THIRD COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS

Press Release
GA/SHC/3445

THIRD COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, Cultural) this morning heard reports on the situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Cambodia, Sudan, Rwanda and Cuba, as it continued its consideration of human rights questions. Responding to the report of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in his country, the representative of Cuba claims his country's failure to cooperation were not true. His Government had responded to the requests of the Commission on Human Rights and had submitted reports to four human rights treaty bodies, in line with its obligations and commitments. Regarding the work of the Special Rapporteur, he said Cuba would not accept selective and discriminatory treatment. It would not become an accomplice in the sham against its people and would not surrender its independence and freedom. The representative of Rwanda said there were serious shortcomings in the fulfilment of the human rights field mission in his country. The understanding of its mandate was different from the Government. It neglected issues related to the genocide. On the Special Representative's report, he said the information on the persistence of generalized insecurity in Rwanda was not true. Apart from localized isolated cases of insecurity, the rest of the country was peaceful. The representative of the Sudan, responding to the report of the Special Rapporteur, said human rights violations occurred all over the world. The question was over how the Government responded. With a new agreement for prompt communication between Sudan and the Special Rapporteur, he hoped the technical assistance the Sudan had been requesting since 1991 would now be provided. Statements were also made by the representatives of The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Luxembourg (on behalf of the European Union and associated States), Iraq, Costa Rica and the United States. The Observer for the Holy See also made a statement. Statements were also made by the human rights Special Rapporteurs or Special Representatives for: Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; Sudan; Cuba; Cambodia; and Rwanda. The Third Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its consideration of human rights questions. A number of draft proposals will also be introduced with regard to rights of the child, indigenous people, elimination of racism and self-determination.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue its consideration of human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the reports of special rapporteurs and representatives, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Committee had before it reports on the human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives on the following: Cambodia, Haiti, Kosovo, the former Yugoslavia, Myanmar, southern Lebanon and West Bekaa, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Cuba, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (For background on alternative approaches, the Vienna Declaration and the High Commissioner's report, and the reports of the special rapporteurs and representatives, see Press Releases GA/SHC/3443 and GA/SHC/3444 of 12 November.)

Also before the Committee is a report by the Secretary-General on the situation of United Nations personnel and their families (document A/52/548), which outlines the situation of United Nations and other personnel who have been imprisoned, missing or held in a country against their will, while fulfilling a United Nations operation mandate. The report, which covers the period from 1 July 1995 to 9 June 1997, includes an update on new cases and those successfully settled, the status of the implementation of measures proposed by the Commission on Human Rights, and information on respect for the privileges and immunities of officials, as well as for their security and safety.

The report is based on information provided by United Nations programmes, funds, offices and missions and by the specialized agencies and related organizations. It states that the Conventions on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and of the Specialized Agencies constitute a critical element in the protection of staff members and their dependants from arrest and detention. The Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, adopted in December 1994, has been signed by only 43 Member States and ratified by only 10. It will enter into force when 20 States have ratified it.

In its update on recent cases, the report states that since 1992, 131 United Nations staff members have died while performing duties, 24 of them international recruits and 107 local. Sixty-eight died of gunshot wounds, although nobody has been brought to trial in any of the killings. Between 1 January 1994 and 11 March 1997, there were 35 cases of abduction and hostage-taking involving internationally and locally recruited official. In 1992, one United Nations staff member was killed every month; in 1993, one was killed every week; in 1994, it was more than once a week; in 1995 and 1996, the rate has reverted back to one a month. Between 1 January and 1 March 1997, there were nine fatal casualties.

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Statements

ELIZABETH REHN, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), in introducing her report, said there was still great cause for concern, but there was also good news that offered hope. Much of the news in her report was three months old due to time requirements for preparing reports.

In Croatia, she continued, there were clear efforts by the Government to meet the human rights demands of the international community, particularly concerning cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal and the surrender of 10 war-crime suspects. A National Committee for the Establishment of Trust, Accelerated Return and Normalization of Life was restoring confidence among Croatian Serbs. However, the return of refugees to Croatia was still too slow, property questions had not been resolved, and there was still much hate between Serbs and Croats.

