COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS STRONGLY CONDEMNS ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO

AFTERNOON
HR/CN/99/34
13 April 1999



Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Member of the Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Address Meeting


The Commission on Human Rights this afternoon strongly condemned the policy of ethnic cleansing being perpetrated in Kosovo, demanded an immediate halt to all repressive actions undertaken there by Serbian authorities, and called for the immediate withdrawal of the Belgrade army and the Serbian military and paramilitary forces from the region.

In a resolution adopted by roll-call vote, with 44 for, one opposed and 6 abstentions, the Commission also called upon the international community and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to bring to justice the perpetrators of international war crimes and crimes against humanity in Kosovo; demanded that the Serbian authorities immediately sign and implement all aspects of the Rambouillet agreement; and requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to dispatch human-rights monitors to the region immediately. It further appealed to the international community to extend all humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons.

Speaking in explanation of their vote before the vote were the Russian Federation, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Mauritius, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, India, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, and Guatemala. Cuba, China, South Africa, Botswana and Nepal also spoke in explanation of their vote after the vote.

The Commission also continued its debate on the integration of the human rights of women and the gender perspective. Violence against women, most especially within the home, was the focus of attention. The plight of women in Afghanistan and other countries was discussed, and the practice of female genital mutilation was deplored by many of the delegations. The feminisation of poverty was a negative development commented upon by several Government delegations.

The Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Radhika Coomaraswamy, spoke of the evolving recognition of women’s rights, as well as the evolving recognition of the multiple nature and the extent of violence in the home, as practised against women, in countries as varied as Indonesia and the United States. International awareness was growing and this was a positive development.

The Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Hanna Beate Schopp-Schilling, said the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women had still not been ratified by many States. The work of the Committee continued, and it was encouraged by the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ clear commitment to the mainstreaming of the human rights of women.

Also speaking on the human rights of women were representatives of Norway, Chile, the United States of America, India, China, Argentina, South Africa, the Philippines, Mexico, Bangladesh, Sudan, and Pakistan.

The Commission continued its plenary in an extended evening meeting from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to conclude its debate on the integration of the human rights of women and the gender perspective.

Resolution on the situation of human rights in Kosovo

In a resolution (E/CN.4/1999/L.3/Rev.1) on the situation of human rights in Kosovo, approved by a roll-call vote of 44 in favour and 1 opposed, with 6 abstaining, the Commission condemned strongly the policy of ethnic cleansing being perpetrated by the Serbian authorities against the Kosovars, and the risk of destabilization of neighbouring countries; demanded an immediate halt to all repressive actions undertaken in Kosovo by the Serbian a0uthorities, including summary executions, mass forced exoduses, and destruction of personal identity documents, records, homes and property; and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Belgrade army and the Serbian military and paramilitary forces from Kosovo.

The resolution called upon the international community and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to bring to justice the perpetrators of international war crimes and crimes against humanity; demanded that the Serbian authorities immediately sign and implement all aspects of the Rambouillet agreement; requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to dispatch human-rights monitors to the region immediately; appealed to the international community to extend all humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons; underscored the right of all refugees and internally displaced persons to return to their homes in safety and honour; and requested the High Commissioner to report to the Commission on the situation in the region and on implementation of the provisions of the present resolution.


The roll call vote was 44 in favour, 1 opposed, and 6 abstentions.

In favour: Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Opposed: the Russian Federation.

Abstentions: China, Congo, Cuba, India, Nepal and South Africa.

Explanations of the Vote Before the Vote

The Representative of the Russian Federation said that his country had always favoured a peaceful solution. The Russian Federation condemned the violations of human rights that took place in the region, notably those of the right to life, no matter who by. Those guilty should be brought to justice. A single former Republic of Yugoslavia, where all nationalities and ethnic minorities were protected, would be a good solution. The draft resolution was condemned as having no relevance to the current crisis, which was the aggression by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against a sovereign State. The only solution was to put an immediate halt to the bombardments, and to resume those negotiations suspended beforehand. The draft resolution was a classic example of a unilateral anti-Serb approach. It was no coincidence that the co-sponsors of the draft were mostly members of NATO. The resolution would be used as a media-friendly justification of further bombardments. There were no grounds for the ultimatum contained within this resolution. The Russian delegation intended, in the case of a roll-call vote, to vote against the draft resolution.

