TEXT CALLING FOR RESPECT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN APPROVED BY THIRD COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/SHC/3405
TEXT CALLING FOR RESPECT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN APPROVED BY THIRD COMMITTEE
19961126 Other Drafts on International Cooperation, Freedom Of Travel, Racial Intolerance, Right to Development, among 13 ApprovedThe General Assembly would call on Afghanistan's authorities to ensure women's effective participation in social, political and cultural life throughout the country, according to the terms of a draft resolution approved without a vote this afternoon by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural). The authorities would be urged to restore respect for women's human rights, including their right to work and the right of girls to education without discrimination.
The Committee Chairperson submitted the text, which deeply deplores the grave deterioration in women's human rights in Afghanistan. It also urges all Afghan parties to respect accepted humanitarian rules and act in accordance with humanitarian rights and freedoms, including the rights of women and children.
According to the terms of another draft approved without a vote, the Assembly would ask the international community, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to continue providing funds to reform the Haitian judicial system and contribute to social and economic development. It would also encourage generous contributions to the Trust Fund for the Haitian National Police.
The Committee approved a draft resolution on enhancing international cooperation in the field of human rights by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 39 against, with 15 abstentions (see Annex II).
The representative of Ireland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said he could not support the draft, because the Union's proposals for changes to the text had been rejected without due consideration. The representative of Colombia, speaking on behalf of China and the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement, said the European Union's proposals were unacceptable.
By another recorded vote of 79 in favour to 3 against (Canada, Japan, United States), with 75 abstentions, the Committee approved a draft resolution
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calling on States to allow the free flow of financial remittances by foreign nationals residing in their territory to relatives in their country of origin. The text, which was sponsored by Cuba, also calls on States to repeal existing legislation that discriminates against legal immigrants by adversely affecting family reunification (see Annex I).
The Assembly would call on States to make further national and international efforts to remove obstacles to the right to development, according to the terms of another draft approved without a vote. Another text approved this afternoon would call on States, the United Nations and other international and intergovernmental organizations to follow up the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on human rights and extreme poverty.
The Committee approved without a vote a draft resolution demanding that governments end extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions, and combat and eliminate the phenomenon in all its forms. It also approved texts on the elimination of racial intolerance, on enforced or involuntary disappearances, and on strengthening the rule of law.
Other draft resolutions approved without a vote include texts on follow- up to the United Nations Year for Tolerance, the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and on the promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
A draft resolution on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and public information was introduced by Namibia.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 27 November, to take action on several draft resolutions.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) was scheduled to hear the introduction of and take action on several draft resolutions on human rights issues this afternoon.
By the terms of a draft resolution on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/51/L.36), sponsored by Cuba, the General Assembly would once again call on States to guarantee the universally recognized freedom of travel to all foreign nationals legally residing in their territory. It would call on all States to allow, in conformity with international legislation, the free flow of financial remittances by foreign nationals residing in their territory to their relatives in their country of origin. It would also call on all States to refrain from enacting, and to repeal existing legislation, intended as a coercive measure, that discriminates against individuals or groups of legal immigrants by adversely affecting family reunification and their right to send financial remittances to relatives in the country of origin.
A draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iraq (document A/C.3/51/L.40), would have the Assembly urge the Government of Iraq to cooperate with the United Nations to ensure the implementation of Security Council resolution 986 (1995), in accordance with the agreement reached in May 1996, that medicines, health supplies, food and other humanitarian supplies, purchased with the proceeds of the sale of Iraqi oil, are distributed to the Iraqi population equitably and on a non-discriminatory basis.
The Assembly would demand that the Government restore the independence of the judiciary and abrogate all laws granting impunity to specified forces or persons killing or injuring individuals for any purpose beyond the administration of justice under the rule of law as prescribed by international standards. It would also demand the abrogation of any decrees that prescribe cruel and unusual punishment or treatment, and implement steps to ensure torture and cruel and unusual treatment no longer occur. The Assembly would urge the Iraqi Government to improve its cooperation within the framework of the Tripartite Commission and its technical subcommittees to establish the whereabouts or resolve the fate of several hundred missing persons and prisoners of war, Kuwaitis and third-country nationals who were victims of the illegal Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
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A draft resolution on the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (document A/C.3/51/L.42) would have the Assembly encourage the High Commissioner continue discharging his responsibilities under Assembly resolution 48/141. It would also decide to consider the matter at its next session under a sub-item entitled "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights" under the item entitled "Human rights questions".
