A/52/PV.70 General Assembly

Friday, Dec. 12, 1997 — Session 52, Meeting 70 — New York — UN Document ↗ — OCR ✓ — ⓘ 106 unattributed speechs — ⚠ 12 duplicate speechs
▶ This meeting at a glance
133
Speeches
23
Countries
78
Resolutions
Resolutions: 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 31/127, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 32/95, 31/127, 32/97, 32/98, 32/132, 31/125, 32/95, 31/127, 32/97, 32/98, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 32/95, 31/127, 31/37, 32/132, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 31/37, 32/132, 31/37, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 32/95, 31/127, 32/97, 32/98, 32/99, 32/100, 32/101, 32/127, 32/128, 39/192, 34/131, 40/229, 40/230, 37//6/, 48/137, 31/37, 32/132, 31/125, 32/95, 31/127, 32/97, 32/98, 32/99, 32/100, 32/101, 32/127, 31/37, 32/132, 52/149, A/RES/52/112, A/RES/52/114, A/RES/52/119, A/RES/52/120, A/RES/52/121, A/RES/52/129, A/RES/52/131, A/RES/52/133, A/RES/52/136, A/RES/52/139, A/RES/52/140, A/RES/52/141, A/RES/52/142, A/RES/52/143, A/RES/52/144, A/RES/52/147
Topics
UN resolutions and decisions Human rights and rule of law General statements and positions Women, peace, and security Global economic relations Arab political groupings

The meeting was called to order at 3.10 p.m.
Vote: A/RES/52/112 Recorded Vote
✓ 113   ✗ 18   41 abs.
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✓ Yes (113)
Vote: A/RES/52/114 Recorded Vote
✓ 160   ✗ 2   6 abs.
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✓ Yes (160)
Vote: A/RES/52/119 Recorded Vote
✓ 96   ✗ 58   12 abs.
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✓ Yes (96)
Vote: A/RES/52/120 Recorded Vote
✓ 91   ✗ 46   26 abs.
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✓ Yes (91)
Vote: A/RES/52/121 Recorded Vote
✓ 94   ✗ 1   73 abs.
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✓ Yes (94)
Vote: A/RES/52/129 Recorded Vote
✓ 157   ✗ 0   15 abs.
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✓ Yes (157)
Vote: A/RES/52/131 Recorded Vote
✓ 116   ✗ 2   50 abs.
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✓ Yes (116)
Vote: A/RES/52/133 Recorded Vote
✓ 115   ✗ 0   57 abs.
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✓ Yes (115)
Vote: A/RES/52/136 Recorded Vote
✓ 129   ✗ 12   32 abs.
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✓ Yes (129)
Vote: A/RES/52/139 Recorded Vote
✓ 106   ✗ 2   56 abs.
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✓ Yes (106)
Vote: A/RES/52/140 Recorded Vote
✓ 93   ✗ 16   58 abs.
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✓ Yes (93)
Vote: A/RES/52/141 Recorded Vote
✓ 99   ✗ 3   60 abs.
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✗ No (3)
✓ Yes (99)
Vote: A/RES/52/142 Recorded Vote
✓ 74   ✗ 32   56 abs.
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✓ Yes (74)
Vote: A/RES/52/143 Recorded Vote
✓ 64   ✗ 29   75 abs.
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Vote: A/RES/52/144 Recorded Vote
✓ 81   ✗ 18   64 abs.
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✓ Yes (81)
Vote: A/RES/52/147 Recorded Vote
✓ 133   ✗ 2   27 abs.
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✓ Yes (133)

Reports of the Third Committee

The President unattributed #28433
This afternoon, the General Assembly will consider the reports of the Third Committee on agenda items 102 to 111, 112 and sub-items (a) to (e), and 12. I request the Rapporteur of the Third Committee to introduce the reports of the Third Committee in one intervention.

102.  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/52/634)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
Mrs. Martínez ECU Ecuador [Spanish] #28434
I am pleased to introduce the following reports of the Third Committee on the items assigned to the Committee by the General Assembly for consideration. Under agenda item 102, entitled “Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 25 of document A/52/634, the adoption of five draft resolutions. Under agenda item 103, entitled “Crime prevention and criminal justice”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 22 of document A/52/635, the adoption of seven draft resolutions. Under agenda item 104, entitled “International drug control”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/52/636, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 105, entitled “Advancement of women”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 32 of document A/52/637, the adoption of seven draft resolutions, and, in paragraph 33, the adoption of one draft decision. I should like to state that draft resolutions II and III were considered under both item 105 and item 106, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women”. Under agenda item 106, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/52/638, that one draft resolution be adopted. I should like to point out to the General Assembly that in operative paragraph 47 of the draft resolution entitled “Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, in the English text only, after the words “fifty-second session”, delete the word “or”. Under agenda item 107, entitled “Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 24 of document A/52/639, the adoption of five draft resolutions. Under agenda item 108, entitled “Promotion and protection of the rights of children”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 16 of document A/52/640, the adoption of two draft resolutions and, in paragraph 17, the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 110, entitled “Elimination of racism and racial discrimination”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 22 of document A/52/642, the adoption of three draft resolutions. Under agenda item 111, entitled “Right of peoples to self-determination”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 22 of document A/52/643, the adoption of three draft resolutions. Under agenda item 112 (a), entitled “Human rights questions: implementation of human rights instruments”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 23 of document A/52/644/Add.1, the adoption of four draft resolutions and, in paragraph 24, the adoption of one draft decision. I should like to draw the attention of the General Assembly to the fact that in draft resolution III, “Fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, operative paragraph 2, the words “for all” should be added at the end. Also, at the end of operative paragraph 10, add the words “including the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development”. Turning to agenda item 112 (b), entitled “Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 62 of document A/52/644/Add.2, the adoption of 18 draft resolutions and, in paragraph 63, the adoption of one draft decision. On agenda item 112 (c), entitled “Human rights questions: human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 44 of document A/52/644/Add.3, the adoption of 11 draft resolutions and, in paragraph 45, the adoption of one draft decision. I wish to note that in paragraph 4 of draft resolution X, “Situation of human rights in Rwanda”, the words “Special Representative of Rwanda” should be replaced by the words “Special Representative for Rwanda”. On agenda item 112 (d), entitled “Human rights questions: comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 11 of With respect to agenda item 112 (e), entitled “Human rights questions: report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights”, the Third Committee reports in document A/52/644/Add.5 that no proposals were submitted under this item. On agenda item 12, entitled “Report of the Economic and Social Council”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/52/633, the adoption of two draft decisions. I wish to note that the title of draft decision I was omitted from the report. It should read “Organization of work of the Third Committee and biennial programme of work of the Committee for 1998-1999”.

103.  Crime prevention and criminal justice Report of the Third Committee (A/52/635)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

107.  Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions Report of the Third Committee (A/52/639)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

108.  Promotion and protection of the rights of children Report of the Third Committee (A/52/640)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

110.  Elimination of racism and racial discrimination Report of the Third Committee (A/52/642)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

(a) Implementation of human rights instruments Report of the Third Committee (Part II) (A/52/644/Add.1)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President unattributed #28435
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Third Committee that are before the Assembly today.

Report of the Third Committee (Part III) (A/52/644/Add.2)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 96   ✗ 58   12 abs.
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✓ Yes (96)

12.  Report of the Economic and Social Council Report of the Third Committee (A/52/633)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
It was so decided.

