| Date | 12 December 1996 |
|---|---|
| Started | 15:00 |
| Ended | 17:55 |
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Reports of the Third Committee
The President
This afternoon, the General Assembly will consider the reports of the Third Committee on agenda items 100 to 109, 110 and sub-items (a) to (e), 158 and 12.
I request the Rapporteur of the Third Committee to introduce the reports of the Third Committee in one intervention.
Ms. Sandru (Romania)
I have the honour to present the reports of the Third Committee which, through better coordination and more efficient use of the time allocated to it, completed its work 15 days earlier than at the fiftieth session, adopting 63 draft resolutions and 9 draft decisions.
The reports of the Third Committee are contained in documents A/51/608, A/51/609, A/51/610, A/51/611, A/51/612, A/51/613, A/51/614, A/51/615, A/51/616, A/51/617, A/51/618, A/51/619 and Add.1 to Add.5, and A/51/620.
Under agenda item 100, entitled "Social Development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family", the report of the Third Committee in document A/51/609 contains, in paragraph 9, one draft resolution recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Under agenda item 101, entitled "Crime prevention and criminal justice", the report of the Third Committee in document A/51/610 contains, in paragraph 32, five draft resolutions recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Under agenda item 102, entitled "International drug control", the report of the Third Committee in document A/51/611 contains, in paragraph 9, one draft resolution recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. With reference to the latter part of paragraph 4 of the document, I wish to draw to the attention of the Assembly the fact that Turkey should be deleted from the list of subsequent sponsors because Turkey is an original sponsor of the draft resolution.
Under agenda item 103, "Advancement of women", the Third Committee recommends, in document A/51/612, paragraph 25, the adoption of four draft resolutions and, in paragraph 26, the adoption of one draft decision. I should like to draw the attention of the Assembly to a correction to be made to paragraph 14 (b) of the report, which falls under the discussion of draft resolution A/C.3/51/L.19, entitled, "Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat". Paragraph 14 (b) contains the text of a new operative paragraph that was added to the text of the draft resolution at the time of its introduction. In the editing process, the position of the phrases "including at the D-1 level and above" and "particularly those that are unrepresented and under-represented" was reversed. The paragraph should read as follows:
"Urges the Secretary-General to increase the number of women employed in the Secretariat from developing countries, including at the D-1 level and above, particularly those that are unrepresented or under-represented, and from countries that have a low representation of women, including countries with economies in transition."
This correction should also be reflected in the final text of the draft resolution, which appears in this report as draft resolution III.
Under agenda item 104, "Implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women", the Third Committee recommends, in document A/51/613, paragraph 8, the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 105, entitled "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions", the report of the Third Committee in document A/51/614 contains, in paragraph 34, six draft resolutions recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Under agenda item 106, entitled "Promotion and protection of the rights of children", the Third Committee recommends, in document A/51/615, paragraph 23, the adoption of two draft resolutions and, in paragraph 24, the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 107, "Programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People", the Third Committee recommends, in document A/51/616, paragraph 10, the adoption of one draft resolution.
Under agenda item 108, "Elimination of racism and racial discrimination", the Third Committee recommends, in document A/51/617, paragraph 15, the adoption of three draft resolutions and, in paragraph 16, the adoption of one draft decision.
Under agenda item 109, "Right of peoples to self-determination", the Third Committee recommends, in document A/51/618, paragraph 17, the adoption of three draft resolutions.
The report of the Third Committee on agenda item 110, "Human rights questions", is contained in documents A/51/619 and Addenda 1 to 5. Under agenda item 110 (a), entitled "Human rights questions: Implementation of human rights instruments", the report in document A/51/619/Add.1 contains, in paragraph 27, four draft resolutions recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Under agenda item 110 (b), entitled "Human rights questions: Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms", the report in document A/51/619/Add.2 contains, in paragraph 65, 17 draft resolutions recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Under agenda item 110 (c), entitled "Human rights questions: Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives", the report in document A/51/619/Add.3 contains, in paragraph 71, 12 draft resolutions and in paragraph 72, two draft decisions recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. I wish to draw the attention of the Assembly to draft resolution XI. After the fourteenth preambular paragraph the following two preambular paragraphs should be inserted:
"Encouraging the international community, acting through the United Nations and other international organizations as well as bilaterally, to enhance significantly humanitarian support for the people of the region and promote human rights, economic reconstruction, the repatriation of refugees and the holding of free elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
"Welcoming the efforts of the European Union to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and endorsing the Special Rapporteur's recommendation that economic and other aid must be made conditional on meaningful progress on human rights."
