SOCIAL COMMITTEE SEEKS STRENGTHENING OF UNITED NATIONS ROLE IN STATES ASKING FOR HELP IN ELECTORAL PROCESS
Press Release
GA/SHC/3567
SOCIAL COMMITTEE SEEKS STRENGTHENING OF UNITED NATIONS ROLE IN STATES ASKING FOR HELP IN ELECTORAL PROCESS
19991119Other Texts Urge Human Rights Reforms in Myanmar, Protection Of Aid Workers from Attack, Assistance to Unaccompanied Child Refugees
Action to strengthen the role of the United Nations in providing electoral assistance to requesting States is sought in a draft resolution approved by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning. The General Assembly would request that the United Nations ensure, before undertaking such assistance, that there was time for it to be carried out effectively, with conditions to allow a free and fair election.
The draft, approved by a vote of 141 in favour to none against with 12 abstentions, also asked the Secretary-General to provide the Electoral Assistance Division with adequate human and financial resources to allow it to carry out its mandate. The Secretary-General was also requested to continue to ensure that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is able to respond to the increasing number of requests from Member States for advisory services. (For details of vote, see Annex II).
A separate vote took place on operative paragraph eight of the draft, which requested the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to continue its programmes of assistance for governance. Some representatives argued that it was not within the mandate of UNDP to do so. The paragraph was approved by a recorded vote 120 in favour, none against with 27 abstentions. (See Annex I)
Statements on the draft were made by the representatives of Pakistan, Cuba and China.
By a draft resolution approved without a vote, on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, the Assembly would urge the Government to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and allow him to conduct a field mission. Also by the orally revised text, the Government of Myanmar would be strongly urged to release detained political leaders and political prisoners.
Third Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SHC/3567 53rd Meeting (AM) 19 November 1999
The representatives of Myanmar, the Netherlands, Canada and Japan made statements on the draft.
Another draft resolution, on unaccompanied refugee minors, was also approved without a vote. By the text Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, all United Nations organizations, other international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned, would be urged to take appropriate steps to mobilize resources commensurate with the needs and interests of unaccompanied refugee minors and for the reunification with their families. The importance of providing adequate resources for programmes of identification and tracing of those minors would be stressed.
By another draft resolution approved without a vote -- on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa -- the Assembly would urge States and all concerned to take all necessary measures to protect activities related to humanitarian assistance, to prevent attacks on and kidnapping of national and international humanitarian workers, and to ensure their safety and security. The Assembly would urge the international community to continue to fund generously the refugee programmes of the Office of the High Commissioner and, taking into account the substantially increased needs of programmes in Africa, to ensure that Africa receives an equitable share of resources designated for refugees.
Also this morning, a number of States expressed their views on whether to postpone taking action on a draft resolution entitled Human rights and cultural diversity. Discussion concerned the availability of a document containing amendments to the draft. Statements in that regard were made by the following: Iran, Algeria, Finland (on behalf of the European Union), Canada, Syria, Pakistan, China and Cuba. It was decided to postpone action on the draft until Monday 22 November.
The Committee meets again at 3 p.m. to continue to take action on draft resolutions.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to consider issues and resolutions before it and to take action on some drafts.
The Committee has before it the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (document A/54/18 and Add.1). It describes activities at its fifty-fourth session (1-19 March) and its fifty-fifth session (2-27 March). It contains an account of organizational and related matters and a listing of reports submitted by States parties. Annexes contain information on the status of the Convention, the agendas of the two meetings and listings of other documents and comments by States parties. An addendum to the report (document A/54/18/Add.1) - on programme budget implications -- is expected to be approved as part of the report.
The Committee also has before it the report of the Economic and Social Council (document A/C.3/54/L.100) containing the organization of work of the Third Committee and the draft biennial programme of work of the Committee for 2000-2001, which the Committee is expected to approve before the end of its current session.
The Committee has before it a draft resolution expected to be introduced, an addendum (document A/C.3/54/L.101) to a resolution on cultural diversity that is already before it and on which action is expected. The amendments refer to preambular changes for specificity, including the addition of mentioning the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, to be held in 2001. The amendments in the operative paragraphs would bring forward the emphasis on the role of States in the issue of human rights and cultural diversity, stressing the importance of taking account of that issue during the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations.
