TWO TEXTS ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROVED BY THIRD COMMITTEE

22 October 1998

Press Release
GA/SHC/3483

TWO TEXTS ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROVED BY THIRD COMMITTEE

19981022 Committee Also Approves Text on International Drug Control, Concludes Discussion of Children's Rights

The General Assembly would urge competent authorities at all levels to implement the outcome of its special session on the drug problem within the agreed time-frames, by the provisions of one of three draft resolutions that were approved without a vote by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural) this afternoon.

By further terms of that draft, all States would be called upon to adopt effective measures, including national laws and regulations, to implement the mandates and recommendations of the Global Programme of Action. Governments and organizations would be urged to assist and support transit States and developing countries in enhancing their capacity to fight illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

By the terms of one of the other texts that was approved, the ad hoc committee of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for the purpose of elaborating a comprehensive international convention against transnational organized crime would be called upon to devote attention to the drafting of international instruments addressing trafficking in women and children, combatting the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in fire arms and illegal trafficking in and transporting of migrants.

Under the provisions of the other draft resolution approved, on the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, the Assembly would appeal to all Member States and non- governmental organizations to adopt concrete practical measures to support the Institute in implementing its programme and activities.

Also this afternoon, the Committee heard the introduction of four draft resolutions on the advancement of women.

The representative of the Philippines introduced the text on traffic in women and girls. The representative of the Netherlands introduced the draft

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on traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls. Norway's representative introduced the draft on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and Australia's representative introduced the text on the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat.

In other business, the Committee concluded its consideration of the promotion and protection of the rights of children, with many speakers highlighting the plight of children in situations of armed conflict.

The representative of Kyrgyzstan said that in today's world, characterized by a crisis of values and instability, children were more than ever exposed to brutal violence. The fundamental rights of children for life, education and health, were flagrantly violated by warring factions. With hatred, hostility and fear in their hearts and minds, the young victims of violence would never be able to secure the sustainable development of their countries.

The representative of Malaysia said children had been killed, maimed and psychologically traumatized as a result of being made combatants or accessories in conflicts, and the brutal consequences of such activities were clear. The networking of perpetrators had spread beyond national borders, in particular with the advent of new and more advanced communications and information technologies.

Statements on the rights of children were also made by India, Tunisia, Laos, Venezuela, Maldives, Turkey, Iran, Ecuador, Jordan, Israel and Qatar. The representatives of Eritrea and Ethiopia spoke in right of reply.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 23 October, to begin consideration of the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue its consideration of promotion and protection of the rights of children. It had before it reports of the Secretary-General on the Convention of the Rights of the Child and on the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Also before it was the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the protection of children affected in armed conflict. (For background information, see Press Releases GA/SHC/3479 and GA/SHC/3480 issued on 20 and 21 October, respectively.)

The Committee was also scheduled to hear the introduction of draft resolutions on the advancement of women and to take action on texts on crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control.

Drafts for Introduction

A draft resolution on traffic in women and girls (document A/C.3/53/L.10) would have the General Assembly urge Governments to continue their efforts to implement the provisions on trafficking in women and girls contained in the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights. Governments would also be called upon to take appropriate measures to address the root factors, including external factors, that encourage trafficking in women and girls for prostitution and other forms of commercialized sex, forced marriages and forced labour, so as to eliminate trafficking in women, including by strengthening existing legislation with a view to providing better protection of the rights of women and girls and to punishing perpetrators, through both criminal and civil measures.

Also by the draft, all Governments would be called upon to criminalize trafficking in women and girls in all its forms, to condemn and penalize all those offenders involved, including intermediaries, whether their offence was committed in their own or in a foreign country, while ensuring that the victims of those practices are not penalized, and to penalize persons in authority found guilty of sexually assaulting victims of trafficking in their custody. Concerned Governments would be urged, in cooperation with non-governmental organizations, to support and allocate resources for programmes to strengthen preventive action, in particular education and campaigns to increase public awareness of the issue at the national and grass-roots levels.

In addition, the Assembly would urge Governments to strengthen national programmes to combat trafficking in women and girls through sustained bilateral, regional and international cooperation, taking into account innovative approaches and best practices. Governments and organizations,

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including the private sector, would be invited to undertake collaborative and joint research and studies on traffic in women and girls which can serve as a basis for policy formulation or change.

The Assembly would reiterate its call upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in addressing the obstacles to the realization of the human rights of women, in particular through her contacts with the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, to include the traffic in women and girls among her priority concerns.

