A/67/PV.60 General Assembly

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 — Session 67, Meeting 60 — New York — UN Document ↗

The meeting was called to order at 10.20 a.m.
Vote: A/RES/67/139 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (118)
Vote: A/RES/67/154 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (129)
Vote: A/RES/67/155 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (133)
Vote: A/RES/67/158 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (179)
Vote: A/RES/67/159 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (128)
Vote: A/RES/67/162 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (174)
Vote: A/RES/67/165 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (133)
Vote: A/RES/67/168 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (117)
Vote: A/RES/67/170 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (4)
✓ Yes (128)
Vote: A/RES/67/171 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (154)
Vote: A/RES/67/173 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (127)
Vote: A/RES/67/175 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
— Abstain (6)
✓ Yes (126)
Vote: A/RES/67/176 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (111)
Vote: A/RES/67/182 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (86)
Vote: A/RES/67/183 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (135)

Reports of the Third Committee

The President #66833
The General Assembly will consider the reports of the Third Committee on agenda items 27, 28, 62, 64 to 69, 103, 104, 116 and 131. I request the Rapporteur of the Third Committee, Mr. Suljuk Mustansar Tarar of Pakistan, to introduce the reports of the Committee in one intervention. Mr. Tarar (Pakistan), Rapporteur of the Third Committee: It is a great honour and privilege for me to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of the Third Committee, submitted under the agenda items allocated to it by the General Assembly, namely, items 27, 28, 62, 64 to 69, 103, 104, 116 and 131. The reports, contained in documents A/67/449 to A/67/461, include the texts of draft resolutions and decisions recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. For the convenience of delegations, the Secretariat has issued document A/C.3/67/INF/1, which contains a checklist of action taken on the draft proposals contained in the reports before the Assembly. Under agenda item 27, entitled “Social development”, including its sub-items (a), (b) and (c), the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 32 of document A/67/449, the adoption of six draft resolutions. Under agenda item 28, entitled “Advancement of women”, including its sub-items (a) and (b), the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 30 of document A/67/450, the adoption of five draft resolutions and, in paragraph 31, the adoption of two draft decisions. Under agenda item 62, 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 12 of document A/67/451, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 64, entitled “Report of the Human Rights Council”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 9 of document A/67/452, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 65, entitled “Promotion and protection of the rights of children”, including its sub-items (a) and (b), the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 17 of document A/67/453, the adoption of one draft resolution and, in paragraph 18, the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 66, entitled “Rights of indigenous peoples”, including its sub-items (a) and (b), the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 11 of document A/67/454, the adoption of one draft resolution and, in paragraph 12, the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 67, entitled “Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”, including its sub-items (a) and (b), the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 22 of document A/67/455, the adoption of three draft resolutions and, in paragraph 23, the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 68, entitled “Right of peoples to self-determination”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 19 of document A/67/456, the adoption of three draft resolutions. I wish to bring to the attention of the Assembly a correction, as follows. On page 3, in paragraph 12, of the English version of the report, Rwanda should have been included as a sponsor. Under agenda item 69, entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 5 of document A/67/457, the adoption of one draft decision. Under sub-item (a) of agenda item 69, entitled “Implementation of human rights instruments”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 21 of document A/67/457/Add.1, the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under sub-item (b) of agenda item 69, entitled “Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 137 of document A/67/457/Add.2, the adoption of 19 draft resolutions. It is my understanding that the Assembly will defer its consideration of draft resolution XVI, entitled “Committee against Torture”, until such time as it has before it the pertinent report of the Fifth Committee. I wish to bring to the attention of the Assembly a correction, as follows. On page 16, in paragraph 48, of the English version of the report, Belarus should have been included as a sponsor. Under sub-item (c) of agenda item 69, entitled “Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 29 of document A/67/457/Add.3, the adoption of three draft resolutions. It is my understanding that the Assembly will defer its consideration of draft resolution I, entitled “Situation of human rights in Myanmar”, until such time as it has before it the pertinent report of the Fifth Committee. I also wish to bring to the attention of the Assembly that Israel and Iceland should have been included as sponsors of draft resolution A/C.3/67/L.49/Rev.1 in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report, respectively. Under sub-item (d) of agenda item 69, entitled “Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action”, the Third Committee wishes to advise the Assembly, in document A/67/457/Add.4, that no action was required under the item. Under agenda item 103, entitled “Crime prevention and criminal justice”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 41 of document A/67/458, the adoption of nine draft resolutions and, in paragraph 42, the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 104, entitled “International drug control”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 10 of document A/67/459, the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 116, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 5 of document A/67/460, the adoption of one draft decision. Finally, under agenda item 131, entitled “Programme planning”, the Third Committee recommends, in paragraph 8 of document A/67/461, the adoption of one draft decision. I want to thank my fellow Bureau members, in particular the Chair of the Committee, Ambassador Henry Mac-Donald, and the Vice-Chairs — Mrs. Fatima Alfeine, Ms. Dragana Šćepanović and Mr. Georg Sparber — as well as the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Otto Gustafik, for their support and friendship in making this session efficient and ensuring its timely conclusion. I also want to thank all my Committee colleagues for their support and trust. I respectfully commend the reports of the Third Committee to the plenary of the General Assembly for its consideration.
Offi cial Records

27.  Social development Report of the Third Committee (A/67/449)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

28.  Advancement of women Report of the Third Committee (A/67/450)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

62.  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/67/451)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

68.  Right of peoples to self-determination Report of the Third Committee (A/67/456)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

69.  Promotion and protection of human rights (a) Implementation of human rights instruments Report of the Third Committee (A/67/457/Add.1)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

103.  Crime prevention and criminal justice Report of the Third Committee (A/67/458)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President #66834
I thank the Rapporteur of the Third Committee. 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 which are before the Assembly today.

