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08 November 2000
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Fifty-fifth General Assembly
Third Committee
8 November 2000
52nd Meeting (PM)
Recorded Votes Requested for Drafts
On Right to Travel, Unilateral Coercive Measures
The Assembly will resolutely condemn neo-Nazi type ideologies based on assumptions of racial superiority, according to one of 14 draft resolutions the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) adopted this afternoon without a vote as it met to consider texts based on issues it had debated. The Committee adopted two other resolutions by recorded vote, along with a draft decision, in addition to hearing 10 other resolutions introduced.
By the draft on neo-Nazi type ideologies, the Assembly will further express its determination to resist such behaviours. It will affirm that States are responsible for combating such activities and will call on governments to promote human rights and awareness of the need to fight hateful ideologies. States will be urged to institute measures to eradicate such activities, with the Assembly asking the Secretary-General to include a listing of such measures in his report to the 2001 World Conference on racism.
A related resolution on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and intolerance was also approved without a vote. That draft will have the Assembly express full support for the work of the Special Rapporteur on the issue, and will commend the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for its role in implementing the International Convention on that matter. It will also reaffirm that acts of racist violence are not expressions of opinion, but rather offences which are among the most serious violations of human rights in the contemporary world and merit combat by all available means. The draft decision approved by the Committee this afternoon will refer a decision back to the Committee for the elimination of racial discrimination for further consideration.
By other drafts approved this afternoon, the Assembly will decide to enlarge the membership of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) Executive Committee from 57 to 58 states, and to proclaim 18 December as International Migrant's Day.
Also approved were drafts on the Decade for Human Rights Education
(1995 to 2004); enhancing international cooperation for human rights; strengthening action in human rights by promoting cooperation; and regional arrangements for human rights. Also approved were drafts on eliminating religious intolerance; human rights and extreme poverty; and the right to development. Drafts on the human rights situations in Cambodia and Myanmar were also approved.
By a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 2 against (United States and Albania) with 64 abstaining, the Committee approved a draft on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel (Annex I). By that text, the Assembly will call on States to guarantee that right for all foreign nationals residing in their territory. Also, by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 46 against with
8 abstentions (Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Ukraine and Uzbekistan), the Committee approved a draft on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (Annex II). By its terms, the Assembly will reject those measures as tools for political or economic pressure against a country because of their negative impact on realizing human rights.
Mexico’s representative introduced drafts on protection of migrants and respect for the Charter. The representative of Norway introduced a text on the Declaration of rights and responsibilities regarding human rights.
Egypt introduced a draft on globalization and human rights, while France introduced one on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Finland introduced a draft on extrajudicial executions, the United States introduced one on human rights in south-eastern Europe, and France introduced drafts on human rights in Iran and in Iraq. Finally, Venezuela introduced a draft on human rights in Haiti.
Addressing the Committee with regard to action on resolutions were the representatives of Canada, Mexico, United States, Chile, Cambodia, Syria, Pakistan, India, Botswana, Japan, Cuba, Myanmar and Brazil.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 9 November to continue considering resolutions on a range of issues within its mandate.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to consider resolutions on a range of issues within its mandate.
Resolutions Expected to Be Introduced
A resolution on protecting migrants (document A/C.3/55/L.35) would have the Assembly strongly condemn all forms of racial discrimination and xenophobia with regard to access to employment, vocational training, housing and other services. It would call upon States to review and revise immigration policies to eliminate discriminatory policies and practices against migrants. It would reiterate the need for all States to protect the universally recognized human rights of migrants, and would reaffirm the responsibility of governments to safeguard and protect the rights of migrants. It would urge States to adopt effective measures to end arbitrary arrest and detention of migrants. Finally, the Assembly would welcome close cooperation between the Special Rapporteur on migrants' human rights and the Preparatory Committee for the 2001 World Conference against Racism.
The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Senegal, Togo and Uruguay.
The Assembly would call on States to promote the Declaration concerning the right and responsibility to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms (document A/C.3/55/L.43*). Further, it would invite governments to cooperate with the special representative on human rights defenders and would request the United Nations system to cooperate in implementing the programme.
The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.
A draft on respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter with regard to promoting human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.47) would have the Assembly stress the vital role of the United Nations and regional arrangements in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and in solving international problems of humanitarian character. It would call on States to cooperate in the search for peaceful solutions to international problems of humanitarian character and to comply with principles and norms of international law.
The draft is sponsored by Belarus, Burundi, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Sudan and Tanzania.
By a resolution on globalization and its impact on human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.48), the Assembly would express concern that while globalization held the promise of prosperity, it brought severe challenges for the developing world. It would stress that globalization had to be monitored, and would affirm that globalization was a complex historical process of structural transformations, with numerous interdisciplinary aspects impacting on the enjoyment of rights.
The draft is sponsored by Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, China, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Suriname and Viet Nam.
By the terms of the draft on promotion of a democratic and equitable international order (document A/C.3/55/L.56), the Assembly would urge States to continue their efforts, through enhanced international cooperation, towards the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order. The Assembly would stress the importance of international cooperation for the establishment of a new equilibrium and greater reciprocity in the international flow of information, in particular correcting the inequalities in the flow of information to and from developing countries.
The Assembly would also stress the importance of preserving the rich and diverse nature of the international community of nations and peoples, as well as respect for national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds in the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights.
The text is sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, China, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, United Republic of Tanzania and Viet Nam.
The Committee had before it a draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (document A/C.3/55/L.60), which would have the Assembly demand that all governments ensure that such executions be brought to an end and take effective action to combat and eliminate the phenomenon in all its forms. The Assembly would strongly condemn once again all such executions that continue to take place throughout the world.
Also, the Assembly would call on the governments of all States in which the death penalty has not been abolished to comply with their obligations under relevant provisions of international human rights instruments. It would also call on governments concerned to investigate promptly and thoroughly cases in various parts of the world of killings committed in the name of passion or in the name of honour, persons killed for reasons related to their peaceful activities as human rights defenders or as journalists and other persons whose right to life has been violated in an extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary manner, to bring those responsible to justice and to ensure that such killings are neither condoned nor sanctioned by government officials.
The text is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Venezuela.
The draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran (document A/C.3/55/L.49) would have the Assembly call on the Government of Iran to, among other things, invite the Special Representative to visit the country and to resume its full cooperation with him, and give effect to its invitation to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to visit Iran. The Assembly would also call on the Government to ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed for crimes other than the most serious, and will not be pronounced in disregard of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and United Nations safeguards, and to provide the Special Representative with relevant statistics on the matter.
In addition, the Assembly would call on the Government to accelerate the process of the investigation into the suspicious deaths and killings of intellectuals and political activists, and to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice; eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds or against persons belonging to minorities, and take further measures to promote full and equal enjoyment by women of their human rights.
The text is sponsored by Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.
Under a draft resolution on human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/55/L.50), the General Assembly would strongly condemn the systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law by the Government of Iraq, resulting in an all-pervasive repression and oppression sustained by broad-based discrimination and terror.
By further terms of the draft, the Assembly would call upon the Government of Iraq to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under international human rights treaties and international humanitarian law and to respect and ensure the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their origin, ethnicity, gender or religion, within its territories and subject to its jurisdiction. The Assembly would also call upon the Government of Iraq to cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, in particular by inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and allowing the stationing of human rights monitors throughout Iraq.
