supported the activities called for in the texts, but it also wanted to see them implemented from within existing resources. Should the resources not be provided, the activities would have to be postponed or implemented through voluntary resources.

Draft resolution IV, on measures to prevent illicit international trafficking in children was then adopted without a vote.

Next, the Council took up draft resolution V, on implementation of the Naples Political Declaration and Global Action Plan against Organized Transnational Crime.

The representative of the United States said it would disassociate itself from that text unless there was agreement to defer its implementation until the 1998-1999 programme budget.

Resolution V, on implementation of the Naples Political Declaration and Global Action Plan against Organized Transnational Crime, was then adopted without a vote.

Draft resolution VI, on follow-up action on firearms regulation, was then taken up.

The representative of the United States said the funding for the draft was, according to the statement of programme budget implication, to come from voluntary contributions. That would mean that it would have no regular budget implications. If that was the case, the United States would be pleased to join the consensus on the text.

Ms. BRYANT said that was a matter for budget experts. "One has to realize that there have not been adequate extrabudgetary resources made available to the Trust Fund for Crime Prevention." If there were not enough extrabudgetary resources, costs would have to be met through the regular budget. "This is reality."

The representative of the United States asked if the statement of programme budget implications had been withdrawn.

Ms. BRYANT said the statement on programme budget implications had not been withdrawn.

Economic and Social Council - 15 - Press Release ECOSOC/5681 47th Meeting (AM) 24 July 1996

The representative of the United States said that because the statement of programme budget implications could not be withdrawn and that resources would have to be used, the United States would disassociate itself from the text, although it supported its substance.

Resolution VI, on follow-up action on firearms regulation, was then adopted without a vote.

The representative of Turkey asked for clarification about the mandates called for in resolution V which had been raised by Japan yesterday.

Ms. BRYANT said the text should be corrected to include a reference reading "Taking into account the growing dangers of links between organized transnational crimes and terrorist crimes". References to "a code of conduct or other instruments" should be deleted.

Right of Reply

SEYED HOSSEIN REZVANI (Iran), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that an earlier statement by the European Union had taken note of the cooperation of his Government with the Commission on Human Rights and its representatives. No country was perfect when it came to human rights; the European Union was no exception. Xenophobia, racism and institutionalized discrimination against migrants and migrant workers had been noted in the European Union by different international human rights bodies. His Government was fully committed to upholding its international obligations with respect to the international human rights treaties to which it was party. Human rights should not be politicized and countries should be judged impartially.

(annexes follow)

Economic and Social Council - 16 - Press Release ECOSOC/5681 47th Meeting (AM) 24 July 1996

Economic and Social Council Press Release ECOSOC/5681 47th Meeting (AM) 24 July 1996

ANNEX I

Vote on Human Rights in Iran

The draft decision on the situation of human rights in Iran was adopted by a recorded vote of 28 in favour to 8 against, with 15 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela.

Against: Bangladesh, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sudan.

Abstention: Belarus, Central African Republic, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Jordan, Lebanon, Philippines, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Absent: Argentina, Congo, Senegal.

(END OF ANNEX I)

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Economic and Social Council Press Release ECOSOC/5681 47th Meeting (AM) 24 July 1996

ANNEX II

Vote on Structural Adjustment and Human Rights

The draft decision on effects of structural adjustment programmes on the full enjoyment of human rights was adopted by a recorded vote of 32 in favour to 19 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Bangladesh, Brazil, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

Against: Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstention: None.

Absent: Argentina, Congo, Sudan.

(END OF ANNEX II)

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Economic and Social Council Press Release ECOSOC/5681 47th Meeting (AM) 24 July 1996

ANNEX III

Vote on Forced Evictions

The draft decision on forced evictions was adopted by a recorded vote of 25 in favour to 20 against, with 5 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

Against: Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstaining: Bangladesh, Brazil, Malaysia, Portugal, Thailand.

Absent: Argentina, Congo, Egypt, Sudan.

* *** *