COMMITTEE ADOPTS HUMAN RIGHTS-RELATED TEXTS, 4 BY RECORDED VOTE

Press Release
GA/SHC/3622

COMMITTEE ADOPTS HUMAN RIGHTS-RELATED TEXTS, 4 BY RECORDED VOTE

Resolution on Afghanistan Adopted without Vote; Text on Promoting, Consolidating Democracy Adopted by 145-0, with 14 Abstentions

Country-specific resolutions on human rights situations were unproductive because they only made countries resist monitoring, the representative of Libya told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon, as it considered a number of draft resolutions. Libya made that statement in explanation of vote on a resolution regarding the human rights situation in Iran, one of four texts adopted by recorded vote out of a total 12 adopted. Also this afternoon, the Committee heard the introduction of eight new resolutions.

The resolution on human rights in Iran was approved by a recorded vote of 58 in favour to 53 against, with 48 abstaining (Annex III). By the terms of that draft, the Assembly will welcome steps taken by Iran to advance human rights, including its commitment to promote respect for the rule of law and taking note of legal changes in that direction. However, the Assembly will also call on Iran to receive the Special Rapporteur and to cooperate with him, as well as with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. It will call for further changes regarding capital punishment, universal freedoms and the human rights of women and minorities.

Two other country-specific resolutions were approved this afternoon. A draft on the human rights situation in Iraq was approved by a recorded vote of 89 in favour to 2 against (Libya and Sudan), with 56 abstaining (Annex IV). By that text, the Assembly will strongly condemn the systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights by the Government, which added up to an all-pervasive repression and oppression sustained by terror. The Assembly will call on the Iraqi Government to cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, in particular, by receiving the Special Rapporteur and allowing human rights monitors into Iraq.

A resolution on human rights in Afghanistan was approved without a vote. According to that draft, the Assembly will strongly condemn the mass killings and the systematic human rights violations in areas of Afghanistan, and would note with alarm the resumption of wider conflict over the summer by the Taliban. It would stress the need for national reconciliation and for establishing the rule of law.

Third Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/SHC/3622 53rd Meeting (PM) 9 November 2000

Also approved by recorded vote was a resolution on the protection of migrants, approved by 151 votes in favour with none against and 9 abstentions (India, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Singapore and United States) (Annex I). The draft resolution on promoting and consolidating democracy was approved by a recorded vote of 145 in favour and none against, with 14 abstaining (Annex II).

Approved without a vote this afternoon was a seven-part draft on the rights of the child, by whose terms the Assembly will stress the importance of integrating child-related issues into the work of the World Conference on racism. It will urge States to ratify and implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to ensure that the views of children are given due weight in implementing the Convention. Finally, it will urge States to assign priority to activities aimed at preventing substance abuse by children, to take steps to protect the rights of children to remain with parents, and to take special measures to protect vulnerable children such as those living in the streets.

In addition, the Committee decided to take note of the report of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Also approved without a vote were drafts on implementing international instruments on human rights; human rights and cultural diversity; promoting the Declaration on rights and responsibilities to protect rights; strengthening the rule of law; and extrajudicial executions.

Introduced this afternoon was a draft on the new humanitarian order by the representative of Jordan. Norway's representative introduced a draft on the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. South Africa introduced drafts on the pledging conference of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and on the fiftieth anniversary of the UNHCR and World Refugee Day, which will be observed on 20 June.

On behalf of the African Group of States, the representative of Mauritania introduced a draft text on assistance to refugees in Africa. The United States introduced a draft text on human rights in South-eastern Europe. France introduced drafts on human rights in the Sudan and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Speaking on the resolutions were the representatives of United States, Singapore, Canada, Fiji, Libya, Cuba, India, Algeria, Pakistan, Austria, Uruguay, Japan, Chile, Congo, Mexico, Romania, Poland, Sudan, Iran, Egypt, Viet Nam, Hungary, France (on behalf of the European Union), Syria, Guyana, Yemen, China, Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Guinea, Iraq, Russian Federation and Cameroon.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 10 November, to continue considering resolutions on a range of issues within its mandate.

Committee Work Programme

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to consider resolutions on a range of issues within its mandate.

Resolutions Expected to Be Introduced

By a draft on the new international humanitarian order (document A/C.3/55/L.66), the Assembly would urge governments, organizations and non-State actors to support the Secretary-General's initiatives for promoting compliance with international humanitarian laws in situations of armed conflict and complex emergencies. It would invite the Independent Bureau for Humanitarian Issues to further strengthen its activities, including cooperation with the United Nations system, and would ask the Secretary-General to report on progress at the Assembly’s fifty-seventh session.

The draft is sponsored by Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Kuwait and Panama.

The Assembly would stress the importance of international solidarity, burden-sharing and cooperation in reinforcing protection of refugees by a draft on the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/55/L.67). The Assembly would also condemn acts threatening the security and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers, urging States to uphold the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps and settlements. States as well as organizations would also be urged to support the High Commissioner's search for durable solutions and to explore capacity-building initiatives as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing refugee issues. In addition, States and other parties would be urged to observe principles of human rights and refugee law of particular relevance to children and adolescents, even as the Assembly underscored the particular role of elderly refugees within the refugee family.