In the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, there was a major problem with the lack of respect for basic principles of human rights and democracy, she continued. For example, the legally elected city assembly in Novi Pazar, in which the Muslim party had received a two-thirds majority, was dismissed by heavily armed police on the basis of a ministerial decision. In Kosovo, the situation remained tense. However, some recent changes in the Government of Serbia gave hope for better cooperation. Also, Montenegro had shown great cooperation.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there were many unsolved problems, she said. The municipal elections had gone well in September, with no serious security problems, but implementation of the election results was extremely difficult in many areas. National institutions to protect human rights had become more efficient and well regarded, and non-governmental organizations had become stronger. However, much work remained to be done with regard to local police training. Further, the gender issue within the police force needed to be addressed in a situation where so much tragedy had affected women, in particular.

Other global issues concerned the return of refugees and displaced persons, which was strongly connected with property issues, she said. Landmines, missing persons and hidden detentions, arrest of indicted war criminals and continuation of the international presence were all continuing problems.

DONKA GLIGOROVA (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) said the Special Rapporteur was greatly respected in her country. The fact that her country was excluded from the Special Rapporteur's mandate was good news and a testament to her good work.

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THOMAS HAMMARBERG, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights in Cambodia, introducing his report (document A/52/489), cited the incident in Phnom Penh on 30 March, in which hand grenades were thrown into a peaceful political demonstration, resulting in a number of deaths and injury to more than 100 people. In that case and others, there had been no serious investigation leading to arrest and prosecution, he said. The Cambodian armed forces had never been fully integrated and depoliticized following the 1991 peace agreements and continued to be identified with political groups. Also, the bodyguard teams of the two Prime Ministers had been developed into heavily armed units of 1,000 soldiers or more, further destabilizing the increasingly polarized political environment.

The armed developments which started on 2 July had serious consequences for human rights, he continued. The battles in Phnom Penh between the various political forces from 5 to 6 July resulted in the killing of civilians. His reference to those developments as a coup d'état had been objected to by the second Prime Minister. In response to a request from the Government, the Cambodian office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had submitted a memorandum to the Government on 22 August detailing the information it had obtained on cases of reported summary executions, disappearances and torture. The Government promised to investigate all cases. Most of the victims had connections with defence and security structures of the National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC). Since then, no serious steps had been taken to follow up on the pledges made by the second Prime Minister that the crimes committed in July would be punished.

Regarding the preparations for elections, he outlined a number of issues that had to be addressed before free and fair elections could take place. The National Assembly was currently discussing the relevant legislation. Provisions of the law should ensure that an independent, unbiased and effective administrative structure was in place. Fair and equal access to the media was another crucial requirement of a free and fair election.

In addition, he continued, while all political leaders in Cambodia had stated that there must be equal access to radio and television, the reality was currently quite different. The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) dominated coverage on the State-owned stations, and licenses for broadcasting had been refused -- a situation that had worsened considerably since July 1997. Steps should be taken to ensure the political parties had equal possibilities to express themselves via media. Furthermore, the safety and security of candidates and political activists must be ensured, including for those returning from exile.

A serious challenge in the establishment of the rule of law in Cambodia was the problem of impunity, he said. The most serious human rights violators in Cambodia in recent history had been the Khmer Rouge. However, no Khmer Rouge leader had been arrested or prosecuted by Cambodian authorities. The

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prospect of current and former Khmer Rouge leaders being allowed to participate in the political process without clarifying their personal responsibility for the killings of 1975 to 1979 was cause for concern. Without accountability for the Khmer Rouge leaders, the cycle of impunity in Cambodia would continue.

He went on to say that a 21 June letter sent by the Cambodian authorities had asked the United Nations for assistance in addressing the past violations of Cambodian and international law, as a means of bringing about reconciliation, strengthening democracy and addressing the issue of individual accountability. The United Nations, including Member States, should respond positively to that request, to address the problem of impunity. As an immediate step, the Secretary-General should appoint experts to evaluate the existing evidence of responsibility for the Khmer Rouge human rights violations. In September, Prime Ministers Prince Ranariddh and Hun Sen, as well as His Majesty King Sihanouk, had declared support for that proposal.

