A/48/PV.85 General Assembly

Monday, Dec. 20, 1993 — Session 48, Meeting 85 — UN Document ↗ — OCR ✓ — ⓘ 118 unattributed speechs — ⚠ 7 duplicate speechs
▶ This meeting at a glance
169
Speeches
34
Countries
43
Resolutions
Resolutions: 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, A/48/626/Add.1, 32/95, 31/127, 32/97, 32/98, 32/99, 32/100, 32/101, 39/192, 34/131, 40/229, 40/230, 37//6/, 48/137, 40/233, 36/170, 48/140, 32/127, 32/128, A/48/L.57, A/48/L.29, A/48/L.30, A/48/L.31/Rev.1, A/48/L.36, 48/161, A/48/L.33, A/RES/48/158A, A/RES/48/158B, A/RES/48/158C, A/RES/48/92, A/RES/48/94, A/RES/48/101, A/RES/48/123, A/RES/48/124, A/RES/48/131, A/RES/48/142, A/RES/48/144, A/RES/48/145, A/RES/48/147, A/RES/48/158D
Topics
UN resolutions and decisions Human rights and rule of law General statements and positions Security Council deliberations Peacekeeping support and operations Arab political groupings

The meeting was called to order at 3.30 p.m.
Vote: A/RES/48/92 Recorded Vote
✓ 108   ✗ 14   39 abs.
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✓ Yes (108)
Vote: A/RES/48/94 Recorded Vote
✓ 101   ✗ 26   37 abs.
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✓ Yes (101)
Vote: A/RES/48/101 Recorded Vote
✓ 119   ✗ 1   49 abs.
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✓ Yes (119)
Vote: A/RES/48/123 Recorded Vote
✓ 115   ✗ 34   21 abs.
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✓ Yes (115)
Vote: A/RES/48/124 Recorded Vote
✓ 101   ✗ 51   17 abs.
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✓ Yes (101)
Vote: A/RES/48/131 Recorded Vote
✓ 153   ✗ 0   13 abs.
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✓ Yes (153)
Vote: A/RES/48/142 Recorded Vote
✓ 74   ✗ 20   61 abs.
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✓ Yes (74)
Vote: A/RES/48/144 Recorded Vote
✓ 116   ✗ 2   43 abs.
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✗ No (2)
✓ Yes (116)
Vote: A/RES/48/145 Recorded Vote
✓ 74   ✗ 23   51 abs.
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✓ Yes (74)
Vote: A/RES/48/147 Recorded Vote
✓ 111   ✗ 13   30 abs.
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✓ Yes (111)
Vote: A/RES/48/158D Recorded Vote
✓ 92   ✗ 5   51 abs.
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✓ Yes (92)

108.  , 109 , 110 to 115 , 172 , 12 RIGHT OF PEOPLES TO SELF-DETERMINATION (a) R I G H T O F P E O P L E S T O S E L F - DETERMINATION: REPORT OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE (PART I) (A/48/626) (b) EFFECTIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO S E L F - D E T E R M I N A T I O N T H R O U G H AUTONOMY: REPORT OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE (PART II) (A/48/626/Add.1) SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE WORLD SOCIAL SITUATION AND TO YOUTH, AGEING, DISABLED PERSONS AND THE FAMILY: REPORT OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE (A/48/627) CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE: REPORT OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE (A/48/628) ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN: REPORT OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE (A/48/629) INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL: REPORT OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE (A/48/630) This record is subject to correction. Corrections should be sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned within one week of the date of publication to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Section, Room C-178, and incorporated in a copy of the record. When the result of a recorded and/or roll-call vote is followed by an asterisk, see the annex to the record.

Monday, 20 December 1993 at 3 p.m.

38.  AND 39 E L I M I N A T I O N O F A P A R T H E I D A N D ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNITED, DEMOCRATIC AND NON-RACIAL SOUTH AFRICA (a) REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID (A/48/22) (b) REPORT OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP TO MONITOR THE SUPPLY AND SHIPPING OF OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS TO SOUTH AFRICA (A/48/43) (c) REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (A/48/467 and Add.1, A/48/523, A/48/691) (d) REPORT OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE (FOURTH COMMITTEE) (A/48/657) (e) DRAFT RESOLUTIONS (A/48/L.29, A/48/L.30, A/48/L.31/Rev.1, A/48/L.36) (f) REPORT OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE (A/48/788) UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA (a) REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (A/48/524) (b) DRAFT RESOLUTION (A/48/L.37) The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions A/48/L.29, A/48/L.30, A/48/L.31/Rev.1, A/48/L.36 and A/48/L.37. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of draft resolutions A/48/L.29, A/48/L.30 and A/48/L.31/Rev.1 is contained in document A/48/788. We turn first to draft resolution A/48/L.29, entitled "International efforts towards the total eradication of apartheid and support for the establishment of a united, non- racial and democratic South Africa". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/48/L.29?

Vote: A/48/L.29 Consensus
The President unattributed #17504
The Assembly will consider first part I of the report (A/48/626) of the Third Committee on sub-item (a) of agenda item 108, entitled "Right of peoples to self-determination". The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 18 of part I of its report. Draft resolution I is entitled "Use of mercenaries as a means to violate human rights and to impede the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination". The voting process has now begun. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Against: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey

40.  The Situation in Central America: Procedures for the Establishment of a Firm and Lasting Peace and Progress in Fashioning a Region of Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Development (A) Report of the Secretary-General (A/48/586) (C) Report of the Fifth Committee (A/48/789)

Vote: 48/161 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted by 108 votes to 14, with 39 abstentions (resolution 48/92).*
Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 108   ✗ 14   39 abs.
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The President unattributed #17505
Draft resolution II is entitled "Universal realization of the right of peoples to selfdetermination". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: A/48/L.30 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/93).
The President unattributed #17507
Draft resolution III is entitled "Importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights". The voting process has now begun. A recorded vote has been requested.
Vote: 32/132 Consensus

35.  Question of Palestine (A) Report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (A/48/35) (B) Report of the Secretary-General (A/48/607) (C) Draft Resolutions (A/48/L.41, A/48/L.42, A/48/L.43, A/48/L.44, A/48/L.45) (D) Report of the Fifth Committee (A/48/787)

Vote: A/RES/48/158A Recorded Vote
✓ 106   ✗ 3   40 abs.
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✓ Yes (106)
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: A/48/L.31/Rev.1 Consensus
Draft resolution III was adopted by 101 votes to 26, with 37 abstentions (resolution 48/94).*
The President unattributed #17508
I call on the representative of Mongolia for an explanation of vote.

56.  Restructuring and Revitalization of the United Nations in the Economic, Social and Related Fields (A) Report of the Secretary-General (A/48/639) (B) Draft Resolution (A/48/L.33) (C) Report of the Fifth Committee (A/48/790)