The resolution is sponsored by Albania, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A resolution on the pledging conference of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/55/L.68) would have the Assembly note that it had endorsed the presentation of a unified annual programme budget of the High Commissioner's Office. It would further note that financial requirements for the Office were presented in the Global Appeal issued each November/December in Geneva. The Assembly would then decide to improve and rationalize the funding mechanism beyond adoption of the annual programme.

The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Burundi, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Norway, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States and Zambia.

The Assembly would pay tribute to the dedication of humanitarian workers by a draft on the fiftieth anniversary of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and World Refugee Day (document A/C.3/55/L.69). The Assembly would also note that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with African Refugee Day on 20 June. It would therefore decide that the date of 20 June would be commemorated as World Refugee Day.

The draft is sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Burundi, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritania, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uganda, United Kingdom, Tanzania, United States, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

By a resolution on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa (document A/C.3/55/L.70), the Assembly would note with concern that the declining socio-economic situation, compounded by political instability, internal strife, human rights violations and natural disasters, had led to increased numbers of refugees and displaced persons in some African countries. The Assembly would express particular concern about the impact of large-scale refugee populations on the security and conditions of asylum countries, and about instances jeopardizing the fundamental principle of asylum, such as by unlawful expulsion. The Assembly would deplore injuries, death and other forms of violence sustained by the High Commissioner's staff, and would urge States and other actors to protect activities related to humanitarian assistance. Expressing grave concern about the plight of internally displaced persons in Africa and calling on States to pre-empt internal displacement, the Assembly would urge the international community to generously fund UNHCR's programmes, with an eye towards turning a fair and equitable portion of resources to refugees in Africa.

Sponsors of the draft are: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Norway, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom.

The situation of human rights in parts of South-eastern Europe is addressed by resolution (document A/C.3/55/L.42/Rev.2), which would have the Assembly reiterate its call for implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the annexes thereto. It would stress the crucial role of human rights in successfully implementing the Agreement and the need for enhanced international efforts to effect the voluntary return of displaced persons and refugees in safety and dignity. It would condemn the growing problem of trafficking in women and would urge all parties to the Peace Agreement to cooperate with the International Tribunal.

Further by the draft, the Assembly would condemn the harassment of returning refugees and internally displaced persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also condemning religious discrimination and manipulation of the press. It would call upon the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take a number of remedial steps and would welcome the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to membership in the United Nations. It would urge all parties in Kosovo to strengthen a multi-ethnic society, stressing the importance of ethnic minorities returning and that of suppressing harassments. Further stressing the urgent need for cooperation with the Interim Administration Mission and the Kosovo Force, the Assembly would express its concern about the forced ethnic division of any part of Kosovo, and would ask the Special Rapporteur in the region to continue monitoring the situation and to report at the Assembly's fifty-seventh session.

The draft is sponsored by Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

The Assembly would welcome a large number of progressive steps by a resolution on the human rights in the Sudan (A/C.3/55/L.51/Rev.1). Those would include efforts to improve freedoms of expression, association and assembly, including the adoption of the Political Organization Act of 2000 and the creation of a High Commission to review the Law on Public Order. Other welcome steps would include efforts to implement the right to education, release of prisoners, shelter for refugees and commitments made to desist from recruiting child soldiers. The Assembly would, however, also express deep concern over such developments as the breakdown of the ceasefire in June, the upsurge of armed confrontations, and acts of intimidation and harassment against the civilian population.

The draft would, therefore, urge all parties in the conflict to take actions leading to peace and to an environment of respect for human rights. Among others, parties would be asked to immediately stop using weapons against civilians, to cooperate with peace efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and to allow independent investigation into outstanding cases of human rights abuses. Finally, the Government would be called upon to take such initiatives as strengthening efforts to ensure the rule of law through legislation and avoiding the execution of severe, inhuman punishments.

Finally, the Assembly would encourage the Government to dialogue with the UNHCR and would encourage the Office to consider requests for assistance by Sudan. It would then call upon the international community to expand its support for activities.

Sponsoring the draft are Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The Assembly would also welcome developments by a resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (document A/C.3/55/L.62/Rev.1). Those developments would include the general amnesty declared in preparation for the Lusaka Agreement, the commitment by the Government to cooperate with the United Nations and steps leading to repatriation of refugees and release of prisoners. Again, the Assembly would express concern at a number of conditions, including the adverse impact of conflict throughout the country, the continued violations of the Lusaka Agreement and the preoccupying situation of human rights in the country.

As a result, the Assembly would urge all parties in the conflict to implement the provisions of the Lusaka Agreement and to facilitate the re- establishing of the Government's authority as agreed in the Inter-Congolese political negotiations of the Agreement. It would stress the need for the Congolese to engage in an all-inclusive process of political dialogue with a view to achieving national reconciliation and the holding of democratic elections. It would call on the Government to comply with its international obligations, including by reforming its judicial system, ensuring freedoms and ending impunity.

The draft is sponsored by Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Resolutions on Which Action Is Expected

By a draft resolution on the rights of the child (document A/C.3/55/L.18/Rev.2), the Assembly would stress the importance of integrating child-related issues into the work of the World Conference against racism, as well as the United Nations Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and the special session on the problem of HIV/AIDS. By Part I of the draft, on implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Assembly would urge States to sign and ratify or accede to the Convention as a matter of priority and to implement it. It would also urge States to ensure that the views of children were given due weight and to involve children and youth in implementing the Convention. Finally, it would urge States to assign priority to activities aimed at preventing substance abuse by children.

