CALLS TO REJECT UNILATERAL COERCIVE MEASURES, RECOGNIZE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY REUNIFICATION, REFRAIN FROM UNDERMINING ELECTORAL PROCESSES OF COUNTRIES

Press Release
GA/SHC/3456

CALLS TO REJECT UNILATERAL COERCIVE MEASURES, RECOGNIZE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY REUNIFICATION, REFRAIN FROM UNDERMINING ELECTORAL PROCESSES OF COUNTRIES

Under the provisions of three texts approved by recorded votes in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon, the General Assembly would reject unilateral coercive measures as tools for political or economic pressure against any country, strongly appeal to all States to refrain from taking actions to undermine the electoral processes in any country, and reaffirm that all governments must recognize the vital importance of family reunification. Those three draft resolutions were among eight approved by the Third Committee this afternoon. Approved by a vote of 78 in favour to 56 against, with 11 abstentions, the first draft would have the Assembly reaffirm that all countries have the obligation under the United Nations Charter to respect the right of others to self-determination and to determine freely their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Any act of armed aggression or threat of use of force against peoples, their elected governments or their legitimate leaders would be condemned. The representative of Luxembourg (on behalf of the European Union and Lithuania), Costa Rica and Iraq spoke in explanation of position. (For details of the vote, see Annex I.) By the second text, approved by a vote of 74 in favour to 46 against, with 26 abstentions, the Assembly would reject unilateral coercive measures as tools for political or economic pressure against any country, in particular against developing countries, because of their negative effects on the realization of all the human rights of vast sectors of their populations, particularly children, women and the elderly. The representative of Iraq spoke in explanation of position. (See Annex II.) Approved by a vote of 75 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 76 abstentions, the third text would have the Assembly call upon States to refrain from enacting and to repeal legislation intended as a coercive measure discriminating against legal migrants by adversely affecting family reunification and the right to send financial remittances to their relatives in the country of origin. The representatives of Mexico and Chile spoke in explanation of position. (See Annex III.)

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Under the terms of five draft resolutions approved without a vote, the Assembly would:

-- Urge governments to endorse and implement national programmes for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to ensure wide participation in them (the representatives of the Dominican Republic and the United States spoke in explanation of position); -- Commend the electoral assistance provided to Member States at their request by the United Nations and request that such assistance continue on a case-by-case basis; -- Urge all States to ensure that no one within their jurisdiction was, because of his or her religion or belief, deprived of the right to life or the right to liberty and security of person, or subjected to torture or arbitrary arrest or detention; -- Express concern at the increasing frequency of disputes and conflicts, along with their often tragic consequences for minorities in many countries; urge the international community to promote and protect the rights of minorities; and urge States to take constitutional, legislative, administrative and other measures to give effect to the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. -- Call again on States to provide effective legislation and other mechanisms and procedures, as well as adequate resources, to ensure full implementation of all United Nations standards on human rights in the administration of justice; and -- Express its deep concern at the scarcity of means at the disposal of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the fulfilment of its tasks, affirming that the Office remains the focal point for coordinating system-wide attention to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In addition this afternoon, the Committee heard the introduction of nine draft resolutions on the following issues: protection of United Nations personnel, introduced by the representative of Portugal; the Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995-2000, introduced by the representative of Namibia; internally displaced persons, introduced by the representative of Norway; and United Nations human rights actions promoting cooperation and non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity, introduced by the representative of Cuba. Also introduced were draft texts on: human rights and terrorism, introduced by the representative of Turkey; national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, introduced by the representative of India; the human rights situation in Kosovo, introduced by the representative of Albania; the human rights situation in Myanmar, introduced by the representative of Sweden; and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, introduced by the representative of Austria. The Third Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. on Monday, 24 November, to hear the introduction of draft resolutions and to take action on others, all on human rights issues.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to hear the introduction of 11 draft resolutions on human rights questions and take action on eight others. They concern such issues as the implementation of human rights instruments, alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and specific human rights situations.