Vote: A/48/L.33 Consensus
Vote: A/RES/48/158B Recorded Vote
✓ 107   ✗ 2   41 abs.
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✓ Yes (107)
Ms. Enkhtsetseg MNG Mongolia #17511
My delegation cast a positive vote in favour of draft resolution III, entitled "Importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights". We did so because support for the right of peoples to selfdetermination has always been my Government’s consistent policy and position of principle. While my delegation fully supports the general thrust of the resolution, we would have preferred more balanced language in some paragraphs, in particular, paragraph 2, to
Vote: 31/125 Recorded Vote
✓ 101   ✗ 26   37 abs.
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Vote: A/48/L.36 Consensus
The President unattributed #17513
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 108?
It was so decided.
Vote: A/RES/48/158C Recorded Vote
✓ 147   ✗ 2   2 abs.
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (147)
The President unattributed #17515
The Assembly will now consider part II of the report (A/48/626/Add.1) of the Third Committee on sub-item (b) of agenda item 108, entitled "Effective realization of the right of self-determination through autonomy". Members will recall that, in accordance with the decision taken by the General Assembly at its 3rd plenary meeting, on 24 September, sub-item (b) of agenda item 108 was introduced at the Assembly’s 36th plenary meeting on 25 October. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 11 of part III of its report. The draft decision was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed #17516
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 108 as well as its consideration of agenda item 108 as a whole?
It was so decided.
Vote: A/48/626/Add.1 Consensus
The President unattributed #17518
The Assembly will now consider the report (A/48/627) of the Third Committee on agenda item 109, entitled "Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family". The Assembly has before it six draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 28 of that report and one draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 29. The Assembly will first take decisions on the six draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 28 of its report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "Positive and full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 48/95).
The President unattributed #17520
Draft resolution II is entitled "Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities". The Third Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/96).
The President unattributed #17521
Draft resolution III is entitled "International Day of Disabled Persons". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 48/97).
The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution IV, entitled "Implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing", was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 48/98).
The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution V, which is entitled "Towards full integration of persons with disabilities in society: a continuing world programme of action", was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 48/99).
The President unattributed #17522
Draft resolution VI is entitled "World Summit for Social Development". The Third Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 48/100).
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The PRESIDENT: The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 29 of its report (A/48/627). The draft decision, entitled "Documents considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family", was adopted by the Third Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President unattributed #17524
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 109?
It was so decided.
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
The President unattributed #17526
The Assembly will now consider the report (A/48/628) of the Third Committee on agenda item 110, entitled "Crime prevention and criminal justice". The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 18 of that report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Draft resolution I was adopted by 119 votes to 1, with 49 abstentions (resolution 48/101).
The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution II, which is entitled "Prevention of alien smuggling", was adopted by the Third Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/102).
The President unattributed #17527
Draft resolution III is entitled "Crime prevention and criminal justice". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 48/103).
The President unattributed duplicate #17528
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 110?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17530
The Assembly will now consider the report (A/48/629) of the Third Committee on agenda item 111, entitled "Advancement of women". The Assembly will now take a decision on the eight draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 23 of that report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "Declaration on the elimination of violence against women". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 48/104).
The President unattributed #17531
Draft resolution II is entitled "International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women". The Third Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly also wishes to do so?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/105).
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 48/106).
The President unattributed #17533
Draft resolution IV is entitled "United Nations Development Fund for Women". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 48/107).
The President unattributed #17535
Draft resolution V is entitled "Implementation of the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 48/108).
The President unattributed #17536
Draft resolution VI is entitled "Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas". The Third Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 48/109).
The President unattributed #17538
Draft resolution VII is entitled "Violence against women migrant workers". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly also wishes to do so?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 48/110).
The President unattributed #17539
Draft resolution VIII is entitled "Merger of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Development Fund for Women". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 48/111).
The President unattributed #17541
I call now on representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote.
Mr. Trottier CAN Canada #17544
My delegation was pleased to join in the consensus on draft resolution I, "Declaration on the elimination of violence against women". The Declaration is a significant step forward in dealing with a problem that is all too common throughout the world, and in all societies. The Declaration is the first United Nations We are pleased that the Declaration was adopted by consensus. My delegation takes particular satisfaction in the adoption of the Declaration, as it derives from a 1991 Canadian initiative in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Ms. Wong AUS Australia #17547
Australia warmly welcomes the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. Adoption of the Declaration is a significant indication of the international commitment to the elimination of violence against women, and a major step towards that end. Adoption of the Declaration significantly reinforces our common commitment, enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to promote universal respect for fundamental human rights and the equal rights of women and men. Adoption of the Declaration is an important expression of support for the human rights of women and for the work of the United Nations in promoting equality for women. We have long recognized the need to have women’s rights accepted more fully as human rights, and to have violence against women properly recognized as the human rights violation that it is. In that context, we also look forward to the appointment at the next session of the Commission on Human Rights of a special rapporteur on violence against women. We must now maintain the momentum in our endeavours to bring an end to so fundamental a human rights violation suffered by women. We look forward to further follow-up next year at the Commission on the Status of Women.
Mrs. LIMJUCO PHL Philippines #17549
We welcome the adoption of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, and we hope it will be the beginning of a new era for women.
Mr. McKINNON NZL New Zealand #17552
I would like to join the representatives of Canada, Australia and the Philippines in extending a particular welcome to the adoption of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. My delegation would wish to pay a tribute to those agencies and individuals that have helped develop the Declaration. In the view of my Government, the Declaration is a very important addition to the body of international human rights instruments. It underlines that the adoption of the Declaration by the international community sends an unambiguous message that all forms of gender-based violence are unacceptable. My Government expresses the hope that the adoption of this Declaration by the General
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
The President unattributed duplicate #17554
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 111?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17555
We shall now consider the report of the Third Committee (A/48/630) on agenda item 112, entitled "International drug control". The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of that report. The draft resolution is entitled "International action to combat drug abuse and illicit production and trafficking". The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/112).
The President unattributed duplicate #17557
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 112?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17559
The Assembly will now proceed to consider the report of the Third Committee (A/48/631) on agenda item 113, entitled "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions". The Assembly will take a decision on the six draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 31 of that report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "Convening of a United Nations conference for the comprehensive consideration and review of the problems of refugees, returnees, displaced persons and migrants". The Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 48/113).
The President unattributed #17561
Draft resolution II is entitled "Emergency international assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Azerbaijan". The Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? The Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/114).
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 48/115).
The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution IV, entitled "Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees", was adopted by the Third Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 48/116).
The President unattributed #17563
Draft resolution V is entitled "International Conference on Central American Refugees". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 48/117).
The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution VI, entitled "Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa", was adopted by the Third Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 48/118).
The President unattributed #17565
I call on the representative of the United States of America, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote.
Mr. Marrero USA United States of America #17567
The United States delegation did not participate in the adoption of draft resolution VI, entitled "Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa", under agenda item 113, for the reasons we have previously stated in the Third Committee.
The President unattributed #17569
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 113?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17570
We turn now to part I of the report of the Third Committee (A/48/632) on agenda item 114, entitled "Human rights questions". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to take note of part I of the report?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17571
The Assembly will now consider part II of the report of the Third Committee (A/48/632/Add.1) on agenda item 114 (a), entitled "Implementation of human rights instruments". The Assembly will take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 11 of that report. Draft resolution I is entitled "International Covenants on Human Rights". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 48/119).
The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution II, entitled "Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights", was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/120).
The President unattributed #17572
May I take it that it is the Assembly’s wish to conclude this stage of its consideration of agenda item 114 (a)?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17573
The Assembly will now consider parts III and V (A/48/632/Add.2 and 4) of the report of the Third Committee on sub-item (b) of agenda item 114, entitled "Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms". The Assembly will first consider part III (A/48/632/Add.2). In accordance with the decision taken at the 84th meeting, I call on the representative of Bolivia.
Mr. Camacho Omiste BOL Plurinational State of Bolivia [Spanish] #17574
The delegation of Bolivia has asked to speak in order to refer, under agenda item 114 (b), to the proclamation of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People by draft resolution XI, which we cosponsored. While we feel that pueblos, the word we use in Bolivia, is more appropriate than the poblociones used in the Spanish title of the draft resolution, my delegation fully supports the In Bolivia - as the President of our Republic, Mr. Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, told the Assembly - we do not merely pay lip service to indigenous participation in our Government. We are proud that after 500 years an Aymará indigenous person, Mr. Victor Hugo Cárdenas, a man of great intellect, is the Republic’s constitutional Vice- President. His presence, along with that of other important leaders at the highest levels of the Executive and in the Parliament, is conclusive proof that in Bolivia we are ready to remedy age-old injustices of exclusion and marginalization. This shows the changes we are making, going beyond promises and statements. Our belief is that in our country, and at the world level, we have to achieve unity through diversity. The Government of Bolivia is, through me, expressing its particular interest in this item. We would commend the General Assembly for its proclamation of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, and we express our deepest desire that effective follow-up action will be taken in planning the Decade so that it may be highly successful. Because of Bolivia’s great interest in this question of indigenous peoples, my Government wishes formally to extend an invitation for the first meeting to prepare the programme of activities and projects for the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People to be held in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, in the first quarter of 1994. Details will be worked out with the Secretary-General and relevant United Nations bodies. The Government of Bolivia hopes that this initiative will be given proper attention.
The President unattributed #17575
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their votes or positions before the voting.
Mr. Fernandez Palacios CUB Cuba [Spanish] #17576
Draft resolution XII, entitled "Enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections", continues along a road which is taking it further away from the norms established by Member States in respect of national electoral procedures. The draft resolution makes the legitimacy of elections, which are sovereign acts of States and peoples, contingent on an assessment made by the United Nations, at the same time subordinating the granting of electoral assistance to the results of that assessment, which violates the principle of The United Nations must confine itself to facilitating assistance requested of it by a decision of the appropriate intergovernmental bodies. It is in no way appropriate for the Electoral Assistance Unit to assume functions belonging to Member States. The Electoral Assistance Unit has neither the right nor the power to monitor the political institutions of States or to provide guidance to them on developing their institutions, whether under pretexts relating to the provision of electoral assistance or any other pretext. Paragraphs 3 and 4, which are included in the text for the first time, are an attempt to transform the United Nations Electoral Assistance Unit into an instrument for political interference and ideological influence in States which request electoral assistance. My delegation also has serious reservations about the content of paragraphs 9 and 10, which we believe are further proof of what seems to be becoming a dangerous practice in the work of the Third Committee. We believe that it is time to abide by the provisions of resolution 45/248 B, which reaffirmed that the Fifth Committee is the appropriate Main Committee of the General Assembly entrusted with responsibilities for administrative and budgetary matters. At the same time, concern was expressed over the tendency of substantive Committees and other intergovernmental bodies to involve themselves with administrative and budgetary matters. We must recall, as we did last year, that the guidelines mentioned in paragraph 10, a revised version of which has now been requested, have never been considered or approved by Member States. For all of these reasons, Cuba will not be able to vote in favour of, or to accept a consensus on, this draft resolution.
Ms. FENG Cui CHN China [Chinese] #17577
The Chinese delegation will support draft resolution XI on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, which is contained in document A/48/632/Add.2. The Chinese delegation would like, before casting its vote, to make the following observations. First, there is not at present any clear definition of "indigenous people". However, it is universally recognized that "indigenous people" and "national minority" are completely different concepts and that the protection of the rights of minority nationalities and the restoration of the We hope that, in organizing activities in respect of indigenous people and in preparing the relevant documents and publications, the United Nations Secretariat and the relevant bodies of the United Nations system will avoid unnecessary complication by ensuring that "national minority" is not confused with "indigenous people". Secondly, China has always been a unified country embracing many nationalities. All 56 Chinese nationalities are original inhabitants of China. They have been there throughout a long process of history. Unlike some other regions of the world, China does not have what are referred to as "indigenous people". Thirdly, the Chinese Government supports the General Assembly’s declaration of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. We hope that the United Nations and the relevant international organizations and countries will work effectively in organizing the activities of the Decade. The Chinese delegation states these positions so that they may be reflected in the records of the Assembly.
Mrs. LIMJUCO PHL Philippines #17578
I should like to refer to draft resolution VIII in part III of the report (A/48/632/Add.2), which is entitled "Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance". My delegation would have become a sponsor of this draft resolution had not the 13-hour difference between my capital and New York prevented our receipt of timely advice on the matter.
The President unattributed #17579
The Assembly now has before it 21 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 88 of part III of its report (A/48/632/Add.2). I shall put these draft resolutions to the Assembly individually - with the exception of draft resolution XI, action on which is postponed until tomorrow afternoon. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their votes. Draft resolution I is entitled "World Conference on Human Rights". The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/48/795. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 48/121).
The President unattributed #17580
Draft resolution II is entitled "Human rights and terrorism". The Third Committee
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/122).
The President unattributed #17581
Draft resolution III is entitled "Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms". The voting process has now begun. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 115 votes to 34, with 21 abstentions (resolution 48/123).
The President unattributed #17582
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Respect for the principles of national sovereignty and noninterference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 101 votes to 51, with 17 abstentions (resolution 48/124).
The President unattributed #17583
Draft resolution V is entitled "Strengthening of United Nations action in the human rights field through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 48/125).
The President unattributed #17584
Draft resolution VI is entitled "United Nations year for tolerance". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 48/126).
The President unattributed #17585
Draft resolution VII is entitled "Human rights education decade". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 48/127).
The President unattributed #17586
Draft resolution VIII is entitled "Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 48/128).
The President unattributed #17587