By Part II of the draft, on protecting and promoting the rights of children, the Assembly would call upon States to intensify efforts to ensure the registration of all children immediately after birth and to undertake to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her identity. It would also urge States to ensure the right of the child to know and be cared for by parents and not be separated from them unless warranted. It would call upon States to address the number of illegal adoptions, and adoptions in the context of armed conflict situations. It would call upon them also to take specific actions with regard to protecting the child's welfare with regard to the rights to health, education and freedom from violence.

By Part III of the draft, on protecting the rights of children in vulnerable situations, the Assembly would call upon governments to seek comprehensive solutions to the problems causing children to work and/or live on the streets and to implement appropriate policies and programmes for protecting and rehabilitating them. It would also call on States to ensure that basic social services were provided for children to address the economic imperatives for their involvement in harmful, exploitative or abusive activity. The Assembly would also strongly urge governments to guarantee respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to take urgent measures to prevent the killing of children working or living on the street, and to combat torture, abusive treatment and violence against them. It would also call upon States to protect the human rights of migrant children and children with disabilities.

By Part IV of the draft, on preventing and eradicating the sale of children and their sexual exploitation, the Assembly would call upon States to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children and to give full consideration to her recommendations, asking the Secretary-General to provide the human and financial resources to enable discharge of the mandate. The Assembly would call upon States to criminalize and penalize all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse of children, including within the family or for commercial purposes. It would stress the need to combat the existence of a market encouraging such criminal practices against children, encouraging governments to include child victims in developing strategies to protect them from such abuses.

By Part V of the draft, on protecting children in armed conflict, the Assembly would call on the Secretary-General and the United Nations system to intensify cooperation in developing a concerted approach to the rights and welfare of children in armed conflict. It would urge States and other parties to armed conflict to respect international humanitarian law, to put an end to any form of targeting of children and to respect the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. It would also urge States and all other parties to armed conflict to end the use of children as soldiers, to ensure their demobilization and effective disarmament, and to implement effective measures for their rehabilitation and physical and psychological reintegration into society. Further, the Assembly would note with concern the impact of small arms on children in situations of armed conflict, and would recommend that when sanctions are imposed, their impact on children be monitored and their application be child-focused.

By Part VI of the draft, on elimination of child labour, the Assembly would call on States to ratify the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and to translate into concrete, time-bound action their commitment to the progressive and effective elimination of child labour contrary to accepted international methods. It would urge them to eliminate the worst forms of child labour.

By Part VII, the Assembly would request that the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict submit reports to both the Commission on Human Rights and to the Assembly. It would also decide to continue considering the question.

The Committee also had before it a draft resolution on the effective implementation of the international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.31/Rev.1). The draft would have the Assembly encourage each treaty body to continue to give careful consideration to the relevant conclusions and recommendations contained in the reports of the meetings of the chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies. In that context, it would encourage cooperation between the human rights treaty bodies. It would also call upon the Secretary- General to seek, in the next biennium, the resources within the United Nations regular budget necessary to give the human rights treaty bodies adequate administrative support and better access to technical expertise without diverting resources from the development programmes and activities of the Organization. It would further encourage ongoing efforts to identify measures for more effective implementation of United Nations human rights instruments.

Further by the draft, the Assembly would urge States parties to contribute individually or through meetings to the identification of practical proposals and ideas for improving the functioning of the treaty bodies. It would also urge States parties whose reports have been examined by treaty bodies to provide adequate follow-up to the observations and final comments of those bodies on the reports. It would urge States parties to translate, publish and make widely available in their territories the full texts of the concluding observations on their reports to treaty bodies.

By a resolution on human rights and cultural diversity (document A/C.3/55/L.34), the Assembly would affirm the importance for all people and nations to hold, develop and preserve their cultural heritage and traditions in a national and international atmosphere of peace, tolerance and mutual respect. It would affirm that the international community should ensure that the phenomenon of globalization promoted respect for cultural diversity. It would further affirm that inter-cultural dialogue enriched the universality of human rights and that manifestations of cultural prejudice and intolerance generated hatred. Emphasizing that promotion of cultural pluralism and tolerance was important for enhancing respect for cultural rights, the Assembly would call on the international community to recognize and promote respect for cultural diversity in order to advance peace, development and human rights. It would ask the Secretary-General to report on the phenomenon at the Assembly's next session.

A resolution on protecting migrants (document A/C.3/55/L.35) would have the Assembly strongly condemn all forms of racial discrimination and xenophobia with regard to access to employment, vocational training, housing and other services. It would call upon States to review and revise immigration policies to eliminate discriminatory policies and practices against migrants. It would reiterate the need for all States to protect the universally recognized human rights of migrants, and would reaffirm the responsibility of governments to safeguard and protect the rights of migrants. It would urge States to adopt effective measures to end arbitrary arrest and detention of migrants. Finally, the Assembly would welcome close cooperation between the Special Rapporteur on migrants' human rights and the Preparatory Committee for the 2001 World Conference against racism.

The Assembly would call on States to promote and consolidate democracy by a large number of measures, according to a resolution on that matter (document A/C.3/55/L.40). Those measures would include initiatives to promote pluralism and respect for human rights, strengthening the rule of law, implementing free and fair electoral systems and legal frameworks, good governance, the promotion of sustainable development, enhancing social cohesion and solidarity, and strengthening capabilities. It would also ask the Secretary-General to disseminate the present resolution.

