EUROPEAN UNION'S VIEW ON HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN VARIOUS STATES CONTESTED THIS AFTERNOON IN THIRD COMMITTEE

13 November 1997

Press Release
GA/SHC/3446

EUROPEAN UNION'S VIEW ON HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN VARIOUS STATES CONTESTED THIS AFTERNOON IN THIRD COMMITTEE

19971113 Eight Countries Mentioned in Earlier Statement On Behalf of European Union Exercise Right of Reply

The European Union was forgetting its colonialist sins and putting 30 countries on trial, the representative of Cuba said this afternoon, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) continued its consideration of issues relating to human rights. By trying to impose a democracy on Cuba, the world was trying to get Cuba to copy a system full of bribery and corruption as a model, he said.

He was one of eight speakers who exercised their right of reply to challenge a statement made this morning by Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union and associated States, outlining the Union's views on the human rights situation in various countries and regions.

The European Union's allegations represented an act of interference in the internal affairs of a people, the representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea told the Committee. That people had chosen a socialist system which guaranteed their rights and they would never abandon it.

The representative of Syria expressed surprise at the reference to his country in the statement by Luxembourg. Syria believed in the rights of the individual and guaranteed the economic, civil and cultural rights of each person, he said. Freedom was a sacred right in Syria. The representative of Saudi Arabia said the Union's statement showed a lack of understanding of Islamic law, which did not permit such human rights violations as were cited.

Also this afternoon, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo responded to a statement made yesterday by Special Rapporteur Roberto Garreton. He said his Government had asked for Mr. Garreton's replacement, saying that he had alleged the murder of thousands of refugees even before his arrival in the country.

He said he could not accept the Special Rapporteur comparing the 32 years of hell which the Congolese people endured to the six months in which

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his Government had been in power. The current Government was committed to improving lives through the provision of education, health care and other basic services.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Brazil, Albania, Lebanon, Cameroon, Sri Lanka and Singapore. Also speaking in exercise of the right of reply were the representatives of Niger, Iraq, Nigeria, Uganda and China. The representative of Cuba also spoke on a point of order.

At the outset of the meeting, a draft resolution on combating contemporary forms of racism was introduced by the United Republic of Tanzania, on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China.

Drafts were also introduced on the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (introduced by Slovenia), the use of mercenaries (Nigeria), the right of peoples to self-determination (Pakistan), the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (Egypt), the Convention on the rights of migrant workers (Mexico) and the international human rights covenants (Norway). A proposed amendment by the United States to a draft resolution on the rights of the child was also introduced.

The Third Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 14 November, to continue its consideration of human rights questions. It is expected to hear an address by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, after which the floor will be opened for dialogue.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to hear the introduction of 10 draft resolutions. They concern protection of the rights of the child, the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, the rights of people to self-determination and human rights questions. The Committee will also continue its consideration of human rights questions.

By a draft resolution on the rights of the child (document A/C.3/52/L.25, as amended by document A/C.3/52/L.39), the General Assembly would express profound concern that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains critical. It would cite such causes as inadequate social and economic conditions, poverty, natural disasters, armed conflicts, displacement, exploitation, racism and intolerance, unemployment, rural-to-urban migration, illiteracy, hunger, disability and drug abuse. It would recommend that all relevant human rights mechanisms and United Nations bodies pay attention to the situation of children in danger and whose rights were violated.

The Assembly would also urge all States to sign, ratify or accede to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, with a view to reaching the goal of universal adherence. It would call on States to comply with reporting obligations to the Committee on the Rights of the Child to prevent the sale of children and their sexual exploitation, including child prostitution and child pornography. The Assembly would take steps to protect children affected by armed conflict, as well as refugee and internally displaced children. It would also take steps to eliminate child labour and to ease the plight of children living or working on the street.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Venezuela.

By a draft resolution on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People 1994-2004 (document A/C.3/52/L.40), the Assembly would decide to appoint the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as Coordinator for the International Decade and would encourage governments to support the Decade.

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A draft resolution on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (document A/C.3/52/L.31), would have the Assembly unequivocally condemn all forms of racism and racial discrimination and all racial violence, including related acts of random and indiscriminate violence. It would condemn all propaganda, activities and organizations based on doctrines of superiority, of either one race or group of persons or of one colour or belief system. It would also condemn intolerance against migrant workers and their families, as well as against gypsies, nomads or other vulnerable people.

In addition, the Assembly would categorically condemn the role played by some print, audio-visual and electronic media, particularly the Internet, in inciting acts of violence motivated by racial hatred. It would call upon all governments and intergovernmental organizations, with the assistance of non-governmental organizations, to supply relevant information based on the situations in countries to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism.