In the preambular part of the draft, the Assembly would express deep concern with the unabated use of new information technologies, including the Internet, for purposes of prostitution, child pornography, paedophilia, trafficking in women as brides, and sex tourism.

The text is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.

A draft resolution on traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls (document A/C.3/53/L.11) would have the Assembly welcome the report of the Secretary-General on that topic, which provides encouraging examples of national best practices and international cooperation. It would welcome the efforts undertaken by United Nations bodies, programmes and organizations, to address the issue of traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls, and encourages them to continue to coordinate their efforts.

The Assembly would emphasize the need for technical and financial assistance to developing countries working to achieve elimination of such practices from United Nations funds and programmes, international and regional financial institutions and bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as the need for assistance to non-governmental organizations and community-based groups.

States would be called upon to implement several measures, including the following: ratify relevant human rights treaties; develop and implement national legislation and policies prohibiting such practices; intensify efforts to raise awareness of and to mobilize international and national public opinion concerning the harmful effects of such practices; involve, among others, public opinion leaders, educators, religious leaders, chiefs, traditional leaders, medical practitioners, women's health and family planning organizations and the media in publicity campaigns, with a view to promoting a

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collective and individual awareness of the human rights of women and girls and of how harmful traditional or customary practices violate those rights.

In addition, the Commission on the Status of Women would be invited to address, at its next session, the subject of traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls, including female genital mutilation, during its review of the critical area of concern, "Women and health". Also, the Commission on Human Rights would be invited to address that subject at its next session, thus enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of those practices on women's human rights.

The Secretary-General would be requested to include information on the subject of traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls in the compilation of updated statistics and indicators on the situation of women and girls around the world, which he is requested to provide by the end of 1999, by issuing, for example, a volume of The World's Women.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

By a draft resolution sponsored by Norway on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (document A/C.3/53/L.12), the Assembly, expressing concern at the great number of reports overdue and that continue to be overdue, in particular initial reports, which constitute an obstacle to the full implementation of the Convention, would urge all States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so as soon as possible, so that universal ratification of the Convention can be achieved by the year 2000;

States would also be urged to limit the extent of any reservations they lodge to the Convention, to formulate any such reservations as precisely and as narrowly as possible, to ensure that no reservations are incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention or otherwise incompatible with international treaty law, to review their reservations regularly with a view to withdrawing them, and to withdraw reservations that are contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention or that are otherwise incompatible with international treaty law.

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The need to ensure adequate financing and staff support for the effective functioning of the Committee, including for the dissemination of information, would be emphasized. It would be stressed that a comprehensive and integrated approach to the promotion and protection of the human rights of women, including the integration of the human rights of women into the mainstream of United Nations system-wide activities, requires systematic, increased and sustained attention to and implementation of the general recommendations of the Committee, at the request of the General Assembly, throughout the United Nations system.

A draft resolution on the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (document A/C.3/53/L.13) would have the Assembly reaffirm the goal of 50/50 gender distribution by the year 2000 in all categories of posts within the United Nations system, especially at the D-1 level and above, with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution, in conformity with Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations, and also taking into account the continuing lack of representation or under-representation of women from certain countries, in particular from developing countries as well as countries with economies in transition. The Secretary-General would be called upon to implement fully and monitor the strategic plan of action for the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (1995-2000) in order to achieve the goal of 50/50 gender distribution by the year 2000, especially at the D-1 level and above. He would be requested to ensure that heads of departments and offices develop gender action plans which establish concrete strategies for the achievement of gender balance in individual departments and offices, with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution to ensure, as far as possible, that the appointment and promotion of women will be not less than 50 per cent until the goal of 50/50 gender distribution is met.

The Assembly would further request the Secretary-General to enable the Focal Point for Women in the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women to effectively monitor and facilitate progress in the implementation of the strategic plan, including by ensuring access to the information required to carry out that work. Member States would be strongly encouraged to support the efforts of the United Nations and the specialized agencies to achieve the goal of 50/50 gender distribution, especially at the D-1 level and above, by identifying and regularly submitting more women candidates for appointment to intergovernmental, judicial and expert bodies and encouraging more women to apply for positions within the Secretariat, the specialized agencies, funds and programmes, and the regional commissions, including in areas in which women are under-represented, such as peacekeeping, peace-building and other non-traditional areas.

The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan,

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Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, South Africa, Spain and Turkey.

Drafts for Action

A draft resolution sponsored by Nigeria, on behalf of the African States, on the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (document A/C.3/53/L.8) would have the Assembly bear in mind the urgent need to establish effective crime prevention strategies for Africa, as well as the importance of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary at the regional and subregional levels. The Assembly would commend the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders for its efforts to promote and coordinate regional technical cooperation activities.