Draft resolution IX is entitled "Strengthening of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IX was adopted (resolution 48/129).
The President unattributed #17588
Draft resolution X is entitled "Right to development". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution X without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution X was adopted (resolution 48/130).
The President unattributed #17589
Members will recall that, as indicated earlier, action on draft resolution XI, entitled "International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People", is postponed until tomorrow afternoon.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President unattributed #17590
A separate, recorded vote has been requested on operative paragraph 4.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President unattributed #17591
I now put to the vote draft resolution XII as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XII, as a whole, was adopted by 153 votes to none, with 13 abstentions (resolution 48/131).
Vote: 32/100 Consensus
The President unattributed #17592
Draft resolution XIII is entitled "Strengthening of the rule of law". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XIII was adopted (resolution 48/132).
The President unattributed #17593
Draft resolution XIV is entitled "International Year of the World’s Indigenous People, 1993". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XIV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/101 Consensus
Draft resolution XIV was adopted (resolution 48/133).
The President unattributed #17594
Draft resolution XV is entitled "National institutions for the promotion and protection of
Draft resolution XV was adopted (resolution 48/134).
The President unattributed #17595
Draft resolution XVI is entitled "Internally displaced persons". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XVI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XVI was adopted (resolution 48/135).
The President unattributed #17596
Draft resolution XVII is entitled "Plight of street children". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XVII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVII was adopted (resolution 48/136).
The President unattributed #17597
Draft resolution XVIII is entitled "Human rights in the administration of justice". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XVIII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XVIII was adopted (resolution 48/137).
The President unattributed #17598
Draft resolution XIX is entitled "Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XIX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 39/192 Consensus
Draft resolution XIX was adopted (resolution 48/138).
The President unattributed #17599
Draft resolution XX is entitled "Human rights and mass exoduses". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XX without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XX was adopted (resolution 48/139).
Vote: 34/131 Consensus
The President unattributed #17600
Draft resolution XXI is entitled "Human rights and scientific and technological progress". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XXI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XXI was adopted (resolution 48/140).
The President unattributed #17601
We shall now consider part V (A/48/632/Add.4) of the report of the Third Committee on sub-item (b) of agenda item 114.
Vote: 40/229 Consensus
Mr. Hyon PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #17602
My delegation would like to explain its position on the establishment of a High Commissioner for the promotion and protection of all human rights, proposed in document A/48/632/Add.4. The delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea made it clear at the World Conference on Human Rights and in the Third Committee that it opposed the establishment of the post of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is a well-known fact that in international relations the sovereignty of independent States is being interfered with, unreasonable pressure is being imposed, and partiality, double standards and selectivity are being enforced under the pretext of the human rights issue. It is indeed regrettable that even international treaties and instruments are being abused by some countries or groups of countries for political purposes. Several developing countries have been victimized. Given those circumstances it is by no means an accident that many developing countries expressed concern at the Vienna Conference and at this session of the General Assembly, in particular in meetings of the Working Group of the Third Committee, about whether the proposed post could truly contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights, in conformity with the United Nations Charter. Based on the views I have just expressed, my delegation believes that the establishment of the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights should not have been discussed until the United Nations had been truly democratized. Only then would international cooperation in the field of human rights be constructive and based on principles of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization, and thereby enable due progress to be made in international efforts for the promotion of human rights. My delegation would stress that if the post of High Commissioner that is to be established is abused through its use as a tool for infringing upon the sovereignty of other countries, in a manner incompatible with its mandate - and, in particular, with the Charter of the United Nations - this will be resolutely rejected.
Mr. Elaraby EGY Egypt [Arabic] #17603
I should like at the outset to express my delegation’s appreciation to Ambassador Eliasson on the success of his outstanding and tireless efforts. The idea of establishing the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has been the subject of deliberation in United Nations forums for nearly half a century. While the reality of the world political situation had prevented the achievement of that aim in the past, the consensus that has been achieved in the form of the draft resolution before us today is, by its very nature, a compromise between various alternative proposals concerning the nature of the post that were characterized by significant conceptual and philosophical differences. The nature and thrust of the final agreement reached, therefore, differs from the alternatives previously submitted. There is no doubt that the establishment of this post through an international convention would have lent its mandate an obligatory character and would have imparted a new and unprecedented dimension to the activities of the United Nations in the field of human rights. It is a virtual certainty that a thorough assessment of the activities of the United Nations in the field of human rights and an evaluation of its existing mechanisms with a view to determining their current effectiveness and their future suitability to the role of the organization would have contributed significantly to the drafting of a more clearly defined mandate for the office of High Commissioner. Now that it has been decided to establish a post of High Commissioner for Human Rights and that agreement has been reached on its mandate, it is of the utmost importance to reaffirm several basic principles that will govern the High Commissioner’s work and the fulfilment of his mandate. The responsibility for the universal promotion and protection of human rights without discrimination or selectivity between civil and political rights, on the one hand, and economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, on the other hand, is a cardinal principle. The universality of human rights and the universal nature of the High Commissioner’s mandate confer upon the Commissioner a responsibility whose impartial fulfilment will directly reflect on the credibility of the post itself. The second principle I wish to emphasize is the importance of adherence by the Commissioner to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations Finally, I wish to emphasize that the responsibility of formulating the policies of the United Nations is the responsibility of the Member States through the deliberative organs. It will therefore fall to the High Commissioner to implement the policies laid down by those organs of the United Nations. Respect for the principles I have mentioned is key to the success of the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and to the promotion of the role of the United Nations in field of human rights. On the basis of these principles the delegation of Egypt is pleased to join the consensus on the draft resolution before us.
The President unattributed #17604
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 14 of part V of its report (A/48/632/Add.4) and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 15. We turn first to the draft resolution in paragraph 14 of part V of the report. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/48/796. The draft resolution, entitled "High Commissioner for the promotion and protection of all human rights", was adopted by the Third Committee by consensus. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 40/230 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/141).
The President unattributed #17605
Lastly, we turn to the draft decision, "Reports considered under the item entitled ’Human rights questions’," in paragraph 15 of part V of the Committee’s report (A/48/632/Add.4). May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
Vote: 37//6/ Consensus
The President unattributed #17606
I shall now call upon those representatives wishing to make statements in explanation of vote or position.
Mr. Wisnumurti IDN Indonesia on behalf of States members of the Non- Aligned Movement #17607
It is a privilege for me to speak on behalf of States members of the Non- Aligned Movement. The draft resolution creating the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights that the Assembly has just adopted by consensus constitutes a significant step towards the promotion and protection of human rights through international cooperation, as called for by the Charter of the The positive roles played by Ambassador Eduard Kukan of the Slovak Republic, Chairman of the Third Committee, and Ambassador Ayala Lasso of Ecuador, Chairman of the Working Group dealing with this matter, have led to the successful outcome of our work. The leadership, wisdom and diplomatic skill of Ambassador Ayala Lasso certainly contributed to the consensus so essential to ensuring the effective implementation of the resolution just adopted. We, the non-aligned countries, joined the consensus because we believe that the establishment of the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights, with an appropriate mandate as provided for in the resolution, could make a positive contribution to the work of the United Nations in the field of human rights. It is important to note that the resolution sets forth the guiding principles to be observed by the High Commissioner in discharging his or her mandate, including the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, in the spirit of constructive international dialogue and cooperation; and the need to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and domestic jurisdiction of States, as well as the principle that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and that as such they should be given the same emphasis. It is also gratifying to note that the right to development, as established in the Declaration on the Right to Development, is given prominence in the resolution as one of the guiding principles and as a part of the High Commissioner’s mandate. Equally important is the reaffirmation in the resolution that various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind by the High Commissioner. We, the non-aligned countries, are confident that the High Commissioner will, in carrying out his or her duties, be continuously guided by these essential guidelines. One of the most crucial elements of the resolution is the mandate of the High Commissioner. As a result of our joint efforts to reach a consensus through negotiation, we have We consider it essential that the establishment of the post of High Commissioner should also enhance the effectiveness of other bodies of the United Nations dealing with human rights issues, in particular the Centre for Human Rights. The ability of the Centre to provide technical assistance and other support to developing countries is of particular importance to the non-aligned countries. It is for this reason that we hope that the High Commissioner will work in a cooperative fashion with the Member States, not only on various human rights matters, but also on the process of strengthening essential United Nations human rights mechanisms. The countries of the Non-Aligned Movement look forward to productive cooperation with the new High Commissioner and to strengthening the ability of the United Nations to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Before concluding, I wish to express our hope that all of the States Members of the Organization will demonstrate the same determination, seriousness and spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation thus far displayed in the Open-ended Working Group of the Third Committee as it begins to address other aspects of the implementation of the recommendations of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action early next year.
Mr. Elaraby (Egypt), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: 48/137 Consensus
Mr. Taylhardat VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries [Spanish] #17608
The representative of Indonesia has just made a statement on behalf of the members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, of which Venezuela is one, and of course my delegation fully agrees with everything he said. However, my delegation would like to express its pleasure at our country’s being able unreservedly to characterize this decision as one of historic significance for the United Nations and its Member States. The resolution we have adopted contains a careful balance in the definition of the work to be done by the High Commissioner. For my country, the essential aspect of this mandate is that relating to the promotion and protection of all human rights by all people. In implementing this, the High Commissioner should enjoy the institutional support of the Organization and the necessary cooperation of all Member States. We are convinced that the decision we have taken will help to focus appropriate and timely attention on the complex and varied problems of human rights facing the international community today. I cannot conclude without highlighting the importance of the broad participation of delegations in the negotiating process and of the constructive spirit and constant flexibility demonstrated by those who were involved. Finally, a word of congratulation goes to Ambassador José Ayala Lasso of Ecuador, who was able to lead this complex negotiating process to success.
Mr. Sreenivasan IND India on behalf of Movement of Non-Aligned Countries #17653
We endorse the statement made in explanation of vote by the Permanent Representative of Indonesia on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. The historic consensus that we have reached on the establishment of the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights is reflective of the post-Vienna phase of international cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights. Human rights ceased to be an ideological issue at the end of the cold war, but soon thereafter there was a tendency to make human rights a North-South issue, some States claiming to be the champions of human rights and criticizing other, mostly poorer, nations as violators. The World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna was a turning-point because there we adopted a global approach, not only to different categories of human rights, but also to the reasons for violations and their possible remedies. It was the consensus in Vienna on ways and means to promote and protect all human rights for all people that has led today to the consensus on the mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. We hope that the actions of the High We note that the High Commissioner is to function within the framework of the United Nations Charter and under the direction and authority of the Secretary-General. He has the obligation to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and domestic jurisdiction of States while promoting universal respect for, and observance of, all human rights. He cannot be selective or discriminatory in his mission because all human rights are indivisible and interdependent. Moreover, he has the particular responsibility for promoting balanced and sustainable development and ensuring the realization of the right to development, particularly by enhancing the support of the relevant bodies of the United Nations system for that purpose. The dialogue in which the High Commissioner engages with Governments should be at the appropriate level and in a spirit of cooperation rather than confrontation, and it should reflect the principles of universality, objectivity and non-selectivity. In the ultimate analysis, it is the Governments themselves that are accountable to their people and responsible for the promotion and protection of their human rights. The role of the United Nations and the High Commissioner should be to assist this process as requested. A major function of the High Commissioner will be the coordination of human rights activities throughout the United Nations system. In my delegation’s view, such coordination would relate to all United Nations organs, bodies and specialized agencies mandated to deal with human rights in accordance with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The report the High Commissioner submits on his activities to the Commission on Human Rights will enable the Commission to assess the human-rights situation in the world and to take remedial measures wherever feasible. The Vienna Declaration stipulates that States should eliminate all violations of human rights and their causes, as well as obstacles to the enjoyment of these rights. Among the obstacles are extreme poverty, all forms of racism and racial discrimination, and acts, methods and practices of terrorism. We are glad to note that the international community expects the High Commissioner to play a constructive role in assisting States to combat these obstacles. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Chairman of the Third Committee, Ambassador Eduard Kukan of Slovakia, for facilitating a consensus on the mandate of the Working The success of the post of High Commissioner will depend on his capacity to protect and promote human rights in a spirit of cooperation with the Member States. India remains fully committed to the protection and promotion of human rights. We shall extend our cooperation to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter and of the resolution we have just adopted by consensus.
The President returned to the Chair.
Vote: 40/233 Consensus
Mr. ALI IRQ Iraq on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement [Arabic] #17657
First, my delegation would like to express its full support for the statement of the representative of Indonesia, who spoke a moment ago on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Secondly, the delegation of Iraq joined the consensus on the resolution we have just adopted, entitled "High Commissioner for the Protection and Promotion of all Human Rights". My delegation’s position throughout the talks in the Third Committee and in the meetings of the Working Group was in conformity with that of the nonaligned countries. Now my delegation would like to express the hope that the High Commissioner for Human Rights, when appointed, will discharge his mandate in accordance with the purposes and principles for which the post was established - namely, the protection and promotion of human rights for all, as indicated in operative paragraph 4 and other paragraphs of the resolution. My delegation also hopes this post will not be exploited and abused by some, as is the case with regard to the Rapporteurs and Special Representatives of the Commission on Human Rights, in the service of purely political interests which aim at abusing certain countries, interfering in their internal affairs and infringing on their national sovereignty.
Mr. Marrero USA United States of America #17660
This is a historic occasion. By its action today to establish the office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations has struck an important blow for freedom. In creating this office, the nations of the world have reaffirmed the importance, indeed the indispensability, of respect for human rights. They have declared their commitment to putting people first, to holding the dignity and development Creating an office of High Commissioner is a major step forward. It reflects United States policy, dating back to the time of Eleanor Roosevelt, that the United Nations should be a force for enhancing human dignity and respect for basic civil and political rights. There is much a High Commissioner will be able to do, but we should have no illusions. The power to grant or deny basic rights will remain in the hands of national Governments. It will remain our task to persuade Governments that nations are not weakened - but, rather, strengthened - when their citizens are able to live free from repression and fear. A strong High Commissioner can be an important ally in this effort. The Assembly’s action this year, after numerous past efforts to create an office of High Commissioner failed, is representative of a new spirit of cooperation and seriousness of purpose within this body. As powerful as today’s action is, it is in the years ahead that the merit of our decision will be revealed: in the daily work of the High Commissioner, as he or she brings to the United Nations system a new vigour in its promotion of human rights, in its protection of victims and in its effort to create the conditions essential for lives of fulfilment, dignity and respect. This decision will bring new hope to individuals who are oppressed, wherever they may be. May the High Commissioner serve as a beacon of freedom and justice. We eagerly await the nomination by the Secretary-General of an outstanding candidate for the post. We believe that every effort should be made to have a High Commissioner in place before the session of the Commission on Human Rights at the end of January. For our part, we pledge to work closely with the High Commissioner, to offer assistance whenever and wherever we can and to join with other Governments to support the achievement of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Finally, I wish to commend the efforts of Ambassador Kukan in guiding the work of the Third Committee in this respect. And I cannot conclude without adding the voice of my delegation to the voices of those who have praised the diplomatic skills of Ambassador José Ayala Lasso, the Permanent Representative of Ecuador. His outstanding leadership in guiding the Working Group of the Third Committee that drafted this resolution will be long remembered by my delegation. We wish to commend also