GASPAR BIRO, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Sudan, introducing his report (document A/52/510), said the situation of human rights in the Sudan had not improved and, in some respects, had further deteriorated. There was a change, however, in the attitude of the Government regarding reports and information on certain categories of violations, which was undoubtedly positive.

He said that during a mission to Khartoum during September, he had arranged for periodic direct contacts between the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of the Sudan, to ensure instant communication and verification of information on human rights, including in conflict zones, under provisions established by the Commission on Human Rights. Throughout the period of the report, he had continued to receive reports of violations of human rights, and the situation of women was of major concern. Several provisions in legislation at the State level insinuated an effective separation of women and men in public places. In Khartoum, women and girls were rounded up on the streets, detained and, at times, abused and lashed.

In addition, he continued, for years there had been reports of the abduction of children from northern Uganda by an armed group operating from areas located on both sides of the Uganda-Sudan border. Those reports were corroborated by numerous sources. The reports involved children as young as eight or nine, both boys and girls, who had been tied together and forced to carry heavy loads of looted goods, while great atrocities were committed to them. For such reasons, he concluded, the recommendations made previously with regard to human rights should be considered valid and reiterated.

SHAHIRA HASSAN WAHBI (Sudan) said her country's expert had just arrived from Khartoum and would speak later.

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MICHEL MOUSSALLI, Special Representative on the Situation of Human Rights in Rwanda, said he had just returned from a brief mission to Rwanda to review notes and observations with members of the Rwandan Government and with members of the international community active in Rwanda in the field of human rights. He said his mandate was to make recommendations on improving the situation, supplying technical assistance, and facilitating creation and functioning of an independent national human rights commission in Rwanda.

He said he was greatly impressed with the Government's willingness to cooperate in the field of human rights. No effort should be spared by the international community in better coordinately their resources and efforts there. It had been suggested that a global plan of assistance to Rwanda should be developed, with a list of priority projects. That approach had much support, because development helped the promotion and observance of human rights.

The situation of detainees and the conditions of detention should be an immediate priority in Rwanda, he added. Also, an independent national human rights commission should be created. Observations and recommendations on a draft proposal for setting up that commission, in cooperation with the special adviser on national institutions of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, was being submitted. Once established, the independent national commission would need the full technical and financial support of the international community to function effectively.

On a final note, the security situation in the western prefectures of Rwanda was deteriorating, he said. That situation had resulted in the tragic deaths of members of the international community, through the ferocious attacks of armed insurgents. It was essential that the Rwandan Army and authorities, although in the most difficult circumstances, ensure that the right to life was respected.

FRANK MUGAMBAGE (Rwanda) said grave human rights abuses had characterized both colonial and post-colonial Rwanda and had fostered the practice and culture of impunity, which had culminated in full-scale genocide in April 1994. A fully armed United Nations peacekeeping force present in Rwanda at the time had abandoned the Rwandan people in their efforts to stop genocide, despite early warnings and information that had been brought to the attention of the highest level of the United Nations.

The Government of national unity had stopped the violations of human rights and had taken deliberate measures to end generalized disorder and curb any attempts at revenge killings, he continued. Defence of human rights was a primary responsibility of the Government. However, it had requested support from the international community and the United Nations to put in place mechanisms that would ensure the improvement of the human rights record in the country.

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The human rights field mission set up in Rwanda had received full cooperation from the Government and the civil society at large, he said. There were, however, serious shortcomings in the fulfilment of its mission. The understanding of its mandate was different from the Government. The mission chose to neglect issues related to the genocide. Instead, it concentrated on compiling lists of criminal incidents, which was not difficult in a society with a culture of human rights violations and in the aftermath of genocide. The work of the human rights mission required high levels of professionalism, which would transcend all biases and influences that were common in the field. There was a trend to recruit incompetent staff as experts on human rights.

