COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO HOLD ITS FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION AT THE PALAIS DES NATIONS FROM 20 MARCH TO 28 APRIL 2000

Press Release
HR/CN/979

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO HOLD ITS FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION AT THE PALAIS DES NATIONS FROM 20 MARCH TO 28 APRIL 2000

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 15 March (UN Information Service) -- The Commission on Human Rights will hold its fifty-sixth session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 20 March to 28 April 2000.

The Commission is the United Nations' principal human rights organ. Created in 1946 by the Economic and Social Council and made up of 53 Member States, the Commission carries out studies, prepares recommendations and elaborates draft international instruments on human rights. It also looks into allegations of violations of human rights.

The first week of the session will be devoted to a general debate in which a large number of ministers, dignitaries and other guests of honour will participate.

As in previous years, the Commission will hold a debate on the question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world. Under that item, the Commission will consider reports presented by its Special Rapporteurs, Special Representatives, Independent Experts or by the Secretary- General on the situation of human rights around the world, including Afghanistan, Burundi, the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, southern Lebanon and west Bekaa, East Timor and Cyprus. It will also take up the question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine.

Under its agenda item on advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights, the Commission will also consider the situation in Cambodia, Haiti, Somalia and Chad. The state of human rights in Colombia is taken up under the Commission's agenda item on the organization of the work of the session. In response to a demand by the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights at its previous session, held in August 1999, the Commission will take up the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Republic of Congo. At the same time, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the thematic mechanisms of the Commission will draw the attention of the Commission to situations in other countries and regions which they study within the framework of their respective mandates.

The Commission will also be examining issues related to racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, mainly in the framework of preparations for the World Conference against Racism which will be held in South Africa in 2001. In this context, a round table will be held on 21 March on the occasion of the International Day Against Racism. The Commission’s session will be followed by the first preparatory meeting for the World Conference against Racism.

Under its agenda item on specific groups and individuals, the Commission, for the first time, will consider a report by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, the only new mandate created by the Commission last year. It will also take up questions related to minorities and indigenous populations.

The Commission will continue to pay attention to questions related to civil and political rights and it will have before it reports by its thematic mechanisms which were created to examine questions related to religious intolerance, freedom of expression, torture and detention, independence of the judiciary, administration of justice and impunity, as well as disappearances and summary executions.

The Commission will also consider economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development, especially concerning human rights and economic adjustment policies arising from foreign debt, effects of structural adjustment policies, the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes, the right to education and extreme poverty.

Under its item on the integration of the human rights of women and the gender perspective, the Commission will discuss problems related to violence against women, trafficking in women and girls and integrating the human rights of women into the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations.

Within the framework of its agenda item on the rights of the child, the Commission will consider the draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The draft was adopted by consensus by the Working Group which was charged with elaborating it.

Other issues which will be studied by the Commission include follow-up to the implementation of the Declaration on Human Right Defenders; and fundamental standards of humanity.

Items to be Examined

Under its agenda item Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, the Commission will have before it the report of the High Commissioner for human rights (E/CN.4/2000/27) on the situation of human rights in East Timor. It is recalled that at its Special Session on East Timor, held in September 1999, the Commission in resolution S- 4/1 called on the Secretary-General to establish an international commission of inquiry to gather and compile systematically information on possible violations of human rights and acts. It also decided to request the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to carry out missions to East Timor (A/54/660). An international commission of enquiry carried out a mission to East Timor in November 1999. The Commission will also have before it notes by the Secretariat (E/CN.4/2000/44 and E/CN.4/2000/45).

Concerning the situation of Human Rights in Kosovo, the Commission last year asked the High Commissioner for Human Rights to present a report on the situation there. At its present session, the Commission will have before it the reports of the High Commissioner (E/CN.4/2000/7, E/CN.4/2000/10 and E/CN.4/2000/32). The High Commissioner visited the region to see for herself the result of the Kosovo crisis in May 1999. She visited Kosovo briefly in July 1999. Under this sub-item, the Commission will also consider the report of Jiri Dienstbier, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (E/CN.4/2000/39). Mr. Dienstbier also visited Kosovo in July for five days. The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Asma Jahangir, in May visited the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania to gather firsthand information on the situation in Kosovo. An addendum to her report to the Commission is devoted to this visit (E/CN.4/2000/3/Add.2).