The Assembly would call on States to promote the Declaration concerning the right and responsibility to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms (document A/C.3/55/L.43*). Further, it would invite governments to cooperate with the special representative on human rights defenders and would request the United Nations system to cooperate in implementing the programme.

A draft on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/55/L.44) would have the Assembly express its deep concern at the scarcity of means at the disposal of the UNHCR for fulfilling its tasks. It would note with concern that the Programme of Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in Human Rights did not have sufficient funds to assist national projects. It would welcome cooperation between the Office of the High Commissioner and others of the United Nations system with regard to the rule of law, affirming the High Commissioner as the focal point for coordinating system-wide attention to the issue. Finally, the Assembly would encourage initiatives for further efforts.

By a resolution on enforced or involuntary disappearances (document A/C.3/55/L.52), the Assembly would urge all governments to take legislative or other steps to prevent and suppress the practice of enforced disappearances, in keeping with the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. It would also urge them to take national and regional steps towards that end in cooperation with the United Nations, including through technical assistance. Further, they would be urged to protect the families of disappeared persons against intimidation or ill treatment. The Assembly would recall the importance of the Working Group as a channel of communications between those families and governments, inviting it to identify obstacles to realizing the Declaration and encouraging it to continue considering the question of impunity. It would call upon the Commission on Human Rights to continue studying the question as a matter of priority, to take steps in pursuit and follow-up of the Working Group's task. Finally, it would ask the Secretary- General to report on implementation of the resolution at the Assembly's fifty- seventh session. The Committee had before it a draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (document A/C.3/55/L.60), which would have the Assembly demand that all governments ensure that such executions be brought to an end and take effective action to combat and eliminate the phenomenon in all its forms. The Assembly would strongly condemn once again all such executions that continue to take place throughout the world.

Also, the Assembly would call on the governments of all States in which the death penalty has not been abolished to comply with their obligations under relevant provisions of international human rights instruments. It would call on governments concerned to investigate promptly and thoroughly cases in various parts of the world of killings committed in the name of passion or in the name of honour, persons killed for reasons related to their peaceful activities as human rights defenders or as journalists, and other persons whose right to life has been violated in an extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary manner, to bring those responsible to justice and to ensure that such killings are neither condoned nor sanctioned by government officials.

A draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran (document A/C.3/55/L.49) would have the Assembly call on the Government of Iran to invite the Special Representative to visit the country and to resume its full cooperation with him, and give effect to its invitation to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to visit Iran. The Assembly would also call on the Government to ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed for crimes other than the most serious, and will not be pronounced in disregard of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and United Nations safeguards, and to provide the Special Representative with relevant statistics on the matter.

In addition, the Assembly would call on the Government to accelerate the process of the investigation into the suspicious deaths and killings of intellectuals and political activists, and to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice; eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds or against persons belonging to minorities; and take further measures to promote full and equal enjoyment by women of their human rights.

Under a draft resolution on human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/55/L.50), the General Assembly would strongly condemn the systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law by the Government of Iraq, resulting in an all-pervasive repression and oppression sustained by broad-based discrimination and terror.

By further terms of the draft, the Assembly would call upon the Government of Iraq to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under international human rights treaties and international humanitarian law, and to respect and ensure the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their origin, ethnicity, gender or religion, within its territories and subject to its jurisdiction. The Assembly would also call upon the Government of Iraq to cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, in particular by inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and allowing the stationing of human rights monitors throughout Iraq. Under a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/55/L.64), the General Assembly would stress the need for the Haitian National Police to continue to undertake more effective efforts to improve its performance through, inter alia, technical assistance, and training and education, in order to function efficiently, within a framework of respect for human rights, to curb the alarming increase in insecurity in the country.

Also according to the draft, the Assembly would request all interested governments to make available to the Government of Haiti information and documentation to enable it to prosecute the perpetrators of human rights violations, in order to reinforce the efforts already made by the Haitian authorities to fight against impunity and to facilitate the reconciliation process. The Assembly would also invite the international community, including the Bretton Woods institutions, to consider, when conditions permit, continuing their involvement in the reconstruction and development of Haiti.

A resolution on the question of human rights in Afghanistan (document A/C.3/55/L.65) would have the Assembly strongly condemn the mass killing and systematic human rights violations in areas of Afghanistan, and would note with alarm the resumption of wider conflict over the summer by the Taliban. The Assembly would note with deep concern the sharp deterioration of the humanitarian situation in many areas of Afghanistan, and would urge States to refrain from interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs. It would stress the need for national reconciliation and for establishing the rule of law, urging Afghan parties to take a number of steps towards that end. All Afghan parties, especially the Taliban, would be urged to take legislative and other measures to end violations of girls' and women's rights. In view of the Assembly's grave concern over recent reports of summary executions in Taliban-held areas and at reports of attacks on cultural artefacts, those parties would be urged to respect all human rights instruments and to cooperate with the Human Rights Commission and with special rapporteurs.

Introduction of Drafts

The representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina introduced a draft resolution on the new international humanitarian order (document A/C.3/55/L.66).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Azerbaijan, Kuwait and Panama.

The representative of Norway introduced a draft resolution on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (document A/C.3/55/L.67).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Cameroon, Micronesia and Bulgaria.

