THIRD COMMITTEE ADOPTS TWO DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN –- URGING ELIMINATION OF ‘HONOUR CRIMES’ AND OF ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE
Press Release
GA/SHC/3615
THIRD COMMITTEE ADOPTS TWO DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN - URGING ELIMINATION OF HONOUR CRIMES AND OF ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE
20001103Inconclusive Debate on Honour Crimes Precludes Consensus
Delegations voiced unanimous abhorrence of crimes against women, but consensus could not be reached on a resolution to eliminate such crimes even as the text was adopted by a recorded vote of 120 in favour to none against, with 25 abstentions (Annex II). As the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to take action on two highly debated resolutions, it defeated a proposed amendment to that first draft by 22 in favour to 80 against, with 24 abstentions (Annex I).
That resolution, entitled "working towards the elimination of crimes against women committed in the name of honour", was seen by some as containing language making it non-objective. Others said the manner of presentation to the Committee had associated crimes against women with Islam, because of a film shown prior to its first presentation. The proposed amendments to clarify ambiguous language were opposed on the grounds that they narrowed the objectives reached on women at the Beijing Plus Five, review during the 2000 General Assembly session on women.
The second resolution approved without a vote by the Committee this afternoon is entitled "elimination of all forms of violence against women, including crimes identified in the outcome document of Beijing Plus Five". Delegations which could not join consensus on the first resolution said the second was broad enough to cover the issues presented in the first.
By the first resolution on working towards the elimination of crimes against women committed in the name of honour, the Assembly will express its concern about women continuing to be victims of violence, including the many forms of crimes committed in the name of honor. It will also express concern that some perpetrators assumed they had justification for such crimes.
Further by that draft, the Assembly will call on States to implement obligations under human rights law, intensify efforts to prevent such crimes against women, promote the increase of knowledge about the causes and consequences of such crimes and provide support services and institutional mechanisms for the relief and recourse of victims. The Assembly will invite the international community to assist States in those efforts, through such means as technical assistance.
Third Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SHC/3615 45th Meeting (PM) 3 November 2000
By the second draft, on the elimination of all forms of violence against women, the Assembly will express deep concern at the persistence of violence and crimes against women in all parts of the world, especially all forms of commercial, sexual and economic exploitation. Those crimes would include crimes identified in the outcome document of Beijing Plus Five.
The Assembly will also stress that all forms of violence, including crimes against women, are obstacles to the advancement and empowerment of women, and need to be considered as criminal offences punishable by law. States will be urged to strengthen awareness and preventive measures for eliminating violence against women, whether in public or private life, through such means as the media and educational campaigns.
Speaking on aspects of those drafts were the representatives of the Netherlands, United States, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Jordan, Morocco, Mali, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Iran, Egypt, Cuba, Indonesia, Yemen, Azerbaijan, Libya, China, Oman, Ethiopia, United Republic of Tanzania, France (speaking on behalf of the European Union), Brazil, Republic of Korea and Chile.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 6 November, to take up questions related to refugees, returnees and displaced persons, including the High Commissioner's report and humanitarian aspects.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to continue its consideration of draft resolutions. It was expected to take action on a number of texts.
A draft resolution on working towards the elimination of crimes against women committed in the name of honour (document A/C.3/55/L.11/Rev.1) would have the Assembly express its concern about women continuing to be victims of violence, including the many forms of crime committed in the name of honour. It would also express concern that some perpetrators assumed they had justification for such crimes.
Also by that draft, the Assembly would call upon States to take certain actions. Those would include implementing obligations under human rights law, intensifying efforts to prevent such crimes against women, promoting the increase of knowledge about the causes and consequences of such crimes, and providing support services and institutional mechanisms for the relief and recourse of victims. The Assembly would invite the international community, including the United Nations system, to assist States in those efforts, through such means as technical assistance. It would encourage human rights treaty bodies to address the issue and would request the Secretary-General to report on progress.
