THIRD COMMITTEE ELECTS OFFICERS, WORK PROGRAMME
Press Release
GA/SHC/3354
THIRD COMMITTEE ELECTS OFFICERS, WORK PROGRAMME
19960920 The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon elected Mohammad Masood Khan (Pakistan) and Sileshi Shewaneh (Ethiopia) as Vice-Chairmen and Victoria Sandru (Romania) as Rapporteur. It also adopted its programme of work for the current session, which is scheduled to conclude on 29 November.Committee Chairman Patricia Espinosa (Mexico), addressing the Committee as it began its work for the current General Assembly session, said the Committee could provide policy guidelines to help combat many serious threats facing society today, and appealed for members to work in a constructive and cooperative spirit.
The Committee will address a wide range of issues, including: the elimination of racism; the advancement of women; international drug control; refugees; the rights of indigenous peoples and children; and the right to self-determination. There will be reports on international measures to prevent and eradicate the sale of children, child prostitution, child pornography and the impact of armed conflict on children.
The Committee will consider implementation of the United Nations Fourth Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995) as well as such issues as violence against migrant workers and trafficking in women and girls.
The elaboration of an international convention against organized transnational crime will be considered along with the broader issues of crime prevention and criminal justice.
Also, the Committee will hold a dialogue this year with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ayalo Lasso, and the High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata.
The Third Committee will begin its substantive work at 3 p.m. on 14 October, when it will consider social development, including questions relating to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family.
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