Mr. Noterdaeme BEL Belgium on behalf of European Union [French] #17663
On behalf of the European Union, I wish to say that the establishment of a post of High Commissioner for Human Rights was recommended by the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna. Thus, it is a priority issue for the European Union at this session. The result that has been achieved is for us most significant. The decision the Assembly has just taken therefore marks an important step for the United Nations in the field of human rights. The European Union is very happy to note that the international community achieved the consensus necessary to establish the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights. The draft resolution we have just adopted reflects a consensus position of the General Assembly, and it will allow the future High Commissioner to assume his functions in the best conditions. The European Union wishes to thank the Chairman of the Working Group, Ambassador Ayala Lasso, who made this remarkable result possible. The European Union hopes that the High Commissioner for Human Rights will be appointed as soon as possible. It also hopes that the Secretary-General will take the measures necessary to implement this decision while bearing in mind that the High Commissioner for Human Rights will be called upon to direct the Centre for Human Rights, which must be strengthened if it is to carry out all the tasks entrusted to it.
Vote: 36/170 Consensus
Mr. KalpagÉ LKA Sri Lanka #17666
The consensus we have reached for the creation of the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is an achievement we all share. That achievement is all the more notable because it has crowned a critical exercise in which differing approaches to human rights sometimes came perilously close to being resolved by resorting to a vote. Had the decision been anything less than unanimous, it would have vitiated the fundamental goal which was sought: the universal promotion of human rights. Human rights is too serious a matter to have been left to the blunt expedient of a vote. There is little need for my delegation to explain or interpret the consensus reached on the nature of the High Commissioner’s functions and mandate. The resolution speaks for itself. However, a few remarks may be useful on the significance of the agreement reached and our expectations. First, the sometimes rough course traversed in the drafting has had a sobering effect. The complexity of the Office of the High Commissioner and the intense interest Secondly, the consensus was made possible because the international human rights debate has now been largely freed from the ideological gridlock of cold-war polemics. We now have a challenging opportunity to move away from any politically motivated prescriptive inquisitions to a more productive, positive and cooperative approach, free of subjectivity and selectivity. Let us ensure that cold-war confrontation will not be replaced by a no-less-sterile North-South dispute on approaches to the promotion of human rights and the work of the High Commissioner. Thirdly, the consensus has confirmed the functional relevance, in considering human rights, of the right to development. As the Secretary-General pointed out at the Vienna Conference on Human Rights, international acceptance and cooperation in the realization of the right to development is central to a modern concept of the universality of human rights. Developing countries therefore expect the High Commissioner to play a catalytic role in promoting and protecting this right as an integral and functional part of human rights. Finally, ensuring human rights for its citizens is a fundamental responsibility of each and every State. Beyond international instruments of human rights, the obligation of a State is first to the people it represents and serves. Any State which chooses to ignore this does so at its own peril. We expect that the dialogue with Governments and the promotional activities which the High Commissioner is to undertake will assist States in answering this compulsion. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, voluntary cooperation with the United Nations in the promotion of human rights has been a practical and consistent policy of my Government. This policy, which underlies our relations with
Mr. Trottier CAN Canada #17669
My delegation attaches a great deal of importance to the consensus adoption of this resolution. In our view, it represents a recognition by the entire international community of the vital role that the High Commissioner will be playing and is a pledge of cooperation by each and every State Member of the United Nations. Our satisfaction is all the greater because the mandate of the High Commissioner is very substantive and will allow the High Commissioner to take all appropriate steps to promote and protect all human rights. This resolution significantly increases the ability of the United Nations and the international community to influence States to fulfil their responsibility for ensuring respect for all human rights. In the view of my delegation, the adoption today of the resolution on the High Commissioner represents a significant landmark in the efforts of the international community and this Organization to protect all human rights. We look forward to the early implementation of this resolution and, in particular, to the early nomination of a candidate for the position of High Commissioner. Finally, my delegation wants to signal the cooperation of delegations from all regions in reaching agreement on this resolution. We agree with the representative of Sri Lanka that this is an achievement which all members of this Assembly share. We particularly want to salute the roles played in this process by the Chairman of the Third Committee, Ambassador Kukan, and the Chairman of the Working Group, Ambassador Ayala Lasso, as well as by Ambassador Chew of Singapore and Ambassador Saboya of Brazil. We in Costa Rica feel very honoured to have been able to contribute to the adoption of this resolution through a long process that began in 1952 with the proposal by Uruguay, and continued in 1965 with that made by Costa Rica. That process came to fruition this year, 1993, through the assistance and support of many delegations. This marks an important milestone in the realization of one of the major priorities of the United Nations and, at the same time, a legitimate concern of the international community. It is clear that the positive results achieved at the Vienna Conference are a recognition of the growing commitment to human rights throughout the world. For this reason, my delegation is very much aware that this joint effort, which brought all of us together in a spirit of cooperation and political will, was a recognition and acceptance of the recommendations of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which were also adopted by consensus by the participants in that important event. My delegation pays tribute to the Chairman of the Working Group of the Third Committee, Ambassador José Ayala Lasso of Ecuador, for his effective and firm guidance of the deliberations of the Group, his diplomatic tact, his understanding and his great effort to bring together, in one working document, opposing positions, which is what allowed us to succeed in carrying out the mandate of the Third Committee. Similarly, we recognize the valuable collaboration of Ambassador Gilberto Saboya of Brazil and Ambassador Chew Tai Soo of Singapore, who, with wisdom and dedication, facilitated continuity in the work of the Group when its Chairman was temporarily absent. It is also right to recognize, as many other speakers have done, the Chairman of the Third Committee, Ambassador Eduard Kukan of Slovakia, for his great patience, understanding and wisdom in capturing the timely moment when it was necessary to establish the open-ended Working Group of the Third Committee. That was a decisive step in this process of joint action, consensus and collective efforts by all delegations. My delegation stresses that, both in the Vienna Declaration and in the Programme of Action, there were recommendations on topics considered and adopted by consensus in the Third Committee and during this session, now, in the Assembly. I mention here in particular the human rights education decade; we are pleased to note paragraph 4 (e) of the mandate of the High Commissioner. We are convinced in this respect that the High It is clear that to reach this agreement, especially on the mandate of the High Commissioner, it was not possible to include all the elements we had wanted to in order that his work could be as effective as possible - neither politicized nor selective - and carried out always in consultation with the Secretary-General. All of us are fully aware that though each Member State is bound by the values and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all the instruments adopted to that end, it does not mean that human rights are universally observed and protected. We also recognize that at each annual session of the General Assembly and of the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, we receive ample evidence demonstrating what a long road we yet have to travel before human rights are truly observed and protected throughout the world. We therefore consider it of great importance that the High Commissioner establish a dialogue with every Government in carrying out his mandate, with a view to achieving respect for all human rights, and as the representative of Indonesia said, that he be able to establish full cooperation with all Member States of the United Nations and rely upon it. We emphasize the importance of the High Commissioner’s functions in coordinating activities for the promotion and the protection of human rights throughout the United Nations system and the need to rationalize, adapt, strengthen and simplify the United Nations machinery in the sphere of human rights, with a view to increasing its efficiency and effectiveness. This will undoubtedly contribute to improving the image of the United Nations in the area of human rights, including the right to development. In order to achieve all that we are proposing, it is essential to nominate an ideal person, especially in this first instance, for the success of the conduct of the High Commissioner and the credibility of the United Nations with respect to its aims and purposes on behalf of all human beings throughout the world.
Mrs. CASTRO de BARISH (Costa Rica) (interpretation from Spanish): Costa Rica noted with enthusiasm and satisfaction the very significant fact that, during the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Friday, 10 December, there began the final stage of the process of the adoption by the open-ended Working Group of the Third Committee of the draft resolution which was adopted today by consensus, as it appears in the report of the Third Committee (A/48/632). Under this resolution, the Assembly has taken the decision to create the post of High
Vote: 48/140 Consensus
Mr. Jaramillo COL Colombia on behalf of Non-Aligned Movement [Spanish] #17672
I fully endorse what the Ambassador of Indonesia so rightly said on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We are pleased by today’s adoption of the resolution establishing the post of High Commissioner for the promotion and protection of all human rights. The resolution is the result of a broad consensus achieved thanks to the political will of all countries participating in the work of the Working Group of the Third Committee, and Approving the establishment of the post of High Commissioner by consensus was one of the basic conditions for the success of the future activities of the High Commissioner. We are all very much aware of that, which is why when the World Conference in Vienna had ended we carefully analysed the conclusions and recommendations of the Declaration and the Programme of Action. In this context, we deemed it necessary, from the beginning of this session of the General Assembly, to establish a working group to study and make recommendations on these issues. The time before the establishment of the Working Group was not wasted; it was used to move forward in informal consultations between various regional groups and to understand the usefulness of creating, among other things, the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights. The establishment of the Group was auspicious and timely. In addition to dispelling doubts as to procedures in the Third Committee, it made possible the discovery of the skill, poise, firmness and, above all, experience of our colleague Ambassador Ayala Lasso. I should like to pay him a public tribute for his leadership and to express our pride that he is from a neighbouring country in the Latin American region. The way in which he led the deliberations is a guarantee that the post we create today will meet the expectations of all countries, thus dissipating any fear or doubt about the mandate of the High Commissioner. We hope that Ambassador Ayala Lasso will continue to participate with the same enthusiasm in human rights activities within the framework of the United Nations. It has emerged most clearly from this process that Ambassador Ayala Lasso’s competence, knowledge and aptitude in the sphere of human rights show him to be without a doubt one of the people most suited to the task at hand. Finally, we should like to give our support to the establishment of the post of High Commissioner as soon as possible, because today we know that he will be working within the structure of the United Nations and under the authority of the Secretary-General, bearing in mind the guidelines of the three intergovernmental bodies dealing with these matters. His clearly established mandate is to promote and protect the effective enjoyment of all human rights by all citizens of the world. He will have to organize and coordinate the activities within the United Nations system in this area, and he will have to promote the right to development as one of the central goals of his activities.
Mr. CHEN Jian CHN China [Chinese] #17675
The draft resolution on the establishment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights submitted to the General Assembly today by the Third Committee is the result of arduous consultations and the concerted endeavours of many countries in the Third Committee. Here, I would like to express my thanks and admiration to Ambassador Ayala Lasso of Ecuador, Chairman of the Working Group of the Third Committee, for his excellent work. His courage, fairness, political sensitivity and vast diplomatic experience have steered our work to success. I also wish to express my appreciation to Ambassador Eduard Kukan of Slovakia, Chairman of the Third Committee, and to Ambassador Saboya of Brazil and Ambassador Chew of Singapore for their contributions. We highly value the positive and constructive role played by the Non-Aligned Movement in the production of this draft resolution. It was their recommendation of setting up a Working Group and the document they promptly submitted that enabled various parties to carry out useful dialogues on an equal footing and to achieve a balanced outcome acceptable to all. For this reason, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations and heartfelt respects to Indonesia, Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, and Malaysia, Chairman of the Human Rights Working Group of the Non-Aligned Movement. We support the principled position stated just now by the Indonesian Ambassador on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Chinese Government always respects the promotion and protection of human rights as one of the aims embodied in the United Nations Charter, and supports all practical recommendations that serve this purpose. Based on this principled position of the Chinese Government, the Chinese delegation has actively and earnestly participated in the consultations on this draft resolution and has made its own contributions towards the achievement of the consensus. The establishment of the High Commissioner, as an important step in implementing the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, has an immediate bearing on the interests of various countries. Meanwhile, the question of human rights is also an issue that has yet to be completely freed from various abnormalities left over from the cold war. In recent years in particular, the question of human rights has frequently been used to make selective accusations and In view of the above, the Chinese delegation has, from the very beginning, maintained that the High Commissioner must be established on the basis of a high degree of transparency and democracy and through full and democratic consultations, and that the decision must be made by consensus. We felt that, although this might take more time, it would help deepen mutual understanding, remove suspicion and mistrust and, moreover, take into full account the concerns and interests of various parties so that the new High Commissioner would be recognized by all parties and receive extensive support and cooperation in his or her work. We are glad to note that this position has finally been understood and appreciated by various parties. Consensus has not been reached easily. We hope that in the appointment and the work of the High Commissioner this consensus will be highly valued and strictly respected. We attach particular importance to the following aspects of this consensus: Efforts should be made to realize the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and it should be stressed that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and that as such they should be given the same emphasis. It should also be stressed that the promotion and protection of human rights must be based on the principle of fairness, objectivity and non-selectivity and carried out in the spirit of constructiveness, international dialogue and cooperation. The High Commissioner, in carrying out his or her mandates, should act in accordance with the provisions of the draft resolution, respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and domestic jurisdiction of States, give consideration to the particularities of different countries and regions as well as the significance of various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds and provide services and assistance at the request of the countries concerned. It is the duty of States to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The High Commissioner should in particular make earnest efforts to promote the balanced and sustainable development of all peoples, and to ensure the realization of the right to development, because this is the urgent issue confronting most United Nations Members and it should be given priority in the field of human rights. In our view, only by strictly observing the above-mentioned important principles and provisions can the High Commissioner carry out his or her work in a smooth manner and receive support and cooperation from the Member States. We expect also that the High Commissioner will work under the direction and authority of the United Nations Secretary-General, within the framework of the overall competence, authority and decisions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights, so as to fulfil correctly the obligations entrusted to him or her by this draft resolution. We also wish to point out that this draft resolution has failed to attach sufficient importance to some issues of concern to the third world countries. It fails, as well, to point out explicitly the existing serious obstacles to international cooperation for the universal realization of human rights. In the past two months or more, the Third Committee, in its consideration of this question, witnessed various differences and experienced many difficulties and even some episodes of potential confrontation. During the whole process, the representatives of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Chinese delegation always stood for reaching consensus through the Working Group and democratic consultations, and resisted various attempts at interference. We are glad to see that this constructive attitude has led to positive results. We hope that helpful lessons will be drawn from this process. It shows, at least in our view, that in this large United Nations forum of 184 countries consultations must be conducted on the basis of respect for democracy, sovereignty and equality, allowing for full expression of various opinions and seeking common ground while preserving differences. This is the only correct approach for resolving differences and enhancing international cooperation. The world is diversified, and cooperation can be strengthened only by respecting that diversity. The aforementioned principles should be observed by the High Commissioner when performing his or her mandate and should be followed by the United Nations as well in its consideration of other major and sensitive issues involving the interests of various countries. Only by so doing can the United Nations genuinely become a democratic institution in which all countries, large and small, can jointly participate in decision-making on an equal footing. The adoption of the resolution for the establishment of the office of High Commissioner for Human Rights demonstrates once more the international community’s commitment to the strengthening of the United Nations human-rights machinery and the universal enjoyment of all human rights. Lastly, it is the view of my delegation that the resolution would not have been adopted by consensus had it not been for the leadership and forbearance of Ambassador Eduard Kukan of the Slovak Republic, Chairman of the Third Committee, and the wisdom, patience and understanding of Ambassador Ayala Lasso, Chairman of the Working Group - and, of course, the constructive manner in which delegations deliberated on the matter. My delegation hopes that the international community will continue to give to the United Nations and the High Commissioner the same support and advice - and guidance - that characterized the deliberations of the Third Committee and the Working Group.
