ASSEMBLY WOULD REQUEST UN TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE TO MEMBER STATES ON CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, BY THIRD COMMITTEE TEXT

Press Release
GA/SHC/3458

ASSEMBLY WOULD REQUEST UN TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE TO MEMBER STATES ON CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, BY THIRD COMMITTEE TEXT

The General Assembly would commend the electoral assistance provided to Member States by the United Nations by the provisions of one of seven draft texts approved by recorded votes in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning. Four other proposals were approved without a vote.

Approved by 127 in favour with none against, with 16 abstentions, a draft resolution would have the Assembly request that such assistance continue on a case-by-case basis, while recognizing that the fundamental responsibility for organizing free and fair elections lies with the governments themselves. (For details of the voting, see Annex I.) The representative of the Russian Federation requested that his vote be recorded in favour of the text, and not as an abstention as the voting machine had registered. The representative of Cuba spoke in explanation of position.

By another of the six drafts approved by recorded votes, 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. That text was approved by a vote of 89 in favour to 3 against (Iran, Israel, United States), with 52 abstentions. (See Annex II.) The representative of Iran requested that his vote be recorded as in favour of the draft text, not against as recorded by the voting machine.

A draft resolution on the human rights situation in Kosovo was approved by a recorded vote of 97 in favour to 3 against (India, Israel, Russian Federation), with 47 abstentions. (See Annex III.) The Assembly would express deep concern about violations of human rights in Kosovo, in particular the repression of the ethnic Albanian population, and would call on the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to take all measures to end that situation. Speaking in explanation of vote were the representatives of the Russian Federation, Luxembourg (on behalf of the European Union), Yemen, Peru, Bulgaria, India, China and Venezuela.

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By a vote of 91 in favour to 15 against, with 43 abstentions, the Assembly would express outrage at military force being used to disrupt relief efforts and would call on the Government of Sudan to comply with international human rights instruments, by another text approved. (See Annex IV.) The representatives of Sudan and Egypt spoke in explanation of position.

A draft resolution on the human rights situation in Iraq was approved by a vote of 94 in favour to 2 against (Libya, Sudan), with 51 abstentions. (See Annex V.) Strongly condemning the massive and extremely grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Government of Iraq, the Assembly would also condemn suppression of freedoms in the country, including that of thought, association and movement. The representatives of Kuwait, Iraq, Egypt and Syria spoke in explanation of position.

Calling upon the Government of Iran to meet expectations for tangible progress concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals, a text approved by a vote of 68 in favour to 27 against, with 49 abstentions, would also have the Assembly note with interest that presidential elections were held in Iran this year. (See Annex VI.) The representatives of Iran, Egypt, Algeria, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Jordan, Sudan, Mauritania, Lebanon, Qatar, Morocco and Japan spoke in explanation of position.

The draft resolution on the human rights situation in Cuba would have the Assembly express profound regret at the numerous violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms there. It was approved by a vote of 60 in favour to 23 against, with 64 abstentions. (See Annex VII.) The Assembly would call once again upon the Cuban Government to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur in permitting full and free access to the Government and to the people of Cuba. The representatives of Cuba, Russian Federation and Mexico spoke in explanation of position.

Under the terms of four draft texts approved without a vote, the Assembly would:

-- 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;

-- strongly deplore ethnic and other forms of intolerance as one of the major causes of forced migratory movements, and urge States to take all necessary steps to ensure respect for human rights, especially the right of persons belonging to minorities (the representative of India spoke in explanation of position);

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-- welcome the report of the Haitian National Commission for Truth and Justice, as well as reports by the International Civilian Mission in Haiti on Respect for Human Rights by the Haitian National Police and urge the Government of Haiti to undertake appropriate follow-up action on the recommendations contained in them, with the support of the international community; and

-- request the Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements for awarding human rights prizes during 1998 as part of its marking of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Also this morning the Committee heard the introduction on draft resolutions on the human rights situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the human rights situation in Nigeria. The representative of Nigeria spoke on the draft resolution on his country.

The representative of Kuwait spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, 26 November, to continue its deliberations.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to hear the introduction of two draft resolutions on human rights questions and also to take action on texts on human rights matters.

Draft Texts for Introduction

By the terms of a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (document A/C.3/52/L.70), the Assembly would call upon the Government of Nigeria to urgently ensure the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including respecting the right to life, by releasing all political prisoners, including those detained in connection with the 1993 presidential elections, among them Chief M. K. O. Abiola, trade union leaders, human rights advocates and journalists currently detained. The observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms would also be ensured by improving conditions of detention and by guaranteeing freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and association, and respect for the rights of individuals, including minorities.

The Assembly would also call upon the Government of Nigeria to ensure that all trials are held fairly and promptly and in strict conformity with international human rights standards; take concrete and credible steps to restore democratic government without delay, and to end rule by decree; ensure the independence of the National Human Rights Commission, including its investigations of human rights abuses; implement fully its interim undertakings with the Secretary-General without further delay and respond in full to the recommendations of the Secretary-General's mission to Nigeria; implement its obligations under the International Labour Organization Convention No. 87 concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize; and cooperate fully with the Commission on Human Rights and its mechanisms.

In addition, the Assembly would welcome the declared commitment by the Government of Nigeria to civilian rule, multi-party democracy, and freedom of assembly, press and political activity by 1 October 1998, recalling in that regard the declaration by the Government of 1 October 1995 which it recently confirmed. It would express its deep concern at, among other things, continuing grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria, including arbitrary detention, as well as failure to respect due process of law.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.