Draft Texts for Introduction

By a draft resolution on the protection of United Nations personnel (document A/C.3/52/L.50), the Assembly would urge all States to ensure respect for the human rights of United Nations and other personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment of mandated operations and to ensure the security of such personnel, as well as the inviolability of United Nations premises. It would also call on them to consider becoming parties to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel; to provide prompt and adequate information on the arrest or detention of such personnel; to grant immediate access to such persons by a representative of the competent international organization; to allow independent medical teams to investigate their health; and to allow the competent international representatives to attend hearings involving such personnel.

Other terms of the draft would have the Assembly ask that the Secretary- General take necessary measures to ensure full respect for the rights, privileges and immunities of international personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment of mandated United Nations operations and, in cases of violation, to ensure that such personnel are restored to their organization, and to seek redress and compensation for the damage caused to them as warranted. The Assembly would also ask that, until the Convention entered into force, the Secretary-General should include the protection of such personnel in the planning of operations and ensure that they are adequately informed and trained, so as to enhance their security and effectiveness.

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The draft is sponsored by Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

By a draft resolution on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995-2004, and human rights public information activities (documents A/C.3/52/L.55 and Corr.1), the Assembly would urge all governments to contribute to implementation of the Plan of Action for the Decade, by establishing broadly representative national committees for human rights education. It would call on them to disseminate information and education in their relevant national and local languages of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights instruments, and to provide information and education in those languages on the practical ways in which national and international institutions and procedures might be used to ensure the effective implementation of the Declaration, the International Covenants on Human Rights, and other human rights instruments. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights would be asked to coordinate human rights education and information strategies within the United Nations system.

The Assembly would urge the Office of Communications and Public Information of the Secretariat to continue disseminating timely information through the United Nations information centres. It would stress the need for close collaboration between the Offices of the High Commissioner and the Communications Office. It would ask the Secretary-General, with the High Commissioner's Office, to consider appropriate ways and means to support human rights education activities, including the possibility of establishing a voluntary fund. The draft resolution is sponsored by Angola, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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The draft resolution on protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons (document A/C.3/52/L.56) would have the Assembly call upon all governments to continue to facilitate the activities of the representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons, in particular, governments with situations of internal displacement. It would encourage them to give serious consideration to inviting the representative to visit their countries to enable him to study and analyse more fully the issues involved. The Assembly would urge all relevant United Nations humanitarian assistance and development organizations concerned to enhance their collaboration with the representative by developing frameworks of cooperation to promote protection assistance and development for internally displaced persons and to provide all possible assistance and support to him.

The Assembly would commend the Secretary-General's representative for the activities undertaken so far, despite the limited resources available to him, and for the catalytic role he continues to play to raise the level of consciousness about the plight of internally displaced persons. It would encourage him to continue his analysis of the causes of internal displacement, the needs of those displaced, measures of prevention and ways to increase protection, assistance and solutions for internally displaced persons. It would also encourage him to continue to pay specific attention in his review to the protection and assistance needs of women and children.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Uganda and Zambia.

By terms of a draft on strengthening of United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (document A/C.3/52/L.57), the Assembly would call upon States to base their activities for protecting and promoting human rights on the relevant international instruments and to refrain from activities that are inconsistent with the international framework. It would request all United Nations human rights bodies and agents to take into account the present resolution in carrying out their mandates, stressing the need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries.

Furthermore, by the draft, the Assembly would invite States to adopt legal measures furthering cooperation in promoting respect for human rights, and it would request the Commission on Human Rights to consider additional proposals for strengthening United Nations action in that area. Finally, the Assembly would reiterate its request to the Secretary-General to continue consultations on the matter and to report to the Assembly's fifty-third session.

The resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,

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Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam and Zambia.

By terms of a resolution on human rights and terrorism (document A/C.3/52/L.58), the Assembly would condemn violations of the right to live free from fear and of the right to life, liberty and security. It would reiterate its unequivocal condemnation of the acts, methods and practices of terrorism, and call on States to take all necessary and effective measures to prevent, combat and eliminate it. The Assembly would urge the international community to enhance regional and international cooperation for fighting against terrorism and it condemn incitement of ethnic hatred, violence and terrorism.

The draft would also have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to collect information on terrorism and to possibly establish a voluntary fund for victims of terrorism, including for their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The Secretary-General would be requested to report on the matter to the Assembly's fifty-fourth session.

The resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Panama, Turkey and Turkmenistan.