In its resolution 1999/2 on Kosovo, the Commission, among other things, condemned strongly the widespread and systematic practice of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the Belgrade and Serbian authorities against the Kosovars and demanded an immediate halt to all repressive actions by the Serbian authorities which had led to further ethnic cleansing in the region, massive criminal violations of international human rights and mass forced exoduses.

The Commission will have before it a note by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Sierra Leone (E/CN.4/2000/31). In its resolution 1999/1, the Commission decided to discontinue consideration of the situation in Sierra Leone in closed meetings under Economic and Social Council resolution 1503. It also expressed alarm at the reports of the Secretary-General which disclosed horrifying violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

The Commission will consider the situation of human rights in Cuba. In its resolution 1999/8, the Commission, among other things, called upon the Government to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion, and reiterated its concern about the continued repression of members of the political opposition and about the detention of dissidents.

With regards to the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, the Commission will consider a report from Kamal Hossain, the Special Rapporteur on this matter (E/CN.4/2000/33). In its resolution 1999/9, the Commission, among other things, condemned the widespread violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law as well as the continuing grave violations of the human rights of women and girls and the frequent practice of arbitrary arrest and detention and of summary trials.

The Commission will have before it a report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Marie-Thérèse Kéita-Bocoum (E/CN.4/2000/34). In its resolution 1999/10, the Commission, among other things, urged all parties to the conflict to end the cycle of violence and killings, especially blind violence against the civilian population.

Concerning the human rights situation in southern Lebanon and west Bekaa, the Commission will have before it the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/28). In its resolution 1999/12, the Commission deplored the continued Israeli violation of human rights in the occupied zone in southern Lebanon and west Bekaa and called upon Israel to put an immediate end to such practices.

The Commission will have before it a report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Special Representative Maurice Copithorne (E/CN.4/2000/35). In its resolution 1999/13, the Commission, among other things, called on the Government to invite the Special Representative to visit the country and to resume its full cooperation with him. The Commission was also concerned about the continuing violations of human rights in the country.

On the situation of human rights in Iraq, the Commission will have before it a note from the secretariat (E/CN.4/2000/37). The Special Rapporteur, Andreas Mavrommatis, was appointed in December 1999 after the resignation of his predecessor. In its resolution 1999/14, the Commission, among other things, strongly condemned the systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law by the Government of Iraq.

The Commission will also be considering the report of Leonardo Franco, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan (E/CN.4/2000/36). In its resolution 1999/15, the Commission, among other things, expressed its deep concern at the impact of the current conflict on the situation of human rights and its adverse effect on the civilian population, in particular women and children, and at continuing serious violations of human rights, fundamental freedoms and relevant provisions of international humanitarian law perpetrated by all parties to the conflict.

With regards to the situation of human rights in Myanmar, the Commission has before it the report of the Special Rapporteur Rajsoomer Lallah (E/CN.4/2000/38) as well as the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/29). In its resolution 1999/17, the Commission deplored the continuing violations of human rights in Myanmar, as reported by the Special Rapporteur, including extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and strongly urged the Government to take urgent and meaningful measures to ensure the establishment of democracy in accordance with the will of the people.

Concerning the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea, the Commission will be considering the report of the Special Representative Gustavo Gallon (E/CN.4/2000/40). In its resolution 1999/19, the Commission, among other things, encouraged the Government to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the national commission on human rights and to strengthen its efforts to improve the conditions of prisoners and detainees.

On the situation of human rights in Rwanda, the Commission has before it the report of the Special Representative Michel Moussalli (E/CN.4/2000/41). In its resolution 1999/20), the Commission reiterated its strong condemnation of the crime of genocide and the crimes against humanity which were committed in Rwanda in 1994 and expressed concern that most of the perpetrators of the genocide continued to evade justice.