111.  Right of peoples to self-determination Report of the Third Committee (A/52/643)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 113   ✗ 18   41 abs.
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The President unattributed #28436
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Third Committee have been made in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that by paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee.” May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Third Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we I also hope that we shall be able to proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Third Committee.
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
The President unattributed #28437
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the five draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 25 of its report (A/52/634). We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “International Year of Older Persons: towards a society for all ages”. Draft resolution I was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 52/80).
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Recorded Vote
✓ 91   ✗ 46   26 abs.
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✓ Yes (84)
The President unattributed #28438
Draft resolution II, entitled “Follow-up to the International Year of the Family”, was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
Vote: 31/125 Consensus
Vote: 31/125 Consensus
Vote: 31/125 Consensus
Vote: 31/125 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/81).

105.  Advancement of women Report of the Third Committee (A/52/637)

Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Vote: 52/149 Consensus
The President unattributed #28439
Draft resolution III, entitled “Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons: towards a society for all in the twenty-first century”, was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt this draft resolution?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 52/82).
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Vote: 31/125 Recorded Vote
✓ 94   ✗ 1   73 abs.
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The President unattributed #28440
Draft resolution IV, entitled “Policies and programmes involving youth”, was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
Vote: 31/125 Consensus

(c) Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives (Part IV) (A/52/644/Add.3)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President unattributed #28441
Draft resolution V, entitled “Education for all”, was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes also to adopt this draft resolution?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 52/84).
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The President unattributed #28442
I call on the representative of Egypt.
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
Mr. Wissa EGY Egypt #28443
I wish to put on record that my delegation had wished to join in sponsoring draft resolution V, entitled “Education for all”, but as the Third Committee had concluded its consideration of agenda item 102, we were unable to do so.
The President unattributed #28444
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 102?
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
It was so decided.
Vote: 31/127 Consensus
The President unattributed #28445
The Assembly will now take a decision on the seven draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 22 of its report contained in document A/52/635. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Followup to the Naples Political Declaration and Global Action Plan against Organized Transnational Crime”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
Vote: 31/125 Recorded Vote
✓ 106   ✗ 2   56 abs.
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✓ Yes (106)
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 52/85).
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
The President unattributed #28446
Draft resolution II is entitled “Crime prevention and criminal justice measures to eliminate violence against women”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote.
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/86).
The President unattributed #28447
Draft resolution III is entitled “International cooperation against corruption and bribery in international commercial transactions”. The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 93   ✗ 16   58 abs.
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✓ Yes (87)
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 52/87).
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
The President unattributed #28448
Draft resolution IV is entitled “International cooperation in criminal matters”. 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 52/88).
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
The President unattributed #28449
Draft resolution V is entitled “United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders”. The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 31/127 Recorded Vote
✓ 99   ✗ 3   60 abs.
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✗ No (3)
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 52/89).
The President unattributed #28450
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, particularly its technical cooperation capacity”. The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise? The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/100 Consensus
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 52/90).
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 52/91).
Vote: 32/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 74   ✗ 32   56 abs.
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The President unattributed duplicate #28451
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 103?
Vote: 32/101 Consensus
It was so decided.

104.  International drug control Report of the Third Committee (A/52/636)

The President unattributed #28452
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 8 of its report contained in document A/52/636. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “International action to combat drug abuse and illicit production and trafficking”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 52/92).
Vote: 32/98 Recorded Vote
✓ 64   ✗ 29   75 abs.
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The President unattributed #28453
We have concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 104.
Vote: 32/127 Recorded Vote
✓ 157   ✗ 0   15 abs.
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✓ Yes (157)
The President unattributed #28454
The Assembly has before it seven draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 32 of its report contained in document A/52/637 and one draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 33 of the same report. I shall now give the floor to those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of vote or position before action is taken.
Ms. Wahbi SDN Sudan #28455
We wish to explain our vote on the draft resolution entitled “Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas”, contained in the report of the Third Committee to the General Assembly (A/52/637). The Sudan has been a sponsor of draft resolutions on this subject for a long time. The Sudanese Government decided to sponsor such resolutions in the past because of the realization that rural women are very vulnerable, and there is a real need to improve their situation, particularly in developing countries, including in the Sudan. Unfortunately, this year it was difficult for our delegation to even join the consensus on this draft, because of the controversial language introduced into the text. This has changed last year's agreed language that was acceptable to all delegations. The reason why Sudan joined the consensus in the end was that most paragraphs of the draft resolution aim at improving the situation of rural women so that they may become effective participants in society. Moreover, the draft urges States and the international community to take the necessary measures to empower rural women, to respond to their needs and to pull them up from the economic conditions in which many live, particularly in the developing countries. In spite of these noble aims, which we fully support, the Sudan is obliged to express its reservation on operative paragraph 2 (e). The reasons for this position are follows: first, the paragraph attempts to distort the agreed language of international conferences, particularly the language of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which were negotiated in depth. Moreover, the new language introduced into the paragraph results in unacceptable ambiguity. Secondly, the deviation which took place in this paragraph, particularly the reference to inheritance, can be interpreted as contradicting Islamic law, the shariah. Thirdly, the Sudan's confirmed position is to strongly reject any language that contradicts Islamic law. We do not Women's inheritance was a controversial issue during previous international conferences and during many negotiations on various international instruments. The bottom line for consensus was quite clear. It was evident that divergent approaches and viewpoints existed and that there were specific points on which no consensus could ever be reached. Therefore, attempts to force a consensus are completely unacceptable. As for the position of Islamic law concerning the inheritance of women, we would like to clarify the following points: first, Islam grants all women the equal right to inherit; secondly, the division of inheritance in Islam is not based on gender; and thirdly, according to Islamic law inheritance is distributed to the relatives on the basis of the degree of relationship to the deceased — for example, the mother of a deceased person would inherit one-eighth of the assets: money, land, et cetera. And a mother is a woman. This could be more than the share of a number of males in the family, including sons of the deceased. The United Nations has continued to call for respect for the principle of tolerance between religions, countries and peoples. Therefore, we question today the reasons which make some compel us, as Muslims, to justify our beliefs and religion, or for others to look down on a sacred religion by calling it a “philosophy”. This attitude motivates us to renew once more our call for respect for the beliefs of others and for the recognition of the diversities which really exist in the world.
Mr. Kasanda ZMB Zambia #28456
At the time that the Third Committee took action on the resolution entitled “Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas”, my delegation reserved its right to make a general statement in explanation of position. Zambia became a sponsor of this resolution because we attach great importance to the situation of rural women. In Zambia, 60 per cent of our population live in rural areas, and the majority are women. In Africa, women constitute the majority of the population and are, in fact, one of the continent's greatest assets, in that they are responsible for 60 to 80 per cent of food production. Food is produced predominantly by rural women. In addressing the issue of the feminization of poverty, one of the key issues that has been identified is that of land ownership. A definite link has been made between poverty and the absence of land ownership. It is a proven fact that land ownership facilitates access to a range of benefits and opportunities, and the disproportionate enjoyment by men of rights to land excludes women from those benefits and opportunities. Without title to land, women's access to agricultural support services, particularly credit and extension services, where land ownership is expected as collateral or as a precondition, is drastically limited. The majority of land in Africa is agricultural land subject to traditional inheritance practices, and therefore the right to equal inheritance of land by women becomes vitally important. It lies at the very heart of women's economic empowerment, especially for rural women who may not be able to purchase title to land. The issue is also a question of development. Any meaningful development is not possible when more than half of a population are denied the right to own land, which is a major productive resource. It is also a question of human rights. Everyone is born equal and has the right to be treated equally. The issue of land rights discrimination is a matter of human rights. Women are being discriminated against by virtue of their being born as women. For these reasons the delegation of Zambia will, in all appropriate forums, continue to advocate the enactment of laws that will guarantee women the right to equal inheritance. In this light, we wish to express our gratitude to the delegation of Mongolia for its excellent work and patience in striving to achieve consensus on this draft resolution. We also wish to express our gratitude to all those delegations which worked so hard to maintain the delicate consensus reached in the Commission on the Status of Women on the inheritance language. We regret that a few delegations, which were clearly a minority, chose not
Vote: 32/128 Consensus
Vote: 32/99 Recorded Vote
✓ 81   ✗ 18   64 abs.
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Mr. Saleh BHR Bahrain [Arabic] #28457
My delegation will join consensus on draft resolution I, entitled “Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas”. But we would like to put on record our reservations with regard to operative paragraph 2 (e) because it contradicts our Islamic shariah. Islam has guaranteed women their full rights, including the right to inheritance. The Holy Quran provides that the male will have twice as much as the female. Therefore with regard to the issue of inheritance in Islam, there is a definite rule from which we cannot turn aside and which cannot be questioned.
Ms. Mohamed YEM Yemen [Arabic] #28458
With regard to the resolution entitled “Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas”, we support its adoption by consensus. However, we would also like to make clear that the issue of inheritance in Islam is complex. In Islam, inheritance distribution between the sexes is governed by relationship and kinship. My delegation would like to put on record our reservations about the wording of paragraph 2 (e) of the draft resolution.
The President unattributed #28459
We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Improvement of the situation of women in rural areas”. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/100 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 52/93).
Vote: 39/192 Recorded Vote
✓ 116   ✗ 2   50 abs.
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The President unattributed #28460
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “United Nations Development Fund for Women”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/94).
Vote: 32/101 Consensus
The President unattributed #28461
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women”, without a vote.
Vote: 34/131 Consensus
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 52/95).
The President unattributed #28462
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV, entitled “Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 52/96).
Vote: 32/127 Recorded Vote
✓ 133   ✗ 2   27 abs.
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The President unattributed #28463
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V, entitled “Violence against women migrant workers”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 40/229 Recorded Vote
✓ 115   ✗ 0   57 abs.
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✓ Yes (94)
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 52/97).
The President unattributed #28464
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VI, entitled “Traffic in women and girls”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to the same?
Vote: 40/230 Consensus
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 52/98).
The President unattributed #28465
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VII, entitled “Traditional or customary practices affecting the health of women and girls”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 52/99).
Vote: 37//6/ Consensus
The President unattributed #28466
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision entitled “Reports considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the advancement of women”, recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 33 of the report. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed #28467
I call on the representative of Yemen, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.
The President unattributed duplicate #28468
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 105?
Vote: 48/137 Recorded Vote
✓ 129   ✗ 12   32 abs.
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✓ Yes (94)
It was so decided.

