THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVES TEXT ON SUPPORT OF UNHCR AND SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS TO REFUGEE PROBLEMS

Press Release
GA/SHC/3381

THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVES TEXT ON SUPPORT OF UNHCR AND SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS TO REFUGEE PROBLEMS

Committee Hears Introduction of Drafts on Status of Women, Refugees in CIS, Assistance to Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, Among Others

The General Assembly would urge the international community to support the search by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for durable solutions to refugee problems, including voluntary repatriation, integration and resettlement, under the terms of a draft resolution approved without a vote by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning.

The Assembly would also underline the interrelationship between protection and solutions, as well as the desirability of prevention, through respect for human rights. It would call on governments to help alleviate the burden of large numbers of refugees on asylum countries, particularly those with limited resources.

Draft resolutions were introduced on the following topics: improving the status of women in the Secretariat; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; follow-up to the regional conference to address the problems of refugees, displaced persons, and returnees in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States; assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors; and a new international humanitarian order.

The Committee also began its general debate on the Programme of Activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.

The Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ibrahima Fall, said many initiatives and activities completed during the past year were inspired by the objectives of the Decade. They include strengthening international cooperation and finding solutions to problems confronting indigenous people on the environment, development, health and education.

The representative of the United States said the atrocities committed against indigenous peoples in American history and in many other places in the

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world demand greater attention from the world community. In his country and others, vestiges of the tragic past continued to haunt indigenous people today in the form of racism and discrimination, repression, colonialism and paternalism.

Statements were made by Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia and the Russian Federation. Representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Bank and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also addressed the Committee.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. this afternoon for a special presentation of the report on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to begin its examination of the programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. It is also expected to take action on four draft resolutions

Indigenous People

According to the report of the Secretary-General on United Nations mechanisms, procedures and programmes concerning indigenous peoples (document A/51/493), there are widely divergent approaches and levels of involvement among United Nations agencies. The United Nations Centre for Human Rights and the International Labour Office have had the greatest direct contact with indigenous organizations. The Working Group on Indigenous Populations, established in 1982, has served as a principal entry-point and its relatively open procedure is appreciated by indigenous people. Because of the lack of information on current United Nations activities, in June 1995, the Working Group proposed a review of existing mechanisms and programmes before any decision was made to deepen discussions on a possible permanent forum for indigenous people.

The results of the review are both encouraging and troubling, the Secretary-General says. On the positive side, United Nations efforts have contributed to widespread public interest and renewed commitment to improving the conditions of indigenous peoples, as well as international initiatives. However, there are apparent lacunae and inconsistencies within the United Nations system. For example, there are no internationally accepted guidelines on the rights of indigenous peoples, although the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 169 is used as a reference by certain bodies and is a framework for governmental policy. The draft declaration currently being reviewed by the Commission on Human Rights will not become a universal standard until it is adopted by the General Assembly. Only the World Bank has operational guidelines on indigenous people.

The Secretary-General's report on the status of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations (document A/51/565) lists the contributions from governments between 1 May 1994 and 21 April 1996. The Voluntary Fund is administered by the Secretary-General who is advised by a Board of Directors composed of five persons, appointed by the Secretary- General for three-year terms. At least one of the members of the Board of Trustees shall be a representative of a widely recognized organization of indigenous peoples.

At its eighth and ninth sessions, held from 24 to 28 April 1995, the Board of Trustees examined requests for financial assistance for 91 and 171 representatives, respectively. In the light of the funds available, it

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recommended at its eighth session the awarding of 53 travel and subsistence grants. The 53 beneficiaries came from 31 countries. At its ninth session, the Board recommended the awarding of 22 travel and subsistence grants for representatives, representing 17 countries, to attend the fourteenth session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations. In addition, it recommended the awarding of four travel and subsistence grants for representatives, representing four countries, to attend the second session of the Working Group.

The Secretary-General's report on the implementation of the Programme of Activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (document A/51/499) says work will focus on strengthening international cooperation to solve problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, health, culture and education. The main objective of the Decade is the establishment of a permanent forum for indigenous people within the United Nations and the adoption of a United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous people. The declaration is currently under discussion in the Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights.