Also, the end of the twenty-first preambular paragraph should read as follows:
"... resolutions 1009 (1995) of 10 August 1995 and 1079 (1996) of 15 November 1996".
In operative paragraph 11, in the second and third lines, the words "free determination and full participation by" should be deleted, and the words "to participate freely and fully" should be inserted after the word "Kosovo".
I wish also to draw the attention of the Assembly to a correction to paragraph 17 of draft resolution XII. The word "in" should be inserted between the words "in the implementation of the present resolution and" and the words "its efforts for national reconciliation".
Under agenda item 110 (d), entitled "Human rights questions: Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action", the report in document A/51/619/Add.4 contains, in paragraph 9, one draft resolution, and, in paragraph 10, one draft decision, recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Under agenda item 110 (e), entitled "Human rights questions: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights", the report in document A/51/619/Add.5 contains, in paragraph 8, one draft resolution recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Under agenda item 158, entitled "Question of the elaboration of an international convention against organized transnational crime", the report in document A/51/620 contains, in paragraph 8, one draft resolution recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
Last but not least, under agenda item 12, entitled "Report of the Economic and Social Council", the report in document A/51/608 contains, in paragraph 12, three draft decisions recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.
I wish to draw the attention of the Assembly to the fact that the titles of the draft decisions are missing from the report. Thus, in paragraph 12 of the document, the title of draft decision I should read, "Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People"; the title of draft decision II should be "Organization of work of the Third Committee and biennial programme of work of the Committee for 1997-1998"; and draft decision III should be entitled "Report of the Economic and Social Council".
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 which are before it 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, that is, 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 are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Third Committee, unless notified otherwise in advance. This means that where recorded votes were taken, we will do the same.
I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Third Committee.
Agenda item 100
Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family
Report of the Third Committee (A/51/609)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 9 of its report.
The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution entitled "The role of cooperatives in the light of new economic and social trends" 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 agenda item 100?
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the five draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 32 of its report.
We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "Action against corruption". 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 "United Nations Declaration on Crime and Public Security". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
Draft resolution III is entitled "United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Measures for prevention of the smuggling of aliens". 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 "Strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, particularly its technical cooperation capacity". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V 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 agenda item 101?
Agenda item 102
International drug control
Report of the Third Committee (A/51/611)
Report of the Fifth Committee (A/51/719)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 9 of its report.
The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/51/719.
The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution entitled "International action to combat drug abuse and illicit production and trafficking" without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
I shall now call on the representative of the United States of America, who wishes to explain his position on the resolution just adopted.
May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Marrero (United States)
In the Third Committee, the United States dissociated itself from the consensus in favour of this resolution, even though we supported the text, because we had certain budgetary concerns. At this time we have agreed to join the consensus on the resolution, but on the understanding that, as the budget exercise moves towards conclusion, there will be additional offsets identified that will enable the preparations for the special session of the General Assembly called for in the resolution to go forward within the level of funds that has been approved for the current biennium.
We have certain reservations concerning the programme budget implications that I should like to highlight. First, we are concerned about the costs of the preparations for the 1998 special session outlined in the programme budget implications report presented to the General Assembly along with the draft of the resolution. We are also concerned that the costs of preparing the special session may restrict the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), detracting from the important work of UNDCP to deliver counter-narcotics assistance programmes.
When the programme budget implications first became available, the United States and Mexico met with United Nations and UNDCP staff in New York to discuss its contents and express our concerns. The United States reluctantly dissociated itself from the Third Committee's consensus adoption of the draft resolution because those concerns were not met. Simply put, the United States could not accept any resolution that has the potential effect of increasing the United Nations budget above the established level for the current biennium -- irrespective of whether the issue is narcotics, which is a high priority, or any other issue.
