COUNCIL, ENTERING FINAL PHASE OF 2000 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION, ADOPTS 17 DRAFT TEXTS, APPROVES THREE RESOLUTIONS
Press Release
ECOSOC/5928
COUNCIL, ENTERING FINAL PHASE OF 2000 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION, ADOPTS 17 DRAFT TEXTS, APPROVES THREE RESOLUTIONS
20000727The Economic and Social Council this afternoon condemned the continuing grave violations of the human rights of women and girls in all areas of Afghanistan, particularly in areas under control of the Taliban. It took that action as it adopted eight resolutions, one agreed conclusion, and eight decisions, all without a vote. The Council also approved three resolutions without a vote, as it considered social and human rights questions and other issues.
By the terms of the resolution on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, the Council urged States to continue to give special attention to the promotion and protection of the human rights of women in Afghanistan, and to mainstream a gender perspective in all aspects of their policies and actions related to that country.
The Council decided to take note of the report of the Commission on the Status of Women on its forty-fourth session, and approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-fifth session of the Commission.
It adopted the agreed conclusions on the assessment of progress made within the United Nations system in the promotion of an integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields. The agreed conclusions were submitted to the Council by Michael Schmidt (Austria), on behalf of the Councils Vice- President Gerhard Pfanzelter of Austria.
According to the agreed conclusions, the major United Nations conferences and summits of the 1990s had contributed towards the development of an integrated framework and a global partnership for development. Governments had the primary responsibility for bringing together priorities in the social, economic and environmental areas. International cooperation was crucial for the implementation of conference outcomes.
The Council decided to take note of the documents it had considered in connection with the coordination segment, namely, the reports of the Secretary- General on the coordinated implementation by the United Nations system of the Habitat Agenda; and on the assessment of the progress made within the United Nations system in the promotion of implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields.
Economic and Social Council - 1a - Press Release ECOSOC/5928 43rd Meeting (PM) 27 July 2000
In another decision, the Council took note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General on the elaboration and implementation of the long-term programme of support for Haiti, and requested the Secretary-General to report to the Council at its next substantive session on steps taken by the Haitian Government, the United Nations system and the international community towards elaboration of a long-term programme of support for Haiti.
The Council further decided, having considered the report of the Secretary- General on the Ad Hoc Inter-Agency Task Force on Tobacco Control, to request that the Secretary-General submit a report on the continuing work of the Ad Hoc Inter- Agency Task Force to the Council at its substantive session of 2002.
Adopting a resolution on the follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons: Second World Assembly on Ageing, the Council decided to convene a Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Vienna World Assembly on Ageing.
The Council also adopted a resolution on the further promotion of equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Council decided to take note of the report of the Commission for Social Development on its thirty-eighth session, and endorse the resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission.
It approved a resolution endorsing the Vienna Declaration on Crime and Justice, and recommended it to the General Assembly for adoption.
The Council also approved a resolution on the follow-up to the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders -- urging governments to be guided by the results of that Congress.
The Council further approved a resolution on an effective international legal instrument against corruption, recommending the resolution to the Assembly for adoption.
Adopting a resolution concerning basic principles on the use of restorative justice programmes in criminal matters, the Council requested the Secretary- General to seek comments on the desirability of establishing common principles on the use of such programmes.
The Council also adopted a resolution on the implementation of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power.
It decided to take note of the report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on its ninth session, and approve the provisional agenda and documentation for its tenth session.
It adopted a resolution inviting the General Assembly to include the world drug problem as an item on the agenda of the United Nations Millennium Assembly and the Millennium Summit.
Economic and Social Council - 1b - Press Release ECOSOC/5928 43rd Meeting (PM) 27 July 2000
It adopted resolutions on the promotion of national and regional drug prevention programmes through an interdisciplinary approach, and on the supply and demand for opiates for medical and scientific needs.
The Council decided to take note of the report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on its forty-third session, on the understanding that informal inter- sessional meetings would be held at Vienna to finalize the provisional agenda.
The Council also decided to take note of the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1999.