In 1996, the United Nations carried out a series of activities related to the rights of indigenous people, including the observance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, a study of treaties and agreements between States and indigenous peoples and various high-level conferences. However, despite some progress, much remained to be done, the Secretary-General concludes. He urges all involved parties to make a greater effort to advance the goals of the Decade. Additional steps should include: establishing national committees, or similar mechanisms, to help implement plans of action; organizing a communications network to guarantee the prompt distribution of information; and promoting knowledge and appreciation of the cultures of indigenous people among teachers, public health workers and those who work with indigenous communities.

Existing budgetary resources did not permit the full realization of all planned activities; therefore, it was imperative for governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, financial institutions and other private bodies to give more generously to the Voluntary Fund for the International Decade. The Decade's objectives should be assessed by quantifiable outcomes that will improve the lives of indigenous people and that can be evaluated at both halfway through and at the end of the Decade. He recommends a review of projects supported by the Voluntary Fund. An analysis of the results of the planned activities will furnish the information needed to assess the achievement of the objectives of the Decade.

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Draft Resolutions

The Committee was scheduled to take action on draft resolutions on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the advancement of women, and international drug control.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the follow-up to the regional conference to address the problems of refugees, displaced persons, other forms of involuntary displacement and returnees in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and relevant neighbouring States (document A/C.3/51/L.12), the General Assembly would endorse the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the Conference at Geneva on 31 May 1996. The Programme's recommendations aim to ensure respect for human rights as an important factor in the management of migration flows, the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law and stability.

The Assembly would urge concerned States and intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations to take further action to fully implement the recommendations of the Conference. It also urges the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to include key elements of the Programme of Action in projects of the Centre for Human Rights in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Recognizing that implementation of the Programme required additional financial resources, the Assembly would call for international cooperation to assist the countries of the CIS in migration- related matters and invite international financial and other institutions to contribute to financing projects and programmes within the framework of the Programme's implementation.

The text was sponsored by Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Ukraine.

By the terms of a draft resolution on assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors (document A/C.3/51/L.15), sponsored by Burundi, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria and Turkey, the General Assembly would condemn all acts of exploitation of unaccompanied minors, including their use as soldiers. It would urge the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, all United Nations organizations, other international organizations and non- governmental organizations concerned to mobilize resources commensurate to the needs and interests of the unaccompanied refugee minors and for their reunification with their families.

The Assembly would also would call upon the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Refugees, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other United Nations and international organizations to mobilize adequate assistance to unaccompanied minors in the areas of relief, education, health and psychological rehabilitation. Similarly, it would call upon all governments, the Secretary-General, the High

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Commissioner, all United Nations organizations, other international organizations and non-governmental organizations concerned to assist and protect unaccompanied refugee minors and to expedite their return to and reunification with their families.

The Assembly would request the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner and all other relevant United Nations bodies to incorporate policies into their programmes to provide assistance to refugee families in preventing the separation of their members.

By the terms of a draft resolution on a new international humanitarian order (document A/C.3/51/L.16), the General Assembly would urge governments and governmental and non-governmental organizations that have not yet done so to submit their comments to the Secretary-General regarding the promotion of a new international humanitarian order. It would also request governments to make available to the Secretary-General, on a voluntary basis, information and expertise on humanitarian issues in order to identify opportunities for future action.

The Assembly would invite the Independent Bureau for Humanitarian Issues to further strengthen its activities in cooperation with the governmental and non-governmental bodies concerned. It would also request the Secretary- General to remain in contact with governments and non-governmental organizations, including the Independent Bureau for Humanitarian Issues, in order to report on the progress made by them to the General Assembly at its fifty-third session.

The draft is sponsored by Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Slovenia, Sudan and Yemen.

By the terms of a draft resolution on improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (document A/C.3/51/L.19), the General Assembly would reaffirm the goal of 50/50 gender distribution in the Secretariat by the year 2000, and express its concern that this goal may not be met, especially at policy-making and decision-making levels (D-1 and above). It would also call upon the Secretary-General to ensure full and urgent implementation of the strategic plan of action for the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (1995-2000) to achieve the goal contained in the Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995) for overall gender equality, particularly at the Professional level and above.