The programme budget implications originally stated that $290,500 in additional resources would be required during the current biennium. Even if all six expert group meetings and their associated costs of approximately $454,500 are eliminated, the Secretariat informs us that the savings associated with their elimination would be realized mostly in the form of reducing the extrabudgetary resources component of the costs. The Secretariat noted that donors had earmarked most extrabudgetary resources for the expert group meetings, and it could not assume that donors would be willing to make those extrabudgetary resources available for other general preparations for the special session. Thus, the Secretariat concluded, an additional $222,100 in new resources would have to be drawn from the contingency fund during the current biennium. We question whether the programme budget implications has been prepared at minimal cost. We also do not believe that UNDCP should absorb these costs.
The General Assembly resolution invites the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to take appropriate measures to prepare for the special session. We wholeheartedly support thorough preparations for the special session of the General Assembly, but we do not support new proposals hidden in a budgetary implications statement.
The programme budget implications have not been revised sufficiently even though there is room for budgetary savings to be found, such as, but not limited to, requiring most countries to pay their own way to the meetings and reducing the length of the CND in 1997 and 1998. We believe that the amount set aside by the Secretariat for consultant fees -- $88,000 -- and general temporary assistance -- $359,000 -- should have been reduced further.
We agree with the concept of the special session, but we regret that our wholehearted support cannot be given to these budgetary matters. We are disappointed that the Secretariat has thus far been unable to eliminate the programme budget implications associated with this resolution, which we solidly support.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 102?
The President
The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 25 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 26 of the same report.
I shall put the four draft resolutions and the draft decision to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote.
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled "Violence against women migrant workers". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "Traffic in women and girls".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled "Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV. 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 "Report of the Secretary-General on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 26 of the report.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President
I now call on the representative of the Philippines, who wishes to speak on a point of order.
Mrs. Limjuco (Philippines)
I wish to note that in the resolution entitled "Violence against women migrant workers", the name of one of the sponsors is missing, and that I shall take this up with the Secretariat. Furthermore, as regards draft resolution II (resolution 51/66), entitled "Traffic in women and girls", the names of many sponsors are missing, and I should like to read them out.
In the draft resolution (resolution 51/66) entitled "Traffic in women and girls", in addition to those listed in A/C.3/51/L.18/Rev.1, the following countries had indicated their sponsorship from the floor: Austria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, El Salvador, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine and Zambia.
In the draft resolution entitled "Violence against women migrant workers" (resolution 51/65), the name of Nigeria is missing.
The President
The Assembly takes note of the statement made by the representative of the Philippines.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 103?
Agenda item 104
Implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women
Report of the Third Committee (A/51/613)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 8 of the report.
I now call on the representative of Costa Rica, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of vote.
Mrs. Castro de Barish (Costa Rica)
On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I should like to inform the Assembly that, as I indicated on 4 November in the Third Committee, the Group met to take a stand on the inclusion of the phrase "within existing resources" or of other similar wording, such as "within the regular budget of the United Nations".
The Group decided to object to those phrases in the draft resolutions where this terminology was included because we consider this issue to be among the prerogatives of the Fifth Committee, as is specified in resolution 45/248 B VI, entitled "Procedures for administrative and budgetary matters".
Consequently, since this position was adopted, the Group of 77 has been applying it in all forums, especially since it was confirmed during the meeting held by the Group of 77 and China at the highest level on 27 November.
Nonetheless, in this very special case, in which the draft resolution entitled "Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Programme for Action" will be adopted as it appears in document A/51/613, our Group has decided not to propose any change to operative paragraph 44.
The Group hopes that this proposal will not lead to a vote on the draft resolution, to which we attach very special importance.
For this reason, we will be pleased to associate ourselves with the consensus on this draft resolution on the Fourth World Conference on Women, and we are confident that all the necessary resources can be provided so that its goals can fully be attained.
The President
The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled "Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action" without a vote.
May I take it 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 104?
Agenda item 105
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions
Report of the Third Committee (A/51/614)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the six draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 34 of the report.
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled "Follow-up to the Regional Conference to Address the Problems of Refugees, Displaced Persons, Other Forms of Involuntary Displacement and Returnees in the Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Relevant Neighbouring States", without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled "Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa", without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled "Enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees", without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV, entitled "Assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors", without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V, entitled "New international humanitarian order", without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VI, entitled "Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees", without a vote.
