Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

88^th Meeting (AM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY REITERATES CONDEMNATION OF TERRORISM; ADOPTS 65 RESOLUTIONS

ON SOCIAL, HUMANITARIAN ISSUES, 16 BY RECORDED VOTE

Subjects Include Human Rights, Refugees, Globalization,

Ageing, Drug and Crime Control, Women’s Issues, Youth, Disabled Persons

Aware that the new century would bring far-reaching transformations during which forces of aggressive nationalism and religious and ethnic extremism would continue to challenge the international community, the Assembly this morning strongly condemned the violations of the right to live free from fear and of the right to life, liberty and security through the adoption of a resolution on human rights and terrorism.

On the recommendations of its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian Cultural), the Assembly adopted 65 resolutions, 16 by recorded vote, and seven decisions aimed at addressing modern humanitarian realities, including, among others, the question of human rights in Afghanistan, the protection of internally displaced persons and migrants, and the effects of globalization on the enjoyment of human rights among them.

Approving the draft on human rights and terrorism by a vote of 102 in favour to none against, with 69 abstentions (Annex XI), the Assembly expressed its solidarity with the victims of terrorism and reiterated its unequivocal condemnation of the acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as activities aimed at the destruction of human rights and democracy, threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States.

The Assembly also condemned the incitement of ethnic hatred, violence and terrorism, and urged the international community to enhance cooperation at the regional and international levels in the fight against terrorism, with the aim of its eradication.

Further by the text, the Assembly called upon States to deny safe haven to terrorists and to take all necessary and appropriate measures, before granting refugee status, for the purpose of ensuring that an asylum-seeker has not planned, facilitated or participated in the commission of terrorist acts. 

The Assembly also unanimously approved a draft on the question of human rights in Afghanistan, condemning the Taliban authorities for allowing the continued use of Afghan territory for terrorist activity.  It also strongly

condemned the widespread violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law in Afghanistan, mainly by the Taliban, including the right to life, liberty and security of person; freedom from torture and from other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and freedom of opinion, expression, religion, association and movement. 

Also by the draft, the Assembly strongly condemned the gross violations of the human rights of women and girls, including all forms of discrimination against them, notably in areas under Taliban control, as well as the killings of foreign correspondents and attacks on and the killing of United Nations personnel.  It called upon all Afghan parties to respect fully all human rights and fundamental freedoms, without discrimination of any ground, including of gender, ethnicity or religion, in accordance with international law.

The Assembly further noted with deep concern the existence of millions of Afghan refugees and their increased flow, while recognizing the huge burden shouldered by neighbouring countries, especially Iran and Pakistan, and appreciated the efforts undertaken in those countries to ease the plight of Afghan refugees.

The deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, as well as the plight of refugees worldwide, and the hardships and discrimination faced by migrants and internally displaced persons, were chief topics during the Third Committee's deliberations this year.  To that end, it forwarded a text to the Assembly, adopted today without a vote, on human rights and mass exodus.  By that draft, the Assembly would strongly deplore ethnic and other forms of intolerance as one of the major causes of forced migratory movements, and urges States to take all necessary steps to ensure respect for human rights, especially the rights of persons belonging to minorities. 

Another text approved without vote today, on human rights and cultural diversity, urged States to work to ensure that their political and legal systems reflect their multicultural diversity and, where necessary, to improve democratic institutions so that they are more fully participatory and avoid marginalization and exclusion of specific sectors of society.

A draft on the protection of migrants, also adopted without a vote, called upon States to review and, when necessary, revise immigration policies with a view to providing specialized training for policy-making, law enforcement and immigration officials to create conditions that fostered greater harmony within societies.

The Assembly further approved a text that addressed the situation in which people from the margins of society might often be forced to look outside their native borders for employment, making them economic migrants.  Often, they were unwelcome guests in their new homes.  That resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families expressed the Assembly's deep concern at the growing manifestation of racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination and inhuman or degrading treatment directed against migrant workers in different parts of the world.  It

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would also call upon all Member States to consider signing and ratifying the Convention as a matter of priority, noting that only four ratifications or accessions were needed for it to enter into force.

The Committee had also forwarded a resolution to the Assembly on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights, which adopted it by a vote of 116 in favour to 46 against, with 9 abstentions (Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guatemala, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) (Annex XII).  That resolution reaffirmed that narrowing the gap between rich and poor countries is an explicit goal at the national and international levels, as part of the effort to create an enabling environment for the full enjoyment of all human rights.  It recognized that, while globalization offered great opportunities, its benefits are very unevenly shared, and its costs are unevenly distributed, an aspect of the process that affects the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly in developing countries.

The text also affirmed that globalization was a complex process of structural transformation, with numerous interdisciplinary aspects, which has an impact on the enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

The right to development itself was the topic of a resolution that was approved by the Assembly, by a vote of 123 in favour to 4 against (Denmark, Israel, Japan, United States), with 44 abstentions (Annex V).  In the draft, the Assembly underlined that, in the process of realizing the right, special attention should be given to persons belonging to minorities, whether national, ethnic, religious or linguistic, as well as to persons belonging to vulnerable groups, such as elderly people, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, children and persons infected with HIV/AIDS.

Further, the resolution recognized that, for many developing countries, the realization of the right to, among other things, food, health and education may be important development entry points to the realization of the right to development.

In stressing the importance of the right to food, in a text adopted today by a vote of 169 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions (Australia, New Zealand) (Annex IX), the Assembly reaffirmed that hunger constituted an outrage and a violation of human dignity and, therefore, required the adoption of urgent measures at the national, regional and international levels for its elimination.  It was intolerable that 826 million people, most of them women and children, throughout the world, and particularly in developing countries, did not have enough food to meet their basic nutritional needs, which infringes upon their fundamental human rights, and, at the same time, can generate additional pressure on the environment in ecologically fragile areas.

The Assembly, by the resolution, stressed the need to make efforts to mobilize and optimize the allocation and utilization of technical and financial resources from all sources, including external debt relief for developing countries, to implement sustainable food security policies.  The Assembly also

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urged States to give adequate priority in their development strategies and expenditures to the realization of the right to food.  (During the Third Committee's meeting approving the draft on 27 November, the United States representative said his Government could not support the draft, as it implied that citizens had a right to receive food from their respective States and prescribed a legal remedy for those that believed that presumed right had been denied them.)

The Committee had also forwarded to the Assembly several country-specific resolutions, which referred to the human rights situations in various nations.  The Assembly approved resolutions on the situation of human rights in Cambodia; the situation of human rights in Iran, adopted by a vote of 72 in favour to

49 against, with 46 abstentions (Annex XIII); the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, adopted by a vote of 90 in favour to 3 against (Iran, Rwanda, Uganda), with 69 abstentions (Annex XIV); the situation of human rights in Iraq, adopted by a vote of 100 in favour to 2 against (Libya, Sudan), with 63 abstentions (Annex XV); and the situation of human rights in the Sudan was adopted by a vote of 79 in favour to 37 against, with 48 abstentions (Annex XVI).

A resolution on the situation of human rights in parts of South-Eastern Europe was adopted without a vote.  Action on resolution III, on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, was also postponed in order to allow review of its budgetary implications by the Fifth Committee.