Introductory statements were made by the Chairman of the Committee for Programme and Coordination, Tommo Monthe; the Director of the Division of the Advancement of Women, Yakin Erturk; the Director of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Eleni Stamiris; the Deputy Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development, Andrzej Krassowski; the President of the International Narcotics Control Board, Hamid Ghodse; and the Director of the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Nicholas Bwakira.
Boubacar Touré, Director of the New York Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), also addressed the Council.
Statements were made by representatives of Lesotho, Canada, United States, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Nigeria, Japan, Cuba and the Russian Federation.
Council Work Programme
The 2000 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council met this afternoon to start consideration of its segment on social and human rights questions, including advancement of women, social development, crime prevention and criminal justice, narcotic drugs, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The Council had before it a report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women of its twenty-second session (document A/55/38, Part 1). It also had the report on the forty-fourth session (28 February -2 March 2000), Commission on the Status of Women (document E/2000/27), which contains matters calling for action by the Council or brought to its attention.
Draft resolution I, contained in that report, on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, would have the Council condemn the continuing grave violations of the human rights of women and girls, including all forms of discrimination against them, in all areas of Afghanistan, particularly in areas under control of the Taliban. It would also condemn the continued restrictions on women's access to health care and the systematic violation of the human rights of women in that country.
The Council would urge the Taliban and other Afghan parties to recognize, protect, promote and act in accordance with all human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion, and would urge all the Afghan parties, in particular the Taliban, to bring to an end without delay all human rights violations against women and girls.
According to the draft, the Council would urge States to continue to give special attention to the promotion and protection of the human rights of women in Afghanistan and to mainstream a gender perspective in all aspects of their policies and actions related to that country.
The Council would urge the Secretary-General to ensure that all United Nations activities in Afghanistan are carried out according to the principle of non-discrimination against women and girls, and that efforts are made to enhance the role of women in preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacekeeping.
The Council would also urge all Afghan factions, in particular the Taliban, to ensure the safety and protection of all United Nations and humanitarian workers in Afghanistan and to allow them, regardless of gender, to carry out their work unhindered.
Draft resolution II, situation of and assistance to Palestinian women, would have the Council call upon the concerned parties, as well as the entire international community, to exert all the necessary efforts to ensure the continuity and success of the peace process and its conclusion by the agreed time of September 2000, and the achievement of tangible progress in the improvement of the situation of Palestinian women and their families.
By the draft, the Council would demand that Israel, the occupying Power, comply fully with the provisions and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Regulations annexed to the Hague Convention of 1907, and the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, in order to protect the rights of Palestinian women and their families.
Further, the Council would call upon Israel to facilitate the return of all refugees and displaced Palestinian women and children to their homes and properties, in compliance with the relevant United Nations resolutions.
The Council would urge Member States, financial organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other relevant institutions to intensify their efforts to provide financial and technical assistance to Palestinian women, especially during the transitional period.
A draft decision would have the Council take note of the report of the Commission on the Status of Women on its forty-fourth session, and approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-fifth session of the Commission set out in the report.
The Council also had before it a report of the Board of Trustees of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women on its twentieth session (document E/2000/58); a note by the Secretary-General submitting a report of the Director of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (document E/2000/59); a report by the Secretary-General on follow-up to and implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (document E/2000/77); and a note by the Secretary-General on assessment of activities undertaken by the United Nations system under the system-wide medium- term plan for the advancement of women, 1996-2001 (document E/CN.6/2000/3).
On the issue of social development, the Council had before it the 2000 Report on the World Social Situation: overview (document E/2000/9).
It also had before it the Report of the thirty-eighth session (8-17 February, 14 and 17 March 2000) of the Commission for Social Development (document E/2000/26 and Correction 1), which contains matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention.
By the terms of draft resolution I, follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons: Second World Assembly on Ageing, the Council would decide to convene a Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Vienna World Assembly on Ageing, devoted to the overall review of the outcome of the first World Assembly, as well as to the adoption of a revised plan of action and a long-term strategy on ageing in the context of a society for all ages. The Council would accept the offer of the Government of Spain to host the Assembly in April 2002.
By the draft, the Council would decide that the Commission for Social Development shall serve as the preparatory committee of the Second World Assembly on Ageing and, as such, will be open to the participation of all Member States of the United Nations, members of the specialized agencies and observers, in accordance with the established practice of the General Assembly.
