General Assembly Session 50 meeting 99

The President

The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Third Committee on agenda items 107, 112 (a) to (e), 165 and 12.

I request the Rapporteur of the Third Committee to introduce the reports of the Third Committee in one intervention.

Mr. Mohamed (Sudan)

I have the honour to present the reports of the Third Committee on agenda items 107, 112 (a) through (e), 165 and 12.

Under agenda item 107, "Advancement of women", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 34 of document A/50/630 the adoption of seven draft resolutions and in paragraph 35 the adoption of one draft decision.

The report on agenda item 112 (a) through (e) has been issued in six parts, contained in documents A/50/635 and Add.1 to Add.5, respectively.

Under agenda item 112, "Human rights questions", the Third Committee lists in document A/50/635 the documents before the Committee at its fiftieth session.

Under sub-item (a), "Implementation of human rights instruments", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 14 of document A/50/635/Add.1 the adoption of three draft resolutions.

Under sub-item (b), "Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 57 of document A/50/635/Add.2 the adoption of 16 draft resolutions.

Under sub-item (c), "Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 76 of document A/50/635/Add.3 the adoption of 13 draft resolutions and in paragraph 77 the adoption of one draft decision.

Under sub-item (d), "Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 8 of document A/50/635/Add.4 the adoption of one draft resolution.

Under sub-item (e), "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights", document A/50/635/Add.5 contains an account of the Third Committee's consideration; it does not contain any recommendation to the General Assembly.

Under agenda item 165, "Implementation of the Outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 14 of document A/50/816 the adoption of two draft resolutions and in paragraph 15 the adoption of one draft decision.

Under agenda item 12, "Report of the Economic and Social Council", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 10 of document A/50/625 the adoption of three draft decisions.

There are some corrections arising from typographical errors to which I would like to refer.

Document A/50/635/Add.3 should list the Russian Federation as abstaining in the vote on draft resolution A/C.3/50/L.43, not draft resolution A/C.3/50/L.44. The document will be corrected to reflect this. Other corrections, by the delegation of Canada and the delegation of Japan, have also been duly noted and will be made in the reports.

I should like, in conclusion, to thank the Chairman of the Third Committee for his wisdom, guidance and diplomatic skill, which enabled the Committee's work to reach a successful conclusion. I should also like to thank the two Vice-Chairmen with whom I have had the pleasure to work, Patrick John Rata of New Zealand and Julia Tavares de Alvarez of the Dominican Republic, and all the other colleagues in the Third Committee. This was my first year in the Third Committee, and it was a pleasure for me to work with all my colleagues there. I liked it very much, and I have decided to continue to work in the Third Committee while I am here in New York.

Allow me also to thank the Secretary of the Third Committee, Kate Starr Newell, an her very able staff, particularly Vivien Pliner-Josephs and Alexandre De Barros, who worked with dedication and without complain to make these reports available to the Assembly.

I should also like to thank you, Mr. President, for allowing us to introduce the reports at two meetings, despite the problems of documentation we are now facing. I should also like, through you, to thank the secretariat of the General Assembly for their support and for the work they have done for me.

It has been a pleasure for me personally to work as Rapporteur of the Third Committee, and it has been an honour for my delegation, the delegation of the Sudan, to work in that Committee. We commit ourselves to the further improvement of the work of the General Assembly.

In conclusion, allow me to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The President

If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Third Committee that are before the Assembly today.

The President

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position.

The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Third Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records.

May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that

"When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee".

May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Third Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we shall take decisions in the same manner as in the Third Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance.

This means that where recorded or separate votes were taken, we will do the same.

I would also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Third Committee.

The President

The Assembly has before it seven draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 34 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 35.

I shall put the seven draft resolutions and the draft decision to the Assembly one by one.

We turn first to draft resolution I, "Proposed merger of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Development Fund for Women". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.21/Rev.1.

The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

Draft resolution II is entitled "International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.22.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution III is entitled "Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.23.

The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution IV is entitled "Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.24.

I call on the representative of Spain on a point of order.

Mr. Fernández (Spain)

This morning we told the Secretariat that the text that appears in operative paragraph 2 (d) of draft resolution IV is not the text which was agreed on. We thought that that correction was going to be referred to by the Rapporteur, and we would appreciate a clarification of this matter.

The President

I call on the representative of Sudan as Rapporteur of the Third Committee.

Mr. Mohamed (Sudan)

The representative of Spain is quite right. I am sorry that we missed this correction.