The Representative of Mexico said his country shared the rejection by the international community of massive violations of human rights; in no way could such activities be tolerated; such abuses were all the more abhorrent when caused by religious or ethnic intolerance. In any conflict, the search for a peaceful solution should be given priority, based on respect for human rights, in negotiations that were fair and respectful. Although Mexico would vote in favour of resolution L.3/Rev. 1., it would have preferred language that was more balanced. Mexico also considered that the situation rightly fell within the ambit of the Security Council, although that was not mentioned in the resolution. And it was concerned about intrusions into the national territories of sovereign nations.

The Representative of Uruguay said that the draft resolution contained elements which condemned human rights violations in Kosovo. Uruguay endorsed this and that was why it would vote for the resolution. A more balanced text would have been preferred, with recognition of the fact that the Security Council was the primary force for peace and security within the United Nations; an explicit reference to the respect of the territorial integrity of the State; and a peaceful solution to the situation.

The Representative of Argentina said the Argentine delegation would vote in favour of the resolution. Preambular paragraph 6 should have been drafted so that it reflected clearly the negotiations that had been held in France -- these talks had sought full respect for the human rights of Kosovars and autonomy for Kosovo, while at the same time respecting the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia.

The Representative of Peru said that his country would vote for the draft resolution because of its humanitarian content; however it was regrettable that it did not contain an overview of the situation in the whole of Yugoslavia, nor a reference to the territorial integrity of States. All parties to the conflict should bring about a cessation of hostilities, and find a peaceful solution.

The Representative of Mauritius said his country would vote in favour of the draft resolution which was tabled by countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference. However, it would have preferred to have a more balanced text. Mauritius had reservations on some paragraphs of the draft resolution which were not in keeping with the principles of the United Nations Charter. Mauritius considered that an acceptable and lasting solution could only be political. It would work for a search for a peaceful solution with all parties involved in the conflict in the province of Kosovo. It would vote in favour of this draft resolution.

The Representative of Chile said the Chilean delegation would vote in favour of the resolution, taking into account that the draft addressed the intense and urgent concern of the international community over the increasingly serious human-rights situation in Kosovo. Chile was also eager to participate in efforts to find appropriate solutions to the problems there. Chile regretted that the draft resolution did not cover important aspects of the Kosovo situation -- among them the proper role of the Security Council.

The Representative of Venezuela said that his country would vote for the draft resolution, although a more balanced draft, covering the different aspects of the situation in Yugoslavia, would have been preferred. There was a need for a prompt and peaceful solution to the crisis, and the efforts of the High Commissioner for Refugees were commended. Political mechanisms were the most appropriate and the least traumatic. There was concern at the resorting to force, without taking into account the resolution concerning the primacy of the Security Council in any such matter. This was not referred to in the draft, neither was the principle of territorial integrity. The concerns of the international community were shared, and efforts should be continued to bring about an appropriate solution.

The Representative of Colombia said the delegation would vote in favour of the draft resolution; Colombia shared in the widespread concern over the violation of human rights in Kosovo. However, the draft resolution did not cover all elements of the situation and was not balanced. The Security Council was the proper forum for deciding on military action in this context. Colombia also was concerned about breaches of national territorial integrity.

The Representative of India said reports of massive human violations including ethnic cleansing, mass displacement, and forced expulsion, in Kosovo were a major concern to his country. India condemned all violations of human rights in the Kosovo region of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It called upon the Government of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to ensure the protection of all human rights of its people. The draft resolution before the Commission had been mainly sponsored by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, with no open consultations whatsoever. The Commission once again was witnessing non-transparency and absence of dialogue and consultation on matters of such importance. The most glaring omission was the failure of the draft to call an end to NATO strikes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which had resulted in even more widespread human rights violations. Only the Security Council could decide on matters related to peace and security. For this reason, India would vote against this draft resolution.

The Representative of Sri Lanka said his country would vote in favour of the draft resolution in view of the grave humanitarian situation. However, it would have been preferred if the draft resolution referred to the important principles of the territorial integrity of States, and had respected the United Nations system, regarding the primacy of the Security Council in such matters.

The Representative of Ecuador said the Ecuadorean delegation would vote in favour of the draft resolution which reflected international concerns about the serious situation in Kosovo. But it was concerned that certain aspects of the situation were better covered under the auspices of the Security Council.

The Representative of Guatemala said his country would vote for the draft resolution, but associated itself with the views expressed by the previous Latin American delegations.