106.  Implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women Report of the Third Committee (A/52/638)

The President unattributed duplicate #28469
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 52/100).
The President unattributed #28470
We have concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 106.
The President unattributed #28471
The Assembly will now take a decision on the five draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 24 of its report contained in document A/52/639. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 52/101).
The President unattributed #28472
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Follow-up to the Regional Conference to Address the Problems of Refugees, Displaced Persons, Other Forms of Involuntary Displacement and Returnees in the Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Relevant Neighbouring States”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/102).
The President unattributed #28473
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 52/103).
The President unattributed #28474
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV, entitled “Continuation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees”, by acclamation. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 52/104).
The President unattributed #28475
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V, entitled “Assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 52/105).
The President unattributed duplicate #28476
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 107?
The President unattributed #28477
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 16 of its report contained in document A/52/640 and one draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 17 of the same report. We turn first to draft resolution I, which is entitled “The girl child”. 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 52/106).
The President unattributed #28478
Draft resolution II is entitled “The rights of the child”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/107).
The President unattributed duplicate #28479
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision entitled “Reports considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the promotion and protection of the rights of children”, recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 17 of its report. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed duplicate #28480
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 108?

109.  Programme of activities of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People Report of the Third Committee (A/52/641)

The President unattributed #28481
I give the floor to the representative of Fiji, who wishes to speak in explanation of position before a decision is taken.
Mr. Bune FJI Fiji #28482
Fiji believes that observation of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People should not be an exercise just to admit that indigenous people still exist in our world. Observation of the Decade should therefore be meaningful and fruitful to the future of indigenous people. It should address the bleak future they now face, through the establishment of an international fund for their survival, development, progress and enhanced future. We must move at a greater speed to adopt the draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. We must set up as quickly as possible an indigenous-people unit in our Organization. Our ultimate goal should be the adoption of an international convention on the world's indigenous people. We are also concerned over the lack of progress on the adoption of the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. An international declaration on such rights is, in our view, an international testimony and commitment to our care, concern and profound interest in the future of our indigenous people. Yet after three meetings, only two of the 45 articles have been adopted. The two adopted are almost negligible with regard to the substantive aspects of indigenous rights, such as selfdetermination, ownership and control of resources and affirmative-action programmes to promote their development and progress. If observation of the Decade is to be meaningful, the international community, and Member States in particular, should display the political will to finalize the draft declaration as quickly as possible. We are most concerned over the information on the world's indigenous people on page 43 of the 1997 Human Development Report. According to the report, indigenous people have seen their values and customs destroyed by the incoming population and have frequently turned to alcoholism or suicide. In developing countries, they mix to some extent with the majority population, but in the industrial countries, many have ended up on reservations, Surely, our observations should be more meaningful and helpful and contribute to the creation of a better future for indigenous people during the decade. We therefore continue to call for the drafting, negotiation and adoption of an international convention on the world's indigenous people to create a legal framework for their survival, development, progress and future in our world. The indigenous people consider the adoption of the current draft critical to their survival. This was the message that came out clearly from the many representatives of indigenous peoples throughout the world who attended a regional seminar hosted by my Government last year as part of its programme of activities for observance of the Decade of the World's Indigenous People. We believe that a positive aspect of international observance should be the setting up of a unit for indigenous peoples' affairs in the United Nations, a proposal which my delegation has been espousing consistently over the past few years. In our view, our observance of the Decade would be even more significant and meaningful if such a unit were established. Finally, my delegation would like to see these matters reflected in the draft resolution on the Decade at our fifty-third session. In the meantime, Fiji will join the consensus on the draft resolution before us since we still consider it a step in the right direction.
The President unattributed duplicate #28483
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 52/108).
The President unattributed duplicate #28484
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.
The President unattributed #28485
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 22 of its report contained in document A/52/642. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Measures to combat contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 52/109).
The President unattributed #28487
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/110).
The President unattributed #28488
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and the convening of a world conference on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”, without a vote.
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 52/111).
The President unattributed duplicate #28489
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.
Mr. Mukhopadhaya IND India #28493
India would like to be added to the list of sponsors of draft resolution III, on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, which forms part of the report of the Third Committee on this agenda item.
The President unattributed #28495
The representative of India's statement will be reflected in the proceedings of the meeting. The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 22 of its report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to selfdetermination”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 113 votes to 18, with 41 abstentions (resolution 52/112).
The President unattributed #28496
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/113).
The President unattributed #28498
Draft resolution III is entitled “The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination”. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Dominican Republic, Georgia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Norway, Uruguay
The President unattributed duplicate #28500
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.