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Drafts for Action

By a draft resolution on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization (document A/C.3/52/L.45), the Assembly would commend the electoral assistance provided to Member States at their request by the United Nations. It would request that such assistance continue on a case-by-case basis, while recognizing that the fundamental responsibility for organizing free and fair elections lies with the governments themselves. By other terms of the text, the Assembly would stress the importance of reinforced coordination within the United Nations system, including cooperation with all relevant departments within the United Nations Secretariat, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Volunteers, which provide advisory services and technical assistance to requesting Member States. It would underline the need for the prompt exchange of information concerning requests for electoral assistance by Member States directed to any of the aforementioned entities, and encourage the Electoral Assistance Division to strengthen its collaboration with them.

The Assembly would recommend that the Electoral Assistance Division continue to provide post-election assistance, as appropriate, to requesting States and electoral institutions, in order to contribute to the sustainability of their electoral processes. It would also recommend that it study ways of defining more clearly the activities related to democratic consolidation that the United Nations might usefully undertake in assisting the efforts of interested States.

In addition, the Assembly would recommend that the Secretary-General consider ways to continue to improve coordination and strengthen further the efforts of the Electoral Assistance Division, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations system in general, to respond to its increased and evolving responsibilities in the field of electoral assistance and democratization.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Monaco, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Venezuela.

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

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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 analyze 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 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, methods 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.

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The resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, 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 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 establish a voluntary fund for victims of terrorism 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.

By a draft resolution on human rights and mass exoduses (document A/C.3/52/L.59), the Assembly would strongly deplore ethnic and other forms of intolerance as one of the major causes of forced migratory movements, and urge States to take all necessary steps to ensure respect for human rights, especially the rights of minorities. It would emphasize the responsibility of all States and international organizations to cooperate with those countries, particularly developing ones, affected by mass exoduses of refugees and displaced persons. Governments and the High Commissioner for Human Rights would be called upon to continue to respond to assistance needs of countries hosting large numbers of refugees until durable solutions are found.

The Assembly would urge the Secretary-General to give high priority and allocate the necessary resources within the regular budget of the United Nations for consolidating and strengthening emergency preparedness and response mechanisms, including early warning activities in the humanitarian area, for the purpose of ensuring, among other things, that effective action is taken to identify all human rights abuses which contribute to mass outflows of persons, and to invite comments on the issue. States would be called upon to ensure effective protection of refugees through, among other things, respecting the principle of refoulement.

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The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland and the United Kingdom.

By the draft resolution on the right to development (document A/C.3/52/L.66), sponsored by Colombia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Assembly would stress that the selective interpretation and application of human rights should not be used as an instrument of trade protectionism or leverage for narrow economic or commercial ends, or to constrain unfairly the legitimate development programmes of countries. The Assembly would request that the Secretary-General in his measures and proposals for reform of the United Nations, as a matter of high priority, emphasize the promotion and realization of the right to development.

The Assembly would also call on the Commission on Human Rights to consider carefully the report of the second session of the intergovernmental group of experts (29 September - 10 October) to elaborate a strategy for the implementation and promotion of the right to development. It would encourage the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, within her mandate, to continue the coordination of various activities regarding the implementation of the right to development, including a programmatic follow-up to the establishment in that Office of a separate new branch with staff dealing specifically with the promotion and realization of the right to development, as well as commensurate levels of service and resources, as part of the effort to implement the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

The draft text would also request the Commission on Human Rights at its next session to examine ways and means to provide the Declaration on the Right to Development with a profile commensurate with its importance. The Commission would also be requested to examine the desirability of the inclusion of the Declaration in the International Bill of Human Rights on an equal footing with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Assembly would call on the Commission to make proposals to it through the Economic and Social Council on the future course of action on the question, in particular on practical measures for implementing and enhancing the Declaration on the Right to Development.

A draft sponsored by Colombia on enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/52/67) would have the Assembly call upon States, intergovernmental organizations and specialized agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations, to carry out dialogue and consultations to enhance understanding, promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Assembly would invite the Commission on Human Rights to pursue the matter and continue the process during its fifty-fourth session.

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By a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Cambodia (document A/C.3/52/L.68), the Assembly would express grave concern about the serious violations of human rights during the armed violence of early July 1997 and its aftermath. It would urge the Cambodian Government, as a high priority, to investigate thoroughly and impartially and bring to justice those responsible for such serious crimes. The Assembly would express grave concern about numerous instances of violations of human rights, including extrajudicial executions, torture, rape, and illegal arrest and detention, as detailed in the reports of the Special Representative and his predecessor. It would call upon the Cambodian Government to prosecute, in accordance with due process of the law and international standards relating to human rights, all those who have perpetrated human rights violations.

Other terms of the draft text would have the Assembly, noting that national elections are scheduled to be held in May 1998, strongly urge the Cambodian Government to promote and uphold the effective functioning of multi-party democracy, including the right to form political parties, stand for election, take part freely in a representative Government, and allow freedom of expression as well as the right to information. The Assembly would emphasize the need for the legislative framework for the elections, in accordance with established international standards, to be agreed upon and adopted by the National Assembly, for the security forces to remain neutral during the election campaign, for free and equal access to the electronic and print media, for the individual vote to be confidential, for full cooperation to be given to local and international observers, and for all parties to act in a constructive manner and accept the outcome of the elections.

The Assembly would strongly urge the Cambodian Government to address the problem of corrupt practices and to increase its efforts to create a functioning and impartial system of justice, including convening the Supreme Council of Magistracy, to institute a system to guarantee the essential sustenance of prisoners and to continue its efforts to improve the physical environment of prisons. It would endorse the comments of the Special Representative that the most serious human rights violations in Cambodia in recent history have been committed by the Khmer Rouge and that their crimes, including the taking and killing of hostages, have continued to the present, and would note with concern that no Khmer Rouge leader has been brought to account for his crimes. The Secretary-General would be requested to examine the request by the Cambodian authorities for assistance in responding to past serious violations of Cambodian and international law, including the possibility of the appointment, by the Secretary-General, of a group of experts to evaluate the existing evidence and propose further measures, as a means of bringing about national reconciliation, strengthening democracy and addressing the issue of individual accountability.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Andorra, Australia, Austria, Canada, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.