The Assembly also aimed to address human rights in all countries by passing 24 resolutions on alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.  Among those was a text on the promotion of a democratic and equitable order, adopted today by a vote 109 in favour to

53 against, with 6 abstentions (Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa).  It reaffirms that the international community should devise ways and means to remove the current obstacles and challenges to the full realization of all human rights and to prevent the resultant continuing human rights violations throughout the world.

Under a text on national human rights institutions, adopted without a vote, the Assembly encouraged Member States to establish, or where they already exist, to strengthen national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights.  Those institutions, the resolution said, were encouraged to continue to play an active role in preventing and combating all violations of human rights.

Under the draft on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004), the Assembly expressed its conviction that human rights education should involve more than the provision of information and should constitute a comprehensive, lifelong process by which people at all levels of development and in all societies learned respect for the dignity of others. By approving a related text on human rights education itself, the Assembly invited all governments to reaffirm their commitments and obligations to develop national strategies for human rights education which were comprehensive, participatory and effective and which could be embodied in a national plan of action for human rights education as part of their national development plans.

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Also this morning, the Assembly proclaimed 2003 to 2012 as the United Nations Literacy Decade:  Education for All.  Under that text, the Assembly reaffirmed that literacy for all was at the heart of the notion of basic education for all, and that creating literate environments was essential to eradicating poverty, achieving gender equity and ensuring sustainable development.  The issue of development was also central to preparations for the upcoming Second World Assembly on Ageing, scheduled to be held from 8 to 12 April in Madrid, Spain.

A draft approved today would lay further preparations for the Madrid Conference.  That text, urging Member States and other actors to contribute generously to the United Nations Trust Fund for Ageing, in support of preparatory activities for the Second World Assembly, including public information activities to promote that event and its outcome, was approved without a vote.

Under two draft decisions, the Assembly approved the provisional rules of procedure for the Madrid conference and established the arrangements regarding the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Action on a related text on follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons was postponed by the Assembly.

The Assembly also adopted, without a vote, seven resolutions on the advancement of women, including on the critical situation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW); the situation of older women in society; improvement of the status of women in the United Nations system; traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women; improvement of the situation of women in rural areas; on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); and on violence against women migrant workers.  Action on a resolution on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was postponed.

On the rights of peoples to self-determination, the Assembly approved two drafts:  one, on the universal realization of the right to self-determination, was adopted without a vote; and another, on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, was adopted by a vote of 161 in favour to 3 three against (Israel, Marshall Islands, United States), with 1 abstention (Federated States of Micronesia) (Annex II).

Action on a text, on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination, was postponed.

The Assembly also approved a draft decision that would allow the Committee to hold a resumed session in 2002 in order to take up the report of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

Other resolutions on human rights matters adopted with votes this afternoon included texts on equitable geographical distribution of the membership of the human rights treaty bodies, which was adopted by a vote of 113 in favour to

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47 against, with 5 abstentions (Argentina, Brazil, Gambia, Slovakia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) (Annex III), and on human rights and unilateral coercive measures, adopted by a vote of 114 in favour to 51 against, with

2 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan) (Annex IV).

Two resolutions concerning the role of the United Nations in the protection and promotion of human rights were also adopted with votes.  One concerned respect for the purposes and principles contained in the United Nations Charter to achieve international cooperation in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and in solving international humanitarian problems.  That text was adopted by a vote of 100 in favour to 54 against, with 15 abstentions (Annex VII).  The resolution on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization was adopted by a vote of 162 in favour to none against, with

8 abstentions (Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Libya, Myanmar, Syria, Viet Nam) (Annex X).

Another resolution adopted with a vote concerned respect for principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in electoral processes.  It was adopted by a vote of 99 in favour to 10 against (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Samoa, Tuvalu, United States), with 59 abstentions (Annex VIII).  A text on the girl child was also adopted, which retained operative paragraph I, by a vote of 162 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 1 abstention (India) (Annex I).

Background

The General Assembly met this morning to take action on the reports of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, Cultural).  The reports contained draft resolutions and decisions on a number of matters under the Committee’s purview, including social development, crime prevention and criminal justice, the advancement of women, the rights of children, indigenous persons, the rights to self-determination and questions related to human rights.

Social Development, including Questions Related to World Social Situation

The Assembly would first consider the five draft texts from the Committee’s report on social development, including questions relating to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family (document A/56/572).

By resolution I, on the preparations for and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, approved on 18 October, the Assembly would urge governments to view 2004 as a target year by which concrete achievements should be made to identify and elaborate issues of direct concern to families.  It would also have the Assembly encourage the regional commissions, within their respective mandates and resources, to participate in the preparatory process of the tenth anniversary and to play an active role in facilitating regional cooperation in that regard.

Resolution II, on cooperatives for social development, was approved on

18 October, and would have the Assembly urge governments, relevant international organizations and specialized agencies, in collaboration with national and international cooperative organizations, to give due consideration to the role and contribution of cooperatives in implementation of the follow-up to the outcomes of the following international conferences:  the World Summit for Social Development; Fourth World Conference on Women; Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), and the World Food Summit, and their five-year reviews.

By resolution III, on implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons:  towards a society for all in the twenty-first century, approved on 18 October, the Assembly would call upon governments to undertake all necessary measures to advance beyond the adoption of national plans for people with disabilities.  Among other things, governments should create or reinforce arrangements for the promotion and awareness of disability issues and allocation of sufficient resources for the full implementation of existing plans and initiatives.

Resolution IV, on the United Nations Literacy Decade:  education for all, was approved on 24 October.  By that text, the Assembly would urge all governments to take the lead in coordinating activities for the Decade at the national level, bringing together all relevant national actors in a sustained dialogue in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation of literacy efforts.  It would also urge Member States, in close partnership with international organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to promote the right to education for all and to create conditions for all for learning throughout life.

Under resolution V, on policies and programmes involving youth, the Assembly would urge all States, all United Nations bodies, the regional commissions, the specialized agencies and the intergovernmental organizations and NGOs concerned, in particular youth organizations, to make every possible effort towards the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth, aiming at cross-sectoral youth policies by integrating a youth perspective into all planning and decision-making processes relevant to youth. That text was approved on 24 October.

Follow-up to International Year of Older Persons:  Second World Assembly

on Ageing

The Assembly would next consider the Third Committee’s report on follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons:  Second World Assembly on Ageing (document A/56/573), which contains two draft resolutions and two draft decisions.

Approved on 18 October, resolution I, on the United Nations Trust Fund for Ageing, would have the Assembly urge all Member States and other actors to contribute generously to the Fund to support the preparatory activities for the Second World Assembly on Ageing, and in particular to facilitate the fullest participation of the least developed countries and support public information activities to promote that event and its outcome.

Under resolution II, on follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons:  Second World Assembly on Ageing, the Assembly would invite all relevant agencies of the United Nations system to better coordinate their response to the global ageing of populations and to integrate within their respective mandates their programmes and activities related to the elderly, taking into account the importance of the perspective of older persons.  It would also have the Assembly invite the Department of Public Information (DPI) to continue, in coordination with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the information campaign for the Second World Assembly.

Draft decision I, on arrangements regarding the participation of NGOs in the Second World Assembly on Ageing, would have the Assembly decide that, among other things, representatives of NGOs accredited to the World Assembly could make statements in the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole.  Further, given the available time, a limited number of NGOs may make statements in the plenary.  That decision was approved on 18 October.

Another draft decision on provisional rules of procedure for the Second World Assembly on Ageing was also approved on 18 October.

Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

The Assembly would also consider the five draft resolutions contained in the Third Committee's report on crime prevention and criminal justice (document A/56/574).

Under resolution I, on the role, function, periodicity and duration of the United Nations congresses on the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders, the Assembly would decide to continue holding the congresses in accordance with the programme of action of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, which should follow a dynamic, interactive and cost-effective method of work.  Further by the text, the Assembly would decide that beginning in 2005 each congress should discuss specific topics and include one session of pre-congress consultations and include a high-level segment.  Each congress should also adopt a single declaration containing recommendations derived form the deliberations of that segment.

By resolution II, on action against transnational organized crime:  assistance to States in capacity-building with a view to facilitating the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the adopted protocols thereto, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to provide the Centre for International Crime Prevention of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention with the resources necessary to enable it to effectively promote the entry into force and implementation of the Convention and its protocols.  Such effective promotion should include, among other things, providing assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for building capacity in areas covered by the Convention and its protocols. 

Under resolution III, on combating the criminal misuse of information technologies, the Assembly would decide to defer consideration of this subject, pending the work envisioned by the plan of action against high-technology and computer-related crime of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

By resolution IV, on the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders, the Assembly would urge the States members of the Institute to make every possible effort to meet their obligations to the Institute.  It would request the Secretary-General to enhance the promotion of regional cooperation, coordination, and collaboration in the fight against crime, especially in the transnational dimension, which could not be dealt with adequately by national action alone.

And under resolution V, on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity, the Assembly would encourage relevant programmes, funds and organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), international financial institutions, in particular the World Bank, and regional and national funding agencies, to support the technical operational activities of the Centre; and urge States and funding agencies to review, as appropriate, their funding policies for development assistance and to include a crime prevention and criminal justice component.

International Drug Control

Next, the General Assembly would take up the draft resolution included in the report on international drug control (document A/56/575).  In that resolution, the Assembly would urge Member States to implement the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction in their respective national, regional and international actions, and to strengthen their national efforts to counter the abuse of illicit drugs among their population, in particular among children and young people.

Advancement of Women

The Assembly would then take up the Third Committee's report on the advancement of women (document A/56/576), which contains eight draft resolutions.

Under resolution I, on the critical situation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), the Assembly would urge the Secretary-General to appoint a Director of the Institute as soon as possible in order to provide it with the required leadership, and to continue to encourage Member States to support the Institute by making voluntary contributions to its Trust Fund.

By resolution II, on the situation of older women in society, the Assembly, recognizing that women of all ages, particularly older women, continue to suffer from discrimination and lack of opportunity, would urge governments and regional and international organizations, including the United Nations in cooperation with civil society, to promote programmes for healthy active ageing and to stress independence, equality, participation and security of older women and undertake gender-specific research programmes to address their needs.

Under resolution III, on improvement of the status of women in the United Nations system, the Assembly would strongly encourage the Secretary-General to renew his efforts to appoint more women as special representatives and envoys to pursue good offices on his behalf, especially in matters related to peacekeeping, peace-building, preventative diplomacy and economic and social development, as well as in operational activities, including appointment as resident coordinators, and to appoint more women to other high-level positions.

By resolution IV, on traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women, the Assembly would call upon States to collect and disseminate data about the occurrence of traditional practices affecting the health of women and girls, including genital mutilation, and to develop, adopt and implement national legislation, policies and programmes that prohibit such practices.

Under resolution V, on the improvement of the situation of women in rural areas, the Assembly would stresses the need for specific studies to identify the best experience and practices for ensuring that rural women have better access to and better integration in the field of information and communication technologies, and would invite the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to consider this matter in connection with the preparations for the World Summit on the Information Society.

By resolution VI, on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Assembly would emphasize the importance of the Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women and its learning component to extract and share good practice in eliminating violence against women.  It would reiterate the call to governments, NGOs and the public and private sectors to consider contributing or increasing contributions to the Trust Fund.  It would also encourage the Fund to continue to contribute to ensuring that a gender perspective is integrated into a comprehensive approach to the HIV/AIDS virus.

By resolution VII, on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Assembly would urge States parties to the Convention to make every possible effort to submit their reports on the implementation of the Convention in accordance with article 18 thereof, and with the guidelines provided by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, and to cooperate fully with the Committee in the presentation of their reports.

Under the report’s final resolution, on violence against women migrant workers, the Assembly would urge concerned governments, in particular those of the countries of origin and destination, to strengthen further their national efforts to protect and promote the rights and welfare of women migrant workers, including through sustained bilateral, regional, interregional and international cooperation, by developing strategies and joint action and taking into account the innovative approaches and experiences of individual Member States and to establish and maintain continuing dialogues to facilitate the exchange of information.

Implementation of Outcome of Fourth World Conference on Women

and "Women 2000"

The Assembly would also consider the draft resolution contained in the Committee's report on the implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women and of the twenty-third session of the General Assembly, "Women 2000" (document A/56/577).  That text, approved by the Committee on

18 October, would have the Assembly stress the importance of strong, sustained political will and commitment at national, regional and international levels in order to achieve the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of "Women 2000". It would also call upon governments and relevant entities of the United Nations and all other relevant civil society actors, including NGOs, to take effective action to achieve full and effective implementation of the Beijing commitments and the outcome of the twenty-third special session.

Report of UNHCR, Questions relating to Refugees, Returnees

and Displaced Persons

The Assembly would next take up the five draft resolutions and one draft decision contained in the Committee's report on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions (document A/56/578).

Under resolution I, on enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of UNHCR, the Assembly would decide to increase the number of members of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the UHNCR from 57 to 61 States.

By resolution II, on follow-up to the Regional Conference to address the problems of refugees, displaced persons, other forms of voluntary displacement and returnees in the countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and relevant neighbouring States, the Assembly would call upon the Governments of the CIS, in cooperation with the UNHCR, the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to strengthen their efforts and mutual cooperation relating to follow-up of the regional conference.

Under resolution III, on assistance to refugees, detainees and displaced persons in Africa, the Assembly would urge the international community, in a spirit of international solidarity and burden-sharing, to continue to fund generously the refugee programmes of the Office of the High Commissioner and, taking into account the substantially increased needs of programmes in Africa, to ensure that Africa receives a fair and equitable share of the resources designated for refugees.

By resolution IV, on assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors, the Assembly would urge the Office of the High Commissioner, all United Nations organizations, other international organizations and NGOs concerned to take appropriate steps to mobilize resources commensurate with the needs and interests of unaccompanied refugee minors and for their reunification with their families.  It would also call upon all governments, the Secretary-General, the Office of the High Commissioner, all United Nations agencies and other international organizations concerned to exert maximum effort to assist and protect refugee minors and to expedite their return and reunification with their families.

Under resolution V, on the UNHCR, the Assembly would urge all States and relevant non-governmental and other organizations in conjunction with the Office of the High Commissioner to cooperate and to mobilize resources with a view to enhancing capacity and reducing the heavy burden borne by States, in particular by developing countries, as well as by countries with economies in transition that have received large numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers.

The Committee would also recommend that the Assembly take note of a draft decision on audit of the operations of the UNHCR in Albania.

Promotion and Protection of Rights of Children

The Assembly was also expected to take up the Third Committee's report on the protection and promotion of the rights of children (document A/56/579), which contains two draft resolutions.