67.  Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance Report of the Third Committee (A/67/455)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 129   ✗ 3   54 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (129)
It was so decided.
The President #66835
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Third Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General 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 also 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 Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified to the contrary in advance. That means that where recorded votes were taken, we will do the same. I should also hope that we will proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Committee. Before proceeding further, I would like to draw the attention of members to a note by the Secretariat, entitled “List of proposals contained in the reports of the Third Committee” which has been circulated, in English only, as document A/C.3/67/INF/1. The note has been distributed desk-to-desk as a reference guide for action on draft resolutions and decisions recommended by the Committee in its reports. In that regard, members will find in column three of the note, the numbers of the draft resolutions or decisions of the Committee, with the corresponding symbols of the reports for action in the plenary in column two of the same note. Furthermore, members are reminded that additional sponsors are no longer accepted now that draft resolutions and decisions have been adopted by the Committee. Any clarification about sponsorship should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee.
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The President #66836
The Assembly now has before it six draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 32 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to VI, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Integrating volunteering in the next decade”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 54   ✗ 5   118 abs.
Show country votes
— Abstain (118)
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 179   ✗ 7   3 abs.
Show country votes
— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (179)
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 67/138).
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 133   ✗ 7   48 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (133)
The President #66837
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “Towards a comprehensive and integral international legal instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of older persons”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Belize, Chile and Uruguay informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted by 54 votes to 5, with 118 abstentions (resolution 67/139).
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 128   ✗ 54   7 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (128)
The President #66838
Draft resolution III is entitled “Realizing the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities towards 2015 and beyond”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 67/140).
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The President #66839
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 67/141).
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
The President #66840
Draft resolution V is entitled “Preparations for and observance of the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 67/142).
The President #66841
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 67/143).
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
The President #66842
I now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines, who wishes to speak in explanation of position.
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 133   ✗ 54   2 abs.
Show country votes
— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (133)
Mr. De Vega PHL Philippines #66843
The Philippines is taking the floor to recall an incident that occurred at the time of the adoption of draft resolution A/C.3/67/L.10, entitled “Realizing the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities towards 2015 and beyond” in the Third Committee, adopted a few moments ago as resolution 67/140. At the time of the adoption of that draft resolution in the Third Committee, an oral statement of programme budget implications was read out in connection with the document, in particular with respect to paragraph 7 (b). The resolution, as originally introduced for adoption, did not have any programme budget implications. We understand that the issuance of the oral statement of programme budget implications was made without consultation with relevant substantive offices such as the Division of Economic and Social Affairs and the Statistical Division, which had earlier given us the assurance, after careful study, that no programme budget implications of any kind would arise from any paragraph in the draft resolution. We certainly appreciate the fact that the error made was later rectified with the withdrawal of the oral statement of programme budget implications. However, we would further appreciate the prior exercise of due care and diligence in order to ensure that all delegations are not made to take a course of action based on inaccurate information. Oversights of that kind should be avoided. We hope therefore that due care and diligence will be exercised from now on in order to avoid similar incidents. We take this opportunity also to express our appreciation for all the support of delegations for resolution 67/140. We would highly appreciate it if this statement could be placed on record.
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
The President #66844
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 27?
It was so decided.
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
The President #66845
The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 30 of its report and two draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 31 of the same report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to V and on draft decisions I and II, one by one. We first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/99 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 67/144).
The President #66846
Draft resolution II is entitled “Trafficking in women and girls”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/97 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 67/145).
Vote: 32/100 Consensus
The President #66847
Draft resolution III is entitled “Intensifying global efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilations”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 67/146).
The President #66848
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Supporting efforts to end obstetric fistula”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/98 Consensus
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 67/147).
The President #66849
Draft resolution V is entitled “Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 67/148).
The President #66850
We now turn to draft decision I, entitled “Ending female genital mutilation”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #66851
Draft decision II is entitled “Report considered by the General Assembly in connection with the advancement of women”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 128   ✗ 54   4 abs.
Show country votes
— Abstain (4)
✓ Yes (128)
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #66852
I now give the floor to the representative of Burkina Faso in explanation of position on the draft resolutions just adopted.
Mr. Kogda BFA Burkina Faso [French] #66853
My delegation takes the floor in regard to resolution 67/146, “Intensifying global efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilations”. Female genital mutilation is a degrading practice that does serious harm to women’s physical and moral integrity. Today, more than 100 million women and young girls are the victims of a practice that is justified under false cultural and religious pretenses and remains a taboo subject that is misunderstood and misinterpreted in numerous societies. Resolution 67/146, which was just adopted, is not just a strong political message engaging the entire international community, but also a message of hope for millions of girls and women who each year risk suffering that odious and discriminatory practice in the name of tradition and, falsely, of religion. Moreover, it allows us to further mobilize all stakeholders, in particular States, international organizations and civil society, to engage more effectively in the struggle to totally eliminate female genital mutilation by fully implementing and putting into practice the existing national, regional and international measures. Africa, the standard-bearer of the resolution, is already mobilized in the struggle to combat that practice. That mobilization takes place at the level of Governments, which are showing an increasingly strong political will to free women and children from the yoke of female genital mutilation by establishing programmes and projects, by adopting laws and, above all, by making available the necessary human and financial resources to combat this scourge. There is also mobilization at the level of civil society, whose work has done much to raise awareness with regard to tackling the issue of female genital mutilation in Africa. My delegation takes this opportunity to welcome the initiative of the international campaign to ban female genital mutilation worldwide, launched several years ago by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children, together with other civil society organizations, under the coordination of the First Lady of Burkina Faso, Mrs. Chantal Compaoré. Today more than ever, it is time to recognize all the fundamental rights of women by ensuring them the full enjoyment of those rights. To that end, we need to break the silence that surrounds the practice of female genital mutilation, which has long been a taboo, and to move towards its elimination. That is why Burkina Faso, which is deeply committed to the campaign against the practice of female genital mutilation, firmly supports the resolution that we have just adopted. My delegation calls on all sponsors of the resolution that have supported the African Group in its approach to actively contribute to the struggle so that we can live in a world free of female genital mutilation in the very near future.
The President #66854
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 28?
Vote: 32/101 Recorded Vote
✓ 154   ✗ 4   28 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (154)
It was so decided.
The President #66855
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 67/149).
Vote: 35/94 Consensus
The President #66856
Draft resolution II is entitled “Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 67/150).
The President #66857
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 62?
It was so decided.
Vote: 33/173 Recorded Vote
✓ 127   ✗ 54   6 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (127)

