UN Human Rights Treaties

E/2000/23
E/CN.4/2000/167
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
REPORT ON THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION
(20 March _ 28 April 2000)
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
OFFICIAL RECORDS, 2000
SUPPLEMENT No. 3
UNITED NATIONS

E/2000/23
E/CN.4/2000/167
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
REPORT ON THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION
(20 March - 28 April 2000)
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
OFFICIAL RECORDS, 2000
SUPPLEMENT No. 3
UNITED NATIONS
New York and Geneva, 2000
NOTE
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of
capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a
symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.
A State not member of the Commission may submit
proposals in accordance with rule 69, paragraph 3, of the rules of
procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and
Social Council. The list of participants is contained in annex II to
the present report.
E/2000/23
E/CN.4/2000/167

CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. DRAFT RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ................. 18
A. Draft resolutions
1. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance ........................................................................ 18
2. Question of draft optional protocols to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child on involvement of children in armed
conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and
child pornography ......................................................................... 19
3. Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ........ 21
4. Procedure for dealing with communications concerning
human rights ................................................................................. 23
B. Draft decisions
1. Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights ........................................ 28
2. The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights
and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to
self-determination ......................................................................... 28
3. The right to development .............................................................. 28
4. Question of the realization in all countries of the economic,
social and cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, and in the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, and study of special problems which
the developing countries face in their efforts to achieve these
human rights ................................................................................. 29
5. The right to food ........................................................................... 29
6. Human rights and extreme poverty .............................................. 30

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
I. B. Draft decisions (continued)
7. Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo ................................................................................. 31
8. Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and
western Bekaa ............................................................................... 31
9. Situation of human rights in Iraq .................................................. 32
10. Situation of human rights in Afghanistan ..................................... 32
11. Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea and assistance
in the field of human rights .......................................................... 33
12. Situation of human rights in Burundi ........................................... 33
13. Situation of human rights in Rwanda ........................................... 33
14. Situation of human rights in Myanmar ......................................... 34
15. Situation of human rights in Sierra Leone .................................... 34
16. Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro), the Republic of Croatia and
Bosnia and Herzegovina ............................................................... 35
17. Situation of human rights in the Sudan ........................................ 35
18. Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran ........... 36
19. Human rights and terrorism .......................................................... 36
20. Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All
Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on
Religion or Belief ......................................................................... 36
21. Draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ... 37

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
I. B. Draft decisions (continued)
22. Question of arbitrary detention ..................................................... 37
23. Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and
assessors and the independence of lawyers .................................. 38
24. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment ............................................................................... 38
25. Elimination of violence against women ....................................... 38
26. Integrating the human rights of women throughout the
United Nations system .................................................................. 39
27. Human rights of migrants ............................................................. 39
28. Human rights of persons with disabilities .................................... 39
29. Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious
and linguistic minorities ............................................................... 39
30. Internally displaced persons ......................................................... 40
31. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights and the International Decade of the World’s
Indigenous People ........................................................................ 40
32. Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights
to elaborate a draft declaration in accordance with
paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 49/214
of 23 December 1994 ................................................................... 40
33. Situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the
Russian Federation ....................................................................... 41
34. Abduction of children from northern Uganda .............................. 41
35. Human rights defenders ................................................................ 41

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
I. B. Draft decisions (continued)
36. Towards a culture of peace ........................................................... 42
37. National institutions for the promotion and protection of
human rights ................................................................................. 42
38. Situation of human rights in Haiti ................................................ 43
39. Situation of human rights in Cambodia ........................................ 43
40. Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights ...................... 43
41. Effects of structural adjustment policies and foreign debt on
the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic,
social and cultural rights ............................................................... 44
42. Rights of the child ........................................................................ 45
43. Human rights and thematic procedures ........................................ 46
44. Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all
human rights ................................................................................. 46
45. The rights of non-citizens ............................................................. 46
46. Enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the
Commission on Human Rights ..................................................... 47
47. Dates of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on
Human Rights ............................................................................... 48
48. Organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session of
the Commission on Human Rights ............................................... 48
49. Question of resources for the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights ........................................ 49

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
II. RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION
AT ITS FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION................................................................. 50
A. Resolutions
2000/1. Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights .............................. 50
2000/2. Question of Western Sahara ................................................ 53
2000/3. The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human
rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples
to self-determination ........................................................... 55
2000/4. Situation in occupied Palestine ........................................... 58
2000/5. The right to development .................................................... 59
2000/6. Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied
Arab territories, including Palestine .................................... 64
2000/7. Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan ....................... 66
2000/8. Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories ............. 68
2000/9. Question of the realization in all countries of the economic,
social and cultural rights contained in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and in the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and
study of special problems which the developing countries
face in their efforts to achieve these human rights .............. 69
2000/10. The right to food ................................................................. 76
2000/11. Human rights and unilateral coercive measures ................. 79
2000/12. Human rights and extreme poverty ..................................... 81
2000/13. Women’s equal ownership of, access to and control over
land and the equal rights to own property and to adequate
housing ................................................................................ 86

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
II. A. Resolutions (continued)
2000/14. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance ............................................................... 89
2000/15. Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo ........................................................................ 99
2000/16. Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and
western Bekaa ..................................................................... 105
2000/17. Situation of human rights in Iraq ........................................ 107
2000/18. Situation of human rights in Afghanistan ........................... 111
2000/19. Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea and
assistance in the field of human rights ................................ 117
2000/20. Situation of human rights in Burundi .................................. 120
2000/21. Situation of human rights in Rwanda .................................. 124
2000/22. Cooperation with representatives of United Nations
human rights bodies ............................................................ 129
2000/23. Situation of human rights in Myanmar ............................... 130
2000/24. Situation of human rights in Sierra Leone .......................... 136
2000/25. Situation of human rights in Cuba ...................................... 140
2000/26. Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the Republic
of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ............................. 142
2000/27. Situation of human rights in the Sudan ............................... 150
2000/28. Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran .. 156
2000/29. Hostage-taking .................................................................... 159
2000/30. Human rights and terrorism ................................................ 160

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
II. A. Resolutions (continued)
2000/31. Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions .................. 163
2000/32. Human rights and forensic science ..................................... 167
2000/33. Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of
All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on
Religion or Belief ................................................................ 169
2000/34. Conscientious objection to military service ........................ 172
2000/35. Draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment .......................................................................... 173
2000/36. Question of arbitrary detention ........................................... 174
2000/37. Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances .......... 177
2000/38. The right to freedom of opinion and expression ................. 180
2000/39. Human rights in the administration of justice, in
particular juvenile justice .................................................... 185
2000/40. The incompatibility between democracy and racism .......... 189
2000/41. The right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation
for victims of grave violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms ......................................................... 190
2000/42. Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors
and assessors and the independence of lawyers .................. 191
2000/43. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment ...................................................................... 193
2000/44. Traffic in women and girls .................................................. 201
2000/45. Elimination of violence against women .............................. 204

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
II. A. Resolutions (continued)
2000/46. Integrating the human rights of women throughout the
United Nations system ........................................................ 209
2000/47. Promoting and consolidating democracy ............................ 214
2000/48. Human rights of migrants ................................................... 219
2000/49. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights
of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families ... 223
2000/50. Tolerance and pluralism as indivisible elements in the
promotion and protection of human rights .......................... 224
2000/51. Human rights of persons with disabilities ........................... 227
2000/52. Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities ....................................... 232
2000/53. Internally displaced persons ................................................ 235
2000/54. Violence against women migrant workers .......................... 240
2000/55. Human rights and mass exoduses ....................................... 241
2000/56. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights and the International Decade of
the World’s Indigenous People ........................................... 245
2000/57. Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights
to elaborate a draft declaration in accordance with
paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 49/214
of 23 December 1994 .......................................................... 249
2000/58. Situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the
Russian Federation .............................................................. 251

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
II. A. Resolutions (continued)
2000/59. Question of draft optional protocols to the Convention on
the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in
armed conflict and on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography ..................................... 254
2000/60. Abduction of children from northern Uganda ..................... 270
2000/61. Human rights defenders ...................................................... 271
2000/62. Promotion of the right to a democratic and equitable
international order ............................................................... 273
2000/63. Human rights and human responsibilities ........................... 276
2000/64. The role of good governance in the promotion of
human rights ........................................................................ 277
2000/65. The question of the death penalty ....................................... 278
2000/66. Towards a culture of peace ................................................. 281
2000/67. Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights .... 283
2000/68. Impunity .............................................................................. 286
2000/69. Fundamental standards of humanity ................................... 289
2000/70. Enhancement of international cooperation in the field
of human rights ................................................................... 290
2000/71. United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education ........ 291
2000/72. Adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping
of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the
enjoyment of human rights ................................................. 295
2000/73. Composition of the staff of the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ..... 298

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
II. A. Resolutions (continued)
2000/74. Regional cooperation for the promotion and protection of
human rights in the Asian and Pacific region ..................... 301
2000/75. Effective implementation of international instruments on
human rights, including reporting obligations under
international instruments on human rights .......................... 303
2000/76. National institutions for the promotion and protection of
human rights ........................................................................ 307
2000/77. The protection of United Nations personnel ....................... 311
2000/78. Situation of human rights in Haiti ....................................... 316
2000/79. Situation of human rights in Cambodia .............................. 320
2000/80. Advisory services and technical cooperation in the field
of human rights ................................................................... 325
2000/81. Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights ............. 328
2000/82. Effects of structural adjustment policies and foreign
debt on the full enjoyment of all human rights,
particularly economic, social and cultural rights ................ 331
2000/83. Work of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights ......................................... 335
2000/84. Defamation of religions ...................................................... 336
2000/85. Rights of the child ............................................................... 338
2000/86. Human rights and thematic procedures ............................... 354
2000/87. Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues ................................................................................... 358

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Page
II. B. Decisions
2000/101. Organization of work .......................................................... 359
2000/102. Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of
all human rights ................................................................... 362
2000/103. Question of human rights in Cyprus ................................... 362
2000/104. The rights of non-citizens ................................................... 363
2000/105. Postponement of consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.63 .............................................. 363
2000/106. Study on indigenous land rights .......................................... 363
2000/107. The Social Forum ................................................................ 364
2000/108. Reservations to human rights treaties ................................. 364
2000/109. Enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the
Commission on Human Rights ........................................... 364
2000/110. Transitional arrangements concerning the
1503 procedure .................................................................... 378
2000/111. Dates of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission
on Human Rights ................................................................ 378
2000/112. Organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session
of the Commission on Human Rights ................................. 378
2000/113. Report of the Commission to the Economic and Social
Council on its fifty-sixth session ......................................... 379

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Paragraphs Page
III. ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE SESSION........ 1 - 40 380
A. Opening and duration of the session ................................. 1 - 3 380
B. Attendance ........................................................................ 4 380
C. Election of officers ........................................................... 5 380
D. Agenda .............................................................................. 6 - 7 380
E. Organization of work ........................................................ 8 - 28 381
F. Meetings, resolutions and documentation ........................ 29 - 33 383
G. Visits ................................................................................. 34 384
H. Organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session
of the Commission ............................................................ 35 - 38 386
I. Concluding remarks .......................................................... 39 387
Chairperson’s statements
Handling of the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended
working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the
mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights ................. 40 387
Situation of human rights in Colombia .................................................... 40 389
Question of resources for the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights .................................................... 40 392
IV. REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH
COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND
FOLLOW-UP TO THE WORLD CONFERENCE
ON HUMAN RIGHTS ............................................................ 41 - 50 393
V. THE RIGHT OF PEOPLES TO SELF-DETERMINATION
AND ITS APPLICATION TO PEOPLES UNDER
COLONIAL OR ALIEN DOMINATION OR FOREIGN
OCCUPATION ........................................................................ 51 - 67 394

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Paragraphs Page
VI. RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA
AND ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION ......................... 68 - 85 397
VII. THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT ........................................ 86 - 92 399
VIII. QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
IN THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES, INCLUDING
PALESTINE ............................................................................ 93 - 111 400
IX. QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS IN ANY PART
OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING:
(a) Question of human rights in Cyprus;
(b) Procedure established in accordance with Economic
and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) ................ 112 - 213 403
Statement by the Chairperson
East Timor ................................................................................ 213 418
X. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS ............ 214 - 266 420
XI. CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE
QUESTIONS OF:
(a) Torture and detention;
(b) Disappearances and summary executions;
(c) Freedom of expression;
(d) Independence of the judiciary, administration of
justice, impunity;
(e) Religious intolerance;
(f) States of emergency;
(g) Conscientious objection to military service .................... 267 - 338 428

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Paragraphs Page
XII. INTEGRATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN
AND A GENDER PERSPECTIVE:
(a) Violence against women ................................................. 339 - 352 441
XIII. RIGHTS OF THE CHILD ....................................................... 353 - 370 444
XIV. SPECIFIC GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS:
(a) Migrant workers;
(b) Minorities;
(c) Mass exoduses and displaced persons;
(d) Other vulnerable groups and individuals ........................ 371 - 397 447
XV. INDIGENOUS ISSUES ........................................................... 398 - 435 451
XVI. REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMISSION ON THE
PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS:
(a) Report and draft decisions;
(b) Election of members ....................................................... 436 - 447 456
XVII. PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
(a) Status of the International Covenants on Human
Rights;
(b) Human rights defenders;
(c) Information and education;
(d) Science and environment ................................................ 448 - 510 459

CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Paragraphs Page
XVIII. EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF HUMAN RIGHTS
MECHANISMS:
(a) Treaty bodies;
(b) National institutions and regional arrangements;
(c) Adaptation and strengthening of the United Nations
machinery for human rights ............................................ 511 - 534 469
XIX. ADVISORY SERVICES AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION
IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS ................................... 535 - 550 473
XX. RATIONALIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE
COMMISSION ........................................................................ 551 -561 475
XXI. (a) Draft provisional agenda for the fifty-seventh session
of the Commission .......................................................... 562 - 564 476
(b) Report of the Commission to the Economic and
Social Council on its fifty-sixth session ......................... 565 - 567 487
Annexes
I. Agenda ............................................................................................................ 488
II. Attendance ...................................................................................................... 491
III. General debate ................................................................................................. 505
IV. Administrative and programme budget implications of resolutions
and decisions adopted by the Commission at its fifty-sixth session................ 522
V. Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and
statements made by the Chairperson on behalf of the Commission
at its fifty-sixth session ................................................................................... 523
VI. List of documents issued for the fifty-sixth session of
the Commission .............................................................................................. 533
Index of topics considered by the Commission at its fifty-sixth session ........................ 570

I. Draft resolutions and decisions recommended for
adoption by the Economic and Social Council
A. Draft resolutions
1. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
The Economic and Social Council,
Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2000/14 of 17 April 2000,
1. Approves the Commission’s recommendation that the General Assembly, through
the Council, should request the Secretary-General to assign high priority to the activities of the
Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and to
earmark adequate resources to finance the activities of the Programme;
2. Endorses the Commission’s decision to appoint an 11-member Bureau for the two
sessions of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, comprising two representatives per
regional group and a representative of the host country as an ex officio member, in order to
ensure continuity and the adequate representation of all Member States;
3. Approves the Commission’s requests to the High Commissioner for Human
Rights:
(a) To continue and intensify, in her capacity as Secretary-General of the World
Conference, the activities already initiated within the framework of the world information
campaign with a view to mobilization and support for the objectives of the World Conference by
all sectors of political, economic, social and cultural life, as well as other interested sectors;
(b) To undertake appropriate consultations with non-governmental organizations on
the possibility that they might hold a forum before and partly during the World Conference and,
insofar as possible, to provide them with technical assistance for that purpose;
4. Also approves the Commission’s requests:
(a) To the Secretary-General, the United Nations specialized agencies and the
regional economic commissions to provide financial and technical assistance for the organization
of the regional preparatory meetings planned in the context of the World Conference;
(b) To the regional preparatory processes to identify trends, priorities and obstacles at
the national and regional levels, to formulate specific recommendations for the action to be
carried out in future to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
and to submit to the Preparatory Committee, by its 2001 session at the latest, the conclusions of
these regional preparatory processes;

(c) To the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session on the implementation of Commission resolution 2000/14 under the agenda item entitled
“Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination”;
5. Further approves the Commission’s recommendations that:
(a) The World Conference should adopt a declaration and a programme of action
containing concrete and practical recommendations to combat racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance;
(b) The particular situation of children should receive special attention during the
preparations for and during the World Conference itself, especially in its outcome;
(c) The importance of systematically adopting a gender-based approach throughout
the preparations for and in the outcome of the World Conference should be stressed.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/14,
and chap. VI.]
2. Question of draft optional protocols to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child on involvement of children
in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography
The Economic and Social Council,
Noting Commission on Human Rights resolution 2000/59, including the annexes thereto,
of 26 April 2000, in which the Commission approved the texts of the two draft optional protocols
to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in armed conflict and on
the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography,
1. Expresses its appreciation to the Commission on Human Rights for finalizing the
two draft optional protocols;
2. Approves the two draft optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child on involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution
and child pornography annexed to the present resolution;
3. Recommends that the two optional protocols, after adoption by the
General Assembly, be open for early signature and ratification or accession at the special session
of the General Assembly, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for
the twenty-first century”, to be convened from 5 to 9 June 2000 in New York; and thereafter at
United Nations Headquarters, including at the special session of the General Assembly, entitled
“World Summit for Social Development and beyond: achieving social development for all in a
globalized world” to be convened from 26 to 30 June 2000 in Geneva; and at the Millennium
Summit of the United Nations, to be convened from 6 to 8 September 2000, in New York;

4. Recommends the following draft resolution to the General Assembly for adoption:
“The General Assembly,
“Recalling all its previous resolutions on this topic, and in particular its
resolution 54/149, in which it strongly supported the work of the Open-ended
inter-sessional working group of the Commission on Human Rights on a draft optional
protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in
armed conflict and the Open-ended inter-sessional working group of the Commission on
a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of
children, child prostitution and child pornography and urged them to finalize their work
before the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention,
“Expressing its appreciation to the Commission for having finalized the texts of
the two draft optional protocols to the Convention on involvement of children in armed
conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography,
“Conscious of the tenth anniversaries, in the year 2000, of the World Summit for
Children and the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and of the
symbolic and practical importance of the adoption of the two draft optional protocols to
the Convention before the special session of the General Assembly for the follow-up to
the World Summit for Children, to be convened in 2001,
“Adhering to the principle that the best interests of the child are to be a primary
consideration in all actions concerning children,
“Reaffirming its commitment to strive for the promotion and protection of the
rights of the child in all avenues of life,
“Recognizing that the adoption and implementation of the two draft optional
protocols to the Convention will make a substantial contribution to the promotion and
protection of the rights of the child,
“1. Adopts and opens for signature and ratification or accession the two
optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on involvement of
children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography, the texts of which are annexed to the present resolution;
“2. Invites all States, which have signed or ratified or acceded to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, to sign and ratify or accede to the two optional
protocols as soon as possible in order to facilitate their early entry into force;
“3. Decides that the two optional protocols to the Convention will be open for
signature: at its special session, entitled ‘Women 2000: gender equality, development
and peace for the twenty-first century’, to be convened from 5 to 9 June 2000 in
New York; and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters including at its special
session, entitled ‘World Summit for Social Development and beyond: achieving social

development for all in a globalized world’, to be convened from 26 to 30 June 2000 in
Geneva; and at the Millennium Summit of the United Nations, to be convened from 6 to
8 September 2000, in New York;
“4. Requests the Secretary-General to include information on the status of the
two optional protocols in his regular report to the General Assembly on the status of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/59,
and chap. XIII.]
3. Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The Economic and Social Council,
Recalling the provision contained in the final document of the World Conference on
Human Rights, held in Vienna in June 1993, according to which the establishment of a
permanent forum for indigenous people within the United Nations system should be considered,1
Recalling also that consideration of the establishment of a permanent forum is recognized
as one of the important objectives of the programme of activities for the International Decade of
the World’s Indigenous People,2
Noting the two workshops on the subject held under the auspices of the Commission on
Human Rights in Copenhagen in 1995 and in Santiago in 1997,3
Recalling the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Review of the existing
mechanisms, procedures, and programmes within the United Nations concerning indigenous
people”4 and noting in particular, the striking absence of a mechanism to ensure coordination and
regular exchange of information among interested parties - Governments, the United Nations and
indigenous people - on an ongoing basis,
Taking into account the deliberations of the Working Group on a permanent forum for
indigenous people established pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1998/20 of
9 April 1998 and 1999/52 of 27 April 1999 to consider the establishment of a permanent forum
and to submit concrete proposals to that effect (see E/CN.4/1999/83 and E/CN.4/2000/86) - as
well as the consideration given to the subject at the fifty-sixth session of the Commission,
1 A/CONF.157/24, (Part I), chap. III, sect. II.B, para. 32.
2 General Assembly resolution 50/157, annex.
3 See E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/1995/7 and E/CN.4/1998/11 and Add.1 and 2.
4 A/51/493.

Wishing to finalize this project during the International Decade of the World’s
Indigenous People as one means of furthering the objectives of the Decade in partnership
between Governments and indigenous people,
Stressing that the establishment of the Permanent Forum should lead to careful
consideration of the future of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the
Sub-Commission of the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,
Bearing in mind the common resolve to promote peace and prosperity in accordance with
the Charter of the United Nations and recalling the functions and powers of the Council in that
respect as contained in the Charter,
1. Decides to establish as a subsidiary organ of the Council a permanent forum on
indigenous issues consisting of 16 members, 8 members to be nominated by Governments and
elected by the Council, and 8 members to be appointed by the President of the Council following
formal consultation with the bureau and the regional groups through their coordinators, on the
basis of broad consultations with indigenous organizations taking into account the diversity and
geographical distribution of the indigenous people of the world as well as the principles of
transparency, representativity and equal opportunity for all indigenous people, including internal
processes, when appropriate, and local indigenous consultation processes - all members serving
in their personal capacity as independent experts on indigenous issues for a period of three years
with the possibility of re-election or reappointment for one further period; States, United Nations
bodies and organs, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in
consultative status with the Council may participate as observers; organizations of indigenous
people may equally participate as observers in accordance with the procedures which have been
applied in the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights;
2. Decides that the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues shall serve as an
advisory body to the Council with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues within the mandate of
the Council relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education,
health and human rights; in so doing the Permanent Forum will:
(a) Provide expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to the Council,
as well as to programmes, funds and agencies of the United Nations, through the Council;
(b) Raise awareness and promote the integration and coordination of activities
relating to indigenous issues within the United Nations system;
(c) Prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues;
3. Decides that the Permanent Forum shall apply the rules of procedures established
for subsidiary organs of the Council as applicable, unless otherwise decided by the Council; the
principle of consensus shall govern the work of the Permanent Forum;

4. Also decides that the Permanent Forum shall hold an annual session of 10
working days at the United Nations Office at Geneva or at United Nations Headquarters or at
such other place as the Permanent Forum may decide in accordance with existing financial rules
and regulations of the United Nations;
5. Further decides that the Permanent Forum shall submit an annual report to the
Council on its activities, including any recommendations for approval; the report shall be
distributed to the relevant United Nations organs, funds, programmes and agencies as a means,
inter alia, of furthering the dialogue on indigenous issues within the United Nations system;
6. Decides that the financing of the Permanent Forum shall be provided from within
existing resources through the regular budget of the United Nations and its specialized agencies
and through such voluntary contributions as may be donated;
7. Also decides that five years after its establishment, an evaluation of the
functioning of the Permanent Forum, including the method for selection of its members, shall be
carried out by the Council in the light of the experience gained;
8. Further decides that once the Permanent Forum has been established and has held
its first annual session, the Council will review, without prejudging any outcome, all existing
mechanisms, procedures and programmes within the United Nations concerning indigenous
issues, including the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, with a view to rationalizing
activities, avoiding duplication and overlap and promoting effectiveness.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/87,
and chap. XV.]
4. Procedure for dealing with communications
concerning human rights
The Economic and Social Council,
Recalling its resolution 728 F (XXVIII) of 30 July 1959 concerning the handling of
communications concerning human rights and its decision 79 (LVIII) of 6 May 1975 relating
thereto,
Recalling also its resolution 1235 (XLII) of 6 June 1967 authorizing the Commission on
Human Rights to examine information relevant to gross violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, its resolution 1503 (XLVIII) of 27 May 1970 establishing a procedure for
dealing with communications relating to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms
and its resolution 1990/41 of 25 May 1990 concerning the establishment, composition and
designation of the members of the Working Group on Situations,

Recalling further resolution 1 (XXIV) of the Sub-Commission for the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights* of 13 August 1971 concerning criteria for the admissibility of
communications, as well as Sub-Commission resolution 2 (XXIV) of 16 August 1971
concerning the establishment, composition and designation of the members of the Working
Group on Communications,
Recalling Commission on Human Rights decisions 3 (XXX) of 6 March 1974,
5 (XXXIV) of 3 March 1978 and 9 (XXXVI) of 7 March 1980, all aimed at facilitating
government participation and cooperation under the procedure, and decision 3 (XXXIV)
of 3 March 1978 inviting the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on
Communications to be present during the deliberations of the Commission on that item,
Taking note of decision 2000/109 of 26 April 2000 of the Commission on Human Rights,
inter alia, approving the recommendations of its Inter-sessional open-ended working group on
enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission concerning the review of the
procedure governed by Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) and related resolutions and decisions
(E/CN.4/2000/112, chapter three),
1. Endorses Commission decision 2000/109, insofar as it concerns the review of the
procedure governed by Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) and its related resolutions and
decisions;
2. Decides, accordingly, that the Working Group on Communications designated in
conformity with paragraph 37 of the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on
enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission (E/CN.4/2000/112) shall
henceforth meet annually for two weeks, immediately following the annual session of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, to examine the
communications received under Council resolution 728 F (XXVIII) that have been transmitted to
the Governments concerned not later than 12 weeks prior to the meeting of the Working Group,
and any government replies relating thereto, in conformity with the criteria for the admissibility
of communications contained in resolution 1 (XXIV) of the Sub-Commission, with a view to
bringing to the attention of the Working Group on Situations any particular situations which
appear to reveal a consistent pattern of gross and reliably attested violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms;
3. Requests the Secretary-General, with the approval of the Chairperson-Rapporteur
of the Working Group on Communications, to screen out manifestly ill-founded communications
in the preparation of the monthly confidential summaries of communications (confidential lists
of communications) communicated to the members of the Working Group, it being understood
that communications screened out would not be transmitted to the Governments concerned for
reply;
* The Sub-Commission was then called the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination
and Protection of Minorities.

4. Calls upon the Secretary-General to inform the countries concerned, immediately
after the conclusion of the meeting of the Working Group on Communications, of the actions
taken in regard to them;
5. Entrusts to the Working Group on Situations designated in conformity with
paragraph 40 of the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the
effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, which shall meet
annually for one week not less than one month prior to the annual session of the Commission,
the role of examining the confidential report and recommendations of the Working Group on
Communications and determining whether or not to refer a particular situation thus brought
before it to the Commission, as well as of examining the particular situations kept under review
by the Commission under the procedure, and, accordingly, to place before the Commission a
confidential report identifying the main issues of concern, normally together with a draft
resolution or draft decision recommending the action to be taken by the Commission in respect
of the situations referred to it;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to make the confidential files available, at least
one week in advance of the first closed meeting, to all members of the Commission on Human
Rights;
7. Authorizes the Commission on Human Rights, as it deems appropriate, to
consider the particular situations placed before it by the Working Group on Situations, as well as
the situations kept under review, in two separate closed meetings, employing the following
modalities:
(a) At the first closed meeting, each country concerned would be invited to make
opening presentations; a discussion would then follow between members of the Commission and
the Government concerned, based on the contents of confidential files and the report of the
Working Group on Situations;
(b) In the interim between the first and second closed meetings, any member or
members of the Commission could submit an alternative or an amendment to any texts
forwarded by the Working Group on Situations; any such draft texts would be circulated
confidentially by the secretariat, in accordance with the rules of procedure of the functional
commissions of the Economic and Social Council, in advance of the second closed meeting;
(c) At the second closed meeting, members of the Commission would discuss and
take action on the draft resolutions or decisions; a representative or representatives of the
Governments concerned would have the right to be present during the adoption of the final
decision or resolution taken in regard to the human rights situation in that country; as has been
the established practice, the Chairperson of the Commission would subsequently announce in a
public meeting which countries had been examined under the 1503 procedure, as well as the
names of countries no longer being dealt with under the procedure; the 1503 dossiers would
remain confidential, except where the Government concerned has indicated the wish that they
become public;

(d) In accordance with the established practice, the action taken in respect of a
particular situation should be one of the following options:
(i) To discontinue consideration of the matter when further consideration or
action is not warranted;
(ii) To keep the situation under review in the light of any further information
received from the Government concerned and any further information
which may reach the Commission under the 1503 procedure;
(iii) To keep the situation under review and to appoint an independent expert;
(iv) To discontinue consideration of the matter under the confidential
procedure governed by Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) in order to take
up consideration of the same matter under the public procedure governed
by Council resolution 1235 (XLII);
8. Decides that the provisions of Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) and related
resolutions and decisions not affected by the present reorganization of work shall remain in
force, including:
(a) Provisions relating to the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary-General, it
being understood that in respect of the handling of communications and government replies
relating thereto the duties and responsibilities are as follows:
(v) The compilation, as before, of monthly confidential summaries of
incoming communications concerning alleged violations of human rights;
the identity of authors may be deleted upon request;
(vi) The transmittal of a copy of each summarized communication, in the
language received, to the Government concerned for reply, without
divulging the identity of the author if he or she so requests;
(vii) Acknowledging the receipt of communications to their authors;
(viii) The reproduction and circulation to the members of the Commission on
Human Rights, as before, of the replies received from Governments;
(b) Provisions aimed at facilitating government cooperation and participation in the
procedure, including the provisions of Commission decision 3 (XXX), now to be applied
following the meetings of the Working Group on Communications;

9. Also decides that all actions envisaged in the implementation of the present
resolution by the Working Group on Communications, the Working Group on Situations and the
Commission on Human Rights shall remain confidential until such time as the Commission may
decide to make recommendations to the Council;
10. Further decides that the procedure as amended may continue to be referred to as
the 1503 procedure.
[See chap. II, sect. B, decision 2000/109,
and chap. XX.]

B. Draft decisions
1. Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/1 of 7 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s recommendation that the Council
and the General Assembly should provide the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights with ways and means commensurate to its increasing tasks and that they
should also provide more resources for special rapporteurs.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/1,
and chap. IV.]
2. The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights
and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to
self-determination
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/3 of 7 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision, in accordance with the
request of the General Assembly, to convene a workshop on the traditional and new forms of
mercenary activities as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right
of peoples to self-determination before the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly, and its
request to the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the outcome of the workshop
to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/3,
and chap. V.]
3. The right to development
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/5 of 13 April 2000, authorizes the Working Group on the Right to Development,
established in accordance with Commission resolution 1998/72 and Council decision 1998/269,
to convene for two sessions of five days each, prior to the fifty-seventh session of the
Commission.
The Council approves the Commission’s request to the Secretary-General to submit to
the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session
a comprehensive report on the implementation of the various provisions of Commission
resolution 2000/5.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/5,
and chap. VII.]

4. Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social
and cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, and study of special problems which the developing
countries face in their efforts to achieve these human rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/9 of 17 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to appoint, for a period
of three years, a special rapporteur whose mandate will focus on adequate housing as a
component of the right to an adequate standard of living, as reflected in article 25, paragraph 1,
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 11, paragraph 1, of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and article 27, paragraph 3, of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, and on the right to non-discrimination as reflected in
article 14, paragraph 2 (h) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, and article 5 (e) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The Council also endorses the Commission’s request to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights to provide all the necessary resources for the effective
fulfilment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/9,
and chap. X.]
5. The right to food
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/10 of 17 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision, to appoint, for a
period of three years, a special rapporteur whose mandate will focus on the right to food and who
will carry out the following activities:
(a) Seek, receive and respond to information on all aspects of the realization of the
right to food, including the urgent necessity of eradicating hunger;
(b) Establish cooperation with Governments, intergovernmental organizations, in
particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and non-governmental
organizations on the promotion and effective implementation of the right to food, and to make
appropriate recommendations on the realization thereof, taking into consideration the work
already done in this field throughout the United Nations system;
(c) Identify emerging issues related to the right to food worldwide.

The Council also endorses the Commission’s request to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights to provide all necessary human and financial resources for the
effective fulfilment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/10,
and chap. X.]
6. Human rights and extreme poverty
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/12 of 17 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to renew, for a period
of two years, the mandate of the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme
poverty:
(a) To continue to evaluate the relationship between the promotion and protection of
human rights and the eradication of extreme poverty, including through the identification of
national and international good practices;
(b) To hold consultations, including during her visits, with the poorest people and the
communities in which they live, on means of developing their capacity to express their views
and to organize themselves and to involve national human rights institutions in this exercise;
(c) To consider strategies to overcome extreme poverty and the social impact of those
strategies;
(d) To continue her cooperation with the international financial institutions, with the
view to identifying the best programmes for combating extreme poverty;
(e) To contribute to the mid-term evaluation of the first United Nations Decade for
the Eradication of Poverty, scheduled for 2002;
(f) To report on her activities to the Commission on Human Rights at its
fifty-seventh and fifty-eighth sessions and to make those reports available to the Commission for
Social Development and the Commission on the Status of Women, as appropriate, for their
sessions during the same years.
The Council approves the Commission’s request to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights to organize, before the fifty-seventh session of the
Commission, a seminar to consider the need to develop a draft declaration on extreme poverty
and, if appropriate, to identify its specific points.
The Council also approves the Commission’s recommendation that, in view of the need
to take into account work undertaken elsewhere, an invitation to this seminar be extended to
government representatives and experts of the United Nations specialized agencies, funds and

programmes, the relevant functional commissions of the Council, the regional economic
commissions, the international financial institutions, the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights and interested non-governmental organizations.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/12,
and chap. X.]
7. Situation of human rights in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/15 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decisions:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a further year and to request him to submit an
interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission
at its fifty-seventh session on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo and on the possibilities for the international community to assist with local
capacity-building, and also to request the Special Rapporteur to keep a gender perspective in
mind when seeking and analysing information;
(b) To request the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or
arbitrary executions and a member of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances to carry out, as soon as security considerations permit and, where appropriate, in
cooperation with the National Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged human rights
violations and breaches of international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (formerly Zaire) between 1996 and 1997, a joint mission to investigate all massacres
carried out in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including those in the
province of South Kivu, and other atrocities referred to in the reports by the Special Rapporteur
on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a view to
bringing to justice those responsible, and to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth
session and to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/15,
and chap. IX.]
8. Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/16 of 18 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the
Secretary-General:
(a) To bring Commission resolution 2000/16 to the attention of the Government of
Israel and to invite it to provide information concerning the extent of its implementation thereof;

(b) To report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission
at its fifty-seventh session on the results of his efforts in this regard.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/16,
and chap. IX.]
9. Situation of human rights in Iraq
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/17 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decisions:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in Iraq, as contained in Commission resolution 1991/74 of 6 March 1991 and subsequent
resolutions, for a further year, to request the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report on
the situation of human rights in Iraq to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to
report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session, and also to keep a gender perspective in
mind when seeking and analysing information;
(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to give all necessary assistance to
the Special Rapporteur to enable him to discharge his mandate fully, and to approve the
allocation of sufficient human and material resources for the sending of human rights monitors to
such locations as would facilitate improved information flow and assessment and help in the
independent verification of reports on the situation of human rights in Iraq.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/17,
and chap. IX.]
10. Situation of human rights in Afghanistan
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/18 of 18 April 2000, approves the Commission’s requests:
(a) To the Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and to give due consideration to his
recommendations in the formulation of United Nations activities in Afghanistan;
(b) To the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure a human
rights presence in the context of the United Nations activities in Afghanistan in order to provide
advice and training in the field of human rights to all the Afghan parties, as well as to the
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations active in the field.

The Council endorses the Commission’s decision to extend the mandate of the Special
Rapporteur for one year, and to request the Special Rapporteur to report on the situation of
human rights in Afghanistan to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the
Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-seventh session.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/18,
and chap. IX.]
11. Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea
and assistance in the field of human rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/19 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to renew the mandate
of the Special Representative of the Commission to monitor the situation of human rights in
Equatorial Guinea for one year to monitor the situation of human rights in that country and to
report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session, keeping in mind the need to apply a gender
perspective in the reporting process, including in collecting information and making
recommendations.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/19,
and chap. IX.]
12. Situation of human rights in Burundi
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/20 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to extend the mandate
of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi by one year, and to request
the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report on the human rights situation in Burundi to
the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and a report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session, giving her work a gender-specific dimension.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/20,
and chap. IX.]
13. Situation of human rights in Rwanda
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/21 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to extend for a further
year the mandate of the Special Representative of the Commission on the situation of human
rights in Rwanda, to make recommendations on the situation of human rights in Rwanda, to
facilitate the effective and independent functioning of the National Human Rights Commission
and to make recommendations on situations in which technical assistance to the Government of
Rwanda in the field of human rights may be appropriate.

The Council also approves the Commission’s request to the Special Representative to
report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session, in accordance with his mandate, and its request to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide the Special Representative with such financial
assistance as he may require to discharge his mandate.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/21,
and chap. IX.]
14. Situation of human rights in Myanmar
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/23 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decisions:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in Myanmar, as contained in Commission resolution 1992/58 of 3 March 1992, for a further
year, and to request the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session, and to keep a
gender perspective in mind when seeking and analysing information;
(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to give all necessary assistance to
the Special Rapporteur to enable him to discharge his mandate fully, and to pursue all efforts to
ensure that the Special Rapporteur is authorized to visit Myanmar;
(c) Also to request the Secretary-General to continue his discussions with the
Government on the situation of human rights and the restoration of democracy and with anyone
he may consider appropriate in order to assist in the implementation of General Assembly
resolution 54/186 and of Commission resolution 2000/23.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/23,
and chap. IX.]
15. Situation of human rights in Sierra Leone
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/24 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decisions:
(a) To request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the
international community to continue to assist the Government of Sierra Leone to establish and
maintain an effectively functioning Truth and Reconciliation Commission and National Human
Rights Commission;
(b) To request the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner and the international
community to give all necessary assistance to the human rights section of the United Nations
Mission in Sierra Leone to enable it to fulfil its mandate to report on violations of international

humanitarian law and human rights in Sierra Leone and, in consultation with the relevant
United Nations agencies, assist the Government of Sierra Leone in its efforts to address the
country’s human rights needs, including:
(ix) To strengthen its involvement in programmes of technical cooperation,
advisory services and human rights advocacy programme;
(x) To strengthen its support for, and to continue and expand its cooperation
with, human rights non-governmental organizations in Sierra Leone.
The Council approves the Commission’s request to the High Commissioner for Human
Rights to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session on the human rights situation in Sierra Leone, including with reference to
reports from the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/24,
and chap. IX.]
16. Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro), the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia
and Herzegovina
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/26 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to renew for one year
the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
Montenegro), and its request to the Special Rapporteur to report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session on the work conducted in fulfilment of the mandate and to submit an
interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session, paying particular attention to
those areas that remain a source of grave concern, including the deteriorating human rights
situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/26,
and chap. IX.]
17. Situation of human rights in the Sudan
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/27 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to extend the mandate
of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for a further year, and to
request to the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its

fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session on the situation of
human rights in the Sudan, and to continue to keep a gender perspective in mind in the reporting
process.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/27,
and chap. IX.]
18. Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/28 of 18 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to extend the mandate
of the Special Representative of the Commission on the situation of human rights in the Islamic
Republic of Iran, as contained in Commission resolution 1984/54 of 14 March 1984, for a further
year, and its request to the Special Representative to submit an interim report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and a report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session.
The Council also approves the Commission’s request to the Secretary-General to
continue to give all necessary assistance to the Special Representative to enable him to discharge
his mandate fully.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/28,
and chap. IX.]
19. Human rights and terrorism
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/30 of 20 April 2000, approves the request of the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to the Secretary-General to give the Special
Rapporteur on terrorism and human rights of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights all the assistance necessary, in order to hold consultations with the
competent services and bodies of the United Nations system to complement her essential
research and to collect all the needed and up-to-date information and data for the preparation of
her progress report.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/30,
and chap. XI.]
20. Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms
of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/33 of 20 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to change the title of

the Special Rapporteur from Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance to Special Rapporteur
on freedom of religion or belief and that this change will be implemented at the next extension of
the Special Rapporteur’s mandate.
The Council also approves the Commission’s request to the Special Rapporteur to submit
an interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/33,
and chap. XI.]
21. Draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/35 of 20 April 2000:
(a) Authorizes the Open-ended working group of the Commission on Human Rights
on a draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment to meet for a period of two weeks, prior to the
fifty-seventh session of the Commission, in order to continue or conclude the elaboration of a
draft optional protocol to the Convention;
(b) Encourages the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the working group to conduct
informal inter-sessional consultations with all interested parties in order to facilitate the
completion of a consolidated text.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/35,
and chap. XI.]
22. Question of arbitrary detention
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/36 of 20 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to renew, for a
three-year period, the mandate of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, composed of five
independent experts entrusted with the task of investigating cases of deprivation of liberty
imposed arbitrarily, provided that no final decision has been taken in such cases by domestic
courts in conformity with domestic law, with the relevant international standards set forth in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with the relevant international instruments accepted
by the States concerned.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/36,
and chap. XI.]

23. Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors
and assessors and the independence of lawyers
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/42 of 20 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to extend the mandate
of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers for a further period of three
years and to request him to submit a report on the activities relating to his mandate to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session.
The Council also endorses the Commission’s request to the Secretary-General to provide
the Special Rapporteur, within the limits of the United Nations regular budget, with any
assistance needed for the discharge of his mandate.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/42,
and chap. XI.]
24. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/43 of 20 April 2000, approves the Commission’s recommendation to the Special
Rapporteur to present an interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session on the
overall trends and developments with regard to his mandate and a full report to the Commission
at its fifty-seventh session, including all replies sent by Governments that are received in any of
the official languages of the United Nations.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/43,
and chap. XI.]
25. Elimination of violence against women
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/45 of 20 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to renew for a period
of three years the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and
consequences.
The Council approves the Commission’s renewed request to the Secretary-General to
continue to provide the Special Rapporteur with all necessary assistance, in particular the staff
and resources required to perform all mandated functions, especially in carrying out and
following up on missions undertaken either separately or jointly with other special rapporteurs
and working groups, and adequate assistance for periodic consultations with the Committee on
the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and all other treaty bodies.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/45,
and chap. XII.]

26. Integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations system
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/46 of 20 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to integrate a gender
perspective into all agenda items of the Commission.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/46,
and chap. XII.]
27. Human rights of migrants
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/48 of 25 April 2000, recommends that the Secretary-General adopt
18 December as International Migrant’s Day.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/48,
and chap. XIV.]
28. Human rights of persons with disabilities
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/51 of 25 April 2000, approves the Commission’s invitation to the Special
Rapporteur of the Commission for Social Development to address the Commission on Human
Rights at its fifty-eighth session, and its request to the Secretary-General to report biennially to
the General Assembly on the progress of efforts to ensure the full recognition and enjoyment of
the human rights of persons with disabilities.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/51,
and chap. XIV]
29. Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/52 of 25 April 2000, approves the Commission’s appeal to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to consider favourably the
recommendation of the Working Group on Minorities to organize a seminar for representative of
international and regional organizations, treaty bodies and specialized agencies, to discuss issues
concerning their respective work on the protection of minorities, improve coordination so as to
reduce duplication and parallel activities, exchange information and seek ways of better
protecting the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/52,
and chap. XIV.]

