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11 October 2000
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Fifty-Fifth General Assembly
Third Committee
19th Meeting (PM)
11 October 2000
Close cooperation between countries within a subregion could be the key to tackling widespread problems such as the exploitation of children as a source of cheap labour, the representative of Cote d’Ivoire told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon, as it continued its consideration of the promotion and protection of children's rights.
He used a recent situation in his own country to illustrate the benefits of cooperation. A group of foreign children had been discovered working in Côte d’ Ivore. Regional meetings had led to the identification of child trafficking and a bilateral agreement had led to identification of the points of entry and controls.
The adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention on child labour was an important milestone, the representative of Algeria told the Committee, yet millions of children were still exposed to misery, war and starvation. New conventions and new plans were not the answer. Rather, those already adopted should be implemented. The commitments of the Millennium Assembly with regard to children must be met. All children must have access to education by 2015.
In today’s world, children were also victims of media violence, the representative of Norway said. He called for the development of a resource manual on issues related to children and the media. Also, children should be given a voice. They had a right to express opinions, to be heard, and to gradually participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the representative of Malaysia said promoting and protecting children was a high priority for his Association. It was at the forefront of cooperation in economic and social development. In addition, since the well-being of children had been linked to the promotion of women, programmes to empower women and eliminate discrimination against them had been implemented. Shared parental rights and responsibilities were being reinforced.
Also this afternoon, the representative of Italy introduced a draft resolution on strengthening the United Nations crime programme and the representative of Mexico introduced one on drug control.
Views were on the protection of the rights of children were also expressed by the representatives of Bangladesh, Russian Federation, Iran, Oman, San Marino, Israel, Kuwait and Monaco and the Observer of the Holy See made a statement.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, to continue its consideration of children's rights.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to continue considering issues related to the promotion and advancement of children's rights. (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3588 dated 11 October.)
The Committee has before it a number of resolutions expected to be introduced.
One is a 38-power draft resolution on strengthening of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/55/L.9). The text would have the General Assembly urge States and funding agencies to review their funding policies for development assistance and to include a crime prevention and criminal justice component in such assistance.
Also, the Assembly would invite all States to support, through voluntary contributions to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund, the operational activities of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme. It would invite States to make adequate contributions to the Fund to strengthen the Centre for International Crime Prevention’s capacity to provide technical assistance to States, in order to implement programmes designed to combat and prevent the trafficking in human beings, the smuggling of migrants, and corruption, and to study and bring about action to combat and prevent transnational organized crime.
Further, by the text, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures and provide adequate support during the biennium 2002-2003 to enable the Centre to promote the speedy entry into force of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols.
The text is sponsored by Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States.
The Committee also had before it a draft resolution on international cooperation against the world drug problem (document A/C.3/55/L.10). This draft would have the Assembly consider various actions to conquer the world drug problem through full and balanced application of national, regional and international strategies to reduce the demand for, production of, and trafficking in illicit drugs.
By Part I of the draft, the Assembly would call on all States to take further action to promote effective cooperation at the international and regional levels to counter the world drug problem. It would urge all States to ratify or accede to, and implement, all the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, as amended in 1972 by its protocol, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
By Part II of the draft, the Assembly would urge competent authorities at the international, regional and national levels to implement the outcome of the twentieth special session on the world drug problem, with regard to time frames, in particular as they relate to the high priority measures indicated in the political declaration. The Assembly would further urge all Member States to implement the Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand in their national, regional and international actions. It would also urge States to strengthen national efforts to counter the abuse of illicit drugs among their respective populations, particularly among children and youth.
The Assembly would call upon States to adopt effective measures, including national laws and regulations, to implement the mandates and recommendations of the Global Programme of Action and the outcome and goals of the special session. It would call upon the relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and international financial institutions, and other concerned actors, to continue close cooperation with Governments in their efforts to implement the Plan of Action.
By part III of the draft, the Assembly would urge specialized agencies, programmes and funds, including humanitarian organizations and would invite multilateral financial institutions to include action against the world drug problem in their programming and planning processes.
By part IV of the draft, the Assembly would request the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNCDP)to strengthen cooperation with Member States and other United Nations programmes and agencies, as well as to allocate adequate resources to allow it to fulfil its role in implementing the Plan of Action on reduction of drug demand. The Assembly would also request the UNDCP to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with multilateral development banks and with international financial institutions.
The resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Krygystan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Introduction of Drafts
The representative of Italy introduced the draft on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/55/L.9).
The following States joined in co-sponsoring the draft: Belarus, Belgium, Egypt, Georgia, Lesotho, Monaco, Russian Federation, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bangladesh, Panama, Fiji, Turkey and Norway.