By the first, on the rights of the child, the Assembly would welcome the convening of the Second World Congress against Commercial Exploitation of Children, at Yokohama, Japan, from 17 to 20 December.  It would also decide to request the Secretary-General to conduct an in-depth study on the question of violence against children and to put forward recommendations for consideration by Member States for appropriate action, including effective remedies and preventive and rehabilitative measures.

Under resolution II, on the girl child, the Assembly would call upon all States to take all necessary measures to address the obstacles that continue to effect the achievement of the goals set forth in the Beijing Platform for Action, including the strengthening of national mechanisms to implement policies and programmes for the girl child.  It would also urge States to enact and enforce legislation to protect girls from all forms of violence, including female infanticide, prenatal sex selection, female genital mutilation and rape.  It would also urge States to take all necessary measures to institute legal reforms to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by girls of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to take effective action against violations of those rights and freedoms.

Programme of Activities of International Decade of the World's

Indigenous People

The following draft resolution, contained in a report on the Programme of Activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (document A/56/580), would have the Assembly appeal to all governments and organizations to consider contributing to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, if possible with a substantial increase in the level of contributions.

Right of Peoples to Self-Determination

The Assembly would next take up the Committee's report on the rights of peoples to self-determination (document A/56/582), which includes three draft resolutions.

By resolution I, approved on 27 November, on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination, the Assembly would urge all States to take the necessary steps and to exercise the utmost vigilance against the menace posed by the activities of mercenaries.  It would urge States to take legislative measures to ensure that their territories and other territories under their control, as well as their nationals, are not used for the recruitment, assembly, financing, training and transit of mercenaries for the planning of activities designed to impede the right of peoples to self-determination, to destabilize or overthrow the government of any State or to dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign and independent States conducting themselves in compliance with the right of peoples to self-determination.

Under resolution II, on the universal realization of the right to self-determination, the Assembly would declare its firm opposition to acts of foreign military intervention, aggression and occupation, since those have resulted in the suppression of the right of peoples to self-determination and other human rights in parts of the world.  It would also call upon those States responsible to cease their military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories and all acts of repression, discrimination and exploitation.  It would further request the Commission on Human Rights to continue to give special attention to the violation of human rights, especially the right to self-determination, resulting from foreign military intervention, aggression or occupation.  That text was approved on 21 November.

By resolution III, on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, approved on 21 November, the Assembly would urge all States and the specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations to continue to support and assist the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination. The Assembly would also express its hope for an immediate resumption of negotiations within the Middle East peace process and for the speedy achievement of a final settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

Human Rights Questions

The Assembly would next take up the draft decision contained in the Third Committee's report on human rights questions (document A/56/583).  That decision recommends that the Assembly take note of documents considered in relation to the question of human rights, including the reports of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and on the status of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery and on the status of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Torture. 

The Assembly is also asked to take note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and of the following notes by the Secretary-General forwarded to the Assembly on matters related to:  human rights and persons with disabilities and the right to development.

The Committee also recommended that note be taken of the interim report by the Special Rapporteur on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, the interim report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in East Timor, and the interim report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi.

Implementation of Human Rights Instruments

The Assembly would next take up the four draft resolutions contained in the Committee's report on human rights questions:  implementation of human rights instruments (document A/56/583/Add.1)

By resolution I, on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Assembly would urge States parties to comply strictly with their obligations under the Convention, including their obligation to submit reports in accordance with article 19, in view of the high number of reports not submitted.  It would invite States parties to incorporate a gender perspective and information concerning children and juveniles when submitting reports to the Committee against Torture.  It also would call upon governments to take appropriate and effective legislative, judicial or other measures to prevent and prohibit the production, trade, export and use of equipment that is specifically designed to inflict torture or degrading treatment or punishment.

Under resolution II, on international covenants on human rights, the Assembly would urge States parties to take into account, in implementing the provisions of the International Covenants on Human Rights, the recommendations and observations made at the consideration of their reports by the Human Rights Committee and by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the views adopted by the Human Rights Committee under the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Under resolution III, on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Assembly would express its deep concern at the growing manifestations of racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination and inhuman and degrading treatment directed against migrant workers in different parts of the world.  It would call upon Member States to consider signing or ratifying the Convention as a matter of priority and would welcome the global campaign for its entry into force.

By resolution IV, on equitable geographical distribution of the membership of the human rights treaty bodies, the Assembly would decide to encourage States parties to the United Nations human rights instruments to establish quota distribution systems by geographical region for the election of the members of the treaty bodies.  It would recommend, when establishing such a quota, the introduction of flexible procedures that encompass automatic periodic revisions in order to avoid amending the text of the instrument when quotas are revised.

Human Rights Questions, including Alternative Approaches for Improving

Effective Enjoyment of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

The Assembly would then take up the Committee's human rights report on alternative approaches for improving effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms (document A/56/583/Add.2), which contains 25 draft resolutions.

By resolution I, on human rights education, the Assembly would invite all governments to reaffirm their commitments and obligations to develop national strategies for human rights education which are comprehensive, participatory and effective, and which can be embodied in a national plan of action for such education as part of their national development plan.

Under resolution II, on human rights and unilateral coercive measures, the Assembly would urge all States to refrain from adopting or implementing any unilateral measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter and which create obstacles to trade relations among States, thus impeding the full realization of the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.

Resolution III, on enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, would have the Assembly call upon Member States, specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations to continue to carry out a constructive dialogue and consultations for the enhancement of understanding and the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and would encourage NGOs to contribute actively to this endeavour.

Under resolution IV, on the right to development, the Assembly would reaffirm the need for States to cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to development, and would recognize the importance of the international community in promoting effective international cooperation for development.  It would also affirm the role of women in the process of the realization of the right to development, and reiterate that the gap between developed and developing countries remained unacceptably wide, that developing countries continue to face difficulties in participating in the globalization process, and that many risk being marginalized and effectively excluded from the benefits.

By resolution V, on promotion of a democratic and equitable order, the Assembly would reaffirm that all States should promote the establishment, maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security, and to that end should do their utmost to achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international control.  It would urge States to continue their efforts, through enhanced international cooperation, towards the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.

Under resolution VI, on respect for the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations to achieve international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms and in solving international problems of a humanitarian character, the Assembly would stress the vital role of the work of the United Nations and regional arrangements, acting consistently with the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter, in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights, as well as in solving international problems of a humanitarian character.  It would also affirm that all States engaged in these activities must fully comply with the principles set forth in Article 2 of the Charter, in particular respecting the sovereign equality of all States and refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or acting in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

By resolution VII, on strengthening United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity, the Assembly would express its conviction that an unbiased and fair approach to human rights issues contributes to the promotion of international cooperation, as well as to the effective promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Draft resolution VIII, on respect for principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in electoral processes as an important element for the promotion and protection of human rights, would have the Assembly reaffirm the right of people to determine methods and to establish institutions regarding electoral processes.  States should ensure the necessary mechanisms and means to facilitate full and effective popular participation in the process.  The Assembly would also call on States to refrain form financing political parties or other organizations in any other States in a way contrary to the principles of the Charter and that undermines the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Under resolution IX, on the right to food, the Assembly would encourage all States to take steps to achieve progressively the full realization of that right, including steps to promote conditions for everyone to be free from hunger.  It would also urge States to give adequate priority in their development strategies and expenditures to the realization of the right to food.