30. Internally displaced persons
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/53 of 25 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the
Secretary-General to provide his Representative on internally displaced persons, from within
existing resources, with all necessary assistance to carry out his mandate effectively, and its
appeal to the Representative of the Secretary-General to continue to seek the contribution of
States, relevant organizations and institutions in order to put the work of the Representative on a
more stable basis.
The Council also approves the Commission’s request to the Representative of the
Secretary-General to continue to report on his activities, to the General Assembly and to the
Commission on Human Rights.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/53,
and chap. XIV.]
31. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission
on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the
International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/56 of 25 April 2000, authorizes the Working Group on Indigenous Populations
of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to meet for five
working days prior to the fifty-second session of the Sub-Commission, and approves the
Commission’s request to the Secretary-General to provide adequate resources and assistance to
the Working Group in the discharge of its tasks, including adequate dissemination of information
about the activities of the Working Group to Governments, specialized agencies,
non-governmental organizations and organizations of indigenous people, in order to encourage
the widest possible participation in its work.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/56,
and chap. XV.]
32. Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to elaborate a draft
declaration in accordance with paragraph 5 of General Assembly
resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/57 of 25 April 2000, authorizes the Working Group of the Commission on a

draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples to meet for a period of
10 working days prior to the fifty-seventh session of the Commission, the costs of the meeting to
be met from within existing resources.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/57,
and chap. XV.]
33. Situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/58 of 25 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the relevant special
rapporteurs and working groups of the Commission, i.e. the Special Rapporteur on the question
of torture, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special
Rapporteur on violence against women, the Representative of the Secretary-General on
internally displaced persons and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children
and armed conflict, to undertake missions to the Republic of Chechnya and neighbouring
republics without delay, and to submit reports to the Commission and to the General Assembly
as soon as possible.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/58,
and chap. IX.]
34. Abduction of children from northern Uganda
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/60 of 26 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to undertake an assessment of the
situation on the ground in the affected areas, including the needs of the victims, in full
consultation with the relevant United Nations organizations and non-governmental
organizations, and to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/60,
and chap. XIII.]
35. Human rights defenders
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/61 of 26 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to request the
Secretary-General to appoint, for a period of three years, a special representative who shall
report on the situation of human rights defenders in all parts of the world and on possible means
to enhance their protection in full compliance with the Declaration on the Right and
Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally
Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; the main activities of the special
representative shall be:

(a) To seek, receive, examine and respond to information on the situation and the
rights of anyone, acting individually or in association with others, to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms;
(b) To establish cooperation and conduct dialogue with Governments and other
interested actors on the promotion and effective implementation of the Declaration;
(c) To recommend effective strategies better to protect human rights defenders and
follow up on these recommendations.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/61,
and chap. XVII.]
36. Towards a culture of peace
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/66 of 26 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in coordination with the Bureau of the
Commission at its fifty-sixth session, to organize, provide the necessary resources, including
financial resources, and coordinate, during the course of the International Year for a Culture of
Peace, a panel/forum on a culture of peace, with participation open to Governments,
non-governmental organizations and other interested organizations, focusing on the contribution
of the promotion, protection and realization of all human rights to the further development of a
culture of peace.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/66,
and chap. XVII.]
37. National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/76 of 26 April 2000, approves the Commission’s requests to the
Secretary-General:
(a) To continue to provide, from within existing resources, the necessary assistance
for holding meetings of the Coordinating Committee of national institutions during the sessions
of the Commission, under the auspices of, and in cooperation with, the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
(b) To continue to provide, from within existing resources and from the
United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights, the
necessary assistance for international and regional meetings of national institutions.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/76,
and chap. XVIII.]

38. Situation of human rights in Haiti
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/78 of 26 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide all necessary human and financial resources
for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the independent expert on the situation of human
rights in Haiti, as well as its recommendation to the independent expert to report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session on
developments in the human rights situation in Haiti.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/78,
and chap. XIX.]
39. Situation of human rights in Cambodia
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/79 of 26 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the
Secretary-General to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session on the role and
achievements of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in
assisting the Government and the people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human
rights and on the recommendations made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
for human rights in Cambodia in matters within his mandate.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/79,
and chap. XIX.]
40. Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/81 of 26 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision to extend the mandate
of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia for a further year and to
request the independent expert to report to the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-seventh
session;
The Council approves the Commission’s request to the Secretary-General to continue to
provide the independent expert with all necessary assistance in carrying out her mandate and to
provide adequate resources, from within existing overall United Nations resources, to fund the
activities of the independent expert and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights in providing advisory services and technical assistance.

The Council also approves the Commission’s request to the High Commissioner to
provide for the translation of Commission resolution 2000/81, accompanied by an appropriate
background explanatory note, into the local language and for its wide dissemination within the
country through the human rights officer for Somalia based in Nairobi.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/81,
and chap. XIX.]
41. Effects of structural adjustment policies and foreign debt
on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly
economic, social and cultural rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/82 and decision 2000/109 of 26 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decision
to discontinue the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the effects of foreign debt on the full
enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and of the independent expert on structural
policies and to appoint, for a period of three years, Mr. Fantu Cheru as independent expert on the
effects of structural adjustment policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human
rights, particularly economic social and cultural rights, to submit an analytical report to the
Commission, on an annual basis, on the implementation of Commission resolution 2000/82,
paying particular attention to:
(a) The effects of the foreign debt and the policies adopted to face them on the full
enjoyment of all human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights in developing
countries;
(b) Measures taken by Governments, the private sector and international financial
institutions to alleviate such effects in developing countries, especially the poorest and heavily
indebted countries;
(c) New developments, actions and initiatives being taken by international financial
institutions, other United Nations bodies and intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations with respect to structural adjustment policies and human rights;
The Council also approves the decision of the Commission to request him to provide an
advance copy of his annual report to the Open-ended working group established to elaborate
policy guidelines on structural adjustment programmes and economic, social and cultural rights
in order to assist the group in the fulfilment of its mandate.
The Council also endorses the Commission’s request to the Secretary-General to provide
the independent expert with all necessary assistance, in particular the staff and resources required
to perform his functions.
The Council also decides to authorize the Working Group on Structural Adjustment to
meet for two weeks well in advance of, and at least four weeks prior to, the fifty-seventh session
of the Commission with the mandate: (a) to continue working on the elaboration of basic policy

guidelines on structural adjustment programmes and economic, social and cultural rights which
could serve as a basis for a continued dialogue between human rights bodies and international
financial institutions and (b) to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/82,
and chap. X.]
42. Rights of the child
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/85 of 27 April 2000, endorses the Commission’s decisions:
(a) With regard to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, to request the
Secretary-General to ensure the provision of appropriate staff and facilities from the
United Nations regular budget for the effective and expeditious performances of the functions of
the Committee;
(b) With regard to the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution
and child pornography, to recommend that all the necessary human and financial assistance be
provided for her work for the effective fulfilment of her mandate to enable her to submit an
interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and a report to the Commission at
its fifty-seventh session;
(c) With regard to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on children
and armed conflict, to recommend that the Special Representative and the relevant parts of the
United Nations system continue to develop a concerted approach on the rights, protection and
welfare of children affected by armed conflict, and to increase cooperation among their
respective mandates and with national and international non-governmental organizations,
including, as appropriate, in the planning of field visits and follow-up to the recommendations of
the Special Representative.
The Council approves the Commission’s recommendation that, within their mandates, all
relevant human rights mechanisms, in particular special rapporteurs and working groups, and all
other relevant organs and mechanisms of the United Nations system and the specialized agencies
regularly and systematically take a child’s rights perspective into account in the implementation
of their mandates, especially by paying attention to particular situations in which children are in
danger and where their rights are violated, and that they take into account the work of the
Committee on the Rights of the Child.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/85,
and chap. XIII.]

43. Human rights and thematic procedures
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
resolution 2000/86 of 27 April 2000, approves the Commission’s request to the
Secretary-General, taking note of the recommendations of the meetings of the special
rapporteurs, representatives, experts, chairpersons of working groups of the Commission and
chairpersons of treaty bodies, to convene further such periodic meetings in order to enable them
to continue to exchange views, cooperate and coordinate more closely and make
recommendations.
The Council also approves the Commission’s request to the Secretary-General, in
implementing the United Nations budget for the current biennium, to ensure the availability of
such resources as are necessary for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights to support the effective implementation of all thematic mandates, including any
additional tasks entrusted to the thematic special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and
working groups by the appropriate United Nations organs.
[See chap. II, sect. A, resolution 2000/86,
and chap. XVIII.]
44. Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
decision 2000/102 of 17 April 2000, decides to approve the appointment of
Mr. Joseph Oloka-Onyango and Ms. Deepika Udagama as Special Rapporteurs to undertake a
study on the issue of globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights,
paying specific attention to the recommendations made by the Sub-Commission on the
Protection and Promotion of Human Rights and the Commission so as to refine the focus and
methods of the study.
[See chap. II, sect. B, decision 2000/102,
and chap. X.]
45. The rights of non-citizens
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
decision 2000/104 of 25 April 2000, decides to authorize the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights to appoint one of its members as special rapporteur with the
task of preparing a comprehensive study of the rights of non-citizens, based on the working
paper prepared by Mr. David Weissbrodt as well as the comments made and the discussions that
took place at the fifty-first session of the Sub-Commission and at the fifty-sixth session of