The representative of Mexico introduced the draft on international drug control (document A/C.3/55/L.10)
Additional co-sponsors were: Iceland, Honduras, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Laos, Grenada, Croatia, Liberia, Togo, Bangladesh, Armenia, Israel, Cameroon, Malawi and Botswana.
A.K. AZAD CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) appreciated that the Convention on the Rights of the Child has near universal ratification and that its objectives were supported globally. Translating these objectives into reality continued to be a challenge. Of particular importance were the two Optional Protocols to the Convention adopted by the General Assembly earlier this year. Bangladesh had signed and ratified both the Protocols.
Bangladesh commended Special Representative Olara Ottunu for his leadership in addressing the issue of children and armed conflict, he said. Children were the most helpless victims of conflicts. In the effort to establish a “culture of prevention,” a culture of peace for the children could not be overemphasized. Important work was being done, by regional and sub-regional organizations in Africa, Central America and the Asia Pacific regions, in promoting the cause of children affected by armed conflict. He highlighted the proposal of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, during the Millennium Summit, when he called for the declaration of “child soldier free zones” in all parts of the world.
If the international community was unable to eradicate poverty, children would continue to suffer abuses and denial of their rights, he said. The worst case of denial was child labour. In South Asia, Governments had adopted the year 2010 as a deadline for the eradication of child labour. Bangladesh had abolished child labour from the readymade garments sector, its largest export earner. He hoped that all Member States would work together to fulfil the rights of every child.
PETER OLE KOLBY (Norway) said Norway, deeply concerned about the situation of children affected by armed conflict, had been among the first States to sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Efforts to combat child labour and child abuse were also being supported with new standards and international legislation. The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to the Convention would contribute much to the protection of the most vulnerable children, particularly girls, and Norway would do its utmost to ensure that that protocol was universally ratified and implemented.
In today’s world, children were also victims of media violence, he said. The “Oslo Challenge”, launched during last year’s tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, proposed a wide range of measures to implement and follow-up article 17 of that Convention. He supported the development of a resource manual on issues related to children and the media. One step towards fulfilling the rights of the child was giving children a voice. Children had a right to express their opinions, to be heard, and to gradually participate in taking decisions affecting their lives. Poverty limited human freedom and often deprived a person of his or her dignity. At the special session of the General Assembly in 2001, Norway would present guidelines for its development assistance to serve as a basis for Norwegian efforts for children worldwide in the years ahead.
A serious threat to children’s health and well-being was the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The role of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in promoting the rights of the child, in connection with HIV/AIDS and other issues, was crucial. The State bore responsibility for realizing the rights of the child, he said, but he had great respect for the creativity and perseverance of the many non- governmental actors in that field. He hoped that cooperation between them would be further strengthened and that they would work together with governments and international organizations.
MOHAMAD YUSOF AHMAD (Malaysia), speaking on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said that ASEAN had addressed the promotion and protection of children at the highest level and placed it at the forefront of its cooperation in the field of economic and social development. In accordance with the 1990 World Declaration and Plan of Action on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children, ASEAN adopted its own Plan of Action for Children in 1993, which provided the framework for promoting regional cooperation for the survival, protection and development of children.
ASEAN Ministers underscored the importance of attaining social development that was focused on the family, side by side with economic growth, he said. It had undertaken several joint actions among member countries. While family structures varied from country to country, and the differences should be respected, the value of shared rights and responsibilities of parents should be reinforced and developed. In the pursuit of economic development, the family should be strengthened through the provision of basic social services, such as primary health care and basic education.
Many reports, he said, had shown that there was a strong link between the promotion and protection of the rights of women and the well-being of children. Scientific findings had confirmed the crucial link between maternal health and infant mortality. Programmes to improve literacy levels, education, employment and the decision-making power of women, as well as eliminating all practices that discriminate against them, would also contribute to the promotion and protection of children's rights. ASEAN had decided to establish an ASEAN Human Resources Development Fund to implement programmes. This would directly benefit children, and he hoped that the international community would provide support for its programmes.
ERIC N’DRY (Côte d’ Ivoire) said that the report of the Special Rapporteur on the exploitation of children had noted incidents of child trafficking in West African States, particularly. Young Malian children had been discovered working inside his country as sources of cheap labour. Resolving that issue had been a high priority for his Government. First, there had been a preliminary investigation to study the scope of the problem, discover the perpetrators and identify methods of punishment. The investigation also studied ways in which those children could be repatriated and rehabilitated. It was important to note that full resolution of this serious problem could only be carried out with close cooperation between countries in the sub-region. That positive and broad cooperation had led to the signing of an agreement between the Governments of Mali and Côte d’Ivoire aimed at combating child trafficking in all its forms. That agreement provided for the identification of the places of origin of the children and details of their itinerary while in Cote d’Ivoire.