64.  Report of the Human Rights Council Report of the Third Committee (A/67/452)

The President #66858
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 67/151).
The President #66859
I now give the floor to the representative of Belarus in explanation of position on the resolution just adopted.
Vote: 39/192 Consensus
Ms. Belskaya BLR Belarus [Russian] #66860
Belarus would like to state that we disassociate ourselves from the consensus on resolution 67/151, on the report of the Human Rights Council, for reasons of principle. The report reflects the Council’s politically motivated adoption of a resolution that is against Belarus. The decisions of the Council do not reflect the current human rights situation in our country. They merely seek to interfere in the internal affairs of the Republic of Belarus. Such decisions have been imposed on the international community by a group of States that is trying to push its own agenda within the Council. Belarus is deeply concerned about the increasingly selective adoption of country-specific resolutions and their use as instruments for exerting political pressure on sovereign States in violation of the principles of universality, objectivity and non-selectivity. In that connection, the mechanism of the universal periodic review and a dialogue of mutual respect among States have been replaced by double standards. That is unacceptable and seriously damages the Council’s reputation as the principal human rights body of the United Nations. We nevertheless highly commend the efforts of the Group of African States, which actively promoted resolution 67/146. We are fully aware of the fact that many of the Council’s decisions and activities, in particular the universal periodic review, seek to expand the categories of human rights in all countries of the world without exception. Belarus also affirms its intention to continue constructively interacting with the Council and its special thematic procedures and to work with those States that seek to restore neutrality and impartiality within the Council.
The President #66861
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 64?
It was so decided.

65.  Promotion and protection of the rights of children Report of the Third Committee (A/67/453)

The President #66862
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 17 of its report and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 18 of the same report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution and on the draft decision. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Rights of the child”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 351/97 Recorded Vote
✓ 126   ✗ 53   6 abs.
Show country votes
— Abstain (6)
✓ Yes (126)
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 67/152).
The President #66863
The draft decision is entitled “Reports considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the promotion and protection of the rights of children”. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #66864
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 65?
Vote: 40/143 Recorded Vote
✓ 111   ✗ 41   34 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (111)
It was so decided.