Turning to the report on Rwanda, he said the Special Representative had not mentioned such issues as the broad-based nature of the parliament, the parliament's enactment of legislation on genocide, the reintegration of refugees and the Government's cooperation with the United Nations. The report must be viewed in the overall context of what had been done and the Government's willingness to do more. It should not merely compile incidents.

The information in the report on the persistence of generalized insecurity in Rwanda was not true, he said. Isolated cases of insecurity were highly localized in a few communes in the Gisenyi prefecture. The rest of the country was peaceful. There was no prefecture that would qualify to be placed under the United Nations phase IV (as areas of high risk), as stated in the report. Rwanda rejected the call for that classification.

He said the reference in the report to criminal insurgence in some areas of western Rwanda and to allegations of killings of unarmed civilians by the Rwandan army was a misrepresentation of facts. How could insurgents and people who had received nearly three years military training in refugee camps be referred to as unarmed civilians? he asked. Much had been achieved by the Government towards building a society based on the rule of law and respect for human rights. However, a number of challenges remained, particularly in the area of legislation, the fight against impunity and the promotion of human rights.

CARL JOHAN GROTH, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Cuba, said systematic and gross violations of human rights continued to occur in that country. However, the information available to him was not complete and might not be enough to allow for a full overview of what was happening in the country. Nevertheless, it could be said that during the last year there had been a change in the methods of repression. For example, fewer people had been brought to court and given heavy imprisonment. At the same time, people were still being forced to leave the country under the threat of prison sentences. The current methods had perhaps been chosen with the idea of being less visible and accountable, but were still serious violations of basic rights.

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He expressed concern about the fate of four dissidents who had been detained since last July. The reason for their detention was most likely a document entitled "The Nation Belongs to Us All", which they had made public. The text was severe and compelling in its attack on official truths, but it was absolutely no more than that. It did not contain the slightest suggestion that could be considered rebellious. On another issue, information received did not suggest any decisive improvement in the condition prevailing in prisons and detention centres. However, the true situation was very difficult to determine, as long as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other non-governmental humanitarian organizations had no access to prisons.

He, too, had not been allowed into the country, he said. His request for entry into Cuba and for opening up a dialogue with the Cuban authorities had not been answered. "The claim that Cuba is willing and ready to accept scrutiny from the United Nations as long as it is done in a non-discriminatory manner seems to me to be nothing more than an excuse", he said. "Experience shows that the Cuban willingness to cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms is selective, to say the least."

The lack of freedom of association in the labour market was developing into one of the most relevant and serious systematic violations of human rights, he continued. The findings of the March 1997 report of the American Association for World Health had convincingly described the adverse effects of the United States' embargo on Cuba. Referring to the advanced copy of a statement on his report by the Cuban representative, which had been circulated to Committee members, he called on Committee members to listen very carefully to the statement. He would not.

PEDRO NUÑEZ-MOSQUERA (Cuba) said the Special Rapporteur's presentation was the same message repeated by sectors of the United States who had hegemonic aspirations. The Special Rapporteur had become the spokesman for them all. A great deal of money, lies, pressure, blackmail and threats had accompanied the exercise, more than 30 years after a policy aimed at subverting the political, economic and social order in Cuba had been initiated, but had not yielded the expected results.

His Government had answered the Special Rapporteur once and for all in 1992, when it said it would not accept political manipulation, he continued. It had told the Special Rapporteur it would not accept the selective and discriminatory treatment imposed on it. It would not become an accomplice in the sham against its people. It would neither lay down its banner, nor surrender its independence and freedom.

A repeated lie about Cuba's failure to cooperate did not make a truth, he said. In a timely and willing way, Cuba had responded to the Commission of Human Rights' requests and this year had submitted reports to four human rights treaty bodies, in line with its obligations and commitments. The

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designation of a special procedure on Cuba was not justified. His Government would not accept the capricious scrutiny or ideological prejudices of a so- called Special Rapporteur.