He went on to say that a 16-member commission, with participants from both countries, had been established to follow-up the preliminary investigation, as well as monitor implementation of the agreement. He noted that all those initiatives had been in line with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Law enforcement authorities had also been made aware of the problem of transboundary trafficking for cheap labour in the region, and that initiative had been successful recently in stopping a busload of children from being transported in from another country. His Government had also convened regional meetings designed to identify strategies aimed at stopping all forms of child trafficking. Finally, he said, even though traffic in children presented many complex problems, those problems should not be seen as an excuse by the international community not to extend great effort to work to address the problem with concrete action. As the case of his country had shown, much could be accomplished with dedication and cooperation.
KIRILL M. BARSKIY (Russian Federation) said that he gave high priority to issues related to the protection of the rights for children. The Russian Federation had been among the first to sign the Convention, which now served as the guiding principle for all the country’s policies on children. Indeed, the Convention had given impetus to the global community to develop comprehensive policies and to achieve tangible results in areas where children’s rights were at stake. He noted that the Russian Federation was currently considering the adoption of the Convention’s two protocols. Here, he highlighted and welcomed a visit to his country by the Special Rapporteur on the exploitation of children. He hoped that she had been able to witness the Federation’s dedication to protecting and ensuring the rights of children at all levels.
The international community still faced many challenges to its efforts to ensure universal protection of children’s rights, he said. Those challenges were exacerbated by persistent problems, such as infant and maternal mortality, sexual exploitation and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Also weighing heavily on the conscience of the international community was the issue of children in armed conflict. In that regard, he welcomed the recommendations and plans that had come out of the International Conference on War-Affected Children in Winnipeg, Canada. He also welcomed Security Council resolution 1314 on the protection of children in armed conflict.
PAIMANEH HASTAIE (Iran) said the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child dealt with such serious situations that those individual internationally agreed-upon documents specifically dealing with the menaces had been warranted. Both sexual exploitation of children and the situation of children in armed conflict warranted cooperation among all governments and civil societies to end the miseries and exploitation of children across the world.
In her country, she said, the rights of children were respected as part of religious and moral duty. The constitution protected children, as did numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Even so, its geographic vastness and other physical conditions required extra efforts to protect children. Those natural challenges had been exacerbated by eight years of imposed war and the flow of refugees from neighbouring countries.
Next year's special session on the follow-up of the World Summit for Children would be a good opportunity to progress towards achieving the Summit goals, she concluded. All Iran's progress in that direction was based on strong political will, a rich Islamic heritage with a strong family structure, and the ability to cooperate.
ABDALLAH BAALI (Algeria) recalled that the Millennium Summit had made a profession of faith to children. That had been a prelude to the next special session of the General Assembly on children to be held in 2001. The last decade had been marked by important progress in promotion and protection of the rights of the child. The adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention on child labour and the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child were important milestones. However, despite those important steps and all the progress and interest in children's rights, millions of children in the South were still exposed to misery, war and starvation.
Detailing stark figures such as 2 million children at present being affected by armed conflict, he said new conventions and new plans of actions were not the answer. Rather, those already adopted should be implemented. No effort should be spared in achieving the commitments of the Millennium Assembly, such as making sure that all children had access to education by 2015 and making sure maternal mortality was reduced significantly. In light of pandemics and poverty, the situation for African children was worse than that of others.
At the Algerian Summit in April, he said, an appeal had been launched for the signing of the ILO convention on child labour. Algeria had decided to sign it, in line with its constitution, which itself protected the rights of children. That constitution also upheld the right to life of children of all ages. Other protective measures were set up on an ongoing basis. The special session would be a chance for everyone to put flesh on the bones of their commitments to children.
ELENA MOLARONI (San Marino) said that San Marino had never had an army, so it could not conceive of recruiting children to fight. Children involved in armed conflicts had always been a great concern for San Marino. Within its small capacities, San Marino had contributed voluntarily to many projects for the protection of children affected by war, and it sponsored a program for children mine-awareness. The second additional protocol on child prostitution and pornography was also a basic tool for the protection of children. Education had received a lot of attention this year and it surely deserved it. Education was at the basis of the evolution of any civilization and for this reason it should be available to everybody.