By terms of that 13-Power draft resolution on human rights and cultural diversity (document A/C.3/54/L.62), the Assembly would call upon States, international organizations, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the purpose of advancing the objectives of peace, development and universally accepted human rights, to recognize and respect cultural diversity and uphold the principle that all peoples and nations have the right to hold, develop and preserve their cultures.
The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Bahrain, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sudan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Among other draft resolutions before the Committee on which action is expected is a 28-Power draft on the follow-up to the regional conference on refugees, displaced persons and related persons in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (document A/C.3/54/L.91), the Assembly would endorse the broad consensus reached by the steering group of the Conference that implementation of the Programme of Action be continued and that follow-up after the year 2000 should be considered. It would invite steps by those concerned to continue implementation activities, welcoming the progress made in building civil society in the area and emphasizing the need to fulfil recommendations of the Programme of Action relating to ensuring human rights as an important factor in managing migration flows and consolidating democracy, the rule of law and stability.
The draft is sponsored by Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom and United States.
A draft resolution on assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors (document A/C.3/54/L.94) would have the Assembly express its deep concern at their continued plight, and emphasize once again the urgent need for their early identification and for timely, detailed and accurate information on their number and whereabouts. It would call upon the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in cooperation with other relevant United Nations bodies, to pursue policies aimed at preventing refugee family separation, conscious of the importance of family unity.
Further, the Assembly would call upon all States and other parties to armed conflict to respect international humanitarian law. It would also call upon States parties to respect fully the provisions of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and related instruments, and to respect the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which accord children affected by armed conflict special protection and treatment.
Also by the draft, the Assembly would condemn all acts of exploitation of unaccompanied refugee minors, including their use as soldiers or human shields in armed conflict and their forced recruitment into military forces, and any other acts that endanger their safety and personal security. It would call upon the Secretary-General, the UNHCR, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), other United Nations organizations and other international organizations to mobilize adequate assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors in the areas of relief, education, health and psychological rehabilitation.
The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guinea, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Turkey and Yemen.
Also before the Committee is a draft resolution on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/54/L.95), sponsored by Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
By the terms of the draft, the General Assembly would condemn all acts that pose a threat to the personal security and well-being of refugees and asylum- seekers, such as refoulement, unlawful expulsion and physical attacks, and calls upon all States of refuge, in cooperation with international organizations where appropriate, to take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the principles of refugee protection, including the humane treatment of asylum-seekers.
It would call upon all States to promote conditions conducive to the voluntary repatriation of refugees in safety and with dignity, including conditions furthering reconciliation and long-term development in countries of return, and to support the sustainable reintegration of returnees by providing countries of origin with necessary rehabilitation and development assistance in conjunction, as appropriate, with the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant development agencies.
Further, it would urge the Office of the High Commissioner to strengthen its cooperation and coordination with relevant entities, including international financial institutions and NGOs.
By the same text, the Assembly would call upon States to adopt an approach that is sensitive to gender-related concerns and to ensure that women whose claims to refugee status are based upon a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons enumerated in the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol -- including persecution through sexual violence or other gender-related persecution -- are recognized as refugees, and would encourage the Office of the High Commissioner to continue and to strengthen its efforts for the protection of refugee women.
The Assembly would also call upon Governments and other donors to demonstrate their international solidarity and burden-sharing with countries of asylum, in particular developing countries, countries with economies in transition and countries with limited resources that, owing to their location, host large numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers. It would stress the need for the Office of the High Commissioner to be given adequate resources to fulfil its mandated functions and, in this regard, call on Governments to contribute generously to the unified annual programme budget of the Office of the High Commissioner, to support efforts to widen the donor base so as to achieve greater burden-sharing among donors, and to assist the High Commissioner in securing additional and timely income from traditional governmental sources, other governments and the private sector to ensure that the needs of persons of concern to the Office of the High Commissioner are fully met.
By the terms of a draft sponsored by Algeria, on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa (document A/C.3/54/L.99), the General Assembly would urge States and all other actors to take all necessary measures to protect activities related to humanitarian assistance, to prevent attacks on and kidnapping of national and international humanitarian workers, and to ensure their safety and security. Also, the international community would be asked to respond positively, in the spirit of solidarity and burden-sharing, to the third-country resettlement requests of African refugees. The text notes with appreciation that some African countries have offered resettlement places for refugees.