The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Under a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/55/L.64), the General Assembly would stress the need for the Haitian National Police to continue to undertake more effective efforts to improve its performance through, inter alia, technical assistance, and training and education, in order to function efficiently, within a framework of respect for human rights, to curb the alarming increase in insecurity in the country.
Also according to the draft, the Assembly would request all interested governments to make available to the Government of Haiti information and documentation to enable it to prosecute the perpetrators of human rights violations, in order to reinforce the efforts already made by the Haitian authorities to fight against impunity and to facilitate the reconciliation process. The Assembly would also invite the international community, including the Bretton Woods institutions, to consider, when conditions permit, continuing their involvement in the reconstruction and development of Haiti.
The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Monaco, Norway, United States and Venezuela.
Resolutions on Which Action Is Expected
A draft resolution on enlarging the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/55/L.21) would have the Assembly decide to enlarge the membership of that Committee from 57 to 58 States. The Assembly would request the Economic and Social Council to elect the additional member at its resumed organizational session for 2001.
The draft on measures to be taken against neo-Nazi activities and related ideologies and practices based on racial or ethnic discrimination or superiority (document A/C.3/55/L.25/Rev.1) would have the Assembly again resolutely condemn such activities and express its determination to resist them. It would affirm that all States were responsible for combating those activities and would call on governments to promote and encourage respect for human rights as well as to promote awareness of the need to fight hateful ideologies. It would urge States to institute measures for the eradication of such activities and would request the Secretary-General to include a listing of such measures in his report to the 2001 World Conference against racism.
A draft resolution on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and other forms of intolerance (document A/C.3/55/L.26/Rev.1) would have the Assembly express full support for the work of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and related intolerance. It would commend the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for its role in implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. It would reaffirm that acts of racist violence were not expressions of opinion but were, rather, offences, and would declare racism to be among the most serious violations of human rights in the contemporary world, meriting combating by all available means. It would urge States not to condone or ignore any dissemination of ideas and materials based on racial superiority or hatred.
The Assembly would express profound concern about all forms of racism and would unequivocally condemn them, while expressing equal concern about manifestations of racism. It would express great concern about the increase in racial and xenophobic violence all over the world despite all efforts. It would encourage States to include tolerance in their educational agendas and to take all measures to eradicate racism. It would condemn the misuse of the media and new information technologies to incite violence motivated by racial hatred, urging States to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur in fulfilling his mandate, including in examining incidents of contemporary racism against blacks, Arabs, Muslims and Semites.
By Part I of a four-part draft on the Third Decade to Combat Racism and the World Conference against Racism (document A/C.3/55/L.27/Rev.1), the Assembly would urge governments not to ignore dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred. It would urge them to take all necessary measures to combat new forms of racism, in particular by constantly adapting legislative, judicial, administrative, educational and informational means already available. It would urge them to become parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to limit reservations to it. It would also urge them to intensify efforts to meet obligations by declaring illegal and punishable any dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority and the forming of organizations on that basis. Finally, the Assembly would urge governments and the United Nations system to implement the Convention with special attention to the situation of indigenous people.
By Part II of the draft, the Assembly would welcome the slogan adopted by the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against racism, "United to combat racism: equality, justice, dignity". It would ask the Secretary-General to ensure adequate financing for the preparatory process. It would also ask him and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to mobilize resources to fund conference activities. It would welcome regional preparatory conferences by the Council of Europe, Senegal, Iran and Chile to convene regional preparatory meetings within the framework of the World Conference. It would request the High Commissioner for Human Rights to take numerous steps to promote the World Conference, and would call upon various segments of the world community to take similar steps in building momentum for the Conference. The Assembly would welcome the themes for the Conference adopted by the Preparatory Committee, would appeal to States for generous contributions to the World Conference voluntary fund and would decide to hold the Conference in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7 September 2001.
By Part III of the draft, the Assembly would strongly reaffirm the proclamation of 2001 as the International Year of Mobilization Against Racism, and would call upon all actors to observe the Year, including through programmes of action. It would emphasize that the activities be implemented within the framework of the World Conference. By Part IV of the draft, the Assembly would decide to keep the item on its agenda.
By a draft decision submitted by the Chairperson on the Committee to eliminate racial discrimination (document A/C.3/55/L.63), the Assembly would take note of a decision in the Committee's report, deciding to refer an issue back to the Committee for further consideration and consultations with States parties who are members of the Convention against racial discrimination.
The Assembly would decide to proclaim 18 December as International Migrant's Day, by a draft resolution on that issue (document A/C.3/55/L.36) which would also ask the Secretary-General to bring the resolution to the attention of all governments and appropriate intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
A draft resolution on the Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004) and public information activities for human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.37) would take note with appreciation of the High Commissioner's report on the Decade's midterm evaluation. It would urge governments to implement the Programme of Action and to encourage, support and involve national and local non-governmental and community-based organizations in implementing it. Further, it would encourage the Office of the High Commissioner to support national capacity for human rights education activities, and would urge the Department of Public Information (DPI) to utilize Information Centres for the purpose. It would stress the importance of coordination and collaboration between the United Nations system and all actors.
The Assembly would note with concern the continuing problems related to the rule of law and the functioning of the judiciary by a draft text on the situation of human rights in Cambodia (document A/C.3/55/L.39). It would urge the Government to take the necessary measures to develop an effective judicial system, including by adopting the draft statute on magistrates, a penal code and a code on criminal procedures. It would also urge reform of the administration of justice, appealing for international assistance to help achieve that.
Further by the draft, the Assembly would express serious concern about the prevalence of impunity in Cambodia, and would note with serious concern the problem of child labour in its worst forms and the condition of prisons. The Assembly would express grave concern about continued violations of human rights and about the devastating consequences and destabilizing effect of anti-personnel landmines in Cambodian society. It would express concern about the large number of small arms, while commending the Government’s efforts to curb them. Finally, the Assembly would urge an end to racial violence and vilification of ethnic minorities, asking the Secretary-General to report on progress.
By a draft on eliminating all forms of religious intolerance (document A/C.3/55/L.41), the Assembly would urge States to ensure that their constitutional and legal systems provided guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, including by providing for effective remedies in instances of violation. The Assembly would also urge that no one within a State's jurisdiction be deprived of those rights, further urging States to take actions preventing such deprivations. All States would be urged to combat intolerance and acts of violence, as well as to educate public officials against discrimination based on religion or belief. The Assembly would emphasize that restrictions on the right to manifest beliefs should be proscribed only to protect the public welfare, and would express grave concern at any attack upon religious places, sites and shrines. Finally, it would request a number of coordinating steps from the United Nations system, deciding to keep the question under review.
A draft on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/55/L.44) would have the Assembly express its deep concern at the scarcity of means at the disposal of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for fulfilling its tasks. It would note with concern that the Programme of Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in Human Rights did not have sufficient funds to assist national projects. It would welcome cooperation between the Office of the High Commissioner and the others of the United Nations system with regard to the rule of law, affirming the High Commissioner as the focal point for coordinating system-wide attention to the issue. Finally, the Assembly would encourage initiatives for further efforts.