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By a draft decision (document A/C.3/52/L.76), submitted by the Chairman, the Assembly would, as part of its marking of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, request that the Secretary-General make the necessary arrangements for awarding human rights prizes during 1998.

By a draft resolution on human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/52/L.54), the Assembly would welcome the report of the Haitian National Commission for Truth and Justice, as well as reports by the International Civilian Mission in Haiti on Respect for Human Rights by the Haitian National Police. It would urge the Government of Haiti to undertake appropriate follow-up action on the recommendations contained in them, with the support of the international community.

The Assembly would express concern at the security problems faced by the Haitian society, which contribute to the shortcomings of the judicial system and the police apparatus, as noted in the Independent Expert's report. It would support the reform of the judicial system currently being carried out.

By other terms of the draft, the Assembly would invite the international community, including the Bretton Woods institutions, to continue their involvement in the reconstruction and development of Haiti, having regard to the fragility of the political, social and economic situation of the country. The Government of Haiti would be encouraged to ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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 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

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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, and 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 the United States.

A draft resolution on the human rights situation in the Sudan (document A/C.3/52/L.62) would have the General Assembly express deep concern at the continuing human rights violations in the Sudan and express outrage at the military force being used to disrupt relief efforts. It would call on the Government of the Sudan to comply with international human rights instruments and would recommend continued monitoring of the situation, urging continuation of regional efforts to end the hostilities and suffering. It would also invite the Commission on Human Rights to give urgent attention to the situation.

By the draft, the Assembly would, among other measures, urge the Government of the Sudan to publicize the activities of the Special Investigation Committee on allegations of enforced or involuntary disappearances and reported cases of slavery and to grant international observers free access to areas of reported violations. It would further urge the Government to release all political detainees; cease all acts of torture; close down clandestine detention centres; and ensure that all accused persons are tried under internationally recognized standards.

The Assembly would also call for an immediate halt to the aerial bombardment of civilians and would welcome the promise of the Government to allow relief efforts unimpeded access to people in need. Finally, the Assembly would welcome the decision of the Commission on Human Rights to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur in the Sudan for an additional year, requesting the Secretary-General to provide all necessary assistance in discharging of the mandate.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Monaco, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Rwanda (document A/C.3/52/L.65), sponsored by Canada, Ethiopia and Rwanda, the Assembly would reiterate its strong condemnation of the crime of genocide and all other violations of human rights which were perpetrated in Rwanda in 1994, and express its concern at the alleged continuation of human rights

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violations in that country. Remaining deeply concerned about the continued suffering experienced by the survivors of the genocide and massacres, the Assembly would urge the Government of Rwanda and the international community to provide them with the necessary assistance. It would also express grave concern at the killings of civilians, including elderly women and children, during attacks on genocide survivors, witnesses and other innocent people by militias and insurgents opposed to the Government of Rwanda.

The Assembly would condemn in the strongest terms any acts of violence or intimidation against United Nations staff or any other international staff serving in Rwanda and pay tribute to the memory of those killed. It would urge all States to cooperate fully, without delay, with the International Tribunal for Rwanda. It would also appeal to the international community to contribute further financial and technical support to the Government of Rwanda for the strengthening of the Rwandan judicial system and for the reconstruction of the human rights infrastructure.

The Assembly would also call upon States, United Nations bodies and agencies and other international organizations to intensify their efforts to contribute financial and technical support to the efforts of the Government of Rwanda aimed at the resettlement of all the refugees and survivors of the 1994 genocide and massacres, as well as the implementation of the national reconstruction and resettlement programme.

By terms of a draft on the human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/52/L.71), the Assembly would strongly condemn the massive and extremely grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Government of Iraq. It would also condemn suppression of freedoms in the country, including that of thought, association and movement; and summary and arbitrary executions, along with widespread, systematic torture.

By terms of the draft, the Assembly would call upon the Government of Iraq to abide by its freely assumed obligations under international instruments to respect and ensure the rights of all individuals; bring military and security forces into conformity with the standards of international law; cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms; restore independence of the judiciary; and abrogate all decrees prescribing cruel and inhuman punishment, as well as all laws and procedures that penalize free expression.

The Assembly would also call on the Government of Iraq to cooperate with the Tripartite Commission to resolve the fate of the remaining several hundred missing persons, victims of Iraq's occupation of Kuwait; cease immediately its repressive practices; end the enforced displacement of persons; cooperate with aid agencies; release nationals of other States being held in detention; ensure equitable distribution of the humanitarian supplies purchased with proceeds from Iraqi oil; cooperate in identifying mine fields with a view to clearing them; and, finally, cooperate in implementing United Nations

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resolutions and facilitating the work of United Nations humanitarian personnel.

Finally, by the draft, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq with all assistance to carry out his mandate and to approve the allocation of human and material resources for sending human rights monitors to improve information flow, assessment and verification of human rights reports in Iraq.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran (document A/C.3/52/L.72), the Assembly would note with interest that presidential elections were held in Iran this year, and would call upon the Government to meet expectations for tangible progress concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals. While expressing concern at a number of violations and breaches of human rights in Iran, the Assembly would call upon the Iranian Government to resume its cooperation with the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, in particular, with its Special Representative; to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under the International Covenants on Human Rights; and implement fully the conclusions and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance relating to the Baha'is and other minority religious groups, including Christians.