The Assembly would strongly encourage Member States to support the strategic plan and the efforts of the United Nations and the specialized agencies to increase the percentage of women in Professional posts, especially at the D-1 level and above, by identifying and regularly submitting more women candidates and by encouraging women to apply for posts within the Secretariat, specialized agencies and regional commissions.

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The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to ensure that individual managers are held accountable for implementing the strategic plan within their areas of responsibility. It would also request him to continue to create a gender-sensitive work environment, including thorough implementation of appropriate administrative procedures, and through development of a policy on sexual harassment.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Cyprus, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Tajikistan, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey and Zambia.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/51/L.20), the Assembly would deplore the fact that some refugees and displaced persons have been subjected to armed attack, murder, rape and other violations or threats. It would call on all States to ensure respect for the principle of protection and humane treatment of asylum-seekers in accordance with internationally recognized human rights and humanitarian norms. And it would call on all States who have not done so to accede to and fully implement the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to Status of Refugees and relevant regional refugee instruments.

The Assembly would call on all governments and other donors to demonstrate their international solidarity and burden-sharing with countries of asylum through efforts to alleviate the burden of States who have received large numbers of refugees, particularly those with limited resources; to continue the High Commissioner's programmes; to take into account the effects of large refugee populations on countries of asylum, as well as the need to widen the donor base to achieve greater burden-sharing; to assist the High Commissioner in securing additional and timely income from traditional government sources, other governments and the private sector to ensure the needs of refugees, returnees and displaced persons.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (document A/C.3/51/L.21), the General Assembly would approve the request made by the Committee and supported by States parties to the Convention for additional meeting time, within the overall existing budget, to allow the Committee to hold two sessions annually, each of three weeks' duration, preceded by a pre-session working group, starting from 1997 for an interim period. It would also urge all Member States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to do so that universal ratification of the Convention can be achieved by the year 2000.

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The Assembly would urge States to the Convention to take appropriate measures so that acceptance of the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention by a two-thirds majority of States parties can be reached as soon as possible in order for the amendment to enter into force. It would also urge States to formulate any reservations as precisely as possible, to ensure that no reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention or otherwise incompatible with international treaty law, to review their reservations regularly with a view to withdrawing them and to withdraw reservations that are contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention or that are otherwise incompatible with international treaty law.

The Assembly would authorize the open-ended working group of the Commission on the Status of Women to meet for 10 working days, within existing United Nations resources, in parallel with the Commission on the Status of Women at its forty-first session.

The text was sponsored by Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Togo, Turkey, Venezuela and Zambia.

Decade of the World's Indigenous People

Introducing the agenda item, IBRAHIMA FALL, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and Coordinator for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, said many measures, initiatives and activities were completed during the year. These were inspired by the objectives of the Decade, which included strengthening international cooperation and finding solutions to problems confronting indigenous people in the areas of the environment, development, health and education, in the spirit of active partnership between the United Nations and indigenous people.

The Third Committee had authorized a five-member advisory group of individuals who were knowledgeable about indigenous people to give advice to the High Commissioner, he said. This group was established on the following principles: active participation of indigenous people; equitable geographic distribution; and limiting expenditures so resources would be available for projects. The advisory group met in May 1996 and drew up guidelines for the six main areas of funding: the execution of the Programme for the Decade; the ways and means to strengthen the organizations of indigenous people; education and human rights training; information about indigenous people and the Decade; communication and exchanges between the United Nations and indigenous people; and pledging initiatives to achieve the goals of the Decade. The group suggested that projects should directly benefit indigenous people, be submitted after consultation with those people, and reflect a gender balance.

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Projects should also be encouraged in related areas, including the human rights of indigenous people.

A workshop organized to address the possible establishment of a permanent forum on indigenous people within the United Nations system and an office in Central or Eastern Africa has been planned, he said. In addition, as of 10 October 1996, the Voluntary Fund for the Programme of Activities of the Decade had received $267,923 in voluntary contributions from governments, non-governmental organizations and private entities. The Commission on Human Rights met in March and April 1996 and decided to include for the first time in its agenda a special item on indigenous people. A special round table was also held to address the special problems unique to indigenous people regarding housing, the rights of indigenous people to promote their cultures, and the lands of indigenous people and how to develop modes of coexistence with cities. The annual session of the working group on indigenous people met in July and August 1996 and focused on the health of indigenous people with the cooperation of the World Health Organization (WHO), and discussed treaties between States and indigenous people.