Explanations of the Vote After the Vote

The Representative of Cuba said his country had abstained on the vote on resolution L3/Rev. 1; it did not consider the measure an integrated and balanced approach to the conflict concerned; further, it was concerned that the draft, submitted under agenda item 9, addressed the human-rights situation in only one region of a sovereign State, instead of throughout the whole area of that State. Cuba had vigorously condemned the international aggression against Yugoslavia; it had taken a principled stand from the start. The suffering in that State was now occurring across the board -- in Serbia and Montenegro as well as in Kosovo. This was no way to protect and defend human rights. The aggression by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was unjustified, would make the situation worse, and was a violation of international law. The problems in Yugoslavia would not be solved by force, and bombs were not the path to peace.

The Representative of China said his country was concerned about the situation in Kosovo and had deep sympathy for the plight of the refugees. It was the view of China that Kosovo was part of Yugoslavia, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the latter needed to be respected. The massive exodus of refugees had only occurred after the bombing started. In view of this, China could only abstain.

The Representative of South Africa said the resolution just adopted was unbalanced and did not reflect the situation on the ground. It was regrettable that the parties concerned with the adoption of this resolution did not consult many countries. The situation in Kosovo had not improved since the air strikes. South Africa deplored the ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Albanians and strongly supported the call on the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send monitors and to provide feedback to the Commission. The Security Council was the only United Nations body that was responsible for peace and international security. South Africa believed that a peaceful settlement was the only solution to ensure refugees would return to their homes.

The Representative of Botswana said that although Botswana had voted in favour of the resolution, the delegation felt discomfort over paragraph 4, referring to the Rambouillet agreement. Botswana feared that Rambouillet was beyond redemption, and that another agreement would have to be found to achieve peace.

The Representative of Nepal said that the suffering inflicted upon the people of Kosovo was a sad commentary on human wisdom. There was a need for cooperation between nations. The policies of ethnic cleansing and forced mass exoduses were intolerable, as were those of changing ethnic geographics. Nepal condemned these and called for an end to the acts of repression and the violation of human rights. The refugees should return to their homes in safety and dignity. There should be a peaceful solution, within the framework of the United Nations charter.

Integration of the human rights of women and the gender perspective

Under this item, the Commission has a report (E/CN.4/1999/68) on violence against women in the family submitted by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and its causes and consequences on the integration of the human rights of women and the gender perspective, Radhika Coomaraswamy. The document reviews working methods and activities, definitions of family and violence, relevant legal frameworks, and findings. Among its conclusions are that States are failing "overwhelmingly" in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting violence against women in the family; that national policies continuously fail to give priority and force to women's rights; that women continue to be viewed and treated as second-class citizens with a secondary rights status; and that violence against women is overwhelmingly viewed as a "women's rights issue" rather than as a serious crime which affects a large percentage of every country's population.

The Commission is considering an addendum to the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Radhika Coomaraswamy (E/CN.4/1999/68/Add.1) which includes communications to and from Governments including China, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, and Turkey. It gives details on the information received by the Special
Rapporteur with respect to these countries and states that the Special Rapporteur regrets to inform the Commission that only the Governments of Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Turkey had replied to her request for clarification.

The Commission also has an addendum report (E/CN.4/1999/68/Add.2) by Ms. Coomaraswamy on her mission to the United States of America concerning the issue of violence against women in state and federal prisons. In this report she looks at individual cases, the policy framework, and she outlines the legal framework for the treatment of prisoners. She highlights her findings concerning diversity and lack of minimum standards in the United States, use of instruments of restraints, sexual misconduct, health-care needs, parenting issues, grievance procedures, impunity and corrections officers, labour performed by prison population and the issue of privatization of prisons.

The Special Rapporteur lists specific findings in California, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Connecticut as well as the immigration and naturalization service. She recommends that the United States ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and remove its reservations to important international treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It should enact implementing legislation so that these international treaties have a legal basis with regard to the national legal system. At the state level, the United States should enact laws that criminalize sexual misconduct between staff and prisoners and those which violate these laws to be criminally prosecuted.

The Commission also is considering an addendum report (E/CN/1999/68/Add.3) by Ms. Coomaraswamy on her mission to Indonesia and East Timor. She reviews individual cases, the fact that her visit took place during a time of transition in Indonesia, and the position of women in Indonesian society. She includes among her general findings that before May 1998, rape was used as an instrument of torture and intimidation by certain elements of the Indonesian army in Aceh, Irian Jaya and East Timor. The army commander in East Timor has assured that this will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be prosecuted. Nevertheless, the rapes continue.