112.  Human rights questions Report of the Third Committee (Part I) (A/52/644)

The President unattributed #28574
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of part I of the report of the Third Committee on agenda item 112, entitled “Human rights questions”?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #28577
The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 23 of part II of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 24 of the report. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families”. 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 52/115).
The President unattributed #28579
The Third Committed adopted draft resolution II, entitled “International Covenants on Human Rights”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President unattributed #28582
Draft resolution III, entitled “Fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, was adopted by the Third Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution III, as orally revised, without a vote?
Draft resolution III, as orally revised, was adopted (resolution 52/117).
The President unattributed #28583
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights”. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 21 of draft resolution IV. As there are no objections to that request, I shall first put to the vote operative paragraph 21. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President unattributed #28586
The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV as a whole without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV, as a whole, was adopted (resolution 52/118).
The President unattributed #28588
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 24 of its report. The draft decision is entitled “Documents considered by the General Assembly in connection with implementation of human rights instruments”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed #28591
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 112?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #28596
The Assembly has before it 18 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 62 of Part III of its report (A/52/644/Add.2) and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 63 of the same report. I shall put the 18 draft resolutions and the draft decision to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have the opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to draft resolution I, “Respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 96 votes to 58, with 12 abstentions (resolution 52/119).
The President unattributed #28598
We turn now to draft resolution II, entitled “Human rights and unilateral coercive measures”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 91 votes to 46, with 26 abstentions (resolution 52/120).
The President unattributed #28601
We turn now to draft resolution III, entitled “Respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 94 votes to 1, with 73 abstentions (resolution 52/121).
The President unattributed #28603
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 52/122).
The President unattributed #28604
Draft resolution V is entitled “Effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities”.
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 52/123).
The President unattributed #28606
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Human rights in the administration of justice”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 52/124).
The President unattributed #28609
Draft resolution VII is entitled 'Strengthening of the rule of law”. 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 52/125).
The President unattributed #28612
We now turn to draft resolution VIII, entitled “Protection of United Nations personnel”. 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 52/126).
The President unattributed #28614
Draft resolution IX is entitled “United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995-2004, and public information activities in the field of human rights”. 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 52/127).
The President unattributed #28616
Draft resolution X is entitled “National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights”.
Draft resolution X was adopted (resolution 52/128).
The President unattributed #28618
Draft resolution XI is entitled “Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XI was adopted by 157 votes to 0, with 15 abstentions (resolution 52/129).
The President unattributed #28620
Draft resolution XII is entitled “Protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XII without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XII was adopted (resolution 52/130).
The President unattributed #28622
Draft resolution XIII is entitled “Strengthening of United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIII was adopted by 116 votes to 2, with 50 abstentions (resolution 52/131).
The President unattributed #28626
Draft resolution XIV is entitled “Human rights and mass exoduses”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XIV without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XIV was adopted (resolution 52/132).
The President unattributed #28627
Draft resolution XV is entitled “Human rights and terrorism”. A recorded vote has been requested. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution XVI without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XV was adopted by 115 votes to 0, with 57 abstentions (resolution 52/133).
Draft resolution XVI was adopted (resolution 52/134).
The President unattributed #28628
Draft resolution XVII is entitled “Situation of human rights in Cambodia”. The Third Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVII was adopted (resolution 52/135).
The President unattributed #28630
Draft resolution XVIII is entitled “Right to development”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Australia, the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine informed the Secretariat that they had intended to abstain; the delegation of Ghana had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XVIII was adopted by 129 votes to 12, with 32 abstentions (resolution 52/136).
The President unattributed #28631
We next turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 63 of part III of the report. The Third Committee adopted the draft decision, entitled “Award of human rights prizes in 1998”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed #28633
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of vote or position.
Mr. Najem LBN Lebanon [Arabic] #28635
My delegation has asked to speak in explanation of vote At the outset, I wish to stress that Lebanon vigorously condemns all acts of terrorism and believes that terrorism is one of the most terrible scourges of democratic societies. My delegation reiterates its commitment to cooperating fully in the context of any just, equitable and impartial international effort to combat terrorism. In fact, Lebanon has already ratified most of the international conventions against terrorism. My delegation abstained in the voting on this resolution for the following reasons. First, the resolution does not condemn state terrorism that allows for the occupation of foreign territories, such as the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa and the horrible massacres of our fellow citizens by the Israeli army. We, like many other States, are convinced that foreign occupation is one of the most awful forms of terrorism. Secondly, the resolution makes no reference to General Assembly resolution 46/51 of 9 December 1991, referred to by the Commission on Human Rights in other resolutions adopted subsequently to emphasize the need to establish a clear definition of the concept of terrorism. Thirdly, the resolution does not draw a distinction between the right to combat foreign occupation and the just and legitimate struggle of peoples to liberate their territories. The latter is a right enshrined in international law, including the United Nations Charter and the Declaration on Occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations.
Mrs. Castro de Barish CRI Costa Rica [Spanish] #28638
The delegation of Costa Rica wishes to explain its non-participation in the voting on draft resolution I, entitled “Respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes”. We can support many of the principles enunciated and paragraphs contained in the text. However, we do not support the content of the seventh preambular paragraph, especially where it states “that political systems and electoral processes are subject to historical, political, cultural and religious factors”. For that reason, my delegation preferred not to participate in the voting on this draft resolution.
The President unattributed duplicate #28639
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 112?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #29603
I now call on those representatives who wish to explain their votes or positions before the voting on the 11 draft resolutions and one draft decision contained in document A/52/644/Add.3.
Mrs. Dorjee BTN Bhutan #29608
My delegation has requested the floor to speak in explanation of vote before the voting on draft resolution VI, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran”. In accordance with Bhutan's position on countryspecific resolutions pertaining to human rights, our delegation will abstain in the voting on the draft resolution. We would, however, like to place on record our reservation on operative paragraph 4 (g) of the text, which addresses the issue of capital punishment. A number of delegations had approached the sponsors with an amendment to delete the words “for apostasy or nonviolent crimes” from that paragraph, which we regret, was not accepted. The deletion would have avoided an intrusive qualification on which crimes may and may not be penalized by capital punishment. We would remind the Committee that no international consensus exists on the abolition of capital punishment. We also point out that article 6 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights allows capital punishment for the most serious crimes. Unlike operative paragraph 4 (g), the Covenant does not attempt to specify which crimes capital punishment may or may not be applied to.
Mr. Rahmtalla SDN Sudan [Arabic] #29617