ABDUL MUHSIN AL-OJAILA (Oman) said that children were important because they represented the future. The international community must create a new momentum to ensure protection of children at all levels. Oman had signed and ratified the Convention. That, in conjunction with other initiatives, had led to a sharp decrease in infant mortality rates and malnutrition within the country. Success in those areas had spurred Oman to introduce plans and policies to further ensure the rights of children. This had strengthened the country’s determination to continue to push toward overcoming difficulties in implementing the provisions of the Convention, so that children would be the beneficiaries of real guarantees of protection, and the country itself would benefit from real improvements in social development.
Due to poverty, limited work possibilities, tradition and practices, early pregnancies and HIV/AIDS, 130 million children did not have access to education. The Third Committee must encourage Governments to act through high-level engagement by politicians and resources; on the elimination of gender differences, prejudice and discrimination based on sex; and on education of young girls in crisis situations. Families all over the world should have the possibility and the capability of sending their children to school, and of letting them enjoy their childhood and all the dreams that come with it. A happy child would be a happy and balanced adult, and all society would benefit from him or her.
SIMONA FRANKEL (Israel) said that Israel was now pursuing comprehensive reform in the realm of children's rights. In 1997, a special committee was appointed to recommend appropriate revisions to existing legislation, in light of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. A recent law passed by the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) established commissions on the status of the child in every municipality, with the inclusion of child representatives. Respect for human dignity was chosen as the central theme in the school curriculum in Israel last year and would remain so this year. The Israel National Council for the Child, established more than ten years ago, worked together with other countries to establish an effective structure for protection and promotion of children's rights, and in setting up a national Ombudsman for Children and Youth Programmes.
There were still many obstacles to overcome in the battle against child abuse, she said. All States and NGOs must make greater efforts in promoting children's rights. "We cannot afford anything less than a clear and unequivocal denunciation of all forms of corporal punishment against children,” she said. Tragically, children were all too often exploited and deprived of their basic rights. The practice of beating children remained widespread, jeopardizing their personal development and violating their basic human dignity.
FRANCIS CHULLIKATT, Observer from the Holy See, said that, throughout its history, the Catholic Church had always promoted the well-being and dignity of children through its various ministries and charitable organizations all the world over. He welcomed the adoption of two optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the General Assembly. He was pleased to announce that yesterday, 10 October, the Holy See had signed those two important additions to the Convention.
However, despite the almost universal ratification of the Convention, unacceptable violations of the rights of children in situations of armed conflict had continued over the past decade, he said. The Holy See fully agreed with the assertion that the family was the most effective unit for meeting the needs and protecting the rights of children during periods of armed conflict. In this respect, he firmly believed that governments, the United Nations system and NGOs should work together in solidarity to strengthen respect for the family.
The Holy See believed that more had to be done to assist refugee populations, among which one half of the 15.7 million refugees and displaced persons were children, he said. His delegation also believed that governments and the producers of small arms had a moral responsibility to eliminate the illicit transfer of small arms. The Holy See supported the recommendation that governments implement measures to effectively eliminate economic incentives that prompt trade in gold, diamonds, timber and hard currency for arms. He commended the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other agencies to combat trafficking in, and commercial sexual exploitation of, children through public awareness campaigns.
NAWAF ALENEZI (Kuwait) said the institution of the family should be proactively protected, particularly with regard to children and issues of maternity. Last year had marked the tenth anniversary of the Children's Summit. Kuwait was at present celebrating a month-long observation surrounding the Day of the Islamic Child, which was a reminder of how much Kuwait had progressed in terms of development in the past 10 years.
Social progress in Kuwait was a result of concern for its youth, he continued. Maternal centres had been set up to protect mothers and babies. Financial and moral support was given to those who needed it, particularly focused on children with special needs. In Kuwait, the family was the "centre of society, the motor of development", he said. A Family Committee had been set up to protect it. The special session in 2001 would be a good opportunity to reassess how much progress had been made for children.
JACQUES LOUIS BOISSON (Monaco) said family violence was often the catalyst for exploitation of children. Left to their own devices, they became vulnerable to those who would abuse them for advantage.
All forms of trafficking in children and sexual tourism must be eradicated, he continued. Likewise, the response to the violence that affected the world's children must be influenced by the need to protect them. The media and the private sector must be channelled into efforts to put pressure on perpetrators. The United Nations must bear a central role in coordinating activities and bringing about cooperation.
Canada had just held an international conference on children affected by war, he said. It had been very effective and much appreciated. He called for another international conference to deal with trafficking in small arms and its effect on children. "Youth is, above all, the present. Let's act quickly", he added.