The Special Rapporteur recommends mutual agreement to cooperate in the development and implementation of comprehensive programmes for the promotion and protection of human rights in Indonesia, and to have in Jakarta a programme officer to monitor the human rights situation. The project should include gender sensitization training for all members of criminal justice system, the police force and the military. Also the Government of Indonesia should ratify all human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It should also review its reservation to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

There is also an addendum report (E/CN.4/1999/68/Add.4) by Ms. Coomaraswamy on policies and practices that impact women’s reproductive rights and contribute to cause or constitute violence against women. She looks at the international legal framework; findings on reproductive health; consequences of violence against women, such as rape, domestic violence, trafficking or forced prostitution; and cultural practices such as female genital mutilation among others. She recommends that States ratify all international human rights instruments. They should withdraw any reservations to these instruments, particularly those regarding the human rights of women among others.

Statements

RADHIKA COOMARASWAMY, Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, said that in 1998, for the first time, a case raising the issue of wife battery as a human rights violation was brought before an international tribunal. Information had been sought on national plans of action that had been adopted on this issue since 1994. Most countries seemed to have accepted that violence in the family should be combatted as a violation of women’s human rights. However, few had really gone beyond the policy making stage. So-called honour crimes proliferated, and this was a grave development. International action was required. There was extensive international literature that sought to enshrine reproductive rights as international human rights. Violence against women in the home often related to their attempts to exercise their reproductive rights and to use birth control. The past year had been an important one for women’s human rights. Sexual violence had been recognized as an aspect of genocide.

Ms. Coomaraswamy said that a decade ago when violence against women was put on the international agenda, there were skeptics who believed that it was not really an important human rights issue. The decision of the Commission to place this item as an important part of its agenda had galvanised millions of women around the world. The only sadness lay in the fact that the United Nations was not able to live up to its expectations because of the lack of resources and the systems of accountability that would make human rights more meaningful.

HANNA BEATE SCHOPP-SCHILLING, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, said 1999 commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the adoption by the General Assembly of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. It had been gratifying for the Committee to observe the steady increase in the number of States which had accepted the obligation to be legally bound by the provisions of the Convention. Some 163 States had ratified or acceded to the Convention, making it second only to the Convention on the Rights of the Child as the most widely accepted human rights treaty. She urged the remaining 23 States and two Observers which had not ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so without delay. There had been significant progress in the work of the Committee. In addition to reviewing the reports of 15 States parties and formulating concluding comments with respect to these reports, at its 20th session in January this year, the Committee had adopted general recommendation 24 on article 12 of the Convention which concerned women and health.

Ms. Schopp-Schilling said international and national non-governmental organizations were invited to brief the pre-session Working Group of those State parties whose reports were being considered by the Working Group. This change in the pattern of work gave States parties more time to prepare written responses to the Committee’s questions. They had been has been welcomed by State parties and promised to provide greater opportunity for a real exchange between reporting States and the Committee.

SUSAN ECKEY (Norway) said women's opportunities all over the world were more limited than men's; the Commission had to identify the differences so that both women and men received the protection they needed to live freely and equally in dignity and in rights. There was a need for greater protection of women both in times of peace and war; often women and children had the weakest physical means of protection, and crimes of sexual violence had become a method of warfare. Norway was greatly concerned about this matter and wanted those who committed such crimes brought to justice; it had supported the adoption of the statute establishing an International Criminal Court according to which perpetrators of gender-related crimes could be held accountable.

Ms. Eckey said other matters needed greater attention, including the disturbing increase in trafficking in women; the issue of domestic violence; and problems of health care. It was necessary to increase endeavours to apply a gender perspective to human rights in general.

XIMENA ARES (Chile) said that this issue was one to which the democratic Government of Chile had paid special attention as of 1992. Violence against women and violence in the family were grave issues which Chile had attempted to solve via various measures. There was a new law on sexual crimes, which erased discrimination against women. There were also initiatives in the field of education which attempted to integrate equality of opportunity between men and women in many areas. The Government of Chile reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of women, and jointly with Canada, was promoting this within the heart of the United Nations. It was regretted that despite a general improvement of the state of women in certain regions, there were still violations that were an affront to the human nature. There was hope that it would be recognized that neither a lack of economic development nor cultural differences justified violations of women’s rights.