66.  Rights of indigenous peoples Report of the Third Committee (A/67/454)

The President #66865
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 11 of its report and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 12 of the same report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution and on the draft decision. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution entitled “Rights of indigenous peoples”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 67/153).
Vote: 37//6/ Consensus
The President #66866
The draft decision is entitled “Document considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the rights of indigenous peoples”. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt the draft decision, as recommended by the Third Committee?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #66867
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 66?
Vote: 55/108 Consensus
It was so decided.
The President #66868
The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 22 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 23 of the same report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to III, and on the draft decision, one by one. We now turn to draft resolution I entitled “Glorification of Nazism: inadmissibility of certain practices that contribute to fuelling contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Malawi and South Sudan informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 40/233 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted by 129 votes to 3, with 54 abstentions (resolution 67/154).
The President #66869
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “Global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 40/234 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted by 133 votes to 7, with 48 abstentions (resolution 67/155).
The President #66870
Draft resolution III is entitled “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 67/156).
The President #66871
We now turn to the draft decision entitled “Documents considered by the General Assembly in connection with the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.” May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #66872
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 67?
It was so decided.
Mr. Charles (Trinidad and Tobago), Vice-President, took the Chair.
The Acting President #66873
The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 19 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolutions I to III, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 67/157).
The Acting President #66874
We now turn to draft resolution II, entitled “The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 86   ✗ 32   65 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (86)
Draft resolution II was adopted by 179 votes to 7, with 3 abstentions (resolution 67/158).
The Acting President #66875
Draft resolution III is entitled “Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 128 votes to 54, with 7 abstentions (resolution 67/159).
The Acting President #66876
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 68? It was so decided.
The Acting President #66877
The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 21 of its report. We will now take a decision on draft resolution I and II, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 67/160).
The Acting President #66878
Draft resolution II is entitled “Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 67/161).
The Acting President #66879
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 69? (b) Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms Report of the Third Committee (A/67/457/Add.2)
It was so decided.
The Acting President #66880
The Assembly has before it 20 draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 137 of its report. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution XVI, entitled “Committee against Torture”, is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution XVI as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. I now give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Ms. Alsaleh SYR Syrian Arab Republic [Arabic] #66881
I should like to deliver this statement before the voting on draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region”, as contained in document A/67/457/Add.2. We wonder why Qatar should seek to fund the Centre from the budget of the United Nations given the current financial crisis, which has led to the reduction of 13 per cent of the Centre’s budget of 2013. We believe that the limited resources of the United Nations should be spent more effectively. We have been following the activities of the Centre in Qatar since its inception. We note that the Centre has not been active enough to justify its funding. Choosing Doha as host for the Centre was not appropriate for a regional centre or in line with the mandate of resolution 60/153, nor has the Centre achieved any of the goals for which it was established. Qatar has used the Centre as a national centre to serve its agenda of supporting non-governmental organizations and the opposition in other countries in contravention of human rights and the Charter of the United Nations. The delegation of Qatar should have first introduced the draft resolution to the Fifth Committee for consideration. For all these reasons, my delegation will vote against the draft resolution.
The Acting President #66882
We will now take decisions on draft resolutions I to XV and XVII to XX one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. We now turn to draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor- Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia Against: Syrian Arab Republic Abstaining: Angola, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Botswana, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Zimbabwe [Subsequently, the delegations of Kenya and Senegal informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution I was adopted by 174 votes to 1, with 10 abstentions (resolution 67/162).
The Acting President #66883
Draft resolution II is entitled “The role of the Ombudsman, mediator and other national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 67/163).
The Acting President #66884
Draft resolution III is entitled “Human rights and extreme poverty”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 67/164).
The Acting President #66885
We turn to draft resolution IV, entitled “Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Togo informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 133 votes to 54, with 2 abstentions (resolution 67/165).
The Acting President #66886
Draft resolution V is entitled “Human rights in the administration of justice”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 67/166).
The Acting President #66887
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Committee on the Rights of the Child”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 67/167).
The Acting President #66888
We turn to draft resolution VII, entitled “Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of the Niger and Togo advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour; the delegations of Bahrain and Senegal informed the Secretariat that they had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution VII was adopted by 117 votes to none, with 67 abstentions (resolution 67/168).
The Acting President #66889
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 67/169).
The Acting President #66890
We turn to draft resolution IX entitled “Human rights and unilateral coercive measures”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IX was adopted by 128 votes to 54, with 4 abstentions (resolution 67/170).
The Acting President #66891
We turn to draft resolution X, entitled “The right to development”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Belgium informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution X was adopted by 154 votes to 4, with 28 abstentions (resolution 67/171).
The Acting President #66892
Draft resolution XI is entitled “Protection of migrants”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XI was adopted (resolution 67/172).
The Acting President #66893
We turn to draft resolution XII, entitled “Promotion of peace as a vital requirement for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of South Africa and Togo informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XII was adopted by 127 votes to 54, with 6 abstentions (resolution 67/173).
The Acting President #66894
Draft resolution XIII is entitled “The right to food”. The Third Committee adopted it. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XIII was adopted (resolution 67/174).