The Commission will also be considering the report of Roberto Garreton, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (E/CN.4/2000/42). In its resolution 1999/56, the Commission, among other things, expressed its concern at the adverse impact of the continuing conflict on the situation of human rights and urged all parties to the conflict to protect human rights and to respect international humanitarian law.

On the question of human rights in Cyprus, the Commission decided to retain this sub-item on its agenda and to give it due priority at its fifty- sixth session. The Commission will have before it the report of the Secretary- General (E/CN.4/2000/26).

The attention of the Commission was drawn to resolutions adopted and Chairperson=ðs statements made at the Subcommission for Protection and Promotion of Human Rights on the situation in the Republic of the Congo, Togo, Belarus, Indonesia, Mexico and persons in Nepal claiming to be refugees from Bhutan. The report of the Secretary-General on the Republic of the Congo will be considered by the Commission E/CN.4/2000/30).

Under its agenda item Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine, the Commission will have before it the report of the Special Rapporteur Giorgio Giacomelli (E/CN.4/2000/25). It will also consider the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/22) and a note by the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/24). In its resolution 1999/5, the Commission, among other things, condemned the continued violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and called upon Israel, the occupying power, to desist from all forms of violation of human rights and to withdraw from the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other Arab territories occupied since 1967.

The Commission will also have before it the report of the Secretary- General on the situation of human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan (E/CN.4/2000/23). In its resolution 1999/6, the Commission, among other things, reaffirmed the illegality of Israel=ðs decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan and called upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character and demographic composition of the occupied Syrian Golan.

The Commission will continue to consider the question of Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories. In its resolution 1999/7, the Commission expressed its grave concern at the Israeli settlement activities and their increase since the signing of the Wye River Memorandum and urged the Government of Israel to forgo and prevent any new installation of settlers in the occupied territories.

The situation of human rights in Colombia will be taken up by the Commission under its agenda item: organization of the work of the session. The Commission will have before it the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (E/CN.4/2000/11). In a Chairman=ðs Statement, the Commission last year noted it remained deeply concerned about the non-existence of a cease-fire and increasing grave abuses of international humanitarian law mainly by "paramilitaries" and guerrillas. It also called upon the Colombian Government to give highest priority to developing concrete measures to integrate human rights education into the curricula of schools and universities throughout the country.

Under its agenda item: Advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights, the Commission has before it the report of the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia, Mona Rishmawi (E/CN.4/2000/110). In resolution 1999/75, the Commission, among other things, condemned the widespread violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law, particularly against minorities. It commended the work of the Independent Expert, particularly in assessing the means necessary to establish a programme of advisory services and technical assistance.

Also under this item, the situation of human rights in Cambodia will be considered by the Commission through the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Cambodia, Thomas Hammarberg (E/CN.4/2000/109), and the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/108). In resolution 1999/76, the Commission, among other things, expressed grave concern about numerous instances of violations of human rights, including extrajudicial executions, torture, illegal arrest and detention, and violence in relation to political activities, as detailed in the reports of the Special Representative. The situation of human rights in Haiti is also considered under this question and the Commission will have before it the report of the Secretary- General (E/CN.4/2000/105 and Add.1) as well as that by the Independent Expert, Adama Dieng (E/CN.4/2000/111). In resolution 1999/77; the Commission, among other things, call upon the Government to investigate politically motivated crimes properly and to take vigorous action to eliminate any continuing human rights violations, including illegal arrests and detentions.

The question of assistance to Chad will also be taken up under this agenda item. The Commission will have before it the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights /E/CN.4/2000/107). In its decision 1999/102, the Commission requested the High Commissioner to present a progress report on the implementation of a technical cooperation programme there.

Under its agenda item on the Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and follow-up to the World Conference on Human Right, the Commission will be examining the annual report of the High Commissioner (E/CM.4/2000/12 and Add.1). An addendum to the report includes a detailed evaluation of the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the field. Since the last session of the Commission, the High Commissioner has carried out a number of field visits.