May I take it 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 105?
Agenda item 106
Promotion and protection of the rights of children
Report of the Third Committee (A/51/615)
The President
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 23 of the report and one draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 24 of the same report.
We turn first to draft resolution I, which is entitled "The girl child".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "The rights of the child".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision entitled "Document considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the promotion and protection of the rights of the child".
The Third Committee adopted the draft decision. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their position on the resolutions just adopted.
Mr. Marrero (United States)
The United States is a strong supporter of efforts to protect the world's children. We give tangible evidence of this support by contributing significantly, more than any other country, to the United Nations Children's Fund's general resources and to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
We strongly affirm the intent of this resolution to protect the rights and welfare of children. For these reasons, we have joined the consensus. We are not, however, prepared to endorse the changes to resolutions on children's issues previously agreed to in other forums or to endorse provisions inconsistent with the laws and customs of war as are found in the resolution before us. Nor has the United States changed its position as articulated in numerous international forums regarding age-specific restrictions on recruitment into and participation in armed forces.
Concerning reservations to international conventions, the United States continues to support the language in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/85 on the rights of the child, which we also co-sponsored. By contrast, operative paragraph 4 of the current resolution asks States to review the compatibility of their reservations with article 51 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant rules of international law. We are not aware of other relevant rules of international law precisely on this point.
With regard to the portions of the resolution dealing with children in situations of armed conflict, the United States firmly supports the efforts to bring to an end practices that are inconsistent with international norms and the laws of armed conflict. However, we also believe that the General Assembly must be extremely cautious when addressing the laws of armed conflict and humanitarian law, the development of which must take place in forums that are adequately prepared to address the complex technical issues that are involved in these questions.
The following examples demonstrate some of the inconsistencies that we found in the resolution. In general, the relevant provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular article 38, paragraph 2, should have been used to clarify what is meant by "child soldiers" or "children participating in hostilities". With respect to operative paragraph 17, while the United States welcomes efforts of the African nations to reduce and eliminate the participation of children in combat, we cannot support provisions that characterize as a war crime the use of children in armed conflict in a manner inconsistent with or in a manner that is not addressed by the laws of armed conflict. Identification of war crimes must be precise in order to have the legal effect or significance that may be intended.
To the extent that operative paragraph 23 refers to the hospital zones and neutralized zones contemplated by the Geneva Conventions of 1949, we support the sentiment expressed. However, the terms "corridors of peace" and "days of tranquillity" have no accepted meaning or legal effect. Concerning operative paragraph 31, the United States believes that the resolution should have used the language on sanctions agreed to at the International Committee of the Red Cross meeting in Geneva last December. Finally, the United States strongly supports efforts to eliminate exploitative forms of child labour, and we commend the continuation of those efforts.
The President
I call on the representative of Costa Rica on a point of order.
Mrs. Castro de Barish (Costa Rica)
I wish simply to refer to operative paragraph 5, section I, of draft resolution II (resolution 51/77), entitled "The rights of the child", which is contained in document A/51/615.
In this paragraph, States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child are urged to accept the amendment to paragraph 2 of article 43 of the Convention, which would increase the membership of the Committee on the Rights of the Child from 10 to 18 experts.
Exactly one year has passed since the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, held on 12 December 1995, decided to adopt, without a vote, the amendment to article 43, paragraph 2, of that Convention, proposed by Costa Rica. The decision of the Conference of States parties was adopted without a vote by the General Assembly in resolution 50/155 of 21 December 1995.
For the amendment to enter into force, the States parties to the Convention must respond to the Secretary-General, who, as depository, consulted them through a note dated 29 March 1996. Thus far, only some 12 responses accepting the amendment have been received from States parties, while positive responses are required from two thirds of the States parties to the Secretary-General's consultation.
Costa Rica therefore cordially and respectfully appeals to those States to express their acceptance of the amendment so that we may achieve our goal of providing the Committee with eight additional experts, who will undoubtedly contribute their talents to the important functions which the Committee on the Rights of the Child is exercising for the benefit of children throughout the world who are so in need of assistance.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 106?