The representative of South Africa introduced a draft resolution on the Pledging Conference of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (document A/C.3/55/L.68).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Brazil, Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia.

The representative of South Africa introduced a draft resolution on the fiftieth anniversary of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (document A/C.3/55/L.69).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Brazil, Guinea, Netherlands, Slovenia and Tajikistan.

The representative of Mauritania, speaking on behalf of States members of the African Group of States, introduced a draft resolution on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons (document A/C.3/55/L.70).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Germany, Bangladesh, Italy, Netherlands and the United States.

The representative of the United States introduced a draft resolution on the Situation of human rights in parts of South Eastern Europe (document A/C.3/55/L.42/Rev.2).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia and Jordan.

The representative of France, on behalf of the European Union, introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Sudan (document A/C.3/55/L.51).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Andorra, Canada, Iceland and San Marino.

The representative of France, on behalf of the European Union, introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (document A/C.3/655/L.62/Rev.2).

Japan and Monaco joined as co-sponsors of the draft resolution.

Action, Draft on Rights of Child

The Committee took up the draft resolution on the rights of the child (document A/C.3/55/L.18/Rev.2).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Benin, Belarus, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Cameroon, Cambodia, China, Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Georgia, Indonesia, India, Israel, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malaysia, Morocco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Viet Nam, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Nepal, Nauru, Burundi, Papua New Guinea, Niger and Vanuatu.

The Secretary then read a letter from the Office of the United Nations Controller in response to concerns expressed by members yesterday. She drew the Committee’s attention, at the request of the Controller, to certain paragraphs of the current draft resolution which his Office felt contained administrative and budgetary issues.

Before the adoption of the resolution, the representative of the United States said that while her delegation was supportive of the thrust of the resolution, it could not join as a co-sponsor due to language in the text referring to child soldiers. Her delegation had hoped that the resolution would reflect progress made in that area following the elaboration this year of the Optional Protocol on Child Soldiers. Her delegation would make a statement in explanation of position when the resolution came before the General Assembly.

The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.

The representative of Singapore said his delegation also supported the general thrust of the resolution, but was unable to join as a co-sponsor due to concern over paragraph 3 in Part I, which urged States to review regularly any reservations with a view to withdrawing them. The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties had drawn a distinction between permissible and impermissible reservations, based on their compatibility with the object and purpose of the relevant treaties. Singapore, therefore, considered it inappropriate to insist that States parties regularly review permissible reservations, with a view to withdrawing them. His delegation believed that the apparent trend to discourage reservations was counterproductive, in that it would discourage countries from becoming party to international treaties.

The representative of Canada drew the Committee’s attention to a missing footnote in the text of the resolution.

The representative of Fiji said that she had joined in the consensus on the resolution but drew the Committee’s attention to her delegation’s concerns, expressed on numerous occasions, as to the circumstances surrounding the visit to Fiji by the Special Rapporteur on the sexual exploitation of children.

The representative of Libya joined the consensus, but expressed concerns over paragraphs in the text which “urged” States to review reservations with a view to withdrawing them.

The representative of Cuba said it was her understanding that the text being adopted today did not contain any footnotes. The representative of India said that his delegation had joined co-sponsorship of the resolution after the footnote in paragraph 14 of Part VII had been removed. It would withdraw co- sponsorship if the footnote were reinserted. The representative of Algeria said that her delegation would also withdraw its co-sponsorship it the footnote was re-inserted into the draft. The representative of Sudan said that the footnote had not been discussed during informal discussions of the draft. Finally, the representative of Pakistan said that his delegation had the clear and precise understanding that the footnote in question had been deleted from the revised draft text. His delegation would also withdraw from co-sponsorship if it were reinserted. The representative of Cuba said that while her delegation would not withdraw from co-sponsorship, it would not accept an amendment to the draft at this time.

The representative of Australia said that it was his delegation’s belief that the footnote would be included.

The representative of Uruguay said that during informals, it had been clear that the issue of the footnote had not been negotiated. It was not included in the body of the draft resolution.

Taking the floor a second time, the representative of Canada said that there had been no open discussions of the footnote during informals. She was surprised that it had been deleted with no discussion. She was aware that her intervention had been made after the adoption of the resolution, and it was not her intention to promote lengthy debate.

Action, Draft on Implementation of Human Rights Instruments

The Committee took up a draft resolution on effective implementing of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.31/Rev.1).

The following were added as co-sponsors: France, Japan, Argentina, Netherlands, Namibia, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, Ukraine, Panama, Croatia, Republic of Moldova, Albania, Fiji, Finland, Belgium and Malta.

The Secretary drew the Committee’s attention, at the request of the Office of the United Nations Controller, to certain paragraphs of the resolution which the Office felt contained administrative and budgetary issues.

The representatives of Australia and Canada reiterated the central importance of United Nations treaty bodies in the promotion of human rights.

The resolution was adopted without a vote.

Action, Draft on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity

The Committee took up a draft resolution on human rights and cultural diversity (document A/C.3/55/L.34). The representative of Iran, the draft’s main sponsor, introduced a number of technical revisions.

The following were added as co-sponsors: Indonesia, Oman, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Congo and Chad.

The Marshall Islands was deleted as a co-sponsor.

The resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.