The draft resolution is sponsored by Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Mexico, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The terms of a text on effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (document A/C.3/51/L.45) would have the Assembly call on the Secretary-General to make available, at the request of concerned governments, qualified expertise on minority issues, including dispute prevention and resolution, to assist in existing or potential situations involving minorities. It would call on States to include in their reports to human rights treaty bodies, measures to promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to minorities; and on Special Representatives, Special Rapporteurs and working groups of the Commission on Human Rights to continue to give attention to situations involving minorities.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Ukraine.
A text on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (document A/C.3/51/L.46) would have the Assembly demand that all governments ensure that the practice be brought to an end and that they take effective action to combat and eliminate the phenomenon in all its forms. It would also ask the Secretary-General to inform the Commission on Human Rights of the implementation of the Economic and Social Council's decision 1995/284.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland,
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Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The Committee was also expected to take action on a draft resolution on the elimination of racial intolerance (document A/C.3/51/L.47) by which the Assembly would call on all States to recognize the right of all persons to worship or assemble in connection with a religion or belief, and to establish and maintain places for that purpose. It would request the Secretary-General to ensure that the Special Rapporteur receives the necessary staffing, financial and material resources to enable him to discharge his mandate fully and on time.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Albania, Armenia, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
A draft resolution on the question of enforced or voluntary disappearances (document A/C.3/51/L.48/Rev.1) would have the Assembly call on governments to ensure that when a state of emergency is introduced, the protection of human rights is ensured, particularly as regards enforced disappearances. It would also decide to consider the question, particularly implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, at its fifty-third session. It would ask the working group to take into account the provisions of the Declaration and to modify its working methods if necessary.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Togo and the United Kingdom.
A text on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan (document A/C.3/51/L.49), submitted by the Chairperson, would have the Assembly call on all Afghan parties to respect fully and act in accordance with all human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly the right to life, liberty and security, and freedom of opinion and expression. It would also demand that all parties fulfil their obligations and commitments regarding the safety of United Nations and other international personnel, as well as their premises in
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Afghanistan, and cooperate fully with the United Nations and associated bodies and other humanitarian organizations and agencies.
By the terms of the draft resolution on follow-up to the United Nations Year for Tolerance (document A/C.3/51/L.50), the Assembly would request the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to continue coordinating actions to support the promotion of tolerance and education in partnership with other United Nations agencies and regional, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The UNESCO would also be asked to make reports available to the Assembly on a biennial basis on implementation of the Declaration of Principles of Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the United Nations Year for Tolerance. It would also invite Member States to apply the declaration and to continue public information campaigns aimed at realizing more tolerant societies.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Georgia, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Israel, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela.
A text on strengthening the rule of law (A/C.3/51/L.52) would have the Assembly request the High Commissioner for Human Rights to give high priority to technical cooperation activities by the Centre for Human Rights with regard to the rule of law. It would encourage the High Commissioner to continue exploring the possibility of further contact with and support of financial institutions for technical and financial means to strengthen the Centre's capacity to assist national projects on human rights and the rule of law. The Secretary-General would be asked to submit a report on the results of contacts established, and other developments, to the Assembly's fifty-second session.
The sponsors include Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Monaco, Mongolia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Poland, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, South Africa, Samoa, Spain, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United States and Venezuela.
A text on human rights and extreme poverty (document A/C.3/51/L.54) would have the Assembly reaffirm that extreme poverty and exclusion from
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society constitute a violation of human dignity and that urgent national and international action is therefore required to eliminate them. It would call on States, the specialized agencies, United Nations bodies and other international and inter-governmental organizations to give necessary attention to the problem and follow-up to recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Guinea- Bissau, Honduras, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela.
By the terms of a draft resolution on human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/51/L.55), the Assembly would ask the international community, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to continue to provide funds to reform the judicial system and activities for the social and economic development, including reconstruction of Haitian society. It would also encourage the international community to contribute generously to the Trust Fund for the Haitian National Police, which will be needed to respond to the Government's request for a technical adviser programme.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Monaco, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Moldova, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Another draft resolution on which the Committee was scheduled to take action is on the right to development (document A/C.3/51/L.57), which would have the Assembly call on Member States to make further national and international efforts to remove obstacles to realizing the right to development; and to address, within the declarations and programmes of action of relevant United Nations conferences, elements to promote and protect that right as set out in the Declaration of the Right to Development. It would also call on the Commission on Human Rights to continue making proposals through the Economic and Social Council on future action, particularly practical measures, to implement the Declaration.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Brazil, China, Colombia (on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries),
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Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Mexico, Turkey and Uruguay.