Agenda item 107
Programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People
Report of the Third Committee (A/51/616)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 10 of its report (A/51/616).
The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution, "International Decade of the World's Indigenous People", without a vote. 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?
Agenda item 108
Elimination of racism and racial discrimination
Report of the Third Committee (A/51/617)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 15 of its report (A/51/617) and on the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 16 of the same report.
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I, "Measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance", without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II, "International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination", without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III, "Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination", without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision entitled "Document considered by the General Assembly in connection with the elimination of racism and racial discrimination".
The Third Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
I now call upon the representative of the United States of America, who has asked to make a statement in explanation of position.
Mr. Marrero (United States)
The United States Government joined in the consensus adoption of draft resolution III as a reflection of its essential commitment to the goals and purposes of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. My Government interprets operative paragraph 24 as not prejudging the outcome of discussions at the 1997 session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights with regard to a possible world conference. Our view is well known that the resources required for a world conference would be more effectively applied to programmatic efforts to combat racism and we welcome consideration of alternative forums to discuss means to address the purposes and goals of the Decade.
The United States Government interprets operative paragraph 9 of draft resolution I on measures to combat all forms of racial discrimination to be consistent with recognized and accepted principles of freedom of expression.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 108?
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 17 of its report (A/51/618).
Draft resolution I is entitled "The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination".
| favour |
| against |
| abstain |
| absent |
Draft resolution I was adopted by 159 votes to 3, with 12 abstentions (resolution 51/82).
favour=159 against=3 abstain=12 absent=11
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, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination".
| favour |
| against |
| abstain |
| absent |
Draft resolution II was adopted by 117 votes to 17, with 39 abstentions (resolution 51/83).
favour=117 against=17 abstain=39 absent=12
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, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled "Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination", without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
I call on the representative of the Russian Federation to make a statement in explanation of vote.
Mr. Sepelev (Russia)
As a sponsor of the Middle East process, we have always been in favour of developing the region's potential for implementing the agreements reached and resolving remaining problems. Hence, we have always emphasized the need to take account of the legitimate interests of all countries, including the people of Palestine, in the exercise of their right to self-determination.
However, this does not in any way prejudge the outcome of the Israeli-Palestinian talks. This year, therefore, we were able to vote in favour of the draft resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 109?
The President
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of Part I of the Third Committee's report (A/51/619)?
(a) Implementation of human rights instruments
Report of the Third Committee (Part II) (A/51/619/Add.1)
The President
I call on the representative of Egypt for an explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Wissa (Egypt)
My delegation wishes to speak on the draft resolution entitled "Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment".
Mr. Wissa (Egypt)
I should like to express the views of the Egyptian Government in respect of its obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. We consistently cooperate with the Committee against Torture in a constructive and positive manner. Egypt is pleased to cooperate with all the Special Rapporteurs on this matter and to respond to any questions they may have.
The Egyptian delegation does not wish to affect the consensus on the draft resolution, because we believe it is essential to put an end to all forms of torture, a priority issue for us. We must also put an end to other cruel and inhuman treatment.
I cannot claim, however, that we are fully satisfied with the draft resolution. I would specifically note the paragraphs on the report of the Committee against Torture and its methods. We trust that improvements will be made at the next session. Our desire to preserve the consensus does not mean that we accept the work on the methods of the Committee against Torture. Several negative aspects were taken up in our consideration of the item. This led to certain conclusions that are not based on sound information and do not describe the actual situation accurately or precisely.
As a result, a very brief note was issued with respect to Egypt's annual report. However, the legal background and evidence that Egypt submitted during its dialogue with the Committee was not fully taken into account. The Committee has yet to respond to Egypt's arguments, which are not reflected in its annual report, despite a request by Egypt to that effect. This is contrary to the spirit and the letter of article 20 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and has prompted the Egyptian delegation to explain its position in detail in a General Assembly document.
Egypt has never been a State where torture is carried out regularly or systematically, as might be inferred baselessly from the report. The only exceptions are those individual cases in which suspects have been prosecuted in accordance with the law following a full investigation. The Egyptian Government has always respected the law and its authorities have given detailed responses to the Committee on these matters.