The Government of Iran would also be called upon to take effective measures to eliminate human rights violations against women, including all discrimination in law and in practice against them; refrain from violence against members of the Iranian opposition living abroad; provide satisfactory written assurances that it does not support or incite threats to the life of Salman Rushdie; and ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed for apostasy or non-violent crimes, or in disregard of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and United Nations safeguards.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.

By the terms of a draft on the human rights situation in Cuba (document A/C.3/52/L.73), the Assembly would express profound regret at the numerous violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba and would call

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once more upon the Government of Cuba to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights in permitting full and free access to the Government and to the people of Cuba.

The Assembly would also urge the Government to ensure freedom of expression and assembly, and would especially call upon it to release the numerous persons detained for activities of a political nature. Finally, it would call upon the Government of Cuba to carry out the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur with regard to observance of human rights and end violations against them, in particular, the detention of human rights defenders.

The draft is sponsored by Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan.

By terms of a draft resolution submitted by the Chairman on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan (document A/C.3/52/L.75), the Assembly would note with deep concern the intensification of armed hostilities and the deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan. It would express deep concern in particular at the frequency of arbitrary arrests, detentions and summary trials throughout the country, which have resulted in summary executions. It would demand that all Afghan parties fulfil their obligations regarding safety of international personnel and that they cooperate with United Nations and associated bodies and humanitarian organizations. The Assembly would urge all Afghan parties to end discrimination based on gender, to work closely with the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan in achieving a political solution to the armed conflict, to provide remedies to victims of grave human rights violations and to respect fully international humanitarian law.

Further by the draft, the Assembly would express its deep concern at new landmines laid despite de-mining programmes of the international community and at reports that the Afghan cultural heritage was deteriorating. The Assembly would urge all States to respect the full national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, would appeal to the international community to give adequate humanitarian assistance to both the people of Afghanistan and to Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries pending voluntary repatriation, and would request Afghan parties to lift restrictions imposed on the international aid community, allowing free transit of food and medical supplies. Finally, the Assembly would urge all Afghan parties to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights and its Special Rapporteur, and would request that the Secretary-General assist the Special Rapporteur, deciding to keep the situation under consideration at the fifty-third session of the Assembly.

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Introduction of Draft Texts

JACK SPITZER (United States) introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (document A/C.3/52/L.69*).

Under its provisions, the Assembly would condemn in the strongest terms the forcible expulsion of individuals from their homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the practice of destroying the homes of those forcibly expelled, calling for the immediate arrest and punishment of individuals engaged in those activities. It would also condemn the continuing restrictions on freedom of movement and would urge all parties to guarantee that right to returnees and residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It would strongly condemn instances of harassment of displaced Serbs by Croatian members of the Transitional Police Force of the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium and would call upon the Government of Croatia to strengthen measures to end discrimination by Croatian authorities. Finally, it would condemn the refusal of authorities of the Republika Srpska and the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to arrest and surrender indicted war criminals.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would insist that all parties implement fully the commitments made in the Peace Agreement to protect human rights and would also insist that the parties act to promote and protect democratic institutions of government at all levels in their respective countries. It would also insist that authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina cooperate fully with the Commission on Human Rights for Bosnia and Herzegovina and would call on the Commission to intensify activities concerning violations of rights or discrimination of any kind. It would strongly urge the Government of Croatia to allow expeditious voluntary return of all refugees and displaced persons, to secure their safety and human rights and to investigate and arrest those responsible for acts aimed at driving people away.

Finally, by the draft, the Assembly would urgently call on States and parties to the Peace Agreement to meet their obligations to cooperate fully with the prosecution by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia of those responsible for violations of humanitarian law. It would demand that authorities ensure full and free access into their territories of all institutions concerned, including non-governmental organizations, and would call for an immediate end to illegal and/or hidden detention by all parties, requesting that the Special Rapporteur investigate allegations of hidden detainees.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal,

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San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.

Austria, Norway and Poland became additional co-sponsors.

BEATRICE KIRSCH (Luxembourg), speaking on behalf of the European Union, introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria (document A/C.3.52/L.70).

Two oral amendments were added to the draft. Preambular paragraph 5 was replaced with: "Noting that the Commonwealth has been concerned about the continued existence of a military government and the failure to observe fundamental human rights, and has decided that Nigeria should remain suspended from the Commonwealth;"

In operative paragraph 3d, after the word "decree", the following phrase was added: "and to permit an observer presence during transition, as recommended by the United Nations fact-finding mission."

The Marshall Islands became an additional co-sponsor.

Action on Draft Texts

The Committee Chairman, ALESSANDRO BUSACCA (Italy), said scheduled action on a number of drafts would be postponed. Those included texts on preparations for the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (document A/C.3/52/L.5); on the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (document A/C.3/52/L.38/Rev.1), along with a statement on its financial implications (document A/C.3/52/L.74); and on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (document A/C.3/52/L.31/Rev.1).

Next, the Chairman said a draft for action on effective implementation of international instruments on human rights (document A/C.3/52/L.36/Rev.1) had no financial implications. The representative of Canada, sponsor of the draft, asked to defer action on the text. The Chairman agreed.

The Committee took up the draft resolution on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization (document A/C.3/52/L.45).

Committee Chairman, Mr. BUSACCA (Italy), said the draft resolution had no financial implications. He reminded the Committee that in addition to the sponsors listed in the draft resolution, the following Member States had joined in co-sponsoring it when the draft was introduced: Andorra, Chile, Greece, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Federated States of Micronesia,

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Mongolia, Panama, Philippines, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Solomon Islands, and Uzbekistan.

The following co-sponsors were then added: Russian Federation, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Albania, Thailand, Poland, Samoa, Benin, New Zealand and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The CHAIRMAN said a recorded vote had been requested.

Speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Cuba said the draft resolution on the issue of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization continued to move away from the norms established by Member States for electoral assistance. It was the responsibility of Member States to establish the proper mechanisms for their elections, in accordance with their own constitutions and norms. The draft text attempted to subject national institutions and political practices to different norms and practices. The draft resolution extended assistance to the pre- and post-electoral processes, which was a pretext to interfere in the political processes of Member States. Therefore, he would not vote in favour of the text.

The draft resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to none against, with 16 abstentions. (See Annex I.)

The representative of the Russian Federation said he had experienced a technical problem while voting. His vote should be recorded as in favour of the text and not as an abstention. He was a co-sponsor of the draft resolution.

Next, the Committee took up the draft resolution on protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons (document A/C.3/52/L.56).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no financial implications. He reminded the Committee that Albania had been added as a co-sponsor when the draft text was introduced.

In addition, Tajikistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau were also added as co-sponsors.

The draft resolution was approved without a vote.

The Committee then took up the 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).

RODOLFO REYES RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said as a result of negotiations the following amendment was made to the draft text: in operative paragraph 7,

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after the word emphasis, the rest of paragraph -- "giving both the rights of the individual and collective rights due attention" -- was deleted. He cited a number of changes that had been made to the initial draft as a result of negotiations.

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no financial implications.

Bangladesh was added as a co-sponsor.

The CHAIRMAN said a recorded vote had been requested.

Mr. REYES RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said, taking into account the transparency of the negotiations on the draft resolution, he wanted to know which delegation had requested the vote.

The CHAIRMAN said the United States had requested the vote.

The draft resolution was then approved by a recorded vote of 89 in favour to 3 against (Iran, Israel, United States), with 52 abstentions. (See Annex II.)

The representative of Iran said his vote was reflected incorrectly on the voting machine. His vote should have been recorded in favour of the draft resolution.

The CHAIRMAN said action on the draft resolution on human rights and terrorism (document A/C.3/52/L.58) would be postponed.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on human rights and mass exoduses (document A/C.3/52/L.59).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no financial implications. He reminded the Committee that in addition to the co-sponsors listed in the draft resolution, Iceland, Japan and Norway had been announced as co-sponsors when the draft text was introduced.

KATE NEWELL, Committee Secretary, read out the amendments made to the draft text when it was introduced: In the third line of operative paragraph 9, the phrase "to promote the coordination" was replaced by "to coordinate"; in the third line of operative paragraph 14, after the word "asylum", the remainder of the paragraph was deleted. Therefore, that operative paragraph should read as follows: "Notes with appreciation that a number of States not party to the 1951 Convention and its Protocol of 1967 continue to maintain a generous approach to asylum." In addition, at the end of the third line of operative paragraph 17, after the word "mass exoduses" the word "with" was replaced by "including".

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The following Member States were added as co-sponsors: Costa Rica, Ireland, Russian Federation, Sweden, Italy, Liechtenstein, Turkmenistan, Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The representative of the Russian Federation asked for corrections to be made in the Russian version of the draft text to correct a number of mistakes in the translation, including the title.

The draft resolution was approved without a vote.

The representative of India, speaking in explanation of vote, said he had made a number of proposals on the text and he had been grateful that some of them had been accommodated to some extent in the draft. Those changes had allowed the text to be agreed on by consensus. However, it was important to point out that there was an anomaly in the text which, since it focused on human rights and mass exoduses, should have made reference to the relevant article on the right to asylum in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He referred to a recent general conclusion of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) which contained such a reference. However, the co-sponsors did not agree with the need to reaffirm the right to asylum. The issue should be taken note of for subsequent resolutions and other texts related to refugees. Despite those concerns, he had allowed the text to proceed by consensus.

Actions on the draft resolutions on the right to development (document A/C.3/52/L.66), on enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/52/67) and on the situation of human rights in Cambodia (document A/C.3/52/L.68) were postponed.

Next, the Committee took up the draft decision on award of human rights prizes in 1998 (document A/C.3/52/L.76).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft decision had no financial implications.

The draft decision was approved without a vote.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/52/L.54).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no financial implications. He reminded the Committee that at the time the resolution was introduced he had announced that Jamaica should not have been listed as a co-sponsor and should be deleted from the list of sponsors on the document.

Australia and Iceland were then added as co-sponsors.

The draft resolution was approved without a vote.

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The representative of Haiti thanked the co-sponsors and authors of the draft resolution, particularly the representative of Venezuela. Since 1991, Haiti had benefited from the support of the international community. Her country had worked hand in hand with Venezuela for a very long time.

Next, the Committee took up the draft resolution on the human rights situation in Kosovo (document A/C.3/52/L.61).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no financial implications. He reminded the Committee that at the time the resolution was introduced Djibouti and Poland had been added as co-sponsors.

The representative of Albania, who had introduced the draft, said that Poland was not a co-sponsor.

The representative of the Russian Federation asked the draft resolution be put to a vote.

The CHAIRMAN said a recorded vote had been requested.

Before the vote, the representative of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the Union had expressed full support for the content of the draft resolution because it fully understood that the situation in that region was still of concern. However, they were not in a position to sponsor the draft. The European Union's position was that the situation of human rights in Kosovo should be considered in the context of the situation of human rights in the region of the former Yugoslavia.

The representative of Yemen said she would not take part in the vote, nor in votes on the situation of human rights in various States.

The representative of the Russian Federation said he had asked for the draft resolution to be put to a vote because of the insistence of the co-sponsors, year after year, in presenting a draft resolution on the matter. Their action reflected the stubborn reluctance of those countries to take into account the issue of the territory in which the region existed. The issue should be included in the draft resolution on the human rights situation in the former Yugoslavia. The insistence on a separate draft was alarming to him. It was a one-sided treatment of the problem in that part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, without any attempt to analyse the actions of other forces. Such an approach was not in keeping with the need for balance and impartiality expected in the United Nations.