* *** *
Third Committee
19th Meeting (PM)
11 October 2000
Close cooperation between countries within a subregion could be the key to tackling widespread problems such as the exploitation of children as a source of cheap labour, the representative of Cote d’Ivoire told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this afternoon, as it continued its consideration of the promotion and protection of children's rights.
He used a recent situation in his own country to illustrate the benefits of cooperation. A group of foreign children had been discovered working in Côte d’ Ivore. Regional meetings had led to the identification of child trafficking and a bilateral agreement had led to identification of the points of entry and controls.
The adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention on child labour was an important milestone, the representative of Algeria told the Committee, yet millions of children were still exposed to misery, war and starvation. New conventions and new plans were not the answer. Rather, those already adopted should be implemented. The commitments of the Millennium Assembly with regard to children must be met. All children must have access to education by 2015.
In today’s world, children were also victims of media violence, the representative of Norway said. He called for the development of a resource manual on issues related to children and the media. Also, children should be given a voice. They had a right to express opinions, to be heard, and to gradually participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the representative of Malaysia said promoting and protecting children was a high priority for his Association. It was at the forefront of cooperation in economic and social development. In addition, since the well-being of children had been linked to the promotion of women, programmes to empower women and eliminate discrimination against them had been implemented. Shared parental rights and responsibilities were being reinforced.
Also this afternoon, the representative of Italy introduced a draft resolution on strengthening the United Nations crime programme and the representative of Mexico introduced one on drug control.
Views were on the protection of the rights of children were also expressed by the representatives of Bangladesh, Russian Federation, Iran, Oman, San Marino, Israel, Kuwait and Monaco and the Observer of the Holy See made a statement.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, to continue its consideration of children's rights.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to continue considering issues related to the promotion and advancement of children's rights. (For background, see Press Release GA/SHC/3588 dated 11 October.)
The Committee has before it a number of resolutions expected to be introduced.
One is a 38-power draft resolution on strengthening of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/55/L.9). The text would have the General Assembly urge States and funding agencies to review their funding policies for development assistance and to include a crime prevention and criminal justice component in such assistance.
Also, the Assembly would invite all States to support, through voluntary contributions to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund, the operational activities of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme. It would invite States to make adequate contributions to the Fund to strengthen the Centre for International Crime Prevention’s capacity to provide technical assistance to States, in order to implement programmes designed to combat and prevent the trafficking in human beings, the smuggling of migrants, and corruption, and to study and bring about action to combat and prevent transnational organized crime.
Further, by the text, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures and provide adequate support during the biennium 2002-2003 to enable the Centre to promote the speedy entry into force of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols.
The text is sponsored by Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States.
The Committee also had before it a draft resolution on international cooperation against the world drug problem (document A/C.3/55/L.10). This draft would have the Assembly consider various actions to conquer the world drug problem through full and balanced application of national, regional and international strategies to reduce the demand for, production of, and trafficking in illicit drugs.
By Part I of the draft, the Assembly would call on all States to take further action to promote effective cooperation at the international and regional levels to counter the world drug problem. It would urge all States to ratify or accede to, and implement, all the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, as amended in 1972 by its protocol, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
By Part II of the draft, the Assembly would urge competent authorities at the international, regional and national levels to implement the outcome of the twentieth special session on the world drug problem, with regard to time frames, in particular as they relate to the high priority measures indicated in the political declaration. The Assembly would further urge all Member States to implement the Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand in their national, regional and international actions. It would also urge States to strengthen national efforts to counter the abuse of illicit drugs among their respective populations, particularly among children and youth.
The Assembly would call upon States to adopt effective measures, including national laws and regulations, to implement the mandates and recommendations of the Global Programme of Action and the outcome and goals of the special session. It would call upon the relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and international financial institutions, and other concerned actors, to continue close cooperation with Governments in their efforts to implement the Plan of Action.
By part III of the draft, the Assembly would urge specialized agencies, programmes and funds, including humanitarian organizations and would invite multilateral financial institutions to include action against the world drug problem in their programming and planning processes.
By part IV of the draft, the Assembly would request the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNCDP)to strengthen cooperation with Member States and other United Nations programmes and agencies, as well as to allocate adequate resources to allow it to fulfil its role in implementing the Plan of Action on reduction of drug demand. The Assembly would also request the UNDCP to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with multilateral development banks and with international financial institutions.
The resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Krygystan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Introduction of Drafts
The representative of Italy introduced the draft on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/55/L.9).
The following States joined in co-sponsoring the draft: Belarus, Belgium, Egypt, Georgia, Lesotho, Monaco, Russian Federation, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bangladesh, Panama, Fiji, Turkey and Norway.