YANERIT MORGAN (Mexico) said her Government was committed to renewing its relationship with indigenous peoples. Righting the wrongs of the past was not only a historical and moral imperative, it was socially just. The process of establishing a new relationship with indigenous people was very intense. A national survey had been undertaken with many sectors of society, including indigenous people, to assess directions and policies for a participatory and just life. The reform process included a re-examination of laws and the Constitution to ensure respect for the rights of indigenous groups, their cultural and traditional practices, and their approach to economic and social life. Inclusion was a priority. Another important goal was to improve the access of indigenous people to the legal system in a way which recognized their languages, customs and systems. The Government was committed to redefining public programmes and policies to include indigenous people as active participants in all aspects of society.

The Government's comprehensive plan for indigenous people covered their needs in health, education, housing, food and public services, she continued. Spending on indigenous education increased 6 per cent in the last year and textbooks were being drafted in 44 native languages. The participation of indigenous people was an essential element of Government policy. However, despite gains, there was still a need to improve their living standards to overcome the injustices of the past. The Government was working with state and municipal authorities to fulfil a historic commitment and obligation to building a better society which included the rich culture of indigenous people and their active participation in sustainable development plans.

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MARTIN GARCIA MORITAN (Argentina) said that the Decade had been set up to recognize the injustices indigenous peoples had suffered all over the world. His Government had introduced significant changes which would guarantee the main rights of indigenous groups in Argentina. Constitutional reform reflected a commitment to the pre-existence of those peoples and provided a new framework for policies and the status of indigenous peoples in provincial governments. Indigenous people had taken part in the national plan which was launched in October. Argentina recognized the inalienable right of indigenous peoples to ownership of the land on which they live. In the province of Formosa, land deeds handed over to indigenous peoples covered 400,000 hectares. There were similar activities in other provinces, such as education changes focusing on providing bilingual language programmes. The Government had implemented a primary health-care programme which would also make use of the knowledge and traditional practices of indigenous health workers. It was fully aware such initiatives were only a beginning, but the Government was committed to increasing its efforts.

GARE SMITH (United States) said the atrocities committed against indigenous peoples in America's history and in many other places in the world demand greater attention from the world community. In his country and others, vestiges of the tragic past continued to haunt indigenous people today, in the form of racism and discrimination, repression, colonialism and paternalism. His Government acknowledged those problems and was committed to finding and implementing lasting solutions. The United States had made progress in recognizing and addressing the difficulties faced by indigenous groups. It acknowledged the sovereign powers of tribal governments and encouraged the practice of self-governance for Indian tribes and Alaska Natives. Self- governance was the most effective way for indigenous people to preserve their culture and heritage and protect their rights and interests.

He said real solutions to the problems facing indigenous people required active consultation and partnership with tribal governments and indigenous representatives. During the first two years of the Decade, many of his Government's federal agencies had begun or strengthened existing policies dealing with American Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis. There was a clear recognition that the protection of religious freedom guaranteed in the United States Constitution applied equally to the First Americans. Recent legislation such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act had enhanced those freedoms. Strong tribal courts were critical to the social and economic development of Indian people and tribal communities. The Department of Justice had worked closely with American Indian governments to support their tribal courts and offer technical assistance and training to tribal justice officials.

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GUSTAVO PEDRAZA (Bolivia) said indigenous people constituted a substantive part of the population of Bolivia, which was a multicultural and multinational state. The Government has reaffirmed its dedication to international cooperation in solving international humanitarian problems and promoting human rights for all, and continued to make progress in political and social reforms. These reforms directly benefited indigenous people, and included educational reform, initiated in 1996, that had successfully enabled more indigenous children to study in their own language. Recently, a draft law was submitted to the legislature to include indigenous people in the social security system and to allow indigenous people to participate in decisions regarding their land.