A draft on the elimination of all forms of violence against women (document A/C.3/55/L.13/Rev.1) would have the Assembly express deep concern at the persistence of violence and crimes against women in all parts of the world, especially all forms of commercial sexual exploitation and economic exploitation. It would stress that all forms of violence including crimes against women were obstacles to the advancement and empowerment of women, and would stress the need to treat all forms of violence against women as a criminal offence punishable by law. It would reaffirm the increased awareness of and commitment to preventing and combating such crimes, and would urge States to strengthen awareness and preventive measures for the elimination of all forms of violence and crimes against women through such steps as media and educational campaigns.
Further by the draft, the Assembly would call on States to fulfil their obligations under the relevant human rights instruments and to implement the Beijing Platform for Action as well as the outcome document of the special session. It would further urge relevant entities of the United Nations system to assist countries in their efforts aimed at prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women.
By a draft on the critical situation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) (document A/C.3/55/L.16/Rev.1), sponsored by Nigeria and Mexico, the Assembly would express grave concern that revitalization and fund-raising had not raised enough contributions to keep INSTRAW operating beyond 31 December. It would also express grave concern over the lack of resources to ensure the future of the only research and training institute for the advancement of women in the United Nations system. It would decide that the Institute's core activities would be funded from the regular budget as of 1 January 2001. It would request the Secretary-General to ensure continuity of the Director's role and would urge all States and organizations to contribute to the INSTRAW Trust Fund.
In connection with that resolution, the Committee has before it a draft containing programme budget implications for INSTRAW beyond 1 January 2001 (document A/C.3/55/L.33). It indicates that in view of INSTRAW's difficult financial situation, the General Assembly would provide assistance from the regular budget on a non-reimbursable, non-recurrent basis in a fashion to be determined by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).
By a draft resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self- determination (document A/C.3/55/L.32), the Assembly would reaffirm that right, including the right to a State. It would express the hope that the Palestinian people would soon be exercising that right in the peace process; and would urge all States and the United Nations system to continue assisting the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination.
A draft on the Convention to protect the rights of migrant workers and their families (document A/C.3/55/L.29) would have the Assembly express its deep concern at the growing manifestations of racism and other forms of discrimination and degrading treatment directed against migrant workers in different parts of the world. It would call upon States, in view of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention, to sign and ratify or accede to the Convention as a matter of priority. It would welcome the work of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants in relation to the Convention, requesting the Secretary-General to continue reporting on the situation.
By a resolution on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (document A/C.3/55/L.30), the Assembly would condemn all forms of torture, including through intimidation, as described in the Convention against torture. It would stress that all allegations of torture should be examined by a national authority, that perpetrators should be severely punished and that legal systems should ensure fair compensation and rehabilitation for victims. The resolution would note with appreciation that 122 States had become parties to the Convention and would urge the others to become members. It would further urge States to notify the Secretary-General of their acceptance of amendments to the Convention and to comply strictly with their obligations under it.
Also by the draft, the Assembly would urge States to take fully into account the recommendations of the Committee against Torture on reports being considered. The Assembly would also urge the inter-sessional Open-ended Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to complete a final text of a draft optional protocol dealing with monitoring and implementation of the Convention. It would ask the Special Rapporteur to continue examining questions of torture, in particular torture of children, also calling on governments to cooperate with him. Stressing the need for a regular exchange of views between the Committee, the Special Rapporteur and others of the United Nations system, the Assembly would also stress the need for improving effectiveness through cooperation with United Nations programmes such as the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme.
Finally by the draft, the Assembly would express appreciation for contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, stressing the importance of the Fund's Board of Trustees in view of the ever- increasing demands made on the Fund. Further requesting assistance from the Secretary-General on behalf of the Fund, the Assembly would invite States to include provisions for preventing torture in bilateral agreements. It would call for an observance on 26 June of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. An annex contains the principles on the investigation and documentation of torture and related inhuman punishment.