Draft resolution II contained in the report, further promotion of equalization of opportunities by, for and with persons with disabilities, would have the Council decide to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a further period through the year 2002, so that the results of his continued promotion and monitoring of the implementation of the Rules will be available to the fourth quinquennial review and appraisal of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons.
The report contains a draft decision which would have the Council take note of the report of the Commission for Social Development on its thirty-eighth session and endorse the resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission, and would have the Council approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the thirty-ninth session of the Commission.
On the issue of crime prevention and criminal justice, the Council had before it a report of the Secretary-General entitled crime prevention and criminal justice: capital punishment and implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty (document E/2000/3 and Correction 1).
The Council also had before it the report on the ninth session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (document E/2000/30), which contains matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention. The Council is recommended to approve, for adoption by the Assembly Draft resolution I, which would have the General Assembly, endorse the Vienna Declaration on Crime and Justice: Meeting the Challenges of the Twenty- first Century, adopted by the high-level segment of the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in Vienna from 10 to 17 April.
The Commission also recommended that the Council approve for adoption by the General Assembly draft resolution II, follow-up to the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, and draft resolution III, an effective international legal instrument against corruption.
The report also contained draft resolutions for adoption by the Economic and Social Council. Draft resolution I, basic principles on the use of restorative justice programmes in criminal matters, would request the Secretary-General to seek comments on the desirability and means of establishing common principles on the use of restorative justice programmes; to convene a meeting of experts to review the comments received; and to examine proposals for further action and the possibility of developing an instrument, such as a declaration of basic principles, on the use of restorative justice programmes.
Draft resolution II, implementation of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, would have the Council call upon the Secretary-General, Member States and intergovernmental and NGOs to continue to take the necessary steps to give effect to the provisions of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for victims of Crime and Abuse of power in cooperation with United Nations entities and other intergovernmental and NGOs.
A draft decision would have the Council take note of the report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on its ninth session, and approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the tenth session set out in the report. On the subject of narcotic drugs, the Council had before it the report on the forty-third session (6-15 March 2000) of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (document E/2000/28), which contains matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention.
Draft resolution I contained in that report would have the Council invite the General Assembly to include the world drug problem as an item on the agenda of the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations and the Millennium Summit to be held from 6 to 8 September.
Draft resolution II, promotion of the design of national and regional prevention programmes through an interdisciplinary approach, would have the Council call for the promotion of information and education programmes that will raise awareness of the risks of drug abuse, taking into account differences in gender, culture and education among the target groups, with special attention being paid to children and young people, and will reflect sound, precise and balanced data.
Draft resolution III, demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs, would have the Council urge Governments of all producing countries to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, and to take effective measures to prevent illicit production or diversion of opiate raw materials to illicit channels, especially when increasing licit production.
By the draft, the Council would urge consumer countries to assess their licit needs for opiate raw materials realistically, and to communicate those needs to the International Narcotics Control Board.
Draft decision I would have the Council take note of the report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on its forty-third session and approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-fourth session, on the understanding that informal inter-sessional meetings would be held at Vienna, at no additional cost, to finalize the items to be included in the provisional agenda and the documentation requirements for the forty-fourth session.
Draft decision II would have the Council take note of the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1999.
Also before the Council was the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (document E/2000/18 and Correction 1), giving an account of the main activities undertaken by the Office of the UNHCR from 1 January 1999 to 31 March 2000. It describes trends and achievements in the field of international protection and assistance activities world wide. It also covers some essential management and oversight issues, and describes activities with respect to cooperation within and beyond the United Nations system.
Coordination Programme and Other Questions
TOMMO MONTHE (Cameroon), Chairman, Committee for Programme and Coordination, introduced the report entitled Coordination programme and other questions: Reports of the Coordination bodies in order to hear the introduction of the report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (document A/55/16, Part 1).
He informed the Council of the proposed medium-term plan for the period 2002-2005, covering activities in the economic, social and related fields. He also informed members of a corrigendum to that report in relation to paragraph 168.
Coordination of Policies and Activities of Specialized Agencies and Other Bodies of United Nations System: Introduction of Draft
MICHAEL SCHMIDT (Austria) introduced the draft-agreed conclusions entitled Assessment of the progress made within the United Nations system, through the conference reviews, in the promotion of an integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits (document E/2000/L.10).