By further terms of the draft, the Assembly would reiterate the need to strengthen the Institute's capacity to support national anti-crime mechanisms in African countries. It would urge the States members of the Institute to make every effort to meet their obligations to the Institute. The Assembly would appeal to all Member States and non-governmental organizations to adopt concrete practical measures to support the Institute in developing the requisite capacity and implement its programme and activities. It would also request the Secretary-General to intensify efforts to mobilize all relevant entities of the United Nations system to provide the necessary financial and technical support to the Institute.

The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General enhance regional cooperation, coordination and collaboration in the fight against crime, especially in its transnational dimension, which could not be adequately dealt with by national action alone. It would further request him to make concrete proposals to strengthen the programmes and activities of the Institute and to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session on the implementation of the present resolution.

A draft resolution on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/53/L.9) would have the Assembly reaffirm the importance of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme and its crucial role in promoting effective action to strengthen international cooperation in crime prevention and criminal justice, in responding to the needs of the international community in the face of both national and transnational criminality, and in assisting Member States in achieving the goals of preventing crime within and among States and improving the response to crime. The Secretary-General would be requested to strengthen further the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme by providing it with the resources necessary for the full implementation of its mandates.

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Further by the text, the Assembly would encourage ongoing efforts of the Centre for International Crime Prevention to obtain executing agency status with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). States and United Nations funding agencies would be called upon to make significant financial contributions for operational activities of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme. States would also be encouraged to make voluntary contributions for that purpose to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Trust Fund, taking also into account the activities required for the implementation of the Naples Political Declaration and Global Action Plan against Organized Transnational Crime.

In addition, States would be called upon to review funding policies for development assistance, so as to include crime prevention and criminal justice in such assistance. The Assembly would take note with appreciation of the contributions of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme to United Nations peacekeeping and special missions, as well as its contributions to the follow-up to those missions, including through advisory services, and would encourage the Secretary-General, as a way of strengthening the rule of law, to recommend the inclusion of the re-establishment and reform of judicial and criminal justice systems in peacekeeping operations.

The Executive Director of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention would be requested in the draft to continue to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, in particular in the areas of transnational organized crime and money laundering.

By other terms of the draft, the ad hoc committee of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for the purpose of elaborating a comprehensive international convention against transnational organized crime would be called upon to devote attention to the drafting of international instruments addressing trafficking in women and children, combating the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in fire arms, their parts and components and ammunition and illegal trafficking in and transporting of migrants, including by sea.

The draft is sponsored by Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Lithuania, Malta, Micronesia, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

A four-part resolution on international cooperation against the world drug problem (document A/C.3/53/L.7) would have the Assembly, in part I, reaffirm that the fight against the world drug problem was a common and shared responsibility which must be addressed in a multilateral setting, requiring an

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integrated and balanced approach. Also, that it must be carried out in full conformity with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, and particularly with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the principle of non-intervention in internal affairs of States, and all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Under part II, on international cooperation to counter the world drug problem, competent authorities at all levels would be urged to implement the outcome of the Assembly special session on the drug problem, within the agreed time-frames, in particular the high priority practical measures at all levels, as indicated in the Political Declaration, the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction, and the Measures to enhance international cooperation to counter the world drug problem, containing the Action Plan against Illicit Manufacture, Trafficking and Abuse of Amphetamine-type Stimulants and their Precursors, the Measures to prevent the illicit manufacture, import, export, trafficking and distribution of precursors used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Measures to promote judicial cooperation, the Measures to counter money laundering, and the Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of Illicit Drug Crops and Alternative Development.

Further by the draft, all States would be called upon to adopt effective measures, including national laws and regulations, to implement the mandates and recommendations of the Global Programme of Action. Governments and organizations would be urged to assist and support, upon request, transit States, and, in particular, developing countries in need of such assistance and support aimed at enhancing their capacity to fight illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Assembly would reaffirm that preventing the diversion of chemicals from legitimate commerce to illicit drug manufacture was an essential component of a comprehensive strategy against drug abuse and trafficking, and take note of the progress made in developing practical guidelines in that regard.