A draft on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/55/L.45) would have the Assembly call on States to guarantee that right for all foreign nationals residing in their territory. It would call on them to allow the free flow of financial remittances and to refrain from legislation intended as a coercive measure discriminating against migrants.
A resolution on strengthening action in the field of human rights through promotion of cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (document A/C.3/55/L.53) would have the Assembly express the conviction that an unbiased approach to human rights issues contributes to promoting both cooperation and securing of those rights. In that context, the Assembly would stress the need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries. It would invite States to adopt measures promoting cooperation in encouraging respect for human rights, and would request the Commission on Human Rights to consider proposals for strengthening action in the field of human rights.
The Assembly would stress the importance of the programme of technical cooperation in the field of human rights by a resolution on regional arrangements for promoting and protecting human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.54). Further, the Assembly would renew its appeal to governments to make use of that programme's offerings in organizing national information or training courses for government personnel on applying the international human rights standards and experience. It would recall and note with interest the regional mechanisms already in place for promoting human rights, and would invite States in areas without such mechanisms to conclude agreements leading to regional machinery for protecting human rights. It would ask the Secretary-General to strengthen exchanges between the United Nations and regional intergovernmental organizations concerned with human rights, also asking him to make available resources from the regular budget of technical cooperation to fund activities of the Office of the High Commissioner intended to promote regional arrangements. Finally, it would ask the Commission on Human Rights to assist countries and offer recommendations, asking the Secretary-General to report on regional arrangements at the Assembly's fifty-seventh session.
The Assembly would reaffirm that extreme poverty and exclusion from society constituted a violation of human dignity, by a resolution on human rights and extreme poverty (document A/C.3/55/L.55). Further, the Assembly would reaffirm that national and international action was required to eliminate those ills, reaffirming also that States must foster participation by the poorest in the decision-making processes of their societies, particularly in the planning and implementing of policies enabling them to become partners in development. The Assembly would emphasize that extreme poverty was a major issue to be addressed by all elements of the international community, and would reaffirm that since widespread absolute poverty rendered democracy fragile, the commitments on development and poverty eradication contained in the Millennium Declaration were also reaffirmed. Inviting the High Commissioner for Human Rights to give attention to the question within the framework of implementing the Decade for eradicating poverty (1997-2006), the Assembly would call upon States and the United Nations system to consider the links between human rights and extreme poverty. Finally, the Assembly would decide to consider the question further at its fifty-seventh session.
A resolution on the right to development (document A/C.3/55/L.57) would have the Assembly reiterate that the essence of that right was the principle that the human person was the central subject of development, and that the right to life included the minimum necessities of life. It would also reiterate that widespread absolute poverty inhibited the enjoyment of human rights and that for peace and stability to endure, national and international action and cooperation were required to eradicate poverty. The Assembly would reaffirm a large number of tenets about democracy, development and respect for human rights, and would welcome the holding of the first session of the Working Group on the Right to Development, encouraging the second session scheduled for January 2001. The Assembly would take note of coordination mechanisms and initiatives within the United Nations system for promoting implementation of the right to development, also urging support for implementing the resolution of the Commission on Human Rights regarding the right to development.
A resolution on enhancing international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.58) would have the Assembly reaffirm that advancement of human rights was a purpose of the United Nations and a responsibility of all States. It would further reaffirm that such advancement of rights should be guided by the principles of universality, non-selectivity, objectivity and transparency, as set out in the Charter, calling for dialogue and consultations to enhance understanding of rights.
A draft text on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/55/L.59) would have the Assembly reject unilateral coercive measures, with all their extraterritorial effects as tools for political or economic pressure against any country, because of their negative effects on the realizing of human rights. It would reaffirm the right of all peoples to self-determination and would urge the Commission on Human Rights to take fully into account the negative impact of such measures in its task of implementing the right to development. It would ask the High Commissioner to give priority to the present resolution in her annual report to the Assembly, and would ask the Secretary-General to bring the resolution to the attention of States.
By a resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/C.3/55/L.38), the Assembly would urge the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, deploring the continuing violations of human rights in the country. It would further urge the Government to cease activities aimed at preventing the free exercise of human rights, strongly urging it to release all detained political leaders and to take into account the assurances it had given on various occasions to take steps towards restoring democracy.
The Assembly would note with grave concern that the Government had failed to cease its widespread and systematic use of forced labour of its own people or to implement recommendations of the International Labour Organization, strongly urging it to enact legislation against such practices. Further deploring violations of human rights and the recruitment of child soldiers, the Assembly would express its grave concern at the high rates of malnutrition among children and the growing incidence of HIV/AIDS infection. It would urge the Government to end the systematic displacement of people, and would strongly urge it to implement the recommendations made by the Committee on eliminating discrimination against women, as well as to ensure full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Introduction of Drafts
The representative of Mexico introduced a draft resolution on the protection of migrants (document A/C.3/55/L.35).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Sri Lanka, Armenia and Paraguay.
The representative of Norway introduced a draft resolution on the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (document A/C.3/55/L.43).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Morocco, Niger and Sri Lanka.
The representative of Cuba introduced a draft resolution on respect for the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations to achieve international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and in solving international problems of humanitarian character (document A/C.3/55/L.47).
Guinea and Namibia were added as co-sponsors.
The representative of Egypt introduced a draft resolution on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.48).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Sudan, Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Syria, Togo, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Botswana, Barbados, Mali, Malaysia and Eritrea.
The representative of France introduced a draft resolution on the question of enforced or involuntary disappearances (document A/C.3/55/L.52).
Canada and Morocco were added as co-sponsors.
The representative of Finland introduced a draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (document A/C.3/55/L.60), including a number of technical revisions to the text.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Malta and New Zealand.
The representative of Cuba introduced a draft resolution on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order (document A/C.3/55/L.56).
Namibia was added as a co-sponsor.
The representative of France introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (document A/C.3/55/L.49).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Malta, Luxembourg, Norway, Canada, Estonia and Latvia.
The Czech Republic was deleted as a co-sponsor.
The representative of France, on behalf of the European Union, introduced a draft resolution on the human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/55/L.50).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Malta, Luxembourg, Norway, New Zealand, Latvia, Estonia and Czech Republic.
The representative of Venezuela introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/55/L.64).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom and Uruguay.
Action, Draft on Enlargement of UNHCR Executive Committee
The Committee took up a draft resolution on enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/55/L.21).
The resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Draft on Measures against Neo-Nazi Activities
The Committee took up the draft resolution of measures to be taken against neo-Nazi activities and any ideologies and practices based on racial or ethnic discrimination or superiority (document A/C.3/55/L.25/Rev.1).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Cuba, Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Kazahkstan.
Along with a number of technical revisions, the representative of Belarus, who had introduced the draft earlier, read its new title: “Measures to be taken against political platforms and activities based on doctrines of superiority, which are based on racial discrimination or ethnic exclusiveness and xenophobia including, in particular, neo-Nazism”.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Measures to Combat Contemporary Forms of Racism
The Committee next took up the draft resolution on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (document A/C.3/55/L.26/Rev.1), including a number of technical revisions.
The Secretary read a letter from the Comptroller drawing the Committee’s attention to concerns on budget implications contained in the draft resolution.