I shall now read out the correct text of operative paragraph 2 (d) of draft resolution IV:

"Undertaking necessary measures to give rural women full and equal access to productive resources, including the right to inheritance and to ownership of land and other property, credit, capital, natural resources, appropriate technologies, markets and information, and meeting their basic requirements in water and sanitation;".

The President

I repeat that draft resolution IV, "Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas", corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.24

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

Draft resolution V is entitled "The role of the United Nations Development Fund for Women in eliminating violence against women". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.25/Rev.1.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution VI is entitled "Traffic in women and girls". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.26/Rev.1.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VI without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution VII is entitled "Violence against women migrant workers". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.27.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VII without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision, entitled "Documents considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the advancement of women", contained in paragraph 35 of document A/50/630.

The draft decision was adopted by the Third Committee.

May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 107?

The President

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of Part I of the report of the Third Committee?

The President

The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 14 of Part II of its report.

We turn first to draft resolution I, "International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.39.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.47/Rev.1.

I call on the representative of China on a point of order.

Ms. Feng Cui (China)

During the discussion of draft resolution A/C.3/50/L.47/Rev.1 in the Third Committee, we pointed out that the Chinese translation of operative paragraph 20 was not correct. We provided corrections in writing to the Secretariat.

We have just discovered that the Chinese translation of this paragraph -- as it now appears in draft resolution II in document A/50/635/Add.1 -- is still not consistent with the English version. The English version does not make any reference to the Secretary-General, while the Chinese version does. We request the Secretariat to make the necessary correction to the Chinese translation. We have no problem with the English version. If we are adopting the English version, our delegation would have no difficulty whatsoever.

The President

The Secretariat has taken note of the correction requested by the Chinese delegation.

We shall now proceed to take a decision on draft resolution II, "Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights". I repeat that it corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.47/Rev.1.

Draft resolution II was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

Draft resolution III is entitled "International Covenants on Human Rights". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.53.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 112?

The President

The Assembly has before it 16 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 57 of Part III of its report.

I shall put the 16 draft resolutions to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have the opportunity to explain their vote or position.

We turn first to draft resolution I, "Respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.32.

We shall now begin the voting process.

The President

We now turn to draft resolution II, "United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education: culture of peace". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.33.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution III is entitled "Strengthening of United Nations action in the human rights field through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.34.

The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution IV is entitled "Respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.36.

We shall now begin the voting process.

The President

Draft resolution V is entitled "National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.37.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

Draft resolution VI is entitled "United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.38.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VI without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution VII is entitled "Situation of human rights in Cambodia". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.40.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VII without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

Draft resolution VIII is entitled "Strengthening of the rule of law". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.42.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VIII without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

Draft resolution IX is entitled "Effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.48.

Draft resolution IX was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

The President

Draft resolution X is entitled "Human rights in the administration of justice". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.49.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution X without a vote.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution XI is entitled "Human rights and mass exoduses". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.51/Rev.1.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XI without a vote.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

Draft resolution XII is entitled "Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.55.

The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution XIII is entitled "Right to development". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.57.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XIII without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution XIV is entitled "Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.59.

We shall now begin the voting process.

The President

Draft resolution XV is entitled "Human rights and terrorism". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.61/Rev.1.

Draft resolution XV was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

The President

Draft resolution XVI is entitled "Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights/Centre for Human Rights". It corresponds to Third Committee document A/C.3/50/L.62/Rev.1.

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XVI without a vote.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

I call now on the representative of Mexico, who has asked to speak in explanation of vote.

Mrs. Espinosa (Mexico)

The Government of Mexico supports respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes, and therefore voted in favour of draft resolution I, on that subject, contained in the report of the Third Committee (A/50/635/Add.2). We wish, however, to state that paragraph 4 should be understood within the context of other resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on this matter. We therefore understand the provisions of that paragraph not to conflict with or constrain activities for technical assistance provided by the Electoral Assistance Division upon the explicit request of the countries concerned.

The President

We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 112.

The President

The Assembly has before it 13 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 76 of Part IV of its report and a draft decision recommended in paragraph 77.

I shall call first on those delegations wishing to speak in explanation of vote or position before action is taken on these recommendations.

Mr. Alaideroos (Yemen)

I wish to put on record the position of my delegation on the draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee under agenda item 112 (c), which relate to the human rights situation in various States. Since its founding, the Republic of Yemen has consistently pursued a policy of respect for and of upholding human rights. It has opted for democracy and political pluralism; it has laid down laws and legislative rules that enable its citizens to exercise their intellectual, social, economic and political rights and freedoms in accordance with prevailing laws and the Constitution.