The Acting President #66895
We now turn to draft resolution XIV, entitled “Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of South Africa and Togo informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XIV was adopted by 126 votes to 53, with 6 abstentions (resolution 67/175).
The Acting President #66896
We now turn to draft resolution XV, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”. [Subsequently, the delegation of the Niger informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution XV was adopted by 111 votes to 41, with 34 abstentions (resolution 67/176).
The Acting President #66897
Draft resolution XVII is entitled “Missing Persons”. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVII was adopted (resolution 67/177).
The Acting President #66898
Draft resolution XVIII is entitled “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief”. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XVIII was adopted (resolution 67/178).
The Acting President #66899
Draft resolution XIX is entitled “Freedom of religion or belief’. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution XIX was adopted (resolution 67/179).
The Acting President #66900
Draft resolution XX is entitled “International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance”. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution XX was adopted (resolution 67/180).
The Acting President #66901
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 69. (c) Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives Report of the Third Committee (A/67/457/Add.3)
The Acting President #66902
The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 29 of its report. Before proceeding further, I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution I, entitled “Situation of human rights in Myanmar”, is postponed to a later date to allow time for the review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee. The Assembly will take action on draft resolution I as soon as the report of the Fifth Committee on its programme budget implications is available. We will now consider draft resolutions II to IV. I shall now give the floor to those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Khazaee IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #66903
I thank you, Sir, for providing me with an opportunity to express in brief the position of my delegation on draft resolution III, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran”. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the best approach to promoting and protecting human rights across the globe is to engage in meaningful and sincere cooperation. We have always stressed that cooperation, mutual understanding and respect should lie at the heart of interactions on human rights. We have the choice of whether to advance the promotion and protection of human rights through serious engagement or to impede their development with politicized and unbalanced resolutions. Every representative here is well aware that draft resolution III is not about human rights, but is an abuse of the integrity and procedures of this body for political purposes. The draft resolution is not intended to promote and protect human rights in my country. There is much more to regret than the fact that it has avoided any reference to the human rights policies of my country and Iran’s significant achievements in the field of the promotion and protection of human rights. Therefore, we are convinced that draft resolution III will not serve as acceptable term of reference for the real situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is deplorable that, despite the existence of the universal periodic review mechanism in the Human Rights Council, the so-called champions of human rights advocacy — the sponsors of the draft resolution — continue to abuse United Nations human rights mechanisms for short-sighted political expediency by introducing a selective country-specific draft resolution in the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly to satiate their political desires. That selective approach and destructive procedure denigrate the highly valued concept of human rights into a tool of foreign policy for certain States. We wonder if any member of this universal body can claim to have a perfect human rights situation in its territory and thus be above international scrutiny. It is a great shame that the present system of human rights monitoring opens the door to selective, arbitrary, partial and unproductive treatment. As a result, it is no wonder that, under such a system, Canada, which has a very questionable human rights record, particularly on the rights of immigrants, African Canadian and indigenous peoples, and is known as a relentless supporter of the Israeli regime’s crimes against the Palestinians, has taken it upon itself to pursue the old, worn-out policy of introducing a draft resolution on the human rights situation in my country. The introduction of this draft resolution to the Assembly does not change the reality of the ongoing systematic violations of the fundamental principles of human rights in Canada, the sponsor of the present draft resolution, not to mention that it was just few months ago that the High Commissioner for Human Rights included Canada on the list of the world’s worst human rights violators and criticized the Canadian Government for restricting the freedom of assembly. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a dynamic and progressive society that has taken a genuine approach to safeguarding human rights by ensuring its full compliance with the relevant national and international commitments while upholding the promotion of the principles enshrined in our Constitution. It is evident that this draft resolution does not reflect the reality on the ground. I have a simple message for our colleagues and those gathered here today: no unfair targeted resolution can stop my Government from its commitment to the promotion and protection of all the human rights of all Iranian people. As for the sponsors — mainly Canada, the United States and their European allies — we should remind all of them that the policy of defamation and distortion of facts directed against the Islamic Republic of Iran has thus far led nowhere. Long years of practising this policy should have taught its initiators and sponsors the important lesson that neither Iran nor any other country will submit to pressure, intimidation and naming and shaming. In view of these considerations, I hope the representatives of the Member States will choose the right path by isolating the sponsors and voting against draft resolution A/67/L.51. In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to also mention here that, on draft resolution A/C.3/67/L.50, on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, we decided to join the consensus out of respect for the decision of the Government of that country. However, this position must not be mistakenly construed as a stance contrary to my Government’s principled position on country-specific resolutions.
Ms. Alsaleh SYR Syrian Arab Republic [Arabic] #66904
My delegation would like to explain its vote on draft resolution IV, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic”. Allow me, at the outset, to recall that the international legal framework within which Member States operate is based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of any State, under any pretext. That principle has been enshrined in several international instruments, foremost among them the Charter of the United Nations, specifically in Article 2, paragraph 7, as well as in numerous United Nations resolutions. Accordingly, adopting such politicized resolutions directed against certain countries violates the provisions of the Charter and hinders a peaceful political resolution of the crisis in Syria based on the six-point plan of Kofi Annan, the Geneva communiqué and the Brahimi mission. Rather, it encourages intransigence by rejecting the process of national dialogue and ignoring the ongoing acts of armed violence, killing and bloodshed in Syria. I would like to briefly reiterate what has was stated by the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic before the Third Committee on 27 November at the time that the Committee was considering this draft resolution: our refutation and rejection of the allegations and claims contained in the draft resolution. On the other hand, I would like to emphasize that the sponsors of the draft resolution — Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia — are not renowned for their desire to protect and promote human rights in Syria. On the contrary, they are a major part of the problem, as well as the main instigators of the ongoing violence and escalation in my country, through their intervention, which has been condemned, in the internal affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic. Since the adoption of this draft resolution in the Third Committee, those States have supported destruction and terrorism in Syria, which has led to the death of thousands of Syrians and the displacement of tens of thousands. The sponsors of the draft resolution are complicit in the killing of thousands of Syrians. Their criminal acts should be denounced and they should be held accountable. Their plot has even extended to attacking Palestinian camps in Syria, as they attempted to involve Palestinians in the domestic Syrian crisis in order to serve the purposes of Syria’s foremost enemy and the number one enemy of Palestinians, namely, Israel. Since the Third Committee adopted this draft resolution, armed groups in Syria, backed by the sponsors of the draft resolution, have continued to target supply lines for fuel and oil products, as well as strategic food crops of Syrian civilians. They have attempted to blow up oil pipelines and railways. They have hijacked and plundered trucks loaded with wheat and flour. They have plundered food depots. They have blown up vital institutions and facilities, the most recent of which was the power station in the village of Halfaya, in Hamah, which was destroyed just yesterday. The purpose of all those acts is clear: to create conditions that will lead to the collapse of crucial State institutions and make our citizens more vulnerable so as to undermine their trust in the State and to create anarchy. That is tantamount to an attack on military units and an attempt to destroy strategic weapons. Those acts lead us to wonder whether such resolutions really helped to promote human rights in Syria, or whether they increased killings and violate the human rights of Syrian citizens. Does depriving our citizens of electricity, water, food, transportation, education and health care help promote human rights in Syria? My country has therefore requested a recorded vote on draft resolution IV. We appeal to the conscience of Member States that continue to want to protect the sanctity of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law to reconsider their votes. We call on them to vote against the draft resolution entitled “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic” so as not to support the fabrications and illusions that the sponsors seek to spread around the world in order to deflect attention from their own inhuman, illegal and unethical actions.
Mr. Kim Song PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #66905
My delegation reaffirms its principled position of categorically rejecting draft resolution II, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, as a document representing a political plot and fabrications of all kinds. The draft resolution has nothing to do with the situation of human rights; rather, it escalates the confrontation and blocks potential dialogue and cooperation. As we have clarified on several occasions, the human rights violations mentioned in the draft resolution cannot be allowed to exist in our country, where human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the people are formally guaranteed by the legal system in place. Today, it is no secret that the United States and other Western countries select and attack independent developing countries as their targets in country-specific draft resolutions with a view to imposing their values. A typical example is the draft resolution against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The draft resolution is clearly and obviously political propaganda designed to distort and fabricate a human rights situation in our country and create an atmosphere of international pressure, with the aim to achieve the withdrawal of the socialist system chosen and developed by our people. Imposing a Western-style system on us is interference in our internal affairs. Any attempt to divorce our people from its Government is an act of State political terrorism. The draft resolution is also a manifestation of double standards and selectivity in human rights. Any consideration of human rights must be undertaken in accordance with the principles of impartiality and non-selectivity through the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review mechanism, which treats the human rights situations of all countries around the world equally and impartially. Today, in the United Nations human rights arena, only developing countries that differ from Western countries in their values are selected to be targets of country-specific resolutions. The main sponsors of the draft resolution are countries that commit human rights violations by having joined in armed aggression against sovereign States and in the massacre of civilians under the guise of the war on terrorism and humanitarian intervention. It is unacceptable that those countries mislead world public opinion by submitting country- specific draft resolutions. Indeed, we have never seen a single instance of the serious human rights violations involving mass killings of innocent people committed by the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world ever being called into question. The same is the case with human rights violations in all their forms and manifestations, such as sexual violence, torture and racial discrimination, maltreatment of immigrants and indigenous peoples and defamation of religions based on prevailing Western values. The purpose of the draft resolution is to undermine the stability of my country and to justify a political plot by seizing on the fictitious human rights issue in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In the view of that, we neither recognize nor accept the draft resolution. While it may be adopted without a vote, the draft resolution cannot be interpreted as having been adopted by consensus. The anti-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea alliance has taught us that it wants to protect human rights and that, inter alia, it should have State power as well as powerful deterrents to defend that State power. As we have done in the past, and will continue to do in the future, we will formally defend and safeguard the State system of socialism chosen by our people. In conclusion, my delegation opposes and rejects not only the draft resolution against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, but also the draft resolutions against the Syrian Arab Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Myanmar.
Mrs. Smaila NGA Nigeria #66906
My delegation is of the view that country-specific draft resolutions may be resorted to in exceptional or emergency situations of continuous grave and systematic violations of human rights. In particular, we believe that such draft resolutions should be discussed in relation to the following situations. The human rights situations in countries or territories under occupation, in Non-Self-Governing Territories and in conflict situations where grave and systematic violations of human rights are taking place; situations of genocide or ethnic cleansing, gender-based violence, denial of the rights of indigenous peoples or minorities, systematic exclusion of segments of societies from participation in governance and full enjoyment of equal rights in their own countries; denial of access to economic resources and benefits; racial or ethnic discrimination; and confirmed cases of torture and other degrading treatment are the cases that may be brought to the attention of the General Assembly or the Human Rights Council. We make those distinctions mindful of the indivisibility and universality of all human rights. We are also conscious of the fact that all human rights, no matter how trifling, must be respected and accorded the most serious consideration. It is in that regard that we underscore the importance of appointing thematic mandate holders who are given the prerogative to investigate human rights situations in countries on a case-by-case basis and make specific recommendations for the attention of the Governments of the countries concerned. The activities of such special rapporteurs should of course be guided by the code of conduct adopted by the Member States in the Human Rights Council pursuant to Council resolution 5/2, of 18 June 2007. The Universal