A draft resolution on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/C.3/52/L.60) would urge the Secretary- General to give high priority to Member States' requests for assistance in establishing and strengthening national human rights institutions as part of the human rights advisory services and technical assistance programmes. It would welcome the high priority given to national institutions by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and would encourage the High Commissioner to ensure budgetary resources, possibly by inviting governments to contribute earmarked funds of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in the Field of Human Rights for that purpose.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would take note of the role of the Coordinating Committee created by national institutions to assist governments and would request the Secretary-General to provide necessary funds for holding meetings of the Coordinating Committee and for regional meetings of national institutions. It would note the importance of establishing an appropriate form for participation of national institutions in meetings of the Commission on Human Rights and would recognize the importance of non-governmental organizations in promoting and protecting human rights. It would encourage States to promote exchange of information and request the Secretary-General to report on implementation of initiatives at the fifty-fourth session.

The draft is sponsored by Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, France, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.

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By a draft resolution on the human rights situation in Kosovo (document A/C.3/52/L.61), the Assembly would express its deep concern about all violations of human rights in Kosovo, in particular, the repression of the ethnic Albanian population, as well as acts of violence, and it would call on the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to take all measures to end the situation. Among other actions, the Assembly would call on the authorities to release all political prisoners and to allow Albanian refugees to return home, establish genuine democratic institutions and reopen ethnic Albanian institutions. The Assembly would also urge Yugoslav authorities to pursue dialogue with ethnic Albanian representatives in Kosovo and would welcome the visits of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights in the territory of former Yugoslavia into Kosovo. It would urge Yugoslav authorities to allow the immediate return of the long-term mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and would encourage the Secretary-General to pursue humanitarian and liaison efforts in the former Yugoslavia, as well as to report on the situation.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United States.

By a draft resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar (document A/C.3/52/L.63) the Assembly would deplore the continued violations of human rights in Myanmar and would strongly urge the Government to release all political prisoners and allow all citizens free participation in the political process. The Assembly would also strongly urge the Government to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, calling on the Government and other parties to respect fully the obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights instruments. It would also encourage the Government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions to both end the movement of refugees to neighbouring countries and enable their voluntary return and reintegration. It would request the Secretary-General to continue discussions with the Government and report during the fifty-fourth session of the Assembly.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

By a draft resolution on comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (document A/C.3/52/L.64), the Assembly would urge all States to continue to give widespread publicity to the Declaration and Programme of Action, in particular, in the context of the public information and human rights education activities for the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including through training programmes, human rights education and public information, to promote increased awareness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It would emphasize the important role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in the system of the United Nations human rights organs, in particular her role in the process of analysis of the functioning of the United Nations human rights machinery and its adaptation to the current and future needs in

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the field.

All States would be called upon to contribute to the 1998 five-year review of the World Conference on Human Rights. The Assembly would welcome the inter-agency consultation of the High Commissioner with all United Nations programmes and agencies whose activities deal with human rights for the preparations of the 1998 five-year review and would call upon them to contribute actively to the process. Regional and national human rights institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations, would be encouraged to present, on that occasion, their views on the progress made in the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Venezuela.

Draft Texts for Action

By terms of a draft resolution on implementing human rights instruments (document A/C.3/52/L.49), the Assembly would urge governments to endorse and implement national programmes for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to ensure wide participation in them. It would urge governments which have not yet ratified the international human rights treaties and protocols adopted within the framework of the United Nations system to consider doing so. It would call on all governments to implement fully their international obligations in the field of human rights. It would call upon relevant United Nations bodies to assess and report on the implementation and impact of existing human rights instruments and would invite them, in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, to intensify their contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights. It would encourage national human rights institutions to play a significant role in activities to mark the anniversary and invite non-governmental organizations to participate fully in preparations for it.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

By a draft resolution on respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes (document A/C.3/52/L.44), the Assembly would condemn any

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act of armed aggression or threat or use of force against peoples, their elected governments or their legitimate leaders. It would strongly appeal to all States to refrain from financing or providing, directly or indirectly, any other form of overt or covert support for political parties or groups and from taking actions to undermine the electoral processes in any country.