FELICE GAER (the United States of America) said the United Nations had an urgent task of integrating the human rights of women into all that was done at the Commission. The task for nations was clear: to make human rights machinery expand and adapt, they must move from neglecting women's rights to main streaming them. They must stop abuses facing women throughout the world, and establish instruments of accountability and effective domestic remedies. Many of the Special Rapporteurs had approached their tasks with new perspective and new vigour; the human rights of women were beginning to pervade the agenda. For example, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions drew attention to honour killings where male relatives killed women for alleged adultery or because they sought divorce. Special Rapporteurs had demonstrated concern about the treatment of women in countries like Iran, Nigeria, the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere.

Ms. Gaer said by contrast, many other countries were making progress in women’s rights such as Cote d'Ivoire and Togo which had passed statutes banning the practice of female genital mutilation. The Turkish Parliament had passed a law in 1998 making spousal abuse illegal. Uganda and Malawi had granted women property and inheritance rights. The Special Rapporteur had raised concerns about the situation of women in some state and federal prisons in the United States. While the Government had not yet had a chance to evaluate the report, it would respond to it in the near future.

SAVITRI KUNADI (India) said there was still much to be done to bridge the gap between established standards on women's rights and the actual goal of gender equality. India was doing its best to reach the goal: the principle of gender equality was firmly established in the Indian Constitution; its National Commission for Women, National Human Rights Commission, and Standing Committee of Parliament on the Empowerment of Women all acted to safeguard rights and legal entitlements. One-third of all seats in elected grass-roots democratic institutions had been reserved for women, and efforts were under way to reserve one-third of seats for women in the National Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies.

Ms. Kunadi said a national plan of action had been developed to combat sexual trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children. Violence against women continued to be a matter of serious concern, and legislation against the social evil of demanding dowries had been strengthened; pre-natal sex-determination tests had been banned to prevent female foeticide; and guidelines had been formulated to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

QI XIAOXIA (China) said women played an indispensable role in the existence, development and progress of any society. Yet a vertical look at history and reality told us that women were far from getting their due share of reward from the society. However, it was gratifying to note the progress and great headway in the course of women in human society and the international community. During this process of positive change, the role of the United Nations had been extremely important. For over five past decades, the United Nations had committed itself to the elimination of discrimination against women and to the promotion of equal rights of men and women. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women had been acceded to by 156 States.

Ms. Xiaoxia said that while encouraged by the achievements, it was important not to lose sight over the many difficulties faced by the international community in this regard. The trend of poverty among women was increasing and violence against women had become a more prominent problem. In political and economic fields, women were still subjected to various degree of discrimination. Governments needed to strengthen legislation to guarantee women's rights and adopt effective measures to create conditions for enjoyment of these rights. Secondly, there needed to be efforts to strengthen education on the rights of women and efforts to alleviate poverty among women on the basis of economic development. Also efforts were needed to strengthen international cooperation in order to effectively deal with the question of women in all countries.

PABLO CHELIA (Argentina) said that four years ago, a World Conference had been held in Beijing that was of primordial importance. This year, the United Nations and the international community had assessed the progress made since the Beijing Conference. Progress could not be made by treating both sexes as equal. Structures of systematic discrimination were guilty of perpetuating this system. Female equality was not similar to male equality, since their needs were different. International instruments were pillars in the fight against discrimination. Another positive factor was the incorporation of this issue within the Commission’s agenda, and the admission of gender crimes as war crimes, within the jurisdiction of the international courts on war crimes.

Mr. Chelia said renewed attention was being paid to women's rights as human rights. Non-conventional mechanisms were all devoting greater attention to the violation of women’s rights. The Beijing Conference offered a framework for the translation of issues into international law. There was a need for cooperation and coordination which should take the form of a work programme to oversee the issue. All human rights were universal, indivisible and interdependent. Violence against women took various forms, including physical and sexual abuse, which were often based on cultural, racial or religious prejudices. Argentina was fighting these, and promoting gender equality in various ways. The problem of trafficking in women was also very important, and there was a need for more coordinated and sustained measures.

SIPHO NENE (South Africa) said more resources should be dedicated to women's issues. South Africa had adopted a programme of action addressing gender-related problems such as discriminatory inheritance and marriage laws, sexual abuse, and economic inequality between men and women; a national gender audit was being carried out to collect statistical data which would reflect the position of women in all spheres of life. Women were well-represented in Parliament, in the faculties of South African universities, and in the country's diplomatic corps.