The delegation of the Sudan would like to make a general statement before the voting on the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, draft resolution IV in the report of the Third Committee contained in document A/52/644/Add.3. The Government of the Sudan takes a continued interest in human rights; this is a genuine principle of our Government, which has placed the issue of achieving peace and the system of governance in the country at the forefront of its priorities. Proof of that is what has been achieved in the field of human rights since the beginning of this year alone, which we would like to summarize as follows. First, the Peace Agreement between the Government and all the rebel factions except one was signed on 21 April 1997. That Agreement, known as the Khartoum Agreement, included the issue of human rights and fundamental freedoms. This has been attested to by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights appointed by the General Assembly to study the situation of human rights in the Sudan. Here, I would like to cite some excerpts by way of example. The Agreement stated: “1. The Sudan is a multiracial, multi-ethnic, multicultural and multireligious society. Islam is the religion of the majority of the population and Christianity and the African creeds are followed by a considerable number of citizens. Nevertheless the basis of rights and duties in the Sudan shall be citizenship, and all Sudanese shall equally share in all aspects of life and political responsibilities on the basis of citizenship. “2. Freedom of religion, belief and worship shall be guaranteed. “3. A suitable atmosphere shall be maintained for practising, worship, dawa, proselytization and preaching. “5. There shall be no legislation that would adversely affect the religious rights of any citizen. “6. a. Shariah and custom shall be sources of legislation”. In separate provisions, the Khartoum Agreement states: “The Supreme Court is the custodian of the Constitution and is thus entrusted with the protection and interpretation of the Constitution. “The people of south Sudan shall exercise the right to self-determination through a referendum. “The Constitution shall enshrine the following principles: a. There shall be no punishment except as provided for by the law; and b. Every person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. “The bill of rights and freedoms shall be enshrined in the Constitution. “All personal matters such as marriage, divorce, parentage and inheritance shall be governed by the religion and custom of those involved.” Second, following the signing of the Agreement, the Government tried to negotiate with the only rebel faction outside the peace process. It agreed to adopt the Declaration of Principles of the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as a basis for discussion and negotiations. The Sudanese Government participated at the highest levels in the latest talks held under the aegis of IGAD last October, in which it was agreed to resume negotiations next April. Third, in the field of relief to those affected by war in the country, Sudan's cooperation continued with the process which it initiated in the first place — Operation Lifeline Sudan. Last week, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs for the Sudan, Mr. van Schaik, visited our country and conducted highly positive negotiations with the Government. In line with these negotiations, new outlets for food distribution to new regions in the country were allowed, including the areas under the control of the sole rebel faction. It is Fourth, the country's independent National Commission for the Preparation of the Permanent Constitution continues its work, with the involvement of all sectors of the Sudanese people. It is expected that it will complete the draft constitution at the beginning of 1998. Fifth, the Government renewed once more, through its President, the offer of amnesty to all those who bore weapons against the homeland. It also reiterated its invitation for political participation internally by all parties, without any restrictions or exclusions. A great number of politicians and citizens accepted this invitation. Sixth, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Gáspár Bíró, was received twice, first in January and then in September 1997. Complete cooperation was accorded him at all levels, official and unofficial, as he stated in his interim report [A/52/510, annex] to this session of the General Assembly. Seventh, many constitutional decrees were issued in July 1997 providing the framework for human rights and fundamental freedoms contained in the Khartoum Peace Agreement. Eighth, the Consultative Council for Human Rights, a body comprising various formal and informal circles interested in human rights, has set up a number of factfinding commissions to verify allegations of human rights violations. A number of these committees have completed their work, and the Special Rapporteur made comments about the results. Efforts still continue in cooperation with him to foster and protect human rights in the Sudan. Through these comments we intended to provide only some examples of the persistent efforts being made by my country's Government to foster and maintain human rights. However, instead of these accomplishments meeting with recognition and appreciation, we regrettably find that the American delegation and the co-sponsors of the draft resolution insist on submitting a draft resolution which could, at a minimum, be described as devoid of honesty and credibility. It clearly reflects the degree of politicization to which some States have gone in dealing with this noble issue relating to the promotion and preservation of human rights. However, the targeting of the present Government by the United States does not require any proof. The American declarations on the need to get rid of the current Sudanese Government by any and all means, including military ones — let me reiterate: by any and all means, including military ones — fill all mass media. The visits paid by American officials to the region and to what is described by the United States as “front-line States” is a fact, not a Sudanese allegation. We even find the United States attempting to set the Sudan against its neighbours, with whom the Sudan will continue to foster its relations. It is clear that all these policies, which have been declared at the highest levels, aim at prolonging the duration of the conflict in the southern part of the Sudan and undermining the efforts of the Sudan Government to establish peace. If we add to this the unilateral imposition of economic sanctions against the Sudan, we find that all these policies cannot be construed in a non-political context. The other proof of that is the statement of the spokesman of the United States State Department that the objective of the unilateral economic sanctions against the Sudan is to exercise political pressure on the elected Sudanese Government and to coerce it into changing its behaviour and seriously to involve itself in the peace talks held in Nairobi. That matter has led to hampering these talks, delaying them until the beginning of next year. All of these policies emphasize to the States Members of the United Nations the real motives behind the submission of this draft resolution on the human rights situation in the Sudan. These practices constitute a gross violation of internationally binding resolutions in the area of human rights. The Assembly has very recently stated that the imposition of unilateral economic sanctions represents a violation of the economic and humanitarian rights of peoples and adversely affects economic and social development, the right of the individual to live in dignity, and a contravention of the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law. The insistence of the sponsors in submitting this kind of draft resolutions and the addition of new and negative elements annually are in line with the ongoing campaigns against the orientation of the Sudanese people and its Government. Such campaigns are targeting the We also denounce any attempts to belittle divine faiths or to subject them to human whims and secular purposes. We strongly denounce any deprecation of Islam or any attempt to distort it or to link it to allegations of violations of human rights, the rights of children and the rights of women or with terrorism. We see in such behaviour a new and enormous challenge facing the international community which should strive to put a stop to this kind of confrontational attitude among various creeds and faiths in this world. I should like to conclude my statement by saying that the Government of the Sudan will continue its drive towards peace. The insistence of some on ignoring the positive references in the report of the Special Rapporteur to the peace agreement signed in Khartoum on 21 April 1997 and other positive developments by way of fostering human rights in the Sudan will not dissuade the Government from such pursuit. It will not be impeded by the intransigence and inequity manifested by the group of sponsors. The Sudan will continue on its road to achieving peace and good-neighbourliness. For these reasons, my delegation rejects this draft resolution and calls for a vote thereon. We request that most members of the Assembly reject it. We take this opportunity to draw the attention of the Group of 77 and China to the stand they took, as described on the same day last year by the representative of Costa Rica, to the effect that the Group will ask for a vote on any draft resolution containing the phrase “within existing resources”, and that the Group will vote against that phrase, which is mentioned in paragraphs 8 and 21 of the present draft resolution. It is a source of irony that the European Union and most of its members which are sponsors of this draft resolution rejected that phrase last year. But when the matter is coupled with political objectives, logic vanishes, Is this not contradiction in its most glaring manifestations?
The President unattributed #29620
May I ask the representative of Sudan to stick to the decision we made in General Assembly resolution 34/401, which sets a time limit of 10 minutes for an explanation of vote. I appeal to that representative to wind up his statement, as he has already exceeded the time limit.
Mr. Erwa SDN Sudan #29623
I am very grateful to you, Sir. Indeed, I was about to express my appreciation to you. I should like to conclude. My delegation would like to seize this opportunity also to extend its gratitude to all those States that did not support this draft resolution when it was put to the vote in the Third Committee on November 1997. We again call upon the States to uphold justice, not only for the purpose of supporting Sudan, but also for the glorification of the principles of human rights which all of us espouse and for shielding them from political exploitation.
(spoke in Arabic)
Mr. Rodríguez Parrilla CUB Cuba [Spanish] #29626