The draft resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 97 in favour to 3 against (India, Israel, Russian Federation), with 47 abstentions. (See Annex III.)

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The representative of Peru, speaking in explanation of vote, said his delegation had abstained. It was not appropriate for the General Assembly to take a stance on the situation of human rights of a region within a country. The matter should be taken up in the context of the situation of human rights in the former Yugoslavia.

The representative of Bulgaria said the issue of human rights in Kosovo should be included in the omnibus resolution on the former Yugoslavia.

The representative of India said he reserved the right to make a statement on the draft resolution in explanation of vote when the text was taken up in the Assembly plenary.

The representative of China said he had abstained and would explain his vote when the draft resolution was taken up in the plenary.

The representative of Venezuela said she had abstained. The matter should be dealt with when considering the situation of human rights in the former Yugoslavia and should not focus on a situation within a State.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on the human rights situation in the Sudan (document A/C.3/52/L.62).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft resolution had no financial implications. He reminded the Committee that at the time the resolution was introduced the following Member States had been added to the list of co-sponsors: Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom. Portugal was also added as a co-sponsor.

The CHAIRMAN said a recorded vote had been requested.

Speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Sudan said, once again, the same resolution had been submitted by the United States and its allies. He would not respond to all the elements in the draft resolution but would confine himself to the new unsubstantiated, unfair and inflammatory references made in the draft text. In an attempt to reach a more balanced text reflecting the current situation in his country he had held a number of consultations with the United States and other delegations. However, they had refused to take account of changes on the ground. Their position had left Sudan with little choice. The Sudanese Government had tried to put an end to the conflict in his country peacefully. Those efforts had been commended by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, among others, and had even received encouragement by some of the draft's co-sponsors. The draft did not reflect those new developments.

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In addition, the new allegations of sexual abuse had been included, he said. The co-sponsors had failed to point to those responsible and had implicated the Government in that heinous crime. The reference to the issue of slavery was an insult to the Sudanese people. The text also distorted the Sudanese people's religious beliefs. Regarding the allegation that there was obstruction of relief supplies in the Sudan, he said the text did not take account of the Secretary-General's report on emergency assistance to the Sudan. The authors of the draft text pretended to inject "so-called positive elements" in the text, which did not improve the text in its entirety. Despite the politically motivated actions against his country, his Government would continue to promote human rights in the country. He totally rejected the draft resolution and urged others to vote against it.

The representative of Egypt said he reaffirmed his Government's commitment to respect human rights and basic freedoms everywhere in the world. The political dimension of what was mentioned in the draft text was unclear. His country rejected interference in any State and reaffirmed its rejection of anything that could harm the territorial integrity of Sudan, in accordance with the principle of international law. He would, therefore, abstain from the vote on the draft resolution.

The draft resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 15 against, with 43 abstentions. (See Annex IV.)

The representative of the Sudan commented on the phrase "within existing resources" which appeared in operative paragraphs 8 and 21. She reminded delegates that a group position had been taken concerning that phrase by both the "Group of 77" developing countries and the European Union. Despite that, the phrase existed in the draft resolution just approved.

The CHAIRMAN said action on the draft resolution on the human rights situation in Rwanda (document A/C.3/52/L.65) would be postponed.

The Committee then took up the resolution on the situation of human rights in Iraq (document A/C.3/52/L.71). The Chairman said the draft had no financial implications and that Costa Rica, Lithuania and the Marshall Islands had become additional sponsors.

The representative of Luxembourg, as main sponsor of the draft, said Bulgaria and the United States were also co-sponsors. Poland then also became a co-sponsor.

A recorded vote was requested.

The representative of Kuwait said she had participated in presenting the draft and was troubled by the content of the Special Rapporteur's report. There were massive human rights violations in Iraq, which was also not complying with its obligations. Paragraph 3(g) of the text, for example,

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asked Iraq to cooperate with the Tripartite Commission. Iraq had not cooperated with the Tripartite Commission in attempting to locate missing persons in Iraq. The representative of Iraq said the draft was an extensive repetition in form and letter of previous resolutions on human rights in his country before the Committee. They had begun after incidents with Kuwait. Those considerations were being used by some countries for their own ends, having nothing to do with human rights. They were based on claims of the Special Rapporteur, a number of which the representative addressed. To the statement in preambular paragraph 2, for example, he said Iraq knew the international commitments it had undertaken. To preambular paragraph 5, he said Iraq cooperated with agencies all over the country, in particular, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other non-governmental organizations. Iraq was waiting for the Security Council to cooperate with it by lifting sanctions. Iraq was working seriously to implement resolutions according to its understanding with the United Nations under the "oil-for- food" formula. Responding further to terms of the draft, the representative said Iraq was committed to guaranteeing the rights of those sentenced to death. The right to appeal was granted to all sentenced to death and torture was a crime. There were no restrictions on freedoms such as of thought, and the Government encouraged culture and science. The Government of Iraq, on the contrary, banned material not compatible with the religious or moral values of the society. Furthermore, Iraq cooperated with human rights mechanisms and regularly submitted reports to treaty bodies. On other matters, Iraq had, for example, cooperated with the ICRC in locating missing Kuwaitis in Iraq. In short, the draft gave a distorted impression of the situation in Iraq. It called for an immediate ceasing of aggression, for example, in an area where Iraq had no administration. The migration referred to in the draft took place between armed Kurds and other forces. The "oil-for-food" formula was very modest and temporary, but it had met with many obstacles imposed by the United States and the United Kingdom, intended to impede Iraq. Frozen contracts, for example, had led to delays in foodstuffs reaching people and Iraq held two countries responsible. The draft was unbalanced because it ignored on purpose many steps taken by Iraq, as for example, elections to councils and the presidency. The draft was a political resolution against Iraq, as all resolutions against Iraq were. The issues held no relation to human rights except as a pretext to humiliate Iraq. The representative of Kuwait said she wanted to respond.