Also by the terms of the draft, the Assembly would urge the international community, in a spirit of international solidarity and burden-sharing, to continue to fund generously the refugee programmes of the Office of the High Commissioner and, taking into account the substantially increased needs of programmes in Africa, to ensure that Africa gets a fair and equitable share of the resources designated for refugees.
By a draft resolution on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights (document A/C.3/54/L.71/Rev.1), the Assembly would underline the need to analyze the consequences of globalization for the full enjoyment of all human rights. Also, it would request the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights. The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, China, Comoros, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.
By a draft on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/54/L.79), sponsored by South Africa, on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, and China, the Assembly would urge all States to refrain from adopting or implementing unilateral measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter. It would reject unilateral coercive measures with all their extra- territorial effects as tools for political or economic pressure against any country. It would urge the Commission on Human Rights to take fully into account the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures in its task of implementing the right to development, requesting the High Commissioner for Human Rights to give priority to the resolution in her annual report.
Another draft resolution before the Committee is 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.3/54/L.83). The General Assembly would ask that the United Nations continue its efforts to ensure that conditions exist to allow free and fair elections in requesting States and that provisions can be made for adequate and comprehensive reporting of the results. The Secretary-General would be requested to take further steps to support States that request assistance by enabling the Office of the UNHCR to support democratization activities related to human rights concerns, including human rights training and education. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would be requested to continue its commendable programmes of assistance for governance, in cooperation with other relevant organizations and institutions, in particular those for strengthening democratic institutions and participation and linkages between concerned sectors of society and governments.
That text is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela and Zambia.
A draft on enhancing international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/54/L.84) would have the Assembly call on the United Nations system and intergovernmental organizations to carry out inter-cultural dialogue as a salient part of the dialogue among civilizations and to continue consultations to enhance understanding and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, encouraging NGOs to contribute. The draft is sponsored by South Africa and China, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
A draft text on the right to development (document A/C.3/54/L.85) would have the General Assembly express deep concern that the gap between the developed and developing countries remained unacceptably wide. It would urge States to eliminate all obstacles to development at all levels by such measures as the promotion and protection of all rights and by such actions as implementing comprehensive development programmes at the national level, integrating them into development activities, and promoting international cooperation. Recommending proper consideration of the humanitarian effects of sanctions, it would stress the need for the Secretary-General to give high priority to the right to development, urging all States to promote it as a vital element in a balanced human rights programme. Finally, it would urge States, the Secretary-General and the United Nations system to fully support the follow-up mechanism for implementing the right to development. The draft is sponsored by South Africa on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and China.
By terms of a draft introduced by the Chairman on the question of human rights in Afghanistan (document A/C.3/54/L.58), the Assembly would strongly condemn the mass killings and systematic human rights violations against civilians and prisoners of war in areas of Mazar-e-Sharif and Bamyan, noting with alarm the resumption by the Taliban of a wider conflict resulting in massive, forced displacement of the civilian population. The Assembly would condemn the widespread violations and abuses of civil rights and humanitarian law. It would reiterate its condemnation of the killing of Iranian diplomats and correspondents of the Islamic Republic News Agency, as well as attacks on United Nations personnel in Taliban- held territories. The Assembly would note with deep concern the sharp deterioration of the humanitarian situation and would urge all States to respect the sovereignty and national unity of Afghanistan, and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs, as well as to end the supply of arms or military support of any kind to parties in the conflict.
Further, the Assembly would urge all the Afghan parties to take such actions as to respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, to cease hostilities immediately, to provide remedies to victims and to treat all detainees in accordance with international instruments. It would demand that they fulfil their obligations regarding the safety of all humanitarian and diplomatic personnel, urging especially the Taliban to end violations of human rights against women and girls, and take other urgent measures ensuring their human rights.
By a draft on the human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/54/L.60), the Assembly would strongly condemn the systematic and extremely grave violations of human rights in Iraq resulting in an all-pervasive repression sustained by widespread terror. It would also strongly condemn the suppression of freedoms, the widespread use of the death penalty, summary and arbitrary executions and widespread, systematic torture. It would call upon the Government to correct those violations and to abide by obligations under human rights treaties, including by bringing security forces into conformity with international standards; by cooperating with United Nations mechanisms, particularly by receiving a return visit by the Special Rapporteur; by establishing independence of the judiciary; by respecting the rights of all ethnic and religious groups as well as by cooperating with the Tripartite Commission concerning missing persons; and finally, by continuing to cooperate in implementing Security Council resolutions to ensure the equitable distribution of humanitarian supplies purchased under the oil-for-food programme.
