General Assembly Session 59 meeting 74

The Acting President

The General Assembly will consider the reports of the Third Committee on agenda items 93 to 105 and on sub-items (a) to (e) of item 105. I understand that consultations are still ongoing under agenda item 109. The report of the Third Committee on that item, contained in document A/59/609 will therefore be considered at a date to be announced.

I request the Rapporteur of the Third Committee, Mr. Carlos Enrique García González of El Salvador, to introduce, in one intervention, the reports of the Third Committee.

Mr. García González (El Salvador)

I have the honour to introduce, for consideration by the plenary of the General Assembly, the reports of the Third Committee on the items entrusted to it by the Assembly.

Under agenda item 93, entitled "Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 18 of document A/59/491 the adoption of one draft resolution.

Under agenda item 94, entitled "Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family", the Third Committee recommends in paragraph 25 of document A/59/492 the adoption of three draft resolutions and, in paragraph 26, the adoption of two draft decisions.

Under agenda item 95, entitled "Follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons: Second World Assembly on Ageing", the Committee recommends in paragraph 14 of document A/59/493 the adoption of one draft resolution.

Under agenda item 96, entitled "Crime prevention and criminal justice", the Committee recommends in paragraph 39 of document A/59/494 the adoption of nine draft resolutions and, in paragraph 40 the adoption of one draft decision.

Under agenda item 97, entitled "International drug control", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 20 of document A/59/495, the adoption of four draft resolutions. Here, I would like to correct an omission in paragraph 16 of the report. The following delegations should be added as original sponsors of draft resolution IV (A/C.3/59/L.19/Rev.1): Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, the Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Croatia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, the United States of America and Uruguay.

Under agenda item 98, entitled "Advancement of women", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 27 of document A/59/496, the adoption of four draft resolutions and, in paragraph 28, the adoption of one draft decision.

Under agenda item 99, entitled "Implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women and of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, entitled 'Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century'", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 14 of document A/59/497, the adoption of two draft resolutions.

Under agenda item 100, entitled "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 24 of document A/59/498, the adoption of four draft resolutions.

Under agenda item 101, entitled "Promotion and protection of the rights of children", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 35 of document A/59/499, the adoption of two draft resolutions and, in paragraph 36, the adoption of one draft decision.

Under agenda item 102, entitled "Programme of activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, 1995-2004", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 14 of document A/59/500, the adoption of one draft resolution and, in paragraph 15, the adoption of one draft decision.

Under agenda item 103, entitled "Elimination of racism and racial discrimination", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 23 of document A/59/501, the adoption of three draft resolutions and, in paragraph 24, the adoption of one draft decision.

Under agenda item 104, entitled "Right of peoples to self-determination", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 20 of document A/59/502, the adoption of three draft resolutions.

The report under agenda item 105, entitled "Human rights questions", has been issued in six parts, contained in documents A/59/503 and addenda 1 to 5. In paragraph 7 of document A/59/503, the Third Committee recommends the adoption of one draft decision.

Under item 105 (a), entitled "Implementation of human rights instruments", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 20 of document A/59/503/Add.1, the adoption of three draft resolutions.

Under item 105 (b), entitled "Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 145 of document A/59/503/Add.2, the adoption of 22 draft resolutions.

Under item 105 (c), entitled "Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives", the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 60 of document A/59/503/Add.3, the adoption of four draft resolutions.

The reports of the Third Committee contained in documents A/59/503/Add.4 and Add.5 indicate that no proposals were submitted under items 105 (d), entitled "Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action", or 105 (e), entitled "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights".

Finally, under agenda item 109, entitled "Programme planning", the report of the Third Committee contained in document A/59/609 indicates that the Committee took note of programme 19 in document A/59/6 (Prog. 19), and decided to transmit it, through the President of the General Assembly, to the Fifth Committee.

Before concluding, I should like to thank the other members of the Bureau of the Third Committee; their support and their cooperation -- and the support of all members -- helped ensure that the Committee was able to conclude its work successfully.

Having said that, I respectfully commend the reports of the Third Committee to the General Assembly for its consideration.

The Acting President

I wish at this stage to announce that the report of the Third Committee on agenda item 109 (A/59/609) will be considered by the Assembly at a later date.

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 the Assembly today.

The Acting President

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. 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 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 the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. That means that where recorded votes 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 Acting President

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 18 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 93?