the Commission, and of submitting a preliminary report to the Sub-Commission at its
fifty-third session, a progress report at its fifty-fourth session and a final report at its
fifty-fifth session. The Council requests the Secretary-General to provide, from within existing
resources, the Special Rapporteur with all the assistance necessary to enable him/her to
accomplish this task.
[See chap. II, sect. B, decision 2000/104,
and chap. VI.]
46. Enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms
of the Commission on Human Rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
decision 2000/109 of 26 April 2000, by which the Commission decided to approve and
implement comprehensively and in its entirety the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended
working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission
(E/CN.4/2000/112), endorses the following specific decisions of the Commission:
(a) To merge the mandates of the independent expert on structural adjustment and the
Special Rapporteur on the effects of foreign debt on the full enjoyment of economic, social and
cultural rights, thus creating a post of independent expert on structural adjustment and foreign
debt;
(b) To establish a time-limit of two terms of three years for membership of special
procedures working groups, as well as for Special Rapporteurs, whose position in relation to
time-limits is covered by the Chairperson’s statement of 29 April 1999. In the case of the
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances, as a transitional measure, turnover of membership in both groups shall be
accomplished in incremental steps over a three-year period. In order to provide the appropriate
continuity during this transitional period, two members shall be replaced in year one, two in year
two, and one in year three;
(c) To reduce the duration of the annual meeting of the Working Group on
Contemporary Forms of Slavery of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights to five working days from the present eight days;
(d) To request the Chairperson of the Commission to convene a one-day informal
meeting of the Commission in late September each year to facilitate exchange of information in
advance of the General Assembly. Such a meeting shall be convened for the first time in
September 2000;
(e) That the annual session of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights shall, from this year, be of three weeks’ duration;
(f) That chairpersons of standard-setting working groups shall, if the working
group considers it appropriate and in consultation with the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, be provided with the necessary financial assistance to
undertake informal consultations during the inter-sessional period with a view to advancing
progress in respect of the working group’s mandate.
[See chap. II, sect. B, decision 2000/109,
and chap. XX.]
47. Dates of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Human Rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
decision 2000/111 of 26 April 2000, approves the Commission’s recommendations, bearing in
mind Council decision 1997/291 of 22 July 1997, that the fifty-seventh session of the
Commission should be scheduled to take place from 19 March to 27 April 2001.
[See chap. II, sect. B, decision 2000/111,
and chap. III.]
48. Organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session
of the Commission on Human Rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights
decision 2000/112 of 26 April 2000, authorizes, if possible from within existing financial
resources, thirty fully serviced additional meetings, including summary records, in accordance
with rules 29 and 31 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic
and Social Council, for the Commission’s fifty-seventh session. The Council approves the
Commission’s request to the Chairperson of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission to make
every effort to organize the work of the session within the times normally allotted, so that the
additional meetings that the Council might authorize would be utilized only if they proved to be
absolutely necessary.
[See chap. II, sect. B, decision 2000/112,
and chap. III.]
49. Question of resources for the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Economic and Social Council, taking note of the statement agreed on by consensus
by the Commission on Human Rights, made by the Chairperson of the Commission on
25 April 2000, approves the Commission’s recommendation to the Council that additional
resources be allocated to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, as already recommended in Commission resolutions 1998/83 of 24 April 1998, 1999/54
of 27 April 1999 and 2000/1 of 7 April 2000, to ensure that all necessary financial, material and
personnel resources are provided to the Office of the High Commissioner commensurate to its
increasing tasks.
[See chap. III.]
II. Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission at
its fifty-sixth session
A. Resolutions
2000/1. Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Commission on
Human Rights, in particular Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993 and Commission
resolutions 1998/83 of 24 April 1998 and 1999/54 of 27 April 1999,
Underscoring the importance of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights for all States,
Reaffirming the universal support for the creation of the post of High Commissioner for
Human Rights and affirming, in order to promote and protect human rights, the need for
continuing support by all States for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights,
Reaffirming also that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and
interrelated and that the international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and
equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis,
Recalling that the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
includes promotion and protection of the effective enjoyment by all of all civil, cultural,
economic, political and social rights,
Recalling further that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in
June 1993 at the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23) recognized the
necessity for an adaptation and strengthening of United Nations human rights machinery in
accordance with current and future needs in the promotion and protection of human rights,
Recognizing the need for further and continued support and consideration of the
programmes and activities of the Office of the High Commissioner,
1. Takes note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (E/CN.4/2000/12 and Add.1);
2. Supports fully the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner in their efforts
to strengthen the human rights activities of the United Nations;
3. Reaffirms the importance of ensuring universality, objectivity and non-selectivity
in the consideration of human rights issues, and requests the High Commissioner to continue to
ensure that the fulfilment of her mandate and the activities of her Office are guided by these
principles;
4. Underlines that the Office of the High Commissioner is a common office for all
and should therefore continue in its efforts to reflect diversity of backgrounds;
5. Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner to continue the current practice
of making the best use of available human rights expertise relevant to and, as appropriate, from
the regions where activities are undertaken;
6. Recalls that the Office of the High Commissioner, as part of the United Nations
Secretariat, is governed by Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations concerning staffing
policies, which is important in the field of human rights;
7. Encourages the High Commissioner, within her mandate as set out in
General Assembly resolution 48/141, to continue to play an active role in promoting and
protecting all human rights, including in the prevention of human rights violations throughout
the world;
8. Reiterates the need to ensure that all necessary financial, material and personnel
resources are provided from the regular budget of the United Nations without delay to the
United Nations human rights programme to enable the Office of the High Commissioner to carry
out its mandates efficiently, effectively and expeditiously;
9. Welcomes the increased voluntary contributions to the Office of the High
Commissioner, in particular those from developing countries;
10. Reaffirms that the tasks of the High Commissioner include promoting and
protecting the realization of the right to development and that the Office of the High
Commissioner should provide adequate resources and staff for its follow-up;
11. Calls upon the High Commissioner to continue to emphasize the promotion and
protection of economic, social and cultural rights in the activities of her Office and in that regard
encourages the High Commissioner to continue to strengthen her relationship with the
appropriate bodies, funds and specialized agencies of the United Nations;
12. Also calls upon the High Commissioner to continue to strengthen the management
structure of her Office, including human resource management, and to improve the
responsiveness of her Office in all priority areas, especially economic, social and cultural rights,
which require particular research and analytical capacity;
13. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly
provide the Office of the High Commissioner with ways and means commensurate to its
increasing tasks, as well as more resources for special rapporteurs;
14. Calls upon the High Commissioner to continue to provide to States, through
informal briefings as well as in her report to the Commission, information on voluntary
contributions, including their share in the overall budget of the human rights programme and
their allocation;
15. Declares that advisory services and technical cooperation provided at the request
of Governments with a view to developing national capacities in the field of human rights
constitute one of the most efficient and effective means of promoting and protecting all human
rights and democracy;
16. Emphasizes the need for an increase in the allocation of resources from within the
United Nations regular budget for advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of
human rights;
17. Notes with interest the increase in the number of human rights field presences
throughout the world and encourages the High Commissioner to consider their further
improvement in cooperation with other relevant components of the United Nations system;
18. Welcomes the open-ended informal briefings provided by the Office of the High
Commissioner and takes note with appreciation of these opportunities to discuss openly all
aspects of the work of the Office;
19. Invites the High Commissioner to continue to provide information on cooperation
with other United Nations bodies and with Governments and invites her to make available
information concerning agreements with States and other United Nations bodies and their
implementation, in an open and transparent manner, as appropriate;
20. Welcomes the launch of Annual Appeal 2000 which:
(a) Gives an overview of the activities and financial requirements of the Office and,
in so doing, indicates the priorities for the year;
(b) Provides Member States with further information, thus facilitating dialogue on all
aspects of the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner, particularly its programme
activities and its funding;
(c) Provides greater transparency in the funding of the Office;
21. Invites the High Commissioner to inform Member States, as appropriate, on all
aspects of follow-up to, and preparation of, annual appeals, including through the periodic
information meeting, and looks forward to the publication of Annual Appeal 2001;
22. Notes the request by the High Commissioner that voluntary contributions should
be unearmarked and asks all Governments to take into account that request;
23. Invites all Governments considering voluntary contributions to the Office of the
High Commissioner to consider providing unearmarked contributions to the extent possible with
a view to treating all human rights in a fair and equal manner;
24. Welcomes voluntary contributions by Governments within the framework of the
Medium-Term Plan;
25. Invites the High Commissioner to submit information pursuant to the present
resolution in her annual report to the Commission;
26. Decides to consider the implementation of the present resolution at its
fifty-seventh session under the relevant agenda item.
35th meeting
7 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IV.]
2000/2. Question of Western Sahara
The Commission on Human Rights,
Having considered in depth the question of Western Sahara,
Reaffirming the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence,
in accordance with the principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and in
General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on
the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 54/87 of 6 December 1999,
Recalling also its resolution 1999/4 of 23 April 1999,
Recalling further the agreement in principle given on 30 August 1988 by the Kingdom of
Morocco and the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro to the
proposals of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairman of the Assembly of
Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in the context of their joint
mission of good offices,
Recalling Security Council resolutions 658 (1990) of 27 June 1990 and 690 (1991) of
29 April 1991, in which the Council approved a settlement plan for Western Sahara,
Recalling also all the Security Council, General Assembly and Commission on Human
Rights resolutions relating to the question of Western Sahara,
Reaffirming the responsibility of the United Nations towards the people of
Western Sahara, as provided for in the settlement plan,
Noting with satisfaction the entry into force of the ceasefire in accordance with the
proposal of the Secretary-General, and stressing the importance it attaches to the maintenance of
the ceasefire as an integral part of the settlement plan,
Noting also with satisfaction the agreements reached by the two parties during their
private direct talks and stressing the importance it attaches to a full, fair and faithful
implementation of the settlement plan and the agreements aimed at its implementation,
Noting further with satisfaction the progress made in the implementation of the
settlement plan since December 1997,
Recalling Security Council resolutions 1131 (1997) of 29 September 1997, 1198 (1998)
of 18 September 1998, 1204 (1998) of 30 October 1998 and 1215 (1998) of 17 December 1998,
and taking note of Council resolutions 1224 (1999) of 28 January 1999, 1228 (1999) of
11 February 1999, 1232 (1999) of 30 March 1999 and 1235 (1999) of 30 April 1999,
Welcoming the acceptance by the two parties of the detailed modalities for the
implementation of the Secretary-General’s package of measures relating to the identification of
voters, the appeals process and the revised implementation timetable,
Recalling that the General Assembly has examined the relevant chapter of the report of
the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on
the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (A/54/23 (Part II), chap. IX),
Recalling also that the General Assembly has examined the report of the
Secretary-General (A/54/337),
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;
2. Recalls with satisfaction the agreements reached between the Kingdom of
Morocco and the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro for the
implementation of the settlement plan during their private and direct talks under the auspices of
Mr. James Baker III, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, and urges the parties to
implement those agreements fully and in good faith;
3. Commends the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for their efforts in
reaching these agreements as well as the two parties for the cooperation they have shown, and
urges them to continue this cooperation in order to facilitate the speedy implementation of the
settlement plan;
4. Urges the two parties to continue their cooperation with the Secretary-General
and his Personal Envoy, as well as with his Special Representative, and to refrain from
undertaking anything that would undermine the implementation of the settlement plan and the
agreements reached for its implementation;
5. Notes with satisfaction the progress achieved in connection with the
implementation of the settlement plan and in this respect calls upon the two parties to cooperate
fully with the Secretary-General, his Personal Envoy and his Special Representative in
implementing the various phases of the settlement plan;
6. Urges the two parties to implement faithfully and loyally the Secretary-General’s
package of measures relating to the identification of voters, the appeals process and the revised
implementation timetable;
7. Reaffirms the responsibility of the United Nations towards the people of
Western Sahara, as provided for in the settlement plan;
8. Also reaffirms its support for further efforts of the Secretary-General for the
organization and the supervision by the United Nations, in cooperation with the Organization of
African Unity, of a referendum on self-determination of the people of Western Sahara that is
impartial and free of all constraints, in conformity with Security Council resolutions 658 (1990)
and 690 (1991), in which the Council approved the settlement plan for Western Sahara;
9. Recalls Security Council resolution 1131 (1997) of 29 September 1997, and takes
note of Council resolutions 1238 (1999) of 14 May 1999 and 1263 (1999) of
13 September 1999;
10. Notes that the General Assembly has requested the Special Committee on the
Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence
to Colonial Countries and Peoples to continue to consider the situation in Western Sahara,
bearing in mind the positive ongoing implementation of the settlement plan, and to report
thereon to the Assembly at its fifty-fifth session;
11. Also notes that the General Assembly has invited the Secretary-General to submit
to it, at its fifty-fifth session, a report on the implementation of Assembly resolution 54/87.
35th meeting
7 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. V.]
2000/3. The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding
the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 54/151 of 17 December 1999 and recalling its
own resolution 1999/3 of 23 April 1999,
Recalling also all of its relevant resolutions, in which, inter alia, it condemned any State
that permitted or tolerated the recruitment, financing, training, assembly, transit and use of
mercenaries with the objective of overthrowing the Governments of States Members of the
United Nations, especially those of developing countries or of fighting against national liberation
movements, and recalling further the relevant resolutions and international instruments adopted
by the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the
Organization of African Unity, inter alia, the Convention of the Organization of African Unity
on the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa,
Reaffirming the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations
concerning the strict observance of the principles of sovereign equality, political independence,
territorial integrity of States, self-determination of peoples, the non-use of force or threat of use
of force in international relations and non-interference in affairs within the domestic jurisdiction
of States,
Reaffirming also that by virtue of the principle of self-determination, as developed in the
Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations among States in
accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, all peoples have the right to determine freely,
without external interference, their political status and to pursue their economic, social and
cultural development, and that every State has the duty to respect this right in accordance with
the provisions of the Charter,
Recognizing that mercenary activities are continuing to increase in many parts of the
world and are taking on new forms, permitting mercenaries to operate in a better organized way,
with increased pay, and that their numbers have grown and more persons are prepared to become
mercenaries,
Alarmed and concerned about the danger which the activities of mercenaries constitute to
peace and security in developing countries, particularly in Africa and in small States,
Deeply concerned about the loss of life, the substantial damage to property and the
negative effects on the policy and economies of affected countries resulting from mercenary
international criminal activities,
Convinced that, notwithstanding the way in which mercenaries or mercenary-related
activities are used or the form they take to acquire some semblance of legitimacy, they are a
threat to peace, security and the self-determination of peoples and an obstacle to the enjoyment
of human rights by peoples,
1. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries as a
means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to
self-determination (E/CN.4/2000/14 and Corr.1);
2. Reaffirms that the use of mercenaries and their recruitment, financing and training
are causes for grave concern to all States and violate the purposes and principles enshrined in the
Charter of the United Nations;
3. Recognizes that armed conflicts, terrorism, arms trafficking and covert operations
by third Powers, inter alia, encourage the demand for mercenaries on the global market;
4. Urges all States to take the necessary steps and to exercise the utmost vigilance
against the menace posed by the activities of mercenaries and to take legislative measures to
ensure that their territories and other territories under their control, as well as their nationals, are
not used for the recruitment, assembly, financing, training and transit of mercenaries for the
planning of activities designed to impede the right to self-determination, to overthrow the
Government of any State, or dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity or
political unity of sovereign and independent States conducting themselves in compliance with
the right to self-determination of peoples;
5. Calls upon all States that have not yet done so to consider taking the necessary
action to sign or ratify the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and
Training of Mercenaries;
6. Welcomes the cooperation extended by those countries that received a visit by the
Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding
the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination;
7. Also welcomes the adoption by some States of national legislation that restricts
the recruitment, assembly, financing, training and transit of mercenaries;
8. Invites States to investigate the possibility of mercenary involvement whenever
and wherever criminal acts of a terrorist nature occur;
9. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide the
Special Rapporteur with all the necessary assistance and support for the fulfilment of his
mandate;
10. Decides, in accordance with the request of the General Assembly, to convene a
workshop on the traditional and new forms of mercenary activities as a means of violating
human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination before
the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly and requests the High Commissioner to report on
the outcome of the workshop to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
11. Reiterates the importance of a clearer legal definition of mercenaries that would
make for more efficient prevention and punishment of mercenary activities;
12. Urges all States to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur in the fulfilment of
his mandate;
13. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
as a matter of priority, to publicize the adverse effects of mercenary activities on the right of
peoples to self-determination and, when requested and where necessary, to render advisory
services to States that are affected by the activities of mercenaries;
14. Requests the Special Rapporteur to consult States, intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations in the implementation of the current resolution and to report,
with specific recommendations, his findings on the use of mercenaries to undermine the right to
self-determination to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
15. Decides to consider at its fifty-seventh session the question of the use of
mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of
peoples to self-determination under the same agenda item.
35th meeting
7 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 35 votes to 11,
with 5 abstentions. See chap. V.]
2000/4. Situation in occupied Palestine
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in
particular the provisions of Articles 1 and 55 thereof, which affirm the right of peoples to
self-determination, and scrupulous respect of the principle of refraining in international relations
from the threat or use of force, as specified in the Declaration on Principles of International Law
concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of
the United Nations, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 2625 (XXV) of
24 October 1970,
Guided also by the provisions of article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights and article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, which affirm that all peoples have the right of self-determination,
Guided further by the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), and in
particular Part I, paragraphs 2 and 3, relating to the right of self-determination of all peoples and
especially those subject to foreign occupation,
Recalling General Assembly resolutions 181 A and B (II) of 29 November 1947 and
194 (III) of 11 December 1948, as well as all other resolutions which confirm and define the
inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination,
Recalling also its previous resolutions in this regard, the latest of which is its
resolution 1999/55 of 27 April 1999,
Reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in accordance with
the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, the relevant United Nations resolutions and
declarations, and the provisions of international covenants and instruments relating to the right to
self-determination as an international principle and as a right of all peoples in the world, as it is a
jus cogens in international law,
1. Reaffirms the permanent and unqualified Palestinian right to self-determination,
including the option of a State, and looks forward to the early fulfilment of this right;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the present resolution to the
Government of Israel and all other Governments, to disseminate it on the widest possible scale
and to make available to the Commission, prior to the convening of its fifty-seventh session, all
information pertaining to the implementation of the present resolution by the Government of
Israel;
3. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-seventh session the item
entitled “The right of peoples to self-determination and its application to peoples under colonial
or alien domination or foreign occupation” and to consider the situation in occupied Palestine
under that agenda item, as a matter of high priority.
35th meeting
7 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 44 votes to 1,
with 6 abstentions. See chap. V.]
2000/5. The right to development
The Commission on Human Rights
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, expressing in particular the determination
to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom as well as to employ
international mechanisms for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all
peoples,
Recalling that the Declaration on the Right to Development adopted by the
General Assembly in its resolution 41/128 of 4 December 1986 confirmed that the right to
development is an inalienable human right and that equality of opportunity for development is a
prerogative both of nations and of individuals, who make up nations,
Noting that the World Conference on Human Rights reaffirmed the right to development
as a universal and inalienable right and an integral part of all fundamental human rights,
Recognizing that the Declaration on the Right to Development constitutes an integral link
between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme
of Action adopted in June 1993 (A/CONF.157/23) through its elaboration of a holistic vision
integrating economic, social and cultural rights with civil and political rights,
Expressing its concern, more than fifty years after the adoption of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, that the unacceptable situation of absolute poverty, hunger,
disease, lack of adequate shelter, illiteracy and hopelessness remains the lot of over one billion
people,
Emphasizing that the promotion, protection and realization of the right to development
are an integral part of the promotion and protection of all human rights,
Noting that the human person is the central subject of development and that development
policy should therefore make the human being the main participant and beneficiary of
development,
Stressing the importance of creating an economic, political, social, cultural and legal
environment that will enable people to achieve social development,
Affirming the need to apply a gender perspective in the implementation of the right to
development, inter alia by ensuring that women play an active role in the development process,
Emphasizing that the empowerment of women and their full participation on a basis of
equality in all spheres of society is fundamental for development,
Underlining the fact that realization of the right to development requires effective
development policies at the national level, as well as equitable economic relations and a
favourable economic environment at the international level,
Welcoming in this regard the adoption by the General Assembly of the Agenda for
Development, annexed to its resolution 51/240 of 20 June 1997, which declares that
development is one of the main priorities of the United Nations and which aims at invigorating a
renewed and strengthened partnership for development, based on the imperatives of mutual
benefits and genuine interdependence,
Noting with concern that the Declaration on the Right to Development is insufficiently
disseminated and should be taken into account, as appropriate, in bilateral and multilateral
cooperation programmes, national development strategies and policies, and activities of
international organizations,
Recalling the need for coordination and cooperation throughout the United Nations
system for a more effective promotion and realization of the right to development,
Underlining the important role of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights in the promotion and protection of the right to development, as mandated in
paragraph 4 (c) of General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993,
Recalling its resolution 1999/79 of 28 April 1999 and noting General Assembly
resolution 54/175 of 17 December 1999,
Welcoming the report of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts (E/CN.4/1998/29),
including the proposed strategy contained therein, and welcoming in particular the
recommendation that a follow-up mechanism be established to ensure promotion and
implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development,
1. Reaffirms the importance of the right to development for every human person and
all peoples in all countries, in particular the developing countries, as an integral part of their
fundamental human rights, as well as the potential contribution its realization could make to the
full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
2. Recognizes that the passage of more than 50 years since the adoption of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights demands that we strengthen efforts to place all human
rights - and, in this context, the right to development in particular - at the top of the global
agenda;
3. Reiterates that:
(a) The essence of the right to development is the principle that the human person is
the central subject of development and that the right to life includes within it existence in human
dignity with the minimum necessities of life;
(b) The existence of widespread absolute poverty inhibits the full and effective
enjoyment of human rights and renders democracy and popular participation fragile;
(c) For peace and stability to endure, national action and international action and
cooperation are required to promote a better life for all in larger freedom, a critical element of
which is the eradication of poverty;
4. Reaffirms that democracy, development and respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, are interdependent and mutually
reinforcing, and in this context affirms that:
(a) Development experiences of countries reflect differences with regard to both
progress and setbacks, and that the development spectrum has a wide range, not only between
countries but also within countries;
(b) A number of developing countries have experienced rapid economic growth in the
recent past and have become dynamic partners in the international economy;
(c) At the same time, the gap between developed and developing countries remains
unacceptably wide and developing countries continue to face difficulties in participating in the
globalization process, and many risk being marginalized and effectively excluded from its
benefits;
(d) Democracy, which is spreading everywhere, has raised development expectations
everywhere, that their non-fulfilment risks rekindling non-democratic forces, and that structural
reforms that do not take social realities into account could destabilize democratization processes;
(e) Effective popular participation is an essential component of successful and lasting
development;
(f) Democracy, respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the
right to development, transparent and accountable governance and administration in all sectors of
society, and effective participation by civil society are an essential part of the necessary
foundations for the realization of social- and people-centred sustainable development;
(g) The participation of developing countries in the international economic
decision-making process needs to be broadened and strengthened;
5. Urges all States to eliminate all obstacles to development at all levels, by
pursuing the promotion and protection of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights and
by implementing comprehensive development programmes at the national level, integrating
these rights into development activities, and by promoting effective international cooperation;
6. Reaffirms that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and
interrelated and that the universality, objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity of the
consideration of human rights issues must be ensured;
7. Affirms that international cooperation is acknowledged more than ever as a
necessity deriving from recognized mutual interest, and therefore that such cooperation should
be strengthened in order to support the efforts of developing countries to solve their social and
economic problems and to fulfil their obligations to promote and protect all human rights;
8. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to give high priority to the right
to development and urges all States to promote further the right to development as a vital
element in a balanced human rights programme;
9. Also welcomes the high priority assigned by the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights to activities relating to the right to development and urges
the Office of the High Commissioner to continue implementing Commission resolution 1998/72
of 22 April 1998;
10. Further welcomes the decision by the Economic and Social Council to authorize
the establishment by the Commission of a follow-up mechanism, consisting of an open-ended
Working Group on the Right to Development and an independent expert with a mandate to
present to the Working Group at each of its sessions a study on the current state of progress in
the implementation of the right to development, as provided in Commission resolution 1998/72;
11. Welcomes the unanimous confirmation of Mr. M.S. Dembri of Algeria as the
Chairman of the Working Group on the Right to Development and encourages the Chairman to
undertake informal consultations, at his discretion, with all the relevant role players and/or
interested parties with a view to preparing for the convening of the first session of the Working
Group no later than the end of September 2000;
12. Also welcomes the consensus reached between all parties on the need for the
Working Group on the Right to Development to convene in two sessions, of five days each,
before the fifty-seventh session of the Commission;
13. Invites the High Commissioner to submit a report to the Commission each year
for the duration of the mechanism, to provide interim reports to the Working Group on the Right
to Development and to make those reports available to the independent expert, in each case
covering:
(a) The activities of her Office relating to the implementation of the right to
development as contained in her mandate;
(b) The implementation of resolutions of the Commission and the General Assembly
with regard to the right to development;
(c) Inter-agency coordination within the United Nations system for the
implementation of relevant resolutions of the Commission in that regard;
14. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its
fifty-fifth session and to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session a comprehensive report on
the implementation of the various provisions of the present resolution;
15. Urges the United Nations system to continue to support the implementation of the
recent resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights regarding the right to development;
16. Calls upon the Secretary-General to ensure that the Working Group on the Right
to Development and the independent expert receive all necessary assistance, in particular the
staff and resources required to fulfil their mandates;
17. Calls upon the Working Group on the Right to Development to take note of the
deliberations on the right to development during the fifty-sixth session of the Commission and
any other issue relevant to the right to development;
18. Decides to continue consideration of this question, as a matter of priority, at its
fifty-seventh session.
46th meeting
13 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. VII.]
2000/6. Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied
Arab territories, including Palestine
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as by
the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Guided also by the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
Taking into consideration the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and the provisions of
Additional Protocol I thereto, and the Hague Convention IV of 1907,
Recalling the resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the
Commission on Human Rights related to the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to
the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War to the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem, and other occupied Arab territories,
Recalling also the General Assembly resolutions on Israeli violations of human rights in
the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, occupied since 1967,
Recalling further the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,
adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23),
Taking note of the report (E/CN.4/2000/25) of the Special Rapporteur,
Mr. Giorgio Giacomelli, regarding his mission undertaken in accordance with Commission
resolution 1993/2 A of 19 February 1993,
Taking note also of the reports of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices
Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied
Territories submitted to the General Assembly since 1968, including the latest (A/54/325 and
A/54/73 and Add.1),
Noting with great concern the continued Israeli refusal to abide by the resolutions of the
Security Council, the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights calling upon
Israel to put an end to the violations of human rights, and affirming the applicability of the
Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War to the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by
Israel since 1967,
Gravely concerned at the stagnation of the peace process because of the contempt of the
Government of Israel for the principles on which that process was based, and its refusal to carry
out its commitments in line with the agreements it signed with the Palestine Liberation
Organization, on the basis of land for peace, in Washington, Cairo, Hebron, Wye River and
Sharm el Sheikh,
Recalling all its previous resolutions on the subject, including the latest,
resolution 1999/5 of 23 April 1999,
1. Condemns the continued violations of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem, in particular the continuation of acts of wounding and killing
perpetrated by Israeli soldiers and settlers against Palestinians, in addition to the detention of
thousands of Palestinians without trial, the continuation of the confiscation of Palestinian lands,
the extension and the establishment of Israeli settlements thereon, the confiscation of Palestinian
property and expropriation of their land, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the uprooting
of fruit trees, and calls upon Israel to cease immediately these acts, which constitute grave
violations of human rights and of the principles of international law and also constitute a major
obstacle in the way of the peace process;
2. Also condemns the expropriation of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, the
revocation of identity cards of the citizens of the Palestinian city of Jerusalem, the imposition of
fabricated and exorbitant taxes with the aim of forcing the Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem, who
cannot afford to pay these high taxes, out of their homes and out of their city, preparing in this
way the path for the Judaization of Jerusalem, and calls upon the Government of Israel to put an
end immediately to these practices;
3. Further condemns the use of torture against Palestinians during interrogation, as it
constitutes a grave breach of the principles of international humanitarian law and the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and calls
upon the Government of Israel to put an end immediately to the use of such practices;
4. Reaffirms that all the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied
since 1967, including East Jerusalem, are illegal, constitute a flagrant violation of the provisions
of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and of
the principles of international law, and should be dismantled in order to achieve a just,
permanent and comprehensive peace in the region of the Middle East;
5. Also reaffirms that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War is applicable to the Palestinian territory and other Arab territories
occupied by Israel since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and considers any change in the
geographical and demographic status of the city of East Jerusalem from its situation prior to the
June 1967 war to be illegal and void;
6. Calls upon Israel to cease immediately its policy of enforcing collective
punishments, such as demolition of houses and closure of the Palestinian territory, measures
which constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law,
endanger the lives of Palestinians and also constitute a major obstacle in the way of peace;
7. Calls once more upon Israel, the occupying Power, to desist from all forms of
violation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and
other occupied Arab territories, and to respect the bases of international law, the principles of
international humanitarian law, its international commitments and the agreements it signed with
the Palestine Liberation Organization in relation to the peace process;
8. Also calls upon Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territory, including
East Jerusalem, and the other Arab territories occupied since 1967, in accordance with the
relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the Commission on Human Rights, as a basic
condition for achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of
the Government of Israel and all other Governments, the competent United Nations organs, the
specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental organizations and international humanitarian
organizations, to disseminate it on the widest possible scale and to report on its implementation
by the Government of Israel to the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-seventh session;
10. Also requests the Secretary-General to provide the Commission on Human Rights
with all United Nations reports issued between sessions of the Commission that deal with the
conditions in which the citizens of the Palestinian and other occupied Arab territories are living
under the Israeli occupation;
11. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-seventh session under the same
agenda item, as a matter of high priority.
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 31 votes to 1,
with 19 abstentions. See chap. VIII.]
2000/7. Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan
The Commission on Human Rights,
Deeply concerned at the suffering of the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan due
to the violation of their fundamental and human rights since the Israeli military occupation
of 1967,
Recalling Security Council resolution 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981,
Recalling also all relevant General Assembly resolutions, including the latest,
resolution 54/80 of 6 December 1999, in which the Assembly, inter alia, called upon Israel to
comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981), to put an end to its practices violating the
rights of the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and to put an end to its occupation of
the occupied Syrian Golan,
Reaffirming once more the illegality of Israel’s decision of 14 December 1981 to impose
its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan, which has resulted in the
effective annexation of that territory,
Reaffirming the principle of non-acquisition of territory by force in accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law,
Taking note with deep concern of the report of the Special Committee to Investigate
Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the
Occupied Territories (A/54/325) and, in this connection, deploring the Israeli settlement in the
occupied Arab territories and regretting Israel’s constant refusal to cooperate with and to receive
the Special Committee,
Guided by the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, international
law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and reaffirming the applicability of the
Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, and the relevant provisions of the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 to the
occupied Syrian Golan,
Reaffirming the importance of the peace process which started in Madrid on the basis of
Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973
and 425 (1978) of 19 March 1978 and the principle of land for peace, which aims at the
establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East,
Expressing its concern about the stoppage of the peace process on the Syrian and
Lebanese tracks, and hoping that the commitments and guarantees reached during the previous
talks will be respected in order that the talks may resume as soon as possible on both tracks,
Reaffirming its previous relevant resolutions, the most recent being resolution 1999/6
of 23 April 1999,
1. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply with the relevant resolutions
of the General Assembly and of the Security Council, particularly resolution 497 (1981), in
which the Council, inter alia, decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and
administration on the occupied Syrian Golan is null and void and without international legal
effect, and demanded that Israel should rescind forthwith its decision;
2. Also calls upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character,
demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan,
and emphasizes that the displaced persons of the population of the occupied Syrian Golan must
be allowed to return to their homes and to recover their properties;
3. Further calls upon Israel to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and Israeli
identity cards on the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and to desist from its
repressive measures against them, and from all other practices mentioned in the report of the
Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian
People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories;
4. Determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken or to
be taken by Israel, the occupying Power, that purport to alter the character and legal status of the
occupied Syrian Golan are null and void, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and
of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and have
no legal effect;
5. Calls once again upon Member States not to recognize any of the legislative or
administrative measures and actions referred to above;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of
all Governments, the competent United Nations organs, the specialized agencies, regional
intergovernmental organizations and international humanitarian organizations and to give it the
widest possible publicity, and to report to the Commission on Human Rights at its
fifty-seventh session;
7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-seventh session, as a
matter of high priority, the item entitled “Question of the violation of human rights in the
occupied Arab territories, including Palestine”.
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 31 votes to 1,
with 19 abstentions. See chap. VIII.]
2000/8. Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and as elaborated
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights
and other applicable instruments,
Mindful that Israel is a party to the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of
Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, which is applicable to Palestinian and all
Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including East Jerusalem,
Recalling its previous resolutions, most recently resolution 1999/7 of 23 April 1999, in
which, inter alia, it reaffirmed the illegality of the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories,
1. Welcomes:
(a) The Sharm el Sheikh memorandum of 4 September 1999, while noting with
concern the delays in its implementation, and calls for the full implementation of the
memorandum, as well as of the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip of 28 September 1995 and other related agreements;
(b) The report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967 (E/CN.4/2000/25) and hopes that the
Government of Israel will cooperate with the Special Rapporteur to allow him fully to discharge
his mandate;
2. Expresses its grave concern:
(a) At the continuing Israeli settlement activities, in spite of the Government’s
moratorium on new construction permits, including the expansion of the settlements, the
installation of settlers in the occupied territories, the expropriation of land, the demolition of
houses, the confiscation of property, the expulsion of local residents and the construction of
bypass roads, which change the physical character and demographic composition of the occupied
territories, including East Jerusalem, since all these actions are illegal, constitute a violation of
the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and are a
major obstacle to peace;
(b) At and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism, whilst calling upon all parties not
to allow any acts of terrorism to affect the ongoing peace process negatively;
3. Urges the Government of Israel:
(a) To comply fully with the previous Commission resolutions on the subject, most
recently resolution 1999/7 of 23 April 1999;
(b) To match its stated commitment to the peace process with concrete actions to
fulfil its obligations and cease completely its policy of expanding the settlements and related
activities in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem;
(c) To forgo and prevent any new installation of settlers in the occupied territories;
4. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session.
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 50 votes to 1,
with 1 abstention. See chap. VIII.]
2000/9. Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and
cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights, and study of special problems which the developing countries
face in their efforts to achieve these human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the principles relating to economic, social and cultural rights enshrined in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the realization of economic, social and cultural
rights, including resolution 1998/33 of 17 April 1998, in which it decided, inter alia, as part of
its efforts to impart a higher visibility to economic, social and cultural rights, to appoint, for a
period of three years, a special rapporteur whose mandate would focus on the right to education,
Taking note with interest of ongoing new approaches to the realization of economic,
social and cultural rights, and considering that to ensure the realization of economic, social and
cultural rights and the removal of obstacles thereto at all levels, additional approaches should be
examined,
I.
1. Notes with interest:
(a) The report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of its
resolution 1999/25 of 26 April 1999 (E/CN.4/2000/47), the report submitted to the Economic
and Social Council by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights pursuant to
General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993 (E/1999/96), the report of the
High Commissioner on the draft optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (E/CN.4/2000/49), as well as all other relevant reports of the High
Commissioner on economic, social and cultural rights and activities of intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations in that regard;
(b) The unanimous adoption by the International Labour Conference, in June 1999, of
International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and
Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour;
(c) The work carried out by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
including the assistance given to States parties in the fulfilment of their obligations through its
general comments No. 11 (1999) on plans of action for primary education (art. 14 of the
Covenant), No. 12 (1999) on the right to adequate food (art. 11 of the Covenant), and
No. 13 (1999) on the right to education (art. 13 of the Covenant);
(d) The work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in the promotion of
economic, social and cultural rights of children;
(e) The convening in March 1999 by the United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights of an expert group meeting on practical aspects of the human right to adequate housing,
which recommended, inter alia, the appointment of a special rapporteur on housing rights;
(f) Efforts of the High Commissioner within the United Nations Development Group
to promote economic, social and cultural rights;
(g) The elaboration of training programmes in the Office of the High Commissioner
to develop in-house expertise in incorporating economic, social and cultural rights in technical
cooperation projects, and the inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights aspects in the
Office’s manuals and methodological materials for technical cooperation programmes and field
activities;
2. Welcomes ongoing efforts by the Economic and Social Council and the
General Assembly towards a coordinated follow-up to relevant United Nations world
conferences and summits, notably the World Food Summit held in Rome in November 1996, the
United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) held in Istanbul in June 1996, the
World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen in March 1995, the Fourth World
Conference on Women, held in Beijing in September 1995, the International Conference on
Population and Development, held in Cairo in September 1994 and the World Conference on
Education for All, held in Jomtien, Thailand, in March 1990, which should provide a framework
for setting goals, outlining new approaches and developing supportive partnerships for the
promotion and protection of all human rights, notably economic, social and cultural rights;
3. Reaffirms:
(a) That, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of
free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can be achieved only if conditions are
created whereby everyone may enjoy his or her economic, social and cultural rights, as well as
his or her civil and political rights;
(b) The inextricable link between full respect for the rights contained in the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the process of
development, the central purpose of which is the realization of the potentialities of the human
person with the effective participation of all members of society in relevant decision-making
processes as agents and beneficiaries of development, as well as with a fair distribution of its
benefits;
(c) That all persons in all countries are entitled to the realization of their economic,
social and cultural rights, which are indispensable to their dignity and the free development of
their personality;
(d) The universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human
rights and fundamental freedoms and that promoting and protecting one category of rights should
therefore never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of other rights;
(e) The importance of international cooperation for the promotion and protection of
all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights;
(f) That the realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and
particularly economic, social and cultural rights, is a dynamic process and that, as is evident in
today’s world, a great deal remains to be accomplished;
4. Calls upon all States:
(a) To give full effect to economic, social and cultural rights;
(b) To consider signing and ratifying, and the States parties to implement, the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
(c) To consider ratifying, as soon as possible, and the States parties to fully
implement International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the
Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour;
(d) To guarantee that economic, social and cultural rights will be exercised without
discrimination of any kind;
(e) To secure progressively, through national development policies and with
international assistance and cooperation, full realization of economic, social and cultural rights,
giving particular attention to the individuals, most often women and children, especially girls,
and communities living in extreme poverty and therefore most vulnerable and disadvantaged;
(f) To consider in this context, as appropriate, the desirability of drawing up national
action plans identifying steps to improve the situation of human rights in general with specific
benchmarks designed to give effect to minimum essential levels of enjoyment of economic,
social and cultural rights;
(g) To help alleviate the unsustainable external debt burden of countries that meet the
criteria of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, which should further strengthen the
efforts of the Governments of these countries to realize economic, social and cultural rights,
inter alia through the development and implementation of programmes such as the Bolsa-Escola
programme in Brazil, as well as the prevention of the spread of the human immunodeficiency
virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic in Africa and the reconstruction of
countries affected by natural disasters;
(h) To promote the effective and wide participation of representatives of civil society
in decision-making processes related to the promotion and protection of economic, social and
cultural rights;
5. Calls upon States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights:
(a) To submit their reports to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights in a regular and timely manner;
(b) To promote a concerted national effort to ensure the participation of
representatives of all sectors of civil society in the process of preparation of their periodic reports
to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and in the implementation of the
recommendations of the Committee;
(c) To withdraw reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of the
Covenant and to consider reviewing other reservations with a view to withdrawing them;
6. Recalls that international cooperation in solving international problems of an
economic, social and cultural character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all is one of the purposes of the United Nations and affirms
that wider international cooperation would contribute to lasting progress in implementing
economic, social and cultural rights;
7. Decides:
(a) To encourage the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to
continue its efforts towards the promotion and protection of human rights at the national and
international levels and the full realization of specific rights, notably through the drafting of
further general comments, thus making the experience gained so far through the examination of
States parties’ reports available for the benefit of all States parties in order to assist and promote
their further implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights;
(b) To request the High Commissioner to invite all States, intergovernmental
organizations and non-governmental organizations which have not yet done so to submit their
comments on the report by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on a draft
optional protocol for the consideration of communications in relation to the Covenant
(E/CN.4/1997/105, annex), as well as to invite all States to submit their comments on the options
relating to the proposal for a draft optional protocol, contained in her report on the draft optional
protocol to the Covenant (E/CN.4/2000/49), or to propose any other option that would be
conducive to a substantive dialogue, giving due regard to the respective roles of the Committee
and the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights;
(c) To appoint, for a period of three years, a special rapporteur whose mandate will
focus on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, as
reflected in article 25, paragraph 1, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 11,
paragraph 1, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and
article 27, paragraph 3, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and on the right to
non-discrimination as reflected in article 14, paragraph 2 (h) of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and article 5 (e) of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;
(d) To request the Special Rapporteur, in the fulfilment of her/his mandate:
(xi) To report on the status, throughout the world, of the realization of the
rights that are relevant to the mandate, in accordance with the provisions
of the relevant instrument, and on developments relating to these rights,
including on laws, policies and good practices most beneficial to their
enjoyment and difficulties and obstacles encountered domestically and
internationally, taking into account information received from
Governments, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system,
other relevant international organizations and non-governmental
organizations;
(xii) To promote, as appropriate, cooperation among and assistance to
Governments in their efforts to secure these rights;
(xiii) To apply a gender perspective in her/his work;
(xiv) To develop a regular dialogue and discuss possible areas of collaboration
with Governments, relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies,
international organizations in the field of housing rights, inter alia, the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat),
non-governmental organizations and international financial institutions,
and to make recommendations on the realization of the rights relevant to
the mandate;
(xv) To identify possible types and sources of financing for relevant advisory
services and technical cooperation;
(xvi) To facilitate, where appropriate, the inclusion of issues relating to the
mandate in relevant United Nations missions, field presences and national
offices;
(xvii) To submit to the Commission an annual report covering the activities
relating to the mandate;
(e) To request the High Commissioner to provide all the necessary resources for the
effective fulfilment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur;
(f) To encourage the High Commissioner to strengthen the research and analytical
capacities of her Office in the field of economic, social and cultural rights, and to share her
expertise, inter alia through the holding of expert meetings;
(g) To encourage the High Commissioner to continue to ensure better support for the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in particular under the Programme of
Action to strengthen the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights (E/1997/22-E/C.12/1996/6, annex VII) adopted by the Committee at its
fifteenth session;
(h) To encourage the High Commissioner to continue to provide or to facilitate
practical support aimed at building capacities for the full realization of economic, social and
cultural rights;
(i) To support the efforts carried out by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to
implement the proposed programme of action designed to enhance the ability of the Committee
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to assist interested Governments in their reporting
obligations and its capacity to process and follow up the examination of States parties’ reports
and, accordingly, to request States parties to the Covenant to make voluntary financial
contributions to ensure the adequate implementation of that Programme of Action;
II.
8. Notes with interest:
(a) The report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education (E/CN.4/ 2000/6
and Add.1 and 2);
(b) The work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in the promotion of the
right to education;
(c) The established cooperation between the Special Rapporteur and the Committee
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the Rights of the Child;
(d) The established dialogue with the World Bank to promote the right to education
in its strategies;
9. Welcomes:
(a) The focus given by the Special Rapporteur on the right to education to the
identification of obstacles to the realization of the right to education at the domestic and
international levels, to the mainstreaming of gender and to the legal enforcement of the right to
education;
(b) The convening of the World Education Forum in Dakar from 26 to 28 April 2000,
which constitutes the follow-up to the World Conference on Education for All, which should
provide a framework for setting goals, outlining new approaches and developing supportive
partnerships and reaffirm the need for primary education to be universal, compulsory and free of
charge;
10. Invites the Special Rapporteur to continue to work in accordance with her
mandate and notably to intensify her efforts to identify ways and means to overcome obstacles
and difficulties in the realization of the right to education, notably through international
cooperation;
11. Calls upon all States:
(a) To give full effect to the right to education;
(b) To guarantee that the right to education will be exercised without discrimination
of any kind;
(c) To cooperate with the Special Rapporteur;
12. Decides:
(a) To request the Special Rapporteur on the right to education to submit a report to
the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
(b) To reiterate its request to the High Commissioner to organize in 2001, the year of
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, a workshop to identify progressive developmental benchmarks and
indicators related to the right to education, as set out in paragraph 6 (b) of Commission
resolution 1999/25;
(c) To reiterate its invitation to the United Nations Children’s Fund and the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to continue to develop a
regular dialogue with the Special Rapporteur and to submit to the Commission information
pertaining to their activities in promoting primary education, with specific reference to women
and children, particularly girls;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur on the right to
education with all the assistance necessary for the execution of the mandate;
III.
14. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session a report on the implementation of the present resolution;
15. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 4.]
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. X.]
2000/10. The right to food
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides that everyone has
the right to a standard of living adequate for her/his health and well-being, including food,
Recalling also the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights in which the fundamental right of every person to be free from hunger is
recognized,
Recalling further the Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and
Malnutrition,
Bearing in mind the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the Plan of Action of
the World Food Summit, held in Rome from 13 to 17 November 1996,
Recalling all its previous resolutions in this regard, in particular resolution 1999/24 of
26 April 1999,
Recognizing that the problem of hunger and food insecurity have global dimensions and
that they are likely to persist and even to increase dramatically in some regions, unless urgent,
determined and concerted action is taken, given the anticipated increase in the world’s
population and the stress on natural resources,
Reaffirming that a peaceful, stable and enabling political, social and economic
environment, both at a national and an international level, is the essential foundation which will
enable States to give adequate priority to food security and poverty eradication,
Reiterating, as did the Rome Declaration, that food should not be used as an instrument
of political or economic pressure, and reaffirming in this regard the importance of international
cooperation and solidarity, as well as the necessity of refraining from unilateral measures not in
accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations which endanger food
security,
Convinced that each State must adopt a strategy consistent with its resources and
capacities to achieve its individual goals in implementing the recommendations contained in the
Rome Declaration and Plan of Action of the World Summit and, at the same time, cooperate
regionally and internationally in order to organize collective solutions to global issues of food
security in a world of increasingly interlinked institutions, societies and economies, where
coordinated efforts and shared responsibilities are essential,
Stressing the importance of reversing the continuing decline of official development
assistance devoted to agriculture, both in real terms and as a share of total official development
assistance,
1. Reaffirms that hunger constitutes an outrage and a violation of human dignity and,
therefore, requires the adoption of urgent measures at the national, regional and international
levels for its elimination;
2. Also reaffirms the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food,
consistent with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from
hunger so as to be able fully to develop and maintain their physical and mental capacities;
3. Considers intolerable that 825 million people, most of them women and children,
throughout the world and particularly in developing countries, do not have enough food to meet
their basic nutritional needs, which infringes their fundamental human rights and at the same
time can generate additional pressures upon the environment in ecologically fragile areas;
4. Stresses the need to make efforts to mobilize and optimize the allocation and
utilization of technical and financial resources from all sources, including external debt relief for
developing countries, to reinforce national actions to implement sustainable food security
policies;
5. Encourages all States to take steps with a view to achieving progressively the full
realization of the right to food, including steps to promote the conditions for everyone to be free
from hunger and as soon as possible enjoy fully the right to food;
6. Takes note with interest of the updated study on the right to adequate food and to
be free from hunger submitted by Mr. Asbjørn Eide to the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights, in accordance with Sub-Commission decision 1998/106
(E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/12);
7. Also takes note with interest of the report submitted by the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights on the right to food, in accordance with Commission
resolution 1999/24 (E/CN.4/2000/48 and Add.1);
8. Welcomes the work already done by the Committee on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights in promoting the right to adequate food, in particular its General Comment
No. 12 (1999) on the right to adequate food (art. 11 of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights), in which the Committee affirmed, inter alia, that the right to
adequate food is indivisibly linked to the inherent dignity of the human person and is
indispensable for the fulfilment of other human rights enshrined in the International Bill of
Human Rights and is also inseparable from social justice, requiring the adoption of appropriate
economic, environmental and social policies, at both the national and international levels,
oriented to the eradication of poverty and the fulfilment of all human rights for all;
9. Recommends that the High Commissioner organize a third expert consultation on
the right to food, following those held in 1997 and 1998, this time with a focus on
implementation mechanisms at country level, inviting experts from all regions to share their
experience;
10. Decides, in order to respond fully to the necessity for an integrated and
coordinated approach in the promotion and protection of the right to food, to appoint, for a
period of three years, a special rapporteur, whose mandate will focus on the right to food;
11. Requests the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, in the fulfilment of her/his
mandate, to accomplish the following main activities:
(a) To seek, receive and respond to information on all aspects of the realization of the
right to food, including the urgent necessity of eradicating hunger;
(b) To establish cooperation with Governments, intergovernmental organizations, in
particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and non-governmental
organizations, on the promotion and effective implementation of the right to food, and to make
appropriate recommendations on the realization thereof, taking into consideration the work
already done in this field throughout the United Nations system;
(c) To identify emerging issues related to the right to food worldwide;
12. Requests the High Commissioner to provide all necessary human and financial
resources for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur;
13. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit a report on the implementation of the
present resolution to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
14. Requests Governments, relevant United Nations agencies, funds and programmes,
treaty bodies, as well as non-governmental organizations, to cooperate fully with the Special
Rapporteur in the fulfilment of her/his mandate, inter alia through the submission of comments
and suggestions on ways and means of realizing the right to food.
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 49 votes to 1,
with 2 abstentions. See chap. X.]
2000/11. Human rights and unilateral coercive measures
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Reaffirming the pertinent principles and provisions contained in the Charter of Economic
Rights and Duties of States proclaimed by the General Assembly in its resolution 3281 (XXIX)
of 12 December 1974, in particular article 32, which declares that no State may use or encourage
the use of economic, political or any type of measures to coerce another State in order to obtain
from it the subordination of the exercise of its sovereign rights,
Recalling its resolution 1999/21 of 23 April 1999 and noting General Assembly
resolution 54/172 of 17 December 1999,
Taking note with interest of the report of the Secretary-General on human rights and
unilateral coercive measures (E/CN.4/2000/46 and Add.1),
Recognizing and reiterating the universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated
character of all human rights and, in this regard, reaffirming the right to development as an
integral part of all human rights,
Expressing its concern about the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures in the