Mr. Alaideroos (Yemen)

It conducted the first free parliamentary elections in 1993, and it is now preparing for local government elections under the law on local government. In addition, it paved the way for freedom of the press and for the political pluralism that has given rise to the emergence of more than 20 political organizations and parties.

At the international level, Yemen acceded to and ratified most human-rights conventions and other instruments, thus demonstrating its absolute commitment to respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and social justice for the individual. On this basis, it consistently expresses grave concern over and denunciation and condemnation of violations and breaches of human rights, regardless of where they occur. In this regard, Yemen makes no distinction between one case and another.

When we examine the draft resolutions that are before the Assembly we notice that some of them embody a process of politicization of human rights, and that such politicization serves the interests of certain States at the expense of others, and thus flouts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948 and its annexes, the two international Covenants, the Vienna Declaration and other international human-rights instruments. This is the result of selectivity -- failure to abide by norms and standards. The methods used are devoid of impartiality and objectivity. In some cases, there is interference in the internal affairs of States, and national sovereignty is infringed. This weakens credibility and endangers the concepts of human rights.

Consequently, my delegation emphasizes the need to respect national sovereignty, to avoid interfering in the internal affairs of States and to respect the beliefs, traditions and religious creeds of peoples. The extent of respect for human rights should always be measured with the same yardstick. There should be no selectivity or double standards or politicization in the case of any State. This assertion stems from our belief that commitment by States to such an approach would enhance and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and would lead to the establishment of equitable international relations based on mutual respect and belief in the common good, in a world where justice, democracy, progress and peace prevail.

Consequently, the Republic of Yemen, which believes in and cherishes the basic principles of human rights and tries to promote and protect them and, thus, to remain impartial when faced with selective, two-faced, politicized positions, will contribute to the application of standard norms and concepts in all cases, without selectivity or politicization, by not participating in the vote on draft resolutions or proposals concerning human rights in States, with the exception of those adopted by consensus.

Mr. Borda (Colombia)

My delegation would like to state, for the record, that with regard to draft resolution XI, entitled "Situation of human rights in Cuba", on which the Assembly will take action, the Government of Colombia is pleased at the positive progress that has been made in Cuba in the area of human rights. I refer in particular to the cooperation extended by the Government of Cuba -- something that is recognized by the Special Rapporteur in his report. The ratification of the United Nations Convention against torture, the visit to the country by some non-governmental human-rights organizations and the visit by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in November 1994 are all evidence of this cooperation.

Colombia cannot but welcome the agreements on migration reached by Cuba and the United States of America. These meet the need that has been felt to provide a sensible framework for migration flows. In addition, Colombia welcomes the economic reforms recently undertaken by the Cuban Government, as these will promote the well-being of Cuban society and of the Cuban people.

All of this is proof that it is possible, through dialogue and international cooperation, to make progress in the area of human rights.

Given these facts, and convinced that the promotion, protection and full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms must be governed by the principles of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity and that they should never be used for political purposes, Colombia will abstain in the vote on draft resolution XI.

Mr. Fernández Palacias (Cuba)

I should like to explain the vote that Cuba will cast on draft resolution XI, entitled "Situation of human rights in Cuba".

The General Assembly is about to enter a new stage in an exercise that has been one of the worst injustices in the recent history of this Organization, thought up and imposed by the super-Power which does not conceal its efforts to crush the ideals of freedom and social justice that have inspired our country.

The Government of the United States is utterly devoid of the necessary political and moral authority to proclaim itself the arbiter of human rights in Cuba. In fact, despite mammoth efforts and diplomatic pressures, it has not been able to universalize its anti-Cuba concoction.

How can those who have financed, organized and promoted all kinds of aggression against our people talk about human rights in Cuba? How can those who continue even to deny millions of children, women and old people access to food and medicines talk about human rights in my country?

Cuba will continue to move forward along its historic road of independence and social justice; it will continue the sovereign process of changes now under way, on the basis of the consensus of the people; and it will faithfully cooperate with the United Nations, guided by the principles of objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity in respect of all human rights, everywhere in the world.

The international community should put a stop to this exercise, which contributes nothing to the protection and enjoyment of human rights in Cuba. Why should such waste of so much material and human effort continue to be allowed? Why should procedures that are so necessary to the promotion and protection of human rights be allowed to be so discredited?

Cuba will never accept this crude draft, however much it may be dolled up. Cuba will never accept a special rapporteur, however much he may be disguised as a neutral and independent person.