The representative of Canada said that the portions of the resolution in question were well within the Committee's purview.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Korea, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
The representative of Mexico noted that its co-sponsorship was related to another draft, not the one currently under consideration.
The representative of the United States said that her delegation was pleased to join consensus, but could not co-sponsor the resolution and would make a statement in explanation of position in plenary.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
The Committee next took note of a draft decision on decision 1(56) contained in the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, submitted by the Chairperson on the basis of informal consultations, contained in document A/C.3/55L.63.
Action, Proclamation of 18 December as International Migrant’s Day
The representative of Mexico introduced a draft resolution on the Proclamation of 18 December as International Migrant’s Day (document A/C.3/55/L.36).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Belize, Benin, Panama, Senegal, Togo Yemen, Burkina Faso, Republic of Moldova and Côte d’Ivoire.
The resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Draft of United Nations Decade for Human Rights
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995-2004, and public information activities in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.37) including some minor revisions to the text.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Azerbaijan, Belize, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Djibouti, Eritrea Guinea, Haiti, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Paraguay, Senegal, Costa Rica, Honduras, Micronesia, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire and Dominican Republic
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia
The Committee took up the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Cambodia (document A/C.3/55/L.39), including a number of technical corrections to the text made at its introduction.
The Secretary read a letter from the Office of the Controller concerning what were perceived as budget implications in certain paragraphs of the draft.
The representative of Canada said that the paragraphs in question were calling for no action that was outside the purview of the Committee’s general practices.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
The Committee next took up the draft text on promoting and consolidating democracy (document A/C.3/55/L.40).
Consideration of that draft was deferred after the representative of Libya expressed concerns about the meaning of the reference to "financial institutions" in operative paragraphs 9 and 10.
The Committee also decided to defer consideration of a draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/55/L.44).
Action, Respect for Right to Universal Freedom of Travel
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/55/L.45), with a number of technical revisions to the text.
A recorded vote was called.
In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Chile said he would vote in favour of the resolution because his amendment had been accepted by the sponsor.
The resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to
2 against (United States and Albania) with 64 abstaining.
In explanation of the vote after the vote, the representative of Mexico said she had voted in favour because the text embodied elements of particular importance to the protection of migrants. However freedom of travel was a right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She emphasized that the right in question applied to persons, independent of whether or not they were migrants.
The representative of the United States said her country had voted against the resolution because of a bilateral aspect that should not have been included in the text.
Action, Strengthening United Nations Action in Human Rights Field
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on strengthening United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (document A/C.3/55/L.53).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Ethiopia
The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Regional Arrangements for Human Rights Promotion and Protection
The Committee next took up the draft resolution on regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.54), which included a small technical revision to the text.
The Secretary read a letter from the Controller’s Office containing what were thought to be budget implications in a specific paragraph of the resolution.
The representative of Canada said the paragraphs in question did not exceed the general procedures or scope of the Committee’s working methods. He asked that his comments be transmitted to the Office of the Controller.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Croatia, El Salvador, Finland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Honduras, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Norway, Panama, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Thailand.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on human rights and extreme poverty (document A/C.3/55/L.55).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Malta, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland, Tanzania and the United Kingdom.
The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.
The United States said it appreciated the work of the Special Rapporteur on human rights and extreme poverty, but could not co-sponsor the current resolution because of concerns regarding several recommendations contained therein.
Action, Draft on the Right to Development
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on the right to development (document A/C.3/55/L.57).
The Secretary again read a letter from the Controller’s Office on what were seen as budget implications in certain paragraphs of the draft.
The representative of Canada once again noted that the paragraph in question was not outside the general scope of the Committee
The representative of Pakistan wondered if the note from the Controller’s office called into question the competence of the Committee.
The representative of India wondered if it was the practice of the Controller’s office to speak on the substantive work of any Committee
The representative of Botswana, speaking on behalf of the non-aligned countries and China, said that his delegation had taken a deliberate decision to present a draft resolution on the right to development that would garner consensus from the Member States of the United Nations. He said he also appreciated the spirit of cooperation shown during negotiations on the text. His delegation stood by its assertion that more than half of humanity still lived in abject poverty. That was not only a cause for concern, it was unacceptable. He was of the firm view that access to clean water, basic healthcare and food, among other necessities, were essential to the enjoyment of human rights -- particularly the right to development. International cooperation was paramount, and in that regard he reiterated that the full realization of the right to development must be addressed in a global context.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, El Salvador, Sweden, Antigua and Barbuda, Croatia and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The representative of Japan said shared commitment was vital to the right to development.
The representative of Cuba said his delegation did not agree with the Committee’s growing inclination to assess situations regarding the availability of resources. That should be left to the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary). In light of the letter from the Office of the Controller, the Committee should respect the principles of the Organization and review its work as regarded questions of the assessment of resources. The Fifth Committee handled those issues, and the Third Committee should not be involved.
The Chairperson said she would convey the Committee’s concerns on the issue to the Controller.
The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Enhancement of International Cooperation in Human Rights Field
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.58), which had been orally revised at its introduction.
El Salvador was added as a co-sponsor.
The draft resolution was orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/55/L.59).
The following were added as co-sponsors: El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda.
A recorded vote was requested.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 103 in favour and 46 against, with 8 abstentions (Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Ukraine and Uzbekistan).
Action, Draft on Human Rights Situation in Myanmar
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/C.3/55/L.38), which included a number of technical corrections to the text.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Netherlands, Slovenia and Albania.
The representative of Myanmar categorically rejected the draft before the Committee, saying that it was highly biased, politicized and lacked credibility. There was no doubt that it was politically motivated as it referred to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in numerous places, giving primacy to her rights while making no mention of other political parties or leaders. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was, ironically, not even entitled to stand for election in Myanmar. It was also his view that the contents of the draft represented views on the situation in Myanmar based on the assessments made by a few States and a Special Rapporteur who exclusively represented their interests. In other words, the draft could not be said to represent the concerns of the international community. Most of the allegations in the draft had been adequately and repeatedly refuted on previous occasions. His delegation could not accept the allegations of “systematic” violations of human rights. Such indiscriminate, arbitrary and reckless labeling clearly demonstrated that the co-sponsors of the draft would go to any lengths to discredit Myanmar. Again he rejected all the allegations in the draft and said that his delegation would disassociate itself from its adoption.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally amended without a vote.
The representative of Japan welcomed the adoption of the draft. She said that the resolution expressed the shared concerns of the international community and the concrete measures to ensure the full protection and promotion of human rights in Myanmar. The draft was not intended to isolate that country from the international community, but to ensure its acceptance of international obligations.
ANNEX I
Vote on Respect for Right to Universal Freedom of Travel
The draft resolution on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/55/L.45) was adopted by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 2 against, with
64 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Albania, United States.
Abstain: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.
Absent: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chad, Comoros, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
ANNEX II
Vote on Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures
The draft resolution on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/55/L.59) was adopted by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 46 against, with 8 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Against: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States,
Abstain: Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,
Absent: Afghanistan, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Kiribati, Lesotho, Maldives, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
* *** *
Third Committee
8 November 2000
52nd Meeting (PM)
Recorded Votes Requested for Drafts
On Right to Travel, Unilateral Coercive Measures
The Assembly will resolutely condemn neo-Nazi type ideologies based on assumptions of racial superiority, according to one of 14 draft resolutions the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) adopted this afternoon without a vote as it met to consider texts based on issues it had debated. The Committee adopted two other resolutions by recorded vote, along with a draft decision, in addition to hearing 10 other resolutions introduced.