SYLVIE LUCAS (Luxembourg), speaking on behalf of the European Union and Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, as well as the associated country, Cyprus, said that only recently had the United Nations undertaken operational activities in defence of legal principles concerning human rights. During the 1990s, the number of field activities grew rapidly and operational activities for human rights had become an integral part of peacekeeping operations. They represented a vitally important factor in international relations. The resources allocated to human rights programmes under the ordinary budget of the United Nations should be increased.

Despite progress, violations of human rights continued on a scale that defied imagination, she continued. Those occurred in the former Yugoslavia, including in Kosovo, which justified the presence of international observers, and in Belarus, where there were attacks on fundamental freedoms and on freedom of speech. In Turkey, she hoped the reforms promised by the Government would be implemented. In Cyprus, the status quo was unacceptable.

All States in the Great Lakes region were urged to support peaceful resolution of crises, she said. The Union supported efforts to return democracy to Burundi and was seriously concerned by the climate of tension in Rwanda. The advent of the new Government in Kinshasa signified an important change for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as for the whole of Africa. Concerned by the coup d'état in Sierra Leone, the Union paid tribute to the efforts made by the States of the region in that regard. The general human rights situation in Nigeria was troubling and, while an improved human rights situation was welcome, the new law on the press was questionable. The Union deplored recent acts of violence in Kenya and regretted violations of human rights in the Sudan. It reaffirmed its outright condemnation of terrorist acts in Algeria.

The Union acknowledged the reforms achieved by China and appealed to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to cooperate fully with international human rights machinery, she said. It continued to be concerned with the situation in Cambodia and condemned the repression of the democracy movement in Burma/Myanmar. The human rights situation continued to be troubling in East Timor, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iraq. It also took note with interest of the political changes in Iran.

In the Middle East, the Union actively supported the search for peace, she said. It was concerned about Syria and welcomed the accession of Saudi Arabia to the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or

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Punishment. In Cuba, the Union was seeking to encourage a transition to democracy. In Colombia, she welcomed the cooperation of the Government with the new Centre for Human Rights in Bogota.

Human rights did not differ from one continent to another, she concluded. Appraisal of human rights violations had to be based on a single, universal standard to fight against racism, genocide and repression and for peace and development.

MOHAMMED ABDULLAH M. AL-HUMAIMIDI (Iraq) said that, in addressing the human rights situations of specific countries, the objective should be to ensure the protection of those rights. That should be done by dialogue, instead of threats. Some States ignored attempts being made in other States to promote human rights and made false accusations against them. Particularly in the 1990s, human rights had been used as a cover for certain States to pursue their political interests. Iraq had been the victim of a unilateral and blatant violation of human rights when it was subjected to military aggression by the United States and the United Kingdom. In the course of the attacks, those countries had used weapons prohibited by international law.

The sanctions imposed on Iraq had a negative impact on the environment and the rights of the Iraqi people, he said. They were a gross violation of human rights in every area of life, including the right to life, education and health, as reflected in research done by a number of international bodies. By imposing sanctions, food was being used as a tool of political pressure. The findings of a recent field study of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) had warned against the wrong impression that Security Council resolution 986 (1995) would resolve the problems of a lack of food.

Agricultural production continued to decline because of the desperate situation with regard to arable land, he said. That situation was attributable to the lack of agricultural equipment and other products for agriculture. Famine had only been averted because of the Government's distribution of food. The sanctions should be lifted to relieve the subjection of an entire people from the crime of genocide.

EMILIA CASTRO DE BARISH (Costa Rica) stressed the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent international human rights instruments, which proclaimed and protected human rights and had led to the strengthening of national legislation on human rights. All international human rights treaties took precedence over Member States legislation.

Despite the existence of such human rights instruments and the work of the United Nations and the special rapporteurs, flagrant violations of human rights continued, she said. However, the international community should still be optimistic about the promotion and protection of human rights. The

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Secretary-General had underscored the importance of human rights in United Nations activities. The Organization had created the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which had been recommended by a regional conference in San José. She looked forward to the work of the new High Commissioner and was grateful for the work of the first High Commissioner. She also looked forward to the review of the 1993 Vienna Conference on Human Rights. The Vienna Declaration should be widely disseminated, to make its acceptance more widespread. Non-governmental organizations should assist the United Nations in that effort.