He said the text was a good basis for promoting integrated and coordinated implementation of the follow-up to such conferences. The Council and its commissions had a large number of plus-five review processes to learn lessons from. His delegation also looked forward to reviewing the report of the Secretary-General next year on the outcome of the discussion of the functional commissions.
Action on Draft
The Council, acting without a vote, then adopted the draft-agreed conclusions.
The Council also took note of the following reports of the Secretary-General considered by it in connection with the coordination segments: coordinated implementation of the United Nations system of the Habitat Agenda (document A/55/83-E/2000/62); and assessment of the progress made within the United Nations system in the promotion of an integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields.
International Cooperation in Field of Informatics: Introduction of Draft
PERCY M. MANGOELA (Lesotho) introduced the draft resolution entitled The need to harmonize and improve United Nations informatics systems for optimal utilization and accessibility of all States (document E/2000/L.20), on behalf of the co-sponsors.
He said the resolution was negotiated within the framework of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Informatics. The Groups work had enjoyed wide participation. The text was one that was passed every year to continue the mandate of the working group.
Coordination Programme and Other Questions: Long-term Programme of Support for Haiti: Action on Draft
Acting without a vote, the Council then adopted a draft decision entitled long-term support for Haiti (document E/2000.L.18).
ROSS HYNES (Canada) said his country had taken note of the Secretary- Generals report for long-term development support for Haiti. While it was an excellent report, unfortunately the political situation in that country was such that Canada was not in a position to offer the same support at the same time as it did last year. His country wanted to see obstacles eliminated in Haiti so that it could resume work in collaboration with Haitian colleagues and other members of the Council on the long-term development of that country.
KENNETH THOMAS (United States) said he was also hopeful that in the future more progress could be made in addressing the long-term development of Haiti. Peace and stability were vital to that process, and he hoped that next year there could be a more substantive discussion of the long-term development plan.
Coordination Programme and Other Questions: Tobacco or Health: Action on Draft
Once more acting without a vote, the Council adopted a draft decision entitled Tobacco or health (document E/2000/L.19).
Social and Human Rights Questions
YAKIN ERTURK, Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women, introduced reports of the Secretary-General on the follow-up and implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (document E/2000/77); and on an assessment of activities undertaken under the medium-term plan for advancing women (document E/2000/78).
Throughout the United Nations system, efforts were being made to incorporate gender perspective into substantive work, she said. She drew attention to a number of new developments, including the greater attention to gender in budget processes, and the increased attention by many departments and regional commissions to gender in medium-term plans. But continued guidance and support from the Council were needed to enable the Organization to consolidate such efforts, she said.
ELENI STAMIRIS, Director of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) introduced two reports on actions taken to revitalize the Institute during the past year: her report (document E/2000/59), and that of INSTRAWs Board of Trustees (document E/2000/58).
The INSTRAW was now at a crossroads, she said. It could have a bright new future, or end its 20-year history. With enough funds left only to cover operations until the end of this year, and no way to know what funds were forthcoming, the Institute was in an untenable position at a difficult transitional period of major restructuring. The Council must either resolve to close the Institute at the end of December 2000 or take decisive action to reverse the situation once and for all. There was still time to save the Institute, she stressed.
ANDRZEJ KRASSOWSKI, Deputy Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development, introduced the 2000 report on the world social situation (document E/2000/0), the 15th such report since 1952.
The report summarized major global trends and developments from a social perspective, he said. It set issues in broad socio-economic and institutional contexts. With an overarching theme of "equity", the report contained sections on global trends in population and world economy, and changes in institutions such as family and state. Other sections focused on trends in living conditions, technology, and the social dimensions of modern ills such as armed conflict, violence, crime and corruption.
The concluding section presented speculative questions on the moral, ethical and distributive implications of five major issues: globalization, government's role in promoting the common good, the shift away from non-market approaches to meeting social needs, the changing boundaries between private and public domains, and bio-medical developments and their impact on the shape of future societies.