The draft was first sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.
A draft text, sponsored by the Russian Federation, on the human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/54/L.92), would amend the draft introduced earlier (document A/C.3/54/L.60) by adding a note to the sixth preambular paragraph concerning the effect of sanctions and blockades.
By terms of a 20-Power draft on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (document A/C.3/54/L.63), the Assembly would welcome numerous improvements, including two visits this year by the Special Rapporteur; activities of the Human Rights Field Office; the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement of 10 July, signed by all parties as at 31 August; the appointment by the Secretary-General of a Special Envoy for the peace process and of a Human Rights Minister by the Democratic Republic, along with the Government's commitment to cooperate in demobilizing and reintegrating child soldiers into society.
The Assembly would express its concern at the adverse impact of continuing conflict and the preoccupying situation of human rights in the eastern part of the country, along with violations of rights throughout it, including through massacres, summary or arbitrary executions and the trial of civilians and the imposition of the death penalty by the Military Court. Also of concern would be the excess of small arms and the persecution of human rights defenders and their organizations.
By the draft, the Assembly would also urge all parties to the conflict to implement the Lusaka Agreement and to re-establish the authority of the Government, stressing the need for all Congolese to engage in an all-inclusive political dialogue, with a view towards national reconciliation and democratic elections. It would urge those same parties to protect human rights and respect humanitarian law; to ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel; to cease all military activity and end violations of human rights, making sure there was no impunity for offenders; and to cooperate with the National Commission of Inquiry and all others concerned in investigating alleged massacres of refugees.
Finally, the Assembly would call upon the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take steps to protect its people and promote the democratic process through such actions as complying with obligations under human rights commitments, upholding its commitment to reform and restoration of the judicial system, ending impunity and cooperating fully with the International Criminal Tribunal.
The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
By terms of a draft on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/C3/54/L.76), the Assembly would urge the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and allow him to conduct a field mission. It would deplore the continuing violations of human rights in Myanmar and express grave concern at the increased repression of public political activity and at arbitrary detention and arrest of those exercising freedoms of expression. It would strongly urge the Government to release detained political leaders and political prisoners, expressing grave concern at the escalating persecution of the democratic opposition. It would strongly urge Myanmar, taking into account assurances given by it on various occasions, to take steps towards restoring democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the 1990 democratic elections.
By the draft, the Assembly would also note with grave concern that the Government of Myanmar had failed to review its legislation, and would strongly urge it to cease the widespread and systematic use of forced labour and to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry of the International Labour Organization regarding implementing the Forced Labour Convention of 1930. It would deplore the continued violations of human rights, in particular, those directed against persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities and would deplore the continuing violations of women's human rights. It would urge the Government to end the enforced displacement of persons, and other causes of refugee flows to neighbouring countries, and would strongly urge it to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The draft was originally sponsored by Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.
By the terms of a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Kosovo (document A/C.3/54/L.82), the Assembly would demand that the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) provide an updated list of all persons detained and transferred from Kosovo to other parts of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, specifying the charge, if any, under which each individual is detained. It further demands of that Government that it guarantee to the families of those detained and to NGOs and international observers unimpeded and regular access to those who remain in detention and release all individuals detained and transferred from Kosovo before July 1999, in violation of international humanitarian and human rights standards. It would also demand that Kosovo Albanian leaders provide an updated list of all persons detained and held against their will in Kosovo.
The Assembly would stress the importance, and the responsibility of all parties, of creating a secure environment in Kosovo to allow refugees and displaced persons to return, and to allow all those wishing to remain in Kosovo a genuine possibility to do so, irrespective of ethnic origin. Also, all parties involved in Kosovo would be urged to support the efforts of the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) to ensure that all children in Kosovo return to school as soon as possible and to contribute to the rebuilding and repair of schools destroyed or damaged during the conflict in Kosovo.
The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States. The following also became sponsors:
Another draft submitted by the Russian Federation (document A/C.3/54/L.97) would amend the draft on the human rights situation in Kosovo (document A/C.3/54/L.82). The title of the Kosovo draft would be amended to read, "The situation of human rights in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia". Also a second preambular paragraph, reaffirming commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and other States, would be added.