By a two-part draft resolution on the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (document A/C.3/52/L.32), the Assembly would encourage the Committee to continue to contribute fully to the implementation of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and its revised Programme of Action, including by continuing to collaborate with the Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and by cooperating with the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism. The Assembly would call upon States parties to fulfil their obligations under the Convention and submit in due time their periodic reports on measures taken to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Addressing the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Assembly would express profound concern that a number of States parties to the Convention have still not fulfilled their financial obligations, and would strongly appeal to them to do so. It would strongly urge States parties to accelerate their ratification procedures with regard to the amendment to the Convention concerning the financing of the Committee, and to notify the Secretary-General expeditiously in writing of their agreement.

The draft is sponsored by the following Member States: Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sweden and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

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By a draft resolution on the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and the convening of a world conference on the issue (document A/C.3/52/L.38), the Assembly would note with grave concern that despite efforts of the international community, the principal objectives of the two Decades to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination have not been attained and that millions of people remain victims. It would urge the Secretary-General, United Nations bodies, the specialized agencies, all governments and relevant organizations to implement the Programme of Action for the Third Decade, paying particular attention to the situation of indigenous people. It would decide to convene a world conference on racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance no later than the year 2001.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Mexico, Turkey and the United Republic of Tanzania.

By a draft resolution on the use of mercenaries (document A/C.3/52/L.33), the Assembly would call upon all States that have not yet done so to consider taking action to sign or ratify the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. It would ask the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as a matter of priority, to make proposals on a clearer legal definition of mercenaries.

The High Commissioner would also be asked to publicize the adverse effects of mercenary activities on the right to self-determination and, when requested and where necessary, to render advisory service to States affected by the activities of mercenaries. The Assembly would urge all States to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, who should report to it on the use of mercenaries to undermine people's right to self-determination.

The text is sponsored by Cuba, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo.

By a draft resolution on the universal realization of the rights of peoples to self-determination (document A/C.3/52/L.34), the Assembly would reaffirm that the universal realization of the rights of all peoples to self-determination, including those under colonial, foreign and alien domination, is a fundamental condition for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights. It would declare its firm opposition to acts of foreign military intervention, aggression and occupation. It would also call upon those States responsible to cease immediately their military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories and to stop all acts of repression, discrimination, exploitation and maltreatment.

The Assembly would deplore the plight of millions of refugees and displaced persons uprooted due to such acts and reaffirm their right to return to their homes voluntarily in safety and honour. In addition, the Commission

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on Human Rights would be asked to continue to give special attention to the violation of human rights -- especially the right to self-determination -- resulting from foreign military intervention, aggression or occupation.

The draft is sponsored by Albania, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Togo and United Arab Emirates.

Under a draft resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (document A/C.3/52/L.41), the Assembly would express deep concern over the deterioration of the Middle East peace process, including the lack of implementation of the agreements signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Government of Israel. It would urge all States and the United Nations system to continue supporting and assisting the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam and Yemen.

A draft resolution on the Convention for the protection of migrant workers (document A/C.3/52/L.35) would have the Assembly express deep concern at the growing manifestations of racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination and inhuman and degrading treatment directed against migrant workers in different parts of the world. It would call upon all Member States to sign, ratify or accede to the Convention. The Secretary-General would be asked to provide all facilities and assistance necessary for promotion of the convention through the world public information campaign on human rights and the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights. It would invite United Nations bodies and other organizations to intensify efforts to disseminate information and promote understanding of the Convention.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey and Uruguay.

A draft resolution on the implementation of human rights instruments (document A/C.3/52/L.36) would have the Assembly decide to continue giving

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priority consideration to the conclusions and recommendations of the meetings of persons chairing human rights treaty bodies, in light of the deliberations of the Commission on Human Rights.

By a draft resolution on the international covenants on human rights (document A/C.3/52/L.37), the Assembly would appeal strongly to all States to become parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as to accede to the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to make the declaration provided for in its article 41.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would urge States parties to fulfil in good time their reporting obligations under the international covenants on human rights, and in their reports to use gender-desegregated data and to take into account observations made at the conclusion of the consideration of their reports. It would ask the Secretary-General to consider ways and means of assisting States parties in preparing their reports, for example, by holding seminars, providing assistance to relevant United Nations bodies and taking account of their suggestions, and reporting to the Assembly on implementation of the instruments.

The draft is sponsored by Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Venezuela.