The Assembly would recognize that the form of democracy must emerge from each people, as suited to the nation's history, size, cultural diversity and value systems, and that political systems need to be understood by the peoples they serve. It would reaffirm that all countries have the obligation under the Charter to respect the right of others to self-determination and to determine freely their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Burundi, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Myanmar, Namibia, Sudan, Syria and Viet Nam.

By a draft resolution on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/52/L.46), the Assembly would reject unilateral coercive measures, with all their extraterritorial effects, as tools for political or economic pressure against any country, in particular, against developing countries, because of their negative effects on the realization of all the human rights of vast sectors of their populations, particularly children, women and the elderly.

The Assembly would urge all States to refrain from adopting or implementing any unilateral measure not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, in particular, those of a coercive nature which create obstacles to trade relations among States. It would state that such measures impede the full realization of the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, in particular, the right of individuals and peoples to development.

By other terms of the draft, the Assembly would call upon Member States that have initiated such measures to commit themselves to their obligations and responsibilities arising from the international human rights instruments to which they are party, by revoking such measures at the earliest time possible. The Commission on Human Rights would be urged to take fully into account the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures, including enactment of national laws and their extraterritorial application, in its task concerning the implementation of the right to development.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar, Sudan and Syria.

By a draft resolution on the respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/52/L.47), sponsored by Cuba, the Assembly would reaffirm that all governments, particularly those of receiving countries, must promote family reunification by recognizing it in national legislation, in order to protect the unity of families of

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documented workers. It would call upon all States to allow the free flow of financial remittances by foreign nationals residing in their territory to their relatives in the country of origin. It would also call on them to repeal and refrain from enacting legislation intended as a coercive measure which would discriminate against legal migrants by adversely effecting family reunification and the right to send financial remittances to relatives in the country of origin.

By a draft resolution on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance (document A/C.3/52/L.48), the Assembly would express its grave concern at any attack upon religious places, sites and shrines, and call upon all States, in accordance with their national legislation and in conformity with international human rights standards, to exert utmost efforts to ensure that such places, sites and shrines are fully respected and protected.

States would be urged to ensure that their constitutional and legal systems provide effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, including the provision of effective remedies in cases where that right is violated. They would be urged to ensure, in particular, that no one within their jurisdiction was, because of his or her religion or belief, deprived of the right to life or the right to liberty and security of person, or subjected to torture or arbitrary arrest or detention.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would urge States, in conformity with international standards of human rights, to take all necessary action to prevent such instances. They would also be urged to take all appropriate measures to combat hatred, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by religious intolerance and to encourage, through the educational system and by other means, understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief.

The Assembly would urge States to ensure that, in the course of their official duties, members of law enforcement bodies, civil servants, educators and other public officials respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons professing other religions or beliefs. It would encourage governments to give serious consideration to inviting the Special Rapporteur on that issue to visit their countries, so as to enable him to fulfil his mandate even more effectively. The Secretary-General would be asked to ensure that the Special Rapporteur received the necessary staffing, financial and material resources to enable him to discharge his mandate in full and on time.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom and Venezuela.

By a draft resolution on promoting the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities (document A/C.3/52/L.51), the Assembly would express concern at the increasing frequency of disputes and conflicts, along with their often tragic

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consequences for minorities in many countries. It would recall the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and reaffirm the obligation of States to ensure that persons belonging to minorities have the opportunity to exercise rights and freedoms without discrimination. It would urge the international community to promote and protect the rights of minorities and would urge States to take constitutional, legislative, administrative and other measures to give effect to the Declaration.

In addition, the Assembly would call upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to promote implementation of the Declaration, to continue dialogue with States regarding it, and to make efforts to improve coordination within the United Nations system in implementing it. It would urge all United Nations entities and treaty bodies to give due regard to promoting and protecting minorities, and would express the expectation that the Working Group on Minorities of the Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities would implement its mandate and hold an annual session. The Secretary-General would be asked to report on implementation of those initiatives.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sudan, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