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 25 of its report and two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 26 of the same report.

I give the floor to those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote or position before action is taken on the draft resolutions I to III and on draft decisions I and II.

Mrs. Tamlyn (United States)

The United States dissociates itself from consensus on draft resolution I, "Celebration of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family and beyond". We note that, on 6 December, this Assembly adopted by consensus a very similar resolution, resolution 59/111, entitled "Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family". General Assembly resolution 59/111 better reflects the current negotiated international agreement on how to recognize and celebrate this important milestone.

Draft resolution I, contained in document A/59/492, was originally negotiated in February 2004 at the Commission for Social Development, considerably prior to the 6 December consensus on resolution 59/111. Draft resolution I passed through the Economic and Social Council to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session, where it was reported out of the Third Committee in mid-November. Therefore, resolution 59/111 remains the most recent negotiated agreement by the Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on this subject.

Draft resolution I includes the phrase, "in different cultural, political and social systems various forms of the family exist" (second preambular paragraph). Going forward, we must consider that phrase in the context of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights definition of the family, and in the context of the Secretary-General's report of 23 July 2004, which stated:

"Given the diversity of family structures and relationships, family policies should not focus on one type of family alone. Instead, they should take into account all types of family, including single-parent, compound, extended and recomposed families, and make provision for the different needs and particular circumstances of each". (A/59/176, para. 10)

On the occasion of the conclusion of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, my delegation takes this opportunity to state its appreciation for the efforts of the Government of Qatar in organizing and hosting the Doha International Conference for the Family. My delegation also welcomes the Doha Declaration of 30 November 2004 (A/59/592, annex).

Both General Assembly resolution 59/111 and today's draft resolution I call for Secretariat reporting and for the Assembly to continue consideration of issues related to the family at its sixtieth session. The United States delegation is confident that such reporting, Secretariat activities and intergovernmental consideration will draw definitively from General Assembly resolution 59/111 and from the Secretary-General's report in document A/59/176 on preparations for and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2004.

Mr. Al-Sulaiti (Qatar)

The State of Qatar attaches great importance to issues relating to the family. Like the rest of the international community, we believe that the family is the basic unit of society and that it deserves to be supported and protected by society and the State. The Higher Council for Family Affairs was created in Qatar to ensure such support and protection for the family.

On that basis, and in response to the General Assembly's call last year, the State of Qatar has actively participated in celebrating the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family by hosting the Doha International Conference for the Family in November, which adopted the international Doha Declaration on the family. The delegation of Qatar submitted a draft resolution to the General Assembly entitled "Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family" (A/59/L.29) under agenda item 94, which the General Assembly adopted as resolution 59/111.

One of the reasons for the submission of that draft resolution was that draft resolution I in the present report of the Third Committee, submitted under the same item, did not reflect the past year's activities and events on the family, and did therefore not live up to its title. Draft resolution I was negotiated at last February's session of the Commission for Social Development. The Third Committee then decided on 14 December to submit draft resolution I to the plenary General Assembly for its consideration.

If this draft resolution is adopted, it would be the latest General Assembly resolution on the family. Although it makes reference to all previous resolutions, it does not refer to resolution 59/111, for the simple reason that that resolution had not been adopted when draft resolution I was formulated. In order not to hamper the work of the General Assembly, we have decided not to propose an amendment to the draft resolution at this late stage. Nevertheless, we would like to stress here that this is not the only resolution adopted this year providing mandates on issues related to the family.

The second preambular paragraph of the draft resolution includes a reference to various forms of the family in different cultural, political and social systems. My delegation believes that this language must be interpreted in a way that does not contradict the Universal Declaration of Human Rights definition of the family as the basic unit of society. We must not go counter to differing national legislation and religious beliefs related to the family in various societies.

On that basis, my delegation would like to dissociate itself from the consensus on draft resolution I recommended by the Third Committee in document A/59/492.

Ms. Groux (Switzerland)

My delegation would like very briefly to explain its position on draft resolution I, pertaining to the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family.

We welcome the fact that the draft resolution bears in mind the family in all its forms -- just as we stated the other day when we commemorated the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family -- whether as has been enshrined in various international commitments, including those emanating from the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women, the Beijing+5 process, the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development, the Copenhagen+5 process and the special session of the General Assembly on children, or as set out in legal instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the definition that we have accepted for many years on the basis of commitments all of us undertook on the basis of consensus.