Statements

ALESSANDRO BUSACCA (Italy), Committee Chairman, informed the Committee that Turkey should be included as an original sponsor of the draft text on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism.

RADHIA N. MSUYA (United Republic of Tanzania), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, introduced the draft resolutions on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and on the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.

EVA TOMIC (Slovenia) introduced the draft resolution on the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The following Member States were added as sponsors of the text: Belgium, Croatia, El Salvador, Portugal and Turkmenistan.

SAM A. OTUYELU (Nigeria) introduced the draft resolution on the use of mercenaries, to which Algeria was added as a sponsor.

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Operative paragraph 6 of the text was orally revised to read as follows (new text underscored):

"Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as a matter of priority, to invite governments to make proposals towards a clearer legal definition of mercenaries and to publicize the adverse effects of mercenary activities on the right to self-determination and, when requested and where necessary, to render advisory services to States that are affected by the activities of mercenaries."

MUNAWAR SAEED BHATTI (Pakistan) introduced the draft on the right of peoples to self-determination.

KARIM WISSA (Egypt, introduced the draft resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, to which Brunei Darussalam was added as a sponsor.

YANERIT MORGAN (Mexico) introduced the draft resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, to which the following countries were added as sponsors: Cape Verde, Guatemala, Guyana, Nigeria and Yemen.

PETTER WILLE (Norway) introduced the draft resolution on the international covenants on human rights. In the first line of operative paragraph 6, "the gender perspective" was orally revised to read "a gender perspective". The following words were added at the end of operative paragraph 9: "and takes note of general comments, number 25 and 26, adopted by the Committee". Similarly, the following words were added at the end of operative paragraph 10: "and takes note of the general comments, number 6 and 7, adopted by the Committee".

The following countries were added to the list of sponsors: Australia, Hungary, Monaco, New Zealand, Panama and Portugal.

PETER V. LONDONO (United States) said that while his country agreed with the spirit and purpose of the draft resolution on the rights of the child, it required amendments -- particularly with respect to paragraphs 1 and 9 of Part IV, on children in situations of armed conflict. In the United Nations, "children" referred to persons under 18 years of age, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention on the rights of the Child. However, age 15 was the minimum age for enlistment in the armed forces under texts to which virtually all Member States were parties or signatories. Negotiations had been under way for five years on an optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but agreement had not been reached. It would therefore be inappropriate for the Assembly to prejudge the outcome of those negotiations.

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For more than 50 years, the United States had permitted voluntary enlistment in the armed forces at 17 years of age, with parental consent, and it did not anticipate any changes to its law or practice in that area. Many Member States permitted military service for individuals between 15 and 18 years of age.

RICARDO NEIVA-TAVARES (Brazil) said that becoming party to human rights instruments did not automatically imply a higher degree of respects for human rights. Dialogue with the relevant international mechanisms was sometimes refused. Despite the important role of treaty bodies in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, a comprehensive reform regarding the presentation of country reports was required.

Appropriate bodies should allow States to consolidate their information in just one or two periodic reports, to be examined accordingly by each of those bodies. A comprehensive report, instead of six or seven introduced reports, would save time and resources at both the national and international levels.

ADRIAN SPIROLLARI (Albania) said the Serbian authorities had established in Kosovo a state of emergency, involving systematic repression and gross violations of the human rights of ethnic Albanians. Despite United Nations resolutions and scores of decisions and statements from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the situation in Kosovo remained tense, showing no sign of improvement.

He said that Albania strongly supported the opening of an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Prishtina. There should also be an increased presence of other international organizations in Kosovo. The European Union should also open an office in Prishtina, and the international community should exert pressure for the return of a long-term OSCE mission to Kosovo.

HASSAN KASSEM NAJEM (Lebanon) said that the occupation of one country by another was a violation of human rights. Israel was occupying Lebanon and violating basic rights, particularly in the prisons of southern Lebanon and in Israel. Israel was also using banned weapons and was bombing Lebanese villages daily. The international community should live up to its responsibilities and apply the Security Council resolutions, particularly those concerning Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon's borders.

MAHOUVE SAME CATHERINE (Cameroon) welcomed the activities of the High Commissioner, which had encourage international respect for human rights. The work of the United Nations had enabled the international community to accept human rights as a fundamental element of international relations. Nearly all

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governments were working to establish legal frameworks to protect human rights.

Cameroon had always viewed human rights as the basis for human dignity, she said. It had established a constitutional and legal system to protect the human rights of its people and was party to many international human rights instruments . Efforts such as those under way in her country to ensure respect for human rights and democracy should be encouraged by the international community. Cameroon was willing to host a subregional centre for human rights and supported the merging of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Centre for Human Rights.