The representative of Iraq said he wanted a clarification of what rule Kuwait wanted to respond under. Was she taking the floor or explaining her vote? She had already taken the floor and could not do so again, and since she was a co-sponsor of the draft, she could not give an explanation of her vote.

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The CHAIRMAN said that was correct.

The draft resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 94 in favour with 2 against (Libya, Sudan), and 51 abstaining. (See Annex V.)

The representative of Egypt said she would have liked to explain before the vote, but her nameplate was either not seen or perhaps there had been only general statements and no explanations before vote. She said Egypt was committed to human rights but had noticed new standards and double standards entering in, which were not in the framework of human rights. Some issues being discussed were outside the human rights mandate. She was opposed to the deployment of observers to Iraq. The issue should not be discussed and no action should be taken until an indication was made by the affected country. She was also firmly opposed to any action that undermined Iraq's integrity. Therefore, she had abstained in the vote on the draft.

The representative of Syria said he had abstained in the vote on Iraq. The draft indicated an attempt to divide Iraq, for example by paragraph 3(h) on the Kurds. The draft did not mention invasion by Turkey, and its support of establishing the human rights institution constituted an interference in the internal affairs of Iraq.

The representative of Kuwait said she would make a response in right of reply at the end of the meeting.

Next, the Committee took up the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran (document A/C.3/52/L.72).

The CHAIRMAN said the draft had no programme budget implications and reminded the Committee that Costa Rica, Lithuania and the Marshall Islands had become sponsors when the draft was introduced.

The representative of Luxembourg, the main sponsor of the draft, said Bulgaria had joined as a co-sponsor.

A recorded vote was requested.

The representative of Iran said he had noticed over the years that resolutions on Iran had ulterior motives. Obviously, the fabrications in the draft were oriented to presenting the situation in Iran as deteriorating. The draft turned a blind eye toward gains, and magnified misgivings. Had the draft been brought into line with reality, the authors would have had to admit a number of developments. Women were being integrated into the new Government and there were visible improvements in their position. Freedom of expression was finding unprecedented openings in the country, with hundreds of newspapers, for example, stirring vigorous debate. Since the elections in Iran, the authors of the draft were far behind reality. Stating that the authors of the draft did not want to do good but to feel good, he called on

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all delegations to vote against the draft.

Speaking in explanation of vote, the representative of Egypt said that he was eager to stress the need to not politicize human rights and to not use human rights as a means to pressure certain countries or as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of a country. Also, it was important not to use policies that contained double standards regarding human rights. Further, the multiplicity of cultures had to be observed so that some were not subjected to the imposition of one culture over others. Egypt offered full support to the sovereign right of each State according to its culture, which was part and parcel of a State's local jurisdiction. He would abstain on the vote.

Furthermore, had operative paragraph 4 been voted on separately, Egypt would have voted no. There was no international consensus yet on cancelling the death penalty, which came under the jurisdiction of penal codes. Capital punishment was accepted in many legal systems, including Islamic jurisprudence. The International Covenants on human rights recognized capital punishment. Egypt rejected the undermining of its legal system.

The representative of Algeria said, on operative paragraph 3, that with regard to references concerning symbols of a great monotheistic religion, if freedom of expression and religion were linked to human development, then they would fall into the area of culture. Attempts to protect against violation of cultural rights had to be respected as much as the right of expression. The measures referred to in the draft were aimed at terrorism, and Algeria aligned itself with the condemnation of terrorism.

The representative of Bahrain said he had reservations about operative paragraph 4(g) of the draft. The reservations had to do with the paragraph not being in line with either the Islamic religion or the internal laws of a country. Had the paragraph been voted on separately, he would have voted against it.

The representative of the United Arab Emirates said he had reservations on operative paragraph 4(g) because it was not in accordance with either shariah law or the law in force in his State.

The representative of Singapore said she would abstain from the vote but wanted to put forward a statement on operative paragraph 4(g) with regard to capital punishment. The language was sweeping and intrusive, in particular the phrase, "for apostasy or non-violent crimes". Singapore and others had asked for deletion of the phrase. The concerns were not met. When the Special Representative had drawn attention to the use of the death penalty in his report, he had done so only to urge compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and that the safeguards might be observed. Unlike operative paragraph 4(g), he had not made any value judgement on what crimes could or could not be penalized by capital

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punishment.

The representative of Jordan expressed reservations on paragraph 4(g).

The representative of Sudan said she had always voted against the resolutions on Iran because of their political nature, but this year it was not enough to simply vote against the resolution; it was necessary to express her view regarding paragraph 4(g). The paragraph was in total contradiction to shariah law, more so because there was no international consensus on capital punishment.

The representative of Mauritania said he wanted to go on record with reservations about paragraph 4(g) because it was contrary to the laws of shariah and of his country.

The representative of Lebanon said it was recording its reservation against paragraph 4(g).

The representative of Qatar said he was entering his reservation about paragraph 4(g).

The representative of Morocco said she was entering her reservations about 4(g) because it was not in agreement with laws of her country.

The draft resolution was approved by a vote of 68 in favour to 27 against, with 49 abstaining. (See Annex VI.)

Speaking after the vote, the representative of Japan said she had concerns about the human rights situation in Iran and had been a co-sponsor on resolutions on Iran in the past. However, she had refrained from doing so this year because she shared the view that although the human rights situation had not been substantially improved, Iran was now in a position to move forward. The international community should encourage such forward movement to continue and she hoped the Government of Iran would continue to go forward.