To affirm that gross, systematic and mass human rights violations are taking place in Cuba is vulgar slander. Lauding a ridiculous Special Rapporteur cannot conceal the fact that he is but a pitiful pawn. Though some may feign ignorance, everyone knows that this exercise is a gross political manipulation by the United States against Cuba. In the last few weeks, the United States submitted a draft resolution endorsing a report that no one knew about and later offered up its sterile resolution as a tribute to Miami's annexationist mafia. The United States' economic war on Cuba constitutes the only mass, gross and systematic violation of the rights of the Cuban people. This is an irrefutable truth. We are being accused by the United States, the country that is trying to subjugate a whole people through hunger and disease; the organizer, for almost half a century, of the most unprecedented plans of aggression, This is also the country of racism and inequality, where the family income of blacks is half that of whites; where infant mortality in the black population is twice that of whites; where the incarceration rate of blacks is six times that of whites; and where the leading cause of death among black youths is homicide, whereas white youths mainly die driving luxurious cars while drunk. There are more young blacks in prison than in college and, at the current rate, an absolute majority of young blacks will in a few years be in prisons or reform schools. The United States is the country where immigrants are hated, exploited — even literally enslaved — or murdered in a “low-intensity war“ on the southern border. It is home to the biggest and most repressive prison system, and it is where one out of every six people executed is innocent. It is where well-known cases of police brutality are on the rise; where there is an increasing number of reported cases of torture of detainees and inmates; and where Puerto Rican political prisoners serve long prison terms, suffer abuse and lack medical care. In the United States the homeless are growing in number; there are 40 million people with no medical insurance, more than half of them children; domestic violence is on the rise, even against children, who have the highest suicide rate in the developed world. The United States people are of the opinion that they are living in a sick and misguided country, where hopelessness is growing as the economy grows. We have been told that this draft resolution enjoys broad, even universal sponsorship. That is false. In fact there is one author and a small group of junior partners, some of them original and some what I might call “restored”. Two thirds of States Members will not be voting in favour of this infamy. These are the same old sponsors, who share a colonial mentality by which they would put dozens of countries of the South into the dock without recognizing their own inequality, injustice, racism and xenophobia, their violations of the human rights of immigrants and minorities, their unjust and selective deportation policies, the impunity with which the trade in human, even children's, organs operates, and their tolerance of child and “exotic” prostitution. Also curious is the voting pattern followed by today's sponsors in the draft resolutions adopted by the Third Committee, when they are not devoted to reproving Moreover, the countries of the European Union, whose differences in the human rights area could be addressed through cooperation and dialogue, are being forced to perform acrobatics in a one-way stream, and they rush to give pleasing explanations every time they defend, even timidly, their own sovereignty from the extraterritorial laws imposed on them by the Empire. There are also chronic sponsors. One of them is responsible for the most serious violations of human rights in the Middle East. The United States has applied extraterritorial sanctions against it based on the Helms- Burton Act, just two weeks after it had supported with its vote the United States embargo on Cuba. Another is a far-off republic where converted apparatchiks, in order to disguise their lack of industriousness in restoring their democracy, have sold the United States their uranium and their souls, in the hope that their corruption and despotism will be forgiven. After exerting so much pressure on so many countries of the South, the delegation of the United States can be proud of having achieved the “dramatic” inclusion in this anti-Cuban exercise of precisely those who in the past had offered their territory for the Bay of Pigs invasion and who now rent their seat and their adjectivecrammed speeches to the Miami mafia; of the accomplices in the dirty war against their own country; and of those who now betray their own people by restoring the privileges of criminals in one of this century's most brutal dictatorships. Cuba takes pride in its democracy; like all democracies it is imperfect, but Cuba has found its own formulas to ensure for every Cuban without exception What is actually being called into question today is the constitutional order which the Cuban people gave themselves in a referendum. The purpose is to show that the Cuban revolution is incompatible with so-called democratic values, with individual liberties and with political rights. Cuba is proud of its socialist revolution, and the overwhelming majority of Cubans are ready to defend it with their blood. Cuba exists under the circumstances of an undeclared war waged from near its shores. The so-called dissident movement, purporting to be a legitimate opposition, is a fifth column made up of a mere handful of annexationists organized and financed by the United States. They are not political dissidents; they are vulgar mercenaries. Cuba reiterates its willingness to cooperate and to engage in dialogue in this field. But it is also prepared for confrontation. Cuba enjoys full sovereignty; it is independent in its own right, and it owes an explanation only to its own people on how it votes at the United Nations. In defence of its sovereignty, its democracy and its people's human rights, Cuba will vote against this travesty.
Ms. Mohamed YEM Yemen [Arabic] #29629
Yemen has always taken a firm and well-defined position on draft resolutions transmitted by the Third Committee to the General Assembly on the human rights situation in specific States, and we shall continue to do so. Our decision not to participate in the voting on these draft resolutions is based on a strong conviction and clear understanding of all the complex factors that affect human rights, that violate fundamental freedoms, and that deprive human beings of the ability to enjoy their dignity, wherever they may be. In principle, in its policies and in its civilization, Yemen attaches high priority in its decision-making and its practices to human rights at the local, regional and international levels. It seeks constantly to establish the appropriate political and economic environment and to create social conditions in which the theoretical and practical concepts of human rights can be translated into reality. Therefore, when Yemen chooses not to participate in the voting on human rights situations in various States, it does so on the basis of its strong belief in the importance of complete respect for the identity of the human being. Such an identity, in the final analysis, is the essence of man's being and existence. Therefore, we will not participate in the voting and would like to explain and summarize our position as follows. First, politicization of human rights issues and their manipulation as a means of political coercion in order to realize economic, trade or other objectives are unacceptable. Secondly, to consider the human rights issue as a pretext for interference in others' internal affairs in order to spread hegemony over or effect the political dependence of a certain country or region is also unacceptable. Thirdly, fourthly and fifthly it is unacceptable to use a double standard in the application of rules, to adopt a selective approach in finding fault and to disregard the right to development or to understate its direct effect on human rights. In addition, we would like to call for the development of the approach used by the international community in adopting legislation and resolutions in the field of human rights, in order to enable everyone to participate. This would foster the feeling that there is a genuine desire for the protection of human rights, without bias. My country's delegation will not participate in the voting on any of the draft resolutions now before us, with the exception of those adopted by consensus.
Mr. Al-Hitti IRQ Iraq [Arabic] #29631
We have expressed our position clearly in the Third Committee with regard to the issue of human rights in general, and with regard to the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iraq in particular. We still hold the same position. On the other hand, due to my country's inability to pay its contributions to the United Nations budget, as a result of the unjust economic embargo against Iraq, my country has been denied the right to vote, pursuant to Article 19 of the United Nations Charter. If we had the right to vote, we would vote against the draft resolutions on human rights situations in the Sudan, Cuba and Nigeria. This is because these are political draft resolutions that have nothing to do with human rights in those countries.
Mr. Gambari NGA Nigeria #29635
From the outset, my delegation had queried the purpose and intent of the draft resolution entitled “Situation of human rights in Nigeria”, contained in document A/52/644/Add.3, which the General Assembly is now considering. It is quite clear to us that the authors are intent on pursuing their political agenda by prescribing for the people of Nigeria the type of political system they must adopt and when to do so. It is their scheme to use this very important issue of human rights as a vehicle for blatant interference in the internal affairs of my country. We are convinced that genuine concern for the people of Nigeria is the least consideration in the minds of the authors of this draft resolution. Incidentally, it is significant to note that the authors of the draft resolution on Nigeria are the same countries which The manner in which the draft resolution on the human rights situation in Nigeria was initiated and presented also leaves much to be desired. It was discussed in secrecy and was sprung as a surprise to our delegation in the Third Committee; it thus calls into question the credibility and, indeed, the very integrity of its authors. This draft resolution also does a disservice to the genuine efforts at the global level towards the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the principles of nonselectivity, objectivity and impartiality. The content of this draft resolution is not based on any report of any of the principal organs or offices of the United Nations system. It makes no such reference, because there is none for consideration at this session. Beyond procedural and presentation issues, the provisions of the draft resolution reflect a deliberate attempt by the authors to misrepresent grossly the situation of human rights and the democratization process in Nigeria. If they had wanted to be objective, or if they had taken pains to know it as it is, they would have spared all of us the travesty which this draft resolution represents. My delegation has outlined at every opportunity the concrete actions and steps taken by the Government of Nigeria towards ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights. I am proud to note again that we are one of the countries that have established an independent and fully functional National Human Rights Commission, which serves as a watchdog against any human rights abuses and provides an avenue for redress where any abuses may have occurred. Indeed, the Chairman and some members of the Commission will be making an official visit to the United Nations Headquarters here in New York next week to further explain the activities of the Commission, and we invite delegations to meet them. The legal system and our system of tribunals are constantly being looked at closely, and reviewed as necessary, in order to ensure that individuals are able to get free and fair trials in accordance with our laws and in accordance with relevant international