In addition, States would be called upon to adopt and implement measures to prevent the diversion of chemicals to illicit drug manufacture in accordance with the document on "Control of Precursors" adopted at the special session. States would also be called upon to adopt effective measures to stem the illicit trade in small arms, which, as a result of its close link to the illicit drug trade, was generating extremely high levels of crime and violence within the societies of some States, threatening the national security and economies of those States. The elaboration of an international convention against transnational organized crime by the year 2000, in the framework of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, would be noted. The importance of achieving the objectives of the United Nations Decade against Drug Abuse, 1991-2000, under the theme "A global response to a global challenge" by Member States, the United Nations International Drug Control Programme and the United Nations system would be reaffirmed.

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Part III of the draft resolution concerns action by the United Nations system. Under its provisions, the role of the Executive Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme in coordinating and providing effective leadership for all United Nations drug control activities so as to increase cost-effectiveness and ensure coherence of action, would be reaffirmed. The need to increase the efficiency of the United Nations System- wide Action Plan on Drug Abuse Control as a tool to promote the coordination and enhancement of drug abuse control activities within the United Nations system would be emphasized. Agencies, programmes and funds, including humanitarian organizations, would be urged to include action against the world drug problem in their programming and planning processes, in order to ensure that the integral and balanced strategy which emerged from the special session to counter together the world drug problem was being addressed.

Part IV, on the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, would have the Assembly request the United Nations International Drug Control Programme to strengthen cooperation with States and organizations, to provide, on request, assistance in implementing the outcome of the special session, which may include adjustment of national laws and policies, development of training programmes and the establishment of mechanisms for data collection and analysis. It would also be requested to continue the publication of the World Drug Report with comprehensive and balanced information about the world drug problem, and to seek additional extrabudgetary resources for its publication in all official languages.

The Assembly would urge all Governments to provide the fullest possible financial and political support to the Programme by widening its donor base and increasing voluntary contributions, in particular general-purpose contributions, to enable it to continue, expand and strengthen its operational and technical cooperation activities. It would urge the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) to increase efforts to implement all its mandates under international drug control conventions and to continue to cooperate with Governments, including by offering advice and technical support to Member States that request it.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic

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of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Statements

SURINDER SINGH (India) said the compelling need to focus on protecting children from particularly abhorrent violations of their rights should not distract the Committee from the formidable but less dramatic work of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in addressing the plight of children the world over. The work of the Fund underlined the role of development in the promotion of human rights in general and the rights of children in particular. The development dimension in promoting the rights of the child must never be lost sight of, not least because of the numbers of children affected by its negation.

He welcomed the pioneering work of the Olara Otunnu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. In particular, he welcomed the priority given to the need to ensure standards with regard to the age of recruitment of children in hostilities. By far the biggest culprits of under-age recruitment of children for participation in hostilities were generally not governments, but non-State actors such as armed rebel, insurgent or opposition groups. He also welcomed the insights into the nature of contemporary conflicts and the use of children as combatants that were contained in the Special Representative's report.

SMIRA BELHAJ (Tunisia) said her country was committed to the United Nations Charter and to all the resolutions and conventions on the rights of the child. Tunisia supported international options in that area. Tunisia had focused efforts on young people by creating structures for youth, women and children. The protection of those rights was based on the Constitution, which guaranteed the right of equality.

She said that the interests of children were guaranteed, in keeping with international standards. They were promoted in a balanced and unified society and were an essential factor for creating a better social future which guaranteed a better society. The World Health Organization (WHO) slogan "Health for all" was being applied by Tunisia.

The State had turned its attention to all stages of education, she said. There was free education for all children between the ages of 6 and 16, as well as vocational and social training. The Government of Tunisia, in cooperation with civil society, guaranteed the rights of children through sports, libraries and social clubs throughout the country.

KENTHONG NUANTHASING (Lao People's Democratic Republic) said his Government was deeply committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of children. Despite a lack of resources, various measures had been taken on

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both the national and international levels. Millions of children, however, continued to suffer as a result of socio-economic conditions, poverty, armed conflict, sexual exploitation, child labour and abuse, and famine.

Child labour was something that had been condoned in silence in the past, he said. The root cause of child labour was poverty, the solution to which should be included as an integral part of the national plan for poverty eradication. To that end, his country's Government had identified and developed a socio-economic programme focusing on, among other things, poverty eradication and education for all. It would focus particularly on children in rural areas.

As was known, his country experienced the heaviest aerial bombardment in world history, he said. From 1964 to 1973, more than two million tons of bombs had been dropped on his country. More than two decades after the end of the war, the deadly unexploded ordnances had killed and would continue to kill for many years, and children would be the main victims.