For all these reasons, Cuba will vote against draft resolution XI.

Mr. Gambari (Nigeria)

I wish to speak in explanation of vote on draft resolution XII, "Situation of human rights in Nigeria".

My delegation would like to state how unhappy it is to observe that the General Assembly has been asked to take action on a draft resolution which seeks to address a domestic issue in a Member State. The issue in question is the execution of nine Nigerians who were found guilty of murder after due process and in line with the laws of the land and the Constitution of my country.

The General Assembly has just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, and during that celebration it affirmed the commitment of Member States to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It is now being asked, through immense diplomatic pressure on several Member States of our Organization, to act contrary to the spirit and the letter of Article 2, paragraph 7, of that Charter.

The sovereign right of a Member State to enact its own laws within acceptable international standards is being challenged, and the retention by Member States of capital punishment for serious offences is also being questioned as uncivilized -- as if there were a violation of human rights under the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This is an unacceptable irony of events.

The principal sponsors of this draft resolution have not only launched a campaign of disinformation but have also demonstrated an unusual arrogance of power, seeking to prescribe who governs Nigeria, when and how. With all due respect, we submit that the change from one form of government to another is the business of the people of Nigeria. In this connection, my delegation would like to reaffirm that the democratic principle is not alien to Nigeria, and much has been done already by Nigerians themselves about the promotion of that system of governance on a sustainable basis.

It would be unfortunate if the General Assembly -- which under Article 13 of the Charter of the United Nations should make recommendations for promoting international cooperation and for assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction -- were to agree to take selective actions to deny Nigeria the right to development and to deprive Nigerians of their right to free movement in and out of some Member States of this Organization.

My delegation would like to state that the highly emotive reaction to the rejection of the plea of clemency for the convicted Nigerians cannot justify the manipulation of the procedures of the General Assembly by some relatively more powerful Members of our Organization. By acting on the present draft resolution, the Assembly will be acting contrary to Article 62 of the Charter, which gives the Economic and Social Council the responsibility to

"make recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all".

What Nigeria needs is international understanding, international accommodation and international cooperation so as to facilitate the faithful implementation of its political programme within its established time frame for a return to civil rule and the promotion of human rights for all in Nigeria. In this connection, we very much welcome any genuine assistance from friendly Member States towards the achievement of this goal.

Based on the foregoing observations, my delegation rejects the draft resolution, and in particular its fourth and fifth preambular paragraphs and operative paragraphs 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.

Mr. Dlamini (Swaziland)

Our statement in explanation of vote relates to the human rights in Kosovo in the Balkans.

We should like simply to state that we are going to change our position after due consultation with our Government.

Mr. Afonso (Mozambique)

We have been following with keen interest the consideration of the issue before us concerning the situation of human rights in Nigeria.

Since our independence, we in Mozambique have consistently fought for and abided by strict observance of and respect for internationally accepted principles and norms governing human rights -- not only in political spheres but also in social, economic and cultural spheres. Under the 1990 Constitution, the death penalty in Mozambique was abolished. At the same time, we are taking measures aimed at further strengthening peace, unity and national reconciliation, while preserving our independence. Our stand in the international arena is in conformity with our internal political and moral values. We therefore join all those who work for the promotion and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

We deplore the events which have occurred in Nigeria, especially the sentencing to death of the nine defendants on 10 November 1995. In this context, our aim is to promote dialogue, with a view to encouraging our brothers and sisters in Nigeria to find political solutions to their problems. Any action we might undertake should take into account the need to prevent the worsening of the situation in that country. We should encourage the Nigerian forces to continue working for democracy and human rights.

It is within this framework that we welcome the communiqué of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration, issued in London on 20 December 1995. Conscious of the fact that a culture of democracy and of respect for human rights is a process that cannot be imposed from the outside, we believe that time and patience will be needed to fully settle an issue of the magnitude and complexity of that of Nigeria. This is our understanding of the time-frame agreed upon by the Commonwealth Summit in Auckland.

Accordingly, my Government is of the view that we should contribute, to the best of our abilities, to preventing the exacerbation of misunderstandings between Nigeria and the international community at large. Efforts should be deployed in order to ensure that this state of affairs does not reach uncontrollable proportions. We are not convinced that measures in response to human rights violations should be pursued to the last consequence before other possible actions are considered in detail. Instead, we should stand together and devise a common strategy which can assist that sister country in solving its problems and enabling it to return to the family of respected sons and daughters of Africa, whose contribution has been vital in the common struggle for the liberation of our continent.