field of international relations, trade, investment and cooperation,
Recalling that the World Conference on Human Rights called upon States to refrain from
any unilateral measure not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the
United Nations that creates obstacles to trade relations among States and impedes the full
realization of all human rights,
Deeply concerned that, despite the recommendations adopted on this issue by the
General Assembly and United Nations conferences and contrary to general international law and
the Charter of the United Nations, unilateral coercive measures continue to be promulgated and
implemented with all their negative implications for the social-humanitarian activities and
economic and social development of developing countries, including their extraterritorial effects,
thereby creating additional obstacles to the full enjoyment of all human rights by peoples and
individuals under the jurisdiction of other States,
Reaffirming that unilateral coercive measures are one of the obstacles to the
implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development,
1. Urges all States to refrain from adopting or implementing unilateral measures not
in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, in particular those of
a coercive nature with extraterritorial effects, which create obstacles to trade relations among
States, thus impeding the full realization of the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, in particular the right of
individuals and peoples to development;
2. Invites all States to consider adopting administrative or legislative measures, as
appropriate, when necessary, to counteract the extraterritorial application or effects of unilateral
coercive measures;
3. Rejects the application of such measures as tools for political or economic
pressure against any country, particularly against developing countries, because of their negative
effects on the realization of all human rights of vast sectors of their populations, inter alia,
children, women, the elderly, disabled and ill people;
4. Calls upon Member States that have initiated such measures to abide by the
principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the declarations of the
United Nations and world conferences and relevant resolutions and to commit themselves to
their obligations and responsibilities arising from the international human rights instruments to
which they are parties by revoking such measures at the earliest possible time;
5. Reaffirms, in this context, the right of all peoples to self-determination, by virtue
of which they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and
cultural development;
6. Also reaffirms that essential goods such as food and medicines should not be used
as tools for political coercion, and that under no circumstances should people be deprived of
their own means of subsistence and development;
7. Underlines that unilateral coercive measures are one of the major obstacles to the
implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development and, in this regard, calls upon all
States to avoid the unilateral imposition of economic coercive measures and the extraterritorial
application of domestic laws which run counter to the principles of free trade and hamper the
development of developing countries, as recognized by the Intergovernmental Group of Experts
on the Right to Development in its last report (E/CN.4/1998/29);
8. Invites the new Open-ended working group established to monitor and review
progress made in the promotion and implementation of the right to development, which will
meet after the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on Human Rights, to give due consideration
to the question of human rights and the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures;
9. Invites all special rapporteurs and existing thematic mechanisms of the
Commission in the field of economic, social and cultural rights to pay due attention, within the
scope of their respective mandates, to the negative impact and consequences of unilateral
coercive measures;
10. Decides to give due consideration to the negative impact of unilateral coercive
measures in its task concerning the implementation of the right to development;
11. Requests:
(a) The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in discharging her
functions in relation to the promotion, realization and protection of the right to development, to
pay due attention and give urgent consideration to the present resolution;
(b) The Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all
Member States and to seek their views and information on the implications and negative effects
of unilateral coercive measures on their populations, and to submit a report thereon to the
Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-seventh session;
12. Decides to examine this question, on a priority basis, at its fifty-seventh session
under the same agenda item.
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 36 votes to 9,
with 7 abstentions. See chap. X.]
2000/12. Human rights and extreme poverty
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Covenants on Human Rights recognize that the ideal of free human beings enjoying
freedom from fear and want can be achieved only if conditions are created whereby everyone
may enjoy his or her economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his or her civil and political
rights,
Recalling in particular that article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
stipulates that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and
well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and
necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,
disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control,
Recalling also that the eradication of widespread poverty, including its most persistent
forms, and the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights
remain interrelated goals,
Deeply concerned that, 52 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, extreme poverty continues to spread in all countries of the world, regardless of
their economic, social and cultural situation, and that its extent and manifestations, such as
hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, illiteracy and hopelessness are particularly severe in
developing countries,
Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23),
Recalling in particular that the World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that least
developed countries committed to the process of democratization and economic reforms, many
of which are in Africa, should be supported by the international community in order to succeed
in their transition to democracy and economic development,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 50/107 of 20 December 1995, in which the
Assembly proclaimed the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty
(1997-2006), and noting the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the
first Decade (A/54/316),
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 53/146 of 9 December 1998, on human
rights and extreme poverty, in which the Assembly recalls that the mandate of the independent
expert shall include to continue to take into account the efforts of the poorest people themselves
and the conditions in which they can convey their experiences,
Welcoming the Declaration of the Microcredit Summit, held in Washington, D.C.,
in February 1997, which launched a global campaign to reach 100 million of the world’s poorest
families, especially women, with credit for self-employment by the year 2005,
Stressing that, in the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the
Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development held in March 1995
(A/CONF.166/9, chap. I, resolution 1), Governments committed themselves to endeavouring to
ensure that all men and women, especially those living in poverty, could exercise the rights,
utilize the resources and share the responsibilities that would enable them to lead satisfying lives
and to contribute to the well-being of their families, their communities and humankind and
committed themselves to the goal of eradicating poverty throughout the world through national
actions and international cooperation, as an ethical, social, political and economic imperative of
humankind,
Recalling the report of the Secretary-General on women’s real enjoyment of their human
rights, in particular those relating to the elimination of poverty, economic development and
economic resources (E/CN.4/1998/22-E/CN.6/1998/11),
Noting with satisfaction the progress report submitted by the independent expert in
accordance with Commission resolution 1999/26 (E/CN.4/2000/52) and the recommendations
contained therein,
1. Reaffirms that:
(a) Extreme poverty and exclusion from society constitute a violation of human
dignity and that urgent national and international action is therefore required to eliminate them;
(b) The right to life includes within it existence in human dignity with the minimum
necessities of life;
(c) It is essential for States to foster participation by the poorest people in the
decision-making process in the societies in which they live, in the realization of human rights
and in efforts to combat extreme poverty and for people living in poverty and vulnerable groups
to be empowered to organize themselves and to participate in all aspects of political, economic
and social life, particularly the planning and implementation of policies that affect them, thus
enabling them to become genuine partners in development;
(d) The existence of widespread absolute poverty inhibits the full and effective
enjoyment of human rights and renders democracy and popular participation fragile;
(e) For peace and stability to endure, national action and international action and
cooperation are required to promote a better life for all in larger freedom, a critical element of
which is the eradication of poverty;
(f) According to the observations contained in the reports submitted by the
independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty (E/CN.4/1999/48 and
E/CN.4/2000/52), the lack of political commitment, not financial resources, is the real obstacle to
the eradication of poverty;
(g) Special attention must be given to the plight of women and children, who often
bear the greatest burden of extreme poverty;
2. Recalls that:
(a) The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action
of the World Summit on Social Development provide the substantive framework for eradicating
poverty by setting specific targets, drawing up plans and implementing programmes;
(b) To ensure the protection of the rights of all individuals, non-discrimination
towards the poorest and the full exercise of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, a better
understanding is needed of what is endured by people living in poverty, including women and
children, and that thought must be given to the subject, drawing on the experience and ideas of
the poorest themselves and of those committed to working alongside them;
(c) In its resolution 1997/11 of 3 April 1997, it requested the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights to give high priority to the question of human rights and
extreme poverty, to ensure better cooperation between the institutions and bodies involved,
regularly to inform the General Assembly of the evolution of the question and to submit specific
information on this question at events such as the special session of the General Assembly
devoted to conclusions of the World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for 2000, and
the evaluation, at the halfway point in 2002 and the end-point in 2007, of the first United Nations
Decade for the Eradication of Poverty;
(d) In her report of 11 September 1998 to the General Assembly on the mid-term
evaluation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/53/372, annex), the High
Commissioner proposes that the Second and Third Committees of the General Assembly should
work jointly to implement the right to development by focusing on the elimination of poverty,
with particular emphasis placed on basic security, which is necessary to enable individuals and
families to enjoy fundamental rights and assume basic responsibilities;
3. Welcomes the increasing number of events associated with the celebration,
on 17 October of each year, of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the
opportunity which these events provide to people and populations living in extreme poverty to
make their voices heard;
4. Expresses its appreciation:
(a) That an integrated approach is being followed by the United Nations system in
addressing the question of extreme poverty;
(b) That the international financial institutions have developed new policies
strengthening the human and social dimension of their action;
(c) For the initiatives taken in many countries by national education authorities to
raise awareness among all children and young people of the existence of extreme poverty and the
urgent need for united action to enable the poorest people to regain their rights;
5. Calls upon:
(a) The General Assembly, specialized agencies, United Nations bodies and
intergovernmental organizations to take into account the contradiction between the existence of
situations of extreme poverty and exclusion from society, which must be overcome, and the duty
to guarantee full enjoyment of human rights;
(b) States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue to
take into account, in the activities to be undertaken within the framework of the United Nations
Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, the links between human rights and extreme poverty, as
well as efforts to empower people living in poverty to participate in decision-making processes
on policies that affect them;
(c) The United Nations to strengthen poverty eradication as a priority throughout the
United Nations system;
6. Invites:
(a) The treaty bodies monitoring the application of human rights instruments,
especially the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Committee on the Rights
of the Child, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, to take into account, when considering
the reports of States parties, the question of extreme poverty and human rights;
(b) States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to submit
to the Secretary-General, by the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Human Rights, their
views and comments on the recommendations contained in the report of the independent expert
on extreme poverty (E/CN.4/2000/52);
(c) The Open-ended working group established to monitor and review progress made
in the promotion and implementation of the right to development, in its deliberations, to take into
account the report of the independent expert;
7. Decides to renew, for a period of two years, the mandate of the independent
expert on extreme poverty:
(a) To continue to evaluate the relationship between the promotion and protection of
human rights and the eradication of extreme poverty, including through the identification of
national and international good practices;
(b) To hold consultations, including during her visits, with the poorest people and the
communities in which they live, on means of developing their capacity to express their views
and to organize themselves and to involve national human rights bodies in this exercise;
(c) To consider strategies to overcome extreme poverty and the social impact of those
strategies;
(d) To continue her cooperation with the international financial institutions, with a
view to identifying the best programmes for combating extreme poverty;
(e) To contribute to the mid-term evaluation of the first United Nations Decade for
the Eradication of Poverty, scheduled for 2002;
(f) To report on her activities to the Commission at its fifty-seventh and fifty-eighth
sessions and to make those reports available to the Commission for Social Development and the
Commission on the Status of Women, as appropriate, for their sessions during the same years;
8. Requests:
(a) The High Commissioner to organize, before the fifty-seventh session of the
Commission on Human Rights, a seminar to consider the need to develop a draft declaration on
extreme poverty and, if appropriate, to identify its specific points. In view of the need to take
into account work undertaken elsewhere, an invitation to this seminar should be extended to
government representatives and experts of the United Nations specialized agencies, funds and
programmes, the relevant functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, the
regional economic commissions, the international financial institutions, the Sub-Commission on
the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and interested non-governmental organizations;
(b) The Secretary-General to support this initiative;
9. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-seventh session under the same
agenda item;
10. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 6.]
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. X.]
2000/13. Women’s equal ownership of, access to and control over land
and the equal rights to own property and to adequate housing
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on
Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted in
September 1995 by the Fourth World Conference on Women (A/CONF.177/20, chap. I), the
Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of the World
Summit for Social Development held in March 1995 (A/CONF.166/9, chap. I, resolution 1), and
the Habitat Agenda adopted in June 1996 by the World Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II) (A/CONF.165/14, chap. I, resolution 1, annex II),
Reaffirming the human right to be free from discrimination and the equal right of women
and men to the enjoyment of all civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights as stipulated,
inter alia, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights,
Recalling resolution 42/1 of the Commission on the Status of Women of 13 March 1998,
Taking note of resolution 1999/15 of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights of 25 August 1999, and recalling Sub-Commission
resolutions 1998/15 of 20 August 1998 and 1997/19 of 27 August 1997,
Recognizing that laws, policies, customs and traditions that restrict women’s equal access
to credit and loans also prevent women from owning and inheriting land, property and housing
and exclude women from participating fully in development processes, are discriminatory and
may contribute to the feminization of poverty,
Recognizing also that the full and equal participation of women in all spheres of life is
essential for the full and complete development of a country,
Stressing that the impact of gender-based discrimination and violence against women on
women’s equal ownership of, access to, and control over land and the equal rights to own
property and to adequate housing is acute, particularly during complex emergency situations,
reconstruction and rehabilitation,
Convinced that international, regional and local trade, finance and investment policies
should be designed in such a way that they do not increase gender inequality in terms of
ownership of, and access to, and control over land and the rights to own property and to adequate
housing and other productive resources and undermine women’s capacity to acquire and retain
these resources,
Mindful of the fact that elimination of discrimination against women requires
consideration of women’s specific socio-economic context,
1. Affirms that discrimination in law against women with respect to acquiring and
securing land, property and housing, as well as financing for land, property and housing,
constitutes a violation of women’s human right to protection against discrimination;
2. Reaffirms women’s right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate
housing as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
3. Also reaffirms the obligations of States to take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women by any person, organization or enterprise;
4 Urges Governments to comply fully with their international and regional
obligations and commitments concerning land tenure and the equal rights of women to own
property and to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing;
5. Reaffirms Commission on the Status of Women resolution 42/1 which, inter alia,
urges States to design and revise laws to ensure that women are accorded full and equal rights to
own land and other property, and the right to adequate housing, including through the right to
inheritance, and to undertake administrative reforms and other necessary measures to give
women the same right as men to credit, capital, appropriate technologies, access to markets and
information;
6. Encourages Governments to support the transformation of customs and traditions
that discriminate against women and deny women security of tenure and equal ownership of,
access to, and control over land and equal rights to own property and to adequate housing and to
ensure the right of women to equal treatment in land and agrarian reform as well as in land
resettlement schemes and in ownership of property and in adequate housing and to take other
measures to increase land and housing availability to women living in poverty, particularly
female heads of households;
7. Also encourages Governments, specialized agencies and other organizations of
the United Nations system, international agencies and non-governmental organizations to
provide judges, lawyers, political and other public officials, community leaders and other
concerned persons, as appropriate, with information and human rights education concerning
women’s equal ownership of, access to, and control over land and the equal rights to own
property and to adequate housing;
8. Recommends that Governments encourage financial lending institutions to ensure
that their policies and practices do not discriminate against women;
9. Also recommends that international financial institutions, regional, national and
local housing financing institutions and other credit facilities promote the participation of women
and take into account their views to remove discriminatory policies and practices, giving special
consideration to single women and households headed by women, and that these institutions
evaluate and measure progress to this end;
10. Invites the Secretary-General, as Chairman of the Administrative Committee on
Coordination, to encourage all organizations and bodies of the United Nations system,
individually and collectively, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, the
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the United Nations Development
Fund for Women, to undertake further initiatives that promote women’s equal ownership of,
access to, and control over land and the equal rights to own property and to adequate housing,
and allocate further resources for studying and documenting the impact of complex emergency
situations, particularly with respect to women’s equal rights to own land, property and adequate
housing;
11. Invites the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant
international organizations to address discrimination against women with respect to land,
property and adequate housing in their technical cooperation programmes and field activities;
12. Encourages all human rights treaty bodies, special procedures and other
human rights mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights regularly and systematically to take a gender
perspective into account in the implementation of their mandates, including taking into account
the present resolution;
13. Encourages the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to take into account the
contents of the present resolution in the development of the mandate of the United Nations
housing rights programme;
14. Decides to consider the issue of women’s equal ownership of, access to, and
control over land and the equal rights to own property and to adequate housing at its
fifty-seventh session under the agenda item entitled “Economic, social and cultural rights”.
52nd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. X.]
2000/14. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the
United Nations, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the International Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Reaffirming also its firm determination and its commitment to eradicate totally and
unconditionally racism in all its forms and racial discrimination, and its conviction that racism
and racial discrimination constitute a total negation of the purposes and principles of the Charter
of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Taking note of General Assembly resolution 54/154 of 17 December 1999, in which the
Assembly welcomed the offer by the Government of South Africa to host the World Conference
against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,
Reaffirming its resolution 1998/26 of 17 April 1998, in which it recommended that the
activities of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial
Discrimination should be focused on the preparatory process for the World Conference,
Recalling the recommendations of the two World Conferences to Combat Racism and
Racial Discrimination, held in Geneva in 1978 and 1983,
Bearing in mind the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993
by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), which call for the speedy and
comprehensive elimination of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance,
Deeply concerned that, despite continuing efforts, contemporary forms of racism, racial
discrimination, any form of discrimination against, inter alia, Blacks, Arabs and Muslims,
xenophobia, Negrophobia, anti-Semitism and related intolerance persist and are even growing in
magnitude, incessantly adopting new forms, including tendencies to establish policies based on
racial, religious, ethnic, cultural and national superiority or exclusivity,
Particularly alarmed at the rise of racist and xenophobic ideas in political circles, in the
sphere of public opinion and in society at large,
Conscious of the fundamental difference between, on the one hand, racism and racial
discrimination as an institutionalized governmental policy or resulting from official doctrines of
racial superiority or exclusivity and, on the other hand, other manifestations of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance taking place in segments of many societies
and perpetrated by individuals or groups, some of which are directed against migrant workers
and their families,
Reaffirming, in this regard, the responsibility of Governments for safeguarding and
protecting the rights of individuals residing in their territory against crimes perpetrated by racist
or xenophobic individuals or groups,
Noting with concern that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance may be aggravated by, inter alia, inequitable distribution of wealth, marginalization
and social exclusion,
Deeply concerned about the fact that the phenomenon of racism and racial discrimination
against migrant workers continues to increase despite efforts undertaken by the international
community to improve the protection of the human rights of migrant workers and members of
their families,
Taking note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
(E/CN.4/2000/82),
Noting with grave concern that, despite the efforts of the international community, the
principal objectives of the two Decades for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination
have not been attained and that millions of human beings continue to this day to be victims of
varied forms of racism and racial discrimination,
Noting also with grave concern that, despite the efforts undertaken by the international
community at various levels, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of
intolerance, ethnic antagonism and acts of violence are showing signs of increase,
Deeply concerned that those advocating racism and racial discrimination misuse new
communication technologies, including the Internet, to disseminate their repugnant views,
Aware that racism, being one of the exclusionist phenomena plaguing many societies,
requires resolute action and cooperation for its eradication,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 48/91 of 20 December 1993, in which the
Assembly proclaimed the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, beginning
in 1993, and adopted the Programme of Action proposed for the Decade,
Having examined the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (E/CN.4/2000/16 and Add.1),
Observing that the manifestations of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance bode ill for the international community, that racist
propaganda and incitement to racial hatred are spreading and that racism is taking increasingly
violent forms,
Stressing the need to recognize that acts of violence motivated by racial discrimination
and xenophobia are crimes punishable by law,
Also stressing the importance of urgently eliminating growing and violent trends of
racism and racial discrimination, and conscious that any form of impunity for crimes motivated
by racist and xenophobic attitudes plays a role in weakening the rule of law and democracy and
tends to encourage the recurrence of such crimes, and requires resolute action and cooperation
for its eradication,
Recognizing that failure to combat racial discrimination and xenophobia, especially by
public authorities and politicians, is a factor encouraging their perpetuation in society,
I. GENERAL
1. Expresses its profound concern at and unequivocal condemnation of all forms of
racism and racial discrimination, including related acts of racially motivated violence,
xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as all propaganda activities and organizations which
attempt to justify or promote racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in
any form;
2. Declares that racism and racial discrimination are among the most serious
violations of human rights in the contemporary world and must be combated by all available
means;
3. Calls upon all States resolutely to bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes
motivated by racism, and calls upon those who have not done so to consider including racist
motivation as an aggravating factor for the purposes of sentencing;
4. Recognizes the vulnerability of victims of acts of racial discrimination, which
violate their human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the difficulties they often face in
seeking legal remedies, and in this regard calls upon all States to provide, when needed, legal
assistance, in order to facilitate access to justice, as well as to consider establishing appropriate
policies and structures at a national level, inter alia, an ombudsman to deal with these kinds of
acts;
5. Calls upon all States to intensify their efforts in taking appropriate measures to
prevent political parties from promoting and inciting racial discrimination in violation of human
rights;
6. Underlines the importance of effective action to create conditions that foster
greater harmony and tolerance within societies;
7. Expresses its deep concern at and condemnation of manifestations of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance against migrant workers and members
of their families and other vulnerable groups in many societies;
8. Calls upon all States to review and, where necessary, revise their immigration
policies which are inconsistent with international human rights instruments, with a view to
eliminating all discriminatory policies and practices against migrants;
9. Condemns all forms of racial discrimination and xenophobia as regards access to
employment, vocational training, housing, schooling, health services and social services, as well
as services intended for use by the public;
10. Categorically condemns any role played by some print, audio-visual or electronic
media in inciting acts of violence motivated by racial hatred;
11. Urges Governments to take all necessary measures against incitement to racial
hatred, including through print, audio-visual and electronic media;
12. Urges all States to intensify their efforts for the implementation of the obligations
they have accepted under article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination, with due regard to the principles of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and to article 5 of the Convention, with respect to:
(a) Declaring an offence punishable by law all dissemination of ideas based on racial
superiority or hatred, incitement to racial discrimination, as well as all acts of violence or
incitement to such acts, against any race or group of persons of another colour or ethnic origin,
and also the provision of any assistance to racist activities, including the financing thereof;
(b) Declaring illegal and prohibiting organizations, and also organized and all other
propaganda activities, which promote and incite racial discrimination, and recognizing
participation in such organizations or activities as an offence punishable by law;
(c) Not permitting public authorities or public institutions, national or local, to
promote or incite racial discrimination;
13. Calls upon all States, where appropriate, to strengthen their national legislation
and institutions for the promotion of racial harmony and notes the conclusions and
recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in this regard, including those on the
importance of integration of vulnerable groups in mainstream societies;
14. Invites all States, in their efforts aimed at promoting racial harmony, to involve,
or, as necessary, to establish, national institutions and other appropriate organizations;
15. Welcomes the active role played by non-governmental organizations in combating
racism and assisting individual victims of racist acts;
16. Encourages the mass media to promote ideas of tolerance and understanding
among peoples and between different cultures and to refrain from disseminating racist and
xenophobic ideas through all appropriate means, such as codes of conduct;
17. Takes note with interest of general recommendation XV (42) of 17 March 1993 of
the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on article 4 of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, in which the Committee
concluded that the prohibition of the dissemination of all ideas based on racial superiority or
racial hatred is compatible with the right to freedom of opinion and expression as embodied in
article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recalled in article 5 of the
Convention;
II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR
THE THIRD DECADE TO COMBAT RACISM AND RACIAL
DISCRIMINATION AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES
18. Regrets the continued lack of interest, support and financial resources for the
Third Decade and the Programme of Action, and that very few of the activities planned for the
period 1994-1998 were carried out;
19. Recognizes the laudable and generous efforts by donors that have made
contributions to the Trust Fund for the Programme for the Decade to Combat Racism and Racial
Discrimination, but feels that these financial contributions have proved inadequate and that the
General Assembly should consider all ways and means of financing the Programme of Action,
including through the United Nations regular budget;
20. Recommends that the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social
Council, should request the Secretary-General to assign high priority to the activities of the
Programme of Action and to earmark adequate resources to finance the activities of the
Programme;
21. Warmly calls upon all Governments, United Nations bodies, specialized agencies
and intergovernmental organizations, as well as interested non-governmental organizations, to
contribute fully to the effective implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third
Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination;
22. Strongly appeals to all Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations and individuals in a position to do so to contribute generously to the Trust Fund,
and, to this end, requests the Secretary-General to continue to undertake appropriate contacts and
initiatives to encourage contributions;
23. Welcomes the establishment of the racism project team in the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with a view to coordinating all activities
of the Third Decade;
24. Affirms its determination to combat violence stemming from intolerance on the
basis of ethnicity, which it considers to be as particularly serious a problem as violence based on
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
25. Requests all States to encourage the reporting of all acts motivated by racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia or ethnic reasons in order to facilitate the necessary inquiries
and bring the persons who commit such acts to trial;
26. Recommends that States give priority to education as a principal means of
preventing and eradicating racism and racial discrimination and of creating awareness of the
principles of human rights, particularly among young people, and to the training of law
enforcement personnel, inter alia through the promotion of tolerance and respect for cultural
diversity;
27. Calls upon all Member States to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of Their Families as a matter of priority;
III. SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON CONTEMPORARY FORMS OF
RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND
RELATED INTOLERANCE AND FOLLOW-UP TO HIS VISITS
28. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the Special Rapporteur
(E/CN.4/2000/16 and Add.1);
29. Expresses its full support and appreciation for the work of the Special Rapporteur
and for its continuation;
30. Requests the Special Rapporteur to continue his exchange of views with Member
States and relevant mechanisms and treaty bodies within the United Nations system in order to
enhance further their effectiveness and mutual cooperation;
31. Also requests the Special Rapporteur to examine the issue of political platforms
which promote or incite racial discrimination in violation of human rights and to submit
recommendations thereon to the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against
Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance at its second session;
32. Calls upon all Governments, intergovernmental organizations and other relevant
organizations of the United Nations system, as well as non-governmental organizations, to
supply information to the Special Rapporteur;
33. Urges all Governments to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur with a
view to enabling him to fulfil his mandate to examine incidents of contemporary forms of
racism, racial discrimination, any form of discrimination against, inter alia, Blacks, Arabs and
Muslims, xenophobia, Negrophobia, anti-Semitism and related intolerance;
34. Requests the Special Rapporteur to make the fullest use of all appropriate sources
of information, including country visits and evaluation of the mass media, and to elicit responses
from Governments with regard to allegations;
35. Commends those States that have so far invited and received the
Special Rapporteur;
36. Invites the Governments of the States so far visited to consider ways to implement
the recommendations contained in the reports of the Special Rapporteur and requests the Special
Rapporteur to include in his report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session, under the same
agenda item, information on the measures taken to implement those recommendations, and to
undertake follow-up visits, if necessary;
37. Notes with concern the increase in the use of new communications technologies,
in particular the Internet, to disseminate racist ideas and incite racial hatred;
38. Notes that the use of such technologies can contribute to combating racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, for example through the creation of Internet
sites to disseminate anti-racist and anti-xenophobic messages;
39. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to undertake
research and consultations on the use of the Internet for purposes of incitement to racial hatred,
racist propaganda and xenophobia, to study ways of promoting international cooperation in this
area, and to draw up a programme of human rights education and exchanges over the Internet on
experience in the struggle against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism;
40. Urges the High Commissioner to provide those countries which were visited by
the Special Rapporteur, at their request, with advisory services and technical assistance to enable
them to implement fully the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur;
IV. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION
OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
41. Appeals to those States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding
to the relevant international instruments, particularly the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention against Discrimination in
Education, and calls upon the States that have done so to implement them;
42. Recommends that the issue of universal ratification of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as well as the reservations
thereto and the question of recognition of the competence of the Committee on the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination to receive individual complaints be considered at the World Conference
against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance;
43. Calls upon States parties that have not submitted initial or periodic reports in
accordance with article 9 of the Convention to do so;
44. Urges States to limit the extent of any reservations they lodge to the Convention
and to formulate any reservation as precisely and as narrowly as possible, while ensuring that no
reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention;
45. Calls upon States parties to the Convention, as appropriate, to adopt immediately
positive measures aimed at the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance;
46. Requests the States parties to the Convention that have not yet done so to consider
the possibility of making the declaration provided for in article 14 of the Convention;
47. Invites the States parties to ratify the amendment to article 8 of the Convention on
the financing of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination;
V. WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION,
XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE
48. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and all forms of racial discrimination concerning the implementation of Commission
resolution 1999/78 of 28 April 1999 (E/CN.4/2000/15);
49. Welcomes the offer by the Government of South Africa to host in 2001 the
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
and invites the international community to support the host country with financial resources;
50. Recalls its decision, in resolution 1999/78, and decides to appoint an 11-member
Bureau for the two sessions of the Preparatory Committee, comprising two representatives per
regional group and a representative of the host country as an ex officio member, in order to
ensure continuity and the adequate representation of all Member States;
51. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her
capacity as Secretary-General of the World Conference, to continue to intensify the activities
already initiated within the framework of the world information campaign with a view to
mobilization and support for the objectives of the World Conference by all sectors of political,
economic, social and cultural life, as well as other interested sectors;
52. Welcomes the efforts by the High Commissioner to include in her strategy for
informing international public opinion and raising awareness about the objectives of the
World Conference, the activities outlined in paragraph 51 (a) to (e) of Commission
resolution 1999/78, and encourages her to continue these efforts;
53. Also welcomes the efforts of the High Commissioner in initiating consultations
with various international sporting and other organizations to enable them to contribute to the
struggle against racism and racial discrimination in the framework of the World Conference;
54. Urges all States, United Nations bodies, international, regional and subregional
governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and any interested body to support
the High Commissioner and the Department of Public Information and to give them full and
complete cooperation for the coordination of information activities;
55. Encourages the participation of non-governmental organizations in the
World Conference and in the sessions of the Preparatory Committee and calls upon the
Secretary-General of the World Conference to expedite arrangements for accreditation of
non-governmental organizations, including those that are not in consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council, in accordance with Council arrangements for consultation with
non-governmental organizations, adopted by the Council in its resolution 1996/31 of
25 July 1996;
56. Requests the High Commissioner to undertake appropriate consultations with
non-governmental organizations on the possibility that they might hold a forum before and partly
during the World Conference and, insofar as possible, to provide them with technical assistance
for that purpose;
57. Welcomes the offers made by the Governments of Senegal, the Islamic Republic
of Iran and Brazil, and by the Council of Europe, to host regional preparatory meetings for the
World Conference;
58. Expresses concern at the lack of financial support to hold regional meetings in
preparation of the World Conference, and invites all States to contribute generously to the trust
fund established by the High Commissioner in order to cover the activities foreseen within the
framework of the World Conference and, in particular, to respond positively and in a timely
manner to the appeal for the preparation of the World Conference contained in the Annual
Appeal of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and also
invites the specialized agencies and regional commissions of the United Nations to contribute to
the organization of regional conferences;
59. Requests the Secretary-General, the United Nations specialized agencies and the
regional economic commissions to provide financial and technical assistance for the organization
of the regional preparatory meetings planned in the context of the World Conference and stresses
that such assistance should be supplemented by voluntary contributions;
60. Recommends that the regional preparatory processes should include the campaign
for information and sensitization of public opinion to the objectives of the World Conference on
their agenda;
61. Requests the regional preparatory processes to identify trends, priorities and
obstacles at the national and regional levels, to formulate specific recommendations for the
action to be carried out in future to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance and to submit to the Preparatory Committee, by its 2001 session at the latest, the
conclusions of these regional preparatory processes;
62. Encourages the regional preparatory processes to coordinate among themselves,
with a view to facilitating and optimizing their contributions to the preparatory process of the
World Conference;
63. Calls upon the regional preparatory meetings to submit to the Preparatory
Committee, through the High Commissioner, reports on the results of their deliberations, with
concrete and pragmatic recommendations aimed at combating racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance, which will be duly reflected in the texts of the draft final
documents of the World Conference to be prepared by the Committee;
64. Invites Governments to promote the participation of national institutions and local
non-governmental organizations in the preparations and in regional meetings and to organize
debates in national parliaments on the objectives of the World Conference;
65. Encourages all parliaments to participate actively in the preparation of the World
Conference and requests the High Commissioner to explore ways and means of effective
involvement of parliaments through the relevant international organizations;
66. Invites United Nations bodies and mechanisms dealing with the question of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights and the special rapporteurs concerned to participate actively in the preparatory
process with a view to ensuring the success of the World Conference and to coordinate their
activities in this regard with the assistance of the High Commissioner;
67. Recommends that the World Conference should adopt a declaration and
programme of action containing concrete and practical recommendations to combat racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
68. Stresses the importance of systematically adopting a gender-based approach
throughout the preparations for and in the outcome of the World Conference;
69. Recommends that the particular situation of children should receive special
attention during the preparations for and during the World Conference itself, especially in its
outcome;
70. Welcomes the General Assembly’s decision to declare 2001 the International Year
of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance;
71. Calls upon all States, United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, regional
organizations and intergovernmental as well as non-governmental organizations to mobilize their
efforts in realizing the objectives of the International Year;
72. Emphasizes that the activities which will be implemented within the framework of
the International Year should be directed towards the preparation of the World Conference;
73. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session a report on the implementation of the present resolution under the agenda
item entitled “Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination”;
74. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session
under the same agenda item.
53rd meeting
17 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. VI.]
2000/15. Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other
applicable human rights instruments,
Mindful that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a party to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as to the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
Noting General Assembly resolution 54/179 of 17 December 1999 and Security Council
resolution 1291 (2000) of 24 February 2000 and recalling previous resolutions of the Assembly
and the Commission on the subject, as well as Security Council resolution 1234 (1999) of
9 April 1999 and previous relevant resolutions of the Council,
Concerned at all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the
territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by all parties to the conflict, including acts of
and incitement to ethnic hatred and violence,
Recognizing that promotion and protection of human rights for all are essential for
achieving stability and security in the region and will contribute to the creation of the necessary
environment for cooperation among States in the region,
Taking into account the regional dimension of the human rights issues and stressing the
importance of technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights,
Recalling its decision to request the Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
and a member of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to carry out a
joint mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while regretting that the security
situation in the country does not yet allow such a mission,
1. Welcomes:
(a) The report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (E/CN.4/2000/42), and the update he provided in his oral
presentation to the Commission on Human Rights;
(b) The visit the Special Rapporteur undertook in August-September 1999 to the
country at the invitation of the Government, and the cooperation of the Government in this
regard;
(c) The activities of the Human Rights Field Office in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, while encouraging the Government to work and to strengthen further its cooperation with
the Office;
(d) The work of the Minister for Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo in effectively improving the human rights situation in the country and, in particular, the
adoption in December 1999, in concert with non-governmental organizations, of the National
Action Plan on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights;
(e) The commitment by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to
cooperate with the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations in ensuring the
demobilization and reintegration of child soldiers and the holding in December 1999, in
cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund, of the Kinshasa forum on the
demobilization and reinsertion of child soldiers, and calls upon the Government to implement its
commitments fully;
(f) The general amnesty announced by President Kabila on 19 February 2000, under
which 200 persons accused, convicted or detained for crimes against the internal or external
security of the State have already been released, as a timely and significant step towards
reconciliation and preparations for the inter-Congolese dialogue called for in the Lusaka
Ceasefire Agreement, but deplores the fact that dozens of other political prisoners continue to be
detained and hopes that more prisoners will be released in the coming weeks;
(g) The release and repatriation, carried out under the auspices of the International
Committee of the Red Cross in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in conformity with
international humanitarian law of persons at risk, mainly of Tutsi origin, and of prisoners of war,
and calls for the release of those still in detention;
(h) The Ceasefire Agreement signed in Lusaka on 10 July 1999;
(i) The setting up of a peace operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by
the Security Council in support of the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement;
(j) The decision of the Security Council in its resolution 1291 (2000) to authorize the
expansion of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(k) The selection by the Congolese parties, with the assistance of the Organization of
African Unity, of the former President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire, as Facilitator of the
National Dialogue, provided for in the Ceasefire Agreement, aimed at achieving national
reconciliation and a new political dispensation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(l) The work of the special envoy of the Secretary-General for the peace process for
the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(m) The appointment by the Secretary-General of a special representative for the
Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(n) The holding of a day-long meeting of the Security Council devoted to the
situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at which the parties renewed their
commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement;
2. Expresses its concern:
(a) At the adverse impact of the conflict on the situation of human rights and its
severe consequences for the security and well-being of the civilian population throughout the
territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(b) At the continuing violations of the ceasefire provided for in the Lusaka Ceasefire
Agreement, and at the continued use of warlike language;
(c) At the preoccupying situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, particularly in the eastern parts of the country, and at the continuing violations of human
rights and international humanitarian law throughout the territory of the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, often with impunity, in particular:
(i) At the continued perpetration of massacres in the course of the conflicts,
including recently in Ngweshe, Kamituga, Lubarisi, Kitumba, Kasala,
Kongolo, Kimbumbu, Nonge, Sola, Kalungwe, Mwenga, Chipaho,
Lemera, Burhale, Musinga, Bashali, Lukweti, Budaha, Walungu,
Burhinyi, Mikondero, Kigulube, Kibizi, Buyankiri, Kalambi, Kashambi,
Kalami and Chifunze;
(ii) At the conflicts between the Hema and the Lendu ethnic groups in
Orientale province where thousands of Congolese have already been
killed;
(iii) At the occurrence of cases of summary and arbitrary execution,
disappearance, torture, beating, harassment, arbitrary arrests and detention
without trial, including of journalists, opposition politicians, human rights
defenders and people who have cooperated with the United Nations
mechanisms, and reports of sexual violence against women and children
and the continuing recruitment and use of child soldiers;
(iv) At the trial of civilians and the imposition and execution of the death
penalty by the Military Court in disregard of the obligations the
Democratic Republic of the Congo has assumed under the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
(d) At the excessive accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons and
the illicit distribution, circulation and trafficking of arms in the region and their negative impact
on human rights;
(e) At the harassment and persecution of human rights defenders and their
organizations;
(f) At the intimidation of representatives of the Churches and of civil society in the
eastern part of the country;
(g) At the severe insecurity which is minimizing the ability of humanitarian
organizations to secure access to affected populations;
3. Urges all parties to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
(a) To implement fully the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement in accordance with the new
timetable agreed by the parties and to establish the authority of the Government of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo throughout the territory as agreed in the inter-Congolese
political negotiations provided for in the Ceasefire Agreement, and stresses, in the context of a
lasting peaceful settlement, the need for the engagement of the Congolese in an all-inclusive
process of political dialogue with a view to achieving national reconciliation and the holding of
democratic, free, transparent and fair elections;
(b) To protect human rights and to respect international humanitarian law, in
particular as applicable to them, the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 for the protection
of victims of war and the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977, the Hague Convention
of 18 October 1907 concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land, the Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and other relevant provisions of
international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law, and in particular to respect the rights
of women and children and to ensure the safety of all civilians, including refugees and internally
displaced persons within the territory of that country, regardless of their origin;
(c) To ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and
associated personnel and humanitarian personnel within the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and in this regard to ensure safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel to all affected
populations throughout the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(d) To cease all military activity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is in
breach of the ceasefire provided for in the Ceasefire Agreement;
(e) To end the use of child soldiers, which is in contravention of international human
rights standards;
(f) To take and implement all necessary measures to create conditions for the
voluntary return, in safety and dignity, of all refugees and displaced persons and to ensure their
fair and lawful treatment;
(g) To cooperate fully with the National Commission of Inquiry on the alleged
massacres of a large number of refugees and displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, and also with the Secretary-General and with the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights in addressing these allegations, with a view to the submission of a further report
by the National Commission of Inquiry to the Secretary-General on the progress of its
investigations on this question;
4. Calls upon the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
(a) To comply fully with its obligations under international human rights law and to
promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout its entire territory;
(b) To fulfil its responsibility to protect the human rights of the population on its
territory, as well as to take a leading part in efforts to prevent conditions that might lead to
further flows of internally displaced persons and refugees within the Democratic Republic of the
Congo and across its border;
(c) To fulfil its commitment to reform and restore the judicial system, and
particularly to reform military justice in conformity with the provisions of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
(d) To put an end to impunity and to fulfil its responsibility to ensure that those
responsible for human rights violations and grave breaches of international humanitarian law are
brought to justice;
(e) To implement fully its commitment to the democratization process, in particular
the national dialogue, as stipulated in the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, and to create, in this
context, conditions that would allow for a democratization process that is genuine and
all-inclusive and that fully reflects the aspirations of all people in the country;
(f) To remove the remaining administrative restrictions on the activities of political
parties and to prepare for the holding of democratic, free and fair elections;
(g) To remove the restrictions that still affect the work of non-governmental
organizations and to promote human rights awareness, including by strengthening cooperation
with civil society, including all human rights organizations;
(h) To ensure full respect for freedom of opinion and expression, including freedom
of the press in relation to all types of mass media, as well as freedom of association and
assembly, throughout the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(i) To work closely and strengthen further its cooperation with the Human Rights
Field Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(j) To cooperate fully with the International Tribunal for Rwanda in ensuring that all
responsible for the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and other grave violations of
human rights are brought to justice in accordance with international principles of due process;
(k) To help create the conditions for the safe deployment of the United Nations
Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for the security and freedom
of movement of its personnel and other associated personnel;
5. Decides:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a further year, to request him to submit an interim
report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and on the possibilities for the international community to assist with local capacity-building,
and also to request the Special Rapporteur to continue to keep a gender perspective in mind
when seeking and analysing information;
(b) To request the Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and a
member of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to carry out, as soon
as security considerations permit and, where appropriate, in cooperation with the National
Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged human rights violations and breaches of
international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
between 1996 and 1997, a joint mission to investigate all massacres carried out on the territory of
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including those in the province of South Kivu and other
atrocities referred to in the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a view to bringing to justice those responsible, and
to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session;
(c) To request the Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Special
Rapporteur and to the joint mission, to enable them to discharge their mandates fully;
(d) To request the High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide appropriate
technical expertise to enable the joint mission to fulfil its mandate;
(e) To request the international community to support the Human Rights Field Office
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in order, in particular:
(i) To strengthen its involvement in programmes of technical cooperation,
advisory services and human rights advocacy, including supporting efforts
by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards
strengthening the judicial system;
(ii) To strengthen its support for, and to continue to expand cooperation with,
human rights non-governmental organizations in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo;
and to facilitate the activities of the joint mission, including through voluntary funding;
6. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 7.]
55th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/16. Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa
The Commission on Human Rights,
Gravely concerned at the persistent practices of the Israeli occupation forces in
southern Lebanon and western Bekaa, which constitute a violation of the principles of
international law regarding the protection of human rights, in particular the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, as well as a grave violation of the relevant provisions of
international humanitarian law as contained in the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection
of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and the Fourth Hague Convention
of 1907,
Reiterating its deep regret at the failure of Israel to implement Security Council
resolution 425 (1978) of 19 March 1978,
Reminding all parties concerned to abide by the April 1996 understanding,
Censuring the Israeli attacks, in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa, which cause death
and injuries among civilians, displace families and destroy dwellings and properties,
Reaffirming that the continued occupation and practices of the Israeli forces constitute a
violation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the conventions in force on this
matter,
Hoping that the efforts made in order to implement Security Council
resolution 425 (1978) and to achieve peace in the Middle East will put an end to the violations of
human rights that are being committed in the zone in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa
occupied by Israel and that the peace negotiations will be resumed and conducted with a view to
reaching a settlement of the Middle East conflict and achieving a just and comprehensive peace
in the region,
Gravely concerned at the persistent detention, ill-treatment and torture by Israel of many
Lebanese civilians, among whom are minors, women and the elderly, in the detention centre of
Khiyam, and at the death in previous years of some detainees,
Expressing its indignation at the ruling handed down on 4 March 1998 by the
Israeli Supreme Court permitting the Israeli authorities to retain Lebanese detainees in Israeli
prisons without trial and to hold them as hostages and for bargaining purposes and to renew their
incommunicado detention, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles of human
rights,
Reaffirming its resolution 1999/12 of 23 April 1999, and expressing its deep regret at the
failure of Israel to implement that resolution,
1. Deplores the continued Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied zone in
southern Lebanon and western Bekaa, demonstrated in particular by the abduction and arbitrary
detention of civilians, the destruction of their dwellings, the confiscation of their property, their
expulsion from their land, the bombardment of villages and civilian areas, and other practices
violating human rights;
2. Calls upon Israel to put an immediate end to such practices, in air raids and the
use of prohibited weapons, and to implement Security Council resolution 425 (1978) of
19 March 1978 requiring Israel’s immediate, total and unconditional withdrawal from all
Lebanese territories and respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of
Lebanon;
3. Also calls upon the Government of Israel, the occupying Power of territories
in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa, to comply with the Geneva Conventions of
12 August 1949, in particular the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War;
4. Further calls upon the Government of Israel, the occupying Power of territories in
southern Lebanon and western Bekaa, to refrain from holding the abducted Lebanese citizens
incarcerated in its prisons as hostages for bargaining purposes, and to release them immediately,
as well as other persons arbitrarily detained in prisons and detention centres in the occupied
territories in Lebanon in violation of all the Geneva Conventions and other provisions of
international law;
5. Affirms the obligation for Israel, the occupying Power of territories in southern
Lebanon and western Bekaa, to commit itself to allowing the International Committee of the
Red Cross and the families of the detainees to intensify their visits, as well as to allowing other
international humanitarian organizations to visit the detainees and to verify their sanitary and
humanitarian conditions and, in particular, the circumstances which have in previous years led to
the death of some of them as a result of ill-treatment and torture;
6. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To bring the present resolution to the attention of the Government of Israel and to
invite it to provide information concerning the extent of its implementation thereof;
(b) To report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission
at its fifty-seventh session on the results of his efforts in this regard;
7. Decides to continue its consideration of the situation of human rights in
southern Lebanon and western Bekaa at its fifty-seventh session.
55th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 51 votes to 1,
with 1 abstention. See chap. IX.]
2000/17. Situation of human rights in Iraq
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenants on Human Rights and other human rights instruments,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms and to fulfil the obligations they have undertaken under the
various international instruments in this field,
Mindful that Iraq is a party to the International Covenants on Human Rights, to other
international human rights instruments and to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 on the
protection of war victims,
Recalling:
(a) Previous resolutions of the General Assembly and the Commission on the
subject, most recently Assembly resolution 54/178 of 17 December 1999 and Commission
resolution 1999/14 of 23 April 1999;
(b) Security Council resolutions 686 (1991) of 2 March 1991, in which the Council
called upon Iraq to release all Kuwaitis and nationals of other States who might still be held in
detention, 687 (1991) of 3 April 1991, 688 (1991) of 5 April 1991, in which the Council
demanded an end to repression of the Iraqi civilian population and insisted that Iraq cooperate
with humanitarian organizations and that the human rights of all Iraqi citizens be respected,
986 (1995) of 14 April 1995, 1111 (1997) of 4 June 1997, 1129 (1997) of 12 September 1997,
1143 (1997) of 4 December 1997, 1153 (1998) of 20 February 1998, 1175 (1998) of
19 June 1998, 1210 (1998) of 24 November 1998, 1242 (1999) of 21 May 1999, 1266 (1999) of
4 October 1999, 1281 (1999) of 10 December 1999, in which the Council authorized States to
permit imports of Iraqi oil in order to allow Iraq to purchase humanitarian supplies, 1284 (1999)
of 17 December 1999, in which the Council, by means of a comprehensive approach to the
situation in Iraq, inter alia, raised the ceiling for the allowable import of Iraqi oil in order to
increase the amount of revenue available for the purchase of humanitarian supplies, laid down
new provisions and procedures designed to improve the implementation of the humanitarian
programme and to further achievement in meeting the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi population
and reiterated the obligation of Iraq to facilitate the repatriation of all Kuwaiti and third country
nationals referred to in paragraph 30 of Council resolution 687 (1991);
(c) The concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee
(CCPR/C/79/Add.84), the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (A/54/18,
paras. 337-361), the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/1/Add.17) and
the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/15/Add.94) on Iraq’s recent reports to these
treaty monitoring bodies, in which these bodies point to a wide range of human rights problems
and express the view that the Government of Iraq remains bound by its treaty obligations, while
pointing to the adverse effect of sanctions on the daily life of the population, including children;
Reaffirming that it is the responsibility of the Government of Iraq to ensure the
well-being of its entire population and the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms, concerned about the dire situation in Iraq, which affects the population, including
children, as stated in the reports of several United Nations human rights treaty bodies, and
appealing to all concerned to fulfil their mutual obligations in the management of the
humanitarian programme established by the Security Council in its resolution 986 (1995),
1. Welcomes the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights in Iraq submitted to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session (A/54/466), the
observations on the general situation and the conclusions and recommendations contained
therein and notes his dismay that there has been no improvement in the situation of human rights
in the country and welcomes the summary of activities and initial observations presented to the
Commission by the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq;
2. Strongly condemns:
(a) The systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights and
of international humanitarian law by the Government of Iraq, resulting in an all-pervasive
repression and oppression sustained by broad-based discrimination and widespread terror;
(b) Suppression of freedom of thought, expression, information, association,
assembly and movement through fear of arrest, imprisonment, execution, expulsion, house
demolition and other sanctions;
(c) Widespread use of the death penalty in disregard of the provisions of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations safeguards;
(d) Summary and arbitrary executions, including political killings and the continued
so-called clean-out of prisons, as well as enforced or involuntary disappearances, routinely
practised arbitrary arrests and detention, and consistent and routine failure to respect due process
and the rule of law, for example the execution of delinquents for minor property offences and
customs violations;
(e) Widespread, systematic torture and the enactment and implementation of decrees
prescribing cruel and inhuman punishment as a penalty for offences;
3. Calls upon the Government of Iraq:
(a) To abide by its freely undertaken obligations under international human rights
treaties and international humanitarian law to respect and ensure the rights of all individuals,
irrespective of their origin, ethnicity, gender or religion, within its territory and subject to its
jurisdiction;
(b) To bring the actions of its military and security forces into conformity with the
standards of international law, in particular those of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights;
(c) To cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms, in particular by
inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and allowing the stationing of human rights
monitors throughout Iraq pursuant to the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the
Commission;
(d) To establish independence of the judiciary and abrogate all laws granting
impunity to specified forces or persons killing or injuring individuals for any purpose beyond the
administration of justice under the rule of law as prescribed by international standards;
(e) To abrogate all decrees that prescribe cruel and inhuman punishment or treatment,
including mutilation, and to ensure that torture and cruel punishment and treatment no longer
occur;
(f) To abrogate all laws and procedures, including Revolution Command Council
Decree No. 840 of 4 November 1986, that penalize free expression, and to ensure that the
genuine will of the people shall be the basis of authority of the State;
(g) To ensure free exercise of political opposition and prevent intimidation and
repression of political opponents and their families;
(h) To respect the rights of all ethnic and religious groups and to cease immediately
its continued repressive practices, including the practice of forced deportation and relocation,
against the Iraqi Kurds, Assyrians and Turkmen, in particular their deportation from the regions
of Kirkok and Khanaquin, and against the population of the southern marsh areas, where
drainage projects have provoked environmental destruction and a deterioration of the situation of
the civilian population, and to ensure the personal integrity and freedoms of all citizens,
including the Shia population;
(i) To cooperate with the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Subcommittee to