In conclusion, I wish to reconfirm that the Government of Egypt does comply fully with its commitments and obligations under the international conventions to which it is party, including the Convention against Torture. We also act in accordance with the laws and Constitution of our country, not simply or exclusively in compliance with a legal obligation, but based on Egypt's beliefs in the rule of law, which is the very basis of democracy. There can be no progress or prosperity for the people of Egypt without democracy.
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 27 of Part II of its report (A/51/619/Add.1).
We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled "Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment", without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
Draft resolution III is entitled "Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV, entitled "Commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the likewise?
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 110?
(b) Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Report of the Third Committee (Part III) (A/51/619/Add.2)
The President
I shall now call on those representatives wishing to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Reyes (Cuba)
We would like to make the following observation with regard to draft resolution II, entitled "Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights/Centre for Human Rights", contained in document A/51/619/Add.2 and recommended by the Third Committee to the General Assembly for adoption.
This draft resolution was the result of a lengthy negotiating process in which Cuba participated actively. It contains no value judgement whatsoever in respect of the restructuring process of the Centre for Human Rights. This is a complicated exercise which is still in the embryonic stage and requires a thorough analysis in the bodies that have competence in this area: the Commission on Human Rights, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly itself.
The consensus achieved on this draft resolution can therefore not be used to impose conditions or to limit the role to be played by Member States in the strengthening, streamlining and simplification of the United Nations mechanism in the area of human rights in order to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. The restructuring of the Centre for Human Rights is included in this process.
Mr. Sisowath (Cambodia)
My delegation has no difficulty with section J of document A/51/619/Add.2 on draft resolution A/C.3/51/L.56, entitled "Situation of human rights in Cambodia". Cambodia, a newly independent democracy respectful of human rights, was born of a free and fair election, organized and supervised by the United Nations in 1993.
As Cambodia is currently experiencing its newly found freedom, democracy and multi-party system, my Government cooperates very closely in the field of human rights with the Secretary-General's Special Representative on human rights in Cambodia, Ambassador Thomas Hammarberg. My delegation considered the Special Representative's report on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, contained in document A/51/453 of 4 October 1996, to be very balanced.
May I further inform the Assembly that, on 17 September 1996, comments and clarifications were submitted by my Prime Minister on the Special Representative's report, contained in document A/51/453/Add.1 of 29 October 1996. My delegation encourages representatives to read the Cambodian Government's clarifications and would appreciate their support in the consensus adoption of this draft resolution. It will, indeed, help improve the human-rights image of my country, which the international community has always recommended and supported. I would further add that, over the past three years, there have been great changes and successes, including human-rights training for police officers and judges and the formation of the Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights. More improvements are on the way as Cambodia heads towards a truly open society.
The President
The Assembly has before it 17 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 65 of Part III of its report (A/51/619/Add.2).
I shall put the 17 draft resolutions to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote.
We turn first to draft resolution I, "Respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification".
| favour |
| against |
| abstain |
| absent |
Draft resolution I was adopted by 89 votes to 4, with 76 abstentions (resolution 51/89).
favour=89 against=4 abstain=76 absent=16
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, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The President
Draft resolution II is entitled "Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights/Centre for Human Rights".
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 "Effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution V is entitled "Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
We now turn to draft resolution VI, entitled "Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances".
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 "Follow-up to the United Nations Year for Tolerance".
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".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution IX is entitled "Human rights and extreme poverty".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution X is entitled "Situation of human rights in Cambodia".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution X without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution XI is entitled "Right to development".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution XII is entitled "Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights".
| favour |
| against |
| abstain |
| absent |
Draft resolution XII was adopted by 114 votes to 42, with 16 abstentions (resolution 51/100).
favour=114 against=42 abstain=16 absent=13
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, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The President
Draft resolution XIII is entitled "Culture of peace".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XIII without a vote. May I take it the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution XIV is entitled "Regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XIV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
Draft resolution XV is entitled "Human rights and unilateral coercive measures".
| favour |
| against |
| abstain |
| absent |
Draft resolution XV was adopted by 57 votes to 45, with 59 abstentions (resolution 51/103).
favour=57 against=45 abstain=59 absent=24
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, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The President
Draft resolution XVI is entitled "United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and public information activities in the field of human rights".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XVI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
Draft resolution XVII 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".