standards. Those familiar with the Nigerian judiciary will bear testimony to the fact that it is a highly professional and credible one, which has always upheld the rule of law and the defence of justice for all. The Nigerian press remains On the question of democratization, the Government of Nigeria in 1995 set out a carefully phased programme for transition to civil rule, with a terminal date of 1 October 1998. This is the year 1997, and the various stages in the transition programme are being implemented as set out in the timetable. Only last Saturday, 6 December 1997, legislative elections for state assemblies, which were contested by the five political parties, were held in the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The over 700 local government councils in Nigeria are today headed and administered by elected chairmen and councillors. I am happy to inform the Assembly that some of the elected officials at the local level joined their counterparts from all over the world to deliberate at the recently concluded World Conference of Mayors, held in Abuja, the federal capital of Nigeria. The progress and achievements are there for anyone with an open mind to see. That is why, viewed against the backdrop of these concrete steps and efforts, the draft resolution before us on Nigeria is a gross misrepresentation of the actual situation in my country. The draft resolution is inappropriate, it is unfair and it is unbalanced. It is also prejudicial to the democratization process in Nigeria. That is why, at the Third Committee level, of the African countries — which, after all, are closest to the true situation in Nigeria — only three voted in support of the draft resolution. That is also why most Asian and Caribbean Member States did not support the draft resolution in the Third Committee. And that is why my delegation will again vote against this draft resolution. We urge all well-meaning members of this Assembly and true friends of Nigeria to join us in voting against it in this plenary meeting.
The President unattributed #29639
The Assembly has before it 11 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 44 of part IV of its report, and the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 45 of the same report. I shall put the 11 draft resolutions and the draft decision to the Assembly one by one. After all decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their votes. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Situation of human rights in Myanmar”.
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 52/137).
The President unattributed #29642
Draft resolution II is entitled “Human rights in Haiti”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 52/138).
The President unattributed #29645
We turn now to draft resolution III, entitled “Situation of human rights in Kosovo”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Swaziland informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.}
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 106 votes to 2, with 56 abstentions (resolution 52/139).
The President unattributed #29649
We turn now to draft resolution IV, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Sudan”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 93 votes to 16, with 58 abstentions (resolution 52/140).
The President unattributed #29650
Draft resolution V is entitled “Situation of human rights in Iraq”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution V was adopted by 99 votes to 3, with 60 abstentions (resolution 52/141).
The President unattributed #29654
We turn now to draft resolution VI, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VI was adopted by 74 votes to 32, with 56 abstentions (resolution 52/142).
The President unattributed #29655
We now turn to draft resolution VII, entitled “Situation of human rights in Cuba”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VII was adopted by 64 votes to 29, with 75 abstentions (resolution 52/143).
The President unattributed #29659
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “Situation of human rights in Nigeria”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VIII was adopted by 81 votes to 18, with 64 abstentions (resolution 52/144).
The President unattributed #29662
Draft resolution IX is entitled “Situation of human rights in Afghanistan”. 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 52/145).
The President unattributed #29663
Draft resolution X is entitled “Situation of human rights in Rwanda”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution X without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution X was adopted (resolution 52/146).
The President unattributed #29666
Draft resolution XI is entitled “Situation of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mali informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XI was adopted by 133 votes to 2, with 27 abstentions (resolution 52/147).
The President unattributed #29668
We turn now to the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 45 of part IV of the report. The Third Committee adopted the draft decision, entitled “Documents considered by the General Assembly in connection with human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives”, without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed #29671
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of vote. India is committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights everywhere in the world. India is also committed to the preservation and protection of the territorial integrity, national sovereignty and independence of Member States of the United Nations. India also firmly adheres to the Charter principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of Member States. Furthermore, as a country of many languages and faiths that is committed to pluralism, India is firmly committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of all minorities within the framework of the unity and territorial integrity of Member States. Nevertheless, my delegation was compelled to vote against the resolution because it is perhaps the only resolution under this agenda item whose title refers to one part of a sovereign country as though that part of the country were not an integral part of the country concerned. It could therefore be seen as inconsistent with Article 2, paragraph 7, of the Charter. It also seems to deviate from the principles of nonselectivity and indivisibility of human rights by appearing to view the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in bits and parts, through a single ethnic prism. Moreover, since there is already a resolution on the situation of human rights in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) — as part of an omnibus resolution that also covers the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia — the right place to address the situation of human rights in Kosovo would appear to be in the context of that resolution. For the reason outlined above, we were obliged to vote against the draft resolution. My delegation also wishes to take this opportunity to make a brief explanation of position on preambular paragraph 7 of draft resolution XI of the same document, “Situation of human rights in the territories of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)”. “the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime”. Given this divergence of positions and provisions, it cannot be asserted that the death penalty is incompatible with applicable international law.
Mrs. Cornette GUY Guyana #29674
My delegation takes the floor in explanation of vote after the voting with regard to draft resolutions VI and XI of document A/52/644/Add.3. While our delegation voted in favour of draft resolution VI, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran”, we would like to place on record our reservations regarding operative paragraph 4 (g), which calls for the regulation of capital punishment. Capital punishment is an intrinsic part of the Guyanese legal system. Consequently, my delegation cannot accept within this resolution attempts to impose conditions on the use of capital punishment by States. The language of operative paragraph 4 (g) seeks to define in broad and sweeping terms the nature of crimes for which capital punishment may be prescribed and to set limitations for its use. Since there exists no international consensus on the abolition of capital punishment, my delegation is concerned that the wording in this paragraph can be construed as an attempt to undermine internal judicial laws. We believe that it is the sovereign right of each State to implement a legal system which it deems appropriate and effective for its own particular circumstances. Further, Guyana supported draft resolution XI, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and “the reports and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)”. In this report, the Special Rapporteur deals with the issue of capital punishment and ultimately calls for the abolition of the death penalty. Guyana's objections to this are twofold. First of all, capital punishment is applied in Guyana and is considered a legitimate part of the State's judicial system. Moreover, since there exists no international consensus on the abolition of capital punishment, we cannot support the Rapporteur's statement in this regard. We would like to request that these comments be recorded in the official records.
Mr. Myaing MMR Myanmar #29677
My delegation voted against draft resolution VI, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran” in the Committee and has continued to maintain that position at this plenary meeting. The reason we requested the floor today is to bring the attention of the Assembly to operative paragraph 4 (g), which is connected with the issue of capital punishment. The language used therein is in contravention of that of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Furthermore, no international consensus has yet been reached to abolish capital punishment. The inclusion of such a paragraph in the draft resolution is of concern to our delegation.
Mr. Rodríguez San Martín BOL Plurinational State of Bolivia [Spanish] #29679
The General Assembly has taken a decision on the draft resolution entitled “Situation of human rights in Cuba”, which expresses the international community's concern at the situation regarding fundamental freedoms in Cuba, on the basis of the report submitted by the Special Rapporteur. The Bolivian delegation voted in favour of this draft resolution because we are convinced that the full and effective enjoyment of human rights is a basic condition for development. We believe that participatory and representative democracy is the way to achieve sustainable development and stability for peoples. Respect for human rights is part and parcel of a democratic system, which is
Mr. Xie Bohua CHN China [Chinese] #29682