By the draft on neo-Nazi type ideologies, the Assembly will further express its determination to resist such behaviours. It will affirm that States are responsible for combating such activities and will call on governments to promote human rights and awareness of the need to fight hateful ideologies. States will be urged to institute measures to eradicate such activities, with the Assembly asking the Secretary-General to include a listing of such measures in his report to the 2001 World Conference on racism.
A related resolution on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and intolerance was also approved without a vote. That draft will have the Assembly express full support for the work of the Special Rapporteur on the issue, and will commend the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for its role in implementing the International Convention on that matter. It will also reaffirm that acts of racist violence are not expressions of opinion, but rather offences which are among the most serious violations of human rights in the contemporary world and merit combat by all available means. The draft decision approved by the Committee this afternoon will refer a decision back to the Committee for the elimination of racial discrimination for further consideration.
By other drafts approved this afternoon, the Assembly will decide to enlarge the membership of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) Executive Committee from 57 to 58 states, and to proclaim 18 December as International Migrant's Day.
Also approved were drafts on the Decade for Human Rights Education
(1995 to 2004); enhancing international cooperation for human rights; strengthening action in human rights by promoting cooperation; and regional arrangements for human rights. Also approved were drafts on eliminating religious intolerance; human rights and extreme poverty; and the right to development. Drafts on the human rights situations in Cambodia and Myanmar were also approved.
By a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 2 against (United States and Albania) with 64 abstaining, the Committee approved a draft on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel (Annex I). By that text, the Assembly will call on States to guarantee that right for all foreign nationals residing in their territory. Also, by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 46 against with
8 abstentions (Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Ukraine and Uzbekistan), the Committee approved a draft on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (Annex II). By its terms, the Assembly will reject those measures as tools for political or economic pressure against a country because of their negative impact on realizing human rights.
Mexico’s representative introduced drafts on protection of migrants and respect for the Charter. The representative of Norway introduced a text on the Declaration of rights and responsibilities regarding human rights.
Egypt introduced a draft on globalization and human rights, while France introduced one on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Finland introduced a draft on extrajudicial executions, the United States introduced one on human rights in south-eastern Europe, and France introduced drafts on human rights in Iran and in Iraq. Finally, Venezuela introduced a draft on human rights in Haiti.
Addressing the Committee with regard to action on resolutions were the representatives of Canada, Mexico, United States, Chile, Cambodia, Syria, Pakistan, India, Botswana, Japan, Cuba, Myanmar and Brazil.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 9 November to continue considering resolutions on a range of issues within its mandate.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to consider resolutions on a range of issues within its mandate.
Resolutions Expected to Be Introduced
A resolution on protecting migrants (document A/C.3/55/L.35) would have the Assembly strongly condemn all forms of racial discrimination and xenophobia with regard to access to employment, vocational training, housing and other services. It would call upon States to review and revise immigration policies to eliminate discriminatory policies and practices against migrants. It would reiterate the need for all States to protect the universally recognized human rights of migrants, and would reaffirm the responsibility of governments to safeguard and protect the rights of migrants. It would urge States to adopt effective measures to end arbitrary arrest and detention of migrants. Finally, the Assembly would welcome close cooperation between the Special Rapporteur on migrants' human rights and the Preparatory Committee for the 2001 World Conference against Racism.
The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Senegal, Togo and Uruguay.
The Assembly would call on States to promote the Declaration concerning the right and responsibility to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms (document A/C.3/55/L.43*). Further, it would invite governments to cooperate with the special representative on human rights defenders and would request the United Nations system to cooperate in implementing the programme.
The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.
A draft on respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter with regard to promoting human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.47) would have the Assembly stress the vital role of the United Nations and regional arrangements in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and in solving international problems of humanitarian character. It would call on States to cooperate in the search for peaceful solutions to international problems of humanitarian character and to comply with principles and norms of international law.
The draft is sponsored by Belarus, Burundi, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Sudan and Tanzania.
By a resolution on globalization and its impact on human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.48), the Assembly would express concern that while globalization held the promise of prosperity, it brought severe challenges for the developing world. It would stress that globalization had to be monitored, and would affirm that globalization was a complex historical process of structural transformations, with numerous interdisciplinary aspects impacting on the enjoyment of rights.
The draft is sponsored by Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, China, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia, Iran, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Suriname and Viet Nam.
By the terms of the draft on promotion of a democratic and equitable international order (document A/C.3/55/L.56), the Assembly would urge States to continue their efforts, through enhanced international cooperation, towards the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order. The Assembly would stress the importance of international cooperation for the establishment of a new equilibrium and greater reciprocity in the international flow of information, in particular correcting the inequalities in the flow of information to and from developing countries.
The Assembly would also stress the importance of preserving the rich and diverse nature of the international community of nations and peoples, as well as respect for national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds in the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights.
The text is sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, China, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, United Republic of Tanzania and Viet Nam.
The Committee had before it a draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (document A/C.3/55/L.60), which would have the Assembly demand that all governments ensure that such executions be brought to an end and take effective action to combat and eliminate the phenomenon in all its forms. The Assembly would strongly condemn once again all such executions that continue to take place throughout the world.
Also, the Assembly would call on the governments of all States in which the death penalty has not been abolished to comply with their obligations under relevant provisions of international human rights instruments. It would also call on governments concerned to investigate promptly and thoroughly cases in various parts of the world of killings committed in the name of passion or in the name of honour, persons killed for reasons related to their peaceful activities as human rights defenders or as journalists and other persons whose right to life has been violated in an extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary manner, to bring those responsible to justice and to ensure that such killings are neither condoned nor sanctioned by government officials.
The text is sponsored by Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Venezuela.
The draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran (document A/C.3/55/L.49) would have the Assembly call on the Government of Iran to, among other things, invite the Special Representative to visit the country and to resume its full cooperation with him, and give effect to its invitation to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to visit Iran. The Assembly would also call on the Government to ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed for crimes other than the most serious, and will not be pronounced in disregard of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and United Nations safeguards, and to provide the Special Representative with relevant statistics on the matter.
In addition, the Assembly would call on the Government to accelerate the process of the investigation into the suspicious deaths and killings of intellectuals and political activists, and to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice; eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds or against persons belonging to minorities, and take further measures to promote full and equal enjoyment by women of their human rights.
The text is sponsored by Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.
Under a draft resolution on human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/55/L.50), the General Assembly would strongly condemn the systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law by the Government of Iraq, resulting in an all-pervasive repression and oppression sustained by broad-based discrimination and terror.
By further terms of the draft, the Assembly would call upon the Government of Iraq to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under international human rights treaties and international humanitarian law and to respect and ensure the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their origin, ethnicity, gender or religion, within its territories and subject to its jurisdiction. The Assembly would also call upon the Government of Iraq to cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, in particular by inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and allowing the stationing of human rights monitors throughout Iraq.
The draft is sponsored by Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Under a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/55/L.64), the General Assembly would stress the need for the Haitian National Police to continue to undertake more effective efforts to improve its performance through, inter alia, technical assistance, and training and education, in order to function efficiently, within a framework of respect for human rights, to curb the alarming increase in insecurity in the country.