The representative of Mexico introduced the draft on international drug control (document A/C.3/55/L.10)
Additional co-sponsors were: Iceland, Honduras, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Laos, Grenada, Croatia, Liberia, Togo, Bangladesh, Armenia, Israel, Cameroon, Malawi and Botswana.
A.K. AZAD CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) appreciated that the Convention on the Rights of the Child has near universal ratification and that its objectives were supported globally. Translating these objectives into reality continued to be a challenge. Of particular importance were the two Optional Protocols to the Convention adopted by the General Assembly earlier this year. Bangladesh had signed and ratified both the Protocols.
Bangladesh commended Special Representative Olara Ottunu for his leadership in addressing the issue of children and armed conflict, he said. Children were the most helpless victims of conflicts. In the effort to establish a “culture of prevention,” a culture of peace for the children could not be overemphasized. Important work was being done, by regional and sub-regional organizations in Africa, Central America and the Asia Pacific regions, in promoting the cause of children affected by armed conflict. He highlighted the proposal of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, during the Millennium Summit, when he called for the declaration of “child soldier free zones” in all parts of the world.
If the international community was unable to eradicate poverty, children would continue to suffer abuses and denial of their rights, he said. The worst case of denial was child labour. In South Asia, Governments had adopted the year 2010 as a deadline for the eradication of child labour. Bangladesh had abolished child labour from the readymade garments sector, its largest export earner. He hoped that all Member States would work together to fulfil the rights of every child.
PETER OLE KOLBY (Norway) said Norway, deeply concerned about the situation of children affected by armed conflict, had been among the first States to sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Efforts to combat child labour and child abuse were also being supported with new standards and international legislation. The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to the Convention would contribute much to the protection of the most vulnerable children, particularly girls, and Norway would do its utmost to ensure that that protocol was universally ratified and implemented.
In today’s world, children were also victims of media violence, he said. The “Oslo Challenge”, launched during last year’s tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, proposed a wide range of measures to implement and follow-up article 17 of that Convention. He supported the development of a resource manual on issues related to children and the media. One step towards fulfilling the rights of the child was giving children a voice. Children had a right to express their opinions, to be heard, and to gradually participate in taking decisions affecting their lives. Poverty limited human freedom and often deprived a person of his or her dignity. At the special session of the General Assembly in 2001, Norway would present guidelines for its development assistance to serve as a basis for Norwegian efforts for children worldwide in the years ahead.
A serious threat to children’s health and well-being was the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The role of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in promoting the rights of the child, in connection with HIV/AIDS and other issues, was crucial. The State bore responsibility for realizing the rights of the child, he said, but he had great respect for the creativity and perseverance of the many non- governmental actors in that field. He hoped that cooperation between them would be further strengthened and that they would work together with governments and international organizations.
MOHAMAD YUSOF AHMAD (Malaysia), speaking on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said that ASEAN had addressed the promotion and protection of children at the highest level and placed it at the forefront of its cooperation in the field of economic and social development. In accordance with the 1990 World Declaration and Plan of Action on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children, ASEAN adopted its own Plan of Action for Children in 1993, which provided the framework for promoting regional cooperation for the survival, protection and development of children.
ASEAN Ministers underscored the importance of attaining social development that was focused on the family, side by side with economic growth, he said. It had undertaken several joint actions among member countries. While family structures varied from country to country, and the differences should be respected, the value of shared rights and responsibilities of parents should be reinforced and developed. In the pursuit of economic development, the family should be strengthened through the provision of basic social services, such as primary health care and basic education.
Many reports, he said, had shown that there was a strong link between the promotion and protection of the rights of women and the well-being of children. Scientific findings had confirmed the crucial link between maternal health and infant mortality. Programmes to improve literacy levels, education, employment and the decision-making power of women, as well as eliminating all practices that discriminate against them, would also contribute to the promotion and protection of children's rights. ASEAN had decided to establish an ASEAN Human Resources Development Fund to implement programmes. This would directly benefit children, and he hoped that the international community would provide support for its programmes.
ERIC N’DRY (Côte d’ Ivoire) said that the report of the Special Rapporteur on the exploitation of children had noted incidents of child trafficking in West African States, particularly. Young Malian children had been discovered working inside his country as sources of cheap labour. Resolving that issue had been a high priority for his Government. First, there had been a preliminary investigation to study the scope of the problem, discover the perpetrators and identify methods of punishment. The investigation also studied ways in which those children could be repatriated and rehabilitated. It was important to note that full resolution of this serious problem could only be carried out with close cooperation between countries in the sub-region. That positive and broad cooperation had led to the signing of an agreement between the Governments of Mali and Côte d’Ivoire aimed at combating child trafficking in all its forms. That agreement provided for the identification of the places of origin of the children and details of their itinerary while in Cote d’Ivoire.