By resolution X, on human rights and cultural diversity, the Assembly would affirm the importance for all peoples and nations to hold, develop and preserve their cultural heritage and traditions in a national and international atmosphere of peace, tolerance and mutual respect.  The Assembly would urge all actors on the international scene to build an international order based on inclusion, justice, equality and equity, mutual understanding and promotion of and respect for cultural diversity and universal human rights, and to reject all doctrines of exclusion based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Under resolution XI, on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance, the Assembly would reaffirm that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief was a human right derived from the inherent dignity of the human person and guaranteed to all without discrimination.  The Assembly would, therefore, urge all States to ensure that their constitutional and legal systems provided effective guarantees of that freedom, including the provision of effective remedies in cases in which it is violated.

Under resolution XII, on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, the Assembly would urge the Secretary-General to continue to give high priority to requests from Member States for assistance in establishing and strengthening national human rights institutions as part of the programme of advisory services and technical assistance in the field of human rights.

By resolution XIII, on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization, the Assembly, noting with satisfaction that an increasing number of Member States are using elections as peaceful means of discerning the will of the people and confidence-building, would request that the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political Affairs continue to inform States regularly about requests received and the nature of any assistance provided.

Under resolution XIV, on human rights and terrorism, the Assembly, expressing its solidarity with the victims of terrorism, as well as its alarm that acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations aimed at the destruction of human rights have continued despite national and international efforts, would urge the international community to enhance cooperation at the regional and international levels in the efforts against terrorism, including those relating to human rights, with the aim of the eradication of terrorism.

Further by the text, the Assembly would call upon States to take all necessary and appropriate measures, in conformity with relevant provisions of national and international law before granting refugee status, to ensure that an asylum-seeker has not planned, facilitated or participated in the commission of terrorist acts.  The Assembly would also condemn the incitement of ethnic hatred, violence and terrorism.

Under resolution XV, on human rights and the administration of justice, the Assembly would reaffirm the importance of the full and effective implementation of all United Nations human rights standards in the administration of justice.  The Assembly would also invite governments to provide training, including gender-sensitive training, in human rights in the administration of justice, including juvenile justice, to all judges, lawyers, prosecutors, social workers, immigration and police officers and other professionals concerned, including personnel deployed in international field presences.

Under resolution XVI, on effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the Assembly, concerned by the frequency and severity of disputes and conflicts concerning minorities in many countries and their often tragic consequences, would reaffirm the obligation of States to ensure that persons belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full equality of the law, in accordance with the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. 

By resolution XVII, 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, the Assembly would note with deep concern that in many countries, persons or organizations engaged in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms are facing threats, harassment and insecurity, as well as misuse of civil and criminal proceedings as a result of those activities.

The Assembly, noting with further concern that in a number of countries in all regions of the world, impunity for threats, attacks and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders persists, would call upon States to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of human rights defenders.

By resolution XVIII, on the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to provide his Representative, from within existing resources, with all necessary assistance to carry out his mandate effectively, and would encourage the Representative to continue to seek the contribution of States, relevant organizations and institutions in order to put the work of the Representative on a more stable basis.

Under resolution XIX, on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Assembly, realizing that globalization affects all countries differently and makes them more exposed to positive, as well as negative, external developments, would affirm that the international community should strive to respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by globalization in a manner that ensures respect for the cultural diversity of all.

By resolution XX, on human rights and mass exodus, the Assembly, stressing the importance of adherence to international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law in order to avert mass exodus and to protect refugees and internally displaced persons, would reaffirm the need for all governments, intergovernmental bodies and relevant international organizations to intensify their cooperation and assistance in worldwide efforts to address human rights situations that lead to, as well as the serious problems that result from, mass exoduses of such persons.

Further by the draft, the Assembly would emphasize the responsibility of all States and international organizations to cooperate with those countries, particularly developing ones, affected by mass exoduses of refugees and displaced persons.  It would also welcome the fiftieth anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and would note the continuing relevance of its provisions to the situation of people in mass exoduses. 

Under resolution XXI, on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, the Assembly would urge all governments to contribute further to the implementation of the Plan of Action for the Decade, in particular by:  encouraging the establishment, in accordance with national conditions, of broadly representative national committees for human rights education responsible for the development of comprehensive, effective and sustainable national plans of action for human rights education and information, taking into consideration the recommendations of the mid-term global evaluation of the Decade and the guidelines for national plans of action for human rights education developed by the UNHCR.

By resolution XXII, on a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, the Assembly would decide to establish an ad hoc committee open to the participation of Member States and observers of the United Nations to consider proposals for such a convention.  It would call upon States and the regional commissions, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Division for Social Policy and Development and the Special Rapporteur of the Commission for Social Development on monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, to hold regional meetings or seminars to contribute to the work of the ad hoc committee by making recommendations regarding the content and practical measures that should be considered in the international convention.

By resolution XXIII, an eight-part text on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, the Assembly would request the Government of Cambodia to follow up the recommendations made by the international human rights treaty bodies regarding the reports submitted by the Government, and call upon the Government to meet its reporting obligations under all international human rights instruments to which Cambodia is a party, and request the Office of the High Commissioner in Cambodia to continue to provide assistance in this regard.  It would also urge an end to racial violence against and vilification of ethnic minorities and would urge the Government to take all steps to prevent such violence. 

Under resolution XXIV, on the Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa, the Assembly would welcome the creation of the Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa at Yaoundé and would invite the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, under the direction of the Secretary-General, to provide appropriate assistance to the Centre to ensure its smooth functioning.

By resolution XXV, on the protection of migrants, the Assembly would call upon all States to protect the human rights of migrant children, in particular unaccompanied migrant children, ensuring that the best interests of the children are the paramount consideration.  It would encourage the relevant United Nations bodies, within the framework of their respective mandates, to pay special attention to the conditions of migrant children in all States and, where necessary, to put forward recommendations for strengthening their protection.  It would also call upon States to review and, where necessary, revise, immigration policies with a view to eliminating all discriminatory practices against migrants.

Human Rights Situations and Reports of Special Rapporteurs

and Representatives  

The Assembly would next take up the Third Committee's report on human rights situations and reports of Special Rapporteurs and Representatives (document A/56/583/Add.3), which contains seven draft resolutions.

By resolution I, on the situation of human rights in Iran, the Assembly, expressing concern at continuing violations of human rights in Iran and at the fact that no invitation had been extended by the Government to the Special Representative to visit the country since 1996, would call upon the Government to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under the International Covenants on Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. 

It would further call upon the Government to take further measures to promote full and equal enjoyment by women and girls of their human rights and undertake major educational programmes to promote women's rights, as well as to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds or against persons belonging to minorities.  The Assembly would also call upon the Government to ensure full respect for freedom of expression, to end the imposition of the death penalty for crimes committed by persons under 18, and to ensure that capital punishment would only be imposed for the most serious crimes.

Under resolution II, on the situation of human rights in parts of South-Eastern Europe, the Assembly would urge all authorities in the region to cooperate fully with the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and in particular to comply with their obligation to immediately arrest and transfer to the custody of the Tribunal all indicted persons, as well as to comply with requests by the Tribunal for access to information and witnesses.  It would also urge all parties to condemn ethnic violence and intolerance and to oppose actively, in a manner consistent with internationally recognized human rights standards, advocates or perpetrators of any form of violence as a means to secure peace and protection of human rights.