BILL RICHARDSON (United States) said that human rights abuses in the past few years from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Rwanda had captured the world's attention and showed that the struggle for the recognition and acceptance of universal human rights was a constant process. The global community had to remain resolute against voices that suggested the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented the values of only a portion of humanity. The rights set down in the Declaration had no geographic or ethnic boundaries. They were inseparable from humanity and applied to all peoples, whatever their economic, social, ethnic or cultural origins.

The world had undergone massive political, economic and social change over the past decade, he said. The spread of democracy was bringing new-found rights and opportunities. An especially heartening example of people enjoying the fruits of freedom and democracy was that, after 36 years of civil war, Guatemala was now a model for human rights reform.

There were many such examples, he continued. In Haiti, significant progress was being made. South Africa had seen a most historic change. The National Human Rights Commission in India was a major factor in promoting the awareness of rights. Yemen had held a national parliamentary election. A compromise for a human rights mission had been reached with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the setbacks side, he said, Nigeria continued to pursue a tightly controlled "transition" to civilian government. In addition, Cuba remained the only country still failing to embrace democracy in the western hemisphere. The human rights situation in the Sudan also remained deplorable, and widespread human rights violations occurred in Myanmar. In the former Yugoslavia, the human rights aspect in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement was being insisted on by the United States. In China, steps had been taken to improve the human rights situation over the long term. However, in Iraq and Iran, respect for the very basics of human rights was lacking.

Archbishop RENATO MARTINO, Observer for the Holy See, said it was a disturbing tendency of some radically secularized societies to privatize religious belief and to relegate all religious discourse to the margins of language or society. The principle of separation of Church and State did not mean that the religious and civic values drawn from belief could be excluded

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from true citizenship. Believers could often bring a special contribution to society and could link the notion of freedom with that responsibility.

Believers, however, could not let themselves fall victim to sectarianism or to attempts by outside interests, paradoxically often inspired by principles opposed to religious values, to exploit a religious dimension to exacerbate existing tensions. The Holy See, because of its special concerns and responsibilities, was anxious to maintain a dialogue with governments to overcome obstacles and misunderstandings and to promote religious freedom. Finally, he welcomed the human rights emphasis in the United Nations reform proposals.

AHMED ELMUFTI (Sudan), responding to the report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Sudan, said the conclusion that the human rights situation in his country had not improved was not warranted by the facts or by the interim report. The Government had been trying to resolve the armed conflict in the south since 1989 and had resolved all issues, except with one party. There was self-determination for all citizens, and freedom of religion and worship had been guaranteed to all, with no coercion and no promulgation of views. His country was recognized as a multicultural and multi-ethnic nation.

The agreement signed in April 1997 had recognized that constitutional development was under way, he continued. In addition to solving human rights violations through the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the Government had instituted numerous measures not reflected in the Special Rapporteur's report. The reported incidents of slavery and disappearances had been satisfactorily covered in two reports, which had not been mentioned in the Special Rapporteur's report.

He cited reports of improvements from several sources. With regard to street children, positive developments had been cited, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) had become more involved with the Ministry of Social Planning, he said. There were government organs and an advisory council for human rights. The conclusion that the situation had not improved was not accurate. The true picture was that that Government was serious and had the political will to make changes. In a recent event concerning the abduction of children from St. Mary's College, the Government had taken steps through an exchange of confidential information with the United Nations.

Human rights violations occurred all over the world, he said. The question was over how the Government responded. In a case where six Sudanese police officers had been accused of torturing a detained person, the police officers had been tried and convicted. Priority support on the part of the international community had to be turned towards the practical steps taken by the Government, which included a centre for human rights. Requests for technical assistance to implement recommendations had been made since 1991, but there had been no response. With the new agreement for prompt communication, the technical assistance should now be provided.

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