LYDA APONTE DE ZACKLIN (Venezuela) said that the daily violation of the rights of children was unacceptable. Venezuela was concerned about child prostitution and child pornography which had spread all over the world. Institutionalized and systematic cooperation were needed to support the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

She said that her country was concerned about the labour situation, especially in developing and least developed countries, and about unarmed conflicts which led children to silent but sure death. Venezuela had always been a firm defender of the rights of the child. Children were the future of mankind -- that was an absolute reality. Their concerns were also those of the entire international community. There was a need to give hope to all children so that they could go ahead to a better future.

HUSSAIN SHIHAB (Maldives) said it was unacceptable that more than 12 million children still died each year from such preventable causes as malnutrition. Every single day, more than a thousand children worldwide were infected with deadly viruses. Two million girls were at risk of physical or emotional abuse. Nearly 250 million of the world's children between the ages of 5 and 14 were working at day jobs for various reasons, many of them in extremely inhuman conditions. There was no reason why those children should suffer. It was not enough to say that they had been born into misery, poverty and the ravages of war. It was not correct to lay the blame on overpopulation. It was not true to say that there were not sufficient resources. It was probably much closer to the reality to lay the blame on gross inequalities in the use of the world's resources. It was perhaps even nearer the truth to blame wasteful expenditure on expensive armaments and other national vanities.

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He said that the Maldives had achieved generally benign conditions for its children. However, the country did have many pressing social problems, most of which were related to the social stresses arising from its rapid socio-economic development. A high rate of divorce, drug abuse and juvenile delinquency were matters for serious concern. A new family law, expected to be passed soon, would address many of those problems.

As a small, resource-poor country, Maldives was handicapped in its efforts to overcome its development challenges, he said. Given the wide dispersal of its population, the unit cost of its programmes and services was unusually high. To date, Maldives had worked closely with donor countries and agencies in raising living standards. Children had been major beneficiaries in that partnership, Neither those resources, nor those of the donors had been squandered.

It was not enough to pay lip service to children's rights, he said. There must be cooperation to overcome the developmental challenges. There was an ineluctable link between human rights and development. If the rights of the child were to be delivered, there must be immediate investment in those rights. Delay in that action would only aggravate the misery and pain. In a global village, one part could not prosper while another suffered.

AHMET ARDA (Turkey) said his country had been founded 75 years ago following a series of wars. The country's founders had had first-hand experience of the effects of war. Thus, they had tried to establish the means so that children would never have to experience its effects again. Throughout its history, children had enjoyed a privileged position in Turkish society. Turkey had extended free compulsory education to children from five to eight years of age as a step towards extending compulsory education to 12 years of age.

Government plans included the reduction of the number of students per classroom, improving sports infrastructures, expanding computer supported education to all schools and starting at least one foreign language from the fourth grade with the utilization of audio-visual language laboratories. The last two years of education would include civic and human rights courses.

All that required the mobilization of immense resources, which had been provided through voluntary contributions of individual citizens, institutions and the private sector, he said. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, among the greatest achievements of the United Nations, should not be a mere political declaration but an international tool in providing the necessary impetus for the benefit of children. But even in the Convention itself, the importance of international cooperation had been emphasized.

Turkey had supported two additional protocols to the Convention, he said. It hoped the working group on the draft optional protocol to the Convention dealing with the sale of children, child prostitution and child

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pornography would soon agree on a draft text. Additionally, it hoped the optional protocol relating to the involvement of children in armed conflict would be ready for adoption soon.

ESMAEIL AFSHARI (Iran) said that while he commended the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, he was confident that increasing its membership to 18 experts would enhance its efficiency in monitoring the implementation of the Convention. As a party to the Convention, Iran had embarked, through the Second Five Year Development Plan, on a series of initiatives. Since enactment of proper legislation for promoting the status of children played an essential role in their physical, mental and psychological development, certain legal measures had been adopted recently in his country. Among them were the creation of special courts to protect family, and modification of Article 1173 of the Civil Code in recognition of the mother's guardianship role. Although Iran welcomed the increased international attention being given to the sexual exploitation of children, it was concerned by the inadequacy of the current legal regime and response mechanisms which addressed such atrocities.

Iran was deeply worried about the increasing rate of child prostitution, sex tourism, baby trafficking and forced participation in armed conflicts, among other things, he said. Particularly worrisome were the damaging effects of armed conflict on Afghan children, who were the victims of continued hostilities and abhorrent treatment at the hands of the Taliban. There was an urgent need for a moral voice on behalf of those children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child called for the protection of children's rights to life, education, health, and other fundamental needs. Those provisions applied equally in times of armed conflict and peace. However, the value of those provisions was limited to the extent to which they were applied. Words on paper could not save children in peril. The international community had to ensure that those who targeted children did not continue to do so with impunity.