HAMID GHODSE, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), introduced INCBs report for 1999 (document E/INCB/1999/1). He drew attention to findings regarding global imbalances in the availability of opiates for treating severe pain. The need for medical opiates was not being met in many parts of the world. Eighty per cent of analgesic morphine was consumed by ten countries. There were many reasons for this, including the inadequacy of national drug control systems, which did not adequately assess medical needs.
Regarding illicit opiates, he said the Board was concerned about large-scale poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, as well as trafficking in heroin from Afghanistan through "the Balkan route" and through countries in transition to destinations in Europe. Other concerns included the high demand for cocaine, cannabis and synthetic drugs, he added. But there had been encouraging results from an INCB initiative to control international transactions in chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs, and he and called on governments to support those programmes.
NICOLAS BWAKIRA, Director of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Liaison Office in New York, introduced the High Commissioners annual report for 1999 (document E/2000/18), and reported on the situation of refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa.
In recent years, he said, forced displacement had become a tactic in modern warfare. Internal displacement, as opposed to movement across borders, was another growing phenomenon. To address the root causes of population movements, a more comprehensive approach was needed by the international community. Also, there must be greater focus in determining who deserved international protection and who did not.
The UNCHR had recently responded to two new emergencies in Africa: fighting in Sierra Leone and between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Those conflicts had generated hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons, and in Sierra Leone, insecurity and lack of access continued to be major constraints for relief efforts.
He also highlighted the dire situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, as well as volatile situations in other parts of the world, from Chechnya to Sri Lanka.
The UNCHR was enhancing its emergency capability and strengthening its partnerships with other actors, he said. It was also taking on more preventive activities, and designing activities to help people live together. It planned to implement such projects in Rwanda and Bosnia this year.
While expressing appreciation for the support the agency received, he also drew attention to the fact that programmes in many parts of the world -- especially Africa -- suffered from under-funding.
ALEXANDRA PATRICIA VALKENBURG (Netherlands) said her country would give 150,000 Dutch gilders -- about $66,000 -- for INSTRAWs programmes next year.
BOUBACAR TOURE, Director of the New York Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said that poverty and hunger could be significantly alleviated if the poor were allowed greater access to land-based resources, and through measures including decentralization, improved local governance, and the devolution of power from national to local authorities and indigenous communities. The FAO was committed to assisting governments promote decentralization, and to fostering farmers' and local people's organizations to enable them define and carry out rural development policies and programmes. He described a number of areas in which the agency could contribute to world social development, including developing policies and tools to facilitate access to land and ensure user rights, and building local capacity.
AURELIO FERNANDEZ (Spain) said his country had already announced it would contribute $150,000 for the rehabilitation of INSTRAW.
Action on Social and Human Rights Questions
The Council took up the report of the forty-fourth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, containing two draft resolutions and a draft decision. One resolution concerned the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. The Council adopted that resolution without a vote. The second resolution was entitled Palestinian Women and had been adopted in the Commission by a recorded vote. The Council decided to take action on that resolution tomorrow, then adopted a draft decision by which it took note of the Commissions report and approved the provisional agenda and documentation for its next session.
Recommendations in Report of Commission for Social Development
Mr. THOMAS (United States) said his country would join the consensus on draft resolution II, entitled Further Promotion of Equalization of Opportunities by, for and with Persons with Disabilities, which was contained in Section A of the report of the Commission on its thirty-eighth session (documents E/2000/26 and Corr.1). The United States, however, could not support the language of preambular paragraph 2, which was a reaffirmation of principles by States which all those States had not pursued.
Action on Drafts
The PRESIDENT informed the Council that draft resolution I, entitled, Follow-up to the International Year of the Older Person: Second World Assembly on Ageing, contained in Chapter 1 of the report of the Commission, was adopted by the Council at the seventh meeting of its resumed organizational session on 3 May. As a result, no further action would be required on the text.
Acting without a vote, the Council then adopted draft resolution II.
Once more acting without a vote, the Council adopted a draft decision contained in section B of the report of the Commission and entitled Report of the Commission for Social Development on its thirty-eighth session and provisional agenda and documentation for the thirty-ninth session of the Commission.