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XVII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The President
I call on the representative of the Philippines to make a statement in explanation of position.
Mrs. Limjuco (Philippines)
I would like to comment on resolution 51/101, entitled "Culture of peace", and our understanding of it.
It has been our understanding that the culture of peace is based on the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter on respect for human rights, democracy, tolerance, dialogue, cultural diversity and reconciliation.
It has also been our understanding that the culture of peace seeks to promote development, education for peace, the free flow of ideas and information and wider participation of women as integral to the prevention of violence and conflicts, and to the creation of conditions for peace in its consolidation.
In a word, the culture of peace, as has been and continues to be our understanding, is a trans-disciplinary project that goes beyond any single area of human endeavour. It is human rights and development; it is diversity and unity; and it is many other things which are the building blocks of peace.
It was therefore quite correct -- and certainly very desirable -- that so broad and important a subject be recognized as a separate and independent item of the agenda of the General Assembly.
My delegation deeply regrets that, in the pursuit of consensus, the thrust of the resolution was blurred, if not altogether lost. I should therefore like to request, as an attempt at clarification and for the reasons stated, to have this understanding struck into the records of this meeting: The appropriate agenda item under which the question of the culture of peace, in our view, should be the "Culture of peace".
This is our understanding of the resolution before us.
The President
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 110?
(c) Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives
Report of the Third Committee (Part IV) (A/51/619/Add.3)
The President
I call on the representative of Yemen for an explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Alaideroos (Yemen)
I welcome this opportunity to explain and register the position of my delegation regarding the draft resolutions before us under agenda item 110 (c) on the human rights situation in individual countries, referred by the Third Committee to the General Assembly for adoption.
Ever since its establishment, the Republic of Yemen has consistently followed a policy of respect for and observance of human rights. It adopted the democratic option and political plurality as a system and as an approach. It promulgated legislative and legal rules guaranteeing its citizens the exercise of their political, economic, social and intellectual rights and freedoms, in line with the Constitution and the laws in force.
It organized the first free, direct parliamentary elections, which took place in 1993. Having completed voter-registration procedures, it is now making the final arrangements for the second parliamentary elections since the restoration of national unity, which will be held in April 1997. It has ensured freedom of party and political activities, and of the press and publishing. Yemen now has more than 20 political parties and organizations, and more than 100 independent and party newspapers. On the international level, Yemen has acceded to or ratified most international conventions on human rights. It spares no effort to cooperate with the relevant bodies in order to demonstrate its keen interest in and absolute commitment to respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and social justice.
In considering the draft resolutions before us today, we note that some of them politicize the concept of human rights to the benefit of the objectives and interests of certain countries. Some of them are prejudicial to traditions, customs and greatly revered religions. In places they exhibit a conflict in the application of criteria that is based on whim, moving away from the provision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions and its Protocols, the International Covenants on Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and other international instruments relating to human rights, demonstrating selectivity and double standards and abandoning neutrality and objectivity. In some cases, this constitutes flagrant interference in the internal affairs of countries and a violation of their national sovereignty. This could diminish the credibility of the General Assembly and jeopardize the concepts and principles of human rights and render them meaningless.
On this basis, and consistent with our established position in past years, the delegation of the Republic of Yemen denounces and condemns all violations of human rights in any country without exception, and calls for respect for national sovereignty, for non-interference in the internal affairs of all countries and for respect for the traditional customs and religious culture of peoples, when considering human rights issues. We also emphasize the need to adopt uniform criteria and principles in measuring respect for human rights without selectivity or double standards, and without any politicization that might be exploited as a means of undermining certain systems. This is based on our belief that a commitment by countries to that principle will strengthen and safeguard basic human rights. This will lead to international relations on an equal footing, based on mutual respect and common interests in a world in which justice, democracy and peace prevail.