The representative of Canada said that her delegation recognized that cultural diversity was central to development and peace and security. She noted, however, that respect for cultural diversity must respect human rights law. The resolution did not reflect that view, and she had therefore joined the consensus but could not join as a co-sponsor.

The representative of Japan said that this resolution was an improvement over last year’s. Cultural and economic concerns were now included. Chile joined the consensus, but reserved the right to explain its vote in plenary. Congo also joined the consensus.

Action, Draft on the Protection of Migrants

The Committee took up a draft resolution on the protection of migrants (document A/C.3/55/L.35).

Mozambique joined as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution.

A recorded vote was called for.

In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of the United States expressed deep regret that there were two issues with which her delegation did not agree. The first was mention in the text of the decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. And the second was the reference made to international freedoms, which her delegation regarded as government-to- government obligations.

The draft resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 151 in favour with none against, and nine abstentions (India, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Singapore and United States).

In explanation of the vote after the vote, the representative of Singapore said she had abstained as her delegation had been unable to concur with language in the text concerning review and revision of immigration polices.

The representative of Mexico, the main sponsor of the draft, said that his delegation regretted that a vote was called on this draft resolution.

Votes in favour of the draft, by both Pakistan and Lesotho, were not reflected in the Annex.

Action, Draft on Promoting and Consolidating Democracy

The Committee took up a draft resolution on promoting and consolidating democracy (document A/C.3/55/L.40), including a number of technical revisions introduced by the representative of Romania, the draft's main sponsor.

The following were added as co-sponsors: Nigeria, Niger, Sri Lanka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Fiji, Cameroon, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Honduras, Niger, Panama, and Kenya.

A recorded vote was called for.

The representative of Romania said the draft resolution before the Committee was the result of extensive and constructive open discussion by delegations during the past few weeks. He hoped the text had highlighted the key role of the United Nations in international efforts to promote democracy and foster consolidation of democratic values. He urged all delegations to vote in favour of the draft.

The representative of Poland welcomed the draft, saying the time was right to adopt a resolution that mirrored the efforts of the international community to promote and consolidate democracy.

In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Libya said the text of the draft implied the imposition of certain types of democracies. Expressing a similar view, the representative of China said that democracy was a political system with no universal model. Various governments had the right to determine independently the paths its people would take. The representative of Sudan said his delegation would also stress that there was no single model of democracy applicable in all countries of the world.

The draft was adopted by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to none against, with 14 abstentions.

In explanation of vote after the vote, the representative of Iran said that as a democratic Government, Iran had attached great importance to the resolution and the notions and ideas contained therein. His delegation had voted in favour of the draft, but had nevertheless been dismayed at the manner in which consultations had been carried out.

The representative of Egypt, voting in favour, said that the draft emphasized elements that contributed to the promotion and consolidation of the democratic process. He noted, however, that there was no one model of democracy. The representative of Algeria, also voting in favour, expressed a similar view. She said democracy was a process and that there was no single model.

The representative of Singapore said his delegation fully supported any international effort to consolidate and promote democracy and respect for human rights. While the resolution proposed one useful approach to democracy, each country had the right to decide for itself what elements it needed to consolidate democracy in the particular circumstances of its society.

The representative of Viet Nam said her delegation did not believe that there was a single model of democracy, and had therefore abstained.

Ghana’s vote in favour of the draft resolution was not included in the annex.

In a general statement, the representative of Hungary said his delegation welcomed the adoption of the draft resolution and was pleased with the spread of democracy throughout the world.

The representative of France (on behalf of the European Union) said the draft resolution recalled all the great principles at the heart of the democratic process. And while there was no single democratic model, there was consensus understanding on the general principles of democracy. For that reason she regretted that there had been no consensus.

The representative of Japan, speaking on behalf of Australia, Andorra, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and San Marino, welcomed adoption of the resolution. And Romania, the draft’s main sponsor, expressed deep satisfaction to all delegations.

Action, Draft on Declaration on Right to Protect Human Rights

The Committee took up a draft resolution on the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (document A/C.3/55/L.43*).

The following were added as co-sponsors: Nigeria, Panama, Benin, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The representative of Algeria said her delegation attached particular interest to the issue, but open consultations had not been held. Her delegation had first seen the text only in revised form.

The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.

In explanation of position, the representative of Syria said her delegation had affirmed and would reaffirm that the resolution committed countries not to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, and not to be selective in their approach to human rights issues. She said that the resolution also implied duties for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure principles of non-selectivity in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Action, Draft on Strengthening Rule of Law

The Committee next took up a draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/55/L.44), with a minor technical revision to the text.

The Solomon Islands and Mauritius joined as co-sponsors of the draft.

The representative of Libya noted her delegation’s concern for ensuring that financial institutions participating in funding programmes should be international institutions. Private financial institutions, she said, might place conditions or stipulations on contributions.

The draft resolution was adopted as orally amended without a vote.

The Chairman next informed the Committee that consideration of the draft text on the question of enforced or involuntary disappearances (document A/C.3/55/L.52) would be deferred.

Action, Draft on Summary Executions

The Committee took up the draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (document A/C.3/55/L.60), including a number of technical revisions to the text, outlined at its introduction.

The Secretary drew the Committee’s attention, at the request of the Office of the United Nations Controller, to certain paragraphs of the draft resolution.

Benin and Honduras joined as co-sponsors of the draft.