MONICA MARTINEZ (Ecuador) said that since 1996, there had been many changes with regard to children's rights in her country. In particular, Article 48 of Ecuador's Constitution articulated the obligation to promote the development of children and ensured the superior position of the interests of children in the country. In advancing the rights of children, the participation of all the community was necessary, and in Ecuador, many programmes had been implemented that included the State, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and families.

While there was poverty, minors -- and in particular girls -- would continue to suffer most, she said. Ecuador reaffirmed its commitment to fight against extreme poverty and to promote human rights, in particular the rights of the child. Ecuador had been the first Latin American country to join the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, as evidence of the value of the issue, the Government wanted to translate that national sentiment into

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concrete programmes. Ecuador endorsed the work of UNICEF. It also followed with interest the work of the Committee to monitor the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and advocated that children themselves participate in compiling the country reports that were submitted to the Committee.

ZAMIRA ESHMAMBETOVA (Kyrgyzstan) said that in today's world, characterized by a crisis of values and instability, children were more than ever exposed to brutal violence. The decision of the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative who would advocate and promote the prevention, protection and rehabilitation of children affected by armed conflicts was a timely and resolute action. The fundamental rights of children for life, education and health, were flagrantly violated by warring factions. The question of the protection of children's rights in armed conflicts should become a great concern in all relevant forums.

The means of "quiet diplomacy" aimed at preventing disputes from turning into conflicts should be enhanced, he said. It should also be remembered that children affected by war were a great source of uncertainty and instability. With hatred, hostility and fear in their hearts and minds, the victims of violence would never be able to secure the sustainable development of their countries. He applauded the statement by the President of the Security Council on children and armed conflict, and he urged the Council to keep the issue on the top of its agenda in future considerations. The Council should also keep the issue in mind when considering the dispatch of peacekeeping missions and the imposition of sanction regimes.

SAJA MAJALI (Jordan) said that as the world moved into the twenty-first century, the international community should make a solemn pledge to uphold and safeguard the rights of all children. A child's right to live did not mean to live just any kind of life. It entitled the child to safety, security and the fundamental right to childhood. Jordan deplored the violation of children's rights and dignity and condemned their commercial and sexual exploitation. Violence against children was deplorable in all its forms.

A number of steps had been taken in Jordan recently to combat domestic violence against women and children, he said. Two family units had been established in the Directorate of General Security and the Ministry of Interior to shelter and assist abused victims. Special seminars, training courses and workshops had been held to both raise awareness and to train police officers, doctors and nurses to treat victims immediately when they sought assistance. Since 1994, work had been in progress to formulate a framework for a new National Plan for the Family that would tackle that issue among others.

He said that it was heartbreaking that in more than 50 countries, millions of children were suffering in deplorable circumstances from the impact of armed conflict. It was with that in mind that Jordan extended its gratitude to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children

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in Armed Conflict for his report on the Protection of Children affected by armed conflict. Jordan strongly supported his efforts in raising national and international awareness of that issue, and followed with utmost concern his current and future endeavours.

Jordan had recently signed the Ottawa Convention against anti-personnel landmines and was fully committed to helping eliminate those inhumane weapons which had indiscriminate effects primarily on women and children, he said. Those weapons contravened international law because they were designed to injure rather than kill. They looked like toys and attracted the eyes and hands of small children. As the world celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the grave plight of millions of children who fell victim to poverty and war must be pondered.

ERELLA HADAR (Israel) said that beneath a patina of progress, there lay a dark and decadent picture of child abuse, sexual and economic slavery -- practices that been supported by those with economic means. In sharing the plight of the child, greater vigilance was needed to build a safety net for the fundamental rights of children in her country. To that end, the National Council for the Welfare of the Child, a non-governmental organization, had acted as a defence counsel for all children in Israel. The Council had some of the following objectives: the promotion of children's rights; the shaping of child welfare policy and introduction of new legislation; the examination of the scope and quality of services for children; and the prevention of attacks on children and their exploitation by adults.

The Council had made some outstanding achievements in legislation and in raising awareness, she said. Legislation included: amendments to the law on sexual offenses against minors outlawing the sale, distribution, and use of pornographic tapes involving children and prohibiting sexual abuse of minors overseas; and regulations prohibiting the interrogation of minors by private investigators without the presence of a parent. As for awareness, programmes had covered violence in schools, exploitation and deception of child modelling agencies and the effects and scope of accidents that befell children at home and outside. As a result of those programmes, appeals had increased from the Arab sector, by parents, professionals and even children.