ANDRE MWAMBA KAPANGA (Democratic Republic of the Congo) said he would like to respond to the statement to the Committee yesterday by Special Rapporteur Garreton, who had alleged that mass killings had occurred in the eastern part of his country. However a new team had been appointed by the Secretary-General and would establish the truth about those allegations, which was that there had been no mass murder of innocent refugees, particularly women and children.

He said his Government had asked for Mr. Garreton to be replaced for several reasons, including the fact that even before his arrival in the country, the Special Rapporteurs alleging that thousands of refugees had been killed, he said. Such statements were unacceptable. After only one day, in which he travelled only to Goma, Mr. Garreton produced a detailed report on the alleged mass killings. However, the Special Rapporteur had visited no sites, seen no dead bodies or mass graves, and interviewed no witness. In addition, his report contained many factual errors, including some relating to the basic geography of the region. Such mistakes suggested that the investigator had relied on reports emanating from individuals and that he was personally unfamiliar with the alleged sites.

In truth, many of the deaths had occurred because the refugees had been used as human shields by armed elements in the camps, and many who had wished to return to Rwanda had been held hostage for two-and-a-half years by extremist elements in the camps, he said. He could not accept Mr. Garreton comparing the 32 years of hell that the Congolese people endured to the six months in which his Government had been in power. The current Government was committed to improving the lives of those people, by providing education, health care and many other basic elements. A reconstruction programme was already in place, which would radically improve their situation.

He said his Government was more inclusive than others, including members of the opposition parties. It was moving towards democracy, and a committee had just been appointed to draft a constitution. Basic changes were needed, including economic development and improvements in the infrastructure. The

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international community should assist in those efforts so that country could move quickly towards implementing its programmes and improving the lives of its people.

He called for Mr. Garreton to withdraw his statement. Failure to do so could be detrimental to the democratization process which was under way.

W. HETTIARACHCHI (Sri Lanka) said his country was making headway in promoting and protecting human rights, despite extraordinary security problems posed by terrorism and the threat which such actions levelled against its democratic traditions and institutions. Sri Lanka was party to 13 international human rights instruments. Its five-member national human rights commission included a Tamil and a Muslim, representing those minorities.

In early October, Sri Lanka deposited with the Secretary-General the instrument of ratification of the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, he said. It was an important decision, permitting international scrutiny of Government actions affecting the human rights of its citizens. Constitutional changes were also being made in line with the Covenant. The delicate and complex process of protecting and promoting human rights, while good governance and accountability in an environment of underdevelopment, violence and terrorism, was one that should be moved forward resolutely.

FOO CHI HSIA (Singapore) said her country was a multiracial, multicultural, multilingual and multi-religious society. It was not a homogenous society, but one in which people of different ethnic backgrounds and religions lived together in harmony. The creation of such a culture required tolerance and respect. Tolerance pertained to how people responded to beliefs and practices different from their own. It played down differences, nurtured an accommodating attitude and promoted an enjoyment of differences. The moment religions were not allowed to be distinct, they would not mix.

In Singapore, there was a fine balance between religious rights and freedom, and a firm but fair secular government, she said. However, the right to freedom of worship, like other human rights and fundamental freedoms, could not be an absolute and unqualified right. Singapore did not authorize any act which was contrary to any general law relating to public order, public health or morality.

The right to freedom of religion had to be reconciled with the need to uphold the law of the State, she said. If a religious practice ran counter to public order or to the sovereignty, integrity and unity of the nation, then the religious practice had to give way for the benefit of the people and the

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nation as a whole. The Special Rapporteur should take cognizance of that fundamental principle.

Right of Reply

FAYSSAL MEKDAD (Syria) said the reference to his country in the statement this morning by the representative of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union had surprised him. Syria had close relations with the European Union, believed in the rights of the individual and guaranteed the economic, civil and cultural rights of each person. Such principles were entrenched in Syria's Constitution. Freedom was a sacred right in Syria.

The situation in Syrian prisons was equal to prisons in many nations, including members of the European Union, he said. Syrian law punished any official for mistreatment of prisoners or detainees. Quality medical care was provided to prisoners, and they were guaranteed all their rights under international law. All those detained had been arrested and tried under the penal code of his country. Syria was committed to upholding international law.

NAIF AL-SUDAIRY (Saudi Arabia) said the European Union spokesperson had referred to the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia without understanding Islamic law. That law did not allow for such violations of human rights as were cited by the European Union. Islamic law guaranteed the right of women in full, and it guaranteed religious freedom. Activities of other religions could take place in people's homes, as long as they did not violate the moral codes of Muslims.