He went on to say that a 16-member commission, with participants from both countries, had been established to follow-up the preliminary investigation, as well as monitor implementation of the agreement. He noted that all those initiatives had been in line with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Law enforcement authorities had also been made aware of the problem of transboundary trafficking for cheap labour in the region, and that initiative had been successful recently in stopping a busload of children from being transported in from another country. His Government had also convened regional meetings designed to identify strategies aimed at stopping all forms of child trafficking. Finally, he said, even though traffic in children presented many complex problems, those problems should not be seen as an excuse by the international community not to extend great effort to work to address the problem with concrete action. As the case of his country had shown, much could be accomplished with dedication and cooperation.
KIRILL M. BARSKIY (Russian Federation) said that he gave high priority to issues related to the protection of the rights for children. The Russian Federation had been among the first to sign the Convention, which now served as the guiding principle for all the country’s policies on children. Indeed, the Convention had given impetus to the global community to develop comprehensive policies and to achieve tangible results in areas where children’s rights were at stake. He noted that the Russian Federation was currently considering the adoption of the Convention’s two protocols. Here, he highlighted and welcomed a visit to his country by the Special Rapporteur on the exploitation of children. He hoped that she had been able to witness the Federation’s dedication to protecting and ensuring the rights of children at all levels.
The international community still faced many challenges to its efforts to ensure universal protection of children’s rights, he said. Those challenges were exacerbated by persistent problems, such as infant and maternal mortality, sexual exploitation and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Also weighing heavily on the conscience of the international community was the issue of children in armed conflict. In that regard, he welcomed the recommendations and plans that had come out of the International Conference on War-Affected Children in Winnipeg, Canada. He also welcomed Security Council resolution 1314 on the protection of children in armed conflict.
PAIMANEH HASTAIE (Iran) said the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child dealt with such serious situations that those individual internationally agreed-upon documents specifically dealing with the menaces had been warranted. Both sexual exploitation of children and the situation of children in armed conflict warranted cooperation among all governments and civil societies to end the miseries and exploitation of children across the world.
In her country, she said, the rights of children were respected as part of religious and moral duty. The constitution protected children, as did numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Even so, its geographic vastness and other physical conditions required extra efforts to protect children. Those natural challenges had been exacerbated by eight years of imposed war and the flow of refugees from neighbouring countries.
Next year's special session on the follow-up of the World Summit for Children would be a good opportunity to progress towards achieving the Summit goals, she concluded. All Iran's progress in that direction was based on strong political will, a rich Islamic heritage with a strong family structure, and the ability to cooperate.
ABDALLAH BAALI (Algeria) recalled that the Millennium Summit had made a profession of faith to children. That had been a prelude to the next special session of the General Assembly on children to be held in 2001. The last decade had been marked by important progress in promotion and protection of the rights of the child. The adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention on child labour and the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child were important milestones. However, despite those important steps and all the progress and interest in children's rights, millions of children in the South were still exposed to misery, war and starvation.
Detailing stark figures such as 2 million children at present being affected by armed conflict, he said new conventions and new plans of actions were not the answer. Rather, those already adopted should be implemented. No effort should be spared in achieving the commitments of the Millennium Assembly, such as making sure that all children had access to education by 2015 and making sure maternal mortality was reduced significantly. In light of pandemics and poverty, the situation for African children was worse than that of others.
At the Algerian Summit in April, he said, an appeal had been launched for the signing of the ILO convention on child labour. Algeria had decided to sign it, in line with its constitution, which itself protected the rights of children. That constitution also upheld the right to life of children of all ages. Other protective measures were set up on an ongoing basis. The special session would be a chance for everyone to put flesh on the bones of their commitments to children.
ELENA MOLARONI (San Marino) said that San Marino had never had an army, so it could not conceive of recruiting children to fight. Children involved in armed conflicts had always been a great concern for San Marino. Within its small capacities, San Marino had contributed voluntarily to many projects for the protection of children affected by war, and it sponsored a program for children mine-awareness. The second additional protocol on child prostitution and pornography was also a basic tool for the protection of children. Education had received a lot of attention this year and it surely deserved it. Education was at the basis of the evolution of any civilization and for this reason it should be available to everybody.