Next, the Committee took up the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Cuba (document A/C.3/52/L.73). The Chairman said the draft had no programme budget implications and that the main sponsor was the United States.

A recorded vote was requested.

The representative of Cuba said that if anyone had had doubts about the intentions of the draft, they had been cleared up the previous day when the United States representative had paid tribute to a Cuban counter- revolutionary, akin to Salvadorean revolutionaries and those now in Puerto Rico, who were lobbying the debtor country to the United Nations. The United States had again imposed a resolution on Cuba when it itself supported the

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bloodiest revolutions. The United States saw itself as the richest and most powerful and yet it had reintroduced chains to be put on in its prisons. The European Union was co-sponsoring the draft while attempting to hide its xenophobic outbreaks, relying for support on some new Eastern European societies always eager to say yes. Countries such as El Salvador or Nicaragua, where 82 per cent of the people lived in poverty, would do better to tend to their own problems. Honduras occupied the third level of poor countries in Latin America. Those were the countries of the third world who had co-sponsored the draft on a country they knew nothing of, a country which had never had mass disappearances. Cuba would vote against the draft.

The representative of the Russian Federation said he had always opposed the politicization of human rights questions and could not support the draft. Bilateral problems should be handled at the bilateral level.

The draft was approved by a vote of 60 in favour to 23 against, with 64 abstentions. (See Annex VII.)

Speaking in explanation of vote, the representative of Mexico said international cooperation on human rights should be based on non-selectivity, impartiality and universality. Those qualities were affirmed by the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. Those elements were the necessary framework for considering human rights in Cuba. Mexico had abstained on the draft.

Right of Reply

The representative of Kuwait said the record of the Tripartite Commission showed Iraq's non-cooperation in locating the missing Kuwaitis. There had been three requests for the return of those alive and for the remains of those deceased.

The representative of Nicaragua said she would have a right of reply for Cuba.

Other Statements

The representative of Nigeria said it would have been more appropriate for the European Union to wait until Nigeria was present before introducing a resolution on it. The European Union was becoming predictable and it was assumed that was not the image the Union wanted to have. Nigeria had said it would not be able to submit a report due to lack of time and it had been said that the report would be submitted to the Special Rapporteur. The Secretary- General had said he was continuing contacts with Nigeria and that Nigeria was approaching the situation in a positive way.

Nigeria would return to civilian rule by 1 October 1998 according to a previously established schedule, he said. The authors of the present resolution had introduced an eclectic report, including issues that were

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irrelevant. That was not to detract from the importance of the issues, but in a few months the interim report of the Special Rapporteur would have been presented and it was thought that would not be too long for the European Union. The draft should not fool anyone into voting for it. Nigeria would give a detailed report when the draft was to be acted on.

The CHAIRMAN said the draft had been introduced, but it was expected to be debated at the time of action.

(annexes follow)

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ANNEX I

Vote on Periodic and Genuine Elections

The draft resolution on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization (document A/C.3/52/L.45) was approved by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to none against, with 16 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Soloman Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia.

Against: None.

Abstain: Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.

Absent: Albania, Belize, Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Palau, Peru, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

(END OF ANNEX I)

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ANNEX II

Vote on United Nations Action in Human Rights

The draft resolution 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) was approved by a recorded vote of 89 in favour to 3 against, with 52 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against: Iran, Israel, United States.

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

Absent: Azerbaijan, Belize, Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatua. (END OF ANNEX II)

Third Committee - 31 - Press Release GA/SHC/3458 47th Meeting (AM) 25 November 1997

ANNEX III

Vote on Situation of Human Rights in Kosovo

The draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Kosovo (document A/C.3/52/L.61) was approved by a recorded vote of 97 in favour to 3 against, with 47 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.

Against: India, Israel, Russian Federation.

Abstain: Angola, Belarus, Bhutan, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Absent: Armenia, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX III)

Third Committee - 32 - Press Release GA/SHC/3458 47th Meeting (AM) 25 November 1997

ANNEX IV

Vote on Human Rights in Sudan

The draft resolution on human rights in the Sudan (document A/C.3/52/L.62) was approved by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 15 against, with 43 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

Against: Afghanistan, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Viet Nam.

Abstain: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Suriname, Swaziland, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Zambia.

Absent: Azerbaijan, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Honduras, Jordan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX IV)

Third Committee - 33 - Press Release GA/SHC/3458 47th Meeting (AM) 25 November 1997

ANNEX V

Vote on Situation of Human Rights in Iraq

The draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iraq (document A/C.3/52/L.71) was approved by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 2 against, with 51 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia.

Against: Libya, Sudan.

Abstain: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Eritrea, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.

Absent: Afghanistan, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Grenada, Honduras, Iran, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Oman, Palau, Qatar, Repulic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(ANNEX V)

Third Committee - 34 - Press Release GA/SHC/3458 47th Meeting (AM) 25 November 1997

ANNEX VI

Vote on Situation of Human Rights in Iraq

The draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran (document A/C.3/52/L.72) was approved by a recorded vote of 68 in favour to 27 against, with 49 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia.

Against: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darrusalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Viet Nam.

Abstain: Albania, Angola, Bahrain, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Fiji, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Suriname, Swaziland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Absent: Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent Grenadines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX VI)

Third Committee - 35 - Press Release GA/SHC/3458 47th Meeting (AM) 25 November 1997

ANNEX VII

Vote on Situation of Human Rights in Cuba

The draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Cuba (document A/C.3/52/L.73) was approved by a recorded vote of 60 in favour to 23 against with 64 abstentions, as follows:

In Favour: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.

Against: Angola, Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Abstain: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela.

Absent: Afghanistan, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Gabon, Grenada, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Palau, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Yemen.

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