The representative of Guyana said her delegation recognized the role of the Special Rapporteur on summary executions, and was pleased at the forthright nature of the draft resolution. However, she was concerned about references to the death penalty. Such references had seemingly influenced the Special Rapporteur to express personal opinions about that issue. The United Nations should review the manner in which the mandates of special rapporteurs were interpreted.

The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.

In explanation of position, the representative of Libya, while not opposing the draft, said her delegation would express reservations because requests to change the portions of the draft text concerning the International Criminal Court had gone unheeded.

Action, Draft on Situation of Human Rights in Iran

The Committee took up a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (document A/C.3/55/L.49) with minor technical corrections to both the French and English texts.

Australia and Norway joined as co-sponsors of the draft.

A recorded vote was called for.

In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Yemen said the question of human rights was an indivisible whole. Any attempt to violate human rights or politicize them to undermine another’s sovereignty must be rejected. Double standards undermined human rights. He would abstain on resolutions concerning all human rights situations in all countries, but would reserve the right to explain his vote in detail in the General Assembly.

Sudan's representative said he rejected the selective approach and double standard in addressing human rights situations and the politicization of human rights questions. No country could be free of human rights violations. He was totally opposed to the selectivity invariably aimed against developing countries. The question of human rights called for an objective consideration of all violations in all countries. He would vote against the resolution.

Iran's representative said the resolution on his country was steadily losing the sympathy of delegations year by year. Adopting the resolution had so far proved to be a disservice to the cause of human rights in his country. At the United Nations, it was the prisoner of a biased agenda. In Iran itself, it had no positive impact on the actual situation, and it had failed to generate any momentum with non-State actors advocating human rights. In a nutshell, the present popular reform process in Iran could best be described as a home-grown, self-sustaining and irreversible process, leading to consistent institutionalization of the rule of law, democracy and human rights protection.

A practical solution was not beyond reach, he said. Iran had expressed its willingness to work with sponsors and address the key components, including a visit by the Special Rapporteur. In light of ongoing developments, other practical alternatives to current mechanisms could also be contemplated. Any initiative at the international level should be innovative, constructive and encouraging. It should be based on cooperation and should have a promotional approach. The current process and attitude towards the situation in Iran contradicted those criteria. All delegations should lend valuable support to Iran by voting against the draft.

China's representative said the international community should let each country decide its own road to development. Country-specific resolutions were anti-productive. He would vote against the resolution.

Algeria could not support the resolution, that country's representative said. The cause of human rights was served only by dialogue and cooperation. Any other approach defeated the purpose. He encouraged delegations to engage in a dialogue with Iran.

The draft on the situation of human rights in Iran lacked the objectivity of another draft that had been approved yesterday on enhancing human rights, Pakistan's representative said. He would abstain.

The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 58 in favour, 53 against, with 48 abstentions.

Speaking in explanation of the vote after the vote, Japan 's representative said she supported the draft because it was a balanced text. Iran should continue instituting human rights improvements so that a resolution would not be required in the future.

Chile had abstained, that country's representative said. Some situations regarding women's rights and minorities in Iran were incompatible with international standards, but the abstention was intended both to encourage Iran's efforts and to bolster its continuing cooperation with the United Nations.

Her country had also abstained, said the representative of the Philippines. Iran had made progress and continued to do so, for example, by hosting a human rights conference for its region. The Teheran step-by-step approach had been cited by the High Commissioner as a paradigm for implementing human rights.

The representative of Thailand cited progress Iran had made, for example, through its parliamentary elections. She had abstained in order to send a message to Iran that its efforts to promote human rights had not been wasted. Iran should continue dialogue with special rapporteurs.

The representative of Brazil said he had abstained because he subscribed to the legitimacy of human rights everywhere in the world. The evolution of human rights since President Khatami had taken office deserved attention. But Iran should continue its dialogue with the United Nations until there was more improvement in the rights of women and minorities.

Guinea's representative said the Special Rapporteur should recognize the progress made in Iran. The complexity of Iranian society should be acknowledged by the international community, which should stand behind Iran in its objectives.

"We are again faced with an unbalanced text", the representative of Libya said. Targeting countries would not help correct problems because it only pushed a country to resist monitoring. A policy of double containment was being practised against Iran, a country known for its contributions to all walks of life. The international community should be patient with the reform process, which could not occur overnight.

Action, Draft on Human Rights Situation in Iraq

The Committee took up a draft resolution on the human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/55/L.50), with minor corrections to the French text.

Kuwait and the United States of America joined as co-sponsors of the draft resolution.

A recorded vote was called for.

The representative of Iraq said the draft resolution before the Committee was practically a mirror image of previous resolutions on the subject of human rights in his country. He said that draft was based on the political considerations at the heart of the United States’ aggressions against Iraq, and bore no serious relation to a sincere desire to deal with human rights issues. Further, the draft dealt with accusations and claims as if they were facts, on the basis of which demands had subsequently been made. He pointed out that the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in his country had acknowledged that further analysis needed to be done on Iraq’s progress in the area of human rights.

Turning to a few specific sections of the draft, he said the issue of missing persons had been dealt with. He went on to express deep concern that the draft resolution ignored any reference to the negative impacts of the sanctions imposed on his country. His delegation felt that the Committee was unconcerned with such a clear violation of human rights. The “oil-for-food” programme had failed because it had been designed in a way that could not address the humanitarian situation inflicted on Iraq by sanctions. In fact, the bulk of funds generated by the programme did not go to humanitarian assistance. That had led the programme to be called the “oil for compensation programme” or the “oil for United Nations administration programme”.