The Republic of Yemen believes in the basic principles of human rights, respects them and tries persistently to safeguard them. Given its keen interest in these principles, and in order to keep its vote as objective and neutral as possible, divorced from selectivity, double standards or politicization, and to contribute to the establishment of standardized criteria and concepts to be applied without selectivity or politicization, my delegation will not participate in the voting on any draft resolutions or procedural proposals with regard to the situation of human rights in individual countries, except those that are adopted by consensus.
Mr. Al-Hitti (Iraq)
For reasons beyond our control -- the economic blockade to which our country has been subjected -- we were deprived of our vote in the Committee. Had my country been able to vote on these draft resolutions, we would have voted against draft resolutions I, II, IV, VII and VIII, on the situation of human rights in Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nigeria, the Sudan and Cuba respectively.
--> -->
| <type 'exceptions.UnicodeEncodeError'> | Python 2.6.6: /usr/bin/python Wed Jun 19 11:36:37 2013 |
A problem occurred in a Python script. Here is the sequence of function calls leading up to the error, in the order they occurred.
| /data/vhost/www.undemocracy.com/docs/trunk.py in |
| 194 if __name__ == "__main__": |
| 195 pathpart = os.getenv("PATH_INFO") |
| 196 maintrunk(pathpart) |
| 197 |
| 198 |
| maintrunk = <function maintrunk>, pathpart = '/generalassembly_51/meeting_82' |
| /data/vhost/www.undemocracy.com/docs/trunk.py in maintrunk(pathpart='/generalassembly_51/meeting_82') |
| 131 elif pagefunc == "gameeting": |
| 132 LogIncomingDB(hmap["docid"], hmap["gadice"] or "0", referrer, ipaddress, useragent, remadeurl) |
| 133 WriteHTML(hmap["htmlfile"], hmap["pdfinfo"], hmap["gadice"], hmap["highlightdoclink"]) |
| 134 elif pagefunc == "agendanumexpanded": |
| 135 LogIncomingDB(pagefunc, hmap["agendanum"], referrer, ipaddress, useragent, remadeurl) |
| global WriteHTML = <function WriteHTML>, hmap = {'docid': 'A-51-PV.82', 'gadice': '', 'gameeting': 82, 'gasession': 51, 'highlightdoclink': None, 'htmlfile': '/home/undemocracy/undata/html/A-51-PV.82.html', 'pagefunc': 'gameeting', 'pdfinfo': <pdfinfo.PdfInfo instance>} |
| /home/undemocracy/unparse-live/web2/unpvmeeting.py in WriteHTML(fhtml='/home/undemocracy/undata/html/A-51-PV.82.html', pdfinfo=<pdfinfo.PdfInfo instance>, gadice='', highlightth=None) |
| 322 if dclass == "spoken": |
| 323 if not gadice or agendagidcurrent == gadice: |
| 324 WriteSpoken(gid, dtextmu, councilpresidentnation) |
| 325 elif dclass == "subheading": |
| 326 if agendagidcurrent and (not gadice or agendagidcurrent == gadice): |
| global WriteSpoken = <function WriteSpoken>, gid = u'pg018-bk05', dtextmu = u'<h3 class="speaker"> <span class="name">Mr. Rodr...against the draft resolution on this subject.</p>', councilpresidentnation = None |
| /home/undemocracy/unparse-live/web2/unpvmeeting.py in WriteSpoken(gid=u'pg018-bk05', dtext=u'<h3 class="speaker"> <span class="name">Mr. Rodr...against the draft resolution on this subject.</p>', councilpresidentnation=None) |
| 62 |
| 63 if personlink: |
| 64 print '<a class="name" href="%s">%s</a>' % (personlink, name), |
| 65 else: |
| 66 print '<span class="name">%s</span>' % name |
| personlink = u'/Cuba/parilla', name = u'Mr. Rodr\xedguez Parilla' |
<type 'exceptions.UnicodeEncodeError'>: 'ascii' codec can't encode character u'\xed' in position 45: ordinal not in range(128)
args =
('ascii', u'<a class="name" href="/Cuba/parilla">Mr. Rodr\xedguez Parilla</a>', 45, 46, 'ordinal not in range(128)')
encoding =
'ascii'
end =
46
message =
''
object =
u'<a class="name" href="/Cuba/parilla">Mr. Rodr\xedguez Parilla</a>'
reason =
'ordinal not in range(128)'
start =
45