By an eight-Power draft on the situation of human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (document A/C.3/54/L.86), the Assembly would urge all States and parties to the Peace Agreement to meet their obligations to cooperate fully with the International Tribunal for the prosecution of persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law in the territory since 1991.
Part I of the draft, on Bosnia and Herzegovina, would acknowledge progress but would condemn, in the strongest terms, the complicity by local governments in perpetrating violence against minority refugees and internally displaced persons returning to their homes, and in the destruction of their homes, including acts of intimidation. It would urge the authorities to ensure full and free access to their territories to all institutions and organizations concerned with implementing the present resolution, stressing the importance of implementing the proposed programme for judicial reform. It would note the importance of the work of the human rights ombudsman while condemning recurrent instances of religious discrimination and the denial to religious minorities of their rights to reclaim their religious sites. It would also express concern that trafficking in women was a growing problem.
By Part II of the text, on the Republic of Croatia, the Assembly would note and welcome initiatives to improve the situation of human rights. It would express deep concern, however, about Government commitments to improve freedom of the press remaining unfulfilled, and about reports of an extensive wiretapping campaign against the independent media and opposition political figures.
By Part III of the draft, on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the Assembly would strongly condemn the presence of indicted war criminals in the hierarchy of the Government and would demand that the Government hand them over to the Tribunal. It would make other demands for the Government to bring about justice, such measures as ending illegal detentions and institutionalizing democratic norms. It would denounce the Government for its legal and physical intimidation of peaceful political opposition activities and of individuals expressing differing views from the Government. Finally, it would insist that the Government support activities of the international community and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo to rebuild and facilitate the multi-ethnic society in Kosovo.
The draft resolution is sponsored by Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Djibouti, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Turkey and United States.
A draft resolution sponsored by the Russian Federation (document A/C.3/54/L.96) would amend the draft on human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina (document A/C.3/54/L.86). By the amendment, a preambular paragraph would be added to the original text, to reaffirm the territorial integrity of States in the region.
A draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Rwanda (document A/C.3/54/L.87/Rev.1) would have the Assembly express concern that most perpetrators of the genocide and other gross violations of human rights continued to evade justice. It would also express concern that, despite an arms embargo, the militias and former members of the armed forces continued to receive military, financial and logistic support. It called on the international community to take urgent measures to enable disarmament of those groups in accordance with the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement.
It would express continuing concern for the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Rwanda and would urge the Government, and invite the International Tribunal for Rwanda, to prosecute and punish crimes of sexual violence against women during the 1994 genocide. It would reiterate its appeal to the international community to provide financial and technical assistance to Rwanda.
It would welcome numerous steps taken by the Government in its efforts to build a State based on the rule of law and encourage further such actions. It would reiterate its concern at the conditions in many communal detention centres and some prisons, and would urge the Government to ensure that civil defence patrols in the north-west part of the country were properly controlled and held accountable for their actions. The draft is sponsored by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and United States.
By a 17-power draft on the situation of human rights in the Sudan (document A/C.3/54/L/81) the Assembly would express concern at the impact of the current armed conflict on the situation of human rights and civilian population, particularly women and children. It would also urge all parties to the conflict in Sudan to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and international humanitarian law; to stop the use of weapons, including landmines, against civilian populations; to grant access to international agencies and humanitarian organizations in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all civilians in need; to continue to cooperate with the peace efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development; to prohibit the use of recruitment of children under the age of eighteen, and to fulfil their commitment to the protection of war-affected children; and to allow for an independent investigation of the case of four Sudanese nationals who were abducted on 18 February 1999 while traveling with the International Committee of the Red Cross and subsequently killed while under the custody of the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement/Army.
The Assembly would also call upon the Government of Sudan to comply with its obligations under international human rights instruments, to investigate the abduction of women and children taking place within the framework of the conflict in southern Sudan, and to stop the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of civilian and humanitarian targets.
The text is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moracco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom. The Committee also had before it a draft containing amendments (document A/C.3/54/L.93) to the resolution on the human rights situation in the Sudan (document A/C.3/54/L.81). Sponsored by Sudan, the amendments would insert preambular paragraphs recalling the Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration on the Right to Development. It would also add language referring to the bombing of the El-Shifa pharmaceutical factory.
Action on Draft Resolutions
The Committee took up the draft on Assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors (document A/C.3/54/L.94). Libya and Burundi joined in sponsoring that draft.