The Acting President

We shall now take decisions on draft resolutions I to III and draft decisions I and II, which were recommended by the Third Committee in paragraphs 25 and 26, respectively, of its report contained in document A/59/492.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Celebration of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family and beyond". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Policies and programmes involving youth: tenth anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution III is entitled "United Nations Literacy Decade: education for all". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

We turn now to draft decision I, entitled "Proposed supplement to the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities". The Third Committee adopted draft decision I. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft decision II is entitled "Report of the Secretary-General on the preparations for and observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2004". May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt draft decision II, which was recommended by the Third Committee?

The Acting President

I call on the observer of the Holy See.

Archbishop Migliore (Holy See)

My delegation would like to make some brief remarks on resolution 59/147, on the family. On 6 December, after lengthy negotiations, the Assembly adopted by consensus resolution 59/111, regarding the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family. Today, the Assembly has just adopted a resolution on the same subject that appears to move away from the unequivocal definition of the family as found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in subsequent United Nations juridical instruments. The Holy See hopes that, in the future, the work of the Secretariat and intergovernmental considerations and activities will be guided by the consensus mandate of resolution 59/111.

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 94?

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 14 of its report contained in document A/59/493. We shall now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled "Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing". The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 95?

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it nine draft resolutions and one draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraphs 39 and 40, respectively, of its report contained in document A/59/494. We shall now take a decision on draft resolutions I to IX and on the draft decision.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Preparations for the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Acting President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Assistance to least developed countries to ensure their participation in the sessions of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the sessions of conferences of States parties".

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Acting President

Draft resolution III is entitled "Strengthening international cooperation and technical assistance in promoting the implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism within the framework of the activities of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Acting President

Draft resolution IV is entitled "International cooperation in the prevention, combating and elimination of kidnapping and in providing assistance to victims". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution V is entitled "Action against corruption: assistance to States in capacity-building with a view to facilitating the entry into force and subsequent implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Acting President

Draft resolution VI is entitled "Preventing, combating and punishing trafficking in human organs". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Acting President

Draft resolution VII is entitled "International cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime: assistance to States in capacity-building with a view to facilitating the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution VIII is entitled "United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders".

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution IX is entitled "Strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity".

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

We now turn to the draft decision entitled "Reports considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of crime prevention and criminal justice". May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 96?

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 20 of its report. We will now take decisions on draft resolutions I to IV.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Control of cultivation of and trafficking in cannabis". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Providing support to the Government of Afghanistan in its efforts to eliminate illicit opium and foster stability and security in the region". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution III is entitled "Follow-up on strengthening the systems of control over chemical precursors and preventing their diversion and trafficking".

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution IV is entitled "International cooperation against the world drug problem".

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 97?

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 27 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 28 of the same report.

Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution III, entitled "Future operation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women", is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution III as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available.

I now give the floor to the representative of Qatar to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.

Mr. Al-Sulaiti (Qatar)

When the Third Committee adopted the draft resolution on the future operation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, Spain joined the list of its sponsors.

As to the draft resolution in the Third Committee's report entitled "Working towards the elimination of crimes against women and girls committed in the name of honour", my country accords the utmost importance to such issues. Women enjoy their full rights in the State of Qatar. The High Council for Family Affairs, created to protect and promote the rights of families and women, has always stressed equality of rights between men and women and proscribed all discrimination against women. Qatari law in particular provides for severe punishment for crimes against women. We therefore support the condemnation of violent crimes committed women in the name of honour.

Qatar therefore regrets that the delegation which submitted the draft resolution failed during informal consultations to respond to demands by some States to omit reference to paragraph 3 (i) on sexual and reproductive health. Such terminology has many interpretations, some of which are counter to our national legislation and religious beliefs. We therefore dissociate ourselves from this draft resolution and wish to have our decision be reflected in the official records of this session.

The Acting President

We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I, II and IV and on the draft decision.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Improvement of the status of women in the United Nations system". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Working towards the elimination of crimes against women and girls committed in the name of honour". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution IV is entitled "Trafficking in women and girls".

The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

We now turn to the draft decision entitled "Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the work of its thirtieth and thirty-first sessions". May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?

The Acting President

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 98.