By resolution III, on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, the Assembly, gravely concerned about the human rights situation in the country, especially the suppression of the exercise of political rights and freedom of thought, expression, association and movement, would strongly urge the Government of Myanmar to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including economic and social rights, and to fulfil its obligations to restore the independence of the judiciary and due process and to end the impunity of and bring to justice any perpetrators of human rights violations, including members of the military, and to investigate and prosecute alleged violations committed by government agents in all circumstances.

Under resolution IV, on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Assembly would express its concern at the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic, and particularly in the zones held by the armed rebels and under foreign occupation, and the persistent violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law, including the atrocities against the civilian populations, usually committed with complete impunity, while emphasizing in this regard that all the forces present in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo should be held accountable for violations of human rights in the territories under their control.

The Assembly, further, would express concern at the occurrences of cases of summary and arbitrary execution, disappearance, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention without trial, including of journalists, opposition politicians, human rights defenders and people who have cooperated with the United Nations mechanisms.  It would urge all parties to the conflict in the Democratic Republic to permit the restoration without delay of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic in accordance with the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.

By resolution V, on the situation of human rights in Iraq, the Assembly, recalling previous resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and of the Security Council, would strongly condemn, among other things, the systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights and international law by the Government of Iraq.  It would also condemn the suppression of freedom of thought, expression, information, association, assembly and movement through fear of arrest, imprisonment, execution, expulsion, house demolition or other sanctions.

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 to respect the rights of all individuals and to bring about an end to summary and arbitrary executions.  It would also call upon the Government 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 pursuant to resolutions of the Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights.  The Assembly would further urge cooperation with the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Subcommittee to establish the whereabouts and resolve the fate of the remaining several hundred missing persons, including prisoners of war, Kuwaiti nationals and third-country nationals, and to pay compensation to the families of those who died or disappeared in the custody of Iraqi authorities.

By resolution VI, on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, the Assembly would express its firm belief that progress towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict in southern Sudan, within the context of the peace initiative of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, will contribute greatly to the creation of a better living environment and respect for human rights in the Sudan.

Further by the text, the Assembly would express deep concern at the impact of the ongoing conflict on the situation of human rights and its adverse effects on the civilian population, particularly women and children, and the continuing serious violations of human rights by all parties to the conflict, including the occurrence of cases of extrajudicial summary or arbitrary execution resulting from armed conflict, the use of civilian premises for military purposes by the Sudanese army and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army/Movement, and the forced displacement of populations, in particular in areas around the oilfields.

Under resolution VII, on the question of human rights in Afghanistan, the Assembly would strongly condemn, among other things, the cases of summary execution committed by the Taliban at Yakawlang; the widespread violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law in Afghanistan, mainly by the Taliban, including the right to life, liberty and security of person, freedom from torture and from other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, freedom of opinion, expression, religion, association and movement; and the recruitment and use of children in hostilities contrary to international standards.  It would also note with deep concern the existence of millions of Afghan refugees and their increased flow, while recognizing the huge burden shouldered by neighbouring countries, especially Iran and Pakistan.

The Assembly would call upon all Afghan parties to respect fully all human rights and fundamental freedoms, without discrimination on any grounds, including of gender, ethnicity or religion, in accordance with international law.  It would also call upon them to refrain from summary and arbitrary executions and from acts of reprisal and to adhere strictly to their obligations under human rights instruments and international humanitarian law.  The parties should reaffirm publicly their commitment to respect fully humanitarian law and international human rights standards and to take all measures to protect the civilian population.

Comprehensive Implementation of and Follow-up to Vienna Declaration

and Plan of Action

The Assembly would also consider the Committee's report (document A/56/583/Add.4) on the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which highlights its discussion of matters related to that sub-item during the 2001 session.  According to the report, no proposals were submitted and no action was taken under that sub-item.

Report of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

The Assembly would also take up the Committee’s consideration of the report (document A/56/583/Add.5) of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which highlights its discussion of matters related to that sub-item during the 2001 session.  According to the report, no proposals were submitted and no action was taken under that sub-item.

Report of Economic and Social Council

The Assembly would then take up the Committee's report on the Report of the Economic and Social Council (document A/56/584), which contains two draft decisions on the work of the Committee.

By draft decision I, on resumption of the work of the Third Committee, the Assembly would decide that the Committee shall hold meetings in 2002, during the resumed fifty-sixth session of the Assembly, in order to consider agenda item 117 -- elimination of racism and racial discrimination -- the dates for which will be determined in consultation with the Secretariat, as soon as possible following the issuance of the report of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

Under draft decision II, on the organization of work for the current session and biennial programme of work of the Committee for 2002-2003, the Assembly would approve the guidelines concerning time limits for statements in the Committee, as well as its complete 2001 programme of work.  It would also approve the 2002 and 2003 listing of items that the Committee would consider and the required documentation that would facilitate the work of delegations.

Implementation of Outcome of World Summit for Social Development

and of Twenty-fourth Special Session of General Assembly

The Assembly would also take up the draft resolution contained in the Committee's report on the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly (document A/56/585).  By that resolution, the Assembly would encourage coordinated and mutually reinforcing follow-up to the Copenhagen Declaration and the Programme of Action, the further initiatives for social development and the United Nations Millennium Declaration, emphasizing the strong interrelatedness in respect of social development issues.

Action on Reports

When the General Assembly met this morning, Juraj Priputen (Slovakia), the Rapporteur of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, Cultural), introduced the Committee's 18 reports, making several technical corrections to the texts.

**Social Development

The Assembly first addressed the Committee's report on Social Development, including questions relating to the world situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family (A/56/572), which contained five draft resolutions.

-- Resolution I was on the preparations for and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family;

-- Resolution II was on cooperatives in social development;

-- Resolution III was on implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons:  towards a society for all in the twenty-first century;

-- Resolution IV was on the United Nations Literacy Decade: education for all;

-- Resolution V was on policies and programmes involving youth;

In separate action, all five resolutions were adopted without vote.

**International Year of Older Persons

The Assembly took up the Committee's report on the Follow-Up to the International Year of Older Persons:  Second World Assembly on Ageing (A/56/573), which contained two draft resolutions and two draft decisions.  Resolution I, on the United Nations Trust Fund for Ageing, was adopted without a vote.

Action on resolution II, on the Follow-Up to the International Year of Older Persons:  Second World Assembly on Ageing, was postponed to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee.

The Assembly then adopted without vote both draft decisions, the first of which dealt with the arrangements regarding the participation of NGOs in the Second World Assembly on Ageing.  The second decision concerned provisional rules of procedure for the Second World Assembly on Ageing.

**Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

The Assembly then took up the five draft resolutions contained in the Third Committee's report on crime prevention and criminal justice (document A/56/574).

-- Resolution I, on the role, function, periodicity and duration of the United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders;

-- Resolution II, on action against transnational organized crime:  assistance to States in capacity-building with a view to facilitating the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the adopted protocols thereto;

-- Resolution III, on combating the criminal misuse of information technologies;

-- Resolution IV, on the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders; and

-- Resolution V, on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity, were all adopted without vote.

**International Drug Control

The Assembly then took up the Committee's report on International Drug Control (document A/56/575), and adopted without vote the one resolution contained therein on international cooperation against the world drug problem.

**Advancement of Women

The Assembly then considered the Third Committee's report on the advancement of women (document A/56/576), which contained eight draft resolutions.