The Committee approved that draft without a vote.
Next, the Committee took up the draft on Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa (document A/C.3/54/L.99). The draft was sponsored by Algeria, on behalf of the Group of African States. The following countries joined as co-sponsors: Croatia, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Colombia, Yemen, Bangladesh, United States, Portugal, Venezuela, Chile, Jamaica, Haiti, Suriname and the Republic of Korea.
The representative of Algeria made additional oral revisions to the draft. In operative paragraph 3, the words of the thirtieth anniversary should be added after 1999. Also, in operative paragraph 4, the sequence of the words observe scrupulously should be inverted.
The Committee approved that orally revised draft without a vote.
Next, the Chairman, VLADIMIR GALUSKA (Czech Republic), announced that a request had been made to postpone action on the draft resolution Human rights and cultural diversity (document A/C.3/54/L.62).
The representative of Iran said, as the main sponsor of that draft, he had not requested for a closure to any debate. He asked that consideration of action on the draft proceed according to schedule.
The CHAIRMAN suspended the meeting for consultations among members.
When the meeting resumed, the representative of Iran asked for the names of the delegates who had asked for a postponement in consideration of draft resolution L.62. The CHAIRMAN replied that the representatives of Finland and Algeria had asked for the postponement.
The representative of Iran said he and the co-sponsors were shocked at the unexpected situation that had occurred. They had not seen the document A/C.3/54/L.101 until this morning. It should have been circulated in advance for consideration, given the length and substantive nature of the amendments, which changed the nature of the draft A/C.3/54/L.62. The amendments were too long and too substantive to be considered at the same time as the draft resolution.
He said the co-sponsors agreed to the postponement of consideration of draft A/C.3/54/L.62 until Monday, and the Committee so decided.
The representative of Algeria said she regretted the incidents that had occurred this morning. Her delegation had never asked that the draft be postponed, and was surprised to be named along with the delegation of Finland. She deeply regretted the manner of proceeding that had taken place, and its lack of transparency. Draft amendments should be presented in advance and in a transparent manner and not at the last minute.
The representative of Finland said that he had met with the main sponsor of the draft since last Wednesday to discuss the objective of the resolution. He had informed the main sponsor of his intention to formally submit the amendments in time. This morning, he had only inquired about the status of that text and was told that others had requested a postponement.
The representative of Canada said that it had been appropriate for Finland to table the amendments, and his delegation would like to join as co-sponsor of them.
The representative of Syria said that he supported what had been said by Iran and Algeria. It was unfortunate that the amendments were presented at the last minute. He hoped that the situation would not be repeated in the future in the Committee.
The representative of Pakistan said the only lesson to be learned following todays events was that total transparency was needed in the Committees work. Consultations should be open-ended and transparent.
The representative of China said he had found some problems with transparency in the Committees handling of the draft. The text had been scheduled to be acted upon on Wednesday and had been deferred to Thursday. Today, it had been postponed once again. As one of the co-sponsors, he had not been aware that there were delegations requesting a postponement.
The representative of Cuba said that as co-sponsor of the draft resolution, she did not see any problem in principle with the postponement. Considering what had happened today, it would be better for all delegations to have more time to consider the texts. She also had not been aware that there were delegations which sought a postponement.
The Committee then 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 contained in document A/C.3/54/L.83. Croatia, Liechtenstein, Eritrea, Panama, Republic of Moldova, Brazil, Togo, Cameroon, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Congo, Costa Rica, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Belarus had joined as co-sponsors a the text.
The representative of Pakistan said that operative paragraph 8 of the draft spoke about the role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with regard to governance assistance. He believed that all the organizations and programmes must work within their given mandates. He did not believe that the UNDP should start working in the area of governance assistance. Thus, he asked for a separate vote on operative paragraph 8.
The CHAIRMAN said that the separate vote on paragraph 8 would take place in accordance with rule 128 of the rules of procedure.
Speaking before the vote, the representative of Cuba said the manner in which assistance would be provided went against the United Nations Charter and international law. Only States themselves could determine their electoral process and must determine if they needed assistance. The United Nations must coordinate assistance only when requested by States to do so. It was unfortunate that the UNDP was being given a role in that area, as stated in operative paragraph 8, which went against its main function. Also, the guidelines on electoral assistance in operative paragraph 2 had not been approved by Member States. Further, the sixth preambular paragraph was the result of non-transparent negotiations during the Commission on Human Rights. The promotion of democracy should be based on the full respect of the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their affairs. Cuba could not vote in favour or accept a consensus on the text.