By a draft resolution on human rights in the administration of justice (document A/C.3/52/L.52), the Assembly would again call on States to provide effective legislation and other mechanisms and procedures, as well as adequate resources, to ensure full implementation of all United Nations standards on human rights in the administration of justice. It would call upon the Secretary-General to strengthen system-wide coordination regarding the administration of justice, particularly between United Nations programmes in the human rights field and those relating to crime prevention and criminal justice. The Assembly would also call upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, to continue giving special attention to questions relating to the promotion of human rights in the administration of justice, and to provide specific recommendations when appropriate, including proposals regarding advisory services and technical assistance.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

By a draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/52/L.53), the Assembly would express its deep concern at the scarcity of

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means at the disposal of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the fulfilment of its tasks. It would affirm that the Office remain the focal point for coordinating system-wide attention to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Assembly would encourage the High Commissioner to continue the dialogue initiated with other bodies of the United Nations system for enhancing system-wide coordination. It would also encourage her to explore further contacts for support with financial institutions, with a view to obtaining technical and financial means to strengthen the capacity of her Office to provide assistance to national projects aiming at the realization of human rights and maintenance of the rule of law.

The Assembly would ask the High Commissioner to accord high priority to technical cooperation activities and would note with appreciation the Secretary-General's proposal for an analysis of technical cooperation in the human rights field with the aim of formulating recommendations for inter- agency coordination, funding and responsibility in order to improve efficiency and complementarity of action.

The draft is sponsored by Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Introduction of Draft Texts

SUSANA DIOGO (Portugal) introduced the draft resolution on protection of United Nations personnel.

The following co-sponsors were added: Afghanistan, Angola, Belgium, Chile, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Samoa and the United Kingdom.

HAZEL DE WET (Namibia) introduced the draft resolution on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and public information activities in the human rights field.

The following co-sponsors were added: Republic of Korea, Côte d'Ivoire, Canada, Belarus, Sudan and Swaziland.

PETTER WILLE (Norway) introduced the draft resolution on assistance to internally displaced persons.

Albania was added as a co-sponsor.

JORGE FERRER RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) introduced the draft resolution on strengthening United Nations human rights actions by promoting international

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cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity.

Bangladesh was added as a co-sponsor.

AHMET ARDA (Turkey) introduced the draft resolution on human rights and terrorism.

The Philippines and Colombia were added as co-sponsors.

GAUTAM MUKHOPADHAYA (India) introduced the draft resolution on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights. An amendment was made to preambular paragraph 10, line 7. After "Australia in July 1966", was inserted the phrase "the second European meeting of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights held at Copenhagen in January 1997".

The following co-sponsors were added: Austria, Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Italy, Mali, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Thailand, United States, Republic of Moldova, Israel, Panama, Guatemala, Togo, Guinea- Bissau, Argentina, Ethiopia, Benin, El Salvador and Niger.

ADRIAN SPIROLLARI (Albania) introduced the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Kosovo.

Djibouti and Poland were added as co-sponsors.

ANDERS RONQUIST (Sweden) introduced the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. Three amendments were made. The first word in preambular paragraph 10 was changed from "Noting" to "Welcoming". In operative paragraph 4, lines 4 and 5, the phrase "on 28 October 1977 in Mayangon Township" was deleted. In operative paragraph 18, line 3, the phrase "the International Committee of the Red Cross" was deleted and "international humanitarian organizations" was inserted.

Slovakia was added as a co-sponsor.

ENGELBERT THEUERMANN (Austria) introduced the draft resolution on follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

The following co-sponsors were added: Samoa, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Poland, Croatia, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, Bahamas, Sweden, Pakistan, Panama, Finland, El Salvador and Bolivia.

Action on Draft Texts

First, the Committee took up the draft resolution on the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (document A/C.3/52/L.49).

Committee Chairman ALESSANDRO BUSACCA (Italy) said the draft resolution had no programme budget implications.

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JOANNA WRONECKA (Poland), who had first introduced the text, read out the following amendments: the words "for all" were added to the end of operative paragraph 2, which would then read as follows: "... a culture of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all".

The words "including the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development" were added to the end of operative paragraph 10. The end of that paragraph would now read: "and taking into account developments over the last 50 years, including the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development".

Additional co-sponsors were added as follows: Liechtenstein, Israel, Republic of Moldova, Turkmenistan, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, India, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Iceland, Ireland, Paraguay, Philippines, Denmark, Albania, Russian Federation, Mali, Armenia, Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Benin, El Salvador, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kenya, Mozambique, Solomon Islands, Morocco, Turkey and Cameroon.

