Third Committee

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) concluded its work today, approving a total of 62 draft resolutions, which were expected to be taken up by the General Assembly the following month.

As the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved 18 draft resolutions, with 14 without a vote, delegations voiced concerns regarding four texts including one on the report of the Human Rights Council, debating whether that body had been politicized, thus undermining its legitimacy and credibility.

Approving a new draft resolution on protecting children from bullying, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) took action on and sent a total of 14 draft texts to the General Assembly.

Politicization of children’s rights should be avoided and national sovereignty and values should be respected, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today as it approved 10 draft texts, including a new one on the rights of the child.

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved three draft resolutions today, including one on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, in a meeting marked by heated discussion.

Differences on human rights issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue and not confrontational politically motivated actions, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today as it concluded its discussion on the Human Rights Report and took action on a package of draft resolutions on human rights questions and situations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Syria and Iran.

Crises perpetrated by non-State actors put additional burden on the Human Rights Council’s agenda, that body’s President told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today as he presented his annual report.

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved three draft resolutions today, among them, a new text designating 15 July as a World Youth Skills Day.

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this morning to introduce a package of draft resolutions on a broad range of measures aimed at tackling pressing issues, including monitoring mercenaries, combating intolerance and human rights reporting on Syria.

Armed conflicts and weather-related disasters resulted in prolonged refugee situations, severely affecting host communities as well as humanitarian organizations, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today as it concluded its discussion on refugees, returnees and displaced persons.  The Committee also introduced several draft resolutions covering a range of issues, from missing persons to safety for journalists.