Also according to the draft, the Assembly would request all interested governments to make available to the Government of Haiti information and documentation to enable it to prosecute the perpetrators of human rights violations, in order to reinforce the efforts already made by the Haitian authorities to fight against impunity and to facilitate the reconciliation process. The Assembly would also invite the international community, including the Bretton Woods institutions, to consider, when conditions permit, continuing their involvement in the reconstruction and development of Haiti.
The draft is sponsored by Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Monaco, Norway, United States and Venezuela.
Resolutions on Which Action Is Expected
A draft resolution on enlarging the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/55/L.21) would have the Assembly decide to enlarge the membership of that Committee from 57 to 58 States. The Assembly would request the Economic and Social Council to elect the additional member at its resumed organizational session for 2001.
The draft on measures to be taken against neo-Nazi activities and related ideologies and practices based on racial or ethnic discrimination or superiority (document A/C.3/55/L.25/Rev.1) would have the Assembly again resolutely condemn such activities and express its determination to resist them. It would affirm that all States were responsible for combating those activities and would call on governments to promote and encourage respect for human rights as well as to promote awareness of the need to fight hateful ideologies. It would urge States to institute measures for the eradication of such activities and would request the Secretary-General to include a listing of such measures in his report to the 2001 World Conference against racism.
A draft resolution on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and other forms of intolerance (document A/C.3/55/L.26/Rev.1) would have the Assembly express full support for the work of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and related intolerance. It would commend the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for its role in implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. It would reaffirm that acts of racist violence were not expressions of opinion but were, rather, offences, and would declare racism to be among the most serious violations of human rights in the contemporary world, meriting combating by all available means. It would urge States not to condone or ignore any dissemination of ideas and materials based on racial superiority or hatred.
The Assembly would express profound concern about all forms of racism and would unequivocally condemn them, while expressing equal concern about manifestations of racism. It would express great concern about the increase in racial and xenophobic violence all over the world despite all efforts. It would encourage States to include tolerance in their educational agendas and to take all measures to eradicate racism. It would condemn the misuse of the media and new information technologies to incite violence motivated by racial hatred, urging States to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur in fulfilling his mandate, including in examining incidents of contemporary racism against blacks, Arabs, Muslims and Semites.
By Part I of a four-part draft on the Third Decade to Combat Racism and the World Conference against Racism (document A/C.3/55/L.27/Rev.1), the Assembly would urge governments not to ignore dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred. It would urge them to take all necessary measures to combat new forms of racism, in particular by constantly adapting legislative, judicial, administrative, educational and informational means already available. It would urge them to become parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to limit reservations to it. It would also urge them to intensify efforts to meet obligations by declaring illegal and punishable any dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority and the forming of organizations on that basis. Finally, the Assembly would urge governments and the United Nations system to implement the Convention with special attention to the situation of indigenous people.
By Part II of the draft, the Assembly would welcome the slogan adopted by the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against racism, "United to combat racism: equality, justice, dignity". It would ask the Secretary-General to ensure adequate financing for the preparatory process. It would also ask him and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to mobilize resources to fund conference activities. It would welcome regional preparatory conferences by the Council of Europe, Senegal, Iran and Chile to convene regional preparatory meetings within the framework of the World Conference. It would request the High Commissioner for Human Rights to take numerous steps to promote the World Conference, and would call upon various segments of the world community to take similar steps in building momentum for the Conference. The Assembly would welcome the themes for the Conference adopted by the Preparatory Committee, would appeal to States for generous contributions to the World Conference voluntary fund and would decide to hold the Conference in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7 September 2001.
By Part III of the draft, the Assembly would strongly reaffirm the proclamation of 2001 as the International Year of Mobilization Against Racism, and would call upon all actors to observe the Year, including through programmes of action. It would emphasize that the activities be implemented within the framework of the World Conference. By Part IV of the draft, the Assembly would decide to keep the item on its agenda.
By a draft decision submitted by the Chairperson on the Committee to eliminate racial discrimination (document A/C.3/55/L.63), the Assembly would take note of a decision in the Committee's report, deciding to refer an issue back to the Committee for further consideration and consultations with States parties who are members of the Convention against racial discrimination.
The Assembly would decide to proclaim 18 December as International Migrant's Day, by a draft resolution on that issue (document A/C.3/55/L.36) which would also ask the Secretary-General to bring the resolution to the attention of all governments and appropriate intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
A draft resolution on the Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004) and public information activities for human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.37) would take note with appreciation of the High Commissioner's report on the Decade's midterm evaluation. It would urge governments to implement the Programme of Action and to encourage, support and involve national and local non-governmental and community-based organizations in implementing it. Further, it would encourage the Office of the High Commissioner to support national capacity for human rights education activities, and would urge the Department of Public Information (DPI) to utilize Information Centres for the purpose. It would stress the importance of coordination and collaboration between the United Nations system and all actors.
The Assembly would note with concern the continuing problems related to the rule of law and the functioning of the judiciary by a draft text on the situation of human rights in Cambodia (document A/C.3/55/L.39). It would urge the Government to take the necessary measures to develop an effective judicial system, including by adopting the draft statute on magistrates, a penal code and a code on criminal procedures. It would also urge reform of the administration of justice, appealing for international assistance to help achieve that.
Further by the draft, the Assembly would express serious concern about the prevalence of impunity in Cambodia, and would note with serious concern the problem of child labour in its worst forms and the condition of prisons. The Assembly would express grave concern about continued violations of human rights and about the devastating consequences and destabilizing effect of anti-personnel landmines in Cambodian society. It would express concern about the large number of small arms, while commending the Government’s efforts to curb them. Finally, the Assembly would urge an end to racial violence and vilification of ethnic minorities, asking the Secretary-General to report on progress.
By a draft on eliminating all forms of religious intolerance (document A/C.3/55/L.41), the Assembly would urge States to ensure that their constitutional and legal systems provided guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, including by providing for effective remedies in instances of violation. The Assembly would also urge that no one within a State's jurisdiction be deprived of those rights, further urging States to take actions preventing such deprivations. All States would be urged to combat intolerance and acts of violence, as well as to educate public officials against discrimination based on religion or belief. The Assembly would emphasize that restrictions on the right to manifest beliefs should be proscribed only to protect the public welfare, and would express grave concern at any attack upon religious places, sites and shrines. Finally, it would request a number of coordinating steps from the United Nations system, deciding to keep the question under review.
A draft on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/55/L.44) would have the Assembly express its deep concern at the scarcity of means at the disposal of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for fulfilling its tasks. It would note with concern that the Programme of Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in Human Rights did not have sufficient funds to assist national projects. It would welcome cooperation between the Office of the High Commissioner and the others of the United Nations system with regard to the rule of law, affirming the High Commissioner as the focal point for coordinating system-wide attention to the issue. Finally, the Assembly would encourage initiatives for further efforts.
A draft on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/55/L.45) would have the Assembly call on States to guarantee that right for all foreign nationals residing in their territory. It would call on them to allow the free flow of financial remittances and to refrain from legislation intended as a coercive measure discriminating against migrants.