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 14 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Elimination of all forms of violence against women, including crimes identified in the outcome document of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, entitled 'Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century'". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that this Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99.

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 24 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to IV.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that this Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution II is entitled "Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Acting President

Draft resolution III is entitled "New international humanitarian order". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Acting President

Draft resolution IV is entitled "Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do that also?

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100?

The Acting President

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 35 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 36 of the same report.

Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution II, entitled "Rights of the child", is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution II as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available.

We will now take a decision on draft resolution I and on the draft decision.

Draft resolution I is entitled "The situation of and assistance to Palestinian children".

The Acting President

We now turn to the draft decision, entitled "Report of the Committee on the Rights of the Child". May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?

The Acting President

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 101.

The President

The Assembly has before it a draft resolution and a draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraphs 14 and 15, respectively, of its report contained in document A/59/500.

We shall now take a decision on the draft resolution and the draft decision. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled "Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People". The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

We now turn to the draft decision entitled "Reports considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the Programme of activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People". May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?

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 three draft resolutions and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraphs 23 and 24, respectively, of its report contained in document A/59/501.

We shall now take a decision on draft resolutions I to III and on the draft decision.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Measures to be taken against political platforms and activities based on doctrines of superiority and violent nationalist ideologies which are based on racial discrimination or ethnic exclusiveness and xenophobia, including neo-Nazism". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution II is entitled "International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

The President

Draft resolution III is entitled "Global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action".

The President

The Assembly will now turn to the draft decision, entitled "Report of the Secretary-General under agenda item 103". May I take it that the General Assembly decides to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?

The President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 103?

The President

The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 20 of its report contained in document A/59/502.

We shall now take a decision on draft resolutions I to III.

Draft resolution I is entitled "Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination".

The President

Draft resolution II is entitled "The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination".

The President

Draft resolution III is entitled "Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination".

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 agenda item 104?

The President

The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 7 of its report contained in document A/59/503.

The General Assembly shall now take action on the draft decision, entitled "Reports considered by the General Assembly in connection with human rights questions". May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?

The President

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 105.

The President

The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 20 of its report.

Before proceeding, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution I, entitled "International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families", is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution I as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available.

The General Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions II and III.

Draft resolution II is entitled "Equitable geographical distribution in the membership of the human rights treaty bodies".

The President

Draft resolution III is entitled "Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The President

The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 105.

The President

The Assembly has before it 22 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 145 of its report.

I call on the representative of the United States in explanation of position before the voting.

Ms. Zack (United States)

With regard to draft resolution XV under sub-item (b) of agenda item 105, on the subject of extrajudicial, summary of arbitrary executions, the United States would like to bring to the attention of the General Assembly the amendment proposed by our delegation to the reference to the International Criminal Court in operative paragraph 6 of the draft resolution during its consideration by the Third Committee (see A/59/503/Add.2, para. 93). We are not going to resubmit the amendment in plenary meeting, but we would like to state that our position has not changed. The United States wishes to underscore that the international community should use all available and appropriate international, regional and domestic judicial mechanisms to address the problem of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and to hold accountable those responsible for such crimes.

In addition, with regard to draft resolution XVIII under this agenda item, entitled "Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances", the United States would like to bring to the attention of the General Assembly the amendment proposed by our delegation to the reference to the International Criminal Court in the preambular paragraph of this resolution during its consideration by the Third Committee (see A/59/503/Add.2, para. 114). We will not resubmit the amendment in plenary meeting but we would like to state that our position has not changed. The United States wishes to underscore that the international community should use all available and appropriate international, regional and domestic judicial mechanisms to address the problem of crimes against humanity including widespread or systemic forced disappearances and to hold accountable those responsible for such crimes.

The President

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

Mr. Cumberbach Miguén (Cuba)

My delegation would like to draw attention to the fact that the delegation of Egypt should appear among the sponsors of draft resolution XI; the following delegations should appear as sponsors of draft resolution XX: Barbados, Benin, Cambodia, Egypt, Gabon, Papua New Guinea and Turkmenistan.

The President

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

Mrs. Naz (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh should appear in the list of sponsors of draft resolution IV: "Human rights and extreme poverty".

The President

The General Assembly will now take up the 22 draft resolutions one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their votes or positions.

We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa". 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 "Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights".

The President

Draft resolution III is entitled "The right to development".