Mr. Nene said that in June, South Africa had presented its first report under the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), spelling out steps taken by the Government to meet international standards in the field. The CEDAW Committee had expressed concern at the high rate of violence against women in South Africa, including rape, particularly of young girls. As a result the Government had taken several measures, including launching a public campaign, to eliminate such violence and to bring to justice perpetrators of this unforgivable crime.

ROSALINDA TIRONA (Philippines) said it welcomed the efforts of the Commission on the Status of Women in promoting equality between women and men, in particular its agreed conclusions on the human rights of women, violence against women, women and armed conflict and the girl child which were adopted at its forty-second session. The Philippines called on States to implement these conclusions. Relevant actors should also implement the agreed conclusions of the Economic and Social Council through measures adopted such as gender main streaming policies. The integration of a gender perspective in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was welcomed because it enabled a gender-sensitive interpretation and application of the Statute.

Ms. Tirona said the Government of the Philippines recognized the role of women in nation building and ensured the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. It welcomed the effort being undertaken to address trafficking in women and girls given the long-running concern of the international community. The primary responsibility for elimination of trafficking lay with individual Governments and a sustained and global programme would demand strong political commitment and active cooperation of all Governments.

ALICIA PEREZ DUARTE Y MORONA (Mexico) said that men and women were working together to strengthen the democracy in her country by eliminating, amongst other things, discrimination against women. Women played an important economic, social and political role in Mexico. A national programme had been set up, and had succeeded in several domains, notably in the domain of violence within the family. Women’s right not to live in violence was a fundamental human right. This violence was a manifestation of men’s power over women, and in many countries, including Mexico, had a cultural basis which was why it had been hidden. This cultural attitude was being fought in Mexico despite the shock to society that this entailed.

Ms. Morona said violence in the home was a grave issue, which could be remedied by education, both of men and women, and civil servants. There was also a democratic agreement between the Government and civil society upon this issue. Violence in the family needed to be fought as a matter of public interest, since its epidemic proportions harmed society as a whole.

IFTEKHAR AHMED CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) said it was an irony that the overall situation of women had not changed significantly even after their contribution to human advancement had been so substantially evidenced in every sphere. Today there was a wide acknowledgement that the enhancement of the status of women should be an integral part of the development process. The overall progress over the years was encouraging. The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women had codified the international consensus to bring to surface the problems and issues confronting women. The problem essentially lay in societal attitude and prejudices against women. Education could therefore play an important role in changing this attitude.

Mr. Chowdhury said that in Bangladesh, the foremost challenge was to motivate the society towards positive change. The effective utilisation of the mass media, educational curricula and advocacy role of non-governmental organizations had already brought about important changes. The Ministry of Women's Affairs was responsible for inter-ministerial coordination of policies and programmes concerning women. The national action plan had adopted a multi-sectoral approach to women's development. The major focus of these efforts had been reduction of imbalances in the areas of education and employment opportunities received priority. Special incentives included free education up to grade 12 and scholarships to the girl child.

ILHAM AHMED (Sudan) said that women enjoyed a prominent place in Sudan due to their cultural and social heritage. Women had attained all their political rights. There was a comprehensive national strategy that affirmed the place of women in all domains which upheld the rights of women in society. The Constitution of Sudan affirmed their equality of rights and duties. It was not admissible to discriminate on the basis of sex, belief or religion. Women had made efforts to attain executive and legislative independence, and these efforts had produced their fruits. There was professional and academic representation of women. Labour laws stipulated equal pay, free competition on the basis of qualifications and experiences, and equal rights to advantages. Women were therefore prominent in the economy of the Sudan. Efforts were being made to combat illiteracy and the effects of women’s poverty. There was not, however, sufficient external assistance, and there was a lack of resources. The international community needed to make an effort to aid the cease-fire, since the civil war was another cause for women’s sufferings. The civil war had increased the number of violations of their rights.

NIHAL HASHMI (Pakistan) said systematic rape as a weapon of war and political repression continued to be practised by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir; its perpetrators should be brought before the International Criminal Court.

Mr. Hashmi said Pakistan had taken a number of steps to provide women with equal rights as called for by its Constitution. Among other things, the Government had established a Ministry of Women and Development; ratified relevant international conventions; withdrawn reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child; concluded a review of laws discriminatory to women; revised educational curricula to eliminate cultural prejudice against women; established severe penalties for kidnapping or abduction or women, and for rape; and, to eliminate complaints about sexual abuse in police custody, set up a women's police force and women's police stations. The country still had problems with women's rights, rooted in a misplaced cultural preference for the male child, but Pakistan was determined to change this mind set.