-- Resolution I, on the critical situation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW);

-- Resolution II, on the situation of older women in society;

-- Resolution III, on improvement of the status of women in the United Nations system;

-- Resolution IV, on traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women;

-- Resolution V, on the improvement of the situation of women in rural areas;

-- Resolution VI, on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); and

-- Resolution VIII, on violence against women migrant workers, were all adopted, in separate action, without vote.

Action on resolution VII, on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, was postponed in order to allow time for review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee.

**Implementation of Outcome of Fourth World Conference on Women

  and "Women 2000"

The Assembly then adopted without vote the resolution contained in the Committee's report on the implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women and of the twenty-third session of the General Assembly, "Women 2000" (document A/56/577).

Report of UNHCR, Questions relating to Refugees, Returnees

and Displaced Persons

The Assembly next took up the five draft resolutions and one draft decision contained in the Committee's report on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions (document A/56/578).

The resolutions, including,

-- Resolution I, on enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;

-- Resolution II, on follow-up to the Regional Conference to address the problems of refugees, displaced persons, other forms of voluntary displacement and returnees in the countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States and relevant neighbouring States;

-- Resolution III, on assistance to refugees, detainees and displaced persons in Africa;

-- Resolution IV, on assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors; and

-- Resolution V, on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), were all adopted without vote.

The Assembly also adopted draft decision on audit of the operations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Albania.

**Promotion and Protection of Rights of Children

The Assembly then took up the Third Committee's report on the protection and promotion of the rights of children (document A/56/579), which contained two draft resolutions.

The first, on the rights of the child, was adopted without vote.

Resolution II, on the girl child, was adopted, following a vote on operative paragraph I, of 162 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 1 abstention (India) (Annex I)

**Indigenous Peoples

Taking up the Committee's report on the Programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (document A/56/580), the Assembly adopted without vote the draft resolution contained therein on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.

**Right of Peoples to Self-Determination

The Assembly turned next to consider the Committee's report on the rights of peoples to self-determination (document A/56/582), which included three draft resolutions.

Action on resolution I, on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination, was postponed to allow review of the Fifth Committee.

And while resolution II, on the universal realization of the right to self-determination, was adopted without a vote, resolution III, on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, was adopted by a vote of 161 in favour, with 3 against (Israel, United States, Marshall Islands) and 1 abstention (Federated States of Micronesia) (Annex II).

In explanation of the vote after the vote, the representative of Iran said he had reservations about those parts of resolution III which recognized Israel.

**Human Rights Questions

The Assembly then adopted the draft decision contained in the Third Committee's report on human rights questions (document A/56/583), under which the General Assembly takes note of several documents considered in relation to the question of human rights during its 2001 substantive session.

**Implementation of Human Rights Instruments

The Assembly next considered the four draft resolutions contained in the Committee's report on human rights questions:  implementation of human rights instruments (document A/56/583/Add.1).

Resolution I on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, resolution II on international covenants on human rights, and resolution III on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, were all adopted without vote.

Resolution IV, on equitable geographical distribution on the membership of the human rights treaty bodies, was adopted by a vote of 113 in favour to 47 against, with 5 abstentions (Argentina, Brazil, Gambia, Slovakia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) (Annex III).

**Human Rights Questions, including Alternative Approaches for Improving

  Effective Enjoyment of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

The Assembly then considered the Committee's human rights report on alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms (document A/56/583/Add.2), which contains 25 draft resolutions.

Resolution I, on human rights education, was adopted without vote.

Resolution II, on human rights and unilateral coercive measures, was adopted by a vote of 114 in favour to 51 against, with 2 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan) (Annex IV).

The Assembly then adopted without vote resolution III, on enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights.

After that, resolution IV, on the right to development, was adopted by a vote of 123 in favour to 4 against (Denmark, Israel, Japan, United States), with 44 abstentions (Annex V).

Resolution V, on promotion of a democratic and equitable order, was also voted on, and adopted by a vote of 109 in favour to 53 against, with 6 abstentions (Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa) (Annex VI).

Resolution VI, on respect for the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations to achieve international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms and in solving international problems of a humanitarian character, was adopted by a vote of 100 in favour to 54 against, with 15 abstentions (Annex VII).

Resolution VII, on strengthening United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity, was adopted without a vote.

Resolution VIII, on respect for principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in electoral processes as an important element for the promotion and protection of human rights, was adopted by a vote of 99 in favour to 10 against (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Samoa, Tuvalu, United States), with 59 abstentions (Annex VIII).

Resolution IX, on the right to food, was adopted by a vote of 169 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions (Australia, New Zealand) (Annex IX).

The next three resolutions in the report, on resolution X on human rights and cultural diversity, resolution XI on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance, and resolution XII on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, were all adopted without vote.

Resolution XIII, on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization, was adopted by a vote of 162 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions (Brunei, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Libya, Myanmar, Syria, Viet Nam) (Annex X).

Resolution XIV, on human rights and terrorism, was adopted by a vote of

102 in favour to none against, with 69 abstentions (Annex XI).

Resolution XV on human rights and the administration of justice, resolution XVI on effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, and resolution XVII 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, were all adopted without vote.

Resolution XVIII, on the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons, was also adopted without vote.

Resolution XIX, on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, was adopted by a vote of 116 in favour to 46 against, with 9 abstentions (Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guatemala, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) (Annex XII).

Resolution XX, on human rights and mass exodus, was adopted without vote, as were resolutions XXI on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, resolution XXII on the comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, and resolution XXIII on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. 

Action on resolution XXIV, on the Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa, was postponed to allow review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee, and resolution XXV on the protection of migrants, orally amended by the representative of Mexico, was adopted without vote.

**Human Rights Situations and Reports of Special Rapporteurs and

  Representatives

The Assembly then turned to the Third Committee's report on human rights situations and reports of Special Rapporteurs and Representatives (document A/56/Add.3), which contains seven draft resolutions.

Explanation of Vote Before Vote

The representative of Gambia said Belgium’s representative, speaking in the Committee on behalf of the European Union concerning human rights situations, had made allegations about October’s events in Gambia.  The European Union should refrain from lecturing others.  No one was perfect.  Belgium had its own skeletons in the closet.  Those who lived in glass houses should not throw stones.

Sudan’s representative said the resolution regarding the human rights situation in her country had been politicized in a gross manner.  Positive developments were being ignored, as the Canadian representative’s statement had shown in the Committee.  The ceasefire called by her Government had not been recognized, and the numerous efforts made to stem the conflict were being ignored.  She would vote against the resolution.

Yemen’s representative affirmed that human rights were indivisible.  He rejected the politicizing, selectivity and double-standards used concerning the study of human rights situations in countries.  He would not vote on draft resolutions regarding those situations.

Resolution I, on the situation of human rights in Iran, was adopted by a vote of 72 in favour, with 49 against and 46 abstentions (Annex XIII).

Resolution II on the situation of human rights in Parts of south-eastern Europe was adopted without a vote. 

Action on resolution III, on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, was also postponed in order to allow review of its budgetary implications by the Fifth Committee.

Resolution IV on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was adopted by a vote of 90 in favour, with three against (Rwanda, Uganda and Japan) with 69 abstentions (Annex XIV).

Resolution V on the situation of human rights in Iraq, was adopted by a vote of 100 in favour, with two against (Libya and Sudan), with 63 abstentions (Annex XV).