In June 1999, Mrs. Robinson visited the Russian Federation for a week. At the end of her visit, she called on authorities to show the political will required to address concerns relating to such issues as the treatment of detainees and discrimination, while praising the declared willingness of the Government to tackle problems. On 8 December, the High Commissioner expressed her deep concern regarding the situation in Chechnya and said she joined with members of the international community in calling on the Russian Government to exercise restraint. The High Commissioner discussed the situation with the Russian Permanent Representative in Geneva and repeated her offer to send a personal envoy to the region. She also issued a joint statement with Walter Schwimmer, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe; and Max van der Stoel, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in which they expressed their profound concern at the situation of civilians in Grozny who, according to the ultimatum of 6 December from the Federal authorities of Russia, are being given no choice other than to leave the city within five days or risk injury or death as a result of indiscriminate bombardment. The High Commissioner will visit Russia and Chechnya from 31 March to 4 April 2000, at the invitation of the Russian Government.

At the end of June 1999, Mrs. Robinson carried out a two-day official visit to Sierra Leone where she said that the country required urgent international assistance if it was to overcome its recent history of horrendous human rights abuses. She stressed that with peace talks in Lome at a crucial stage, international support was vital. In August, with regard to Article XXVI of the recently signed peace agreement which established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address impunity and to deal with the question of human rights violations since the beginning of the Sierra Leone conflict in 1991, and mindful of the role that Commissions of Inquiry have played in similar situations, Mrs. Robinson requested Bethuel Kiplagat of Kenya to prepare an in-depth report, based on consultations with all concerned, on the nexus between a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Commission of Inquiry, and the possible future role of the latter. At this session, the High Commissioner will present a note (E/CN.4/2000/31) on the situation of human rights in Sierra Leone. At the end of November 1999, the High Commissioner visited Mexico for 5 days during which she signed a memorandum of intent on technical cooperation in the field of human rights. During this visit, Mrs. Robinson called for an end to impunity for human rights violations in Mexico and expressed concern over the militarization of parts of the country. Among abuses were cases of arbitrary detention, torture, disappearances, violence against women and harassment. Another subject of concern was the activity of armed civilian groups in Chiapas and the attitude demonstrated by the authorities in dealing with some of them. "It would appear that some of these groups enjoy a degree of official indulgence. That would be unacceptable, as the law must apply equally to all", she said.

At the end of January 2000, the High Commissioner launched the first-ever global Annual Appeal for funding her Office in order to meet a dramatic increase of demands placed on it. She said just over $53 million would be required from voluntary contributions in the year 2000 for the Office's activities around the world.

Concerning civil and political rights, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings, Asma Jahangir, carried out a visit to Mexico during which she collected first-hand information from a wide range of sources in order to better assess the situation and evaluate allegations of human rights violations which are relevant to her mandate and are reported to have occurred in the country. At the present session, the Commission will be considering the report of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2000/3 and Add. 1-3), part of which is devoted to her Mexico visit. In February 2000, Ms. Jahangir visited Nepal. In May 1999, she carried out a visit to the Balkans in the context of the Kosovo crisis.

Dato=ð Param Cumaraswamy, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, visited Guatemala in August 1999. He also paid a visit to South Africa last November. Since his appointment as Special Rapporteur in 1994, Mr. Cumaraswamy has carried out missions to Peru, Colombia, North Ireland (Great Britain), and Belgium. At the present session, the Commission will consider the report of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2000/61 and Add.1). The mandate of Mr. Cumaraswamy was extended in 1997 for three years.

The Chairperson of the Sixth Meeting of United Nations Special Rapporteurs and Other Independent Experts, Sir Nigel Rodley, on 19 October 1999, expressed dismay at a decision by the High Court of Malaysia holding that the country's courts were not bound by the April 1999 decision of the International Court of Justice, or World Court, ruling that the Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers should be granted immunity from civil suits brought against him for statements made in his capacity as an independent expert on mission for the United Nations.