Speaking before action, the representative of the Dominican Republic said when the draft resolution was introduced yesterday she had asked for the words "for all" to be added to the phrase human rights and fundamental freedoms wherever it appeared in the draft resolution, since that was the theme for the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, certain delegations had objected to the words "for all" in all cases. She did not understand why human rights were not applicable "for all". She asked why the phrase could be included in some paragraphs and not in all of them. She would not align herself with the draft resolution as it stood.

The draft resolution was then approved without a vote.

Speaking after action, the representative of the United States said he was pleased to join in the opportunity to acknowledge the great significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 50 years after its adoption by the General Assembly. He would have preferred several modifications to the text. To ensure maximum clarity with regard to Member States' common commitment, preambular paragraph 4 should refer to human rights and fundamental freedoms, as a reflection of the commitment to honour all human rights equitably.

[Preambular paragraph 4 reads as follows: "Concerned that the international human rights standards are not fully and universally respected and that human rights continue to be violated in all parts of the world, and that people still suffer misery and are deprived of full enjoyment of their civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, and convinced of the necessity to respect fundamental human rights in all situations and to strengthen the United Nations in this regard."]

In the same vein, he said it was inappropriate, in preambular paragraph 7, to equate the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action with the Universal Declaration or with the core covenants ratified by many Member States. Nor could the United States accept the concept expressed in 10 bis (paragraph 11), which could be interpreted as setting an economic precondition for implementation

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of the full range of human rights. There were no preconditions for striving to achieve that universal standard. He would also have preferred that preambular paragraph 11 parallel the words of the United Nations Charter with regard to promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through the adoption and implementation of international instruments. Nevertheless, the United States was pleased to join the consensus in adopting the resolution.

Next, the Committee took up the draft resolution on respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes (document A/C.3/52/L.44).

Mr. BUSACCA (Italy), Committee Chairman, said the draft resolution had no financial implications.

KATE STARR NEWELL, Committee Secretary, read the amendments made to the resolution as follows: operative paragraph 6 was deleted and the remaining paragraphs were renumbered accordingly. [That paragraph read: "Recognizes that the form of democracy must emerge from each people, as suited to the nation's history, size, cultural diversity and value systems, and that political systems need to be understood by the peoples they serve."]

The CHAIRMAN reminded the Committee that in addition to the sponsors listed in the draft resolution, the following Member States were announced as co-sponsors when the draft resolution was introduced (20 November): Iran, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

In addition, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Niger were also added as co-sponsors.

The Chairman said a recorded vote was requested.

Speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Union and Lithuania, said it was the firm conviction of the Union that the draft resolution diminished the efforts of many States to strengthen the principle of periodic and fair elections. The will of the people through periodic and fair elections was the cornerstone of governmental authority. All electoral assistance undertaken by the United Nations was done only at the request of the countries concerned. The European Union fully supported the aims and the principles of the Charter to which the draft resolution referred. However, the Union disapproved of the selective use of the Charter to justify any limitations on the right to elect and to be elected. Therefore, the European Union would vote against the draft resolution and would encourage others to do so.

The draft resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 78 in favour to 56 against, with 11 abstentions. (See Annex I.)

Speaking after the vote, the representative of Costa Rica said she had not participated in the vote because the draft resolution contained references to important principles, such as "political systems and electoral processes are subject to historical, cultural and religious factors" in preambular

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paragraph 7, which seemed to imply, for example, that the use of violence in the electoral process could allow for the perpetuation of a government in power. She also did not like the paragraph that had been deleted (paragraph 6). Her country was trying to perfect and improve the system of elections because the democratic form of free elections was the best system.

The representative of Iraq said he had been deprived of the right to vote because of Article 19 of the Charter. If he had the right to vote, he would have voted in favour of the draft resolution. [By Article 19, Member States shall have no vote in the Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years.]

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/52/L.46).

Ms. NEWELL, Committee Secretary, read out the amendment that was made to the draft text when it was introduced (20 November), as follows: in the first line of operative paragraph 4 the word people was changed to read "peoples". [The phrase would read as follows: "the right of all peoples to self- determination".]