The President unattributed #17677
If I might be allowed, I wish to join in the well-deserved tribute that has been paid today to the Chairman of the Third Committee, Ambassador Kukan of the Slovak Republic, and very particularly to Ambassador José Ayala Lasso of Ecuador for the excellent work done in the Working Group over which he presided to forge a consensus decision on this very important issue. My commendation extends, of course, to all those who cooperated with him to make agreement possible, notably Ambassador Chew Tai Soo of Singapore and Ambassador Saboya of Brazil. We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 114. The Assembly will now consider part IV of the report (A/48/632/Add.3) of the Third Committee on sub-item (c) of agenda item 114, "Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives". The representative of the United Arab Emirates has asked to make a statement, and I now call upon him.
Mr. Al-Kindi ARE United Arab Emirates [Arabic] #17681
I should like to make a clarification. My delegation did not participate in the voting on the draft In the Third Committee we more than once had occasion to draw attention to mistakes made by members of the Arabic Section in the Secretariat, and for that reason I should like once again to draw the Secretariat’s attention to the need to avoid such mistakes in the future. I hope that the Secretariat will reissue the document to which I have referred, duly corrected.
The President unattributed #17683
I shall request the Secretariat to rectify the error the representative of the United Arab Emirates has drawn to our attention.
Mr. Remirez De Estenoz CUB Cuba [Spanish] #17686
The General Assembly is this morning concluding an exercise that, aside from being selective and discriminatory, constitutes one of the most blatant injustices in the recent history of the United Nations and an inexcusable concession to the use of force by a major Power against a small country. The resolution submitted by the United States against Cuba is a dark page in the annals of the Organization and damages its prestige and credibility. In terms both of its content and of the procedures used to reach this point, the resolution will go down in history as an example of the way in which, under present circumstances, a major Power can impose its might on justice, reason and truth. We do not deem it necessary to recall how this process was conceived and carried out. All delegations here present, including those that lent themselves to this manoeuvre, know that the so-called situation of human rights in Cuba was, in all historical truth, fabricated by the Government of the United States, which imposed in Geneva the application against Cuba of a special mechanism to monitor human rights as part and parcel of the United States policy of aggression and destabilization against my country. In the case of Cuba, such a mechanism was vitiated from the very beginning because it involved a flagrant violation of existing procedures. We are faced with an illegally conceived, artificial scenario, and it is thus legally and morally null and void in all its aspects so far as Cuba is concerned. The Government of the United States, promoter of the farce that led to this situation, has no moral or political authority whatsoever to stand as judge and jury of human rights in Cuba, as it has not only been a consummate violator of those rights in its own territory and supported all military dictatorships and repressive regimes that have existed since the end of the Second World War, but also - and most particularly in its policies and by maintaining an inhuman and criminal blockade against my country - it is massively, flagrantly and systematically violating the human rights of more than 11 million Cubans, including two million children. Such a double standard cannot but provoke the most resolute rejection of those who are not ready to tolerate the United Nations and its system increasingly being used as an instrument of those who, shielded by their power and resorting to the most gross exercise of pressure, intend to use this Organization to further their own foreign policy objectives. Cuba, whose people has struggled for more than a century to preserve its independence and dignity as a nation, resolutely rejects this draft resolution and any other attempt to impose upon us unjust and discriminatory treatment. Above and beyond anything decided here today, Cuba is resolutely determined to defend its national sovereignty, its dignity and successes it has achieved in providing a better life for its people. I can assert before this Assembly that Cuba is proud of its achievements in the defence of true human rights. Its cooperation and active participation in this field spring from the profoundly human roots of all its actions. In reaffirming our commitment to the true inalienable rights of mankind, I would also like to reaffirm our view that the struggle against the hegemony of a major Power in this Organization and the imposition of its will is part and parcel of the defence of those inalienable rights. Thus, we totally oppose the shameful draft resolution which will be voted on today in this Hall, and we call on all delegations not to support such a farce. My delegation is happy that the world has finally reached the stage at which no Government can insulate itself against the repercussions arising from serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Taking joint or separate action to protect and promote human rights has become an established norm of international life. The international community needs to be even-handed and objective in further strengthening the spirit of constructive dialogue and cooperation in this area. As the Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala stated in his address to the General Assembly at its current session, human rights cannot be secure without a universal conscience on the part of all peoples to uphold each other’s rights in full understanding of the just demands of the individual, the community, the State and the international order. Adherence to objectivity and nonselectivity will have immense influence on the ability of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - who is to be appointed shortly - to carry out his mandate successfully. With these considerations in mind, my delegation hopes that the General Assembly at its next session will examine more closely the option of avoiding country-specific human rights resolutions unless there is an international consensus for such action.
Mr. Marrero USA United States of America #17689
The United States would like to direct the attention of the General Assembly to the interim report prepared by Professor Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Iran. In the report, Professor Galindo Pohl noted that two Iranian Baha’is, Bakshu’llah Mithaqui and Kayvan Khalajabadi, who have been held without charge since April 1989, were informed on 31 August 1992 that an Islamic revolutionary court in Karaj had condemned them to death. The Special Representative also reported that these sentences were being appealed. We were informed on 17 December 1993 that these death sentences were reaffirmed by another court on 23 November 1993. The sentences are reportedly being appealed to the Iranian Supreme Court. We have also learned that a third Baha’i, It is clear from these and other cases that the regime in Tehran continues to flout the human rights of its own citizens, unrelentingly persecuting some simply because of their religious beliefs. The United States intends to vote in favour of the draft resolution introduced here on the subject of the human rights situation in Iran. We urge all nations who oppose racism, intolerance and the deliberate abuse of human rights to do the same.
The President unattributed #17691
I call on the representative of Oman, on a point of order.
Mr. Al-Taee OMN Oman [Arabic] #17695
I should like to draw the Secretariat’s attention to the fact that my country’s delegation did not participate in the vote on draft resolution A/48/L.65 in the Third Committee. Any indication to the contrary should be corrected as appropriate.
The President unattributed #17697
The Assembly has before it 13 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 67 of Part IV of its report (document A/48/632/Add.3). I shall put the 13 draft resolutions to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled "Situation of human rights in Cuba". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 74 votes to 20, with 61 abstentions (resolution 48/142).
The President unattributed #17699
Draft resolution II is entitled "Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/143).
The President unattributed #17702
I call on the representative of Kuwait on a point of order.
Mr. Al Saeid KWT Kuwait [Arabic] #17707
I should like to draw attention to the fact that, at the Third Committee’s 52nd meeting, my delegation joined in sponsoring the draft resolution which in the Committee appeared in document A/C.3/48/L.51, and which has just been adopted by the Assembly as draft resolution II.
The President unattributed #17710
I shall ask the Secretariat to take note of the remarks of the representative of Kuwait and to take the necessary action. Draft resolution III is entitled "Situation of human rights in Iraq". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 116 votes to 2, with 43 abstentions (resolution 48/144).
The President unattributed #17712
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 74 votes to 23, with 51 abstentions (resolution 48/145).*
The President unattributed #17714
Draft resolution V is entitled "Situation of human rights in Somalia". The Third Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 48/146).
The President unattributed #17716
We turn now to draft resolution VI, entitled "Situation of human rights in the Sudan". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VI was adopted by 111 votes to 13, with 30 abstentions (resolution 48/147).*
The President unattributed #17718
We now turn to draft resolution VII, entitled "International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families". As was indicated by the Rapporteur of the Third Committee this morning, this draft resolution belongs to subitem (a) of agenda item 114 - "Implementation of human rights instruments". The draft resolution should therefore have appeared as a recommendation of the Third Committee in its report (A/48/632/Add.1) on sub-item (a) of agenda item 114. This change will be reflected in the official records of the Assembly. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 48/148).
The President unattributed #17721
Draft resolution VIII is entitled "Situation of human rights in El Salvador". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 48/149).
Draft resolution IX was adopted (resolution 48/150).
The President unattributed #17724
Draft resolution X is entitled "Human rights in Haiti". The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution X was adopted (resolution 48/151).
The President unattributed #17726
Draft resolution XI is entitled "Situation of human rights in Afghanistan". The Third Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XI was adopted (resolution 48/152).
The President unattributed #17731
Draft resolution XII is entitled "Situation of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia: violations of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/48/797. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XII was adopted (resolution 48/153).
The President unattributed #17733
Draft resolution XIII is entitled "Situation of human rights in Cambodia". The Third Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XIII was adopted (resolution 48/154).
The President unattributed #17735
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote after the voting.
Mr. Nieto ARG Argentina [Spanish] #17741
The delegation of Argentina voted in favour of draft resolution I, which is contained in document A/48/632/Add.3 and is entitled "Situation of human rights in Cuba", for a reason of principle. The Argentine Republic cannot accept the decision of a State Member of the Organization and member of the Finally, my delegation would like to appeal cordially to the Government of Cuba to facilitate the work of the Special Rapporteur, with the understanding that this will contribute to the achievement of the full enjoyment of human rights in Latin America and to the strengthening of democracy at the regional level in a framework of cooperation, friendship and mutual respect between all the States of the American continent.
Mr. Jaafari SYR Syrian Arab Republic [Arabic] #17744
My delegation voted in favour of the draft resolution in document A/48/L.57, on human rights in Iraq, as we did last year. We note with concern, however, that the draft resolution submitted this year once again deals with questions of human rights in Iraq selectively, on an ethnic and sectarian basis. This could affect the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. There is an even more difficult problem in the resolution we have just adopted - namely, that it endorses the setting up of an institutional system to monitor human rights inside a Member State through the deployment of a group of human-rights monitors in Iraq. This constitutes interference in the internal affairs of a Member State and establishes a precedent in the history of the United Nations that runs counter to the purposes and principles of the Charter. I hope my statement will be reflected in the record of the meeting.
Mr. Parshikov RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #17749
My delegation would like to explain its vote on the resolution regarding the situation of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The Russian delegation has had many other opportunities to set forth its overall approach to the humanrights aspects of the Yugoslav tragedy. Quite naturally, our attitude towards the resolution just adopted by the General Assembly is determined by Russia’s overall position on Yugoslav affairs. We have always believed that a vicious, large-scale war such as the one in the former Yugoslavia cannot be seen just in black and white, that there are not simply devils and angels. Is it logical and objective for the Assembly, under paragraph 4 of the resolution, to place the primary responsibility for violations of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia on the Bosnian and Croatian Serbs and on the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia? The resolution is also out of line in the paragraphs regarding the situation in Kosovo, which is an integral part of a sovereign State with territorial integrity. The wording on Kosovo could well, in our view, inflame national separatist extremism in that part of the Balkans even before the international community has been able to settle the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Russian delegation decided not to break the consensus on this resolution. That does not, however, mean that we agree with specific provisions in it. Therefore, if there had been a vote, the Russian delegation could not have supported, in particular, the second preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 4, 18 and 19.
Mr. IM PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #17755
My delegation wishes to draw the Assembly’s attention to paragraph 29 of document A/48/632/Add.3, which describes the Republic of Korea as a co-sponsor of draft resolution A/48/L.65 and Rev.1.
The President unattributed #17758
I thank the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The point will be noted by the Secretariat. May I take it that the General Assembly decides to conclude its consideration of agenda item 114 (a) and to conclude this stage of its consideration of agenda item 114 (c)?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17759
The Assembly will now consider the report of the Third Committee on agenda item 115, entitled "Situation of human rights in Estonia and Latvia" (document A/48/633). The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 14 of that report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Third Committee. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/155).
The President unattributed #17764
I now call on the representative of Lithuania for an explanation of Lithuania’s position on the resolution just adopted.
Ms. Damusis LTU Lithuania #17767
Lithuania joined the consensus to adopt this General Assembly resolution though we believe it does not adequately reflect the current situation in Estonia and Latvia - the relative political stability, a tradition of multi-cultural tolerance and the absence of violence. The United Nations fact-finding missions to these two countries confirmed that there are "no gross or systematic violations of human rights in Latvia" and "no evidence of discrimination along ethnic or religious lines in Estonia". My delegation also feels that the resolution did not go far enough in noting the spirit of openness and cooperation surrounding the United Nations and other fact-finding missions to Estonia and Latvia. We believe that the resolution should have welcomed positive developments in Estonia and Latvia as well as the steps taken by both Governments to implement recommendations by international experts. Lithuania very much regrets that the resolution does not consider the consequences of Soviet deportation, colonization We thus feel strongly that it is crucial to discourage the linkage of strategic interests in neighbouring States with human rights issues. Respect for human rights and observance of the principles of international law must remain, in Lithuania’s view, the building-blocks of stability and democratic security in the world.
The President unattributed #17769
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 115?
It was so decided
The President unattributed #17771
The Assembly will now consider the report (A/48/634) of the Third Committee on agenda item 172, entitled "Necessity of adopting effective measures for the promotion and protection of the rights of children throughout the world who are victims of especially difficult circumstances, including armed conflicts". The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 15 of its report. Draft resolution I is entitled "Need to adopt efficient international measures for the prevention of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography". The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 48/156).
The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution II is entitled "Protection of children affected by armed conflicts". The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/48/798. Draft resolution II was adopted by the Third Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/127 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 48/157).
The President unattributed duplicate #17773
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 172? The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft decisions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. We turn first to draft decision I entitled "Organization of work of the Third Committee and draft biennial programme of work of the Committee for 1994-1995". May I take it that the Assembly would like to adopt draft decision I, as orally revised, subject of course to a decision tomorrow afternoon on draft resolution XI contained in paragraph 88 of the report of the Third Committee on sub-item (b) of agenda item 114, contained in document A/48/632/Add.2?
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/128 Consensus
Draft decision I was adopted.
The President unattributed #17775
Draft decision II is entitled "Promotion of press freedom in the world". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II?
Draft decision II was adopted.
The President unattributed #17779
Draft decision III is entitled "International Year of the Elderly". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision III?
Draft decision III was adopted.
The President unattributed #17782
Draft decision IV is entitled "Report of the Economic and Social Council". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision IV?
Draft decision IV was adopted.
The President unattributed #17784
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of the report of the Economic and Social Council allocated to the Third Committee? DECLARATION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY ON THE AERIAL AND NAVAL MILITARY ATTACK AGAINST THE SOCIALIST PEOPLE’S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA BY THE PRESENT UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION IN APRIL 1986
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #17789
Following consultations, it is my understanding that consideration of this item may be deferred to the forty-ninth session of the General Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to defer consideration of the item and to include it in the provisional agenda of the forty-ninth session?
It was so decided.
Vote: A/48/L.57 Consensus
The President unattributed duplicate #17792
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 48?
It was so decided.