establish the whereabouts and resolve the fate of the remaining several hundred missing persons,
including prisoners of war, Kuwaiti nationals and third country nationals, victims of the illegal
Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, to cooperate with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances for that purpose, to pay compensation to the families of those who died or
disappeared in the custody of the Iraqi authorities, through the mechanism established by the
Security Council in resolution 692 (1991) of 20 May 1991, to release immediately all Kuwaitis
and nationals of other States who may still be held in detention and inform families about the
whereabouts of arrested persons, to provide information about death sentences imposed on
prisoners of war and civilian detainees and to issue death certificates for deceased prisoners of
war and civilian detainees;
(j) To cooperate further with international aid agencies and non-governmental
organizations to provide humanitarian assistance and monitoring in the northern and southern
areas of the country;
(k) To continue to cooperate in the implementation of Security Council
resolutions 986 (1995), 1111 (1997), 1143 (1997), 1153 (1998), 1210 (1998), 1242 (1999),
1266 (1999) and 1281 (1999), as well as to cooperate, together with all concerned, in the
implementation of the humanitarian sections of Council resolution 1284 (1999), to ensure fully
the timely and equitable distribution, without discrimination, to the Iraqi population, including in
remote areas, of all humanitarian supplies purchased under the oil-for-food programme, to
address effectively the needs of vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the
disabled, the elderly and the mentally ill, among others, to facilitate the work of United Nations
humanitarian personnel in Iraq by ensuring the free and unobstructed movement of observers
throughout the country, as well as their free access, without any discrimination, to all the
population, and to ensure that involuntarily displaced persons receive humanitarian assistance
without the need to demonstrate that they have resided for six months at their places of
temporary residence;
(l) To cooperate in the identification of the minefields existing throughout Iraq with
a view to facilitating their marking and eventual clearance;
4. Decides:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, as contained in Commission
resolution 1991/74 of 6 March 1991 and subsequent resolutions, for a further year and requests
the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report on the situation of human rights in Iraq to
the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session and also to keep a gender perspective in mind when seeking and analysing
information;
(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to give all necessary assistance to
the Special Rapporteur to enable him to discharge his mandate fully, and to approve the
allocation of sufficient human and material resources for the sending of human rights monitors to
such locations as would facilitate improved information flow and assessment and help in the
independent verification of reports on the situation of human rights in Iraq;
(c) To continue its consideration of the situation of human rights in Iraq at its
fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item;
5. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 9.]
55th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 32 votes to none,
with 21 abstentions. See chap. IX.]
2000/18. Situation of human rights in Afghanistan
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenants on Human Rights and accepted humanitarian rules, as set out in the
Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 on the protection of war victims and the Additional
Protocols thereto of 1977,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms and to fulfil the obligations they have freely undertaken under
the various international instruments,
Recalling that Afghanistan is a party to the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on
the Rights of the Child and the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War, and that it has signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women,
Recalling also its previous resolutions, the most recent being resolution 1999/9 of
23 April 1999, the relevant General Assembly resolutions, as well as the relevant resolutions and
presidential statements of the Security Council, decisions of the Economic and Social Council
and resolutions of the Commission on the Status of Women,
Concerned that armed confrontation persists in Afghanistan and by the ethnic nature of
the conflict,
Deeply concerned about the deteriorating economic and social conditions of women and
girls in all areas of Afghanistan, in particular in areas under Taliban control, as documented by
the continued and substantiated reports of grave violations of the human rights of women and
girls, including all forms of discrimination against them, such as restrictions on access to health
care, to many levels and types of education, to employment outside the home and, at times, to
humanitarian aid, as well as restrictions on their freedom of movement,
Recalling the agreement between the Taliban and the United Nations signed on
23 October 1998 on the security of United Nations personnel in Afghanistan and urging its full
implementation,
Convinced that the major contribution to improving the human rights situation in
Afghanistan would be an immediate ceasefire followed by a negotiated settlement in line with
the efforts aimed at the establishment of a broad-based Government, and the effective
participation of the people of Afghanistan in the governance of their country through freely
chosen representatives,
Recalling that the United Nations continues to play its central and impartial role in
international initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict, and encouraging all
efforts at the national, regional and international levels, in particular those of the “six plus two”
group and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the efforts to convene a loya jirgah, as
well as the invitation to Tokyo extended by the Government of Japan to the relevant parties
earlier this year, all aimed at finding a solution to the continuing conflict through a broad-based
dialogue involving all concerned actors,
Taking into account the report of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender
Issues and Advancement of Women on her visit to Afghanistan in November 1997,
Expressing deep concern at the lack of reconstruction in Afghanistan,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in Afghanistan (E/CN.4/2000/33) and the observations contained
therein, as well as the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes
and consequences, on her mission to Pakistan and Afghanistan (E/CN.4/2000/68/Add.4) and
looks forward to her conclusions and recommendations;
2. Strongly condemns the mass killings and systematic human rights violations
against civilians and persons deprived of their liberty for reasons related to the armed conflict,
including in the areas of Mazar-e Sharif, Bamyan, Shiberghan and Maimana, and notes with
alarm the resumption by the Taliban of the wider conflict during the past summer, especially in
the Shamali Plains, resulting in the massive, forced displacement of the civilian population, in
particular of women and children;
3. Notes with deep concern:
(a) The continuing pattern of human rights violations in Afghanistan;
(b) The persisting armed hostilities in Afghanistan and the complex nature of the
conflict, including ethnic, religious and political aspects, which have resulted in extensive human
suffering and forced displacement, including on the grounds of ethnicity, and which hinder the
return of the internally displaced to their homes;
(c) The continued displacement of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the
Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as in other countries, while recognizing with appreciation
efforts undertaken in host countries to ease the plight of Afghan refugees, inter alia in the fields
of health and education;
4. Condemns:
(a) The widespread violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law,
including the rights to life, liberty and security of person, freedom from torture and from other
forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and freedom of opinion,
expression, religion, association and movement;
(b) The continuing grave violations of the human rights of women and girls,
including all forms of discrimination against them, in all areas of Afghanistan, particularly in
areas under the control of the Taliban where findings of further gross violations of the human
rights of women and girls include abductions and kidnappings, as well as accounts of many
instances of forced marriage and of trafficking;
(c) The frequent practice of arbitrary arrest and detention and of summary trials,
which have resulted in summary executions, throughout the country;
(d) The recent violations by the Taliban in Kandahar of United Nations immunity
granted by the 23 October 1998 agreement, which compelled the United Nations to stop work in
the area;
5. Reiterates its condemnation of the killing of Iranian diplomats and the
correspondent of the Islamic Republic News Agency by the Taliban, which constituted flagrant
violations of established international law, as well as of the attacks on and killing of the
United Nations personnel in Taliban-held territories of Afghanistan, and calls upon the Taliban
to fulfil their stated commitment to cooperate in urgent investigations of these heinous crimes
and to bring those responsible to justice;
6. Stresses the need for national reconciliation and for the establishment of the rule
of law, good governance and democracy in Afghanistan and, concurrently, the need for extensive
rehabilitation and reconstruction;
7. Urges all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and
national unity of Afghanistan and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs, and to end
immediately the supply of arms, ammunition, military equipment, including fuel, training or any
other military support, including providing any foreign military personnel, to all parties to the
conflict;
8. Urges all the Afghan parties:
(a) To respect fully all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, regardless of
gender, ethnicity or religion, in accordance with international human rights instruments;
(b) To cease hostilities immediately, to work and cooperate fully with the personal
representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and the United Nations Special Mission
to Afghanistan with a view to achieving a ceasefire and to implement the Tashkent Declaration
on Fundamental Principles for a Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict in Afghanistan of
19 July 1999, thus laying the foundation for a comprehensive political solution leading to the
voluntary return of displaced persons to their homes in safety and with dignity and to the
establishment of a broad-based, multi-ethnic, fully representative Government through the full
exercise by the Afghan people of the right to self-determination;
(c) To reaffirm publicly their commitment to international human rights and
principles, and to recognize, protect and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
(d) To respect fully international humanitarian law, to protect civilians, to halt the use
of weapons against the civilian population, to refrain from the wanton destruction of food crops
and civilian property, in particular homes, to stop the laying of landmines, especially
anti-personnel mines, to prohibit conscripting or enlisting children or using them to participate in
hostilities in violation of international law and to ensure the disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration into society of children;
(e) To provide efficient and effective remedies to the victims of grave violations and
abuses of human rights and of international humanitarian law and to bring the perpetrators to
trial;
(f) To fulfil their obligations and commitments regarding the safety of all personnel
of diplomatic missions, the United Nations and other international organizations, and
non-governmental organizations, as well as of their premises in Afghanistan, and to cooperate,
fully and without discrimination on grounds of gender, nationality or religion, with the
United Nations and associated bodies, as well as with other humanitarian organizations, agencies
and non-governmental organizations, in order to facilitate full resumption of their cooperation;
(g) To treat all suspects and convicted or detained persons in accordance with
relevant international instruments and to refrain from arbitrary detention of any person, including
of civilian foreign nationals and non-criminal civilian and political prisoners, and urges their
captors to release them;
9. Urges all the Afghan parties, and in particular the Taliban, to bring to an end
without delay all violations of human rights of women and girls and to take urgent measures to
ensure:
(a) The repeal of all legislative and other measures which discriminate against
women and girls and those which impede the realization of all their human rights;
(b) The effective participation of women in civil, cultural, economic, political and
social life throughout the country;
(c) Respect for the equal right of women to work, and their reintegration in
employment;
(d) The equal right of women and girls to education without discrimination, the
reopening of schools and the admission of women and girls to all levels of education;
(e) Respect for the right of women to security of person and that those responsible for
physical attacks on women be brought to justice;
(f) Respect for the freedom of movement of women;
(g) Respect for effective and equal access by women and girls to the facilities
necessary to protect their right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
10. Notes with appreciation the activities carried out by the International Committee
of the Red Cross throughout the territory of Afghanistan;
11. Recalls that it had invited the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to
proceed without delay to investigate fully reports of mass killings of persons deprived of their
liberty for reasons related to the armed conflict and of civilians, and of rape and cruel treatment
in Afghanistan, and that it had called upon the United Front and the Taliban to fulfil their stated
commitment to cooperate with such investigations and, noting the summary of the report on the
investigations, as a preliminary response, expresses, in this context, to the parties its deep regret
for the unsatisfactory results;
12. Invites:
(a) The Secretary-General to ensure that the ongoing deployment of the civilian
affairs observers in Afghanistan takes place as soon as possible, security conditions permitting,
and that gender issues are fully incorporated in their mission;
(b) The Secretary-General to exert efforts to ensure a gender perspective in the
selection of the staff of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan in order to enhance
the role of women in preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacekeeping;
(c) The Special Rapporteur to continue to pay attention to the human rights of women
and children and to apply a gender perspective in a similar manner in his report to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
(d) The United Nations to offer, once national reconciliation is achieved and upon
request of the governmental authorities, advisory services and technical assistance concerning,
inter alia, the drafting of a constitution, which should embody internationally accepted human
rights principles and provide for the holding of direct elections;
13. Appeals to Member States and to organizations and programmes of the
United Nations system, specialized agencies and other international organizations, whenever the
situation on the ground permits and as part of an overall effort to achieve peace:
(a) To provide, on a non-discriminatory basis, humanitarian assistance to the people
of Afghanistan and to the Afghan refugees in the neighbouring countries;
(b) To intensify the programme for the removal of millions of anti-personnel mines
laid in Afghanistan;
(c) To ensure that all United Nations-assisted programmes in Afghanistan are
formulated and coordinated in such a way as to promote and ensure the participation of women
in those programmes, and that women benefit equally with men from such programmes;
(d) To implement the recommendations of the inter-agency gender mission in
Afghanistan under the leadership of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender
Issues and Advancement of Women;
14. Expresses its deep concern at reports of attacks on and looting of cultural artefacts
in Afghanistan, emphasizes that all parties share the responsibility to protect their common
heritage and requests all Member States to take appropriate measures to prevent the looting of
cultural artefacts and to ensure their return to Afghanistan;
15. Urges all the Afghan parties to extend their cooperation to the Commission and
its Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and to all those special
rapporteurs who are seeking invitations, and to facilitate the access of the Special Rapporteur to
all sectors of society and to all parts of the country;
16. Requests:
(a) The Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Special Rapporteur
and to give due consideration to his recommendations in the formulation of United Nations
activities in Afghanistan;
(b) The High Commissioner to ensure a human rights presence in the context of the
United Nations activities in Afghanistan in order to provide advice and training in the field of
human rights to all the Afghan parties, as well as to the intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations active in the field;
17. Decides:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for one year and requests the
Special Rapporteur to report on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan to the
General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to the Commission on Human Rights at its
fifty-seventh session;
(b) To continue its consideration of the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, as a
matter of high priority, at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.
55th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/19. Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea and assistance
in the field of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolution 1999/19 of 23 April 1999, in which it decided to appoint a special
representative of the Commission to monitor the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea,
Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that all States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and
fundamental freedoms and to fulfil the obligations they have undertaken under the various
international instruments in this field,
Recalling that Equatorial Guinea is a party to the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Optional Protocols thereto, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on Human
and Peoples’ Rights,
Recalling also Economic and Social Council decision 1993/277 of 28 July 1993 and
previous resolutions of the Commission on the subject, starting in 1979,
Recalling further that international cooperation in the field of human rights is one of the
purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and welcoming the will of the Government of
Equatorial Guinea to cooperate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights,
Recalling that cooperation in the field of human rights, as one of the objectives of the
Charter, should be guided by the principles of efficiency and transparency, of coordination of all
activities for the promotion and protection of human rights within the United Nations system,
and of complementarity of technical assistance services with human rights monitoring services,
as laid down in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by the
World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23),
Welcoming the recommendation made by the Special Representative that technical
assistance to Equatorial Guinea be organized in order to develop and to carry out a national
human rights plan of action and stressing that some of his recommendations could be
implemented without the need for technical assistance,
Recalling the political will repeatedly expressed by the Government of Equatorial Guinea
to continue to make progress in the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms and its
pledge to take definitive steps in this direction, as a priority in its programme of good
governance,
Noting, however, the continuing existence of deficiencies and conditions that lead to
violations and abuses of human rights,
1. Expresses its gratitude to the Special Representative of the Commission on
Human Rights to monitor the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea and welcomes his
report (E/CN.4/2000/40), as well as the assistance which the authorities of Equatorial Guinea
extended to him during his visit to the country in November 1999;
2. Encourages the Government of Equatorial Guinea to adopt quick and effective
measures in order to comply with the recommendations made by the Commission and the
Special Representative, as detailed in his report, such as the following measures:
(a) To guarantee full enjoyment of the freedoms of movement and association by
introducing new laws, where appropriate, or amending existing ones, on the right to physical
integrity, including by putting an end to torture, and of the right to human dignity of detainees by
ensuring adequate sanitary conditions for them and by ordering, inter alia, an end to the practice
of detentions without judicial warrant and by prosecuting those responsible for such violations;
(b) To ensure full enjoyment of the freedom of information, the freedom of opinion
and expression and the right to a free press;
(c) To guarantee the principle of the rule of law, through the periodic and systematic
publication of legal norms;
(d) To adhere to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination and to submit the pending reports to the Human Rights
Committee and to the Committee on the Rights of the Child;
(e) To safeguard the right to justice, the independence of the judiciary with respect to
the executive branch and the restriction of the military jurisdiction, which should be limited
strictly to military offences committed by military personnel and should not have competence
with respect to civilians, and urges the Government of Equatorial Guinea to introduce legal
reforms to that effect;
(f) To eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and to continue to
promote their full enjoyment of human rights by taking measures such as the ending of the
practice of imprisoning women for not returning their marriage dowry when they separate from
their husbands, and by promoting women’s right to education;
(g) To step up efforts to fulfil the commitments arising from the agreement signed
with the opposition parties aimed at guaranteeing political rights, democracy and pluralism,
especially with a view to the municipal elections called by the Government for 28 May 2000;
(h) To guarantee economic, social and cultural rights, including those of children and,
especially, those that affect the population living in poverty, in order to realize the rights to
education, to work and to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food,
clothing, housing and medical care;
(i) To promote and protect the rights of the child and to implement fully the
Convention on the Rights of the Child;
3. Welcomes the stated willingness of the Government of Equatorial Guinea to
implement a national human rights action plan and, for that purpose, encourages the Government
to discuss and to agree on means for its early implementation, together with a comprehensive
programme of technical assistance, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights;
4. Calls upon the specialized bodies and agencies of the United Nations, as well as
donor countries and any other international institutions present in the country, to coordinate with
the Office of the High Commissioner their efforts of cooperation with Equatorial Guinea in the
field of human rights;
5. Welcomes the stated willingness of the Government of Equatorial Guinea to
extend invitations to the thematic rapporteurs of the Commission and looks forward to their
recommendations contributing to the implementation of the national human rights action plan;
6. Notes with interest the financial efforts and political will of the Government of
Equatorial Guinea to establish the Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy in
Equatorial Guinea in order to strengthen the national capacity in that field;
7. Encourages the Government of Equatorial Guinea in its efforts to have the Centre
begin functioning as soon as possible, in coordination with the Office of the High Commissioner
and in cooperation with international non-governmental organizations;
8. Calls upon the Government of Equatorial Guinea to ensure the independence and
the effectiveness of the National Commission on Human Rights, in accordance with the
Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of
human rights, and to authorize, without any undue restriction, the public registration and
freedom of activity of non-governmental organizations in the field of human rights and social
affairs;
9. Also calls upon the Government of Equatorial Guinea to ensure the independence
and effectiveness of the national electoral commission, so as to guarantee fair, transparent and
democratic conditions during all electoral processes and especially on the occasion of the next
municipal elections;
10. Encourages the Government of Equatorial Guinea to invite to the country an
electoral observer mission of the United Nations, and/or of impartial observers for the next
municipal elections;
11. Decides to renew the mandate of the Special Representative for one year and
requests him to monitor the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea and to report to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session, keeping in mind the need to apply a gender perspective
in the reporting process, including in collecting information and making recommendations;
12. Requests the Special Representative to verify, on behalf of the Commission, that
the technical assistance provided to Equatorial Guinea supports its national plan of action on
human rights, based on the recommendations made since 1979 and reiterated in his report;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to give the Special Representative all necessary
assistance to enable him to discharge his mandate fully;
14. Decides to continue its examination of the question of human rights in
Equatorial Guinea at its fifty-seventh session.
55th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/20. Situation of human rights in Burundi
The Commission on Human Rights,
Mindful of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and the International Covenants on Human Rights,
Reaffirming its commitment to respect for the principles of the rule of law, which involve
democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Stressing that all States have the duty to promote and protect human rights and to fulfil
their obligations under the various instruments to which they are parties,
Recalling its resolution 1999/10 of 23 April 1999,
Considering Security Council resolutions 1072 (1996) of 30 August 1996 and
1286 (2000) of 19 January 2000 as well as the statement by the President of the Security Council
(S/PRST/1999/32) of 12 November 1999,
Recalling also that the primary responsibility for peace lies with the Government and
people of Burundi,
Acknowledging the efforts made by the United Nations, the Organization of African
Unity and the European Union aimed at contributing to a peaceful settlement of the Burundi
crisis,
Acclaiming the decision of the Government of Burundi to launch a comprehensive peace
process and initiate nationwide political negotiations open to all parties, and the progress made in
negotiations among the political forces, including the signature of a political compact as part of
the internal peace process,
Recognizing the personal contribution of the late Mr. Julius K. Nyerere to the Arusha
negotiation process,
Taking into account the efforts made so far by the Government of Burundi and other
parties to the Arusha talks to bring about lasting peace,
Considering that effective action to prevent further violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms is essential to the stability and reconstruction of Burundi and the lasting
restoration of the rule of law,
Recognizing the important role of women in the reconciliation process and the search for
peace, and urging the Government of Burundi to ensure the equal participation of women in
Burundian society and to improve their living conditions,
Welcoming the invitation extended by the Facilitator to Burundi women’s representatives
to participate as observers in the Arusha negotiation process,
1. Takes note of the report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights in Burundi (E/CN.4/2000/34);
2. Supports the political compact between the Government of Burundi and the
National Assembly, and the dialogue among Burundians, including the armed factions, taking
place in the Arusha peace process;
3. Welcomes the designation of the former President of the Republic of
South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela, as the new Facilitator of the Arusha peace process;
4. Notes the continuing need to make the negotiation process more inclusive;
5. Appeals to all armed factions and other Burundian political forces, inside and
outside the country, which have not done so to join the Arusha negotiation process without
delay, to conclude a ceasefire as soon as possible and sign a peace agreement that will contribute
to the establishment of lasting peace in Burundi;
6. Encourages the Government of Burundi to continue its actions aimed at
associating all sectors of Burundian society in the work of national reconciliation and at the
restoration of a safe, generally reassuring institutional order so as to bring back democracy and
peace in the interest of the Burundian population;
7. Remains concerned at the ongoing violence and the security situation in parts of
the country, forcing many people to leave their homes;
8. Deplores the unacceptable living conditions in the regroupment camps and
displaced persons sites, and recommends that the Government and United Nations agencies and
non-governmental organizations provide humanitarian assistance;
9. Requests the Government of Burundi to ensure the safe and unhindered access of
humanitarian assistance to those in need in Burundi and to provide guarantees for the safety,
security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel, humanitarian
organizations and individuals in Burundi serving in the same cause;
10. Calls upon the Government of Burundi to suspend its policy of population
displacement;
11. Also calls upon the Government of Burundi to continue to implement its
commitment to dismantle all regroupment camps and to facilitate the return of displaced persons
to their villages as and when security conditions permit;
12. Notes the efforts by the Government of Burundi to ensure that established legal
safeguards for human rights and international human rights standards are fully respected;
13. Requests the Government of Burundi to take more measures, including in the
judicial sphere, to put an end to impunity, in particular by bringing to trial those responsible for
violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law, in accordance with relevant
international principles, and urges the Government to accelerate the specific procedures for
investigations and prosecutions in case of such violations;
14. Welcomes the entry into force of the new code of penal procedure, exhorts the
Government of Burundi to continue to carry out the government plan of legal reform better to
protect individual freedoms and to make its judicial institutions more effective and transparent,
and urges the authorities to address the questions of the length of provisional detention and
conditions in detention;
15. Also welcomes the continuing cooperation between the Government of Burundi
and the International Committee of the Red Cross with regard to access and visits to detainees
held in central prisons;
16. Condemns the murder of personnel of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the
World Food Programme and Burundian civilians in Rutana province in October 1999, and urges
that the perpetrators be effectively brought to justice;
17. Urges all parties to the conflict to end the cycle of violence and killings,
especially blind violence against the civilian population;
18. Notes the efforts in the struggle against impunity and for the promotion of human
rights on the part of the Government of Burundi, but expresses its deep concern at the violations
of human rights and of international humanitarian law, in particular reports of massacres,
enforced or involuntary disappearances, and arbitrary arrests and detention;
19. Supports the continuation by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights of the programme of assistance for members of the armed
forces and the police in the field of human rights and legal assistance;
20. Adjures the parties to the conflict to abstain rigorously from any action liable to
hamper operations by the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian
assistance to those affected by the war;
21. Also adjures all parties to the conflict in Burundi to work constructively with the
international mediators in the search for a lasting peace;
22. Expresses its appreciation of the efforts by the mediators of the United Nations,
the Organization of African Unity and the European Union in the search for a lasting solution to
the problems of Burundi;
23. Encourages the Organization of African Unity in its efforts, particularly through
its Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, to remain engaged in
preventing the further deterioration of the situation;
24. Reaffirms that respect for human rights and international humanitarian law as well
as development contribute to peace, and thus welcomes the call made by the Security Council in
its resolution 1234 (1999) of 9 April 1999 for an international conference on peace, security and
stability in the Great Lakes region;
25. Commends the Human Rights Observer Mission in Burundi for the activities it is
conducting in the field, welcomes the cooperation afforded to it by the Government of Burundi,
and calls for the strengthening of that observer mission through voluntary contributions;
26. Condemns the illegal sale and distribution of weapons and related materials which
disturb peace and security in the region;
27. Requests States not to allow their territories to be used as bases for incursions or
attacks against another State, in violation of the principles of international law, including the
Charter of the United Nations;
28. Exhorts States and international, governmental and non-governmental
organizations to coordinate planning initiatives to promote sustainable development as the peace
process moves towards resolution;
29. Calls upon the Government of Burundi to take actions that foster a security
environment conducive to the work of assistance organizations, and invites the United Nations
and the donor community, once an appropriate security environment exists, to augment the flow
of humanitarian assistance to those in need;
30. Decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur by one year and to
request her to submit an interim report on the human rights situation in Burundi to the
General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and a report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session, giving her work a gender-specific dimension.
55th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/21. Situation of human rights in Rwanda
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and other applicable
human rights and humanitarian law standards,
Recalling its resolution 1999/20 of 23 April 1999 and relevant previous resolutions and
noting General Assembly resolution 54/188 of 17 December 1999,
Reaffirming that the promotion and protection of human rights are necessary for
sustaining the process of national reconstruction and reconciliation in Rwanda,
Taking into account the regional dimension of the human rights issues in the Great Lakes
region, while underlining the primary responsibilities of States for the promotion and protection
of human rights,
Noting with satisfaction the commitment of the Government of Rwanda to promote and
protect respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to eliminate impunity, the
progress made towards the development of a State governed on the basis of the rule of law, and
efforts undertaken to consolidate peace and stability and promote unity and reconciliation,
Welcoming the progress made by the Government of Rwanda in rebuilding the country’s
system of administration of justice and the efforts made to address the problem of the very large
number of detainees awaiting trial,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Special Representative of the
Commission on the situation of human rights in Rwanda (E/CN.4/2000/41);
2. Welcomes the cooperation and assistance extended by the Government of Rwanda
to the Special Representative;
3. Also welcomes the continuing efforts of the Government of Rwanda to build a
State based on the rule of law and the guarantee of respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant
international human rights instruments;
4. Reiterates its strong condemnation of the crime of genocide and the crimes
against humanity which were committed in Rwanda in 1994;
5. Notes the report of the Independent Inquiry into the actions of the United Nations
during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda (S/1999/1257, annex), submitted pursuant to the mandate
given by the Secretary-General and approved by the Security Council;
6. Reaffirms that all persons who committed or authorized acts of genocide or other
grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are individually responsible
and accountable for those violations;
7. Expresses concern that most of the perpetrators of the genocide and other gross
violations of human rights continue to evade justice;
8. Reiterates its request that all States cooperate fully with the Government of
Rwanda and the International Tribunal for Rwanda in ensuring that all those responsible for the
crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and other grave violations of human rights are
brought to justice in accordance with international principles of due process, and expresses its
appreciation to the States which have already cooperated in prosecutions and in implementing
the relevant Security Council resolution in this regard;
9. Notes the efforts which the International Tribunal for Rwanda has made to
improve its performance and encourages further measures to enhance its efficiency;
10. Expresses its concern over the effectiveness of the witness protection programme
of the International Tribunal for Rwanda and calls for the improvement of the witness protection
programme as a matter of urgency;
11. Notes the indications of improvement in the human rights situation in Rwanda
since the previous session of the Commission, expresses concern at continued violations of
human rights and international humanitarian law and urges the Government of Rwanda to
continue to investigate and prosecute such violations;
12. Recognizes that the promotion and protection of human rights for all are essential
for achieving stability and security in the Great Lakes region;
13. Reiterates its sympathy and solidarity with genocide survivors, commends the
Government of Rwanda for establishing a fund to assist them, commends those Governments
that have contributed to the fund and again urges the international community to contribute
generously;
14. Takes note with great concern of:
(a) The report of the International Commission of Inquiry (Rwanda) on the sale,
supply and shipment of arms and related material in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa
(S/1998/1096, annex);
(b) The report of the Investigative Team of the Secretary-General (S/1998/581,
annex) and calls again upon the Government of Rwanda to respond to this report;
15. Condemns the illegal sale and distribution of arms and all other forms of
assistance to former members of the Rwandan armed forces, Interahamwe and other insurgent
groups which have a negative impact on human rights and undermine peace and stability in
Rwanda and the region;
16. Notes that the Government of Rwanda is regrouping scattered rural populations in
the country, including in the north-west, and urges the Government to respect human rights
principles and not to use any elements of coercion in the implementation of the resettlement
programme;
17. Takes note with interest of the establishment of grass-roots organizations for the
reconstruction of society and calls upon the Government of Rwanda to ensure that they are
properly trained, controlled and accountable;
18. Reiterates its concern at the conditions of detention in many communal detention
centres and some prisons in Rwanda, calls on the Government of Rwanda to continue in its
efforts to ensure that persons in detention are treated in a manner which respects their human
rights and emphasizes the need for greater attention and resources to be directed to this problem,
and again urges the international community to assist the Government of Rwanda in this area;
19. Encourages the continuing efforts of the Government of Rwanda to reduce the
prison population by releasing minors, elderly prisoners, prisoners suffering from terminal illness
and suspects with incomplete files who were detained for their alleged involvement in genocide
and other abuses of human rights, and reaffirms the urgent need to complete a dossier for every
detainee with a view to identifying those who should be released immediately, early or
conditionally, while expressing concern at the high number of detainees still awaiting trial;
20. Welcomes the continuation of domestic trials of those suspected of genocide and
crimes against humanity and the improvements that have been made in the trial process, and
encourages the Government of Rwanda, with the support of the international community, to
strengthen the capacity of the independent judicial system in conformity with international
standards;
21. Urges the Government of Rwanda and invites the International Tribunal for
Rwanda to continue to give utmost priority to the prosecution and punishment of crimes of
sexual violence committed against women, in line with the recommendations of the
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and welcomes the
decision of the International Tribunal to give a broad definition to acts of sexual violence;
22. Takes note with interest of the efforts of the Government of Rwanda, supported
by the Special Representative, to institute the gacaca system of justice based on traditional
justice in Rwanda with the aim of speeding up the handling of the large caseload of detainees
awaiting trial and allowing all the people of Rwanda to participate in the judicial process,
consistent with international human rights standards, which will promote national reconciliation
and unity;
23. Encourages the Government of Rwanda in its campaign of sensitization aimed at
promoting the rule of law, respect for human rights and reconciliation;
24. Reiterates its appeal to the international community to provide financial and
technical assistance to the Government of Rwanda within a mutually agreed framework of
cooperation to help strengthen the protection of genocide survivors and witnesses and the
administration of justice, including with regard to adequate access to legal representation, to
prosecute those responsible for genocide and other violations of human rights and to promote the
rule of law in Rwanda, and notes with appreciation assistance already provided by some
members of the donor community;
25. Welcomes the new law on matrimonial property and succession, which ensures
full real access by women to their husbands’ and parents’ property;
26. Commends the Government of Rwanda on its continued efforts to improve the
situation of children and encourages it to continue with these efforts, including further
coordinating them in close collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, guided by a
concern for the best interests of children, as specified in the Convention on the Rights of the
Child;
27. Encourages the Government of Rwanda, in cooperation with the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to continue to provide protection and
assistance to returnees to Rwanda;
28. Commends the Government of Rwanda on the establishment of the National
Human Rights Commission and the support provided for its work;
29. Expresses its appreciation to the members of the National Human Rights
Commission for the round table organized with the collaboration of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Government of Rwanda and the assistance of the
Special Representative and the international community, which enabled the National
Commission to develop a plan of action for the promotion and better protection of human rights
in Rwanda;
30. Encourages the Government of Rwanda to provide its full support to the mandate
of the National Human Rights Commission, including adequate funding, to enable it to
investigate violations of human rights and to sensitize and train the Rwandese population, and
invites the international community to assist the Government of Rwanda in this regard;
31. Welcomes the establishment of the Legal and Constitutional Commission as
required and mandated under the Arusha Peace Agreement of August 1993 and urges the
Government of Rwanda to provide it with the necessary support;
32. Urges the Government of Rwanda to work with interested Governments and the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to facilitate the development of a national
human rights monitoring capacity, including the training of national human rights monitors;
33. Welcomes the commitment of the Government of Rwanda to promoting national
unity and reconciliation, encourages the Government of Rwanda to continue its efforts in that
field, commends the establishment of the National Commission for Unity and Reconciliation and
urges that international support be provided to enable the Commission to achieve its objectives;
34. Recommends that the international community continue to provide development
assistance for the reconstruction and long-term stability of Rwanda;
35. Commends the Special Representative for his work, decides to extend his mandate
for a further year, requests him to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to
the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-seventh session, in accordance with his mandate,
and requests the High Commissioner to provide him with such financial assistance as he may
require;
36. Calls for close regular consultation between the Special Representative and the
Government of Rwanda, the National Human Rights Commission and all relevant national
institutions;
37. Encourages the Government of Rwanda, other Governments, the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, international organizations and non-governmental
organizations to provide, within a mutually agreed framework of cooperation, support for the
reconstruction of the human rights infrastructure in Rwanda, including a strong civil society;
38. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 13.]
55th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/22. Cooperation with representatives of United Nations human rights bodies
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reiterating its concern at the continued reports of intimidation and reprisals against
private individuals and groups who seek to cooperate with the United Nations and
representatives of its human rights bodies,
Also concerned at reports about incidents where private individuals have been hampered
in their efforts to avail themselves of procedures established under United Nations auspices for
the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Recalling its resolution 1999/16 of 23 April 1999 and taking note of the report of the
Secretary-General on the question (E/CN.4/2000/101),
1. Urges Governments to refrain from all acts of intimidation or reprisal against:
(a) Those who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with representatives of
United Nations human rights bodies, or who have provided testimony or information to them;
(b) Those who avail or have availed themselves of procedures established under
United Nations auspices for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and all
those who have provided legal assistance to them for this purpose;
(c) Those who submit or have submitted communications under procedures
established by human rights instruments;
(d) Those who are relatives of victims of human rights violations;
2. Requests all representatives of United Nations human rights bodies, as well as
treaty bodies monitoring the observance of human rights, to continue to take urgent steps, in
conformity with their mandates, to help prevent the hampering of access to United Nations
human rights procedures in any way;
3. Also requests all representatives of United Nations human rights bodies, as well
as treaty bodies monitoring the observance of human rights, to continue to take urgent steps, in
conformity with their mandates, to help prevent the occurrence of such intimidation and
reprisals;
4. Further requests such representatives and treaty bodies to continue to include in
their respective reports to the Commission on Human Rights, the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights or the General Assembly a reference to allegations
of intimidation or reprisal and of hampering of access to United Nations human rights
procedures, as well as an account of action taken by them in this regard;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to draw the attention of such representatives and
treaty bodies to the present resolution;
6. Invites the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session a report containing a compilation and analysis of any available information, from all
appropriate sources, on alleged reprisals against the persons referred to in paragraph 1 above;
7. Decides to consider the question again at its fifty-seventh session.
56th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/23. Situation of human rights in Myanmar
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and as elaborated
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights
and other applicable human rights instruments,
Gravely concerned at the systematic and increasingly severe violations of civil, political,
economic, social and cultural rights in Myanmar,
Recognizing that these severe violations of human rights by the Government of Myanmar
have had a significant adverse effect on the health and welfare of the people of Myanmar,
Deeply regretting the failure of the Government of Myanmar to cooperate fully with the
relevant United Nations mechanisms, in particular the Special Rapporteur, while noting the
recent increased contacts between the Government of Myanmar and the international
community,
Aware that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the will of the people
shall be the basis of the authority of government and therefore gravely concerned that the
Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps
towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990,
Recalling the observation made by the Special Rapporteur that the absence of respect for
the rights pertaining to democratic governance is at the root of all the major violations of human
rights in Myanmar,
Mindful that Myanmar is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Geneva
Conventions of 12 August 1949 on the protection of victims of war and the Forced Labour
Convention, 1930 (No. 29) and the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to
Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87) of the International Labour Organization,
Recalling the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW/C/2000/I/CRP.3/Add.2/Rev.1) on the initial report
submitted by Myanmar to that treaty monitoring body in which, inter alia, it expresses its
concern at violations of the human rights of women, in particular by military personnel,
Noting the resolution adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 87th Session
on the widespread use of forced labour in Myanmar, and also of the recommendation of the
Governing Body of the International Labour Organization of 27 March 2000,
Recalling previous resolutions of the General Assembly and the Commission on the
subject, most recently Assembly resolution 54/186 of 17 December 1999 and Commission
resolution 1999/17 of 23 April 1999,
1. Welcomes:
(a) The report of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2000/38) on the situation of human
rights in Myanmar and the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/29), and expresses its
appreciation and support for the work of the Special Rapporteur;
(b) The resumption of cooperation with the International Committee of the Red
Cross, allowing the Committee to communicate with and visit prisoners in accordance with its
standard working rules, and encourages continued cooperation in that regard;
2. Notes the constructive dialogue between the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women and the Government of Myanmar at the recent session of that
Committee;
3. Notes the visit to Myanmar by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General in
October 1999 for the purpose of holding discussions with the Government and with political
leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of some ethnic minority groups, while
regretting that two senior members of the latter were arrested shortly after having met with the
Special Envoy, and calls upon the Government of Myanmar to enter into a constructive dialogue
with the Secretary-General in order to make better use of his good offices;
4. Reaffirms the need to provide adequate protection and assistance for persons
fleeing from Myanmar and, in this context, takes note with appreciation of the efforts of the
Government of Thailand in providing assistance and the expanded role played by the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;
5. Expresses its grave concern:
(a) At the increased repression of any form of public political activity, the arbitrary
detention, the imprisonment and the systematic surveillance of those exercising their rights to
freedom of thought, expression, assembly and association, as well as the harassment of their
families;
(b) That, despite the partial reopening of some courses, most institutions of higher
education have remained closed for political reasons for over three years;
(c) That the composition and working procedures of the National Convention do not
permit either members of Parliament-elect or representatives of the ethnic minorities to express
their views freely, and is concerned that the National Convention has not been convened
since 1996 and thus is not in a position to further the restoration of democracy and national
reconciliation;
(d) That the Government of Myanmar has failed to review its legislation, to cease its
widespread use of forced labour of its own people and to punish those exacting forced labour,
which has forced the International Labour Organization to exclude further cooperation with the
Government until such time as it has implemented the recommendations of the Commission of
Inquiry of the International Labour Organization regarding the implementation of its 1930
Convention (No. 29) on Forced or Involuntary Labour, except for the purpose of implementing
those recommendations;
6. Deplores:
(a) The continuing pattern of gross and systematic violations of human rights in
Myanmar, including extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, particularly in areas of
ethnic tension, and enforced disappearances, torture, harsh prison conditions, abuse of women
and children by government agents, arbitrary seizures of land and property, and the imposition of
oppressive measures directed in particular at ethnic and religious minorities, including
systematic programmes of forced relocation, destruction of crops and fields, the continued
widespread use of forced labour, including for work on infrastructure projects, production of
food for the military and as porters for the army;
(b) The lack of independence of the judiciary from the executive and the wide
disrespect of the rule of law, including of the basic guarantees of due process, especially in cases
involving exercise of political and civil rights and freedoms, resulting in arbitrary arrests and
detentions, non-existence of judicial control over detentions, sentences passed without trial,
keeping the accused in ignorance of the legal basis of the charge brought against them, trials held
in secrecy and without proper legal representation, want of knowledge by the family and counsel
of the accused about the sentence and detentions beyond the end of prison sentences;
(c) The continued violations of the human rights of, and widespread discriminatory
practices against, persons belonging to minorities, including extrajudicial executions, rape,
torture, ill-treatment and the systematic programmes of forced relocation directed against ethnic
minorities, notably in Karen, Karenni, Rakhine and Shan States and in Tennasserim Division,
resulting in the large-scale displacement of persons and flows of refugees to neighbouring
countries, thus creating problems for the countries concerned, and particularly the condition of
statelessness, the confiscation of land and the restrictions on movement faced by returning
Rohingya refugees, which have prevented the establishment of stable conditions for their
voluntary return in safety and dignity and for their reintegration and have contributed to
movements out of the country;
(d) The continuing violations of the human rights of women, in particular forced
labour, trafficking, sexual violence and exploitation, often committed by military personnel, and
especially directed towards women who are returning refugees, internally displaced or belong to
ethnic minorities or the political opposition;
(e) The continuing violations of the rights of children, in particular through the lack
of conformity of the existing legal framework with the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
through conscription of children into forced labour programmes, through their sexual
exploitation and exploitation by the military, through discrimination against children belonging
to ethnic and religious minority groups and elevated rates of infant and maternal mortality and
malnutrition;
(f) The escalation in the persecution of democratic group activists, including elected
representatives to the Parliament, students, trade unionists and members of religious orders, for
peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of movement, expression, assembly and association,
and the Government’s use of intimidatory measures to force elected representatives and National
League for Democracy members to resign from their positions and to close their party offices;
(g) The severe restrictions on the freedoms of opinion, expression, assembly and
association, the restrictions on citizens’ access to information, including censorship controls on
all forms of domestic media and many international publications, and the restrictions imposed on
citizens wishing to travel within the country and abroad, including the denial of passports on
political grounds, and gross interference in private life, family, home or correspondence;
7. Calls upon the Government of Myanmar:
(a) To establish a constructive dialogue with the United Nations system, including
the human rights mechanisms, for the effective promotion and protection of human rights in the
country;
(b) To continue to cooperate with the Secretary-General or his representative and to
broaden this dialogue, including through providing access to any person deemed appropriate by
them, and to implement their recommendations;
(c) To consider becoming a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol;
8. Urges the Government of Myanmar to cooperate fully, and without further delay,
with all United Nations representatives, in particular the Special Rapporteur, to allow him
urgently, without preconditions, to conduct a field mission and to establish direct contacts with
the Government and all other relevant sectors of society, and thus to enable him fully to
discharge his mandate, and, in this context, regrets that, notwithstanding the recent indications
that serious consideration would be given to a visit by the Special Rapporteur, he has not so far
been given permission to visit the country;
9. Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar:
(a) To implement fully the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur;
(b) To ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the
freedoms of expression, association, movement and assembly, the right to a fair trial by an
independent and impartial judiciary and the protection of the rights of persons belonging to
ethnic and religious minorities, and to put an end to violations of the right to life and integrity of
the human being, to the practices of torture, abuse of women, forced labour and forced
relocations and to enforced disappearances and summary executions;
(c) To take urgent and meaningful measures to ensure the establishment of
democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections
held in 1990 and, to this end, to engage immediately and unconditionally in a genuine and
substantive dialogue with the leaders of political parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and of
ethnic minorities with the aim of achieving national reconciliation and the restoration of
democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function
freely, and in this context notes that the National League for Democracy has established a
committee to represent temporarily members of Parliament elected in 1990 who are prevented by
the authorities from exercising their democratic mandate conferred on them by the people of
Myanmar;
(d) To take all appropriate measures to allow all citizens to participate freely in the
political process, in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, and to accelerate the process of transition to democracy, in particular through the transfer
of power to democratically elected representatives, the prevention of intimidation and repression
of political opponents and enabling the building up of a pluralistic civil society with the active
participation of its members;
(e) To release immediately and unconditionally those detained or imprisoned for
political reasons, including those in “government guest houses”, and to ensure their physical
integrity and to permit them to participate in a meaningful process of national reconciliation;
(f) To improve conditions of detention, in particular in the field of health protection,
and to eliminate unnecessary restrictions imposed on the detainees;
(g) To ensure the safety and well-being and freedom of movement of all political
leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to permit unrestricted communication with and
physical access to Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders;
(h) To fulfil its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and
under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women by
bringing national legislation and practice into conformity with these conventions, and to consider
signing and ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women;
(i) To implement fully the recommendations made by the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in particular the request to prosecute and punish
those who violate the human rights of women and to carry out human rights education and
gender-sensitization training, in particular for military personnel;
(j) And all other parties to the hostilities in Myanmar to respect fully their
obligations under international humanitarian law, including article 3 common to the Geneva
Conventions of 12 August 1949, to halt the use of weapons against the civilian population, to
protect all civilians, including children, women and persons belonging to ethnic or religious
minorities, from violations of humanitarian law, to end the use of children as soldiers and to
avail themselves of services offered by impartial humanitarian bodies;
(k) To cease the widespread and systematic use of forced labour and use of
exploitative child labour, and to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry,
while noting the order by the Government of Myanmar issued in May 1999 directing that the
power to requisition forced labour under the Towns Act and the Village Act not be exercised, as
well as the invitation to visit, addressed to the International Labour Organization in
October 1999;
(l) To adopt, as a matter of urgency, appropriate measures to fulfil its obligations as a
State party to the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention,
1948 (No. 87) of the International Labour Organization and to implement the conclusions of the
Commission of Inquiry;
(m) To cease the laying of landmines, in particular as a means of ensuring forced
relocation, and to desist from the forced conscription of civilians to serve as human
minesweepers, as indicated in the report of the Commission of Inquiry;
(n) To end the enforced displacement of persons and other causes of refugee flows to
neighbouring countries and to create conditions conducive to their voluntary return and full
reintegration in safety and dignity, including returnees who have not been granted rights of full
citizenship, in close cooperation with the international community, through the United Nations
system and its specialized agencies, governmental and intergovernmental organizations, as well
as non-governmental organizations;
(o) To fulfil its obligations to end impunity of perpetrators of human rights violations,
including members of the military, and to investigate and prosecute alleged violations committed
by government agents in all circumstances;
10. Decides:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, as contained in Commission
resolution 1992/58 of 3 March 1992, for a further year, and requests the Special Rapporteur to
submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session, and to keep a gender perspective in mind when seeking
and analysing information;
(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to give all necessary assistance to
the Special Rapporteur to enable him to discharge his mandate fully, and to pursue all efforts to
ensure that the Special Rapporteur is authorized to visit Myanmar;
(c) To request the Secretary-General to continue his discussions with the Government
on the situation of human rights and the restoration of democracy and with anyone he may
consider appropriate in order to assist in the implementation of General Assembly
resolution 54/186 and of the present resolution;
(d) To request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to
cooperate with the Director-General of the International Labour Office with a view to identifying
ways in which their offices might usefully collaborate for the improvement of the human rights
situation in Myanmar;
(e) To request the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of
all relevant parts of the United Nations system;
(f) To continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session.
56th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/24. Situation of human rights in Sierra Leone
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other
applicable human rights instruments,
Mindful that Sierra Leone is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the
Rights of the Child and the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, as well as to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
Taking note of Security Council resolutions 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999,
1270 (1999) of 22 October 1999, 1289 (2000) of 7 February 2000 and recalling Commission
resolution 1999/1 of 6 April 1999,
Expressing concern regarding the continuing violations of human rights and
humanitarian law committed in Sierra Leone, particularly against civilians, abducted women and
children,
1. Welcomes:
(a) The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(E/CN.4/2000/31) and the first, second and third reports of the Secretary-General on the
United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (S/1999/1223, S/2000/13 and S/2000/186);
(b) The deployment of the United Nations in Sierra Leone, established by
Security Council resolution 1270 (1999) of 22 October 1999, with the mandate, inter alia, to
report on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in Sierra Leone and, in
consultation with the relevant United Nations agencies, to assist the Government of Sierra Leone
in its efforts to address the country’s human rights needs;
(c) The efforts made by the Government of Sierra Leone, the leadership of the
Revolutionary United Front, the Military Observer Group of the Economic Community of
West African States and the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone towards the implementation
of the Peace Agreement signed in Lomé on 7 July 1999;
(d) The steps taken by the Government of Sierra Leone and Sierra Leonean civil
society to create a human rights infrastructure in the country, in particular the efforts to establish
an effectively functioning Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a National Human Rights
Commission and a Commission for the Consolidation of Peace, and reiterates the continued need
to promote peace and national reconciliation and to foster accountability and respect for human
rights;
(e) The recent adoption by the Sierra Leone Parliament of a statute establishing the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the recent establishment of a new National Electoral
Commission;
(f) The adoption of the Human Rights Manifesto by the Government of Sierra Leone,
the National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights, representatives of civil society, the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights on the occasion of the latter’s visit to Sierra Leone in June 1999;
(g) The human rights training, including specialized gender and child rights training,
provided to national human rights monitors, police officers and military personnel of the
United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone;
(h) The deployment of a child protection adviser within the United Nations Mission
in Sierra Leone to help to ensure the protection of children’s rights, which is a priority
throughout the peacekeeping process and the consolidation of peace in Sierra Leone;
(i) The assistance provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights, the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone and the international community
to the Government of Sierra Leone in addressing its human rights obligations;
(j) The activities carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross and
humanitarian organizations, especially those in the field of medical assistance and relief
activities focused on the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons;
2. Notes that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General entered a
reservation, attached to his signature of the Peace Agreement, that the United Nations holds the
understanding that the amnesty provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to international
crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violations of
international humanitarian law, and affirms that all persons who commit or authorize serious
violations of human rights or international humanitarian law at any time are individually
responsible and accountable for those violations and that the international community will exert
every effort to bring those responsible to justice;
3. Expresses its grave concern:
(a) At the continuing abuses of human rights and humanitarian law committed in
Sierra Leone, generally with impunity, in particular atrocities against civilians being
perpetrated by the Revolutionary United Front Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and the
ex-Sierra Leone Army, including rapes, abductions, hostage-taking, summary executions,
mutilations, forced labour and the targeting and abuse of women and children, including the
recruitment and use of child soldiers contrary to international law and the continued detention of
abductees;
(b) At the slow pace of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration
programme, continued trafficking in small arms and the continued retention by certain
ex-combatants of heavy weapons;
(c) At the dire humanitarian situation affecting the population, including refugees and
internally displaced persons, caused by the limited humanitarian access to the population
particularly in the most affected areas of the north and east of the country;
(d) At the detention of, and attacks on, humanitarian personnel, in particular the
incidents of June and July 1999;
4. Deplores the ongoing atrocities committed by the rebels, including murders, rape,
abductions and detentions, calls for an end to all such acts, and also calls for the cessation of the
recruitment and use of children as soldiers contrary to international law, and of all attacks on
civilians;
5. Urges all parties to the Peace Agreement:
(a) To fulfil all their commitments under the Peace Agreement in order to facilitate
the restoration of peace, stability, national reconciliation and development in Sierra Leone;
(b) To respect human rights and international humanitarian law, including the human
rights and welfare of women and children;
(c) To provide full and unconditional cooperation with the United Nations Mission in
Sierra Leone, including the human rights section of that Mission and unconditional access for the
Mission throughout the country;
(d) To work together to ensure full and early disarmament of former combatants in all
areas, and to give special attention to child combatants in the disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration process;
(e) To ensure safe and unhindered access to all affected populations in accordance
with international humanitarian law and that the status of the United Nations and associated
personnel, including locally engaged staff, as well as humanitarian personnel, is fully respected
by providing guarantees for their safety, security and freedom of movement;
(f) To respect the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons and to facilitate
their return, voluntarily and in safety, to their homes;
6. Calls upon the Government of Sierra Leone:
(a) To continue to comply with its obligations to promote and protect human rights;
(b) To continue to work closely and strengthen further its cooperation in the area of
human rights with the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone and the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
(c) To ensure the effective functioning of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
in order to address the question of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law
since the beginning of the Sierra Leone conflict in 1991;
(d) To give priority attention to the special needs of women and children, in
particular those mutilated, sexually abused, gravely traumatized and displaced, in cooperation
with the international community;
7. Also calls upon the Government of Sierra Leone to investigate all reports of
human rights abuses that have occurred since the signing of the Peace Agreement and to end
impunity, and requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to respond favourably
to any requests from the Government of Sierra Leone for assistance with its investigation of
reports of human rights abuses that have occurred since the signing of the Peace Agreement;
8. Decides:
(a) To request the High Commissioner and the international community to continue
to assist the Government of Sierra Leone to establish and maintain an effectively functioning
Truth and Reconciliation Commission and National Human Rights Commission;
(b) To request the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner and the international
community to give all necessary assistance to the human rights section of the United Nations
Mission in Sierra Leone to enable it to fulfil its mandate to report on violations of international
humanitarian law and human rights in Sierra Leone and, in consultation with the relevant
United Nations agencies, assist the Government of Sierra Leone in its efforts to address the
country’s human rights needs, including:
(i) To strengthen its involvement in programmes of technical cooperation,
advisory services and human rights advocacy programmes;
(ii) To strengthen its support for, and to continue and expand its cooperation
with, human rights non-governmental organizations in Sierra Leone;
(c) To request the High Commissioner to report to the General Assembly at its
fifty-fifth session and to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session on the human rights
situation in Sierra Leone, including with reference to reports from the United Nations Mission in
Sierra Leone;
(d) To consider this question at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item,
as a matter of high priority.