The CHAIRMAN said a recorded vote had been requested.

The draft resolution was approved, as orally revised, by a vote of 74 in favour to 46 against, with 26 abstentions. (See Annex II.)

The representative of Iraq again said if he had the right to vote, he would have voted in favour of the draft resolution.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on the respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/52/L.47).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution contained no programme budget implications.

Mr. FERRER RODRIGUEZ (Cuba), the main sponsor of the draft resolution, made an amendment to operative paragraph 4 as follows: the words "individuals or groups of" were deleted from the third line of the paragraph. That part of the paragraph would now read as follows: "...legislation intended as a coercive measure that discriminated against legal migrants..." .

The CHAIRMAN said a recorded vote had been requested.

The draft resolution was then approved, as orally amended, by a vote of 75 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 76 abstentions. (See Annex III).

Speaking in explanation of vote after the vote, the representative of Mexico said she had voted in favour of the draft resolution because she

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believed the text was important for the promotion of the human rights of migrants. Operative paragraph 1 referred to the freedom of movement, which was one of the rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That right applied to all persons regardless of whether they were migrants or not.

The representative of Chile said he had voted in favour of the draft resolution because he attached high priority to migrants' rights. However, the text did not refer to the right to leave one's country freely, he noted.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance (document A/C.3/52/L.48).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no financial implications. He reminded the Committee that the following Member States had been announced as additional co-sponsors when the draft text was introduced (20 November): Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Norway and Slovenia.

Also added as co-sponsors were: Costa Rica, Indian, Israel, Poland, United States, Cameroon, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mali, Nicaragua, Slovakia, South Africa and Suriname.

The draft was approved without a vote.

As the Committee then took up the draft resolution on promoting the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities (document A/C.3/52/L.51), the Chairman said the draft text contained no programme budget implications.

Ms. NEWELL, Committee Secretary, read out the amendment made to the draft text when it was introduced (20 November): the words "and continue to hold one session annually" had been deleted from operative paragraph 14. The paragraph now reads: "Expressing the expectation that the Working Group on Minorities of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities will further implement its mandate with the involvement of a wide range of participants."

The following Member States were then added as co-sponsors: Bangladesh, India, Poland, Russian Federation, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

The draft resolution was approved, as orally revised, without a vote.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on human rights in the administration of justice (document A/C.3/52/L.52).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no programme budget implications. He reminded the Committee that the following Member States had been added as co-sponsors when the draft text was introduced: Czech Republic, Liechtenstein and Romania.

The following were also added as co-sponsors: Bangladesh, France, Morocco, Poland, South Africa, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Cameroon, Panama, Ukraine, United Kingdom,

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Russian Federation, El Salvador and the Netherlands.

The draft resolution was approved without a vote.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/52/L.53).

The Chairman said the draft resolution had no programme budget implications.

The following were then added as co-sponsors: Bangladesh, Mali, Togo, Ethiopia, Benin, Nepal, Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Turkmenistan, Ireland, Senegal, Barbados and Slovakia.

The draft resolution was approved without a vote.

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Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3456 45th Meeting (PM) 21 November 1997

ANNEX I

Vote on Non-interference in Electoral Process

The draft text on respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes (document A/C.3/52/L.44) was approved by a recorded vote of 78 in favour to 56 against with 11 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain: Afghanistan, Benin, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia.

Absent: Bangladesh, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

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(END OF ANNEX I)

Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3456 45th Meeting (PM) 21 November 1997

ANNEX II

Vote on Human Rights and Coercive Measures

The draft text on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/52/L.46) was approved by a recorded vote of 74 in favour to 46 against, with 46 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahamas, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Samoa, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Monaco, 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, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstain: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Georgia, Honduras, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malta, Mauritania, Mongolia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Ukraine.

Absent: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Kuwait, Liberia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

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(END OF ANNEX II)

Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3456 45th Meeting (PM) 21 November 1997

ANNEX III

Vote on Freedom of Travel and Family Reunification

The draft text on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital inportance of family reunification (document A/C.3/52/L.47) was approved by a recorded vote of 75 in favour to 1 against, with 76 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Armenia, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darrusalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: United States.

Abstain: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Absent: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad,

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Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Grenada, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

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