MEREMI ABBA KOUROU (Niger) said that the spokesperson for the European Union had voiced concern about the new law regulating the press in Niger. That law did not aim at attacking the political process. The Government of Niger was interested in supporting the democratic process and remained opened to a dialogue with the opposition.

MOHAMMED AL-HUMAIMIDI (Iraq) said that all the allegations in the statement of the European Union regarding the human rights situation in Iraq were based on false information aimed at undermining the Iraqi regime. That information was slander which had been repeated by the Special Rapporteur on Iraq. Those allegations reflected political positions which had nothing to do with human rights. Iraq rejected all the allegations made by the Special Rapporteur; his delegation would respond to them in detail when that report was introduced. Much of the suffering in his country was a result of the sanctions imposed on Iraq. He asked if the United States, which insisted on maintaining the economic blockade, was not more responsible for human rights violations in his country.

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BRUNO RODRIGUEZ PARILLA (Cuba) said the main beneficiary from the existence of the United Nations was accusing Cuba of violating rights. The European Union was forgetting its colonialist sins and was putting 30 countries on trial. By trying to impose a democracy on Cuba, the world was trying to get it to copy a system full of bribery and corruption. Cuba was no model; it was simply a people that required respect. The United States was now responsible for terrorist mercenarism against Cuba, which was being infiltrated

Half the children in North America had no insurance and millions of old people had no social insurance, he said. There was police brutality, and people have been murdered when they opposed the government. Income was 60 per cent less for blacks than whites. The United States was the country where the rate of suicide among young children was the highest in the world. Fifteen Puerto Ricans were in prison for 15 years and one had cancer and never got treated. Indians had their freedom rejected, with 15 tribes living in the poorest circumstances. Sixty-nine people condemned to die were subsequently found to be innocent. One out of six prisoners was innocent. Fifty-seven per cent of American citizens believed the United States was going in the wrong direction.

CHOI MYONG NAM (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) said the statement by the European Union with respect to his country was not worth a penny. Its allegations represented interference in the internal affairs of a people. That people had chosen a socialist system -- a system which guaranteed their rights and freedoms. They would never abandon the system they had chosen.

The European Union, pretending to carry out an international human rights mission, was always naming countries in international forums, he said. How about their own and allied countries? There was no hint they would ever look at their own situation. If the European system were to be copied as the Union wanted, then xenophobia and neo-nazism would become prevalent, as it was in Europe. The European Union criticized other countries, forgetting that its economic prosperity was won through the hardships of others. It should take time and look at its own situation rather than criticizing others.

SAM A. OTUYELU (Nigeria) said to the statements for the European Union and by the United States had pointed out the slow pace of the transition to democracy. However, that idea was a creation of the European Union and did not apply to Nigeria, where a timetable had been agreed to by all parties. Luxembourg would like 1 October 1998 to come more quickly. Could a Government for Nigeria come earlier? The political programme could not be faster than the agreed timetable.

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The United States had talked of exclusion, he said. Had any free Nigerian been disqualified from voting? No. Exclusion resulting from privatization was more demeaning than what was claimed against Nigeria.

GORDON ROGERS BYAMUGIHSA (Uganda) said his Ambassador had addressed the Security Council regarding the abduction of children. As the Sudanese delegation had pointed out, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries had met to discuss that subject. Testimonies put the number of children abducted from Uganda between 3,000 and 7,000. The horrors experienced by those children were unimaginable. Some girls hardly 12 years old were abused and handed around. Children were used to carry looted goods. Uganda had appealed to Sudan, and it was cynical of Sudan to put the responsibility on Uganda. Uganda's position was that whatever ideological differences existed between nations, children should never be used as pawns.

XIE BOHUA (China) said that the representatives of the European Union and the United States this morning had criticized China without any grounds. Tomorrow, China would refute all those accusations. They had also accused many developing countries of human rights violations and had assumed the positions of the judges of human rights. However, they had not mentioned serious human rights problems in their own countries. There was a double standard in the field of human rights, which was truly regrettable. It was hoped the Committee would recognize that and take corrective action.

JUAN ANTONIO FERNANDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba), speaking on a point of order, said the rules must apply to all or to no one. This morning, the Committee had endured a 30-minute statement by the European Union and a 20-minute speech by the United States. In the Committee, all must be equal.

Mr. BUSACCA (Italy), Committee Chairman, said that it had been agreed in the Committee that in some situations, such as when a representative was speaking on behalf of a group of Member States, a statement of up to 30 minutes could be made.

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