It is also our understanding that the solution lies on the path of principles and traditions which our continent -- the African continent -- has followed for so many years. This has preserved our sovereignty and reaffirmed our commitment to democracy, respect for human rights and non-interference in internal affairs.

For the foregoing reasons, my delegation will abstain on this draft resolution concerning the situation of human rights in Nigeria.

Ms. Wahbi (Sudan)

The delegation of the Sudan wishes to clarify its position on all draft resolutions on human rights in certain States which have been selectively targeted for political reasons that have nothing at all to do with human rights as such.

Sudan refers to draft resolution X on human rights in the Sudan. We reaffirm our position of rejection of this unjust draft resolution, which ignores all positive and political developments in Sudan. We have asked for a separate vote on operative paragraphs 2, 4 and 12, regardless of our position on the draft resolution as a whole, because those paragraphs sow the seeds of discord in Sudan with the aim of fragmenting the country and represent blatant interference in the internal affairs of Sudan, in complete contravention of the United Nations Charter, which applies to every Member here today. Moreover, these paragraphs completely ignore the Sudan's continued official and other clarifications concerning the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan.

Consequently, we shall vote against that draft resolution and we call upon all countries that uphold the principle of the sovereignty of nations to follow suit.

Mr. Hasan (Iraq)

Our delegation has been deprived of its right to vote in the General Assembly because my country has not paid its contributions in view of the comprehensive sanctions regime imposed against it. This has prevented Iraq from exporting its products and has frozen its assets abroad. Some Powers have rejected Iraq's ongoing attempts to reach a solution exempting it from the application of Article 19 of the Charter.

Had we had the right to vote, we would vote against the draft resolutions on the human rights situations in Iraq, Cuba, Nigeria and Sudan. These draft resolutions are of a political character and in no way serve human rights. On the contrary, they do harm to human rights as human rights are used in this context as a ploy to cover up illegal political activities, including interference in the internal affairs of States and imposing outside choices upon them.

As to the draft resolution on Iraq, I hope to remind the champions of human rights who shed tears over the situation of human rights in Iraq that it is they who are depriving Iraqi civilians of their basic human rights by imposing a comprehensive sanctions regime that has led to deaths of tens of thousands of women and children. These sanctions have denied Iraqis their basic human rights to food, medication, education and other necessities.

Mr. Nsanze Terence (Burundi)

My delegation would like briefly to explain the reasons that have led it to oppose the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Nigeria. Given that we have already set forth those reasons in the Third Committee, I will be very brief.

We would like to emphasize one specific aspect of the issue: our vote is not directed against any State whatsoever but is in strict accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, which in our view has a kind of supremacy over all the other international conventions on human rights.

As far as basic principles are concerned, the position of the delegation of Burundi is in full conformity with the need to safeguard and respect human rights. However, since we believe that the situation in Nigeria could have been dealt with differently as far as procedure is concerned, we feel that our Government should adhere to the principles for which it stands. It should be understood -- and we would appeal to all our friends who are in favour of this draft resolution and to its sponsors to understand -- that we are not voting against them: we are voting in favour of principles. Just as they are not voting against Burundi, since it is not Burundi but principles that are directly concerned, we earnestly urge them to understand that we should have the right to vote in accordance with our conscience, in accordance with our principles and in accordance with the procedure that we believe to be the right one.

In conclusion, I repeat that we are hostile to nobody but are adhering to a principle which we regard as sacrosanct: the sovereignty of a Member State. Therefore, respecting the right of the sponsors and of those who will vote in favour of the draft resolution, I repeat those sacred principles already enunciated by a historical political figure, Abraham Lincoln:

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right". (Second inaugural address)

The Acting President

May I remind all delegations that those that have explained their vote in the Committee should, as much as possible, refrain from repeating the explanation in the plenary Assembly.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote before the vote.

We turn first to draft resolution I, "Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran".

We shall now begin the voting process.

The Acting President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Situation of human rights in Afghanistan".

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Acting President

We turn now to draft resolution III, entitled "Situation of human rights in Kosovo".

We shall now begin the voting process.

The Acting President

Draft resolution IV is entitled "Situation of human rights in Iraq".

We shall now begin the voting process.

The Acting President

Draft resolution V is entitled "Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia".

A separate vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph. Is there any objection to that request?

There is no objection.

I shall therefore put to the vote first the sixth preambular paragraph.

We shall now begin the voting process.

The Acting President

We turn now to draft resolution V as a whole, which was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution VI is entitled "Situation of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)".

We shall now begin the voting process.