The global situation of indigenous people continued to be difficult, despite the fact that they have become a matter of concern for the international community, he said. However, this concern had not resulted in substantive changes. It was a new challenge for the international community to show firm commitment for the these oppressed people. Keeping in mind the Decade for Indigenous People, governments and financial organizations should support the Voluntary Fund so the Programme of Activities can be fully implemented.

DAVID H. FREEDMAN of the International Labour Organization (ILO) said that, since 1957, the ILO Conventions had been the only international legal instruments that addressed the living and working conditions of indigenous and tribal peoples. The new Convention (No. 169) respected the cultures, ways of life, traditions and customary laws of the peoples which it covered. The Convention also presumed that indigenous peoples would continue to exist as parts of their national societies with their own identity, their own structures and their own traditions. Another recent change was the underlying premise that indigenous and tribal peoples and their traditional organizations should be closely involved in decision-making with respect to policies for development, and should participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of plans and programmes which directly affected them.

The situation in Guatemala offered a vivid example of both the Convention's relevance and its vitality, he said. A majority of the country's population was indigenous, and the Government's ratification of the Convention in June 1996 was a major step in returning the country to peace. The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs said it was a historic milestone in his country's consolidation of democracy and fullest respect for internationally recognized human rights.

JORGE E. UQUILLAS, representative of the World Bank, said the World Bank established a special policy on indigenous people in 1982. The policy protected land and resources of indigenous people, but difficulties in its design and development arose and it was subsequently revised. The revised policy included procedures to encourage indigenous people to participate and

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benefit in development. It also included new criteria for identifying indigenous people, a focus on protecting indigenous people from the adverse effects of development, and a development plan for indigenous people in relevant programmes of the World Bank.

In South America, 10 per cent of the people were indigenous people, he said. One of the main problems in that region was identifying policy priorities. The World Bank priorities include the maintenance of land and natural resources, investment in education and health, technical assistance and training, and the provision of greater access to goods and services. The World Bank was ready to provide resources to strengthen its support of indigenous people. The strategy of the World Bank has been to work with governments and communities that wished to improve their training, identify development needs and strategies, and combine the resources of indigenous people with external support.

NINA SIBAL, representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said UNESCO's input into the Programme of Activities for the Decade had been to assist indigenous people in drawing up projects to be implemented by both national and international institutions. The UNESCO had also implemented bilingual education projects, and had contributed to contemporary indigenous literature through regional workshops and through the preservation of oral traditions, traditional knowledge, and the promotion of crafts.

As part of its operational strategy, she said UNESCO would step up its policy of cooperation and exchange through coordination between several divisions and units at Headquarters and in the field. In response to concerns expressed by indigenous organizations and Member States, particular issues had been targeted, and they included traditional practices and cultural rights, biodiversity, bioethics, cooperation at different levels of education, and human rights. The UNESCO would pay special attention to this year's focal themes chosen by the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, as well as by the General Assembly. Accordingly, in 1996 it would focus on education for indigenous populations, and its relevant services would contribute to these activities.

ANDREI NIKIFOROV (Russian Federation) said the International Decade for Indigenous People was important for the advancement of human rights. His Government hoped that the Programme of Activities could be fully implemented, particularly in the areas of education, health, and the environment. The Programme should be implemented both on the national and international levels. The advancement of human rights for indigenous people was one of the basic principles of his country. The Government promoted the importance of equal participation of indigenous people in the management of the state and in developing their national cultures. It was improving legislation on the rights of indigenous people; the legislature had recently adopted a law to

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improve the prospects of indigenous people and was planning to implement the Programme for the Decade. The Russian Federation believed that the United Nations work on behalf of the rights of indigenous peoples should continue to improve and become more effective.

Introduction of Draft Resolutions

The representative of New Zealand introduced a draft resolution on the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat. He read out the following oral amendments:

In operative paragraph 6 the line "administrative instruction ST/AI/412 of 5 January 1996" should be replaced with "his report A/51/304" and the word "further" should be inserted between "through" and "development".

A new operative paragraph 8 (bis) would read as follows:

"urges the Secretary-General to increase the number of women employed in the Secretariat from developing countries, including at the D-1 level and above, particularly those that are unrepresented or under-represented and from other countries which have a low representation of women, including countries in transition".