56th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
2000/25. Situation of human rights in Cuba
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolution 1999/8 of 23 April 1999,
Reaffirming the obligation of all Member States to promote and protect human rights
and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights,
Mindful that Cuba is a party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Reasserting the Commission’s obligation to promote and protect human rights on the
basis of the universal nature of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in all countries of the
world, independently from other bilateral or regional issues affecting the country in question,
Recognizing the need to respect and guarantee civil and political rights and to strive to
bring about full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights,
Considering the urgent need to adopt the necessary measures to ensure full respect for
human rights in Cuba and to contribute to developing a more pluralistic society and a more
efficient economy, and considering also the willingness of the international community to assist
therein,
Expressing its concern at the continued violation of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in Cuba, such as freedom of expression, association and assembly and the rights
associated with the administration of justice, despite the expectations raised by some positive
steps taken by the Government of Cuba in the past few years,
1. Calls upon the Government of Cuba once again to ensure respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms and to provide the appropriate framework to guarantee the rule of law
through democratic institutions and the independence of the judicial system;
2. Calls upon the Government of Cuba to honour the commitment to democracy and
respect for human rights it made at the Sixth Ibero-American Summit in Santiago in
November 1996, a commitment reiterated at the Ninth Summit in Havana in November 1999 and
an identical commitment made at the first European Union-Latin America Summit of Heads of
State and Government, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1999, which is contained in the
Rio Declaration adopted by the Summit;
3. Expresses the hope that further positive steps will be taken with regard to all
human rights and fundamental freedoms;
4. Notes certain measures taken by Cuba to enhance freedom of religion and calls
upon the Cuban authorities to continue taking appropriate measures in this regard;
5. Calls upon the Government of Cuba to consider acceding to human rights
instruments to which it is not yet a party, in particular the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
6. Expresses once again its concern about practical consequences of the adoption of
the Law for the Protection of the National Independence and Economy of Cuba, and regrets the
other steps taken by the Government of Cuba that are inconsistent with the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments;
7. Reiterates its concern about the continued repression of members of the political
opposition and about the detention of dissidents, including the members of the Grupo de Trabajo
de la Disidencia Interna, and calls upon the Government of Cuba to release all the persons
detained or imprisoned for peacefully expressing their political, religious and social views and
for exercising their rights to full and equal participation in public affairs;
8. Calls upon the Government of Cuba to open a dialogue with the political
opposition, as already requested by several groups;
9. Invites the Government of Cuba to afford the country full and open contact with
other countries, in order to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights for all Cuban people by
utilizing international cooperation, by allowing a freer flow of people and ideas and by drawing
on the experience and support of other nations;
10. Recommends in this context, that the Government of Cuba take advantage of the
technical cooperation programmes of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights;
11. Calls upon the Government of Cuba also to cooperate with other mechanisms of
the Commission, and notes the visits of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its
causes and consequences, and of the Special Rapporteur on the question of the use of
mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination;
12. Calls upon the Government of Cuba to grant invitations to those thematic
mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights which have requested to visit Cuba, including
the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the freedom of opinion and
expression and the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture;
13. Decides to consider this matter further at its fifty-seventh session under the same
agenda item.
56th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 21 votes to 18,
with 14 abstentions. See chap. IX.]
2000/26. Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro), the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia
and Herzegovina
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling all relevant resolutions on this subject, in particular its own resolution 1999/18
of 23 April 1999, as well as all relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and noting in
particular Council resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999,
Expressing its full support for the General Framework for Peace in Bosnia and
Herzegovina (the “Framework Agreement”) and the annexes thereto (together, the “Peace
Agreement”) which, inter alia, committed the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to respect fully
human rights,
Reaffirming the territorial integrity of all States in the region, within their internationally
recognized borders, taking fully into account all relevant Security Council resolutions,
I. INTRODUCTION
1. Stresses once again the obligations of the parties under the Peace Agreement to
secure for all persons within their jurisdiction the highest level of international norms and
standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
2. Notes that, while there have been significant positive developments on human
rights in Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina has made some limited improvement on human
rights issues during the past year, the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
Montenegro) remains a source of grave concern;
3. Stresses the continuing problems of varying degrees of seriousness throughout the
region:
(a) Lack of full respect for the human rights of all individuals;
(b) The need to promote and protect democratic institutions of government;
(c) Serious weaknesses in the rule of law, the administration of justice, and
independence of the judiciary;
(d) Lack of respect for the freedoms of expression and association and for the
freedom and independence of the media;
(e) Continuing obstruction of the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the
Former Yugoslavia;
(f) The need to encourage and facilitate the return of, as well as to protect and assist
refugees and displaced persons until they are able to return to their homes in safety and dignity;
(g) Missing persons;
4. Appeals once more to the international community to support the promotion and
protection of human rights, to continue to support existing national democratic forces and
non-governmental organizations in their efforts to strengthen civil society, and notes in this
regard the opportunities afforded by the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe;
5. Expresses its appreciation for the ongoing important work of the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and its field operation in the region;
6. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the
Secretary-General to take concerted action with the assistance of the international community to
develop early-warning procedures in the field of human rights with a view to identifying
situations that could lead to conflict or humanitarian tragedy;
7. Takes note of the reports of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2000/39) and of the
High Commissioner (E/CN.4/2000/32);
8. Decides to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for one year and requests
the Special Rapporteur to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session on the work
conducted in fulfilment of the mandate and to submit an interim report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-fifth session, paying particular attention to those areas that remain a source of grave
concern, including the deteriorating human rights situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro);
9. Recommends, if the commitment to and progress made on human rights
and democratic principles in Croatia continue, that Croatia be considered at its
fifty-seventh session under the agenda item on technical assistance and advisory services;
II. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
(SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO)
10. Welcomes positive trends in Montenegro towards democratic and economic
reforms;
11. Expresses grave concern at the ongoing serious violations of human rights and
the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro) caused by the repressive policies and measures of the authorities of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and of Serbia;
12. Condemns the continued repression of the independent media, political opposition
and non-governmental organizations, the seizing and destruction of the assets of independent
media, the use of police intimidation, the use of technical means (jamming) against independent
media, the imposition of fines upon individual journalists, the forceful repression of peaceful
political opposition activities, and court cases directed against prominent opposition leaders,
such as Zoran Djindjic, Vladan Batic, Goran Svilanovic and Milan Stojan Protic, leaders of the
Alliance for Change, Social Democrat leader Vuk Obradovic and others for “verbal crimes”;
13. Also condemns the arbitrary administration of justice and application of the law,
as evidenced by the detention, trial and sentencing of Dr. Flora Brovina and actions taken against
other human rights activists;
14. Expresses grave concern that discrimination and violence against ethnic
minorities have worsened during the year;
15. Regrets that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) has not
complied with the recommendations of the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe regarding fostering democracy and the rule of law;
16. Notes with grave concern that Slobodan Milosevic and other senior leaders of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) continue to maintain positions of
power despite their indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity, that the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) has repeatedly ignored the orders of
the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to transfer indicted war criminals
to The Hague for trial and has not transferred even one indictee to The Hague since the inception
of the Tribunal;
17. Stresses the evidence that the most senior leaders of the Government of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) are responsible for the continuing
refusal of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to meet its obligations to
cooperate with the Tribunal;
18. Demands, in accordance with Security Council resolution 827 (1993)
of 25 May 1993 and the Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia, that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) cooperate fully
with the Tribunal and, in particular, permit immediate access to all parts of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), firstly through prompt issuance of requested visas to
officials of the Tribunal to conduct investigations;
19. Condemns the extralegal proceedings undertaken by the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) against the “Vukovar three”;
20. Calls upon authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
Montenegro) to:
(a) Comply fully with the obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia;
(b) Respect fully human rights and fundamental freedoms, including early, free and
fair elections at all levels, the rule of law, the administration of justice, and free and independent
media;
(c) End torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of
persons in detention, and to bring those responsible for such acts to justice;
(d) Repeal repressive and discriminatory legislation on property rights, universities
and the media, and to apply all other legislation without discrimination;
(e) Respect the rights of all persons belonging to minority groups, especially in
Sandjak and Vojvodina, including the Albanian, Bulgarian, Croatian and Hungarian national
minorities and the Roma and Muslim minority, among others;
(f) Return the armed and police forces to civil and democratic control as specified by
the Constitution;
(g) Provide a full accounting for and protect the humanitarian and legal rights of the
large number of prisoners deprived of liberty and removed from Kosovo at the end of the
conflict;
21. Welcomes the activities carried out by the International Committee of the
Red Cross with regard to regular visits to some one thousand five hundred detainees and
prisoners, mainly of Kosovar Albanian origin, held under the authority of the Ministry of Justice
in Serbia;
22. Calls upon the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
Montenegro), as well as the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, the
International Security Force in Kosovo and Kosovo Albanian representatives, to provide
information on the fate and the whereabouts of all persons who are missing or unaccounted for
and encourages the International Committee of the Red Cross to pursue its clarification efforts in
this regard, in cooperation with other organizations;
23. Calls upon the international community to continue to support national
democratic forces and non-governmental organizations in their efforts to build a civil society and
achieve multi-party democracy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
and to provide resources for capacity-building in the administration of justice;
24. Expresses its concern about the situation of the large number of Serbian displaced
persons within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro);
III. KOSOVO
25. Recalls its condemnation of the Serbian military offensive against the civilian
population of Kosovo resulting in war crimes and gross violations of international human rights
and international humanitarian law inflicted upon the Kosovars, including a systematic policy of
ethnic cleansing in the region, systematic targeting and terrorization of the civilian population of
Kosovo by Serbian forces, mass forced displacement, expulsion, group massacres and summary
executions, torture, arbitrary detention, deaths in detention, rape, widespread destruction of
homes, property and villages, destruction of personal identity documents and other records,
destruction of agricultural capacity aimed at preventing the return of Kosovars, the violent
repression of non-violent expression of political views, and the harassment, intimidation and
closure of independent media outlets in Kosovo;
26. Calls upon the leadership of all ethnic groups to respect international human
rights standards and international humanitarian law, to condemn acts of terrorism, to refrain from
all acts of violence, to encourage the pursuit of political ends through peaceful means and to act
with respect for the rights and dignity of all persons belonging to minority groups;
27. Condemns all acts of ethnic violence and intimidation by all parties in Kosovo;
28. Urges all political leaders in Kosovo to cooperate fully with the United Nations
Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and the International Security Force in Kosovo in
their efforts to strengthen law and security, firmly to reject violence, to reject those who advocate
violent measures, to take action at the community level to prevent violence, in particular ethnic
violence, and to engage in and support only peaceful and democratic civil or political activity;
29. Calls upon representatives of all communities to participate fully in the joint
administrative structures established by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in
order to contribute to the coexistence of all ethnic groups and the democratization of Kosovo, in
conformity with the objectives set out in Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), and in this
context welcomes the recent decision by members of the Kosovo Serb National Council to
nominate two representatives to participate in the Interim Administration Council in Kosovo,
initially in the capacity of observers;
30. Stresses the importance of the return of refugees and displaced persons to their
homes in safety and dignity;
31. Also stresses the importance of careful and thorough preparation of local elections
to be held in autumn 2000 and of full cooperation of all parties with the United Nations Interim
Administration in Kosovo and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe;
32. Emphasizes the need for a fully independent and impartial judiciary and calls
upon all parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in
Kosovo in its efforts to strengthen the judicial system;
IV. REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
33. Welcomes the democratic election of a reform-oriented new Government in
Croatia;
34. Also welcomes the commitment made and substantial initial steps taken by the
newly elected Government to allow for the establishment of independent media, undertake
judicial reform and guarantee the independence of the judiciary, and to facilitate refugee returns;
35. Further welcomes the agreement between the Government of the
Republic of Croatia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on technical
cooperation and assistance programmes;
36. Welcomes the transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for the
Former Yugoslavia by the Government of Croatia of indicted war criminals, including
Mladen Naletilic (“Tuta”);
37. Calls upon the newly elected Government of the Republic of Croatia to sustain
this progress and the concrete measures under way to ensure full compliance with international
norms and standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights of
persons belonging to all minority groups, especially by:
(a) Facilitating and encouraging the return and accommodation of displaced persons,
refugees and resettled persons, and reconstruction of war-affected settlements;
(b) Cooperating fully with the international organizations operating in the
Republic of Croatia, in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and
the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe;
(c) Taking further steps to ensure that Croatian law applies equally to all citizens,
irrespective of ethnicity, and eliminating any instances of discrimination by private citizens or
government officials;
(d) Ensuring the non-discriminatory application of the general amnesty law,
including by providing regular information to the International Criminal Tribunal for the
Former Yugoslavia about domestic war crimes prosecutions;
V. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
38. Notes the progress made in some areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina in
implementation of the Peace Agreement and some improvement in respect for human rights;
39. Also notes some progress on refugee returns, while stressing the need for all
authorities to support the return process for minority displaced persons and refugees in both
entities, in particular within the Republika Srpska and in Mostar and certain other Bosnian Croat
areas;
40. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the intimidation of and perpetuation of
violence against minority refugees and internally displaced persons returning to their homes, the
destruction of their homes and all other acts designed to discourage their voluntary return, and
calls for the authorities to conduct vigorous investigations to determine responsibility for such
acts and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and to protect and assist refugees
and displaced persons until they are able to return to their homes in safety and dignity;
41. Condemns all forms of discrimination against refugees and displaced persons
concerning their labour rights and requests the International Labour Organization, the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the Special Rapporteur, to pay
attention to the implementation of international standards and recommendations in this area;
42. Emphasizes once more that the primary responsibility for ensuring the progressive
achievement of democratic goals and building a tolerant, multi-ethnic society lies with the
people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its leadership, in particular through the State-level
Government and the governments of both entities, as well as through, inter alia, municipal and
cantonal authorities and religious communities;
43. Welcomes the full cooperation with the Office of the High Representative in the
joint exhumation process in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
44. Calls upon officials of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including those of the
Republika Srpska and the Federation at all levels:
(a) To implement the decisions of the High Representative; the decisions of the
Commission on Human Rights for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Office of the Human Rights
Ombudsman and the Human Rights Chamber; and the decisions of the Commission for Real
Property Claims of Refugees and Displaced Persons;
(b) To cooperate fully with relevant international humanitarian agencies and
neighbouring States to facilitate returns;
(c) To adopt an effective and fair election law, according to international standards;
(d) To combat vigorously the growing problem of trafficking in persons, including
women and children;
(e) To continue to improve police standards, inter alia by eliminating unprofessional
conduct, political influence and the use of excessive force;
(f) To ensure the establishment and functioning of an independent judiciary, free
from political influence;
VI. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR
THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
45. Calls upon all parties to the Peace Agreement, especially the Government of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), to meet their obligations to cooperate
fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, noting that there is no
valid constitutional or statutory reason for failure to cooperate, and urges all parties to respect the
“rules of the road” for the submission of cases to the Tribunal;
46. Urges all States and the Secretary-General to support the Tribunal to the fullest
extent possible, in particular by helping to ensure that persons indicted by the Tribunal stand trial
before it, by ensuring that victims and witnesses are given adequate protection and by continuing
to make available to the Tribunal adequate resources to aid in the fulfilment of its mandate;
47. Welcomes the close cooperation between the multinational Stabilization Force and
the Tribunal that has led to a substantial number of arrests of persons indicted for war crimes, the
most recent example of which is the arrest of Momcilo Krajisnik;
48. Calls upon all indicted persons to surrender voluntarily to the custody of the
Tribunal, as required by the Peace Agreement;
49. Urgently calls once again upon authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro) and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including those of the Federation and
in particular in the Republika Srpska, to apprehend and surrender for prosecution all persons
indicted by the Tribunal, as required by Security Council resolution 827 (1993) and the statement
by the President of the Council of 8 May 1996, and calls upon all parties to cooperate in the
apprehension and surrender of indictees who may be in their territory.
56th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 44 to 1,
with 8 abstentions. See chap. IX.]
2000/27. Situation of human rights in the Sudan
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other
applicable human rights instruments,
Mindful that the Sudan is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on
the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Geneva
Conventions of 12 August 1949,
Recalling previous resolutions of the General Assembly and the Commission on the
situation of human rights in the Sudan, most recently Commission resolution 1999/15
of 23 April 1999, and taking note of Assembly resolution 54/182 of 17 December 1999,
Welcoming the Peace Agreement of 1997 for the Sudan, the acceptance of the
Declaration of Principles as a basis for negotiations and the renewal of the declaration of a
comprehensive ceasefire in January 2000, while at the same time deeply concerned at the impact
of the continuing conflict in the Sudan between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudanese
People’s Liberation Movement/Army on the situation of human rights and at the disregard by all
parties to the conflict of relevant rules of international humanitarian law,
Aware of the urgent need to implement effective measures in the field of human rights
and humanitarian relief to protect the civilian population from the effects of armed conflict,
Expressing its firm belief that progress towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict in
southern Sudan within the context of the peace initiative of the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development will greatly contribute to the creation of a better environment for the respect of
human rights in the Sudan, and taking note of the initiative by Egypt and the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya for achieving a negotiated and lasting peace in the country,
1. Welcomes:
(a) The interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
the Sudan submitted to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session (A/54/467) as well as the
note by the secretariat (E/CN.4/2000/36) containing an advance summary of the report to be
submitted to the Commission;
(b) The visits by the Special Rapporteur to the Sudan in February 1999 and in
February-March 2000 and the full cooperation extended by the Government of the Sudan in this
regard, as well as the stated willingness of the Government to continue to cooperate with the
Special Rapporteur;
(c) The visit by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and
armed conflict to the Sudan in March 1999, the cooperation extended by the Government of
the Sudan in this regard and the commitment made on that occasion by the Government of
the Sudan not to recruit children under the age of 18 as soldiers;
(d) The invitation extended by the Government of the Sudan to the Special
Rapporteur on religious intolerance;
(e) The cooperation extended by the Government of the Sudan to the needs
assessment mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in
September 1999;
(f) The fact-finding mission by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in September 1999, pursuant to the
invitation of the Government of the Sudan, and the cooperation extended to the Special
Rapporteur in this regard;
(g) The cooperation extended by the Government of the Sudan and the Sudanese
People’s Liberation Movement/Army to the needs assessment missions of the Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Food
Programme to the Nuba Mountains in June and September 1999, as well as the ceasefire
declared following those missions for vaccination purposes, and encourages all parties to
continue to cooperate with the United Nations in this regard;
(h) The expressed commitment of the Government of the Sudan to respect and
promote human rights and the rule of law and its expressed commitment to a process of
democratization with a view to establishing a representative and accountable government,
reflecting the aspirations of the people of the Sudan;
(i) The stipulation of basic human rights and freedoms in the Constitution of
the Sudan, which entered into force on 1 July 1998;
(j) The establishment of the Constitutional Court, which has been in operation since
April 1999;
(k) The creation of the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and
Children, which has been in operation since May 1999, as a constructive response on the part of
the Government of the Sudan and the cooperation extended to the Committee by the local
communities and the support of the international community and non-governmental
organizations;
(l) Recent efforts to improve freedom of expression, association, the press and
assembly, in particular the adoption of the Political Organization Act, 2000, and the
announcement relating to the creation of a High Commission to review the Law on Public Order;
(m) The efforts to implement the right to education;
(n) The efforts to address the problem of internally displaced persons;
(o) The release of political detainees by the Government of the Sudan;
2. Expresses its deep concern:
(a) At the impact of the current armed conflict on the situation of human rights and
its adverse effect on the civilian population, in particular women and children, and at serious
violations of human rights, fundamental freedoms and international humanitarian law by all
parties to the conflict, in particular:
(i) The occurrence of cases of summary or arbitrary execution resulting from
armed conflicts between members of the armed forces and armed
insurgent groups within the country;
(ii) The occurrence, within the framework of the conflict in southern Sudan,
of cases of enforced or involuntary disappearance, the use of children as
soldiers and combatants in contravention of international human rights
standards, forced conscription, forced displacement, arbitrary detention,
torture and ill-treatment of civilians;
(iii) Information that not all means of avoiding the execution of severe,
inhuman punishments have been fully utilized;
(iv) The abduction of women and children to be subjected to forced labour or
similar conditions;
(v) Aerial bombardments against the civilian population and civilian objects,
particularly bombings of schools and hospitals;
(vi) The use of weapons, including landmines, against the civilian population;
(vii) The conditions imposed by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army on
humanitarian organizations working in southern Sudan, which have
seriously affected their safety and led to the withdrawal of many of them,
with grave consequences on the already endangered situation of thousands
of people living in that region;
(viii) The murder of, attacks on and use of force against United Nations as well
as humanitarian personnel, in particular by the Sudanese People’s
Liberation Army;
(b) At continuing violations of human rights in areas under the control of the
Government of the Sudan, in particular:
(i) Severe restrictions on the freedoms of religion, expression, association and
peaceful assembly;
(ii) The widespread use of torture and arbitrary arrest and detention without
trial, in particular of political opponents, human rights defenders and
journalists, as well as acts of intimidation and harassment against the
population by the security organs;
(iii) Arbitrary detentions, interrogations and violations committed by security
and intelligence agencies, while encouraging the judiciary to exercise
more control over such agencies;
3. Urges all parties to the continuing conflict in the Sudan:
(a) To respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, to respect fully
international humanitarian law, thereby facilitating the voluntary return, repatriation and
reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes, and to ensure that those
responsible for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are brought to
justice;
(b) To stop immediately the use of weapons, including landmines, against the civilian
population, and urges in particular the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army to abstain from using
civilian premises for military purposes, recruiting child soldiers and diverting relief supplies,
including food, from their civilian recipients;
(c) To grant full, safe and unhindered access to all international agencies and
humanitarian organizations in order to facilitate by all means possible the delivery of
humanitarian assistance to all civilians in need of protection and assistance, in particular in the
Western Upper Nile, Bahr el-Ghazal and the Nuba Mountains, to continue to cooperate with the
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Operation Lifeline Sudan to deliver
such assistance, and urges in particular the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army to resume as
soon as possible negotiations with a view to the withdrawal of the conditions imposed on the
work of international agencies and humanitarian organizations;
(d) To continue to cooperate with the peace efforts of the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development;
(e) Not to use or recruit children under the age of 18, and urges the Sudanese
People’s Liberation Army to undertake a commitment similar to that made by the Government of
the Sudan to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict
in this regard and to refrain from the practice of forced conscription;
(f) To fulfil their commitments concerning the protection of children affected by war,
such as to cease the use of anti-personnel landmines and the abduction and exploitation of
children, to address the prevention of children’s recruitment as soldiers, to advance the
demobilization and reintegration of child soldiers and to ensure access to displaced and
unaccompanied minors;
(g) To allow an independent investigation of the case of the four Sudanese nationals
who were abducted on 18 February 1999 while travelling with a team from the International
Committee of the Red Cross and subsequently killed while in the custody of the Sudanese
People’s Liberation Movement/Army, and urges the Sudanese People’s Liberation
Movement/Army to return the bodies to their families;
4. Calls upon the Government of the Sudan:
(a) To comply fully with its obligations under international human rights instruments
to which the Sudan is a party and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental
freedoms, as well as to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law;
(b) To continue its efforts to ensure the rule of law by bringing legislation more into
line with the Constitution and the practice of law enforcement more into line with legislation;
(c) To continue its efforts to bring its national legislation into conformity with the
applicable international human rights instruments to which the Sudan is a party and to ensure
that all individuals in its territory enjoy fully the rights recognized in those instruments;
(d) To take all effective measures to end and to prevent all acts of torture and cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment, to ensure that all accused persons are held in ordinary custody
and receive prompt, just and fair trials under internationally recognized standards and to
investigate all reported acts of torture brought to its attention;
(e) To take all possible measures to improve the appeal procedures in the judicial
system;
(f) To make sure that all means of avoiding the execution of severe, inhuman
punishments are fully utilized;
(g) To continue to investigate reports of the abduction of women and children taking
place within the framework of the conflict in southern Sudan, to bring to trial any persons
suspected of supporting or participating in such activities and not cooperating with the efforts of
the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children in addressing and
preventing those activities, to facilitate the safe return of affected children to their families as a
matter of priority and to take further measures to eradicate the practice of abduction of women
and children, in particular through the aforementioned Committee;
(h) To make further efforts to address the problem of internally displaced persons;
(i) To create the conditions necessary for the Committee for the Eradication of
Abduction of Women and Children to carry out its work fully, including the identification of
cases and victims, family reunification and the development of concrete measures to eradicate
this practice;
(j) To stop immediately the aerial bombardment of the civilian population and
civilian objects, including schools and hospitals, which runs counter to fundamental principles of
human rights and humanitarian law;
(k) To ensure full respect for freedom of expression, opinion, thought, conscience
and religion, as well as freedom of association and assembly, throughout the territory of
the Sudan;
(l) To implement fully its commitment to the democratization process and the rule of
law and to create, in this context, conditions that would allow for a democratization process that
is genuine and wholly reflects the aspirations of the people of the country and ensures their full
participation;
(m) To make further efforts to implement the commitment made to the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict not to recruit children
under the age of 18 as soldiers;
(n) To implement the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and to
give special consideration to imprisoned women and juveniles deprived of their liberty;
5. Encourages the Government of the Sudan to continue to pursue its dialogue with
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, including in the field of
technical cooperation, with a view to the establishment of a permanent representation of the
High Commissioner in the Sudan;
6. Calls upon the international community to expand its support for activities, in
particular those of the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children,
aimed at improving respect for human rights and humanitarian law during the conflict;
7. Decides:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in the Sudan for a further year, and requests the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to
the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session on the situation of human rights in the Sudan and to continue to keep a
gender perspective in mind in the reporting process;
(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to give all necessary assistance to
the Special Rapporteur to enable him to discharge his mandate fully;
(c) Noting with appreciation the signature of the accord between the Government of
the Sudan and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
on 29 March 2000 and the commitment of the Government of the Sudan to implement it, to
request the Government of the Sudan and the Office of the High Commissioner to continue their
consultations with a view to concluding an agreement on the establishment of a permanent
representation of the High Commissioner in the Sudan.
56th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted by 28 votes to none,
with 24 abstentions. See chap. IX.]
2000/28. Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenants on Human Rights and other human rights instruments,
Reaffirming that all States Members of the United Nations have an obligation to promote
and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and fulfil the obligations they have
undertaken under the various international instruments in this field,
Mindful that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a party to the International Covenants on
Human Rights,
Recalling previous resolutions of the General Assembly and the Commission on
Human Rights on the subject, the most recent of which are Assembly resolution 54/177
of 17 December 1999 and Commission resolution 1999/13 of 23 April 1999,
1. Welcomes:
(a) The report of the Special Representative of the Commission on the situation of
human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (E/CN.4/2000/35), in which he notes that there is
prospect for substantial and far-reaching change which will have, and in some areas has already
had, a positive impact on the human rights situation;
(b) The broad participation in the parliamentary elections held on 18 February 2000,
which expressed the commitment of the Iranian people to the democratic process in the
Islamic Republic of Iran;
(c) The commitment made by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to
promote respect for the rule of law, including the elimination of arbitrary arrest and detention,
and to reform the legal and penitentiary system and bring it into line with international human
rights standards in this field;
(d) The progress made in Iran in the area of freedom of expression, in particular
towards a more open debate on issues of governance and human rights, whilst remaining
concerned at restrictions on the freedom of the press and cases of harassment and intimidation of
journalists;
(e) The invitation extended by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to visit Iran, which will hopefully
take place in the near future;
(f) The recent visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran of a technical cooperation needs
assessment mission from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights;
(g) Progress made with regard to the status of women in some areas such as
education and training, health and integration of a gender dimension into government planning;
2. Notes:
(a) The legal changes recently put into effect within the Iranian judicial system by
which members of religious minorities are no longer obliged to state their confession when
applying for a marriage licence;
(b) The work of the Islamic Human Rights Commission on the human rights situation
in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and expresses the hope that the recent adoption of amendments
to the Charter of the Commission concerning increased representation of persons from the
non-governmental sector on its governing council will contribute to its strengthening and
independence;
3. Expresses its concern:
(a) At the fact that since 1996 no invitation has yet been extended by the Government
of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Special Representative to visit the country;
(b) At the continuing violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in
particular executions in the apparent absence of respect for internationally recognized
safeguards, cases of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the failure
to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice and at the absence of
due process of law, and also at the apparent absence of respect for internationally recognized
legal safeguards and the use of national security laws to deny the rights of the individual;
(c) At the discrimination against religious minorities, in particular the unabated
pattern of persecution against the Baha’is, including death sentences and arrests;
(d) At the continued lack of full and equal enjoyment by women of their human
rights as reported by the Special Representative;
4. Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran:
(a) To invite the Special Representative to visit the country and to resume its full
cooperation with him, particularly so that he can study the evolution of the human rights
situation in the country, including through direct contacts with all sectors of society, and to make
full use of technical cooperation programmes in the field of human rights;
(b) To continue its positive efforts to consolidate respect for human rights and the
rule of law, and to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under the International Covenants
on Human Rights and under other international instruments on human rights;
(c) To make further efforts to ensure for all the application of due process of law by
the judiciary and, in this context, to ensure fair and transparent trials in all instances, including
for members of religious minority groups, and notes stated commitments of the Government of
the Islamic Republic of Iran in this regard;
(d) To ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed other than for the most
serious crimes, not for apostasy or otherwise in disregard of the provisions of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and United Nations safeguards, and to provide the Special
Representative with relevant statistics on this matter;
(e) To pursue investigations into the suspicious deaths and killings of intellectuals
and political activists and to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice;
(f) To implement fully the conclusions and recommendations of the Special
Rapporteur on religious intolerance relating to the Baha’is and other minority religious groups
until they are completely emancipated;
(g) To take all necessary steps to end the use of torture and the practice of
amputation, stoning and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment;
(h) To take additional measures to promote full and equal enjoyment by women of
their human rights, in line with its statements about the need to review laws and change attitudes
which discriminate against women;
5. Decides:
(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Representative, as contained in Commission
resolution 1984/54 of 14 March 1984, for a further year, and requests the Special Representative
to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session, and also to keep a gender perspective in mind when
seeking and analysing information;
(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to give all necessary assistance to
the Special Representative to enable him to discharge his mandate fully;
(c) To continue its examination of the situation of human rights in the Islamic
Republic of Iran, paying particular attention to further developments, including the situation of
the Baha’is and other minority groups, at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item;
6. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 17.]
56th meeting
18 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 22 votes to 20,
with 11 abstentions. See chap. IX.]
2000/29. Hostage-taking
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to life,
liberty and security of person, freedom from torture or degrading treatment, freedom of
movement and protection from arbitrary detention,
Taking into account the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages,
adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/146 of 17 December 1979, which also
recognizes that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person and that the taking
of hostages is an offence of grave concern to the international community, as well as the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected
Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 3166 (XXVIII) of 14 December 1973,
Bearing in mind the relevant Security Council resolutions condemning all cases of
hostage-taking,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the subject, in particular its resolution 1992/23
of 28 February 1992, in which it condemned the taking of any person as a hostage,
Concerned that, despite the efforts of the international community, acts of hostage-taking
in different forms and manifestations, inter alia those committed by terrorists and armed groups,
continue to take place and even have increased in many regions of the world,
Appealing for the humanitarian action of humanitarian organizations, in particular of the
International Committee of the Red Cross and its delegates, to be respected, in accordance with
the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977 thereto,
Recognizing that hostage-taking calls for resolute, firm and concerted efforts on the part
of the international community in order, in strict conformity with international human rights
standards, to bring such abhorrent practices to an end,
1. Reaffirms that hostage-taking, wherever and by whomever committed, is an
illegal act aimed at the destruction of human rights and is, under any circumstances,
unjustifiable;
2. Condemns all acts of hostage-taking, anywhere in the world;
3. Demands that all hostages be released immediately and without any
preconditions;
4. Calls upon States to take all necessary measures, in accordance with relevant
provisions of international law and international human rights standards, to prevent, combat and
punish acts of hostage-taking, including by strengthening international cooperation in this field;
5. Urges all thematic special rapporteurs and working groups to continue to address,
as appropriate, the consequences of hostage-taking in their forthcoming reports to the
Commission;
6. Decides to remain seized of this matter.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/30. Human rights and terrorism
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and
Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the
International Covenants on Human Rights,
Recalling the Declaration on the Occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the
United Nations, as well as the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,
adopted by the General Assembly at its fiftieth and forty-ninth sessions, respectively,
Recalling also the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by
the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23),
Recalling further General Assembly resolutions 48/122 of 20 December 1993, 49/185
of 23 December 1994, 50/186 of 22 December 1995 and 52/133 of 12 December 1997, as well as
its own resolution 1999/27 of 26 April 1999,
Taking note of General Assembly resolutions 54/164 of 17 December 1999 and 54/110
of 9 December 1999 in which it decided that the Ad Hoc Committee established by
General Assembly resolution 51/210 of 17 December 1996 should continue to elaborate a draft
international convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism with a view to
completing the instrument, should address means of further developing a comprehensive legal
framework of conventions dealing with international terrorism, including considering the
elaboration of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, and should address the
question of convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations to
formulate a joint organized response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations,
Also taking note of General Assembly resolution 54/109 of 9 December 1999, in which
the Assembly adopted the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of
Terrorism,
Further taking note of resolution 1999/26 of 26 August 1999 of the Sub-Commission on
the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,
Regretting that the negative impact of terrorism, in all its dimensions, on human rights
continues to remain alarming, despite national and international efforts to combat it,
Convinced that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever
committed, can never be justified in any instance, including as a means to promote and protect
human rights,
Bearing in mind that the most essential and basic human right is the right to life,
Bearing in mind also that terrorism creates an environment that destroys the freedom
from fear of the people,
Bearing in mind further that terrorism in many cases poses a severe challenge to
democracy, civil society and the rule of law,
Profoundly deploring the large number of innocent persons, including women, children
and the elderly, killed, massacred and maimed by terrorists in indiscriminate and random acts of
violence and terror, which cannot be justified under any circumstances,
Alarmed in particular at the possibility that terrorist groups may exploit new
technologies to facilitate acts of terrorism which may cause massive damage, including huge loss
of human life,
Noting with great concern that many terrorist groups are connected with other criminal
organizations engaged in the illegal traffic in arms and illicit drug trafficking at the national and
international levels, as well as the consequent commission of serious crimes such as murder,
extortion, kidnapping, assault, taking of hostages, robbery, money laundering and rape,
Emphasizing the need to intensify the fight against terrorism at the national level, to
enhance effective international cooperation in combating terrorism in conformity with
international law and to strengthen the role of the United Nations in this respect,
Reiterating that all States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and
fundamental freedoms, and that everyone should strive to secure their universal and effective
recognition and observance,
Recognizing the need to improve international cooperation on criminal matters and
national measures so as to address impunity, which can contribute to the continued occurrence of
terrorism,
Emphasizing the importance of Member States taking appropriate steps to deny safe
haven to those who plan, finance or commit terrorist acts by ensuring their apprehension and
prosecution or extradition,
Reaffirming that all measures to counter terrorism must be in strict conformity with
international law, including international human rights standards,
Seriously concerned at the gross violations of human rights perpetrated by terrorist
groups,
1. Reiterates unequivocal condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of
terrorism, regardless of their motivation, in all their forms and manifestations, wherever and by
whomever committed, as acts aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms
and democracy, threatening the territorial integrity and security of States, destabilizing
legitimately constituted Governments, undermining pluralistic civil society and the rule of law
and having adverse consequences for the economic and social development of the State;
2. Condemns the violations of the right to live free from fear and of the right to life,
liberty and security;
3. Expresses its solidarity with the victims of terrorism;
4. Condemns incitement of ethnic hatred, violence and terrorism;
5. Urges States to fulfil their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and
other provisions of international law, in strict conformity with international law, including
human rights standards, to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed;
6. Also urges the international community to enhance cooperation at the regional
and international levels in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in
accordance with relevant international instruments, including those relating to human rights, with
the aim of eradicating it;
7. Calls upon States, in particular within their respective national frameworks and in
conformity with their international commitments in the field of human rights, to enhance their
cooperation with a view to bringing terrorists to justice;
8. Also calls upon States to take appropriate measures, in conformity with the
relevant provisions of national and international law, including international human rights
standards, before granting refugee status, for the purpose of ensuring that an asylum-seeker has
not participated in terrorist acts, including assassinations;
9. Urges all relevant human rights mechanisms and procedures, as appropriate, to
address the consequences of the acts, methods and practices of terrorist groups in their
forthcoming reports to the Commission;
10. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to collect information, including a
compilation of studies and publications, on the implications of terrorism, as well as the effects of
the fight against terrorism, on the full enjoyment of human rights from all relevant sources,
including Governments, specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations,
non-governmental organizations and academic institutions and to make it available to the
concerned special rapporteurs, including the Special Rapporteur on human rights and terrorism
of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, and all concerned
working groups of the Commission for their consideration;
11. Endorses the Sub-Commission’s request to the Secretary-General to give the
Special Rapporteur all the assistance necessary, in order to hold consultations with the competent
services and bodies of the United Nations system to complement her essential research and to
collect all the needed and up-to-date information and data for the preparation of her progress
report;
12. Requests the Special Rapporteur to give attention in her next report on human
rights and terrorism to the questions raised in the present resolution;
13. Decides to remain seized of the matter at its fifty-seventh session.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted by 27 votes to 13,
with 12 abstentions. See chap. XI.]
2000/31. Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to life,
liberty and security of person, and the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights,
Having regard to the legal framework of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, including the provisions contained in
Commission resolution 1992/72 of 5 March 1992 and General Assembly resolution 47/136
of 18 December 1992,
Mindful of General Assembly resolutions on the subject of extrajudicial, summary or
arbitrary executions, of which the latest is resolution 53/147 of 9 December 1998 in which the
Assembly requested the Special Rapporteur to submit to it at its fifty-fifth session an interim
report on the situation worldwide in regard to extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and
her recommendations for more effective action to combat that phenomenon,
Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/50 of 25 May 1984 and the
Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, annexed
thereto, and Council resolution 1989/64 of 24 May 1989 on their implementation, as well as the
Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, adopted by
the General Assembly in its resolution 40/34 of 29 November 1985,
Deeply alarmed at the persistence, on a large scale, of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions, in all parts of the world,
Dismayed that in a number of countries impunity, the negation of justice, continues to
prevail and often remains the main cause of the continued occurrence of extrajudicial, summary
or arbitrary executions in those countries,
Acknowledging the historic significance of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court (A/CONF.183/9),
Welcoming the fact that a large number of States have already signed the Rome Statute,
Convinced of the need for effective action to combat and to eliminate the abhorrent
practice of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, which represent a flagrant violation of
the fundamental right to life,
1. Strongly condemns once again all the extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions that continue to take place throughout the world;
2. Demands that all Governments ensure that the practice of extrajudicial, summary
or arbitrary executions is brought to an end and that they take effective action to combat and
eliminate the phenomenon in all its forms;
3. Notes that impunity continues to be a major cause of the perpetuation of
violations of human rights, including extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
4. Reiterates the obligation of all Governments to conduct exhaustive and impartial
investigations into all suspected cases of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, to
identify and bring to justice those responsible, to grant adequate compensation to the victims or
their families and to adopt all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such executions;
5. Takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2000/3 and Add.1-3),
including the attention given therein to, and the recommendations on, various aspects and
situations of violations of the right to life by extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
6. Notes with concern the large number of cases in various parts of the world of
killings committed in the name of passion or in the name of honour, persons killed because of
their sexual orientation and persons killed for reasons related to their peaceful activities as
human rights defenders or as journalists, reported by the Special Rapporteur and calls upon
Governments concerned to investigate such killings promptly and thoroughly, to bring those
responsible to justice and to ensure that such killings are neither condoned nor sanctioned by
government officials or personnel;
7. Calls upon the Governments of all States in which the death penalty has not been
abolished to comply with their obligations as reflected in relevant provisions of international
human rights instruments, including in particular articles 6 and 14 of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights and keeping in mind the safeguards and guarantees set out in
Economic and Social Council resolutions 1984/50 and 1989/64;
8. Urges Governments to undertake all necessary and possible measures to prevent
loss of life during situations of public demonstrations, internal and communal violence,
disturbances, tension and public emergency or armed conflicts, and to ensure that the police and
security forces receive thorough training in human rights matters, in particular with regard to
restrictions on the use of force and firearms in the discharge of their functions;
9. Appeals to all Governments to ensure that all persons deprived of their liberty are
treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person and that
conditions in places of detention conform to the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of
Prisoners and, where applicable, to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the
Additional Protocols thereto of 1977 in relation to the treatment of prisoners in armed conflicts,
as well as to other pertinent international instruments;
10. Expresses its appreciation to those Governments that have invited the
Special Rapporteur to visit their countries, asks them to examine carefully the recommendations
made by the Special Rapporteur, invites them to report to the Special Rapporteur on the actions
taken on those recommendations and requests other Governments, including those mentioned in
the report of the Special Rapporteur, to cooperate in a similar way;
11. Commends the important role the Special Rapporteur has played towards
the elimination of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and encourages the
Special Rapporteur to continue, within the framework of her mandate, to collect information
from all concerned and to seek the views and comments of Governments in order to be able to
respond effectively to reliable information that comes before the Special Rapporteur and to
follow up on communications and country visits;
12. Requests the Special Rapporteur, in carrying out her mandate:
(a) To continue to examine situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions and to submit her findings on an annual basis, together with conclusions and
recommendations, to the Commission, as well as such other reports as the Special Rapporteur
deems necessary in order to keep the Commission informed about serious situations of
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions that warrant its immediate attention;
(b) To respond effectively to information which comes before her, in particular when
an extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution is imminent or seriously threatened or when
such an execution has occurred;
(c) To enhance further her dialogue with Governments, as well as to follow up
recommendations made in reports after visits to particular countries;
(d) To continue to pay special attention to extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions of children and to allegations concerning violations of the right to life in the context
of violence against participants in demonstrations and other peaceful public manifestations or
against persons belonging to minorities;
(e) To pay special attention to extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions where
the victims are individuals carrying out peaceful activities in defence of human rights and
fundamental freedoms;
(f) To continue monitoring the implementation of existing international standards on
safeguards and restrictions relating to the imposition of capital punishment, bearing in mind the
comments made by the Human Rights Committee in its interpretation of article 6 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Second Optional Protocol
thereto;
(g) To apply a gender perspective in her work;
13. Urges the Special Rapporteur to draw to the attention of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights such situations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions as are of particularly serious concern to her or where early action might prevent
further deterioration;
14. Welcomes the cooperation established between the Special Rapporteur and other
United Nations mechanisms and procedures relating to human rights and encourages the Special
Rapporteur to continue efforts in this regard;
15. Strongly urges all Governments:
(a) To cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur so that her mandate may
be carried out effectively, including, where appropriate, by issuing invitations to the
Special Rapporteur when she so requests, in keeping with the usual terms of reference for
missions by Special Rapporteurs of the Commission on Human Rights;
(b) To respond to the communications transmitted to them by the Special Rapporteur;
16. Expresses its concern that a number of Governments mentioned in the report of
the Special Rapporteur have not replied to specific allegations and reports of extrajudicial,
summary or arbitrary executions transmitted to them by the Special Rapporteur;
17. Encourages Governments, United Nations bodies and organs, the specialized
agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as appropriate, to initiate,
coordinate or support programmes designed to train and educate military forces, law
enforcement officers and government officials, as well as members of United Nations
peacekeeping or observer missions, on human rights and humanitarian law issues connected with
their work, and appeals to the international community to support endeavours to that end;
18. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with an
adequate and stable level of human, financial and material resources in order to enable her to
continue to carry out her mandate effectively, including through country visits;
19. Also requests the Secretary-General to continue to use his best endeavours in
cases where the minimum standard of legal safeguards provided for in articles 6, 9, 14 and 15 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights appears not to be respected;
20. Further requests the Secretary-General to continue, in close collaboration
with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in conformity with the
High Commissioner’s mandate established by the General Assembly in its resolution 48/141 of
20 December 1993, to ensure that personnel specialized in human rights and humanitarian law
issues form part of United Nations missions, where appropriate, in order to deal with serious
human rights violations, such as extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
21. Decides to consider the question of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
as a matter of priority at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/32. Human rights and forensic science
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolutions 1993/33 of 5 March 1993, 1994/31 of 4 March 1994, 1996/31
of 19 April 1996 and 1998/36 of 17 April 1998,
Recalling also the Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal,
Arbitrary and Summary Executions adopted by the Economic and Social Council in its
resolution 1989/65 of 24 May 1989,
Welcoming the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights on human rights and forensic science (E/CN.4/2000/57), submitted pursuant to
Commission resolution 1998/36,
Recognizing that forensic science is an important tool in detecting evidence of torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and extrajudicial, summary or
arbitrary executions,
Noting that the practice of forensic science includes examinations of both dead and living
persons, and also includes identification procedures,
Noting also that, in many of the countries concerned, sufficient expertise is not available
in forensic science and related fields to investigate human rights violations effectively,
Noting further the need of Governments, intergovernmental organizations and
non-governmental organizations for forensic scientific expertise in investigating deaths and
clarifying disappearances,
Aware that several special rapporteurs have used or referred to the need for the assistance
of experts in various forensic disciplines in the context of the implementation of their mandates,
1. Welcomes the increased use of forensic science investigations in situations where
grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have occurred, and
encourages further coordination concerning, inter alia, the planning and realization of such
investigations among Governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental
organizations;
2. Notes the progress made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
in the use of forensic experts, including the revised Cooperation Service Agreement
(E/CN.4/1998/32, annex II) regulating the use of forensic experts provided either by a
Member State or by a non-governmental organization;
3. Recommends that the Secretary-General, with a view to promoting quality and
consistency, establish procedures to evaluate the use of forensic expertise and the results of those
efforts;
4. Again invites the Office of the High Commissioner and the Crime Prevention and
Criminal Justice Division of the Secretariat to consider revising the Manual on the Effective
Prevention and Investigation of Extralegal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, in which
standard procedures for adequate post-mortem examinations (autopsies or partial autopsies) are
described;
5. Recommends that the Office of the High Commissioner encourage forensic
experts to coordinate further and produce additional manuals concerned with examinations of
living persons, and welcomes the initiative by the Office of the High Commissioner to publish a
manual on the effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment in its Professional Training Series;
6. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to consult with Governments,
relevant United Nations bodies and professional organizations of forensic and related experts as
mentioned in the reports of the Secretary-General and the Office of the High Commissioner,
including the latest (E/CN.4/2000/57) was submitted pursuant to Commission
resolution 1998/36, with a view to updating the list of experts with biographical data, including
professional qualifications, current employment, contact address, gender (the nomination of
female experts is encouraged), indications of availability, and the kind of assistance they could
provide;
7. Recommends that the Office of the High Commissioner encourage, as appropriate,
the dissemination and use of the manuals referred to in the present resolution and the setting up
of courses aimed at providing training in forensic activities relating to victims of human rights
violations, particularly in countries without sufficient expertise in forensic science and related
fields, for example through the training of local teams;
8. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to report to the Commission at its
fifty-eighth session on progress made in this matter;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to provide appropriate resources, from within
existing overall United Nations resources, to fund the activities of the Office of the High
Commissioner in implementing the present resolution;
10. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-eighth session under the same agenda
item.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/33. Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms
of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling that all States have pledged themselves, under the Charter of the
United Nations, to promote and encourage universal respect for and observance of human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981, by which it
proclaimed the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination
Based on Religion or Belief,
Recalling further article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant provisions,
Reaffirming the call of the World Conference on Human Rights upon all Governments to
take all appropriate measures in compliance with their international obligations and with due
regard to their respective legal systems to counter intolerance and related violence based on
religion or belief, including practices of discrimination against women and the desecration of
religious sites, recognizing that every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience,
expression and religion,
Alarmed that serious instances of intolerance and discrimination on the grounds of
religion or belief, including acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by religious
intolerance, occur in many parts of the world and threaten the enjoyment of human rights and
fundamental freedoms,
Deeply concerned at the increase in violence and discrimination against religious
minorities, including restrictive legislation and arbitrary application of legislation and other
measures,
Emphasizing that the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is
far-reaching and profound, and that it encompasses freedom of thought on all matters, personal
conviction and the commitment to religion or belief, whether manifested individually or in
community with others,
1. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance
(E/CN.4/2000/65);
2. Condemns all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or
belief;
3. Encourages the efforts made by the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights to coordinate in the field of human rights the activities of relevant United Nations
organs, bodies, and mechanisms dealing with all forms of intolerance and of discrimination
based on religion or belief;
4. Urges States:
(a) To ensure that their constitutional and legislative systems provide adequate and
effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief to all without
discrimination, inter alia by the provision of effective remedies in cases where the right to
freedom of religion or belief, including the freedom to change one’s religion or belief, is
violated;
(b) To ensure, in particular, that no one within their jurisdiction is deprived of the
right to life or the right to liberty and security of person because of religion or belief, or is
subjected to torture or arbitrary arrest or detention on that account;
(c) In conformity with international standards of human rights, to take all necessary
action to combat hatred, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by
intolerance based on religion or belief, with particular regard to religious minorities, and also to
devote particular attention to practices which violate the human rights of women and
discriminate against women;
(d) To recognize the right of all persons to worship or assemble in connection with a
religion or belief and to establish and maintain places for these purposes;
(e) To exert utmost efforts, in accordance with their national legislation and in
conformity with international human rights standards, to ensure that religious places, sites and
shrines are fully respected and protected;
(f) To ensure that all public officials, including members of law enforcement bodies,
in the course of their official duties respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate
on the grounds of religion or belief;
(g) To promote and encourage, through education and other means, understanding,
tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief;
5. Emphasizes that, as underlined by the Human Rights Committee, restrictions on
the freedom to manifest religion or belief are permitted only if limitations are prescribed by law,
are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and
freedoms of others, and are applied in a manner that does not vitiate the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion;
6. Encourages the continuing efforts of the Special Rapporteur to examine incidents
and governmental actions in all parts of the world that are incompatible with the provisions of
the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on
Religion or Belief and to recommend remedial measures as appropriate;
7. Stresses the need for the Special Rapporteur to apply a gender perspective,
inter alia through the identification of gender-specific abuses, in the reporting process, including
in information collection and in recommendations;
8. Notes that the Special Rapporteur has undertaken a study on religious
discrimination and racism and looks forward to its presentation at the first session, to be held in
May 2000, of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and encourages the Special Rapporteur to
contribute further to the preparations for the World Conference, to be held in 2001, by
forwarding to the High Commissioner his recommendations on religious intolerance which have
a bearing on the World Conference;
9. Calls upon all Governments to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur on
religious intolerance, to respond favourably to requests from the Special Rapporteur to visit their
countries and to give serious consideration to inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit so as to
enable him to fulfil his mandate even more effectively;
10. Welcomes the work of the Special Rapporteur and reiterates the need for him to
be able to respond effectively to credible and reliable information that comes before him, and