By the terms of a draft resolution on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/51/L.58), the Assembly would ask the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights to promote international cooperation through constructive dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and equality of States in order to implement paragraph 17, part II, of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
The draft resolution is sponsored by China and Colombia (on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries).
Introduction of Draft Resolutions
The representative of Namibia, on behalf of Australia and Costa Rica, introduced a draft resolution on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and public information activities in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/51/L.70), which would have the Assembly request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights/Centre for Human Rights continue to coordinate the implementation of the Plan of Action for the Decade for Human Rights Education, to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency in the use, processing, management and distribution of information and educational materials, and to continue to coordinate and harmonize human rights information strategies within the United Nations system. It would also request the Secretary-General to bring the resolution to the attention of all members of the international community, as well as intergovernmental and non- governmental organizations concerned with human rights education and public information, and to submit a comprehensive report on the implementation to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session.
Action on Draft Resolutions
The Committee then approved the draft resolution on freedom of travel by a recorded vote of 79 in favour to 3 against (Canada, Japan and United States), with 75 abstentions. (See Annex I.)
Explanation of Vote
The representative of the United States said her Government respected a number of human rights and fundamental freedoms relating to individual travel, including the right to freedom of movement, within one's own country; the right to leave and return to that country; and the right to fair treatment from a foreign government when one is abroad. Those rights were the essence of human dignity and freedom but they were not the essence of the draft resolution. On the day its sponsor respected the above human rights and
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freedoms, it would be in a better position to suggest new rights in the area of individual travel. Since the passage of the draft text last year, the situation inside Cuba had not changed at all. Cubans who wished to emigrate must still pay absurdly high fees, in foreign currency, and Cubans wishing to travel abroad could not do so without passing a stringent test of political loyalty. That was the kind of freedom which Cuba maintained was important elsewhere in the world, but not inside Cuba or between Cuba and other countries.
The representative of Chile said he had voted in favour of the draft resolution because his Government placed a high priority on the rights of immigrants. It regretted the text did not include the right to leave freely any country, including one's own.
The representative of Venezuela said he had voted in favour of the draft because the text reflected norms in international human rights instruments. However, he was concerned with the language in some paragraphs which was not in accordance with legislation in some countries on the free flow of immigrants.
The representative of Mexico said he had voted in favour of the text. Its provisions were particularly important. Operative paragraph 1 stated freedom of movement was an established right in keeping with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
The representative of Philippines said she had voted in favour of the draft resolution because her delegation was in favour of the substance of the text and the right of freedom of travel and family reunification.
Making a general statement, the representative of Cuba said he regretted that the United States representative had been so unconstructive in her tone. Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said her Government should remove restrictions on the right of its own citizens to travel to any country they chose, including Cuba. He believed the United States should lift restrictions on Cuban residents in the United States so they could travel to Cuba for family reunification.
The Committee then approved the draft resolution on the effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities without a vote.
The United States, Finland, San Marino, Ethiopia, Burundi, Belarus, Albania, Marshall Islands and Fiji joined the list of co-sponsors.
It also took action on the draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
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The representative of Finland announced two amendments.
-- In the second line of operative paragraph 3, the word "alleged" should be replaced with "suspected cases of";
-- Operative paragraph 8 should be moved to follow operative paragraph 3 and become operative paragraph 3 (bis). The paragraphs should be numbered accordingly.
The Committee Secretary said mistakes in the French text would be corrected to bring it into line with the English text.
Andorra, Slovakia, San Marino, Benin, Senegal and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia joined the list of co-sponsors.
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.
The draft resolution on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance was then considered by the Committee.
The representative of Ireland said that in the eighth preambular paragraph and in operative paragraph 4, the words "religious extremism" should be replaced with "religious intolerance".
Republic of Moldova, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, United States, San Marino, Ukraine, Papua New Guinea, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Panama, Fiji, Burundi, Malta, India and Liechtenstein joined the list of co-sponsors.
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.
The Committee then took action on the draft resolution on the question of enforced or involuntary disappearances.
Pakistan, Benin, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Mauritius joined the list of co-sponsors
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.
The Committee also took action on the draft resolution on the follow-up to the United Nations Year for Tolerance.
Kazakstan, Guinea-Bissau, Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Mongolia and Niger joined the list of co-sponsors.