A resolution on strengthening action in the field of human rights through promotion of cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (document A/C.3/55/L.53) would have the Assembly express the conviction that an unbiased approach to human rights issues contributes to promoting both cooperation and securing of those rights. In that context, the Assembly would stress the need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries. It would invite States to adopt measures promoting cooperation in encouraging respect for human rights, and would request the Commission on Human Rights to consider proposals for strengthening action in the field of human rights.
The Assembly would stress the importance of the programme of technical cooperation in the field of human rights by a resolution on regional arrangements for promoting and protecting human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.54). Further, the Assembly would renew its appeal to governments to make use of that programme's offerings in organizing national information or training courses for government personnel on applying the international human rights standards and experience. It would recall and note with interest the regional mechanisms already in place for promoting human rights, and would invite States in areas without such mechanisms to conclude agreements leading to regional machinery for protecting human rights. It would ask the Secretary-General to strengthen exchanges between the United Nations and regional intergovernmental organizations concerned with human rights, also asking him to make available resources from the regular budget of technical cooperation to fund activities of the Office of the High Commissioner intended to promote regional arrangements. Finally, it would ask the Commission on Human Rights to assist countries and offer recommendations, asking the Secretary-General to report on regional arrangements at the Assembly's fifty-seventh session.
The Assembly would reaffirm that extreme poverty and exclusion from society constituted a violation of human dignity, by a resolution on human rights and extreme poverty (document A/C.3/55/L.55). Further, the Assembly would reaffirm that national and international action was required to eliminate those ills, reaffirming also that States must foster participation by the poorest in the decision-making processes of their societies, particularly in the planning and implementing of policies enabling them to become partners in development. The Assembly would emphasize that extreme poverty was a major issue to be addressed by all elements of the international community, and would reaffirm that since widespread absolute poverty rendered democracy fragile, the commitments on development and poverty eradication contained in the Millennium Declaration were also reaffirmed. Inviting the High Commissioner for Human Rights to give attention to the question within the framework of implementing the Decade for eradicating poverty (1997-2006), the Assembly would call upon States and the United Nations system to consider the links between human rights and extreme poverty. Finally, the Assembly would decide to consider the question further at its fifty-seventh session.
A resolution on the right to development (document A/C.3/55/L.57) would have the Assembly reiterate that the essence of that right was the principle that the human person was the central subject of development, and that the right to life included the minimum necessities of life. It would also reiterate that widespread absolute poverty inhibited the enjoyment of human rights and that for peace and stability to endure, national and international action and cooperation were required to eradicate poverty. The Assembly would reaffirm a large number of tenets about democracy, development and respect for human rights, and would welcome the holding of the first session of the Working Group on the Right to Development, encouraging the second session scheduled for January 2001. The Assembly would take note of coordination mechanisms and initiatives within the United Nations system for promoting implementation of the right to development, also urging support for implementing the resolution of the Commission on Human Rights regarding the right to development.
A resolution on enhancing international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.58) would have the Assembly reaffirm that advancement of human rights was a purpose of the United Nations and a responsibility of all States. It would further reaffirm that such advancement of rights should be guided by the principles of universality, non-selectivity, objectivity and transparency, as set out in the Charter, calling for dialogue and consultations to enhance understanding of rights.
A draft text on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/55/L.59) would have the Assembly reject unilateral coercive measures, with all their extraterritorial effects as tools for political or economic pressure against any country, because of their negative effects on the realizing of human rights. It would reaffirm the right of all peoples to self-determination and would urge the Commission on Human Rights to take fully into account the negative impact of such measures in its task of implementing the right to development. It would ask the High Commissioner to give priority to the present resolution in her annual report to the Assembly, and would ask the Secretary-General to bring the resolution to the attention of States.
By a resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/C.3/55/L.38), the Assembly would urge the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, deploring the continuing violations of human rights in the country. It would further urge the Government to cease activities aimed at preventing the free exercise of human rights, strongly urging it to release all detained political leaders and to take into account the assurances it had given on various occasions to take steps towards restoring democracy.
The Assembly would note with grave concern that the Government had failed to cease its widespread and systematic use of forced labour of its own people or to implement recommendations of the International Labour Organization, strongly urging it to enact legislation against such practices. Further deploring violations of human rights and the recruitment of child soldiers, the Assembly would express its grave concern at the high rates of malnutrition among children and the growing incidence of HIV/AIDS infection. It would urge the Government to end the systematic displacement of people, and would strongly urge it to implement the recommendations made by the Committee on eliminating discrimination against women, as well as to ensure full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Introduction of Drafts
The representative of Mexico introduced a draft resolution on the protection of migrants (document A/C.3/55/L.35).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Sri Lanka, Armenia and Paraguay.
The representative of Norway introduced a draft resolution on the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (document A/C.3/55/L.43).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Morocco, Niger and Sri Lanka.
The representative of Cuba introduced a draft resolution on respect for the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations to achieve international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and in solving international problems of humanitarian character (document A/C.3/55/L.47).
Guinea and Namibia were added as co-sponsors.
The representative of Egypt introduced a draft resolution on globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.48).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Sudan, Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Syria, Togo, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Botswana, Barbados, Mali, Malaysia and Eritrea.
The representative of France introduced a draft resolution on the question of enforced or involuntary disappearances (document A/C.3/55/L.52).
Canada and Morocco were added as co-sponsors.
The representative of Finland introduced a draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (document A/C.3/55/L.60), including a number of technical revisions to the text.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Malta and New Zealand.
The representative of Cuba introduced a draft resolution on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order (document A/C.3/55/L.56).
Namibia was added as a co-sponsor.
The representative of France introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (document A/C.3/55/L.49).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Malta, Luxembourg, Norway, Canada, Estonia and Latvia.
The Czech Republic was deleted as a co-sponsor.
The representative of France, on behalf of the European Union, introduced a draft resolution on the human rights situation in Iraq (document A/C.3/55/L.50).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Malta, Luxembourg, Norway, New Zealand, Latvia, Estonia and Czech Republic.
The representative of Venezuela introduced a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Haiti (document A/C.3/55/L.64).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom and Uruguay.
Action, Draft on Enlargement of UNHCR Executive Committee
The Committee took up a draft resolution on enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (document A/C.3/55/L.21).
The resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Draft on Measures against Neo-Nazi Activities
The Committee took up the draft resolution of measures to be taken against neo-Nazi activities and any ideologies and practices based on racial or ethnic discrimination or superiority (document A/C.3/55/L.25/Rev.1).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Cuba, Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Kazahkstan.
Along with a number of technical revisions, the representative of Belarus, who had introduced the draft earlier, read its new title: “Measures to be taken against political platforms and activities based on doctrines of superiority, which are based on racial discrimination or ethnic exclusiveness and xenophobia including, in particular, neo-Nazism”.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Measures to Combat Contemporary Forms of Racism
The Committee next took up the draft resolution on measures to combat contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (document A/C.3/55/L.26/Rev.1), including a number of technical revisions.
The Secretary read a letter from the Comptroller drawing the Committee’s attention to concerns on budget implications contained in the draft resolution.
The representative of Canada said that the portions of the resolution in question were well within the Committee's purview.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Korea, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
The representative of Mexico noted that its co-sponsorship was related to another draft, not the one currently under consideration.