Recommendations Contained in Report of Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: Action on Drafts
ADAM SKRYBANT (Poland) said that during informal consultations this morning, his delegation had proposed a small factual amendment to the second paragraph of draft resolution I. That text was contained in section A of the report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (document E/2000/30) and entitled Vienna Declaration on Crime and Justice: Meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century. His understanding had been that the proposed amendment was accepted. For that reason, he now wanted to submit it again for formal consideration and adoption.
The Council, acting without a vote, approved draft resolution I as orally amended, and recommended it to the General Assembly for adoption.
The Council then approved draft resolution II, entitled Follow-up to the tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, also contained in section A of the report of the Commission, without a vote.
Draft resolution III, also in section A of the report, and entitled An effective international legal instrument against corruption, was approved without a vote, as well, and recommended to the Assembly for adoption.
Again acting without a vote, the Council adopted draft resolution I, entitled Basic principles on the use of restorative justice programmes in criminal matters, contained in section B of the report of the Commission.
The Council then adopted without a vote draft resolution II, entitled Implementation of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, also contained in section B.
A draft decision contained in section C of the Commissions report was also adopted by the Council without a vote. That decision was entitled Report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on its ninth session, and provisional agenda and documentation for the tenth session of the Commission.
Recommendations Contained in Report of Commission on Narcotic Drugs: Action on Drafts
The Council, acting without a vote, first adopted draft resolution I, contained in section A of the report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (document E/2000/28), and entitled, Inclusion of international drug control as a topic for the Millennium Assembly and the Millennium Summit of the United Nations.
Once more acting without a vote, the Council adopted draft resolution II, also in section A, entitled Promotion of the design of national and regional prevention programmes through an interdisciplinary approach.
Draft resolution III, also contained in section A of the report of the Commission, entitled, Demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs, was then adopted without a vote.
Draft decision I, contained in section B of the report of the Commission, was adopted without a vote. That text was entitled Report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on its forty-third session, and provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-fourth session of the Commission.
Draft decision II, which would have the Council take note of the report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), was adopted without a vote. That decision was also contained in section B of the report.
Introduction of Draft
LILIAN ONOH, observer for Nigeria, spoke on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, INSTRAW, co-sponsors of the text, and France, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Austria and Italy.
As she introduced the draft resolution on the revitalization of INSTRAW (document E/2000/L.23), she expressed her appreciation to the Governments of Spain and the Netherlands for their financial contributions to the Institute, announced earlier this afternoon.
The Council decided to take action on that draft tomorrow.
KENJI HIRATA (Japan) introduced the draft on the International Year of Volunteers (document E/2000/L.12). He said the resolution was being co-sponsored by 44 countries. In addition to those already listed in the draft, the following countries would be co-sponsors: Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, South Africa, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and United Kingdom. The representative of Guyana then said he too wished to co-sponsor the draft.
The Council, after deciding to take action on that draft tomorrow, turned to the item on NGOs.
RODOLFO REYES RODRIGUEZ (Cuba), introducing a draft entitled suspension of consultative status, said the title - not chosen by his delegation -- was surprising and inappropriate. Reviewing the background to the suspension of the consultative status of two NGOs, he made specific reference to the NGO that had been given consultative status in 1999, and within a year had become involved in activities that had included terrorists. The organization had been aggressive towards Cuba in Geneva during the NGO Committee meeting. The final decision to suspend the organizations status for three years would be made in October. The Council had taken a similar action with an NGO in a similar situation the previous year.
FELIX MBAYU (Cameroon), presiding over the general segment of the 2000 session, asked what title Cuba would have chosen.
Mr. REYES RODRIGUEZ said something to the effect of convening a new session of the Council to consider the suspension of an NGO, or suspension of the status of an NGO would be more appropriate.
Mr. MBAYU, presiding over the general segment, said a new title would be considered.
ALEXEY ROGOV (Russian Federation) said a draft sponsored by his country had been given the same title as the draft sponsored by Cuba. He shared Cubas concern. However, after long negotiations were completed today on issues raised in the resolution, he was withdrawing the draft.
Mr. THOMAS (United States) asked for a phrase to be included in his previous statement, on the resolution connected to the world conference to be held in connection with the Rio-plus-10 review in 2002. He strongly supported the Rio platform, but in line with his countrys policy, he had concerns about a world conference and its being held outside New York.
* *** *