Periodic Review is another mechanism that offers an opportunity for Governments to constructively engage with the Human Rights Council and prove their human rights credentials to the rest of the world. With regard to the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, we believe that there has been a noticeable determination to address issues brought to the attention of the Government. Iran has been closely working with the relevant human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, particularly the Human Rights Council. Six mandate-holders visited that country between 2003 and 2011, and two more are scheduled to complete their visits to Iran in 2012. We urge the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue with its laudable cooperation with the United Nations, especially the Human Rights Council, with a view to addressing specific cases of a human rights nature. Nigeria particularly believes in the full enjoyment of rights by ethnic minorities and women in all societies. Assurances received from the delegation of Iran make us hopeful that outstanding cases of any stripe related to ethnic minorities and women’s rights will be treated fairly and expeditiously. Today, we wish to inform the Assembly that the rights of minorities and women are enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution and are given expression in the form of federal legislation based on gender equality principles. No office in Government or civil society is denied to women or persons from minority groups. Indeed, our system is so open to all citizens that, in what has been judged to be the freest and fairest elections in Nigeria’s history, a man from a very small minority ethnic group was elected President of the country. All avenues are open to minorities and women, and every opportunity is available to them for their advancement and enjoyment of the privileges of full citizenship. We expect other Member States to accord no fewer rights, privileges and opportunities to ethnic minorities and women in their populations. In this case, Nigeria will abstain in the voting on draft resolutions III and IV, on the situations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic, respectively.
The Acting President #66907
We shall now take a decision on draft resolutions II to IV, one by one. Draft resolution II is entitled “Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 67/181).
The Acting President #66908
We now turn to draft resolution III, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Somalia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 86 votes to 32, with 65 abstentions (resolution 67/182).
The Acting President #66909
We turn to draft resolution IV, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 135 votes to 12, with 36 abstentions (resolution 67/183).
The Acting President #66910
I shall now give the floor to representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote or position following the adoption of the draft resolutions.
Mr. Kim Song PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #66911
My delegation would like to clarify its principled position, reject resolution 67/181 and dissociate itself from the consensus of the Assembly. All human rights issues must be considered in the Human Rights Council’s Univeral Periodic Review mechanism, rather than in plenary meeting of the General Assembly. The United Nations must no longer be abused to advance the political proposals of Western countries, and the ongoing practice of using human rights as a political weapon against another country must be suspended immediately. The adoption of this resolution against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will result in the further deterioration of the current situation of already deadlocked dialogue between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the European Union, and it will be detrimental to the current situation on the Korean peninsula. It is a great miscalculation by Western countries to expect any change from us with the adoption of such kinds of confrontational resolutions. This resolution, as a product of political trickery and pressure, can never respond to the will of the international community. Therefore, we neither recognize nor accept the resolution.
Ms. Li Xiaomei CHN China [Chinese] #66912
The Chinese delegation supports the statement just made by the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. China dissociates itself from resolution 67/181.
Ms. Alsaleh SYR Syrian Arab Republic [Arabic] #66913
My delegation would like to explain its vote on the resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (resolution 67/181). We would like to express our regret that some States insist on submitting draft resolutions dealing with the situation of human rights for specific political reasons, which jeopardize the credibility of, and the political and legal terms of reference for, international relations and undermines the international consensus on the mechanisms dealing with human rights issues. In spite of the fact that we joined the consensus on this resolution, my delegation is absolutely detached from that consensus for the reasons I have mentioned.
Ms. Astiasarán Arias CUB Cuba [Spanish] #66914
The delegation of Cuba disassociates itself from resolution 67/181, entitled “Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”. Cuba has maintained a long-standing position of principle against country-specific resolutions that seek to accuse developing countries. Such resolutions are politically motivated, have nothing to do with the protection of human rights and do not contribute anything to that cause. Such harmful and selective practices of politicization and double standards in the consideration of dozens of human rights were what discredited the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights and led to its disappearance. The establishment of the Human Rights Council and, in particular, its Universal Periodic Review mechanism, provide an opportunity to consider the human rights situation in all countries under equal conditions and on the basis of a genuine and constructive dialogue. Cuba reiterates that international cooperation based on the principles of objectivity, non-conditionality, impartiality and non-selectivity is the only way to effectively promote and protect all human rights for everyone. Unfortunately, that is not the objective pursued with the texts adopted today, which are unquestionably characterized by clear political motivation. That is why Cuba voted against the resolutions on the Syrian Arab Republic (resolution 67/183) and on the Islamic Republic of Iran (resolution 67/182) and has associated itself with the consensus with regard to human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Ms. Calcinari Van Der Velde VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #66915
Our country voted against resolutions 67/182 and 67/183 and wishes to state that it disassociates itself from the consensus on resolution 67/181. In line with the principles that govern my country’s foreign policy, we reject the politically motivated practice noted by some countries of submitting resolutions against sovereign States. That shows that the draft resolutions in the report contained in document A/67/457/Add.3 contravene the principles of respectful dialogue, international cooperation, impartiality, non-selectivity and non-politicization that should guide the consideration of human rights issues. It is completely unacceptable for certain countries to use human rights as a political weapon to stigmatize other States. The General Assembly must not be party to such heinous practices. This is not the place to discuss such issues. My delegation believes that, through its Universal Periodic Review mechanism, the Human Rights Council has the responsibility for considering human rights situations on the basis of an impartial, objective and non-selective analysis. Any measure or action taken in the context of the United Nations should be based on principles of genuine international cooperation solely with regard to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States.
The Acting President #66916
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 69. (d) Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action Report of the Third Committee (A/67/457/Add.4)
The Acting President #66917
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Third Committee contained in document A/67/457/Add.4?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #66918
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 68?
It was so decided.