The representative of the United States said that her delegation was pleased to join consensus, but could not co-sponsor the resolution and would make a statement in explanation of position in plenary.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
The Committee next took note of a draft decision on decision 1(56) contained in the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, submitted by the Chairperson on the basis of informal consultations, contained in document A/C.3/55L.63.
Action, Proclamation of 18 December as International Migrant’s Day
The representative of Mexico introduced a draft resolution on the Proclamation of 18 December as International Migrant’s Day (document A/C.3/55/L.36).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Belize, Benin, Panama, Senegal, Togo Yemen, Burkina Faso, Republic of Moldova and Côte d’Ivoire.
The resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Draft of United Nations Decade for Human Rights
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995-2004, and public information activities in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.37) including some minor revisions to the text.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Azerbaijan, Belize, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Djibouti, Eritrea Guinea, Haiti, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Paraguay, Senegal, Costa Rica, Honduras, Micronesia, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire and Dominican Republic
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia
The Committee took up the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Cambodia (document A/C.3/55/L.39), including a number of technical corrections to the text made at its introduction.
The Secretary read a letter from the Office of the Controller concerning what were perceived as budget implications in certain paragraphs of the draft.
The representative of Canada said that the paragraphs in question were calling for no action that was outside the purview of the Committee’s general practices.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
The Committee next took up the draft text on promoting and consolidating democracy (document A/C.3/55/L.40).
Consideration of that draft was deferred after the representative of Libya expressed concerns about the meaning of the reference to "financial institutions" in operative paragraphs 9 and 10.
The Committee also decided to defer consideration of a draft resolution on strengthening the rule of law (document A/C.3/55/L.44).
Action, Respect for Right to Universal Freedom of Travel
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/55/L.45), with a number of technical revisions to the text.
A recorded vote was called.
In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Chile said he would vote in favour of the resolution because his amendment had been accepted by the sponsor.
The resolution was approved by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to
2 against (United States and Albania) with 64 abstaining.
In explanation of the vote after the vote, the representative of Mexico said she had voted in favour because the text embodied elements of particular importance to the protection of migrants. However freedom of travel was a right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She emphasized that the right in question applied to persons, independent of whether or not they were migrants.
The representative of the United States said her country had voted against the resolution because of a bilateral aspect that should not have been included in the text.
Action, Strengthening United Nations Action in Human Rights Field
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on strengthening United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity (document A/C.3/55/L.53).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Ethiopia
The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Regional Arrangements for Human Rights Promotion and Protection
The Committee next took up the draft resolution on regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.54), which included a small technical revision to the text.
The Secretary read a letter from the Controller’s Office containing what were thought to be budget implications in a specific paragraph of the resolution.
The representative of Canada said the paragraphs in question did not exceed the general procedures or scope of the Committee’s working methods. He asked that his comments be transmitted to the Office of the Controller.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Croatia, El Salvador, Finland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Honduras, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Norway, Panama, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Thailand.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on human rights and extreme poverty (document A/C.3/55/L.55).
The following were added as co-sponsors: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Malta, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland, Tanzania and the United Kingdom.
The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.
The United States said it appreciated the work of the Special Rapporteur on human rights and extreme poverty, but could not co-sponsor the current resolution because of concerns regarding several recommendations contained therein.
Action, Draft on the Right to Development
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on the right to development (document A/C.3/55/L.57).
The Secretary again read a letter from the Controller’s Office on what were seen as budget implications in certain paragraphs of the draft.
The representative of Canada once again noted that the paragraph in question was not outside the general scope of the Committee
The representative of Pakistan wondered if the note from the Controller’s office called into question the competence of the Committee.
The representative of India wondered if it was the practice of the Controller’s office to speak on the substantive work of any Committee
The representative of Botswana, speaking on behalf of the non-aligned countries and China, said that his delegation had taken a deliberate decision to present a draft resolution on the right to development that would garner consensus from the Member States of the United Nations. He said he also appreciated the spirit of cooperation shown during negotiations on the text. His delegation stood by its assertion that more than half of humanity still lived in abject poverty. That was not only a cause for concern, it was unacceptable. He was of the firm view that access to clean water, basic healthcare and food, among other necessities, were essential to the enjoyment of human rights -- particularly the right to development. International cooperation was paramount, and in that regard he reiterated that the full realization of the right to development must be addressed in a global context.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, El Salvador, Sweden, Antigua and Barbuda, Croatia and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The representative of Japan said shared commitment was vital to the right to development.
The representative of Cuba said his delegation did not agree with the Committee’s growing inclination to assess situations regarding the availability of resources. That should be left to the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary). In light of the letter from the Office of the Controller, the Committee should respect the principles of the Organization and review its work as regarded questions of the assessment of resources. The Fifth Committee handled those issues, and the Third Committee should not be involved.
The Chairperson said she would convey the Committee’s concerns on the issue to the Controller.
The draft resolution was adopted without a vote.
Action, Enhancement of International Cooperation in Human Rights Field
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights (document A/C.3/55/L.58), which had been orally revised at its introduction.
El Salvador was added as a co-sponsor.
The draft resolution was orally revised without a vote.
Action, Draft on Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/55/L.59).
The following were added as co-sponsors: El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda.
A recorded vote was requested.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 103 in favour and 46 against, with 8 abstentions (Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Ukraine and Uzbekistan).
Action, Draft on Human Rights Situation in Myanmar
The Committee next took up a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (document A/C.3/55/L.38), which included a number of technical corrections to the text.
The following were added as co-sponsors: Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Netherlands, Slovenia and Albania.
The representative of Myanmar categorically rejected the draft before the Committee, saying that it was highly biased, politicized and lacked credibility. There was no doubt that it was politically motivated as it referred to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in numerous places, giving primacy to her rights while making no mention of other political parties or leaders. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was, ironically, not even entitled to stand for election in Myanmar. It was also his view that the contents of the draft represented views on the situation in Myanmar based on the assessments made by a few States and a Special Rapporteur who exclusively represented their interests. In other words, the draft could not be said to represent the concerns of the international community. Most of the allegations in the draft had been adequately and repeatedly refuted on previous occasions. His delegation could not accept the allegations of “systematic” violations of human rights. Such indiscriminate, arbitrary and reckless labeling clearly demonstrated that the co-sponsors of the draft would go to any lengths to discredit Myanmar. Again he rejected all the allegations in the draft and said that his delegation would disassociate itself from its adoption.
The draft resolution was adopted as orally amended without a vote.
The representative of Japan welcomed the adoption of the draft. She said that the resolution expressed the shared concerns of the international community and the concrete measures to ensure the full protection and promotion of human rights in Myanmar. The draft was not intended to isolate that country from the international community, but to ensure its acceptance of international obligations.
ANNEX I
Vote on Respect for Right to Universal Freedom of Travel
The draft resolution on respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (document A/C.3/55/L.45) was adopted by a recorded vote of 94 in favour to 2 against, with
64 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Albania, United States.
Abstain: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.
Absent: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chad, Comoros, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
ANNEX II
Vote on Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures
The draft resolution on human rights and unilateral coercive measures (document A/C.3/55/L.59) was adopted by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 46 against, with 8 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Against: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States,
Abstain: Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,
Absent: Afghanistan, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Kiribati, Lesotho, Maldives, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
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