49.  Armed Israeli Aggression Against the Iraqi Nuclear Installations and Its Grave Consequences for the Established International System Concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and International Peace and Security

The President unattributed #18170
The Assembly decided on 24 September 1993 to include this item in the agenda of the forty-eighth session of the General Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to defer consideration of this item to a later date during this session and to include it in the draft agenda of the forty-ninth session?
It was so decided.

50.  Launching of Global Negotiations on International Economic Cooperation for Development

The President unattributed #18173
In connection with this item, representatives will recall that on 24 September 1993 the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the forty-eighth session. May I take it that it is the Assembly’s
It was so decided.
The President unattributed duplicate #18175
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 50?
It was so decided.

51.  Implementation of the Resolutions of the United Nations

The President unattributed #18179
It is my understanding that there is no request to consider this agenda item at the present session. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to defer consideration of this item to the fortyninth session and to include it in the provisional agenda of that session?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed duplicate #18180
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 51?
It was so decided.
The President on behalf of Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People unattributed #18183
Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its debate on this agenda item at its 66th meeting on 30 November. I call on the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to introduce draft resolutions A/48/L.41 to A/48/L.45. On behalf of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, I have the honour to introduce to the Assembly draft resolutions A/48/L.41, A/48/L.42, A/48/L.43, A/48/L.44 and A/48/L.45. These texts have been drafted in the light of recent developments in the peace process, which our Committee has welcomed and supported. They seek to contribute to the building of peace in the region while remaining firm on the fundamental principles laid down by the international community. The first three draft resolutions, A/48/L.41, A/48/L.42 and A/48/L.43, give mandates to the Committee, the Division for Palestinian Rights and the Department of Public Information to undertake a programme of work in their fields of competence in keeping with the new requirements. In draft resolution A/48/L.41, the Assembly welcomes the signing of the "Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements" by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on 13 September 1993, in Washington. The Assembly reaffirms the ongoing responsibility of the United Nations with respect to the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all its aspects in accordance with international legitimacy. The Assembly also considers that the Committee can make a valuable and positive contribution to international efforts to promote the effective implementation of the Declaration of Principles and to mobilize international support and assistance to the Palestinian people during the transitional period. Further, the Assembly endorses the Committee’s recommendations and requests the Committee to continue to keep under review the situation relating to the question of Palestine and to submit reports and make suggestions to the General Assembly or the Security Council, as appropriate. The Assembly also authorizes the Committee to continue to exert all efforts to promote the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and to mobilize the needed support and assistance for them. The Committee is also requested to continue to adjust its programme in light of developments and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session and thereafter. In draft resolution A/48/L.42, which deals specifically with the work of the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat, the General Assembly requests the Secretary-- General to provide the Division with the necessary resources and to ensure that it continues to discharge the tasks detailed in previous resolutions which have mandated the organization of regional seminars and meetings of non-governmental organizations and to launch a programme of research, studies and publications. The Assembly also invites continued cooperation with the Division by the Department of Public Information and other Secretariat Units, and invites all Governments and organizations to do likewise. It also requests the continued observance each year, on 29 November, of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People by organizing, inter alia, of an exhibit on Palestinian rights. Concerning draft resolution A/48/L.43, I should like to inform the General Assembly that the sponsors have agreed to add, at the end of sub-paragraph (b) of operative paragraph 2, the following words: "including materials concerning the recent developments in that regard". By draft resolution A/48/L.43, which concerns the role of the Department of Public Information, the General Assembly requests the Department, acting in full cooperation and coordination with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, to continue, with the necessary flexibility as may be required by developments, its special information programme on the question of Palestine, with particular emphasis on public opinion in Europe and North America. In particular, the Assembly requests the Department to disseminate information on all the activities of the United Nations system relating to the question of Palestine; to continue to issue and update publications on the various aspects of the question of Palestine; to expand its audiovisual material on the subject; to organize and promote fact-finding news missions for journalists to the area, including the occupied territories; to organize international, regional and national encounters for journalists; and to provide assistance to the Palestinian people in the field of media development in cooperation with specialized United Nations agencies, particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Draft resolution A/48/L.44 is entitled "Peaceful Settlement of the question of Palestine". The sponsors would like to request that the word "reaffirms" in operative paragraph 5, line 2 be underscored. The General Assembly expresses its support for the ongoing peace process, which began in Madrid in 1991, and the Declaration of Principles The Assembly stresses the upcoming negotiations on the final settlement by reaffirming the following principles to be respected for the achievement of a final settlement and a comprehensive peace, namely, the realization of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination; the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and from the other occupied Arab territories; guaranteeing arrangements for peace and security of all States in the region, including those named in resolution 181 (II) of 29 November 1947, within secure and internationally recognized boundaries; resolving the problem of the Palestine refugees in conformity with General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, and subsequent relevant resolutions; resolving the problem of the Israeli settlements, which are illegal and an obstacle to peace, in conformity with relevant United Nations resolutions; and, finally, guaranteeing freedom of access to Holy Places, religious buildings and sites. The draft resolution requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts for the promotion of peace in the region and to submit progress reports on developments in this matter. Concerning draft resolution in A/48/L.45, I should like to inform the General Assembly that the sponsors are not insisting that it be put to a vote. The draft resolutions I have just introduced were formulated with a firm resolve to contribute to the peace process that is now under way, and to make real progress towards a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. A great number of delegations have been consulted in drawing up these texts, which voice the position of the overwhelming majority of the international community at this critical moment in the lengthy history of the question of Palestine. On behalf of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, I invite delegations to reaffirm their adherence to this objective and constructive approach by voting in favour of the proposed draft resolutions.
Mr. Jacob ISR Israel #18186
Israel will vote against draft resolutions A/48/L.41, A/48/L.42, A/48/L.43 and A/48/L.44. In draft resolution A/48/L.41 the Assembly would endorse and authorize the work of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, while in draft resolution A/48/L.42 it would support the work of the Division for Palestinian Rights. These two bodies are highly biased and needlessly expend a great deal of time, energy and money. Under draft resolution A/48/L.43 the Assembly would request the Department of Public Information, among other things, to disseminate information on all the activities of the United Nations system relating to the question of Palestine. The undertakings stipulated in these draft resolutions are a waste of money that could be put to much better use. For instance, these funds could be invested in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip for the benefit of the Palestinian residents living in those areas. Draft resolution A/48/L.44, while no longer calling for the convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East, still contains the so-called principles for the achievement of a comprehensive peace. These principles prejudge and even predetermine the outcome of the ongoing negotiations. Thus, the draft resolution clearly contradicts itself. On the one hand, it claims to support the peace process that began in Madrid. On the other hand, it ignores the basic principle of direct negotiations without preconditions, upon which the Madrid process is based. Israel has long advocated direct negotiations as the only framework for advancing peace in the Middle East, and recent achievements vindicate this approach. Any attempt to internationalize the issues or perpetuate the existence of bodies dedicated to internationalizing the issues will lead us nowhere. Let us remain committed to the process under way. Israel, for its part, will do everything necessary to bring this process to a successful conclusion.
Mr. Sidorov RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #18188
Despite all the complexities of the peace process in the Middle East, a new qualitative step in its development has been taken, as has been reflected in the General Assembly’s adoption of the resolutions on the Middle East peace process. It is clear that the General However, the Russian delegation notes with regret that the sponsors of the draft resolutions on the question of Palestine have not done everything necessary for their contents to be in step with the new political realities in the Middle East. While draft resolution A/48/L.44, on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, also contains a reference to the positive changes in the peace process in the Middle East, it retains the entire traditional array of principles for a Middle East settlement, which are an attempt to predetermine the discussion of these problems at the Arab-Israeli bilateral negotiations and could complicate the course of these negotiations. As for draft resolutions A/48/L.41, A/48/L.42 and A/48/L.43, concerning the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the Division for Palestinian Rights and the United Nations Secretariat’s Department of Public Information, they in fact continue to guide the activity of these bodies towards the implementation of old objectives, not taking into account the new realities. In the light of all of those considerations, the delegation of the Russian Federation, as a co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process, will abstain in the voting on the draft resolutions submitted under agenda item 35.
Mr. Hanson USA United States of America #18194
The draft resolutions we are voting upon today make up the last group in a large category of unbalanced and outdated Middle East resolutions. The parties in the region have moved beyond these resolutions, and the General Assembly should do so as well. We had hoped that all of these draft resolutions would be deferred. Indeed, we are pleased that last year’s resolution in this group concerning the intifadah has been deferred. We note that the traditional draft resolution on an international peace conference has been greatly modified. Yet none of these draft resolutions reflects the new reality that exists today in the Middle East. Three of the draft resolutions before us concern institutions, activities and related costs that should be re-examined. My Government, for its part, does not have a predetermined position on how such a review should be conducted, nor on what its conclusions should be. I can say conclusively, however, that, with this autumn’s These draft resolutions entail the expenditure of resources, both human and financial. Some of those resources are probably being spent in a worthwhile way; others are not. Let us look more closely at how these resources can best be allocated towards the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This year’s draft resolution entitled "Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine" is greatly improved over its predecessor texts that called for an international peace conference on the Middle East. This draft resolution, however, speaks conclusively to issues under direct negotiation between parties in the region. The General Assembly should support the process of those negotiations in order for all the parties to resolve their differences directly, without prejudging the outcome of the negotiations. At this important moment, we want to avoid focusing on issues or statements that divide and polarize. The other draft resolutions introduced under this agenda item are largely unchanged from those submitted last year. My Government voted against those resolutions at that time and will do so again today. We note that two of these texts recognize the signing of the Declaration of Principles by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. This breakthrough and the process that has followed from it confirm our view that these and other Middle East draft resolutions should have been deferred this year.
The President unattributed #18196
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions A/48/L.41 to A/48/L.45. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of draft resolutions A/48/L.41, A/48/L.42 and A/48/L.43 is contained in document A/48/787. We now turn to draft resolution A/48/L.41, entitled "Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Against: Dominican Republic, Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Draft resolution A/48/L.41 was adopted by 106 votes to 3, with 40 abstentions (resolution 48/158 A).
The President unattributed #18198
We now turn to draft resolution A/48/L.42, entitled "Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Draft resolution A/48/L.42 was adopted by 107 votes to 2, with 41 abstentions (resolution 48/158 B).
The President unattributed #18201
We now turn to draft resolution A/48/L.43, entitled "Department of Public Information of the Secretariat". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Georgia, Russian Federation
Draft resolution A/48/L.43 was adopted by 147 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 48/158 C).
The President unattributed #18207
We now turn to draft resolution A/48/L.44, entitled "Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Dominican Republic, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Draft resolution A/48/L.44 as orally revised was adopted by 92 votes to 5, with 51 abstentions (resolution 48/158 D).
The President unattributed #18209
With regard to draft resolution A/48/L.45, as was indicated earlier, the sponsors have agreed not to press that draft resolution to a vote. I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their votes on the resolutions just adopted. May I remind them that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Notredaeme BEL Belgium on behalf of European Union [French] #18216
I am speaking on behalf of the European Union. The Union has taken note of the important adoption of the resolutions submitted this year on the item "Question of Palestine", on which the General Assembly has just voted. We wish to make a few comments of a general nature on some of them. The political context in which the activities of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the Division for Palestinian Rights and the Department of Public Information have taken place in the past has now been deeply affected by the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian agreement on 13 September last in Washington, D.C. As we see it, the moment has come to put the past characterized by confrontation and conflict behind us and to open the door to peaceful coexistence between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. In the light of the recent agreement of 13 September, the European Union feels that the mission and composition of the three organs I have just mentioned and which have been entrusted with following the question of Palestine and reporting to Member States and public opinion should be adapted without delay in order to reflect faithfully the speedy evolution of progress made in the peace process. In our opinion, the credibility of our Organization is at stake. It cannot lag behind these important events, which have aroused such hope among the peoples of the Middle East.
Mr. Skoknic CHL Chile [Spanish] #18221
In connection with agenda item 35, "Question of Palestine", and with draft resolution A/48/L.44 on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, the Government of Chile wishes to reiterate once again its conviction that In this context, Chile considers of paramount importance the Middle East peace process begun in Madrid in 1991. We reiterate our pleasure at the historic agreement signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington, D.C. last September. It represents significant progress towards the establishment of a broad, just and lasting peace in the region, and the international community should support and uphold it in every way. The world Organization has a very important role to play in this process for the benefit of international and regional peace and security.
Mr. Abolhassani Shahreza IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #18224
My delegation voted in favour of draft resolutions A/48/L.41, L.42 and L.43. I would, however, like to express my delegations reservations concerning those parts of the draft resolutions that might be construed as any form of recognition of Israel. My delegation did not participate in the vote on draft resolution A/48/L.44, since we believe that the recent agreements will not lead to the full restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Mr. Amer LBY Libya [Arabic] #18228
My delegation’s vote in favour of the resolutions just adopted by the General Assembly under agenda item 35, "Question of Palestine", is not to be construed in any way as implying recognition of those who occupy the territory of Palestine. We wish also to make it clear that our positive vote does not mean that we agree with everything contained in those resolutions. The United Nations and other international and regional organizations have adopted numerous decisions on the question of Palestine and on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Those decisions, which have been repeatedly reaffirmed by the international community over the past 4 decades, continue to constitute the best framework for a just, comprehensive solution that would lead to the liberation of the occupied Arab territories and enable the Palestinian people to return to its homeland, to exercise self-determination and to establish its own independent State in Palestine, with Al- Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. To achieve this the international community must continue to adhere to those principles and work to implement The continued crimes against the Palestinian people make it imperative that the international community adopt the measures necessary to put an immediate end to those crimes. This is not merely a moral duty and a human duty; it is a clear legal obligation under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.
The President unattributed #18231
We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the voting. Now, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974 and 43/177 of 15 December 1988, I call upon the Observer of Palestine.