As a leader in communications technology, Israel was no longer a stranger to the hazards posed by the media in promoting violence towards children, she said. The Council had begun campaigning against television shows, advertisements and computer software that encouraged violence. Those actions had become urgent in light of the surge in child pornography and exploitation that rode the wave of the Internet.

ALI AL-MARRI (Qatar) said his Government had been surprised by the Special Rapporteur's statement. Qatar's track record in human rights was excellent, as borne out by competent organizations. He firmly believed in the rights of the child. He said camel racing was a sport, just like horseback

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racing was elsewhere. The sport had clear rules and regulations. The Special Rapporteur should have cited the names of individuals and organizations involved in the activities identified.

RASTAM MOHD ISA (Malaysia) said immediate attention must be given to children involved in armed conflicts, and commended the report of the Special Representative. The report had exposed the stark reality facing children caught in conflict situations in at least 50 countries. In supporting the Special Representative's recommendations, his Government was strongly against the direct participation of children in armed conflicts. The brutal consequences of such activities were clear to all. Children had been killed, maimed and psychologically traumatized as a result of being made combatants or accessories in conflicts.

In that connection, Malaysia strongly supported the movement to raise the age limit for recruitment and participation of children in hostilities from 15 to 18 years, he said. His Government also condemned all forms of sexual exploitation of children including the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. At the national level, appropriate laws had long been enacted and enforced in Malaysia to deal with criminal activities. However, it recognized that the networking of the perpetrators had spread beyond national borders, in particular with the advent of new and more advanced communications and information technologies. Regional and international collaborative efforts were necessary to combat those activities.

Right of Reply

The representative of Eritrea said he was speaking in response to the wild and provocative charges that had been made by the representative of Ethiopia, and to refute the scurrilous remarks of that representative, who was trying to divert attention away from Ethiopia's own serious human rights violations.

He said his country was the victim of Ethiopian aggression. Ethiopia had attacked Eritrean defense forces, just as Pearl Harbour had been attacked. It had attacked at several points along their common border. Ethiopia had also announced to the world that it had effected a blockade of Eritrean ports. Such acts constituted acts of war. Were they not a declaration of war? he asked. Could Ethiopia deny that it was still threatening war unless Eritrea withdrew from areas that were within its own recognized borders? Ethiopia had mercilessly pounded the countryside and shelled the cities of Eritrea. Hundreds of mothers had lost up to five to seven children in attacks by Ethiopia.

The representative of Ethiopia said she would not dignify the representative of Eritrea's statements by replying in the same manner. He had the audacity to portray his country as a victim of aggression. That was a devious diversion of the truth. Who were they trying to delude? she asked.

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They should be advised to show respect for the intelligence of the international community. They had unleashed attacks on Ethiopia. In the bombing of an elementary school in June 1998, the air strikes had been premeditated, and carried out within a period of two hours. The first strike had been during classes, and the second had been while parents were rushing to take their children home.

The brutal attacks had been independently witnessed by international news media, she said. While reporting the atrocity, the media had said that the school had been targeted while children were in classes. At no time had the Eritrean Government shown any remorse for its crimes. When asked about their attacks, the President of Eritrea had replied that war had no rules. For the Eritrean Government, the Geneva Convention and other norms of international law were non-existent and inapplicable. The bombing had killed innocent children. Bombing schools could not be justified under any circumstances. The representative of Eritrea would be well advised to listen to the international community.

The representative of Eritrea said no wild charges would change reality. Only evidence would. Eritrea had pinpointed the charges. He asked Ethiopia to deny that its Prime Minister had declared war. Could it deny its blockade of Eritrean sea ports? could it bring concrete third party evidence about the bombing of children, or bring a written third party text attributing the odious statement made about the Eritrean President. He said he could, in fact, bring the text of an interview that had been carried by the British Broadcasting Corporation, in which the Ethiopian President said he had ordered preemptive attacks.

Yes, indeed, she could deny those charges, said the representative of Ethiopia. The statement made by the representative of Eritrea was a distortion of the facts. What her President had said was that, as Commander in Chief, he had ordered a retaliatory, not a pre-emptive strike. As for bombings, the Eritrean Government had admitted that one of its targets had been a pharmaceutical plant, an obvious civilian target. Among the victims had been an 18 month old baby and a pregnant woman. She said she could continue to expose the cruel and attacks on civilians. She did not know what third party the Eritrean representative had been talking about. The Organization of African Unity, which was a third party, had requested that the Eritrean Government withdraw from Ethiopian territory.