69.  Promotion and protection of human rights Report of the Third Committee (A/67/457)

The Acting President #66919
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Documents considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of the promotion and protection of human rights”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision as recommended by the Third Committee?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President #66920
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 69.
The Acting President #66921
The Assembly has before it nine draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 41 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 42 of the same report. We will now take decisions on draft resolutions I to IX and on the draft decision, one by one. Draft resolution I is entitled “Follow-up to the Twelfth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and preparations for the Thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 67/184).
The Acting President #66922
Draft resolution II is entitled “Promoting efforts to eliminate violence against migrants, migrant workers and their families”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution II. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 67/185).
The Acting President #66923
Draft resolution III is entitled “Strengthening the rule of law and the reform of criminal justice institutions, particularly in the areas related to the United Nations system-wide approach to fighting transnational organized crime and drug trafficking”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution III. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 67/186).
The Acting President #66924
Draft resolution IV is entitled “United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IV. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 67/187).
The Acting President #66925
Draft resolution V is entitled “Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution V. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 67/188).
The Acting President #66926
Draft resolution VI is entitled “Strengthening the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VI. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 67/189).
The Acting President #66927
Draft resolution VII is entitled “Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VII. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 67/190).
The Acting President #66928
Draft resolution VIII is entitled “United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution VIII. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution VIII was adopted (resolution 67/191).
The Acting President #66929
Draft resolution IX is entitled “Preventing and combating corrupt practices and the transfer of proceeds of corruption, facilitating asset recovery and returning such assets to legitimate owners, in particular to the countries of origin, in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption”. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution IX. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IX was adopted (resolution 67/192).
The Acting President #66930
We will now take action on the draft decision entitled “Reports considered by the General Assembly in connection with the question of crime prevention and criminal justice”. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt the draft decision as recommended by the Third Committee?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President #66931
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 103?
It was so decided.

104.  International drug control Report of the Third Committee (A/67/459)

The Acting President #66932
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We will now take a decision on the draft resolution entitled “International cooperation against the world drug problem”. The Third Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 67/193).
The Acting President #66933
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 104?
It was so decided.

116.  Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly Report of the Third Committee (A/67/460)

The Acting President #66934
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Programme of work of the Third Committee for the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision recommended by the Third Committee?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President #66935
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 116.

131.  Programme planning Report of the Third Committee (A/67/461)

The Acting President #66936
The Assembly has before it a draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We will now take action on the draft decision, entitled “Programme planning”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Kenya informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 174 votes to 4, with 5 abstentions.
The Acting President on behalf of General Assembly #66937
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 131. On behalf of the General Assembly, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Henry Mac-Donald, Permanent Representative of Suriname to the United Nations and Chair of the Third Committee, the members of the Bureau, the Secretary of the Committee and all representatives for a job well done. The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Third Committee before it today, with the exception of documents A/67/457/Add.2 and A/67/457/Add.3, concerning draft resolution XVI and draft resolution I, respectively. As noted earlier, the Assembly will take action on those draft resolutions as soon as the reports of the Fifth Committee on their programme budget implications are available. Programme of work
The Acting President #66938
Before concluding, I should like to consult members regarding an extension of the work of the Fifth Committee. Members will recall that, at its 53rd plenary meeting, on 12 December, the General Assembly agreed to extend the work of the Fifth Committee until Thursday, 20 December. However, I have been informed by the Chair of the Fifth Committee that the Committee requests an additional extension of its work to Friday, 21 December, in view of the fact that such an extension would facilitate reaching consensus on the pending draft resolutions before it. May I therefore take it that the General Assembly agrees to extend the work of the Fifth Committee until Friday, 21 December?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #66939
I would also like to draw the attention of members to the date of recess of the current session. Members will recall that, at its 53rd plenary meeting, on 12 December, the General Assembly agreed to postpone the date of recess of the sixty-seventh session to Friday, 21 December. However, in view of the work still to be completed by the Fifth Committee, I would like to propose to the Assembly that it further postpone the date of recess of the current session to Monday, 24 December. If there is no objection, I shall take it that the Assembly agrees to that proposal. It was so decided.
The meeting rose at 12.35 p.m.