Mr. Al-Kidwa PSE State of Palestine on behalf of Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations #18234
On behalf of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, I convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the Member States that expressed support for the just cause of the Palestinian people by supporting the draft resolutions just adopted by the General Assembly under agenda item 35, "Question of Palestine". I should also like to express particular appreciation to the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and to the Committee’s Chairman and the other members of its Bureau. The General Assembly’s adoption today of the four draft resolutions, especially A/48/L.44, entitled "Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine", is a necessary step in the fulfilment of the permanent responsibility of the United Nations with respect to the question of Palestine until that question is truly solved in all its aspects and a final settlement is genuinely achieved. In adopting the draft resolutions, the General Assembly has upheld the legal, political and moral values long held by the international community. We regret some surprising votes, and we regret some of the explanations of vote made before the voting, which reflected positions unacceptable to the Palestinian side and which were not in line with the spirit that has prevailed throughout the forty-eighth session. This year, our delegation, in full cooperation with the Group of Arab States and other concerned Member States, made great efforts to revise the traditional set of resolutions annually adopted by the General Assembly. Those revisions were undertaken in the light of the recent important positive political developments that have taken place, while recognizing that those developments deal only with transitional arrangements and not with final settlement issues. The outcome of our serious efforts was a set of more cohesive resolutions, fewer in number and shorter in length At this time, let me stress the importance of continuity in the international community’s solidarity with and support for the Palestinian people. We also stress the importance of full and effective engagement by the United Nations in the peace process and in providing assistance to our people. We look forward with great hope to the future, and we stand ready to work with others as we jointly strive for a better future and for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world.
The President unattributed #18237
The Assembly has concluded the present stage of its consideration of agenda item 35.
Draft resolution A/48/L.29 was adopted (resolution 48/159 A).
The President unattributed #18733
We turn next to draft resolution A/48/L.30, entitled "Programme of work of the Special Committee against Apartheid". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/48/L.30?
Draft resolution A/48/L.30 was adopted (resolution 48/159 B).
The President unattributed #18736
We now turn to draft resolution A/48/L.31/Rev.1, entitled "Work of the Intergovernmental Group to Monitor the Supply and Shipping of Oil and Petroleum Products to South Africa". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/48/L.31/Rev.1?
Draft resolution A/48/L.31/Rev.1 was adopted (resolution 48/159 C).
The President unattributed #18739
We proceed now to draft resolution A/48/L.36, entitled "United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/48/L.36?
Draft resolution A/48/L.36 was adopted (resolution 48/159 D).
The President unattributed #18743
We turn last to draft resolution A/48/L.37, entitled "United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa". I have been asked to announce that there is an additional co-sponsor of this draft resolution - namely, Ukraine. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/48/L.37?
The President unattributed #18745
In accordance with the decision taken by the General Assembly at its 3rd plenary meeting, on 24 September 1993, I now call on the representative of the African National Congress of South Africa.
Mr. Makhubela African National Congress of South Africa on behalf of African National Congress #18750
On behalf of the African National Congress, let me convey our gratitude to the Member States and to the General Assembly for having succeeded in adopting these resolutions on South Africa. It is our hope that the just-adopted resolutions will send a clear signal to those who are not willing to participate in the peaceful transformation of South Africa. This is indeed a vindication of the fact that the international community is behind the peace-loving people of South Africa. However, the international community should still exercise a certain leverage in ensuring the peaceful transition in South Africa. It is quite clear that there are those who are not willing to participate in this peaceful transition, and they are doing everything to delay it. We would also like to take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to the Special Committee against Apartheid, the Intergovernmental Group to Monitor the Supply and Shipping of Oil and Petroleum Products to South Africa (IGG) and the Commission against Apartheid in Sport for having successfully persuaded the international community to keep the South African issue on the international agenda.
The President unattributed #18754
In accordance with the decision referred to earlier, I now call on the representative of the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania.
Mr. Miyeni Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania #18760
It is a great honour for me to address this body at the end of its consideration of agenda item 38, entitled "Elimination of apartheid and establishment of a united, democratic and nonracial South Africa". The international community has remained supportive of the Azanian people through the toughest times of their history. The international community and member States made various contributions to the struggle against colonial apartheid. Most of all we thank the Organization of African Unity for having recognized our liberation movement, thereby opening a gateway for other international organizations to contribute to our struggle against colonial apartheid. The United Nations made an outstanding contribution to our cause through the Office of the Secretary-General. I It has become apparent in recent years that the international community treats the oppressed and the oppressors equally when dealing with the colonial apartheid issue. The international community does not want to recognize who the aggressor is, and to punish that aggressor, it stands most of the time by Mr. De Klerk’s side. The international community is continually losing its focus on the real issue and fails to help or stand in solidarity with the oppressed masses. If this trend continues, the emerging new world order will be meaningless for the oppressed peoples of the world. We hope that the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, will help us make the United Nations relevant and meaningful to the oppressed majority. Among the United Nations organs, the most active and visible structure is the Centre against Apartheid. The Centre against Apartheid spearheaded campaigns that isolated South Africa from the international community in various fields - cultural, sports, economic, educational and technological. We thank the staff members of the Centre against Apartheid for their useful and selfless contribution, and we offer special thanks to Mr. Johan Nordenfelt, Head of the Centre against Apartheid. The Special Committee against Apartheid, composed of several Member States, cannot be left out of these expressions of thanks. Its contribution to the eradication of apartheid is immeasurable. We give special thanks to Nigeria and Guinea, both of which have chaired the Special Committee. Nigeria was Chairman of the Special Committee from 1962 to 1972. Guinea took over from Nigeria in 1972 and was Chairman until 1974. Nigeria again assumed the position of Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid in 1974 and continues to be its Chairman. We all are aware, I hope, of Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari’s hard work against the forces of apartheid. His work for our freedom is priceless. We also feel deep gratitude to the Nigerian people for having dedicated human resources and time to our cause here at the United Nations. We have shared with the Nigerian people many of their Ambassadors to the United Nations. Our gratitude extends to the front-line States for the hard work and time they devoted to the meetings at which resolutions were shaped and drafted. This was not always an easy task. The big task of chairing those meetings fell on Without the contribution of the Intergovernmental Group to Monitor the Supply and Shipping of Oil and Petroleum Products to South Africa (IGG), I would not have been able to speak as I am speaking here now. Depriving South Africa of petroleum products has been one of the cornerstones of our struggle against apartheid. We wish to thank all the IGG member States and all the United Nations Member States that respected the oil embargo against South Africa. We extend special gratitude to Ambassador Anthony B. Nyakyi of the United Republic of Tanzania, who was the last Chairman of the IGG. The Commission against Apartheid in Sports has a task which has a direct impact on the lives of Africans in Azania. Sport was the only activity that has allowed oppressed Azanians to enjoy pleasant times in the midst of all the pain and suffering in the country of their origin. The regime’s neglect of sports amongst the African community brought misery to the oppressed people. There is a continued trend of disparity in the promotion of sports and distribution of sports facilities between populations of different composition in Azania. The Commission against Apartheid in Sports is helpful in highlighting and reducing this disparity between different Azanian communities. We thank the Chairman of the Commission, Ambassador E. Besley Maycock, for his work. The Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania is of the view that this Commission should meet as soon as possible to decide on its fate now that changes are under way. The strength of the foundation of the new society which is being born in Azania will be judged by the level of education in our country. In this regard, I pay tribute to the United Nations Education and Training Programme for southern Africa (UNETPSA) for its vigorous campaign for education in Southern Africa, particularly Azania. The PAC supports the call by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of UNETPSA, Ambassador Martin Huslid of Norway, who said: The United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa has played a very important role in the education of and legal assistance and relief for Azanian refugees. I hope that this Throughout our struggle, many contributions were made by what is now the Special Political and Decolonization Committee. Since its formation in 1962 the Decolonization Committee has spearheaded the cause of colonized people throughout the world. Azania is about to join the many other countries to whose freedom from colonialism this Committee has contributed. Indeed, there are 18 more countries that are still under one form or another of colonialism. I pay special tribute to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, and hope that its purpose will be achieved before the end of the century. Colonialism in whatever form is unacceptable anywhere in the world. I offer special thanks to the Committee of 24, its Member States and its Chairman, Ambassador Renagi Renagi Lohia of Papua New Guinea. Finally, we thank the United Nations Member States for their contributions and support for our struggle. We hope they will continue to support us to the very end. The statement of the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Anthony B. Nyakyi, captured the essence of the feelings of the Azanians when he said: I urge the Assembly not to let us down.
The President unattributed #18763
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 38. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 39?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #18779
Members will recall that the Assembly concluded its debate on this agenda item at its 57th meeting, on 17 November. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/48/L.21/Rev.1. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/48/789. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/48/L.21/Rev.1?
Draft resolution A/48/L.21/Rev.1 was adopted (resolution 48/161).
The President unattributed #18781
May I take it also that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 40?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #18791
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the report (A/48/639) of the Secretary-General?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #18795
I call on the representative of Benin to introduce draft resolution A/48/L.33.
Mr. Mongbe BEN Benin [French] #18797
On 1 November last year, Sir, you did me the signal honour of putting my name forward for the chairmanship of the open-ended Working Group responsible for working on the restructuring and revitalization of the economic, social and related sectors of the United Nations. Today I have the pleasure of informing you of the results of the serious and Before I turn to the contents of draft resolution A/48/L.33, which is the result of the combined efforts and the expression of the political will of the delegations of the Member and Observer States of our Organization, allow me to pay tribute to all those who have given so exceptionally freely of themselves in reviving the negotiations after they had come up against a wall of mutual incomprehension on the part of the various interested parties last summer. The first person I wish to mention is Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-General of the United Nations, who on 29 July, at the high-level segment of the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council in Geneva, most movingly described how serious the situation of our Organization would be unless this longed-for restructuring and revitalization took place. I should also like to mention Ambassador Juan Somavia of Chile, President of the Economic and Social Council, who prevailed upon the Bureau of the Council to write to the President of the General Assembly recommending that the matter should be taken up again, although its essential element - draft resolution A/47/L.58 - no longer had a sponsor. Your predecessor as President, Mr. Ganev, subsequently conducted the negotiations with courage and wisdom. They resulted in a revised version of the previous draft resolution, which appeared as document A/47/L.58/Rev.1. The essential difference between the two versions lies in the size of the governing bodies of the various funds and programmes concerned with operational development activities. In substance, draft resolution A/47/L.58/Rev.1 comprises a proposal from the Group of 77, admirably led by Ambassador Luis Fernando Jaramillo of Colombia. Despite the commendable efforts of President Ganev, the negotiations were to reach a deadlock again, since not all delegations were satisfied with the new text. That was the stage that had been reached when the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly came to an end on 20 September 1993. Chronologically speaking, the next person who deserves particular praise is you yourself, Sir, since, in your capacity as President of the forty-eighth session of the General Assembly and as a man concerned to save our Organization in the economic, social and related fields, which are all so vital, you decided to take the matter up again. The intensive consultations you organized and conducted with great patience and perspicacity led you to decide to establish an open-ended Working Group to The Working Group, which you, Mr. President, were so kind as to entrust to my chairmanship, completed its task on Monday, 29 November, in a friendly atmosphere. I am therefore introducing the following draft resolution, which was largely put together at the last session by my friend Ambassador Ramiro Piriz Ballon of Uruguay. I should here like to express to him my great admiration and acknowledgement. As members will note, draft resolution A/48/L.33 comprises, in addition to the main text, two annexes - the first dealing in detail with the further measures for the rationalization and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields and the second concentrating on the division of labour between the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. In terms of institutional reforms, annex I allows for a clear distinction between the functions of the Assembly and those of the Council on matters relating to the economic, social and related fields. It reiterates the fact that the Assembly is the highest intergovernmental mechanism for the formulation and appraisal of policy on such matters and strengthens the coordinating role of the Economic and Social Council. It stipulates additional measures that will significantly revitalize the Council and its high-level segment, its coordination segment and what will now be called the "Operational activities of the United Nations for international development cooperation segment". It also proposes the establishment of a segment under which the Council will supervise the activities of its subsidiary bodies. The scope of the new operational activities segment has been enlarged and its functions fine-tuned. The Economic and Social Committees of the Council, as we have known them, will cease to exist as of 1994 and will be subsumed into the plenary. All this is to ensure not only a more effective round of deliberations, but also to allow the Council to focus its attention on its coordination role and on the work of its subsidiary bodies. This annex also establishes new Executive Boards of identical size and composition to replace the current governing bodies of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Fund for Population These 36-member Boards will be under the authority of the Council and will report directly to it. Their specific functions, the frequency of their meetings and the right of participation in their deliberations are carefully spelled out in section 3 of annex I. Similar, eventual arrangements are envisaged for the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes of the World Food Programme (WFP), as mentioned in paragraph 30. Taking into account the standardization decided upon regarding the membership of the various Executive Boards of the subsidiary bodies concerned with operational activities for development, and following the consultations held by my predecessor, Mr. Ramiro Piriz Ballon, and myself, Japan should henceforth be considered as being among the Group of Western European and Other States - whose members are already the main donors - as far as eligibility in those Executive Boards is concerned. The need for a separate Executive Board for the UNFPA will be considered following the International Conference on Population and Development, to be held in Cairo in 1994. Reference to the question of the membership of each Executive Board is made in paragraph 25, where it is emphasized that the most effective and broadest participation should be ensured. In this connection, elections to the Executive Boards ought to take into account existing arrangements, systems or methods of representation, or others to be formulated with this in mind by the regional groups. The establishment of such mechanisms within the regional groups where these mechanisms do not yet exist, or the strengthening or improvement of such machinery where it does exist, should be encouraged. Each Executive Board shall meet in an annual substantive session at such times as it determines. The regular meetings of the Boards, which shall take place between the annual sessions, shall be held at premises of the headquarters of the respective organizations when such premises have the facilities to accommodate such meetings, including adequate interpretation facilities. The right of participation in the Board’s deliberations, without the right to vote, shall also be reserved to a Member State when its country programme is under consideration. The Executive Boards may also invite States members of the respective funds and programmes, and participants who The Assembly will note that this annex also refers to resources for operational activities. In this connection, and with a view to making possible the establishment of a new funding system, the Secretary-General is requested to review and analyse possible changes and improvements in the present funding system and to submit a report with his recommendations in April 1994. Intergovernmental consultations on the matter are envisaged for the month of May 1994. With respect to the ongoing process of reform in the Secretariat, the Secretary-General