ABDUL MUHSIN AL-OJAILA (Oman) said that children were important because they represented the future. The international community must create a new momentum to ensure protection of children at all levels. Oman had signed and ratified the Convention. That, in conjunction with other initiatives, had led to a sharp decrease in infant mortality rates and malnutrition within the country. Success in those areas had spurred Oman to introduce plans and policies to further ensure the rights of children. This had strengthened the country’s determination to continue to push toward overcoming difficulties in implementing the provisions of the Convention, so that children would be the beneficiaries of real guarantees of protection, and the country itself would benefit from real improvements in social development.
Due to poverty, limited work possibilities, tradition and practices, early pregnancies and HIV/AIDS, 130 million children did not have access to education. The Third Committee must encourage Governments to act through high-level engagement by politicians and resources; on the elimination of gender differences, prejudice and discrimination based on sex; and on education of young girls in crisis situations. Families all over the world should have the possibility and the capability of sending their children to school, and of letting them enjoy their childhood and all the dreams that come with it. A happy child would be a happy and balanced adult, and all society would benefit from him or her.
SIMONA FRANKEL (Israel) said that Israel was now pursuing comprehensive reform in the realm of children's rights. In 1997, a special committee was appointed to recommend appropriate revisions to existing legislation, in light of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. A recent law passed by the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) established commissions on the status of the child in every municipality, with the inclusion of child representatives. Respect for human dignity was chosen as the central theme in the school curriculum in Israel last year and would remain so this year. The Israel National Council for the Child, established more than ten years ago, worked together with other countries to establish an effective structure for protection and promotion of children's rights, and in setting up a national Ombudsman for Children and Youth Programmes.
There were still many obstacles to overcome in the battle against child abuse, she said. All States and NGOs must make greater efforts in promoting children's rights. "We cannot afford anything less than a clear and unequivocal denunciation of all forms of corporal punishment against children,” she said. Tragically, children were all too often exploited and deprived of their basic rights. The practice of beating children remained widespread, jeopardizing their personal development and violating their basic human dignity.
FRANCIS CHULLIKATT, Observer from the Holy See, said that, throughout its history, the Catholic Church had always promoted the well-being and dignity of children through its various ministries and charitable organizations all the world over. He welcomed the adoption of two optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the General Assembly. He was pleased to announce that yesterday, 10 October, the Holy See had signed those two important additions to the Convention.
However, despite the almost universal ratification of the Convention, unacceptable violations of the rights of children in situations of armed conflict had continued over the past decade, he said. The Holy See fully agreed with the assertion that the family was the most effective unit for meeting the needs and protecting the rights of children during periods of armed conflict. In this respect, he firmly believed that governments, the United Nations system and NGOs should work together in solidarity to strengthen respect for the family.
The Holy See believed that more had to be done to assist refugee populations, among which one half of the 15.7 million refugees and displaced persons were children, he said. His delegation also believed that governments and the producers of small arms had a moral responsibility to eliminate the illicit transfer of small arms. The Holy See supported the recommendation that governments implement measures to effectively eliminate economic incentives that prompt trade in gold, diamonds, timber and hard currency for arms. He commended the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other agencies to combat trafficking in, and commercial sexual exploitation of, children through public awareness campaigns.
NAWAF ALENEZI (Kuwait) said the institution of the family should be proactively protected, particularly with regard to children and issues of maternity. Last year had marked the tenth anniversary of the Children's Summit. Kuwait was at present celebrating a month-long observation surrounding the Day of the Islamic Child, which was a reminder of how much Kuwait had progressed in terms of development in the past 10 years.
Social progress in Kuwait was a result of concern for its youth, he continued. Maternal centres had been set up to protect mothers and babies. Financial and moral support was given to those who needed it, particularly focused on children with special needs. In Kuwait, the family was the "centre of society, the motor of development", he said. A Family Committee had been set up to protect it. The special session in 2001 would be a good opportunity to reassess how much progress had been made for children.
JACQUES LOUIS BOISSON (Monaco) said family violence was often the catalyst for exploitation of children. Left to their own devices, they became vulnerable to those who would abuse them for advantage.
All forms of trafficking in children and sexual tourism must be eradicated, he continued. Likewise, the response to the violence that affected the world's children must be influenced by the need to protect them. The media and the private sector must be channelled into efforts to put pressure on perpetrators. The United Nations must bear a central role in coordinating activities and bringing about cooperation.
Canada had just held an international conference on children affected by war, he said. It had been very effective and much appreciated. He called for another international conference to deal with trafficking in small arms and its effect on children. "Youth is, above all, the present. Let's act quickly", he added.
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