Resolution VI, on the situation of human rights in Sudan was adopted by a vote of 79 in favour with 37 against and 48 abstentions (Annex XVI).

The final text in the report, resolution VII on the question of human rights in Afghanistan was adopted without a vote.

Explanation of Vote After Vote

The representative of Côte d’Ivoire said the situation of human rights in Iran had improved in certain areas of country.  The vote of abstention was an acknowledgment of that improvement.  Iran should invite the Special Rapporteur to build good faith.

Kuwait’s representative said he would have voted against the draft on human rights in Iran.

**Comprehensive Implementation of and Follow-up to Vienna declaration and

  Plan of Action

The Assembly then took note of the Third Committee's report on the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (document A/56/583/Add.4), which highlights its discussion of matters related to that sub-item during the 2001 session.  According to the report, no proposals were submitted and no action was taken under that sub-item.

**Report of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

It next took note of the Committees' consideration of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (document A/56/583/Add.5), which highlights its discussion of matters related to that sub-item during the

2001 session.  According to the report, no proposals were submitted and no action was taken under that sub-item.

**Report of Economic and Social Council

The Assembly turned next to the Committee's report on the Report of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (document A/56/584) and adopted the three draft decisions contained therein, two on the work of the Committee, including

decision I on resumption of the work of the Third Committee, and decision II on the organization of work for the current session and biennial programme of work of the Committee for 2002-2003 and the other, the Report of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

**Implementation of Outcome of World Summit for Social Development and of Twenty-fourth Special Session of General Assembly

The Assembly then considered the last of the Third Committee's reports before it this morning (document A/56/585) and approved a resolution contained therein on the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly.

(annexes follow)

ANNEX I

Vote on the Girl Child

Operative paragraph I of draft resolution II on the Girl Child contained in document A/56/579 was adopted by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 1 against, with 1 abstention as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Palau, 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, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Thailand,

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia.

Against:  United States.

Abstaining:  India.

Absent:   China, Congo, Dominica, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, Kiribati, Lesotho, Pakistan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX I)

ANNEX II

Vote on Palestinian Self-Determination

The draft resolution III on the Right of the Palestinian People to Self-Determination contained in document A/56/582, was adopted by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 3 against, with 1 abstention as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, 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, Yugoslavia, Zambia.

Against:  Israel, Marshall Islands, United States.

Abstaining:  Federated States of Micronesia.

Absent:  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guatemala, Guinea, Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX II)

ANNEX III

Vote on Geographic Distribution -- Human Rights Bodies

The draft resolution IV on equitable geographic distribution of the membership of the human rights treaty bodies, contained in document A/56/583/Add.1, was adopted by a recorded vote of 113 in favour to 47 against, with 5 abstentions as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela,

Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, Yugoslavia.

Abstaining:  Argentina, Brazil, Gambia, Slovakia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Absent:  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guinea, Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX III)

ANNEX IV

Vote on Human Rights and Coercive Measures

Draft resolution II on human rights and unilateral coercive measures contained in document A.56/583/Add.2 was adopted by a recorded vote of 114 in favour to 51 against, with 2 abstentions, a follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa,

Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Yugoslavia.

Abstaining:  Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan.

Absent:  Chad, Kiribati, Lesotho, Maldives, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX IV)

ANNEX V

Vote on Right to Development

Draft resolution IV on the right to development contained in document A/56/583/Add.2 was adopted by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 4 against, with 44 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Denmark, Israel, Japan, United States.

Abstaining:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia.

Absent:  Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX V)

ANNEX VI

Vote on Promotion of Democratic International Order

Draft resolution V on promotion of a democratic and equitable international order contained in document A/56/583/Add.2 was adopted by a recorded vote of

109 in favour to 53 against, with 6 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Yugoslavia.

Abstaining:  Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa.

Absent:  Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX VI)

ANNEX VII

Vote on Respect for Charter Principles in Promoting Human Rights

Draft resolution VI on respect for Charter Principles in promoting human rights contained in document A/56/583 Add.2 was adopted by a recorded vote of

100 in favour to 54 against, with 15 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Yugoslavia.

Abstaining:  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Uruguay.

Absent: Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX VII)

ANNEX VIII

Vote on Respect for National Sovereignty and Non-interference

Draft resolution VIII on respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States contained in document A/56/583/Add.2 was adopted by a recorded vote of 99 in favour to 10 against, with 59 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,

Cape Verde, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Samoa, Tuvalu, United States.

Abstaining:  Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation,

San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Yugoslavia.

Absent:  Azerbaijan, Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX VIII)

ANNEX IX

Vote on Right to Food

Draft resolution IX on the right to food, contained in document A/56/583/Add.2 was adopted by a recorded vote of 169 in favour to 2 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, 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, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia.

Against:  Israel, United States.

Abstaining:  Australia, New Zealand.

Absent: Kiribati, Lesotho, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tonga, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX IX)

ANNEX X

Vote on Strengthening UN Role in Elections

Draft resolution XIII on strengthening the United Nations role in enhancing the effectiveness of elections, contained in document A/56/583/Add.2 was adopted by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, 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, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, 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, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia.

Against:  None.

Abstaining:  Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Libya, Myanmar, Syria, Viet Nam.

Absent: Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX X)

ANNEX XI

Vote on Human Rights and Terrorism

Draft resolution XIV on human rights and terrorism, contained in document A/56/583/Add.2, was adopted by a recorded vote of 102 in favour to none against, with 69 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia,

Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Yemen.

Against:  None.

Abstaining:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eritrea, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zambia.

Absent:  Burundi, Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX XI)

ANNEX XII

Vote on Globalization’s Impact on Human Rights

Draft resolution XIX on globalization and its impact on the enjoyment of human rights, contained in document A/56/583/Add.2, was adopted by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 46 against, with 9 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda,

Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Yugoslavia.

Abstaining:  Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guatemala, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Absent: Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX XII)

ANNEX XIII

Vote on Human Rights in Iran

Draft resolution I on human rights in Iran, contained in document A/56/583/Add.3 was adopted by a recorded vote of 72 in favour to 49 against, with 46 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, United States, Yugoslavia.

Against:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar,

Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam.

Abstaining:  Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Absent:  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Kuwait, Lesotho, Mongolia,

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX XIII)

ANNEX XIV

Vote on Human Rights in Democratic Republic of Congo

Draft resolution IV on human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, contained in document A/56/583/Add.3, was adopted by a recorded vote of 90 in favour to 3 against, with 69 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,

El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa,

San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia.

Against:  Iran, Rwanda, Uganda.

Abstaining:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Absent:  Azerbaijan, Gabon, Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX XIV)

ANNEX XV

Vote on Human Rights in Iraq

Draft resolution V on human rights in Iraq, contained in document A/56/583/Add.3, was adopted by a recorded vote of 100 in favour to 2 against, with 63 abstentions, as follows:

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

Against:  Libya, Sudan.

Abstaining:  Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Chad, Iran, Kiribati, Lesotho, Morocco, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

(END OF ANNEX XV)

ANNEX XVI

Vote on Human Rights in Sudan

Draft resolution VI on human rights in the Sudan, contained in document A/56/583/Add.3, was adopted by a recorded vote of 79 in favour to 37 against, with 48 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Namibia, Netherlands,

New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia.

Against:  Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam.

Abstaining:  Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Costa Rica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

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