is requested to submit an additional report examining ways and means of enhancing the reporting modalities in the economic, social and related fields. This report would be made available to the Economic and Social Council at its 1994 substantive session and should include recommendations on the establishment of a system of integrated reports. Draft resolution A/48/L.33 calls for a review in 1995. It may be worth noting that the text before the Assembly carefully delineates what kind of review should be undertaken, making it clear that this represents a critical step forward in the ongoing reform process. Annex II contains provisions that will change fundamentally the methodology of work of the plenary and Second Committee of the General Assembly and of the Economic and Social Council. The intention is to continue the rationalization of the work of those bodies by clustering the consideration of major issues in the economic, social and related fields around a limited number of agenda items and sub-items. The steps taken so far for the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in those fields, pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 45/264 and 46/235, including the creation of the high-level, coordination and operational activities segments of the Council’s annual substantive session, are thus complemented and strengthened. Several specific aspects of the division of labour between the Assembly and the Council deserve mention. First, as I mentioned earlier, the two Committees of the Council are subsumed into the plenary. Secondly, the items for the agenda of the substantive session of the Council are enumerated, as are the items to be Thirdly, in order to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance, all assistance questions are to be considered in the plenary of the General Assembly. Draft resolutions on those questions would be dealt with in informal consultations. The far-reaching, beneficial consequences of the adoption of draft resolution A/48/L.33 for the intergovernmental machinery cannot be overemphasized. By enhancing the complementarity of the work of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and their subsidiary bodies, the draft resolution would reduce the present overlap and unnecessary, indeed harmful, duplication of the work, the debates and the agenda items of those two organs and their subsidiary bodies. The adoption of this carefully negotiated package of reforms would bring about further revitalization of the Economic and Social Council and would clearly delineate lines of responsibility and communication between the Council and the Executive Boards, as well as a far more effective division of labour throughout the system. The Working Group could never have accomplished its task if the various delegations, interest groups and regional groups had not demonstrated unflagging vigour, patience and good will in bringing the political will of States to bear on the task of making the world Organization more effective, more efficient and better able to respond to the challenges of our time. This is the place and time for me to express my gratitude to all those who took part in the work of the Group, sparing no effort - even the effort of overcoming the drowsiness and fatigue induced by some of our night meetings. I shall never forget the time we spent together, sometimes tense, but always marked by frankness and courtesy. I could never find words adequate to thank everyone who in one way or another provided direct, personal assistance to me, any more than I could cite them all by name. But let me single out for special mention Ms. Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl of Austria, who did such excellent work in presiding over the drafting committee, which often helped me find consensus texts. I also thank the members of the secretariats of the Economic and Social Council and the Second Committee, who were generous enough to put their skill and dedication at the disposal of the Working Group. In conclusion, on behalf of Benin, I recommend the adoption by the General Assembly without a vote draft of resolution A/48/L.33, on the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The President unattributed #18801
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/48/L.33. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/48/790. May I take it that the General Assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution by consensus?
Daft resolution A/48/L.33 was adopted (resolution 48/162).
The President unattributed #18804
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of position. May I remind delegations that explanations of vote or position are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Portocarero BEL Belgium on behalf of European Union [French] #18807
I have the honour of addressing the General Assembly on behalf of the European Union. The resolution we have just adopted, supplemented by important annexes, resulted from a long and often delicate negotiating process. We welcome the results achieved and thank all those who played an active role in them. In particular, we thank Ambassador Mongbe of Benin, who guided our work in its final stages and whose personal efforts went a long way towards helping us reach consensus. During the negotiations we had many opportunities to express our views on the restructuring, but let me now recall that we see this as an evolutionary process. We have laid down the principal guidelines, leaving the parties in the system with enough flexibility to implement reforms appropriate to their specific situations. In the next stages of the process, we shall be addressing the methods of work of the Executive Boards and engaging in consultations on questions of financing. Having charted the road we are to travel, we hope to have made a contribution, especially with respect to the Several aspects of the reform concerning the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are of particular relevance to us. We reaffirm our commitment to the Programme as a vital element of the United Nations operational system. I echo Ambassador Mongbe in stating our commitment to the principle of alternating the annual sessions of the UNDP Governing Council between Geneva and New York. Furthermore, nothing in the reforms we have just adopted prejudges future utilization of the various official languages of the United Nations in accordance with the rules of the Governing Council. Both of those elements are essential to the universal nature of UNDP, and we shall bear them in mind whenever we work to define the principles governing reform. With this resolution we are also undertaking substantive reform of the functioning of the Economic and Social Council and a needed revision of the agenda of the Second Committee. We are convinced that the reform of the Economic and Social Council will give the Council its proper place as a Charter organ; this had been jeopardized by the poor functioning of the Council. By making use of the various sectors as appropriate, we will be able to sharpen the focus of our debates, thus helping enhance the visibility and credibility of the United Nations in these sectors. We reaffirm our commitment to respecting the balance between economic and social issues. Here, the Secretariat’s proposals on the division of working time in the Council’s substantive sessions are the least we can implement. With respect to the agenda of the Second Committee, we hope that the more transparent, logical structure we have outlined will enable us to rationalize the Committee’s functioning to a large extent. In this respect we congratulate Ambassador Mongbe, the Permanent Representative of Benin, on his work as It is clear that, as with any compromise text, the resolution just adopted, by its very nature, suffers from a certain lack of precision. We are particularly concerned about paragraph 27 of annex I, which states: "The regular meetings of the Boards, which shall be held between the annual sessions, shall be held at the premises of the headquarters of the respective organization as of the date when such premises are rendered possible to accommodate such meetings." The headquarters of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Population Fund do not at present have adequate facilities to host such meetings. It is our understanding, therefore, that until the interpretation and document distribution services in all the official languages of the United Nations can be made available such meetings cannot be held at those headquarters. Spain firmly supports the process of reform, restructuring and revitalization in the economic and social fields. We cannot, however, agree to its being carried out at the cost of failing to use all the official languages of the United Nations, without which neither the desirable understanding between delegations nor the transparency of our discussions can be guaranteed.
Mrs. MENENDEZ (Spain) (interpretation from Spanish): My delegation wishes first to state its complete support for the comments just made by the representative of Belgium on behalf of the European Union. Let me also say how pleased we are that draft resolution A/48/L.33 was adopted by consensus following long and difficult negotiations.
Mr. Ramirez COL Colombia [Spanish] #18815
On behalf of the Group of 77 and the People’s Republic of China I should like to reiterate our support for the text of the resolution we have just adopted. Given the delicate balance of interests that the text has sought to reflect, it is essential to make clear how the Group of 77 and the People’s Republic of China view the scope of the following elements of the resolution. First, the reference to annual sessions of the Executive Boards is to substantive meetings, where decisions relating to the functions set out in the resolution will be taken. Secondly, it is our understanding that the resolution gives a mandate for the Funds and Programmes to adapt their premises to make available to Member States the necessary facilities for the Boards to meet at their respective headquarters. That means providing room for the 36 principal members and observer States that wish to be present at the sessions. The facilities should allow the use of all the official languages, as provided in the present rules of procedure. Fourthly, we adopted the resolution on the understanding that observers wishing to make statements could express their wish to do so to the Boards. In practice, that expression of interest should be sufficient for the Boards to consider it and authorize the observers to contribute to the discussion in which they have expressed a special interest. Lastly, we should like to point out that an essential part of the resolution is the requirement that decision-making procedures be maintained unchanged.
Mr. Al-Sameen OMN Oman on behalf of Group of Arab States [Arabic] #18821
On behalf of the Group of Arab States, over which it is my country’s honour to preside this month, I support the statement made by the representative of the Group of 77. I, too, should like to make a few comments about this agenda item and the provisions of paragraph 27 of annex I of the resolution we have just adopted. We would emphasize the need for the appropriate organization of sessions of the Economic and Social Council and meetings of the Executive Boards of the Funds, and Programmes on their activities, as well as those of other United Nations bodies and organs, including inter-session meetings. We would also emphasize the important need to provide interpretations and translations in Arabic, because it is both an official language and a working language of the United Nations, along with other languages. In this connection, we call for the full and effective implementation of rules 51, 52, 54 and 56 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, as well as of later amendments adopted by the Assembly on 31 December 1984. We joined in the consensus adoption of the resolution. However, we must emphasize the need to use Arabic at the headquarters of the Executive Boards in order to facilitate the participation of Arab delegations in their work. Lastly, I would re-emphasize the need to make Arabic one of the languages to be used in the headquarters of all the Boards. Statements referring to the rationalization of expenses are unrealistic. Such rationalization could have a negative effect on the outcome of meetings owing to a lack of interpretation.
Mr. KÄÄRiÄ FIN Finland on behalf of Nordic countries #18830
On behalf of the Nordic countries, I should like first to thank Ambassador Mongbe of Benin for the work he did as Chairman of the Working The Nordic countries welcome the consensus on the restructuring and revitalization of the economic, social and related sectors of the United Nations reached in the Ad Hoc Working Group established by you, Sir. The result does not meet the expectations the Nordic countries had for the reforms, particularly for the governance and financing of the United Nations operational activities for development. But it is a first step in the right direction in a process that we see as ongoing. Therefore, and in the spirit of compromise, the Nordic countries were able to support the resolution that has just been adopted. This stage of the reform process, which was given political impetus at the High-Level Session of the Economic and Social Council in 1992, took almost one and a half years to complete. During that period delegations were engaged in very detailed discussions on the substance of the reforms. This, in our view, should facilitate the implementation of the resolution, because there should be no ambiguity as to how the text before us should be interpreted. The resolution clarifies the roles and division of labour between the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the new governing Bodies of the Funds and Programmes of the United Nations. It gives the Economic and Social Council a more dynamic role in providing policy guidance to the operational agencies for development in the implementation of the policies laid down by the General Assembly, and underlines its role in providing coordination to the United Nations system. As to the new executive boards for the funds and programmes, the agreement reached will make it possible to increase the efficiency of governance while taking into account the need for universality and representation. The concerns of a number of small countries about their opportunities of participating in the work of the executive boards, which stalled the process last June, have been taken into account in the present agreement. To that end, it was agreed that, in addition to the regular meetings of each board during the year, a short annual meeting would be arranged that would be open to all member States of the respective funds and programmes. In addition, and as a compromise, the size of the boards was increased from 30 to 36. The Nordic countries have all along stressed the link between governance and financing and are therefore looking forward to the consultations in May next year on the reform of the financing mechanisms of the funds and programmes. We are also looking forward to discussing further reform steps in the same direction during the comprehensive review process, which has been advanced to 1995.
Mr. Fernandez De Cossio Dominguez CUB Cuba [Spanish] #18836
At the outset, I should like to note that my delegation fully supports the statement just made by the representative of Colombia on the behalf of the Group of 77. The Cuban Government, as a member of that Group, has joined, with serious reservations, the consensus on the package before us today on the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic and social fields. We agree that the negotiating effort over the past year has yielded a set of measures that are certainly capable of improving our deliberative working mechanisms in the Second Committee and in the Economic and Social Council, although this in no way guarantees the necessary improvement in the provision of assistance from funds and programmes. At the same time, and as part of the package, a decision - an unjust decision, in our opinion - has been taken to reduce the membership of the governing bodies of the assistance programmes and funds. Cuba, as a member of the Group of 77, has accepted this measure because of the open threats made that there would be a substantial reduction in the resources of the funds and programmes if the developing countries did not agree to this reduction in membership. Everyone here is aware that the purpose of restricting participation in the governing bodies has nothing to do with efficiency and that the developing countries have repeatedly rejected that argument. This decision has been taken under the pressure of a constant threat to resources. Such pressure is inappropriate in this forum and is contrary to the democratic principles of the Organization. That is why it is my delegation’s understanding that the review process described in paragraphs 37 and 38 of annex I to the resolution should As for the contents of paragraph 27 of annex I to the resolution, it is Cuba’s understanding that they in no way restrict the open-ended nature of the deliberations of the executive boards, on the basis of the present rules of procedure, or the opportunity for observers to participate in the negotiations by speaking in any of the official languages of the United Nations. Cuba intends vigorously to defend its rights relating to these issues.
Mr. Juillard FRA France on behalf of European Union [French] #18842
The French delegation fully agrees with the statement made by the representative of Belgium on behalf of the European Union. We should like to point out that the forthcoming extrasessional meetings of the Executive Boards of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at their headquarters should in no way lead to a reduction or the elimination of conference services supplied so far to the Executive Boards of those two organizations. If it were to appear that the convening of these meetings at the headquarters of UNDP and UNICEF might in any way jeopardize the provision of such services, those meetings should not be held.
Mr. Sinon MYS Malaysia on behalf of Group of 77 and China #18850
My delegation wishes to express its support for draft resolution A/48/L.33 and for the statement just made by the representative of Colombia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. My delegation wishes, however, to re-emphasize the need to ensure that the work of the executive boards of the programmes and funds of the United Nations continues to be representative, transparent and universal and to facilitate the full and effective participation of all member States. In this regard, my delegation’s understanding of paragraph 27 of annex I to the resolution is that all Member States that are not members of an executive board will continue to be allowed to participate as observers, unencumbered and unrestricted. If that is not the case, my delegation would like to place on record its reservations with respect to paragraph 27. With the agreement reached in this resolution, it is my delegation’s understanding that there will be a substantial
Mr. Marrero USA United States of America #18853
I should like to associate my delegation with the comments of previous speakers who have commended the outstanding work of Ambassador Piriz Ballon of Uruguay and Ambassador Mongbé of Benin in securing agreement on the resolution that has just been approved. We fully support this measure and believe that it represents an important improvement in the work of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the development programmes and funds. We look forward to the work to be done in the coming year in implementing this resolution and to the continuing process of reform in the United Nations.
The President unattributed #18856
I should like to say a word of special thanks to the Ambassador of Benin, who, at my request, undertook very extensive and very delicate consultations, which, happily, have resulted in the resolution that has just been adopted by consensus. My appreciation extends to those who helped to make the negotiations a success. I am deeply indebted to all of them - especially to the delegation of Uruguay, which did much preparatory work. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 56? Subsequent to the voting, the delegation of Madagascar advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour. Subsequent to the voting, the delegation of Madagascar advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour. Subsequent to the voting, the delegations of Chad and Samoa advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour. Subsequent to the voting, the delegation of Samoa advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.
It was so decided.
The meeting rose at 8.15 p.m.
Changes in recorded and/or roll-call votes
Resolution 48/92
Resolution 48/94
Resolution 48/145
Resolution 48/147
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