The following list of countries joined the list of co-sponsors: Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominican Republic, France, Guinea-Bissau, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Poland, Moldavia, Romania, Samoa, Swaziland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Afghanistan, Niger, Madagascar, Jordan, Lesotho, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Chile, Zimbabwe, Colombia and Guinea.

The representative of Norway introduced the draft resolution on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. He said the current resolution had been shortened from the one adopted in 1994 and revised to take into account the work of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995).

The representative of the Russian Federation introduced the draft resolution on follow-up to the regional conference to address the problems of refugees, displaced persons, other forms of involuntary displacement and returnees in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The draft was co-sponsored by Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Ukraine.

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The representative of the Sudan introduced the draft text on assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors. She read out the following amendments:

Operative paragraph 3 should read "calls upon the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in cooperation with other relevant United Nations bodies to incorporate into its programmes, policies which aim to prevent refugee family separation".

In the third preambular paragraph, the word "forced" should be inserted before the word "military recruitment".

In operative paragraph 7, the word "forced" should also be inserted before the phrase "recruitment in military forces".

Two paragraphs had not been printed. A sixth preambular paragraph should read as follows:

"Welcoming the efforts extended by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) towards the reunification of the family members of refugees".

A new operative paragraph 3 should be inserted:

"Expresses the hope that adequate resources be provided for the programmes of identification and tracing of unaccompanied refugee minors".

The paragraphs of the text should be renumbered accordingly.

Morocco and Bangladesh joined the list of co-sponsors.

The representative of Jordan introduced a draft resolution on the new international world order.

He said at the end of the text as printed of operative paragraph 4, add the following:

"including local and regional capacity building to respond to humanitarian problems and the search for more effective measures to increase international cooperation in the humanitarian field".

He said the omission was a purely technical matter. Another technical error occurred in operative paragraph 5 -- after the words "in order to report" it should include

"in a comprehensive manner".

Costa Rica joined the list of co-sponsors.

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Action on Draft Resolutions

The Committee then took action on a draft resolution on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Committee Secretary read out the following oral revisions:

The fourth preambular paragraph should be split in two and the new preambular paragraph 4 should read as follows:

-- "Commending the High Commissioner and her staff for the competent, courageous and dedicated manner in which they discharge their responsibilities,";

-- a new fifth preambular paragraph (bis) should read as follows:

"paying tribute to those staff members who have endangered or lost their lives, and emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures to ensure the security of staff engaged in humanitarian operations,";

-- In operative paragraph 8, in the seventh line, the words "under the terms of" should be replaced with the words "for reasons enumerated in";

-- In operative paragraph 10 the words "in order to" should be replaced with a comma;

-- In operative paragraph 12, the words "the adoption of" should be replaced by "the conclusion of a";

-- In operative paragraph 17, the words "through bilateral agreements" should be deleted;

-- In operative paragraph 18, the words "and to fulfill" should be replaced by "as well as";

-- In operative paragraph 20, the words "developing countries and" should be inserted between the words "in particular" and "those".

The following countries joined the list of co-sponsors: Bulgaria, Costa Rica, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ghana, Solomon Islands, Mozambique, Nigeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Poland, France, Albania, Peru, Thailand, New Zealand, Cape Verde, Chad, Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Swaziland, Malta, Zaire, Nepal, Congo and Niger.

The Committee then approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, without a vote.

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Speaking after action on the text, the representative of Singapore said his Government supported the general thrust of the draft text, but had certain reservations on operative paragraph 3 which reiterated that everyone without distinction of any kind had the right to seek and enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. He objected to such an unqualified and categorical statement. Singapore had never recognized the unrestricted or automatic right to asylum. The paragraph did not accurately reflect contemporary international practice on the right to asylum. In recent years, the policy, including by many of the developed countries which co-sponsored the text, had been towards a more restrictive and qualified interpretation of the right to asylum. Mass population movements were the result of a number of factors which were not going to go away. Both developing and developed countries were beginning to adopt more restrictive practices because they were unable to cope with the consequences. All international norms evolved in response to changing economic and political conditions. The right to asylum was no exception.

The representative of the Sudan said it would have liked to co-sponsor the draft but could not do so for reasons relating to bilateral relations between her country and the UNHCR. However, it supported the resolution whole-heartedly.

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