Certain operative paragraphs of the draft were clear examples of the selective use of human rights issues as a way to undermine Iraq’s national leadership. He categorically refuted several of those paragraphs, including sections on Iraq’s freedom of expression policies and its legislation on discrimination. He also totally rejected the idea of the deployment of human rights observers as interference in Iraq’s territorial sovereignty. Finally he hoped that all delegations would understand the political dimensions of the draft resolution and vote against it.

In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Sudan said his delegation totally opposed the use of double standards and politicization of human rights questions. No country was free from human rights violations, he added. As a matter of principle, his delegation would vote against adoption of the draft.

The representative of Egypt said while confirming its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and basic freedoms, his delegation would always call for avoiding politicization of human rights issues to bring pressure on certain countries. There was an ever-present need to respect cultural diversity. He also underscored the notion that it was the sovereign right of all States to enact laws in light of their own societies with regard to human rights and basic freedoms. It was necessary to adopt measures that would protect Iraqi women and children from the harmful effects of sanctions. The Egyptian delegation would abstain.

The draft resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 89 in favour and 2 against (Libya and Sudan), with 56 abstentions.

In explanation of vote after the vote, the representative of Syria said that her delegation had abstained because the draft resolution was an attempt to divide Iraq into a country of minorities. Her delegation was opposed to any attempts to undermine the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. She added that the draft resolution also supported a project for an institutional system of human rights monitoring of a Member State. Intervention in the internal affairs of Member States ran counter to the principles of the United Nations Charter. She called on Iraq to cooperate with international authorities to bring about a just solution to the question of missing persons.

The representative of the Philippines said her delegation’s abstention would hopefully allow Iraq room to renew its obligation to comply with and apply

United Nations humanitarian resolutions and instruments. She noted that perhaps Iraq could make better progress if sanctions were removed. That would serve as a significant step towards improving the social, political, economic as well as humanitarian situation in the country. The international community must work to promote a fresh approach to the situation of human rights in Iraq, particularly as President Sadam Hussein’s regime had remained untouched during 10 years of sanctions, while women and children suffered incidentally. She reiterated that her delegation’s abstention did not mean that Iraq should ignore its international obligations; rather it was a “vote” to create space for all parties to move forward.

The representative of the Russian Federation said his delegation considered that the draft unilaterally politicized the human rights situation in Iraq, while failing to focus on the effect of sanctions and bombings. Iraqi citizens suffered from widespread poverty as well as severe difficulties in the areas of education, healthcare and unemployment. None of those issues had been addressed in the draft resolution.

The representative of Libya said her delegation had voted against the draft resolution because its content was in no way different from others adopted by the General Assembly in the past. That was despite the fact that the text was supposed to incorporate recent findings by the Special Rapporteur. She went on to say that the draft lacked balance and credibility. Her delegation also expressed strong reservations on the draft’s call to deploy human rights monitors throughout the territory. Finally, she called on Iraq to participate in the work of the Tripartite Committee on the issue of missing persons, as a way to restore stability to the region.

The representative of Sudan said his delegation supported all efforts made to lift the sanction on Iraq. Those sanctions had a horrendous and devastating effect on women, children and the elderly. He reiterated the need to arrive at a just and speedy settlement of the issue of missing persons and prisoners to ease tensions with Kuwait.

The Chairperson informed the Committee that consideration of the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/55/L.64) would be deferred.

Action, Draft on Question of Human Rights in Afghanistan

The Committee took up a draft resolution submitted by the Chairperson on the question of human rights in Afghanistan (document A/C.3/55/L.65).

The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.

The representative of Cameroon said he had abstained during voting on earlier drafts on freedom of travel and unilateral coercive measures. He would now vote in favour.

(annexes follow)

Third Committee Press Release GA/SHC/3622 53rd Meeting (PM) 9 November 2000

ANNEX I

Vote on Protection of Migrants

The draft resolution on protection of migrants (document A/C.3/55/L.35) was adopted by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to none against, with 9 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None.

Abstain: Federated States of Micronesia, India, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, United States.

Absent: Bahrain, Burundi, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Suriname, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan.

(END OF ANNEX I)

ANNEX II

Vote on Promoting and Consolidating Democracy

The draft resolution on promoting and consolidating democracy (document A/C.3/55/L.40) was adopted by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to none against, with 14 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None.

Abstain: Bhutan, China, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam.

Absent: Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Kiribati, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Suriname, Syria, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Zambia.

(END OF ANNEX II)

ANNEX III

Vote on Human Rights Situation in Iran

The draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran (document A/C.3/55/L.50) was adopted by a recorded vote of 58 in favour to 53 against, with 48 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Yugoslavia.

Against: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.

Abstain: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guinea, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Absent: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Grenada, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

(END OF ANNEX III)

ANNEX IV

Vote on Human Rights Situation in Iraq

The draft resolution on the human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/55/L.50) was adopted by a recorded vote of 89 in favour to 2 against, with 56 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.

Against: Libya, Sudan.

Abstain: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam.

Absent: Albania, Armenia, Cambodia, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Grenada, Iran, Iraq, Kiribati, Mali, Morocco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

* *** *