Action, Draft on Elimination of Honour Crimes against Women
The Committee took up the draft resolution on working towards the elimination of crimes against women committed in the name of honour (document A/C.3/55/L.11/Rev.1).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Ghana, Malta, Malawi, Republic of Moldova, Liberia, Thailand, Namibia, Paraguay, Azerbaijan, Cyprus and Lesotho.
The representative of the Netherlands requested a discussion of proposed amendments intended as a compromise with the amendments expected to be introduced by Jordan.
The representatives of United States, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya and Jordan took part in a procedural discussion on whether consideration of the draft could continue immediately.
The representative of Jordan then introduced three oral amendments to the draft resolution. Two involved adding the word premeditated before the word crimes. The other, in operative paragraph 1, added the phrase as crimes to a phrase already there: various forms of violence, including those identified as crimes in paragraph 96a of the Outcome Document of the special session Women 2000.
The representatives of Morocco and Pakistan said they supported those amendments.
The representative of the Netherlands said those amendments could not be added because they limited the universally recognized language of the outcome document of Beijing Plus Five, which had placed no limitation on definitions of crimes of honour. It would therefore be wrong at this time to suggest that only premeditated crimes could be identified. While he understood that there was a greater likelihood of the prevention of crimes strictly identified as premeditated, crimes of rage and passion could also be influenced by government policies.
The representative of Mali asked that action proceed.
Vote on Proposed Amendments
The Netherlands called for a vote on the amendments proposed by Jordan.
Before the vote the representative of Canada said consensus was important and he urged Jordan to withdraw the amendments.
The representative of the United Kingdom noted that the due diligence of governments in preventing all forms of violence against women was indeed language that had been agreed upon at Beijing Plus Five. It would be difficult to reopen that issue for discussion now. To insert a premeditation clause into the draft would exclude certain crimes. If that term were included, his delegation would have to vote against the draft.
The representative of Jordan said he could not withdraw the oral amendments because many delegations had expressed serious objections to the resolution as it stood.
The representative of India said he would abstain because the last minute amendments left no time for proper consideration.
The representative of Iran strongly supported the oral amendments proposed by Jordan.
The amendments were defeated by a recorded vote of 22 in favor to 80 against, with 24 abstentions.
After the defeat of the proposed amendments, the representative of Egypt said he had supported the amendments because premeditation made the distinction between crimes of honour and crimes of passion.
The representative of Cuba said that he abstained on the amendments because it was deplorable that the consensus reached during Beijing Plus Five was now being reversed.
The representative of Pakistan said he had supported the amendments because the resolution distorted the outcome document of Beijing Plus Five.
Action on Resolution as Whole
It was announced that a recorded vote had been requested.
The representative of Jordan said that the unfortunate manner in which the draft had been brought before the Committee could not pass without comment. The original text had been distributed immediately following a screening of a documentary on the subject, which had opened with an Islamic call to prayer. At that moment, whether they knew it or not and without any justification, the sponsors of the film had drawn an association between Islam and honour crimes. From that moment on, his delegation had urged caution. Yet despite repeated appeals, the momentum for tabling the resolution had picked up, even though many delegations believed that it was crucial to include the term premeditated before the word crime in preambular paragraph 3 and operative paragraph 1. That suggestion had not been heeded. Therefore, he could not support the resolution in its present form.
The representatives of Indonesia and Cuba said they would vote for the draft even though they did not agree with the manner in which the resolution had been presented to the Committee. They regretted that consensus had not been reached, a view echoed by Mexico's representative.
Yemen's representative said he fully supported Jordan's amendments and would have preferred them to be adopted. He would vote for the resolution because it was a step towards eliminating violence against women. India's representative said any resolution to eliminate violence against women would get his vote.
The representative of Azerbaijan said no religious connotation should be given to crimes against women. She would vote in favour of the resolution.