On a point of order, the representative of Eritrea asked whether this was a discussion of promotion of the rights of the child, or of other political issues that should be discussed elsewhere.

The Committee Chairman said the representative of Ethiopia could finish her point.

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The representative of Ethiopia said she had not been the one to start the discussion. The Organization of African Unity was a third party. They had said the disputed territory was Ethiopian, and that it had been occupied by Eritrea.

Introduction of drafts on advancement of women

LINGLINGAY LACANLALE (Philippines) introduced the draft resolution on traffic in women and girls (document A/C.3/53/L.10).

She said the following countries had joined as co-sponsors of the draft: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Georgia, Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Poland, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Vietnam.

She also made a revision to the fifth preambular paragraph, removing the word "and" from between the words "exploitation" and "sexual" in the second line. That line would now read "...economic exploitation, sexual exploitation through prostitution, as well as...".

JAN BERTELING (Netherlands) introduced the draft resolution on traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls (document A/C.3/53/L.11).

He said that Burkina Faso, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Hungary, Israel, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Nicaragua and Nigeria had joined as co-sponsors of the draft.

SUSAN ECKEY (Norway) introduced the draft resolution on behalf of the Nordic countries on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (document A/C.3/53/L.12).

She said the following countries were added as co-sponsors: Argentina, Bolivia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mongolia, Panama, Philippines, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, South Africa, Croatia, Zambia, Botswana, Greece, Bosnia, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Turkmenistan, Hungary, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Costa Rica, Congo, Malawi, France, Fiji, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Portugal, and Venezuela.

LEE KERR (Australia) introduced the draft resolution on the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (document A/C.3/53/L.13).

She said the following countries had joined as co-sponsors: the Democratic Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Botswana, Bahamas, Ethiopia, Sweden, Solomon Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Liechtenstein, Vietnam, Mongolia, San Marino, Turkmenistan, the Netherlands, Bosnia, France, Cameroon, Lithuania,

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Slovenia, United Kingdom, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Moldova, Trinidad and Tobago, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Micronesia, Singapore, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaica, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Bolivia, and Mozambique.

Action on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

The Committee took up the draft resolution previously introduced by Nigeria on the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (document A/C.3/53/L.8).

The representative of Nigeria noted the following revision to the draft. Operative Paragraph 6 should end with the word "Institute". Also the words "and, in particular, to provide the necessary financial and technical support" should be deleted.

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

The representative of the United States said that, as a result of the revision to Operative Paragraph 6, his country would join as a co-sponsor of the draft.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/53/L.9).

KATE STARR NEWELL, Committee Secretary, read the following oral revisions that had been made by the representative of Italy when he introduced the text:

In Operative Paragraph 7, the words "Expresses its appreciation to the civil society organizations, including non-governmental organizations", should be replaced with the words "Expresses its appreciation to non-governmental organizations and other relevant sectors of civil society";

In Operative Paragraph 13, in the fourth line of the English text, the words "the main text of the Convention, as well as of" should be inserted between the words "the drafting of" and "international instruments", so that the fourth line would read: "devote attention to the drafting of the main text of the Convention, as well as of international instruments".

She also brought to the attention of the Committee an editorial correction which should be made in Operative Paragraph 6. In that paragraph, reference should be to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund, and not "Trust Fund" as it appeared in the text.

The Chairman reminded delegates that, in addition to the sponsors listed in the document, the following delegations had been announced as sponsors when

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the draft resolution was introduced: Australia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malta and Sweden.

The representative of Italy noted the following additional co-sponsors: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Congo, Jamaica, Mongolia, Panama and Poland.

He also noted an additional amendment. To the fourth line of Operative Paragraph 13, he added the word "appropriate" before "international instruments" so that the line would read "...drafting of the main text of the Convention, as well as of appropriate international instruments..."

The following countries also joined as co-sponsors of the draft: Egypt, Solomon Islands, Guinea, Ethiopia, Bosnia, Botswana, Guyana, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Barbados and Liberia.

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

Action on International Drug Control

The Committee then took-up the draft resolution on international cooperation against the world drug problem (document A/C.3/53/L.7).

The Chairman reminded delegates that the following delegations had been announced as co-sponsors when the draft resolution had been introduced: Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia and Zambia.

The following countries then joined as co-sponsors of the text: Pakistan, Cameroon, San Marino, Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, Senegal, Israel, Vietnam, Solomon Islands, Nepal, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Lesotho, Liberia, Guyana, Botswana, Benin, Rwanda and Togo.

The draft resolution was approved without a vote.

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