I would like to make the following statement regarding our position under agenda item 112 (c) on draft resolution III, “Situation of human rights in Kosovo”. Respect for State sovereignty and territorial integrity is an important principle of the Charter of the United Nations. On the basis of this principle, the delegation of China is never in favour of consideration, under the agenda item on human rights in individual countries, of issues relating to an area that falls within the territory of one country. We believe that Kosovo is part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which is a sovereign country whose sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected. On the basis of that consideration, the delegation of China could not support the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Kosovo that has just been adopted. Therefore, we abstained in the voting.
Ms. Foo SGP Singapore #29687
When the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran was acted on in the Third Committee, a total of 10 delegations placed on record their reservations on the statement on capital punishment contained in operative paragraph 4 (g). Today, a further three delegations have also recorded their reservations on the paragraph which is now contained in draft resolution VI in document A/52/644/Add.3. These 13 delegations had different voting positions on the resolution as a whole. However, all agreed that the language of operative paragraph 4 (g), in attempting to dictate what crimes should or should not be punished by the death penalty, was sweeping and intrusive and, indeed, out of line with general international law. Article 6, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights explicitly permits capital punishment for “the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime”. It does not single out any particular crime. Even the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in referring to the use of the death penalty in the country, did not make any value judgement My delegation would like to reiterate its objection to operative paragraph 4 (g). My delegation voted in favour of the draft resolution “Situation of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)” in the Third Committee on 26 November 1997. We have done so again today in the plenary. In supporting the resolution, however, my delegation would like to reiterate, for the record, our reservations on the seventh preambular paragraph of a resolution that was before the Assembly as draft resolution XI in document A/52/644/Add.3. The seventh preambular paragraph makes reference to the Special Rapporteur's report, contained in document A/52/490, which, inter alia, claims that the death penalty is incompatible with applicable international law. The Special Rapporteur's comments on the death penalty clearly exceed her mandate. Her claim that the death penalty is incompatible with international law is patently wrong. Representatives to the Third Committee will recall that when this draft resolution was taken up for action on 26 November 1997, a total of 22 countries expressed similar reservations, either in explanations of vote or in general statements, with regard to the Special Rapporteur's comments on the death penalty. A further three delegations have expressed reservations today in the plenary. It is hoped that the General Assembly will take due note of the reservations expressed by the 25 delegations which have spoken out on this issue. It is clear that there is no international consensus on the abolition of capital punishment.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #29690
First, on the question of human rights in Nigeria, our position is that we abstain, as it was in the Third Committee. Still on the subject of Nigeria, our belief that we should abstain emanates from the fact that a lot of good is being done in Nigeria. Even the report or communiqué of the Commonwealth summit of Heads of State indicated that a lot of good is being done in Nigeria. The elections which have recently taken place at the state level are also indicative of all the good that is being done in Nigeria. On the Sudan, we abstained, on the principle that the resolution being debated here fails to acknowledge all the efforts that have been exhibited in the Sudan. We also abstained on Iran, because we believe that the Government of Iran is doing a lot of good and is moving in a good direction. On the question of capital punishment, my country and many developing countries still have capital punishment statutes, like many countries in the “supreme” world. On Kosovo, our position is that we abstain, because we believe that the national integrity of a State should be respected.
Mr. Choe Myong Nam PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #29695
My delegation voted against the draft resolutions on the human rights situations in various countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran. My delegation does not agree with the manner in which the human rights situations of those countries are handled. My delegation has always maintained its position that a politicized approach to the human rights issue cannot in any way contribute to international cooperation in the field of human rights. In addition, I would like to put on record my delegation's reservations on operative paragraph 4 (g) of resolution VI, on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, concerning the death penalty. My delegation believes that the decision as to whether to maintain or abolish the death penalty is a matter of the sovereign rights of individual States.
Mr. Ndiaye SEN Senegal [French] #29703
My delegation voted in favour of the draft resolution entitled “Situation of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)” when it was submitted to the Third Committee. The Rapporteur made several comments, in particular on capital punishment, which is still part of our national legislation and on which there is not yet an international consensus, so my delegation would like to put this statement on the record.
Mrs. Castro de Barish CRI Costa Rica [Spanish] #29707
Costa Rica co-sponsored draft resolution XI, on the situation of human rights in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). We wish to reiterate our support for the seventh preambular paragraph, which refers to the reports of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights concerning the human rights situation in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), and, in particular, for her most recent report, of 17 October 1997, as well as for her comments on capital punishment. This is because Costa Rica is a party to the Additional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We believe that the Covenant is a fully legitimate and valid part of international law. It is clear that the Protocol is optional and therefore is binding only on those States parties that have adopted it. Costa Rica is a party to the Protocol, and we abolished capital punishment more than 100 years ago. This happened because of the sensitivity of a woman, the wife of the President of the Republic, Doña Emilia Solórzano de Guardia, who urged her husband to submit a draft bill to Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly to that end. After a lengthy debate, the bill was adopted. Years later, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica declared Doña Emilia an honoured daughter of the country.
The President unattributed #29714
We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the voting. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 112? (d) Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action Report of the Third Committee (Part V) (A/52/644/Add.4)
The President unattributed duplicate #29717
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 11 of Part V of its report (A/52/644/Add.4) and on the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 12 of the same report. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled “Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action”, which the Third Committee adopted without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 52/148).
The President unattributed #29719
We turn now to the draft decision, entitled “Working Group of the Third Committee”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed #29721
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 112. (e) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Report of the Third Committee (Part VI) (A/52/644/Add.5)
The President unattributed #29726
The Assembly will now consider Part VI of the report of the Third Committee. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of Part VI of the report?
It was so decided.
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #31111
I call upon the representative of Denmark to introduce draft resolution A/52/L.66.
Mr. Bøjer DNK Denmark #31113
I almost feel I should apologize to you, Mr. President, and to my colleagues — and perhaps in particular my colleague from Swaziland — for prolonging our proceedings at the end of a long day and a long week. However, this issue is important, and the purpose is one we all share. I am therefore not apologetic but pleased to introduce draft resolution A/52/L.66, entitled “United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture”. This draft resolution is wholly procedural and limited in scope and substance to Economic and Social Council decision 1997/251, by which the Economic and Social Council approved by consensus the request of the Commission on Human Rights to the General Assembly, in preparing for the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to proclaim 26 June United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Since the agenda for the Third Committee this year does not include a specific item on torture, and owing to the fact that Economic and Social Council decision 1997/251 has not been expressly endorsed but merely taken note of in the report of the Third Committee, Denmark has decided to present this draft resolution in the plenary of the Assembly. You may ask, “Why Denmark?” Simply because Denmark was the originator of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1997/38, which was adopted without a vote. It is my sincere hope that the present draft resolution can also be adopted without a vote. 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 1998- 1999”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision I?
Draft decision I was adopted.
The President unattributed #31115
We turn next to draft decision II, entitled “Report of the Economic and Social Council”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II?
Draft decision II was adopted.
The President unattributed #31118
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/52/L.66, “United Nations May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/52/L.66?
Draft resolution A/52/L.66 was adopted (resolution 52/149).
The President unattributed #31120
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of the chapters of the report of the Economic and Social Council allocated to the Third Committee?
It was so decided.
The President unattributed #31122
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Third Committee. I should like to thank the Third Committee and its Chairman and other officers for the timely conclusion of the Committee's work and activities, despite the great number of very important issues that the Committee considered.
The meeting rose at 6.20 p.m.
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