Pakistan's representative said he would abstain. The inability to reach consensus was deplorable, yet the manner of introduction of the resolution had been unacceptable. A film shown before introduction had identified a crime with Islam. He had tried to work for amendments that would have made it acceptable. The sponsors had offered to meet with those who had objections as late as today, yet they had failed to honour the appointment. The failure of the sponsors to appear indicated an ulterior motive.
The representative of Egypt said he would abstain because the resolution was limited in scope and selective in dealing with the issue of violence against women. Premeditated crimes should not be differentiated. All forms of violence against women should be given equal attention.
Libya's representative said she would abstain because the text set a dangerous precedent for dealing with human rights from a subjective standpoint. The Koran did not distinguish between one murder and another. All crimes against women were heinous. She had tried to join the informal meetings to offer amendments. They had been rejected. The circumstances of the resolution's presentation gave an impression of targeting a culture negatively. Cultures other than Islam were beset with crimes against women, such as over dowry issues.
The representatives of Iran and Kuwait also said they would abstain because the resolution lacked objectivity.
The draft resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 120 in favour to none against, with 25 abstentions.
Explanation of Vote after Vote
The representatives of China and Oman said they had abstained because although they deplored violence against women, the resolution lacked objectivity. El Salvador's representative said he wanted to vote in favour and regretted that consensus had not been reached. He had abstained but reserved the right to return to his previous position.
The representative of Bangladesh said he had voted in favor of the resolution. It was unfortunate that consensus had not been reached.
Ethiopia's representative said she had missed the vote but would have voted in favour of the resolution.
The representative of United Republic of Tanzania noted that the proceedings over the resolution exhibited the usual theatrics that normally accompanied discussion of issues affecting women. She deeply regretted the evening's turn of events.
France's representative said she supported the resolution, which had been watered down considerably. The lack of consensus, however, did not call into question the Beijing affirmations.
Action, Draft on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women
The Committee next took up the draft resolution on the elimination of all forms of violence including crimes against women (document A/C.3/55/L.13.Rev 1).
The final draft was introduced with the title the elimination of all forms of violence against women, including crimes identified in the Outcome Document of Beijing Plus Five.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Brunei, Grenada, Maldives, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.
The representative of Canada, speaking on behalf of New Zealand, Austria, Norway, Iceland, Republic of Korea and Liechtenstein, supported the substance of the resolution as well as the consensus. He would, however, have preferred the draft to take a holistic approach to the issue. That approach should have included legal as well as social and economic reforms. He hoped that future resolutions would give greater consideration to all those issues.
The representative of France, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that it was important to have a General Assembly resolution on this issue just a few short months after Beijing Plus Five.
The representative of Brazil joined the consensus, but would have preferred to avoid dichotomy between violence and crimes.
The representative of the Republic of Korea supported Canadas statement, saying that the resolution should address all issues of violence in a holistic manner. It should particularly address the issue of victims of violence in times of peace as well as in times of conflict.
The representative of Chile expressed regret that the resolution diluted the work done at Beijing.
The representative of Jordan joined the consensus.
(annexes follow)
Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3615 45th Meeting (PM) 3 November 2000
ANNEX I
Vote on Amendments Proposed by Jordan
The amendments proposed by Jordan to its draft text on the elimination of crimes committed against women in the name of honour (document A/C.3/55/L.11/Rev.1) were defeated by a recorded vote of 22 in favour to 80 against, with 24 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
Against: Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Abstain: Belarus, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Côte dIvoire, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guinea, India, Kazakhstan, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey.
Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Nauru, Niger, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
(END OF ANNEX I)
ANNEX II
Vote on Elimination of Honour Crimes Against Women
The draft resolution on the elimination of crimes committed against women in the name of honour (document A/C.3/55/L.11/Rev.1) was adopted by a recorded vote of 120 in favour to none against, with 25 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte dIvoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstain: Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, China, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates.
Absent: Afghanistan, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Nauru, Niger, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yugoslavia, Zambia.
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