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The representative of Turkey announced the following corrections:
-- In operative paragraph 3, after "Seoul", insert "Republic of Korea", after the word "New Delhi" insert "India" and the comma should be removed from "Tbilisi" which should be followed by the word "Georgia".
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.
Explanation of Position
The representative of Syria said he had joined the consensus on the draft because of his Government's respect for the noble values of tolerance; however, it would like to explain its position and make comments on some questions which it was unable to determine clearly during the drafting of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and follow-up to the plan of action for the United Nations Year of Tolerance. Firstly, Syria's concept of tolerance did not involve violating the United Nations Charter or international humanitarian law. Nor did it involve silence vis-a-vis the occupation of territories by peoples of other States. It was against the policy of massacres, the acquiring by force of the territory of others, expelling people and confiscating their goods. Tolerance was incompatible with the use of force and intransigence which could never prevail over the rule of law.
Secondly, his Government believed there was a distinction between terrorism and the just struggle by peoples against foreign occupation. His Government had always condemned all forms of terrorism and it accepted United Nations resolutions condemning terrorism and followed the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
Thirdly, regarding racism, it could not ignore genocide, ethnic cleansing, feelings of hatred against Arabs, Africans, Asians and the people of Latin America. Those problems had not been dealt with in the Declaration which had just focused on one particular group.
The Committee then took action on a draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law.
The representative of Brazil said Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, United Kingdom and Mali wished to become co-sponsors and Burundi should be removed from the list. Morocco, Malta, Marshall Islands, Congo, Fiji and San Marino also joined the list.
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.
The Committee then took action on the draft resolution on human rights and extreme poverty.
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The representative of Peru said Italy and Madagascar had asked to co- sponsor the draft resolution. Fiji, Bhutan, Niger, Benin, Rwanda, Guinea, Burundi and Indonesia indicated that they also wished to join the co-sponsor list.
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.
The Committee Secretary then read out the following correction to the draft resolution on the right to development:
-- in operative paragraph 8, line 7, the word "effort" should be plural, "efforts".
Marshall Islands, Fiji and Portugal were added to the list of co- sponsors.
The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, without a vote.
Committee Chairperson PATRICIA ESPINOSA (Mexico) then introduced the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.
She also read out the following correction to the draft resolution:
-- in operative paragraph 10, line 3, the word "Mohammed" should be deleted.
The representative of Yemen said his Government would continue to pursue a policy of not participating in votes involving other countries, and it would like to reserve the right of explaining its vote in the General Assembly.
The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, without a vote.
The Committee then took action on the draft resolution on human rights in Haiti.
The representative of Venezuela said that Finland had joined as a sponsor to the draft resolution.
The CHAIRPERSON stated that Mexico was an original co-sponsor of the text and that Chad was not a co-sponsor. Austria and Iceland were also added to the list of co-sponsors.
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote.
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The representative of Haiti, speaking after action, said his Government was pleased that the draft resolution was adopted without a vote. Since the return to constitutional order, the Government had endeavoured to build a new Haiti based on basic human rights and freedoms. The work of building a state of law was never an easy task, particularly when there had been an economic collapse and disintegration of the social fabric. The recent betterment of the human rights situation in Haiti had been noted by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, who had provided back-up reports that there had been improvements. The Haitian Government was encouraged to move further along this path now that it had confirmation of its work towards universal respect for the human person and that it was being supported by numerous friends who realized the importance and difficulty of the task at hand.
The Committee then took action on the draft resolution on the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Committee Secretary read out the following oral amendment to the draft resolution:
-- in operative paragraph 3, line 1, replace the word "satisfaction" with the word "appreciation".
Burkina Faso said the French version of the text did not include the title of the draft resolution.
Ecuador said that the following countries had been added to the list of co-sponsors: Bahamas, Bangladesh, France, Latvia, Spain, United States, Italy, Malta, Austria, Belarus, Barbados, Slovakia and Greece.
The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, without a vote.
The Committee then took action on the draft resolution on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights.
The representative of Colombia, speaking on behalf of the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement, said there was a consensus among the members of the working group on the resolution. He also read out the following amendment to the draft resolution:
-- operative paragraph 2, line 1, replace "Requests the Chairman of" with "Invites"; lines 1 and 2, delete "in carrying out the task assigned to him".