Since the last session of the Commission, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Sir Nigel Rodley, has carried out three field trips: to Romania in April 1999; to Cameroon in May 1999; and to Kenya in September 1999. Previous missions carried out by the Special Rapporteur have taken him to the Russian Federation, Rwanda, Colombia, Pakistan, Chili, Portugal (in relation to the issue of East Timor), Venezuela, Mexico and Turkey. At the session, the Commission will have before it Sir Rodley=ðs report (E/CN.4/2000/9 and Add. 1-4). The addendums concern his visits in 1999, his visits to South America and responses to allegations of torture.

The Commission will also be considering the report of the Working Group in charge of elaborating a draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment designed to establish a preventive system of visits to places of detention (E/CN.4/2000/58).

At the present session, the Commission will also take up the report of the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances (E/CN.4/2000/64 and Add. 1). The Working Group carried out in October 1999 a visit to Sri Lanka to evaluate progress made in the implementation of recommendations submitted to the Government following earlier visits to the country in 1991 and 1992. Since the creation of the Working Group in 1980, more than 45,000 cases of disappearances have been brought to its attention. The Working Group has already carried out field trips to Guatemala, Peru, the Philippines, Turkey and Yemen. Since 1980, the countries with the largest number of registered disappearances are Iraq, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Guatemala, Peru and El Salvador.

In connection with this sub-item, the attention of the Commission is also drawn to resolution 1999/24 of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on a draft international convention on the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances. In this resolution, the Subcommission calls on the Commission to give priority to examining the question of this draft convention.

The Commission will also have before it the report of the Working Group on arbitrary detentions (E/CN.4/2000/4 and Add. 1 and 2) whose mandate was renewed in 1997 for a three-year period.

The Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Abid Hussain, will be presenting his report to the Commission (E/CN.4/2000/63 and Add. 1-4). The addendums concern his visits to Sudan, Tunis, the United Kingdom and Ireland. At the end of November, a joint declaration was adopted in London following a meeting for the first time of the international mechanisms for promoting freedom of expression under the auspices of article 19. Attending the meeting were Mr. Hussain, Freimut Duve, the Representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for Freedom of the Media; and Santiago Canton, the Organization of American States=ð Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression. The joint declaration affirmed that States must ensure an effective, serious and impartial judicial process, based on the rule of law, in order to combat impunity of perpetrators of attacks against freedom of expression.

The Commission will also be considering the report of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance, Abdelfattah Amor (E/CN.4/2000/65), who carried out visits to the Holy See in September 1999 and to Turkey in December of the same year.

Last year, the Commission asked the Independent Expert on the right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Charif Bassiouni, to prepare a revised version of the basic principles and guidelines on the right to reparation for victims of gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law which was elaborated by his predecessor, Theo van Boven, in 1997. The Commission will take up the report of the Independent Expert (E/CN.4/2000/62).

Under the item on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination, the Commission will be considering the report of the Special Rapporteur on this issue, Maurice Glélé-Ahanhanzo (E/CN.4/2000/16 and Add.1). Mr. Glélé-Ahanhanzo visited the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary in September 1999 to examine the different forms of discrimination facing the Roma communities in those countries. On the occasion of Human Rights Day, which is commemorated on 10 December, the High Commissioner for Human Rights this year chose seven internationally-renowned figures from the worlds of literature, music and human rights advocacy to serve as the first Goodwill Ambassadors for the World Conference against Racism which will take place in South Africa in 2001. The first preparatory session will be held in Geneva in May 2000 in the week following the closing of the Commission=ðs session. The Commission will also be taking up the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, including its causes and consequences, Radhika Coomaraswamy (E/CN.4/2000/68 and Add. 1-5). Since the previous session of the Commission, the Special Rapporteur has visited Afghanistan and Pakistan to gather first-hand information in order to better evaluate the situation in Afghanistan concerning allegations of violations relevant to her mandate. She has also visited Cuba and Haiti. She was part of the joint visit send by the Special Session on East Timor . The addendums to the report are devoted to her field trips.

The Commission will also be considering the report of the Secretary- General on activities of United Nations bodies and other international organizations pertaining to the problem of trafficking in women and girls (E/CN.4/2000/66).