The representative of China said he had reservations on the sixth preambular paragraph. He was not in favour of incorporating the resolution mentioned in that paragraph in the draft resolution. China supported the relevant United Nations agencies in providing electoral assistance to Member States within their mandate. An election, by its very nature, was an internal affair of each country. Any assistance should be provided, based on the request of States, while respecting the principles of sovereignty and non-interference. Assistance should not become a vehicle for imposing a particular model of governance. He would abstain on the votes on both operative paragraph 8 and the text as a whole.
The representative of Singapore said her delegation was in fact not one of the co-sponsors of the text.
The Committee approved operative paragraph 8 by a vote of 120 in favour to none against, with 27 abstentions. (For details of vote, see Annex I.)
Next, the Committee approved draft resolution A/C.3/54/L.83 as a whole, as orally amended, by a vote of 141 in favour to none against, with 12 abstentions (see Annex II).
Next, the Committee took up the draft resolution on the Situation on human rights in Myanmar (document A/C.3/54/L.76). The following countries added their sponsorship to that draft: Finland, Iceland, Malta and the Republic of Korea.
The Committee approved the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.
WIN MRA (Myanmar) said the draft accentuated the negative elements of the situation in his country, while ignoring positive aspects. It was based on second- hand sources which were invariably those bearing ill-will towards the Government and the people of Myanmar. Some of the allegations in the draft had already been refuted by his Government.
He said the National Convention process was the only forum for the evolving of a democratic system where all ethnic nationalities, political parties, legal experts and the military, among others, participated in a comprehensive political dialogue. The National League for Democracy was also participating in the process until November 1995, when it unilaterally decided to withdraw from the National Convention and took a collision course with the Government, taking a series of disruptive and highly dangerous steps to hinder the peaceful and systemic process towards democracy. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had threatened the Government with utter devastation. The grave concern expressed in the draft over the alleged persecution of the National League for Democracy and its members was misleading; the resignations of League members from their party positions were decisions of their own; his Government had not intimidated them at all. He said, I wish to inform the Committee that Daw Aung San Suu Kyis confrontational policy has bred a strong sense of resentment among the people who have to suffer as a consequence, and she is no longer regarded as a reliable politician in my country.
He said his Government had reviewed its legislation to bring labour laws in line with the Forced Labour Convention. The text of the draft undermined his Governments decisive legal actions in that regard. Also, its allegations of the use of children as forced labour and violations of the human rights of women were an outrage against the collective conscience of his country. Myanmar was party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. He said difficulties and hardship in the economic and social lives of the people had been lessened. Population movements were due to the armed insurgents and their wanton and widespread atrocities in border areas. The draft was politically motivated, and highly negative.
The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, without a vote.
The representative of the Netherlands said the draft resolution did not address fully the situation in Myanmar on the ground. Stronger language and more details on the situation of the human rights violations were necessary. Also, ongoing violations of the rights of the child should have been more clearly indicated. Concrete steps to improve the internal situation in that country had not taken place.
The representative of Canada said a greater sense of urgency in the language of the draft would have been more appropriate.
The representative of Japan welcomed the approval of the draft. He said it expressed concern with regard to the human rights situation, while recognizing developments. It was not aimed at isolating Myanmar from the international community, but to encourage it to continue with steps to improve the human rights situation. He hoped the visit of the International Labour Organization (ILO) would take place soon.
(ANNEXES FOLLOW) ANNEX I
Vote on Operative Paragraph in Draft on United Nations Role in Elections
Operative paragraph 8 -- relating to UNDP -- of the draft resolution on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the principle of genuine elections and the process of democratization (document A/C.3/54/83) was approved by a recorded vote of 120 in favour to none against, with 27 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania,. Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United Arab emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstain: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Viet Nam and Yemen.
Absent: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Iran, Kiribati, Lebanon, Lesotho, Morocco, Nauru, Palau, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
(END OF ANNEX I) ANNEX II
Vote on United Nations role in electoral process
The draft resolution on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the principle of genuine elections and the process of democratization (document A/C.3/54/L.83) was approved by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 0 against, with 12 abstentions:
In favour: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d=ðIvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Ab