The representative of Ireland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the Union had participated in earlier consultations with a view to reach a consensus on the text on international cooperation. The European Union has serious problems with the draft resolution. During the consultations he had
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stated that there were inaccuracies and misstatements of fact in operative paragraph 1 and in the second and third preambular paragraphs. During the consultations, the European Union had put forward to the co-sponsors of the resolution a number of specific amendments, and he would like to formally propose them at this stage. The European Union would vote against the draft proposal as amended by the Non-Aligned Countries, and it would like its amendments put on record:
-- replace the first and second preambular paragraphs with the following paragraph: "Recognizing that international cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights is essential for the achievement of the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations;"
-- the third preambular paragraph should read: "Encouraging the Working Group on Human Rights of the Third Committee to continue its efforts with a view to accomplishing its mandate before the conclusion of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly";
-- replace operative paragraphs 1 and 2 with the following paragraph: "Invites the Commission on Human Rights to continue the consultations which were initiated during the fifty-second session of the Commission with a view to reaching a successful conclusion, preferably by the end of the fifty-third session of the Commission on Human Rights".
The representative of Colombia said he had listened to the European Union's proposals, and they were the same as offered in consultations just held. The Union had put the proposals to the group, and they were not accepted. Therefore, the Committee should now proceed to take action on the draft resolution as orally amended by the Non-Aligned Countries.
The representative of Ireland said the European Union had heard with regret that the amendments put forward had not been accepted. The Union had made a number of attempts to meet the concerns put forward by countries of the Non-Aligned Movement in order to reach a consensus. A resolution on international cooperation should have more than 20 minutes of consultation on the text. The European Union requested a recorded vote on this draft resolution and would vote against it.
The representative of the United States, speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, said his Government supported the substance of comments made by Ireland on behalf of the European Union. The subject of international cooperation was worthy of serious consideration. However, the draft resolution did not meet the test of serious consideration of a serious subject. The draft was written in a short amount of time, brief consultations were held, and little warning was given to the delegations. A draft on international cooperation should be agreed upon by all regions and groups. He requested that his comments be made part of the record.
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The representative of Hungary, speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, said his Government shared the views of Ireland, on behalf of the European Union, and the United States. His Government was committed to international cooperation in the field of human rights and was disturbed that such a resolution had become a divisive issue in the Committee, which had been known for its consensus on draft resolutions. It was also disturbed by fact that few opportunities for consultation had been allowed to discuss this important text. These were the reasons why his Government would oppose the draft resolution.
The representative of the Russian Federation said he appealed to the co- sponsors of the resolution to defer action on the resolution so there could be a consensus. The issue was a serious one and affected the status and authority of the Third Committee and how it addressed international cooperation in the field of human rights.
The representative of Ukraine said he supported the proposal made by the representative of the Russian Federation. Additional time was needed and the delegations needed time to request instructions from their capitals.
The representative of Colombia, calling for a point of order, said the process of voting had already begun and the Committee was in the middle of the explanations of vote before the vote.
The CHAIRPERSON said the representative of Colombia was correct. The process of voting had begun.
The representative of Costa Rica said it would have supported the amendments to the text proposed by Ireland. However, in view of the fact that she could not take action on the amendments put forth by Ireland, Costa Rica could not vote in favour of the draft resolution and would abstain.
The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, by a vote 94 in favour to 39 against, with 15 abstentions.
The representative of the Netherlands, speaking after the vote, endorsed the comments made by Ireland, on behalf of the European Union, and fully supported the manner in which it had tried to bring the exercise to a happier end. It was ironic the Committee could not come to a consensus on such a resolution. Consensus was a process which required all sides to be willing to listen to each other. The subject of international cooperation had been discussed at length in Geneva, and it was a matter of regret that the co- sponsors had decided that the European Union's proposals were not appropriate.
The representative of Uruguay said it reserved its right to make a statement on the matter in the plenary.
(annexes follow)
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ANNEX I
Vote on draft resolution on freedom of travel
The draft resolution on freedom of travel (document A/C.3/51/L.36) was approved by a recorded vote of 79 in favour to 3 against, with 75 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Canada, Japan, United States.
Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.
Absent: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Iceland, Israel, Liberia, Madagascar, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
(END OF ANNEX I)
Third Committee 16 Press Release GA/SHC/3405 53rd Meeting (PM) 26 November 1996
ANNEX II
Vote on international cooperation in human rights
The draft resolution on international cooperation in human rights (document A/C.3/51/L.58) was approved by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 39 against, with 15 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Angola, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstaining: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, El Salvador, Fiji, Georgia, Kazakstan, Panama, Paraguay, Russian Federation, Uruguay.
Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Israel, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mauritius, Monaco, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.
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