Within the framework of examining questions related to the rights of the child, the Commission will take up the report of the Working Group charged with elaborating a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (E/CN.4/2000/74). It is recalled that the Working Group, which met in Geneva from 10 to 21 January 2000, adopted by consensus the text of a draft optional protocol which will be submitted to the Commission for its consideration before being sent by the Economic and Social Council to the General Assembly for its final adoption. The Commission will also have before it the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict, Olara Otunnu (E/CN.4/2000/71).

The report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Ofelia Calcetas-Santos (E/CN.4/2000/73 and Add. 1-3), will also be before the Commission. The Special Rapporteur visited Guatemala last July to examine the question of the large number of international adoptions of Guatemalan children. In October 1999, the Special Rapporteur visited Fiji to examine allegations of sex tourism. Ms. Calcetas- Santos will also offer an oral presentation to the Commission on a visit, which she carried out to Morocco at the end of February 2000. Part of the Special Rapporteur's report is devoted to her mission to Belgium and the Netherlands in December 1998. She had not reported to the Commission on those two trips before. In her previous missions to the Czech Republic, the United States, Kenya, Mexico and Laos, the Special Rapporteur paid special attention to the problem of the sexual exploitation of children for commercial purposes.

The Commission will also be considering the report of the Working Group charged with elaborating a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the prevention of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, as well as the basic measures needed for their prevention and eradication (E/CN.4/2000/75).

In addition, the Commission will take up the report of the Secretary- General on the abduction of children from northern Uganda (E/CN.4/2000/69).

Under the question of economic, social and cultural rights, the Commission will have before it this year a joint report prepared by the Special Rapporteur on foreign debt, Reinaldo Figueredo, and the Independent Expert on structural adjustment policies, Fantu Cheru, on structural adjustment policies (E/CN.4/2000/51). The Commission last year had decided to extend for one year the mandate of the Independent Expert in order to assist the Working Group on structural adjustment programmes and economic, social and cultural rights in the fulfilment of its mandate, in particular by elaborating draft basic policy guidelines on structural adjustment policies.

This session, the Commission will be considering the report of the Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights, Fata Zohra Ouhachi Vesely (E/CN.4/2000/50 and Add.1). The addendum is devoted to Ms. Ouhachi Vesely's visits to Germany and the Netherlands in October 1999. In addition, the Commission will take up the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Katarina Tomasevski (E/CN.4/2000/6 and Add. 1 and 2). The addendums are reports on the Special Rapporteur's visits to Uganda in the summer of 1999 and the United Kingdom last October.

The Commission will also have before it the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the right to food (E/CN.4/2000/48), as well as the Secretary-General's and the High Commissioner's reports on a draft optional protocol for the consideration of communications in relation to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/CN.4/2000/47 and E/CN.4/2000/49) respectively. The report of the Secretary-General on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (E/CN.4/2000/46) will also be taken up by the Commission.

In response to a call expressed by the Commission last year, a workshop for consultations on the main elements of a possible draft declaration on human rights and extreme poverty was held in Geneva last July and was attended by the Independent Expert on human rights and extreme poverty, Anne-Marie Lizin. The report of the Independent Expert and of the workshop will be considered by the Commission (E/CN.4/2000 52 and Add. 1).

Concerning the right to development, the Commission will be taking up the report of the High Commissioner (E/CN.4/2000/20).

This year, under its item on specific groups and individuals, the Commission will be considering the first report by its Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Gabriela Rodriguez Pizarro (E/CN.4/2000/82). Under the same item, the Commission will take up the report of the Secretary- General on violence against women migrant workers (E/CN.4/2000/76).

The report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons, Francis Deng (E/CN.4/2000/83 and Add. 1-3), will be considered by the Commission. Since its last session, the Representative has visited East Timor and Burundi. An addendum is also devoted to a visit to Colombia which he carried out before the previous session of the Commission but which he did not fully report on.

Other reports before the Commission on vulnerable groups and individuals include one by the Working Group on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (E/CN.4/Sub.2/ 1999/21); one by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on human rights and mass exoduses (E/CN.4/