invites him to continue to seek the views and comments of Governments concerned in the
elaboration of his report, as well as to continue to carry out his work with discretion, objectivity
and independence;
11. Decides to change the title of the Special Rapporteur from Special Rapporteur on
religious intolerance to Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and that this change
will be implemented at the next extension of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate;
12. Recognizes that the exercise of tolerance and non-discrimination by all actors in
society is necessary for the full realization of the aims of the Declaration;
13. Welcomes the initiatives of Governments to collaborate with the Special
Rapporteur, including the convening of an international consultative conference on school
education in relation to freedom of religion and belief, to be held in Madrid in November 2001;
14. Welcomes and encourages the continuing efforts of non-governmental
organizations and religious bodies and groups to promote the implementation of the Declaration,
to foster freedom of religion and in highlighting cases of religious intolerance, discrimination
and persecution;
15. Recommends that the United Nations and other actors, in their efforts to promote
freedom of religion and belief, ensure the widest possible dissemination of the text of the
Declaration, in as many different languages as possible, by United Nations information centres,
as well as by other interested bodies;
16. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the Special Rapporteur receives the
necessary assistance to enable him fully to discharge his mandate;
17. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session;
18. Decides to consider the question of the elimination of all forms of religious
intolerance at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/34. Conscientious objection to military service
The Commission on Human Rights,
Bearing in mind that it is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that everyone has the right to life, liberty
and security of person, as well as the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the
right not to be discriminated against,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the subject, most recently resolution 1998/77
of 22 April 1998, in which the Commission recognized the right of everyone to have
conscientious objections to military service as a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion, as laid down in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and
General Comment No. 22 of the Human Rights Committee, adopted at its forty-eighth session
in 1993,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/55),
1. Calls upon States to review their current laws and practices in relation to
conscientious objection to military service in the light of its resolution 1998/77;
2. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
to prepare a compilation and analysis of best practices in relation to the recognition of the right
of everyone to have conscientious objections to military service, as a legitimate exercise of the
right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the provision of alternative forms of
service, based on the provisions of Commission resolution 1998/77, and to seek such information
from Governments, the specialized agencies and relevant intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations, and to submit a report containing this information to the
Commission at its fifty-eighth session under the agenda sub-item entitled “Conscientious
objection to military service”.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/35. Draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolution 1992/43 of 3 March 1992, in which it established an open-ended
working group to elaborate a draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, using as a basis for its discussions the
draft text proposed by the Government of Costa Rica at the forty-seventh session of the
Commission (E/CN.4/1991/66), and decided to consider the question at its forty-ninth session,
Recalling also the subsequent resolutions on the subject and in particular
decision 1999/237 of 27 July 1999 of the Economic and Social Council, in which the Council
authorized the working group to meet in order to continue its work,
Recalling further that the World Conference on Human Rights firmly declared that
efforts to eradicate torture should, first and foremost, be concentrated on prevention and called
for the early adoption of an optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which is intended to establish a preventive
system of regular visits to places of detention,
1. Takes note of the report of the Open-ended working group on a draft optional
protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (E/CN.4/2000/58);
2. Requests the working group, in order to continue its work, to meet prior to the
fifty-seventh session of the Commission for a period of two weeks, with a view to completing
expeditiously a final and substantive text, and to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the report of the working group to all
Governments, the specialized agencies, the chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies and
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and to invite them to submit their
comments to the working group;
4. Also requests the Secretary-General to invite Governments, the specialized
agencies and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as the
Chairperson of the Committee against Torture and the Special Rapporteur on the question of
torture, to participate if needed in the activities of the working group;
5. Further requests the Secretary-General to extend all necessary facilities to the
working group for its meeting prior to the fifty-seventh session of the Commission;
6. Encourages the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the working group to conduct
informal inter-sessional consultations with all interested parties in order to facilitate the
completion of a consolidated text;
7. Decides to examine the report of the working group at its fifty-seventh session
under the same sub-item;
8. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 21.]
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/36. Question of arbitrary detention
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming articles 3, 9, 10 and 29, as well as other relevant provisions, of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights,
Recalling articles 9, 10, 11 and 14 to 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights,
Bearing in mind that, in accordance with Commission resolution 1991/42 of
5 March 1991, the task of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is to investigate cases of
detention imposed arbitrarily or otherwise inconsistently with the relevant international standards
set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or in the relevant international legal
instruments accepted by the States concerned,
Reaffirming its resolution 1999/37 of 26 April 1999,
1. Takes note of:
(a) The report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (E/CN.4/2000/4 and
Add.1 and 2);
(b) The work of the Working Group and underlines the positive initiatives it has
taken to strengthen cooperation and dialogue with States and the establishment of cooperation
with all those concerned by the cases submitted to it for consideration, in accordance with its
mandate;
(c) The importance that the Working Group attaches to coordination with other
mechanisms of the Commission, with other competent United Nations bodies and with treaty
bodies, as well as to the strengthening of the role of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in such coordination and encourages the Working Group to
take all necessary measures to avoid duplication with those mechanisms, in particular regarding
the treatment of the communications it receives and field visits;
2. Also takes note of the adoption by the Working Group of its Deliberation No. 5
(E/CN.4/2000/4, annex II) and relates to the situation of immigrants and asylum-seekers and
guarantees concerning persons held in custody, with a view to ensuring better prevention;
3. Requests the Governments concerned to take account of the Working Group’s
views and, where necessary, to take appropriate steps to remedy the situation of persons
arbitrarily deprived of their liberty and to inform the Working Group of the steps they have
taken;
4. Encourages the Governments concerned:
(a) To implement the recommendations of the Working Group concerning persons
mentioned in its report who have been detained for a number of years;
(b) To take appropriate measures in order to ensure that their legislation in these
fields is in conformity with the relevant international standards and the relevant international
legal instruments applicable to the States concerned;
(c) Not to extend states of emergency beyond what is strictly required by the
situation, in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, or to limit their effects;
5. Encourages all Governments to invite the Working Group to visit their countries
so that it may carry out its mandate even more effectively;
6. Requests the Governments concerned to give the necessary attention to the
“urgent appeals” addressed to them by the Working Group on a strictly humanitarian basis and
without prejudging its possible final conclusions;
7. Expresses its profound thanks to the Governments which have extended their
cooperation to the Working Group and responded to its requests for information and invites all
Governments concerned to demonstrate the same spirit of cooperation;
8. Takes note with satisfaction of the fact that the Working Group has been informed
of the release of some of the individuals whose situation has been brought to its attention, while
deploring the many cases which have not yet been resolved;
9. Notes with concern the comments by the Working Group on the excesses of
military justice that may be found to exist in some cases;
10. Also notes with concern the comments by the Working Group on the situation of
human rights defenders;
11. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To extend his assistance to Governments expressing the wish to receive it, as well
as to special rapporteurs and working groups, with a view to ensuring the promotion and
observance of the guarantees relating to states of emergency that are laid down in the relevant
international instruments;
(b) To ensure that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention receives all necessary
assistance, particularly with regard to the staffing and resources needed to continue to discharge
its mandate, especially in respect of field missions;
12. Decides to renew, for a three-year period, the mandate of the Working Group,
composed of five independent experts entrusted with the task of investigating cases of
deprivation of liberty imposed arbitrarily, provided that no final decision has been taken in such
cases by domestic courts in conformity with domestic law, with the relevant international
standards set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with the relevant
international instruments accepted by the States concerned;
13. Requests the Working Group to submit to it, at its fifty-seventh session, a report
on its activities and on the implementation of the present resolution and to include any
suggestions and recommendations which would enable it to carry out its task in the best possible
way and to continue its consultations to that end in the framework of its terms of reference;
14. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session
under the relevant agenda item;
15. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 22.]
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/37. Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolution 20 (XXXVI) of 29 February 1980, in which it decided to
establish a working group consisting of five of its members, to serve as experts in their
individual capacity, to examine questions relevant to enforced or involuntary disappearances, its
resolution 1995/75 of 8 March 1995 on cooperation with representatives of United Nations
human rights organs, and its resolution 1999/38 of 26 April 1999,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 47/133 of 18 December 1992, by which the
Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance as a body of principles for all States, and Assembly resolutions 51/94
of 12 December 1996 and 53/150 of 9 December 1998,
Deeply concerned in particular, by the increase in enforced or involuntary disappearances
in various regions of the world and by the growing number of reports concerning harassment,
ill-treatment and intimidation of witnesses of disappearances or relatives of persons who have
disappeared,
Emphasizing that impunity is simultaneously one of the underlying causes of enforced
disappearances and one of the major obstacles to the elucidation of cases thereof and that there is
a need for effective measures to combat the problem of impunity,
Welcoming the fact that acts of enforced disappearance, as defined in the Rome Statute of
the International Criminal Court (A/CONF.183/9), come within the jurisdiction of the Court as
crimes against humanity,
1. Takes note of the report submitted by the Working Group on Enforced or
Involuntary Disappearances pursuant to Commission resolution 1999/38 (E/CN.4/2000/64
and Corr.1 and 2 and Add.1);
2. Stresses the importance of the work of the Working Group and encourages it, in
the execution of its mandate:
(a) To continue to promote communication between families of disappeared persons
and the Governments concerned with a view to ensuring that sufficiently documented and clearly
identified individual cases are investigated and to ascertain whether such information falls under
its mandate and contains the required elements;
(b) To continue to observe, in its humanitarian task, United Nations standards and
practices regarding the handling of communications and the consideration of government replies;
(c) To continue to consider the question of impunity in the light of the relevant
provisions of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and
of the final reports submitted by the Special Rapporteur appointed by the Sub-Commission on
the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights;
(d) To continue to pay particular attention to cases of children subjected to enforced
disappearance and children of disappeared persons and to cooperate closely with the
Governments concerned in searching for and identifying these children;
(e) To pay particular attention to cases transmitted to it that refer to ill-treatment,
serious threatening or intimidation of witnesses of enforced or involuntary disappearances or
relatives of disappeared persons;
(f) To pay particular attention to cases of disappearance of persons working for the
promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, wherever they occur, and
to make appropriate recommendations for preventing such disappearances and improving the
protection of such persons;
(g) To continue to apply a gender perspective in its reporting process, including in
information collection and the formulation of recommendations;
(h) To provide appropriate assistance in the implementation by States of the
Declaration and of the existing international rules;
(i) To continue its deliberations on its working methods and to include these aspects
in its report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
(j) To formulate comments on the draft International Convention on the Protection of
All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/19, annex) transmitted by the
Sub-Commission in its resolution 1998/25 of 26 August 1998;
3. Deplores the fact that some Governments have never provided substantive replies
concerning the cases of enforced disappearances in their countries or acted on the
recommendations concerning them made in the reports of the Working Group;
4. Urges the Governments concerned:
(a) To cooperate with the Working Group and help it to carry out its mandate
effectively, in particular by inviting it freely to visit their countries;
(b) To intensify their cooperation with the Working Group on any action taken
pursuant to recommendations addressed to them by the Working Group;
(c) To take steps to protect witnesses of enforced or involuntary disappearances and
the lawyers and families of disappeared persons against any intimidation or ill-treatment to
which they might be subjected;
(d) That have long had many unresolved cases of disappearances, to continue their
efforts to shed light on the fate of the individuals concerned and to set appropriate settlement
machinery in train with the families of those individuals;
(e) To make provision in their legal systems for machinery for victims of enforced or
involuntary disappearances or their families to seek fair and adequate reparation;
5. Reminds Governments:
(a) That all acts of enforced or involuntary disappearance are crimes punishable by
appropriate penalties which should take due account of their extreme seriousness under penal
law;
(b) Of the need to ensure that their competent authorities proceed immediately to
conduct impartial inquiries in all circumstances where there is reason to believe that an enforced
disappearance has occurred in territory under their jurisdiction;
(c) That, if such belief is borne out, all the perpetrators of enforced or involuntary
disappearances must be prosecuted;
(d) That impunity is simultaneously one of the underlying causes of enforced
disappearances and one of the major obstacles to the elucidation of cases thereof;
6. Expresses:
(a) Its thanks to the many Governments that have cooperated with the Working
Group and replied to its requests for information and to the Governments that have invited the
Working Group to visit their countries, asks them to give all necessary attention to the Working
Group’s recommendations and invites them to inform the Working Group of any action they take
on those recommendations;
(b) Its commendation of the efforts by Governments which investigate, or develop
appropriate mechanisms to investigate, any cases of enforced disappearance which are brought to
their attention and encourages all the Governments concerned to expand their efforts in this area;
7. Invites States to take legislative, administrative, legal and other steps, including
when a state of emergency has been declared, to take action at the national and regional levels
and in cooperation with the United Nations, if appropriate through technical assistance, and to
provide the Working Group with concrete information on the measures taken and the obstacles
encountered in preventing enforced, involuntary or arbitrary disappearances and in giving effect
to the principles set forth in the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance;
8. Takes note of the assistance provided to the Working Group by non-governmental
organizations and their activities in support of the implementation of the Declaration and invites
those organizations to continue their cooperation;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the wide dissemination of the draft
International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, asking
States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to submit their views and
comments, as a matter of high priority, on the draft Convention, on the follow-up thereto, and, in
particular, on whether an inter-sessional working group should be set up to consider the draft
Convention;
10. Requests the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to
report on its activities to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
11. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To ensure that the Working Group receives all the assistance and resources it
requires to perform its function, including, inter alia, support for the principles of the
Declaration, to carry out and follow up missions and to hold sessions in countries that would be
prepared to receive it;
(b) To provide the resources needed to update the database on cases of enforced
disappearance;
(c) To keep the Working Group and the Commission regularly informed of the steps
he takes for the wide dissemination and promotion of the Declaration;
12. Decides to consider this matter at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda
item.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/38. The right to freedom of opinion and expression
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the right to
freedom of opinion and expression,
Mindful of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which reaffirms, in
article 19, the right of everyone to hold opinions without interference, as well as the right to
freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas
of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art or
through any other media of their choice,
Noting that the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds,
regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art or through any other
media of choice, as set out in article 19 of the Covenant, gives meaning to the right to participate
effectively in a free society,
Recalling the Johannesburg Principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression and
Access to Information adopted by a group of experts meeting in South Africa on 1 October 1995
(E/CN.4/1996/39, annex),
Noting the Principles on Freedom of Information Legislation (The Public’s Right to
Know) (E/CN.4/2000/63, annex II),
Mindful of the need to ensure that unjustified invocation of national security to restrict
the right to freedom of expression and information does not take place,
Noting that restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
could indicate a deterioration in the protection, respect for and enjoyment of other human rights
and freedoms,
Considering that the effective promotion and protection of the human rights of persons
who exercise the right to freedom of opinion and expression are of fundamental importance to
the safeguarding of human dignity,
Deeply concerned at numerous reports of detention, as well as discrimination, threats and
acts of violence and harassment, including persecution and intimidation, against professionals in
the field of information,
Reaffirming the need to raise awareness about all aspects of the interrelationship between
the use and availability of new media of communication, including modern telecommunications
technology, and the right to freedom of expression and information, and noting the efforts made
in this regard in a number of international and regional forums, and mindful of provisions of
relevant instruments,
Deeply concerned that for women there exists a gap between the right to freedom of
opinion and expression, the right to information and the effective enjoyment of those rights, and
that this gap contributes to inadequate action by Governments in the integration of the human
rights of women into the mainstream of their human rights activities,
1. Reaffirms its commitment to the principles contained in the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
2. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of
the right to freedom of opinion and expression (E/CN.4/2000/63 and Adds.1-4);
3. Expresses its continuing concern at the extensive occurrence of detention,
long-term detention and extrajudicial killing, persecution and harassment, including through the
abuse of legal provisions on criminal libel, of threats and acts of violence and of discrimination
directed at persons who exercise the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the
right to seek, receive and impart information, and the intrinsically linked rights to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion, peaceful assembly and association and the right to take part in
the conduct of public affairs, as well as at persons who seek to promote the rights affirmed in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and seek to educate others about them or who defend those rights and freedoms, including
legal professionals and others who represent persons exercising those rights;
4. Also expresses its concern at the number of cases in which the violations referred
to in paragraph 3 of the present resolution are facilitated and aggravated by several factors such
as abuse of states of emergency, exercise of the powers specific to states of emergency without
formal declaration and too vague a definition of offences against State security;
5. Further expresses its concern that high rates of illiteracy continue to exist in the
world, and reaffirms that education is an integral component of the full and effective
participation of persons in a free society, in particular for the full enjoyment of the right to
freedom of opinion and expression, and that the eradication of illiteracy is very important to the
achievement of these goals and to the development of the human person;
6. Encourages States - mindful that the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights states that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties
and responsibilities and may therefore be subject to certain restrictions as set out in article 19 of
the Covenant - to review their procedures and legislation to ensure that any limitations on the
right to freedom of expression are only such as are provided by law and are necessary for the
respect of the rights and reputations of others, or for the protection of national security or of
public order (ordre public) or of public health or morals;
7. Calls for further progress towards release of persons detained for exercising the
rights and freedoms referred to in paragraph 3 of the present resolution, bearing in mind that
each individual is entitled to the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
8. Urges Governments to implement effective measures to eliminate the atmosphere
of fear which often prevents women who have been victims of violence, either in domestic or
community settings or as a result of armed conflict, from communicating freely on their own
behalf or through intermediaries;
9. Invites once again the working groups, representatives and special rapporteurs of
the Commission on Human Rights to pay attention, within the framework of their mandates, to
the situation of persons detained, subjected to violence, ill-treated or discriminated against for
having exercised the right to freedom of opinion and expression as affirmed in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other
relevant human rights instruments;
10. Appeals to all States:
(a) To ensure respect and support for the rights of all persons who exercise the right
to freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information
regardless of frontiers, the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, peaceful
assembly and association and the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, or who seek
to promote and defend these rights and freedoms, and, where any persons have been detained,
subjected to violence or threats of violence or to harassment, including persecution and
intimidation, even after their release from detention, for exercising these rights as laid down in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and other relevant human rights instruments, to take the appropriate steps to ensure the
immediate cessation of these acts and to create conditions under which these acts may be less
liable to occur;
(b) To ensure that persons seeking to exercise these rights and freedoms are not
discriminated against, particularly in such areas as employment, housing and social services, and
in this context to pay particular attention to the situation of women;
(c) To cooperate fully with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the performance of
his tasks and to provide all information necessary in order to permit him fully to carry out his
mandate, including giving consideration to requests from the Special Rapporteur for in-country
visits;
(d) To create and permit an enabling environment in which training and professional
development of the media can be organized in order to promote and protect the freedom of
opinion and expression and can be carried out without fear of legal, criminal or administrative
sanction by the State;
11. Draws the attention of Governments to the Principles on Freedom of Information
Legislation (The Public’s Right to Know) appended to the Special Rapporteur’s report
(E/CN.4/2000/63, annex II), and invites Governments to reflect upon them and to submit their
comments to the Special Rapporteur;
12. Urges the Secretary-General to ensure that the practices of the United Nations
system concerning access to information are consistent with Commission resolutions 1999/60 on
public information and 1999/64 on human rights education, of 28 April 1999;
13. Invites the Special Rapporteur, within the framework of his mandate:
(a) To draw the attention of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights to those situations and cases regarding freedom of opinion and expression which are of
particularly serious concern to the Special Rapporteur, and encourages the High Commissioner,
within her mandate, to take into account reports in this regard in the context of her activities to
promote and protect human rights, with a view to preventing the occurrence and recurrence of
human rights violations;
(b) In cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes
and consequences, to continue to pay particular attention to the situation of women and the
relationship between the effective promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion
and expression and incidents of discrimination based on sex, creating obstacles for women with
regard to their right to seek, receive and impart information, to consider how these obstacles
impede the ability of women to make informed choices in areas of particular importance to them,
as well as in areas related to the general decision-making processes in the societies in which they
live and to consider joint reports with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women;
(c) With a view to promoting greater efficiency and effectiveness, as well as
enhancing his access to the information necessary for him to fulfil his duties, to continue his
efforts to cooperate with other special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts,
working groups, other United Nations mechanisms and procedures in the field of human rights,
specialized agencies, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, and regional intergovernmental organizations and their mechanisms and further to
develop and extend his network of relevant non-governmental organizations, particularly at the
local level, with a view to ensuring that he has the full benefit of all pertinent information from
such non-governmental organizations;
(d) To consider approaches taken to access to information with a view to sharing best
practices;
(e) To continue to provide his views, when appropriate, on the advantages and
challenges of new information technologies, including the Internet, for the exercise of the right
to freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information
and the relevance of a wide diversity of sources;
(f) To continue to seek the views and comments of the Governments and others
concerned in the elaboration of his report, as well as to continue to carry out his work with
discretion and independence;
(g) To contribute effectively to the preparatory process for the World Conference
against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance by transmitting to
the High Commissioner his recommendations on freedom of opinion and expression which have
a bearing on the World Conference;
14. Expresses once again its concern at the inadequate resources, both human and
material, provided to the Special Rapporteur, and accordingly reiterates its request to the
Secretary-General to provide the assistance necessary to the Special Rapporteur to fulfil his
mandate effectively, in particular by placing adequate human and material resources at his
disposal;
15. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session a report covering activities relating to his mandate and decides to continue its
consideration of this question at that session.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/39. Human rights in the administration of justice,
in particular juvenile justice
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and its Optional Protocols, and in particular article 6 of the latter Covenant,
Bearing in mind the relevant principles embodied in the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, and in particular its articles 3, 37, 39 and 40, as well as the relevant provisions of the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
Calling attention to the numerous international standards in the field of the
administration of justice,
Mindful of the importance of ensuring respect for the rule of law and human rights in the
administration of justice, in particular in post-conflict situations, as a crucial contribution to
building peace and justice,
Aware of the need for special vigilance with regard to the specific situation of children
and juveniles as well as women in detention and their special needs while deprived of their
liberty, in particular their vulnerability to various forms of abuse, injustice and humiliation,
Reaffirming that the best interest of the child must be a primary consideration in all
decisions concerning deprivation of liberty, and in particular that depriving children and
juveniles of their liberty should be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest
appropriate period of time, in particular before trial, and the need to ensure that, if they are
arrested, detained or imprisoned, children shall be separated from adults, to the greatest extent
feasible, unless it is considered in the child’s best interest not to do so,
Deeply concerned at the severity and brutality with which children and juveniles are used
as instruments in criminal activities,
Underlining the need to increase further the cooperation in the field of the administration
of justice between the Commission on Human Rights, the Commission on Crime Prevention and
Criminal Justice and other relevant bodies,
Welcoming the important activities of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the
United Nations Children’s Fund, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, the Centre for International Crime Prevention and the United Nations
Development Programme in the field of juvenile justice,
Recalling the Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System, annexed
to Economic and Social Council resolution 1997/30 of 21 July 1997 on administration of
juvenile justice, and the establishment of a coordination panel on technical advice and assistance
in juvenile justice in order to facilitate the coordination of activities in this field undertaken by
relevant entities of the United Nations system as well as non-governmental organizations,
professional groups and academic societies involved in the provision of technical advice and
assistance,
Welcoming the second meeting of the coordination panel on technical advice and
assistance in juvenile justice on 20 and 21 March 2000, hosted by the United Nations Children’s
Fund,
Recalling its resolutions 1998/39 of 17 April 1998 and 1999/80 of 28 April 1999,
Economic and Social Council resolution 1999/28 of 28 July 1999 on administration of juvenile
justice and General Assembly resolution 54/163 of 17 December 1999 on human rights in the
administration of justice, as well as the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the
Child on administration of juvenile justice adopted at its twenty-second session,
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/54);
2. Reaffirms the importance of the full and effective implementation of all
United Nations standards on human rights in the administration of justice;
3. Reiterates its call to all Member States to spare no effort in providing for effective
legislative and other mechanisms and procedures, as well as adequate resources, to ensure the
full implementation of those standards;
4. Appeals to Governments to include in their national development plans the
administration of justice as an integral part of the development process and to allocate adequate
resources for the provision of legal-aid services with a view to the promotion and protection of
human rights;
5. Invites Governments to provide training, including gender-sensitive training, in
human rights in the administration of justice, including juvenile justice, to all judges, lawyers,
prosecutors, social workers, immigration and police officers, and other professionals concerned,
including personnel employed in international field presences;
6. Stresses the special need for national capacity-building in the field of the
administration of justice, in particular to establish and maintain stable societies and the rule of
law in post-conflict situations, through reform of the judiciary, the police and the penal system,
as well as juvenile justice reform;
7. Encourages States to make use of technical assistance offered by the
United Nations programmes of advisory services and technical assistance in the field of the
administration of justice;
8. Invites the international community to respond favourably to requests for
financial and technical assistance for the enhancement and strengthening of the administration of
justice;
9. Calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to
reinforce, within her mandate, her activities relating to national capacity-building in the field of
the administration of justice, in particular in post-conflict situations;
10. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to strengthen
system-wide coordination in the field of the administration of justice, in particular between the
United Nations programmes in the fields of human rights, crime prevention and criminal justice,
and development;
11. Recognizes that every child and juvenile in conflict with the law must be treated
in a manner consistent with his or her dignity and needs, in accordance with the relevant
principles and provisions embodied in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other
relevant standards on human rights in the administration of justice;
12. Takes note of the concern of the Committee on the Rights of the Child that in all
regions of the world and in relation to all legal systems the provisions of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child relating to the administration of juvenile justice are in many instances not
reflected in national legislation or practice;
13. Recognizes the necessity of ensuring the effective implementation of relevant
international standards relating to juvenile justice, in particular the Convention on the Rights of
the Child, and invites States to improve the status of information on the situation of juvenile
justice to this end;
14. Underlines that raising awareness of the specific situation of children and
juveniles in the administration of justice and providing training thereon are crucial in
strengthening the implementation of international standards in this field and, in this regard,
welcomes the finalization and dissemination of a training manual on juvenile justice focusing on
child criminal justice;
15. Welcomes the fact that the administration of juvenile justice is receiving
consistent and systematic attention from the Committee on the Rights of the Child and that the
Committee provides concrete recommendations concerning the improvement of national juvenile
justice systems, in particular through action by the Secretariat and other relevant United Nations
entities, including the provision of advisory services and technical assistance;
16. Takes note with satisfaction of the activities of the coordination panel on technical
advice and assistance in juvenile justice and calls on the partners involved to continue to
cooperate, share information and pool their capacities and interests in order to increase
coordination and the effectiveness of programme design and implementation at Headquarters and
in the field;
17. Welcomes the elaboration by the coordination panel of an information kit on
technical cooperation in the area of juvenile justice to assist in the identification and coordination
of assistance programmes in this field;
18. Also welcomes the increased attention paid to the issue of juvenile justice by the
High Commissioner and encourages further activities, within her mandate, in this regard;
19. Calls upon special rapporteurs, special representatives and working groups of the
Commission to continue to give special attention to questions relating to the effective protection
of human rights in the administration of justice, including juvenile justice, and to provide,
wherever appropriate, specific recommendations in this regard, including proposals for advisory
service and technical assistance measures;
20. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Commission at its
fifty-eighth session on practical measures for the implementation of the international standards in
the field of human rights in the administration of justice, in particular regarding rebuilding and
strengthening structures and capacities for the administration of justice in post-conflict
situations, and in juvenile justice, as well as the role of technical assistance of the United Nations
system in this regard;
21. Also requests the Secretary-General to make available to the Commission at its
fifty-eighth session his reports on the administration of juvenile justice, as well as on the
activities of the coordination panel on technical advice and assistance in juvenile justice,
submitted to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice;
22. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-eighth session under the sub-item
entitled “Independence of the judiciary, administration of justice, impunity” of the appropriate
agenda item.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/40. The incompatibility between democracy and racism
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the
United Nations, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the International Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Recalling the commitment reached in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23) concerning
the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance,
Recalling the responsibility of Governments to ensure such equality as is established in
the relevant international and regional human rights instruments, inter alia, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Reaffirming that acts of racial violence and discrimination do not constitute legitimate
expressions of opinion, but rather are offences,
Alarmed by the rise of racism and xenophobia in political circles, in the sphere of public
opinion, and in society at large,
Recognizing the fundamental role of education in the promotion of tolerance and respect
for others and in the construction of pluralistic societies,
Convinced that political platforms based on racism, xenophobia or doctrines of racial
superiority and related discrimination must be condemned as incompatible with democracy and
transparent and accountable governance, and that racial discrimination condoned by
governmental policies violates human rights and may endanger friendly relations among peoples,
cooperation among nations, and international peace and security,
1. Urges States to reinforce their commitment to promote tolerance and to fight
against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as a way to strengthen
democracy and transparent and accountable governance;
2. Invites the mechanisms of the Commission and the treaty bodies, in particular the
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance, to continue to pay particular attention to violations of human rights stemming
from the rise of racism and xenophobia in political circles and society at large, especially as
regards their incompatibility with democracy;
3. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session on the implementation of the present resolution;
4. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-seventh session under
the same agenda item.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/41. The right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims
of grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenants on Human Rights, other relevant human rights instruments and the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23),
Reaffirming that pursuant to internationally proclaimed human rights principles, victims
of grave violations of human rights should receive, in appropriate cases, restitution,
compensation and rehabilitation,
Reiterating the importance of addressing the question of restitution, compensation and
rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in a
systematic and thorough way at the national and international levels,
Recalling its resolution 1996/35 of 19 April 1996, in which it regarded the basic
principles and guidelines on the right to redress of victims of grave violations of human rights
and international humanitarian law, proposed by the former Special Rapporteur of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Mr. Theo van Boven, as a
useful basis for giving priority attention to the question of restitution, compensation and
rehabilitation,
Recalling also its resolution 1999/33 of 26 April 1999,
Taking note of the report of the independent expert, Mr. Cherif Bassiouni, appointed by
the Commission (E/CN.4/2000/62),
Expressing its satisfaction at the submission of comments by Governments,
intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations on the draft revised
principles and guidelines circulated by the independent expert,
Noting with satisfaction the positive experience of countries that have established policies
and adopted legislation on restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave
violations of human rights,
1. Calls upon the international community to give due attention to the right to
restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to circulate to all Member States the text of the
“Basic principles and guidelines on the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of violations
of international human rights and humanitarian law”, annexed to the final report of the
independent expert and to request that they send their comments thereon to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
3. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to hold a
consultative meeting in Geneva for all interested Governments, intergovernmental organizations
and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social
Council, using available resources, with a view to finalizing the principles and guidelines on the
basis of the comments submitted;
4. Also requests the High Commissioner to transmit to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session the final outcome of the consultative meeting for its consideration;
5. Decides to continue its consideration of this matter at its fifty-seventh session
under the sub-item entitled “Independence of the judiciary, administration of justice, impunity”
of the appropriate agenda item.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/42. Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors
and assessors and the independence of lawyers
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by articles 7, 8, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
articles 2, 14 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and bearing in
mind the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23), in particular Part I,
paragraph 27, and Part II, paragraphs 88, 90 and 95, thereof,
Convinced that an independent and impartial judiciary and an independent legal
profession are essential prerequisites for the protection of human rights and for ensuring that
there is no discrimination in the administration of justice,
Recalling its resolution 1994/41 of 4 March 1994, in which it requested the Chairman of
the Commission to appoint, for a period of three years, a special rapporteur on the independence
and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors and the independence of lawyers, and its
resolution 1997/23 of 11 April 1997, in which it decided to extend the mandate of the Special
Rapporteur for a further period of three years,
Recalling also its resolution 1995/36 of 3 March 1995, in which it endorsed the decision
of the Special Rapporteur to use, beginning in 1995, the short title “Special Rapporteur on the
independence of judges and lawyers”,
Recalling further General Assembly resolution 40/32 of 29 November 1985, and
Assembly resolution 40/146 of 13 December 1985, in which the Assembly endorsed the Basic
Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, adopted by the Seventh United Nations
Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 45/166 of 18 December 1990, in which the
Assembly welcomed the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and the Guidelines on the Role
of Prosecutors, adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and
the Treatment of Offenders, and invited Governments to respect them and to take them into
account within the framework of their national legislation and practice,
Recalling also the recommendations adopted by the Ninth United Nations Congress on
the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders regarding, among other things, the
invitation addressed to Member States to ensure the independence and impartiality of the
judiciary and the proper functioning of prosecutorial and legal services in the field of penal
justice and police affairs, taking into account the Basic Principles on the Independence of the
Judiciary,
Recalling further the Statement of Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary,
adopted in Beijing in August 1995 by the Sixth Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the
Pacific, and the Cairo Declaration, adopted in November 1995 by the Third Conference of
Francophone Ministers of Justice,
Acknowledging the importance for the Special Rapporteur of being able to cooperate
closely, in the framework of his mandate, with the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in the field of advisory services and technical cooperation,
which could contribute to guaranteeing the independence of judges and lawyers,
Recognizing the importance of the role of non-governmental organizations, bar
associations and professional associations of judges in the defence of the principles of the
independence of lawyers and judges,
Noting with concern the increasingly frequent attacks on their independence suffered by
judges, lawyers and court officers, and aware of the close link between the weakening of
safeguards for judges, lawyers and court officers and the frequency and gravity of violations of
human rights,
1. Takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges
and lawyers on the activities relating to his mandate (E/CN.4/2000/61 and Corr.1 and Add.1
and 2);
2. Also takes note of the cooperative working methods that the Special Rapporteur
has adopted to draw up his report and implement his mandate, as described in Commission
resolution 1994/41;
3. Welcomes the numerous exchanges the Special Rapporteur has had with several
intergovernmental and international organizations and United Nations bodies, and encourages
him to continue along this path;
4. Notes with appreciation the determination of the Special Rapporteur to achieve as
wide a dissemination as possible of information about existing standards relating to the
independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the independence of the legal profession in
conjunction with the publications and promotional activities of the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights;
5. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to
provide technical assistance to train judges and lawyers and to associate the Special Rapporteur
in the elaboration of a manual on the training of judges and lawyers in the field of human rights;
6. Urges all Governments to assist the Special Rapporteur in the discharge of his
mandate and to transmit to him all the information requested;
7. Encourages Governments that face difficulties in guaranteeing the independence
of judges and lawyers, or that are determined to take measures to implement these principles
further, to consult and to consider the services of the Special Rapporteur, for instance by inviting
him to their country if the Government concerned deems it necessary;
8. Decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a further period of
three years, requests him to submit a report on the activities relating to his mandate to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session and decides to consider this question at that session;
9. Requests the Secretary-General, within the limits of the United Nations regular
budget, to provide the Special Rapporteur with any assistance needed for the discharge of his
mandate;
10. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 23.]
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
2000/43. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that no one should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, that such actions constitute a criminal attempt to destroy a fellow
human being physically and mentally, which can never be justified under any circumstances, by
any ideology or by any overriding interest, and convinced that a society that tolerates torture can
never claim to respect human rights,
Recalling that freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment is a non-derogable right and that the prohibition of torture is explicitly affirmed in
article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 7 of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being
Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
as well as in the relevant provisions of other international human rights instruments such as the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the four Geneva Conventions
of 12 August 1949 for the protection of war victims, and in the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court,
Recalling also the definition of torture contained in article 1 of the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
Appalled at the widespread occurrence of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment,
Recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social
Council and the Commission on Human Rights, in particular General Assembly resolution 51/86
of 12 December 1996 and Commission resolution 1999/32 of 26 April 1999 and Assembly
resolution 54/156 of 17 December 1999,
Mindful of the proclamation by the General Assembly, in its resolution 52/149
of 12 December 1997, of 26 June as United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture,
Commending the persistent efforts by non-governmental organizations to combat torture
and to alleviate the suffering of victims of torture,
1. Calls upon all Governments to implement fully the prohibition of torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
2. Urges all Governments to promote the speedy and full implementation of the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23), in particular Part II,
section B.5, relating to freedom from torture, in which it is stated that States should abrogate
legislation leading to impunity for those responsible for grave violations of human rights such as
torture and prosecute such violations, thereby providing a firm basis for the rule of law;
3. Reminds Governments that corporal punishment, including of children, can
amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or even to torture;
4. Condemns all forms of torture, including through intimidation, as described in
article 1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment;
5. Draws the attention of Governments to the Principles on the effective
investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment annexed to the present resolution, requests the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights to disseminate them widely, encourages Governments to
reflect upon the Principles as a useful tool in efforts to combat torture and requests the Special
Rapporteur, in the normal course of his work, to solicit views from Governments and
non-governmental organizations thereon;
6. Stresses in particular that all allegations of torture or other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment be promptly and impartially examined by the competent
national authority, that those who encourage, order, tolerate or perpetrate acts of torture must be
held responsible and severely punished, including the officials in charge of the place of detention
where the prohibited act is found to have taken place, and that national legal systems should
ensure that the victims of such acts obtain redress and are awarded fair and adequate
compensation and receive appropriate socio-medical rehabilitation;
7. Reminds all States that prolonged incommunicado detention may facilitate the
perpetration of torture and can in itself constitute a form of cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment, and urges all States to respect the safeguards concerning the liberty, security and
dignity of the person;
8. Calls upon all Governments, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights and United Nations bodies and agencies, as well as relevant intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations, to commemorate on 26 June the United Nations International
Day in Support of Victims of Torture, this year with particular emphasis on reparation for torture
victims;
9. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the status
of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (E/CN.4/2000/59) and the ratifications and accessions to the Convention since the
fifty-fifth session of the Commission;
10. Urges all States to become parties to the Convention as a matter of priority;
11. Encourages States parties to consider limiting the extent of any reservations they
lodge to the Convention, to formulate any reservations as precisely and narrowly as possible and
to ensure that no reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention;
12. Also encourages States parties to review regularly any reservations made in
respect of the provisions of the Convention with a view to withdrawing them;
13. Invites all States ratifying or acceding to the Convention and those States parties
that have not yet done so to make the declaration provided for in articles 21 and 22 of the
Convention and to avoid making, or consider the possibility of withdrawing, reservations to
article 20;
14. Urges States parties to notify the Secretary-General of their acceptance of the
amendments to articles 17 and 18 of the Convention as soon as possible;
15. Also urges all States parties to comply strictly with their obligations in accordance
with article 19 of the Convention, including their reporting obligations, and, in particular, those
States parties whose reports are long overdue to submit their reports forthwith, and invites States
parties to incorporate a gender perspective and information concerning children and juveniles
when submitting reports to the Committee against Torture;
16. Stresses that under article 4 of the Convention acts of torture must be made an
offence under domestic criminal law and that acts of torture during armed conflict are considered
a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, with the perpetrators liable to
prosecution and punishment;
17. Emphasizes the obligation of States parties under article 10 of the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to ensure
education and training for personnel who may be involved in the custody, interrogation or
treatment of any individual subjected to any form of arrest, detention or imprisonment, and calls
upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in conformity with her mandate
established in General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993, to provide, at the
request of Governments, advisory services in this regard, as well as technical assistance in the
development, production and distribution of appropriate teaching material for this purpose;
18. Stresses in this context that States must not punish personnel referred to in the
preceding paragraph for not obeying orders to commit acts amounting to torture or other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
19. Welcomes the report of the Committee against Torture on its twenty-first and
twenty-second sessions (A/54/44);
20. Also welcomes the work of the Committee and its practice of formulating
concluding observations after the consideration of reports, as well as its practice of carrying out
inquiries into cases where there are indications of the systematic practice of torture within the
jurisdiction of States parties;
21. Urges States parties to take fully into account, in implementing the provisions of
the Convention, the conclusions and recommendations made by the Committee against Torture
at the end of its consideration of their reports;
22. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to submit to the Commission an
annual report on the status of the Convention;
23. Commends the Special Rapporteur for his work as reflected in his report
(E/CN.4/2000/9 and Add.1-5);
24. Notes the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur contained in his report, as
well as the recommendations made in previous years, and encourages him to continue to include
amongst his recommendations proposals on the prevention and investigation of torture, taking
into account information received on training manuals and activities aimed at facilitating the
practice of torture;
25. Approves the methods of work employed by the Special Rapporteur as set out in a
previous report (E/CN.4/1997/4, annex), in particular with regard to urgent appeals, encourages
him to continue to respond effectively to credible and reliable information that comes before him
and invites him to continue to seek the views and comments of all concerned, including
Governments, in the elaboration of his report;
26. Invites the Special Rapporteur to continue to consider questions concerning
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment directed against women
and conditions conducive to such torture, to make appropriate recommendations concerning the
prevention and redress of gender-specific forms of torture, including rape or any other form of
sexual violence, and to exchange views with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women
with a view to enhancing further their mutual cooperation;
27. Also invites the Special Rapporteur to continue to consider questions relating to
the torture of children and conditions conducive to such torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment and to make appropriate recommendations concerning the
prevention of such torture;
28. Calls upon all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur
on the question of torture in the performance of his task, to supply all necessary information
requested by him and to react appropriately and expeditiously to his urgent appeals;
29. Urges those Governments that have not yet responded to communications
transmitted to them by the Special Rapporteur to answer without further delay;
30. Calls upon all Governments to give serious consideration to the Special
Rapporteur’s requests to visit their countries and urges them to enter into a constructive dialogue
with the Special Rapporteur with respect to the follow-up to his recommendations, so as to
enable him to fulfil his mandate even more effectively;
31. Requests the Special Rapporteur to continue to consider inclusion of information
in his report on the follow-up by Governments to his recommendations, visits and
communications, including both improvements and problems encountered;
32. Considers it desirable that the Special Rapporteur continue to exchange views
with the relevant human rights mechanisms and bodies, especially the Committee against Torture
and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in particular with a
view to enhancing further their effectiveness and mutual cooperation, while avoiding
unnecessary duplication with other special procedures, and that he should pursue cooperation
with relevant United Nations programmes, notably that on crime prevention and criminal justice;
33. Invites the Special Rapporteur to present an interim report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session on the overall trends and developments with regard to
his mandate and a full report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session, including all replies
sent by Governments that are received in any of the official languages of the United Nations;
34. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (A/54/177 and E/CN.4/2000/60 and Add.1);
35. Expresses its appreciation to the Board of Trustees of the Fund for the work it has
accomplished and to those Governments, organizations and individuals that have contributed to
the Fund, and encourages them to continue to do so;
36. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals to contribute annually
to the Fund and preferably by 1 March before the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, if possible with a substantial increase in the contributions in order to take into
consideration the ever-increasing requests for assistance;
37. Stresses in particular the increasing need for assistance to rehabilitation services
for victims of torture and to small projects of humanitarian assistance to victims of torture;
38. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to include the Fund, on an annual
basis, among the programmes for which funds are pledged at the United Nations Pledging
Conference for Development Activities;
39. Renews its request to the Secretary-General to transmit to all Governments the
appeals of the Commission for contributions to the Fund;
40. Calls upon the Board of Trustees of the Fund to report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session and to present an updated assessment of the global need for international
funding of rehabilitation services for victims of torture and of lessons learned from the activities
of the Fund;
41. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to keep the Commission informed of
the operations of the Fund on an annual basis;
42. Urges States parties whose arrears pre-date the provision made by the
Secretary-General for funding the Committee against Torture from the regular budget to fulfil
their obligations forthwith;
43. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure, within the overall budgetary framework
of the United Nations, the provision of an adequate and stable level of staffing, as well as the
necessary technical facilities for the United Nations bodies and mechanisms dealing with torture,
in order to ensure their effective performance;
44. Decides to continue to consider these questions at its fifty-seventh session, as a
matter of priority.
60th meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]
ANNEX
Principles on the effective investigation and documentation of torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
1. The purposes of effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment (hereafter torture or other ill-treatment) include the following:
(i) Clarification of the facts and establishment and acknowledgement of individual
and State responsibility for victims and their families;
(ii) Identification of measures needed to prevent recurrence;
(iii) Facilitating prosecution and/or, as appropriate, disciplinary sanctions for those
indicated by the investigation as being responsible, and demonstrating the need
for full reparation and redress from the State, including fair and adequate financial
compensation and provision of the means for medical care and rehabilitation.
2. States shall ensure that complaints and reports of torture or ill-treatment shall be
promptly and effectively investigated. Even in the absence of an express complaint, an
investigation should be undertaken if there are other indications that torture or ill-treatment
might have occurred. The investigators, who shall be independent of the suspected perpetrators
and the agency they serve, shall be competent and impartial. They shall have access to, or be
empowered to commission investigations by impartial medical or other experts. The methods
used to carry out such investigations shall meet the highest professional standards, and the
findings shall be made public.
3. (a) The investigative authority shall have the power and obligation to obtain all the
information necessary to the inquiry.a The persons conducting the investigation shall have at
their disposal all the necessary budgetary and technical resources for effective investigation.
They shall also have the authority to oblige all those acting in an official capacity allegedly
involved in torture or ill-treatment to appear and testify. The same shall apply to any witness.
To this end, the investigative authority shall be entitled to issue summonses to witnesses,
including any officials allegedly involved, and to demand the production of evidence;
a Under certain circumstances, professional ethics may require information to be kept
confidential. These requirements should be respected.
(b) Alleged victims of torture or ill-treatment, witnesses, those conducting the
investigation and their families shall be protected from violence, threats of violence or any other
form of intimidation that may arise pursuant to the investigation. Those potentially implicated in
torture or ill-treatment shall be removed from any position of control or power, whether direct or
indirect, over complainants, witnesses and their families, as well as those conducting the
investigation.
4. Alleged victims of torture or ill-treatment and their legal representatives shall be
informed of, and have access to any hearing as well as to all information relevant to the
investigation, and shall be entitled to present other evidence.
5. (a) In cases in which the established investigative procedures are inadequate because
of insufficient expertise or suspected bias, or because of the apparent existence of a pattern of
abuse, or for other substantial reasons, States shall ensure that investigations are undertaken
through an independent commission of inquiry or similar procedure. Members of such a
commission shall be chosen for their recognized impartiality, competence and independence as
individuals. In particular, they shall be independent of any suspected perpetrators and the
institutions or agencies they may serve. The commission shall have the authority to obtain all
information necessary to the inquiry and shall conduct the inquiry as provided for under these
Principles;a
(b) A written report, made within a reasonable time, shall include the scope of the
inquiry, procedures and methods used to evaluate evidence as well as conclusions and
recommendations based on findings of fact and on applicable law. On completion, this report
shall be made public. It shall also describe in detail specific events that were found to have
occurred, the evidence upon which such findings were based, and list the names of witnesses
who testified with the exception of those whose identities have been withheld for their own
protection. The State shall, within a reasonable period of time, reply to the report of the
investigation and, as appropriate, indicate steps to be taken in response.
6. (a) Medical experts involved in the investigation of torture or ill-treatment should
behave at all times in conformity with the highest ethical standards and in particular shall obtain
informed consent before any examination is undertaken. The examination must conform to
established standards of medical practice. In particular, examinations shall be conducted in
private under the control of the medical expert and outside the presence of security agents and
other government officials;
(b) The medical expert should promptly prepare an accurate written report. This
report should include at least the following:
(i) Circumstances of the interview: name of the subject and name affiliation
of those present at the examination; the exact time and date; the location,
nature and address of the institution (including, where appropriate, the
room) where the examination is being conducted (e.g. detention centre,
clinic, house, etc.); the circumstances of the subject at the time of the
examination (e.g. nature of any restraints on arrival or during the
examination, presence of security forces during the examination,
demeanour of those accompanying the prisoner, threatening statements to
the examiner, etc.); and any other relevant factor;
(ii) History: a detailed record of the subject’s story as given during the
interview, including alleged methods of torture or ill-treatment, the times
when torture or ill-treatment is alleged to have occurred and all complaints
of physical and psychological symptoms;
(iii) Physical and psychological examination: a record of all physical and
psychological findings on clinical examination including appropriate
diagnostic tests and, where possible, colour photographs of all injuries;
(iv) Opinion: an interpretation as to the probable relationship of the physical
and psychological findings to possible torture or ill-treatment. A
recommendation for any necessary medical and psychological treatment
and/or further examination should be given;
(v) Authorship: the report should clearly identify those carrying out the
examination and should be signed;
(c) The report should be confidential and communicated to the subject or his or her
nominated representative. The views of the subject and his or her representative about the
examination process should be solicited and recorded in the report. It should also be provided in
writing, where appropriate, to the authority responsible for investigating the allegation of torture
or ill-treatment. It is the responsibility of the State to ensure that it is delivered securely to these
persons. The report should not be made available to any other person, except with the consent of
the subject or on the authorization of a court empowered to enforce such transfer.
2000/44. Traffic in women and girls
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling all previous resolutions on the problem of the traffic in women and girls
adopted by the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights, as well as the
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the
Prostitution of Others,
Reaffirming the provisions adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, the
International Conference on Population and Development, the World Summit for Social
Development, the Fourth World Conference on Women and the Ninth United Nations Congress
on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders pertaining to the traffic in women
and children,
Stressing once again the urgent need to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and
trafficking, including for prostitution, which are violations of the human rights of women and
girls and are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person, through the adoption
of effective measures nationally, regionally and internationally,
Taking note of the work being done by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of a
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in particular its elaboration of a protocol to
prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children,
Welcoming the consensus reached on the draft optional protocol to the Convention on the
Rights of Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the adoption
of International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and
Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour,
Also welcoming bilateral and regional cooperation mechanisms and initiatives to address
the problem of trafficking in women and girls,
Recognizing that global efforts, including international cooperation and technical
assistance programmes, to eradicate trafficking in persons, particularly women and children,
demand strong political commitment by and the active cooperation of all Governments of
countries of origin, transit and destination,
Stressing the need for a global approach to eradicate trafficking in women and children
and the importance, in this regard, of systematic data collection and comprehensive studies,
including on the modus operandi of trafficking syndicates,
Acknowledging the work done by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
in compiling information on the scale and complexity of the problem of trafficking, in providing
shelter for trafficked women and children, and in effecting their voluntary repatriation to their
countries of origin,
Recognizing the need to address the impact of globalization on the problem of trafficking
in women and girls,
Seriously concerned at the increasing number of women and girl children from
developing countries and from some economies in transition who are being trafficked to
developed countries, as well as within and between regions and States, and acknowledging that
the problem of trafficking also includes the victimizing of boys,
Gravely concerned at the increasing activities of transnational criminal organizations and
others that profit from international trafficking in women and children without regard to
dangerous and inhumane conditions and in flagrant violation of domestic laws and international
standards,
Deeply concerned about the unabated use of new information technologies, including the
Internet, for purposes of prostitution, child pornography, paedophilia, trafficking in women as
brides and sex tourism,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General
(E/CN.4/2000/66) on activities of United Nations bodies and other international
organizations pertaining to the problem of trafficking in women and girls;
2. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its
causes and consequences, on trafficking in women, women’s migration and violence against
women (E/CN.4/2000/68);
3. Also welcomes the steps taken by human rights treaty bodies, the special
rapporteurs and subsidiary bodies of the Commission, the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, other United Nations bodies and international
organizations to address within their mandates the problem of trafficking in women and girls,
and encourages them to continue doing so and to share their knowledge and best practices as
widely as possible;
4. Urges Governments to take appropriate measures to address the root factors,
including external factors, that encourage trafficking in women and girls for prostitution and
other forms of commercialized sex, forced marriages and forced labour, so as to eliminate
trafficking in women, including by strengthening existing legislation with a view to providing
better protection of the rights of women and girls and to punishing perpetrators, through both
criminal and civil measures;
5. Invites Governments to take steps to ensure for victims of trafficking the respect
of all their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including taking steps to ensure all
legislation related to combating trafficking is gender sensitive and provides protection for the
human rights of women and girls and against violations committed against women and girls;
6. Calls upon Governments to criminalize trafficking in women and girls in all its
forms, and to condemn and penalize all the offenders involved, including intermediaries, whether
their offence was committed in their own or in a foreign country, while ensuring that the victims
of those practices are not penalized;
7. Encourages Governments to conclude bilateral, subregional, regional and
international agreements to address the problem of trafficking in women and girls;
8. Also encourages Governments to work for the early finalization of the draft
convention against transnational organized crime, including the draft protocol to prevent,
suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and to give the draft
convention and the protocol a human rights perspective;
9. Further encourages Governments, in cooperation with non-governmental
organizations, to undertake campaigns aimed at clarifying opportunities, limitations and rights in
the event of migration so as to enable women to make informed decisions and to prevent them
from becoming victims of trafficking;
10. Calls upon concerned Governments to allocate resources to provide
comprehensive programmes designed to heal and rehabilitate into society victims of trafficking,
including through job training, legal assistance and health care and by taking measures to
cooperate with non-governmental organizations to provide for the social, medical and
psychological care of the victims;
11. Notes with appreciation the efforts of participating Governments and
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations at the Asian Regional Initiative Against
Trafficking in Women and Children meeting in Manila in March 2000 to develop a regional
action plan against trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and encourages other
regional initiatives in this regard;
12. Encourages Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations, the human rights treaty bodies, the special rapporteurs, especially the Special
Rapporteur on violence against women, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants,
and subsidiary bodies of the Commission to participate in and contribute to the work of the
twenty-sixth session of the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery in 2001 that will
focus on the issue of trafficking;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Commission, at its
fifty-seventh session, with an update on the report on activities of United Nations bodies and
other international organizations pertaining to the problem of trafficking in women and girls;
14. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session
under the appropriate agenda item.
61st meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XII.]
2000/45. Elimination of violence against women
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that discrimination on the basis of sex is contrary to the Charter of the
United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international human rights instruments,
and that its elimination is an integral part of efforts towards the elimination of violence against
women,
Recalling its resolutions 1994/45 of 4 March 1994, in which it decided to appoint a
special rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and 1997/44
of 11 April 1997, in which that mandate was renewed,
Welcoming the adoption by the General Assembly, in its resolution 48/104
of 20 December 1993, of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, which
recognizes that violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by
women of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and expresses concern about the
long-standing failure to protect and promote these rights and freedoms in relation to violence
against women,
Stressing that the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and the entry into force of its Optional Protocol will contribute to
the elimination of violence against women and that the implementation of the Declaration on the
Elimination of Violence against Women strengthens and complements this process,
Welcoming the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted in September 1995
by the Fourth World Conference on Women (A/CONF.177/20, chap. I) and follow-up action
such as the agreed conclusions adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women on violence
against women and on the other critical areas of concern identified in the Platform for Action,
Recalling that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by
the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23) affirmed that gender-based violence
and all forms of sexual harassment and exploitation, including those resulting from cultural
prejudice and international trafficking, are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human
person and must be eliminated, and called for action to integrate the equal status and human
rights of women into the mainstream of United Nations system-wide activity, stressed the
importance of working towards the elimination of violence against women in public and private
life, and urged the eradication of all forms of discrimination against women,
Deeply concerned that some groups of women, such as women belonging to minority
groups, indigenous women, refugee women, migrant women, women living in rural or remote
communities, destitute women, women in institutions or in detention, the girl child, women with
disabilities, elderly women and women in situations of armed conflict, are especially targeted
and vulnerable to violence,
Recalling the inclusion of gender-related crimes and crimes of sexual violence in the
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (A/CONF.183/9), which affirms that rape,
sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization and other forms of
sexual violence constitute, in defined circumstances, a crime against humanity and a war crime,
and reiterating that acts of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict can constitute serious
violations or grave breaches of international humanitarian law,
1. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its
causes and consequences (E/CN.4/2000/68 and Add.1-5), and encourages her in her future work;
2. Condemns all acts of gender-based violence against women and in this regard
calls, in accordance with the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, for the
elimination of all forms of gender-based violence in the family, within the general community
and where perpetrated or condoned by the State, and emphasizes the duty of Governments to
refrain from engaging in violence against women and to exercise due diligence to prevent,
investigate and, in accordance with national legislation, punish acts of violence against women
and to take appropriate and effective action concerning acts of violence against women, whether
those acts are perpetrated by the State, by private persons or by armed groups or warring
factions, and to provide access to just and effective remedies and specialized, including medical,
assistance to victims;
3. Affirms that the term “violence against women” means any act of gender-based
violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or
suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,
whether occurring in public or in private life, and including domestic violence, crimes committed
in the name of honour, crimes committed in the name of passion, traditional practices harmful to
women, including female genital mutilation, and forced marriages;
4. Also affirms that violence against women constitutes a violation of the rights and
fundamental freedoms of women and impairs or nullifies their enjoyment of those rights and
freedoms;
5. Strongly condemns physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the
family, which encompasses, but is not limited to, battering, sexual abuse of female children in
the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female infanticide, female genital mutilation
and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to
exploitation;
6. Encourages Governments and the United Nations system to ensure greater
international cooperation in, and national attention to, acquiring data and developing indicators
on the extent, nature and consequences of violence against women and girls, and on the
impact and effectiveness of policies and programmes for combating this violence;
7. Welcomes the decision by the General Assembly to designate 25 November as the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women;
8. Also welcomes the establishment in March 1999 by the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights of a programme against trafficking in
persons;
9. Encourages Governments to ensure that all international and national measures to
eliminate trafficking, including the draft protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in
persons, especially women and children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime, promote and protect the human rights of victims;
10. Urges all Governments to mainstream a gender perspective, as appropriate, into
national immigration and asylum policies, regulations and practices, in order to extend protection
to those women whose claim for protection is based on gender-related persecution;
11. Requests all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in
the performance of her mandated tasks and duties, to supply all information requested and to
respond to the Special Rapporteur’s visits and communications;
12. Welcomes the efforts of the Special Rapporteur to seek information from
Governments concerning specific cases of alleged violence in order to identify and investigate
situations of violence against women, its causes and consequences, in particular, where
appropriate, by sending joint urgent appeals and communications with other special rapporteurs;
13. Invites the Special Rapporteur to continue to cooperate with other special
rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts and chairpersons of the working groups
of the special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights, including, where appropriate,
undertaking joint missions and writing joint reports;
14. Requests special rapporteurs responsible for various human rights questions,
United Nations organs and bodies, specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations,
and encourages human rights treaty bodies, to give consideration to violence against women
within their respective mandates and to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the
performance of her mandated tasks and duties, and in particular to respond to her requests for
information on violence against women, its causes and consequences;
15. Stresses the conclusions and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur that
States have an affirmative duty to promote and protect the human rights of women and must
exercise due diligence to prevent all forms of violence against women, and calls upon States:
(a) To apply international human rights norms and to ratify and implement fully
international human rights instruments that relate to violence against women;
(b) To include in reports submitted in accordance with the provisions of relevant
United Nations human rights instruments sex-disaggregated data and, whenever possible,
information pertaining to violence against women and measures taken to implement the
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and the Beijing Platform for Action
adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women;
(c) To condemn violence against women and not invoke custom, tradition or
practices in the name of religion to avoid their obligations to eliminate such violence;
(d) To enact and, where necessary, reinforce or amend penal, civil, labour and
administrative sanctions in domestic legislation to punish and redress the wrongs done to women
and girls subjected to any form of violence, whether in the home, the workplace, the community
or society, in custody or in situations of armed conflict, to ensure that they conform with relevant
international human rights instruments and humanitarian law, and to take action to investigate
and punish persons who perpetrate acts of violence against women;
(e) To consider undertaking comprehensive, objective and easily accessible
information campaigns about violence against women;
(f) To establish and/or strengthen, at the national level, collaborative relationships
with relevant non-governmental and community-based organizations, and with public and
private sector institutions, aimed at the development and effective implementation of provisions
and policies relating to violence against women, including in the area of support services to
respond to the needs of women and girl survivors of violence and to assist them in their full
recovery and reintegration into society;
(g) To create, improve or develop, as appropriate, and fund training programmes,
taking into account, inter alia, sex-disaggregated data on the causes and effects of violence
against women, for judicial, legal, medical, social, educational, police, correctional service,
military, peacekeeping, humanitarian relief and immigration personnel, in order to avoid the
abuse of power leading to violence against women and to sensitize such personnel to the nature
of gender-based acts and threats of violence so that fair treatment of female victims can be
ensured;
(h) To sensitize all persons, men and women, to the causes and effects of violence
against women and to highlight men’s role in its prevention and elimination, to encourage and
support men’s initiatives to complement the efforts of women’s organizations in this regard, and
to encourage behavioural change by perpetrators of violence against women;
16. Reminds Governments that their obligations under the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women must be implemented fully with
regard to violence against women, taking into account General Recommendation No. 19 adopted
by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at its eleventh session,
and calls upon those States which are still not parties to the Convention to work actively towards
ratification of or accession to it so that universal ratification can be achieved by the end of the
year 2000, and encourages all Member States to consider signing, ratifying or acceding to the
Optional Protocol to the Convention;
17. Requests Governments to support initiatives of women’s organizations and
non-governmental organizations all over the world to raise awareness of the issue of violence
against women and to contribute to its elimination;
18. Renews its request to the Secretary-General to continue to provide the
Special Rapporteur with all necessary assistance, in particular the staff and resources required to
perform all mandated functions, especially in carrying out and following up on missions
undertaken either separately or jointly with other special rapporteurs and working groups, and
adequate assistance for periodic consultations with the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women and all other treaty bodies;
19. Decides to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a period of
three years;
20. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the reports of the Special
Rapporteur are brought to the attention of the Commission on the Status of Women at its
forty-fifth session, as well as to the attention of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women;
21. Decides to continue consideration of the question as a matter of high priority at its
fifty-seventh session.
61st meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XII.]
2000/46. Integrating the human rights of women throughout
the United Nations system
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming that the equal rights of women and men are enshrined in the Charter of the
United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international human rights instruments,
Recalling all previous resolutions on this subject,
Recalling also that, in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in
June 1993 (A/CONF.157/23), the World Conference on Human Rights affirmed that the human
rights of women and of the girl child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal
human rights and called for action to integrate the equal status and human rights of women into
the mainstream of United Nations system-wide activity,
Emphasizing that all entities of the United Nations system, as well as the major
United Nations conferences and summits, including in the process of implementation of their
outcome, should further mainstream a gender perspective at all levels, bearing in mind the need
for integrated and coordinated follow-up,
Bearing in mind that the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in
September 1995, in its Platform for Action (A/CONF.177/20, chap. I, annex II), called upon all
relevant organs, bodies and agencies of the United Nations system, all human rights bodies of the
United Nations system, as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to give full, equal and sustained attention
to the human rights of women in the exercise of their respective mandates,
Welcoming the adoption without a vote by the General Assembly, in its resolution 54/4
of 6 October 1999, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women, which was opened for signature, ratification and accession
on 10 December 1999, and the fact that a number of States have already signed the Optional
Protocol,
Emphasizing the pivotal role of the Commission on the Status of Women in promoting
equality between women and men, and welcoming its agreed conclusions on the human rights of
women and on the other critical areas of concern of the Platform for Action,
Acknowledging the need to integrate further the human rights of women and a gender
perspective into all aspects of the work of the Commission on Human Rights and the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and all other subsidiary
mechanisms,
Acknowledging, furthermore, the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to
the promotion and protection of the human rights of women, which includes the integration of
the human rights of women into the mainstream of United Nations activities system-wide,
Reaffirming the important role women’s groups and non-governmental organizations play
in promoting and protecting the human rights of women,
1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/67);
2. Also welcomes the ministerial communiqué adopted by the Economic and Social
Council at the high-level segment of its substantive session of 1999 on the theme “The role of
employment and work in poverty eradication: the empowerment and advancement of women”;
3. Emphasizes that the goal of mainstreaming a gender perspective is to achieve
gender equality and that this includes ensuring that all United Nations activities integrate the
human rights of women;
4. Invites the Economic and Social Council to give attention to the implementation
of its agreed conclusions 1997/2 on mainstreaming the gender perspective and 1998/2 related to
the coordinated follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action, in particular point II.B.3 on the equal status and human rights of women, including in its
coordination segment of 2000 on the theme of the assessment of the progress made within the
United Nations system, through the conference reviews, in the promotion of an integrated and
coordinated implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits
in the economic, social and related fields;
5. Encourages the continued commitment of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights to integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations
system and, in this regard, welcomes the finalization by the High Commissioner of the policy
statement on gender and the human rights of women, and the cooperation on women’s human
rights between the High Commissioner and the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and
Advancement of Women;
6. Welcomes the continued cooperation between the Commission on the Status of
Women and the Commission on Human Rights, including through joint bureau meetings and the
participation of the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women in the work of the
Commission on Human Rights under the relevant agenda item, and encourages the continuation
of this cooperation;
7. Also welcomes the cooperation and coordination between the Division for the
Advancement of Women and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights aimed at
mainstreaming women’s human rights, and the report of the Secretary-General on the joint work
plan for the year 2000 (E/CN.4/2000/118-E/CN.6/2000/8) and encourages the Secretary-General
to ensure its implementation, to continue to elaborate this plan, reflecting all aspects of work
under way and the lessons learned, to identify obstacles/impediments and areas for further
collaboration and to make it available to the Commission on Human Rights at its
fifty-seventh session and to the Commission on the Status of Women at its forty-fifth session;
8. Draws attention to the need to develop practical strategies to implement the
recommendations contained in the report of the expert group on the development of guidelines
for the integration of a gender perspective into human rights activities and programmes
(E/CN.4/1996/105, annex) and, in this regard, notes with interest the workshop on gender
integration into the human rights system, organized jointly by the Office of the High
Commissioner, the Division for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations
Development Fund for Women and held from 26 to 28 May 1999;
9. Urges the relevant organs, bodies and agencies of the United Nations system,
including all human rights bodies, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to bear in
mind, in the recruitment of staff, including for peacekeeping operations and humanitarian and
human rights missions, the need for expertise in women’s and girls’ enjoyment of human rights;
10. Emphasizes the need for further activities in the United Nations system to
strengthen expertise concerning the equal status and human rights of women through, inter alia,
the provision of training on the human rights of women and on gender mainstreaming, including
through gender impact analysis, to all United Nations personnel and officials at Headquarters
and in the field, especially in field operations;
11. Recognizes that gender mainstreaming will strongly benefit from the enhanced
and full participation of women, including at the higher levels of decision-making in the
United Nations system, and in this regard strongly encourages Member States to promote gender
balance by, inter alia, regularly nominating more women candidates for election to the human
rights treaty bodies and for appointment to United Nations bodies, the specialized agencies
and other organs, and calls upon all relevant actors to implement General Assembly
resolution 54/139 of 17 December 1999 on improvement of the status of women in the
Secretariat;
12. Encourages United Nations bodies and agencies to increase cooperation with
other organizations in developing activities to address, within their respective mandates,
violations of the human rights of women and to promote the full enjoyment of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms by women, including by developing activities with other
organizations;
13. Requests all human rights treaty bodies, special procedures and other human
rights mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission for the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights regularly and systematically to take a gender
perspective into account in the implementation of their mandates, and to include in their reports
information on and qualitative analysis of human rights of women and girls, and encourages the
strengthening of cooperation and coordination in this regard;
14. Recalls the paper prepared for the meeting of special rapporteurs/representatives,
independent experts and chairpersons of working groups of the special procedures of the
Commission and of the advisory services programme held from 28 to 30 May 1996
(E/CN.4/1997/3, annex) and the description therein of gender-specific analysis and reporting as
an examination of the effects of gender on the form which a human rights violation takes, the
circumstances in which a particular violation occurs, the consequences for the victim and the
availability and accessibility of remedies, and urges the implementation of the recommendations
pertaining to working methods and reporting methodology, including sources of information and
gender-specific analysis in conclusions and recommendations;
15. Notes with appreciation the request made by the Economic and Social Council in
its agreed conclusions 1998/2 that the Commission make explicit the integration of a gender
perspective when establishing or renewing human rights mandates;
16. Urges the use of gender-inclusive language in the formulation, interpretation and
application of human rights instruments, as well as in reports, resolutions and/or decisions of the
Commission, the Sub-Commission and the various human rights mechanisms, and requests the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to utilize gender-inclusive
language in the preparation of all of its communications, reports and publications, and to work
with the United Nations conference services to ensure gender-inclusive language and
interpretation in the proceedings of the Office;
17. Encourages the efforts of the treaty bodies to monitor more effectively
the human rights of women in their activities, bearing in mind the workshop on gender
integration, and reaffirms that it is the responsibility of all treaty bodies, in their work, to
integrate a gender perspective, bearing in mind also the need:
(a) To develop gender-sensitive guidelines to be used in the review of States parties’
reports;
(b) To develop, as a matter of priority, a common strategy towards mainstreaming the
human rights of women into their work, so that each body, within its mandate, monitors the
human rights of women;
(c) To incorporate a gender analysis and regularly exchange information in the
development of general comments and recommendations, with a view to the preparation of
general comments which reflect a gender perspective;
(d) To incorporate a gender perspective in concluding observations so that the
concluding observations of each treaty body delineate the strengths and weaknesses of each State
party insofar as enjoyment by women of the rights guaranteed by a particular treaty is concerned;
18. Encourages all entities charged with the promotion and protection of human
rights, especially United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms, to identify, collect and
use sex-disaggregated data and gender-specific information in their activities and to apply gender
analysis in monitoring and reporting;
19. Welcomes the submission of reports by specialized agencies, at the invitation of
the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, on the implementation of
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in areas
falling within the scope of their activities and the contribution of non-governmental
organizations to the work of the Committee;
20. Encourages all entities of the United Nations system to pay systematic, increased
and sustained attention to the recommendations of the Committee, in order to ensure that its
concluding observations and general recommendations are better utilized in their respective
work;
21. Urges all States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so as
soon as possible so that universal ratification of the Convention can be achieved by the end of
the year 2000, and encourages all Member States to consider signing, ratifying or acceding to the
Optional Protocol to the Convention so that it can enter into force as soon as possible;
22. Urges States to limit the extent of any reservations to the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, to formulate any such reservations
as precisely and as narrowly as possible, to ensure that no reservations are incompatible with the
object and purpose of the Convention or otherwise incompatible with international treaty law and
regularly to review them with a view to withdrawing them, and to withdraw reservations that are
contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention or which are otherwise incompatible with
international treaty law;
23. Urges States that have ratified or acceded to the Convention to take action to
implement the Convention fully, inter alia through national legislation, policies and practice, and
to take account of the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women in this regard;
24. Requests the Secretary-General to report, at its fifty-seventh session, on the
implementation of the present resolution;
25. Decides to integrate a gender perspective into all agenda items of the
Commission;
26. Also decides to continue its consideration of the question at its fifty-seventh
session.
61st meeting
20 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XII.]
2000/47. Promoting and consolidating democracy
The Commission on Human Rights,
Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and
reaffirming that one of the basic aims of the United Nations is to promote and encourage respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, colour, sex,
language or religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, disability,
birth or other status,
Recalling its resolution 1999/57 of 27 April 1999 on promotion of the right to
democracy,
Reaffirming the indissoluble link between human rights as enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and in the international human rights treaties and the foundation of
any democratic society,
Recalling that all peoples have the right of self-determination, by virtue of which they
can freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural
development,
Recalling also that in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in
June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), it recommended that
priority be given to national and international action to promote democracy, development and
human rights,
Recalling further General Assembly resolution 53/243 of 13 September 1999 containing
the Declaration and Programme of Action for a Culture of Peace,
Reaffirming its commitment to the process of democratization of States, and recognizing
that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are
interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and that democracy is based on the freely expressed
will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and
their full participation in all aspects of their lives,
Reaffirming also that good governance, including through transparency and
accountability, is indispensable for building peaceful, prosperous and democratic societies,
Aware of the crucial importance of active involvement of civil society in processes of
governance that affect the life of people,
Recalling commitments undertaken by Member States for the promotion of democracy
and the rule of law, within the framework of the United Nations and other international
organizations,
Welcoming measures such as resolution 1080 of the Organization of American States,
decision 141/XXXV of the Organization of African Unity and the Moscow Document on the
Human Dimension adopted in 1991 by the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
which commit member States to take certain steps in the event of an interruption of democratic
government, as well as the 1991 Harare Commonwealth Declaration which commits members to
fundamental democratic principles,
Encouraged by the wish of an increasing number of countries all over the world to devote
their energy, means and political will to the building of democratic societies where individuals
have the opportunity to shape their own destiny,
Noting the initiatives taken by the countries that participated in the first, second and
third International Conferences of New or Restored Democracies, held respectively in Manila in
June 1988, in Managua in July 1994 and in Bucharest in September 1997,
Noting that the Fourth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies is
scheduled to be held in Cotonou, Benin, in December 2000, the initiative taken by Poland to host
a meeting of Governments committed to the democratic path in Warsaw in June 2000, as well as
the initiative of the Government of Mali to host in Bamako, in 2000, following the Final
Declaration adopted in September 1999 in Moncton, Canada, by the Eighth Summit of the
International Organization of the Francophonie, an international symposium at ministerial level
on the practices of democracy in the francophone areas,
1. Calls upon States:
(a) To consolidate democracy through the promotion of pluralism, the protection of
human rights and fundamental freedoms, maximizing the participation of individuals in
decision-making and the development of competent and public institutions, including an
independent judiciary, effective and accountable legislature and public service and an electoral
system that ensures periodic, free and fair elections;
(b) To promote, protect and respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, in
particular:
(i) Freedom of thought, conscience, religion, belief, peaceful assembly and
association, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, and
free, independent and pluralistic media;
(ii) The rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious or linguistic
minorities, including the right freely to express, preserve and develop their
identity without any discrimination and in full equality before the law;
(iii) The rights of indigenous people;
(iv) The rights of children, the elderly and persons with physical or mental
disabilities;
(v) By actively promoting gender equality with the aim of achieving full
equality between men and women;
(vi) By considering becoming parties to international human rights
instruments;
(vii) By fulfilling their obligations under international human rights
instruments to which they are parties;
(c) To strengthen the rule of law by:
(i) Ensuring equality before the law and equal protection under the law;
(ii) Ensuring the right to liberty and security of person, to equal access to
justice, and to be brought promptly before a judge or other officer
authorized by law to exercise judicial power in the case of detention, to
avoid arbitrary arrest;
(iii) Guaranteeing the right to a fair trial;
(iv) Ensuring due process of law and the right to be presumed innocent until
proven guilty in a court of law;
(v) Promoting continuously the independence and integrity of the judiciary
and, by means of appropriate education, selection, support and allocation
of resources, strengthening its capacity to render justice with fairness and
efficiency, free from improper or corrupt outside influence;
(vi) Guaranteeing that persons who are deprived of their liberty are treated
with humanity and dignity;
(vii) Ensuring appropriate civil and administrative remedies and criminal
sanctions for violations of human rights, as well as effective protection for
human rights defenders;
(viii) Including information on human rights obligations in training for civil
servants, police forces and the military;
(ix) Ensuring that the military remains accountable to democratically elected
civilian government;
(d) To develop, nurture and maintain an electoral system that provides for the free
and fair expression of the people’s will through genuine and periodic elections, in particular by:
(i) Ensuring the right of everyone to take part in the government of his/her
country, directly or through freely chosen representatives;
(ii) Guaranteeing the right freely to vote and to be elected in a free and fair
process at regular intervals, by universal and equal suffrage, open to
multiple parties, conducted by secret ballot;
(iii) Taking measures as appropriate to address the representation of
under-represented segments of society;
(iv) Ensuring, through legislation, institutions and mechanisms, the freedom to
form democratic political parties as well as transparency and fairness of
the electoral process, including through appropriate access to funds and
free, independent and pluralistic media;
(e) To create and improve the legal framework and necessary mechanisms for
enabling the wide participation of members of civil society - individuals, groups and
associations - in the development of democracy, by:
(i) Respecting the diversity of society by promoting associations, dialogue
structures, mass media and their interaction as a means of strengthening
and developing democracy;
(ii) Fostering, through education and other means, awareness and respect for
democratic values;
(iii) Encouraging the exercise of the right to form, join and participate in
non-governmental organizations, associations or groups, including trade
unions;
(iv) Guaranteeing mechanisms for the involvement of civil society in
processes of governance and developing cooperation between local
authorities and non-governmental organizations;
(v) Providing or improving the legal and administrative framework for
non-governmental, community-based and other civil society
organizations;
(vi) Promoting active civil education and education on human rights, inter alia
by organizations of civil society;
(f) To strengthen democracy through good governance by:
(i) Improving the transparency of public institutions and policy-making
procedures and enhancing the accountability of public officials;
(ii) Taking legal, administrative and political measures against corruption,
disclosing it and punishing all those involved in acts of corruption of
public officials;
(iii) Bringing government closer to the people by appropriate levels of
devolution;
(iv) Promoting the widest possible public access to information about the
activities of national and local authorities, as well as ensuring access by all
to administrative remedies, without discrimination;
(v) Fostering high levels of competence, ethics and professionalism within the
civil service, and its cooperation with the public, inter alia by providing
appropriate training to the civil service;
(g) To strengthen democracy by promoting sustainable development, in particular by:
(i) Taking effective measures aimed at the progressive realization of
economic, social and cultural rights, such as the right to education and the
right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including
food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services,
individually and through international cooperation;
(ii) Also taking effective measures aimed at overcoming social inequalities
and eliminating poverty;
(iii) Promoting economic freedom and pursuing active policies to provide
opportunities for productive employment and sustainable livelihood;
(iv) Ensuring equal access to economic opportunities and equal pay and other
rewards for work of equal value;
(v) Creating a legislative and regulatory framework with a view to promoting
sound and sustainable economic development;
(h) To enhance social cohesion and solidarity by:
(i) Developing and strengthening institutional and educational capabilities, at
local and national levels, to mediate conflicts, to resolve disputes
peacefully, and to prevent and eliminate the use of violence in addressing
societal tensions and disagreements;
(ii) Improving social protection systems and working towards ensuring basic
social services for all;
(iii) Encouraging social dialogue and tripartite cooperation with respect to
labour relations among government, trade unions and employer
organizations, as reflected in the International Labour Organization core
Conventions;
2. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
and human rights mechanisms of the Commission and the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights to pay due attention, within their mandates, to the content of
paragraph 1;
3. Also requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her
report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session, to reflect progress on the implementation of
the present resolution;
4. Further requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to bring the
present resolution to the attention of member States, the competent United Nations organs and
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and to disseminate it on the widest
possible basis;
5. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-seventh session under
the same agenda item.
62nd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 45 votes to none,
with 8 abstentions. See chap. XI.]
2000/48. Human rights of migrants
The Commission on Human Rights,
Considering that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all human
beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights
and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind, in particular as to race, colour or
national origin,
Reaffirming that every State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights must ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights
recognized in the Covenant,
Reaffirming also that every State party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights must undertake to guarantee that the rights enunciated in that Covenant will
be exercised without discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of national origin,
Reaffirming the provisions concerning migrants adopted by the World Conference on
Human Rights, the International Conference on Population and Development, the World Summit
for Social Development and the Fourth World Conference on Women,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 40/144 of 13 December 1985, by which it
approved the Declaration on the Human Rights of Individuals Who are not Nationals of the
Country in which They Live,
Taking note of the large and increasing number of migrants in the world,
Deeply concerned at the manifestations of racism, xenophobia and other forms of
discrimination and inhuman and degrading treatment against migrants in different parts of the
world,
Bearing in mind the situation of vulnerability in which migrants frequently find
themselves, owing, inter alia, to their absence from their State of origin and to the difficulties
they encounter because of differences of language, custom and culture, as well as the economic
and social difficulties and obstacles for the return of migrants who are non-documented or in an
irregular situation to their States of origin,
Also bearing in mind the need for a focused and consistent approach towards migrants as
a specific vulnerable group, particularly women and children migrants,
Encouraged by the increasing interest of the international community in the effective and
full protection of the human rights of all migrants, and underlining the need to make further
efforts to ensure respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants,
Taking note with appreciation of the recommendations by the Intergovernmental
Working Group of Experts on the Human Rights of Migrants on strengthening the promotion,
protection and implementation of the human rights of this large vulnerable group,
Noting with appreciation the efforts made by some States to penalize the international
trafficking of migrants and to protect the victims of this illegal activity,
Bearing in mind the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
contained in its resolution 1999/44 of 27 April 1999,
Also bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 54/166 of 17 December 1999, in
which the Assembly welcomes the Commission’s decision to appoint a special rapporteur on the
human rights of migrants,
Resolved to ensure respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
migrants,
1. Acknowledges that the principles and standards embodied in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights apply to everyone, including migrants;
2. Requests States, in conformity with their respective constitutional systems, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international instruments to which they are
party, which may include the International Covenants on human rights, the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the
Child and other applicable international human rights instruments, effectively to promote and
protect the fundamental human rights of all migrants;
3. Welcomes the first report of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/2000/82) submitted
pursuant to Commission resolution 1999/44, especially the plan of action and recommendations;
4. Encourages the Special Rapporteur to continue examining ways and means of
overcoming existing obstacles to the full and effective protection of the human rights of this
vulnerable group, including obstacles and difficulties for the return of migrants who are
non-documented or in an irregular situation, in conformity with her mandate contained in
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/44;
5. Requests the Special Rapporteur, in carrying out her mandate and within the
framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all other international human
rights instruments, to request, receive and exchange information on violations of the human
rights of migrants, wherever they may occur, from Governments, treaty bodies, specialized
agencies, special rapporteurs for various human rights questions and from intergovernmental
organizations, other competent organizations of the United Nations system and
non-governmental organizations, including migrants’ organizations, and to respond effectively to
such information;
6. Requests the aforementioned mechanisms to cooperate with the Special
Rapporteur;
7. Requests the Special Rapporteur to include in her work schedule a programme of
visits for the next two years, with a view to improving the protection afforded to the human
rights of migrants, thus implementing as broadly and fully as possible all the aspects of her
mandate;
8. Encourages Governments to give serious consideration to inviting the Special
Rapporteur to visit their countries so as to enable her to fulfil her mandate effectively;
9. Requests all Governments to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur in the
performance of the tasks and duties mandated, to furnish all information requested and to react
promptly to her urgent appeals;
10. Welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation that close links be
established between her work and that of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference
against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, within the
framework of the World Conference’s objectives, and encourages her to help identify the main
issues which the World Conference should address;
11. Requests the Special Rapporteur, in carrying out her mandate, to take into account
bilateral and regional negotiations which aim at addressing, inter alia, the return and reinsertion
of migrants who are non-documented or in an irregular situation;
12. Strongly condemns all forms of racial discrimination and xenophobia related to
access to employment, vocational training, housing, schooling, health services and social
services, as well as services intended for use by the public, and welcomes the active role played
by governmental and non-governmental organizations in combating racism and xenophobia and
assisting individual victims of racist acts, including migrant victims;
13. Calls upon all States to consider reviewing and, where necessary, revising
immigration policies with a view to eliminating all discriminatory policies and practices against
migrants and to provide specialized training for government policy-making and law
enforcement, migration and other concerned officials, thus underlining the importance of
effective action to create conditions that foster greater harmony and tolerance within societies;
14. Reiterates the need for all States to protect fully the universally recognized human
rights of migrants, especially those of women and children, regardless of their legal status, and to
treat them humanely, particularly with regard to assistance and protection, applying inter alia the
measures provided under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations regarding the right to
receive consular assistance by the country of origin;
15. Encourages Member States that have not yet done so to enact domestic legislation
to combat international trafficking of migrants, which should take into account, in particular,
trafficking that endangers the lives of migrants or entails different forms of servitude or
exploitation, such as any form of debt bondage, slavery and sexual or labour exploitation, and to
strengthen international cooperation to combat such trafficking;
16. Calls upon States to protect all human rights of migrant children, particularly
unaccompanied migrant children, ensuring that the best interests of the children are the
paramount consideration, and encourages the relevant United Nations bodies, within the
framework of their respective mandates, to pay special attention to the conditions of migrant
children in all States and, where necessary, to put forward recommendations to strengthen their
protection;
17. Requests the Economic and Social Council to consider the possibility of
recommending that the Secretary-General adopt 18 December as International Migrant’s Day;
18. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit a report on her activities to the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
19. Requests the Secretary-General to give the Special Rapporteur all necessary
human and financial assistance for the fulfilment of her mandate;
20. Decides to examine this question further, as a matter of priority, at its
fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.
62nd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/49. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of
All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming once more the permanent validity of the principles and standards embodied
in the principal instruments regarding the international protection of human rights, in particular
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights, the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination against Women and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Bearing in mind the principles and standards established within the framework of the
International Labour Organization and the importance of the task carried out in connection with
migrant workers and their families in other specialized agencies and in various United Nations
bodies,
Reiterating that, despite the existence of an already established body of principles and
norms, there is a need to make further efforts to improve the situation and to guarantee respect
for the human rights and dignity of all migrant workers and members of their families,
Concerned at the situation of migrant workers and members of their families and at the
marked increase in migratory movements that has occurred, especially in certain parts of the
world,
Underlining the importance of the creation of conditions to foster greater harmony and
tolerance between migrant workers and the rest of the society of the State in which they reside,
with the aim of eliminating the growing manifestations of racism and xenophobia perpetrated in
segments of many societies by individuals or groups against migrant workers,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 45/158 of 18 December 1990, by which the
Assembly adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession to the International
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their
Families, contained in the annex to the resolution,
Considering that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993
by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23) urges all States to guarantee the
protection of all migrant workers and their families and invites them to consider the possibility of
signing and ratifying the Convention at the earliest possible time,
1. Expresses its deep concern at the growing manifestations of racism, xenophobia
and other forms of discrimination and inhuman or degrading treatment against migrant workers
in different parts of the world;
2. Urges countries of destination to review and adopt, as appropriate, measures to
prevent the excessive use of force and to ensure that their police forces and competent migration
authorities comply with the basic standards relating to the decent treatment of migrant workers
and their families, inter alia, through the organization of training courses on human rights;
3. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/77) on the status
of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families and welcomes the fact that some additional Member States have
recently signed, ratified or acceded to the Convention;
4. Welcomes the fact that some Member States have signed or ratified the
Convention or have acceded to it;
5. Calls upon all Member States to consider the possibility of signing and ratifying
or acceding to the Convention as a matter of priority, expresses the hope that this international
instrument will enter into force at an early date and observes that, in accordance with article 87
of the Convention, only eight more ratifications or accessions are needed for it to enter into
force;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to provide all facilities and assistance necessary
for the active promotion of the Convention, through the World Public Information Campaign for
Human Rights and the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights;
7. Welcomes the global campaign for entry into force of the Convention and invites
organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, as well as intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations, to continue and intensify their efforts with a view to
disseminating information on the Convention and promoting an understanding thereof;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session a report on the status of the Convention and on the efforts made by the
Secretariat to promote the Convention and the protection of the rights of migrant workers;
9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-seventh session the item
entitled “Specific groups and individuals: migrant workers”.
62nd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/50. Tolerance and pluralism as indivisible elements in the
promotion and protection of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations, which enjoins the peoples of
the United Nations to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good
neighbours,
Recalling also the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling further that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that education
shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and shall promote understanding, tolerance
and friendship among all nations and all racial or religious groups,
Recalling the relevant paragraphs of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23),
Noting that tolerance involves a positive acceptance of diversity and that pluralism
encompasses the willingness to accord equal respect to the civil, political, economic, social
and cultural rights of all individuals, without distinction based on race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other
status,
Recognizing that tolerance and pluralism strengthen democracy, facilitate the full
enjoyment of all human rights and thereby constitute a sound foundation for civil society, social
harmony and peace,
Fully aware that, even at the onset of the twenty-first century, forces of aggressive
nationalism, absence of religious tolerance and ethnic extremism continue to produce fresh
challenges,
Noting that in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural world, no society is
beyond the dangers posed by the absence of tolerance and the violence that this can breed,
Underlining the importance attached by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination to States parties providing for educational measures for the teaching of the
principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society,
Conscious that all forms of discrimination, including on ethnic grounds, are factors that
promote intolerance and infringe upon human rights and fundamental freedoms, which in turn
may threaten democratic pluralism and endanger harmony, peace and stability both within States
and internationally,
Convinced that the guiding principles of democratic society, such as equality, the rule of
law, accountability of Government, the observance of human rights, respect for pluralism and the
practice of tolerance, need to be actively promoted by the international community,
Recognizing that efforts to promote tolerance require cooperation by States, civil society
and individuals,
Recognizing also that promoting a culture of tolerance through human rights education is
an objective that must be advanced in all States, and that the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights and mechanisms of the United Nations human rights system
have an important role to play in this regard,
1. Condemns unequivocally all violent acts and activities that infringe upon human
rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy and thereby undermine the values of tolerance and
pluralism;
2. Reiterates the obligation of all States and the international community:
(a) To promote universal respect for and observance of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms;
(b) To protect effectively the human rights of all persons belonging to national or
ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities without any discrimination and in full equality before
the law;
(c) To oppose all forms of discrimination based on race, colour, sex, language,
religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status in
order to promote tolerance and pluralism at the national and international levels and take all
appropriate means towards their prevention and elimination;
(d) To take steps to prevent all manifestations of hatred, intolerance and acts of
violence, in particular through education and dialogue;
(e) To promote and enhance tolerance, coexistence and harmonious relations between
ethnic, religious, linguistic and other groups and ensure that the values of pluralism, respect for
diversity and non-discrimination are promoted effectively;
(f) To foster a culture conducive to promoting and protecting human rights,
fundamental freedoms and tolerance, inter alia through education leading to genuine pluralism, a
positive acceptance of diversity of opinion and belief, and respect for the dignity of the human
person;
3. Notes with appreciation the activities undertaken by the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to promote the values of tolerance and
pluralism and calls upon the High Commissioner and her Office to take further steps:
(a) To include, in the work programmes of the Office, within overall existing
resources, the promotion of tolerance, where appropriate through workshops and seminars, using
mass media and non-governmental organizations, and, through its programme of advisory
services and technical cooperation, to assist countries in their national programmes;
(b) To undertake, in that regard, specific educational initiatives and public-awareness
activities for the promotion of tolerance and pluralism within the programmes and activities
being implemented as part of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education
(1995-2004), the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1994-2003) and the
Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2002), and in the context of
the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related
Intolerance and the preparations for the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the
Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief;
(c) To advise or assist countries, upon request, through the programme of advisory
services and technical cooperation, to put in place effective safeguards, including appropriate
legislation, to guarantee the full enjoyment of all human rights by all segments of their
population, without discrimination of any kind;
4. Calls upon the High Commissioner and her Office to include details of activities
undertaken by the Office to implement the present resolution in her report to the Commission at
its fifty-eighth session;
5. Also calls upon the relevant mechanisms of the Commission:
(a) To continue to attach the highest priority to the effective promotion, at the
national and international levels, of the values of democracy, pluralism and tolerance;
(b) To further study situations and conditions that promote intolerance;
(c) To continue efforts aimed at identifying commonly accepted principles and best
practices to promote tolerance and pluralism;
6. Welcomes the role of civil society, particularly non-governmental organizations
working at the grass-roots level, in disseminating the importance of tolerance and pluralism
through their awareness-raising activities;
7. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-eighth session under the appropriate
agenda item.
62nd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/51. Human rights of persons with disabilities
The Commission on Human Rights,
Mindful of the pledge made by States, under the Charter of the United Nations, to take
action jointly and separately, in cooperation with the United Nations, in order to promote a better
quality of life, full employment, and conditions for economic and social progress and
development,
Recalling that all persons with disabilities have the right to protection against
discrimination and to full and equal enjoyment of their human rights, as laid down, inter alia, in
the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and International Labour Organization Convention
No. 159 (1983) concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons),
Recalling also the report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on the
third quinquennial review and appraisal of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled
Persons (A/52/351),
Reaffirming the continuing validity and value of the World Programme of Action,
adopted by the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session, which provides a firm and
innovative framework for promoting and protecting the human rights of persons with disabilities,
Mindful of the unreserved reaffirmation in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23) and
by the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in September 1995 of the human
rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, as well as the recognition in the
Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development held in
Cairo in September 1994 and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social
Development held in Copenhagen in March 1995 of a pressing need for, inter alia, the
realization of the goals of full participation and equality for persons with disabilities,
Reaffirming its resolution 1998/31 of 17 April 1998 on the human rights of persons with
disabilities,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 48/96 of 20 December 1993, by which the
Assembly adopted the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities,
Noting the final report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission for Social
Development on monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (E/CN.5/2000/3 and Corr.1, annex),
Reaffirming Economic and Social Council resolutions 1997/19 of 21 July 1997 on
equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities and 1997/20 of 21 July 1997 on
children with disabilities,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 52/107 of 12 December 1997, in which the
Assembly called for the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
by children with disabilities,
Welcoming initiatives to hold international conferences relating to persons with
disabilities, including the holding of the Sixth World Assembly of Disabled People’s
International in Japan in 2002,
Re-emphasizing the responsibility of Governments for removing or facilitating the
removal of barriers and obstacles to the full integration and participation of persons with
disabilities in society, and supporting their efforts to develop national policies to reach specific
objectives,
Recognizing the contribution of non-governmental organizations, especially
organizations of persons with disabilities, in the global effort to bring about full participation and
equality for persons with disabilities and to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons
with disabilities,
Recalling the reports of Mr. Leandro Despouy, Special Rapporteur of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, and the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights publication Human Rights and Disabled
Persons, in which international mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the human
rights of persons with disabilities, such as an ombudsman, are proposed,
Recalling also the International Labour Organization survey of the law and practice of
States parties to Convention No. 159,
Noting with interest the adoption by the Organization of American States of the
Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons
with Disabilities on 7 June 1999 as one good example of regional concern and action,
Also noting with interest the changes brought about by the Treaty of Amsterdam 1997
enabling the European Union to adopt appropriate measures to combat discrimination on the
grounds, inter alia, of disability,
Concerned at the extent of disabilities caused by the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel
mines, particularly among civilian populations,
1. Recognizes that any violation of the fundamental principle of equality or any
discrimination or other negative differential treatment of persons with disabilities inconsistent
with the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities is an
infringement of the human rights of persons with disabilities;
2. Calls upon the Secretary-General to maintain the integrity of programmes within
the United Nations system relating to persons with disabilities, including the United Nations
Voluntary Fund on Disability, in order to promote the rights and the equalization of opportunities
and full inclusion within societies of persons with disabilities;
3. Notes with appreciation the valuable work undertaken by the Special Rapporteur
on disability of the Commission for Social Development as recommended in a resolution of that
Commission;
4. Invites the Special Rapporteur of the Commission for Social Development to
address the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-eighth session;
5. Takes note of the third global survey undertaken by the office of the Special
Rapporteur on disability in collaboration with the World Health Organization;
6. Calls upon States to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur, to meet his
requests for information and to provide relevant data to the Committee on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights;
7. Encourages non-governmental organizations active in the promotion and
protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities to cooperate closely with each other
and to provide relevant information to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
and to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
8. Also encourages such non-governmental organizations to avail themselves of the
technical assistance of the Office of the High Commissioner to assist them to function effectively
in the human rights sphere;
9. Encourages Governments to support non-governmental organizations active in
the promotion and protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with
Rule 18 of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities;
10. Recognizes the right of persons with disabilities, individually and collectively, to
form and become members of organizations of persons with disabilities and the right of such
organizations to speak for and act as legitimate representatives of their members;
11. Invites all the human rights treaty monitoring bodies to respond positively to its
invitation to monitor the compliance of States with their commitments under the relevant human
rights instruments in order to ensure full enjoyment of those rights by persons with disabilities,
and urges Governments to cover fully the question of the human rights of persons with
disabilities in complying with reporting obligations under the relevant United Nations human
rights instruments;
12. Invites all special rapporteurs, in carrying out their mandates, to take into account
the situation and human rights of persons with disabilities;
13. Urges Governments to implement, with the cooperation and assistance of relevant
organizations, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities, having particular regard for the needs of women, children and persons with
developmental and psychiatric disabilities in order to guarantee their human dignity and
integrity;
14. Invites Governments and the private sector to contribute to the United Nations
Voluntary Fund on Disability, with a view to providing additional support for the
implementation of the Standard Rules, within the context of the World Programme of Action
concerning Disabled Persons;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to ensure appropriate support for the
effective functioning of the Long-Term Strategy to Implement the World Programme of Action
concerning Disabled Persons to the Year 2000 and Beyond;
16. Expresses grave concern that situations of armed conflict have especially
devastating consequences for the human rights of persons with disabilities;
17. Welcomes increased international efforts in various forums with respect to
anti-personnel mines, and in this regard takes due note of the conclusion and entry into force of
the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, as well as of the amended Protocol II to the
Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which
May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects;
18. Calls upon all States and relevant United Nations bodies, including the Voluntary
Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Clearance, to contribute on an ongoing basis to international
mine-clearance efforts, and urges States to take further action to promote gender- and
age-appropriate mine-awareness programmes and rehabilitation, thereby reducing the number
and the plight of victims;
19. Encourages the development of programmes for persons with disabilities to
enable them to develop their potential to participate fully in all aspects of society;
20. Requests the Secretary-General to report biennially to the General Assembly on
the progress of efforts to ensure the full recognition and enjoyment of the human rights of
persons with disabilities;
21. Also requests the Secretary-General to make available to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session the latest report of the Special Rapporteur on disability of the Commission
for Social Development on his monitoring of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities;
22. Calls upon the United Nations Development Programme and all
intergovernmental institutions for development cooperation to integrate disability measures into
their mainstream activities;
23. Requests that all United Nations bodies and specialized agencies address the
problems that exist in creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities at all levels;
24. Encourages Governments to work towards developing appropriate education
policies and practices for children and adults with disabilities, to include persons with disabilities
in strategies and plans aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting education and enhancing
employment, and to take account of the right of persons with disabilities to housing, shelter,
transport and supportive equipment;
25. Invites the International Labour Organization, in cooperation with Governments
and intergovernmental bodies, to take the lead internationally in formulating policies and
strategies that will lead to equal job opportunities;
26. Invites Governments and non-governmental organizations to collect and collate
appropriate information and data on persons with disabilities to assist in the formulation of
effective policies to address issues of equality;
27. Recommends that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights take account of information on legislation affecting the human rights of persons
with disabilities which has been collected by the Special Rapporteur on disability of the
Commission for Social Development;
28. Invites multilateral development agencies, in the light of the Standard Rules on
the Equalization of Opportunities for People with Disabilities, to pay due regard to the question
of access and related disability rights issues in connection with the projects they sponsor and
fund;
29. Reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the human rights of persons with
disabilities and their concerns for full participation in all aspects of society continue to be
addressed in all of its work;
30. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in cooperation
with the Special Rapporteur on disability of the Commission for Social Development, to
examine measures to strengthen the protection and monitoring of the human rights of persons
with disabilities and to solicit input and proposals from interested parties, including particularly
the panel of experts;
31. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-eighth session
under the same agenda item.
62nd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/52. Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 47/135 of 18 December 1992, as well as
subsequent resolutions of the Assembly on the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging
to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, Commission resolution 1995/24
of 3 March 1995 and Economic and Social Council decision 1998/246 of 30 July 1998,
Considering that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to
national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to political and social stability
and peace and enrich the cultural heritage of society as a whole,
Affirming that effective measures and the creation of favourable conditions for the
promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and
linguistic minorities, ensuring effective non-discrimination and equality for all, as well as full
and effective participation in matters affecting them, contribute to the prevention and peaceful
solution of human rights problems and situations involving minorities,
Acknowledging that national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the
diversity of societies and that minority rights promote tolerance within societies, and recognizing
that promoting a culture of tolerance through human rights education shall be advanced by all
States,
Concerned at the growing frequency and severity of disputes and conflicts regarding
minorities in many countries, and their often tragic consequences, and that persons belonging to
minorities are particularly vulnerable to displacement through, inter alia, population transfers,
refugee flows and forced relocation,
Concerned also at instances of victimization or marginalization of persons belonging to
minorities in situations of political or economic instability,
Taking note of Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
resolution 1999/23 of 26 August 1999 on prevention of discrimination against and the protection
of minorities,
Acknowledging that the United Nations has an increasingly important role to play
regarding the protection of minorities by, inter alia, taking due account of and giving effect to
the Declaration,
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the rights of persons
belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (E/CN.4/2000/79) and of the
report of the Working Group on Minorities on its fifth session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/21), in
particular the conclusions and recommendations contained therein;
2. Reaffirms the obligation of States to ensure that persons belonging to national or
ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities may exercise fully and effectively all human rights and
fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full equality before the law in
accordance with the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic,
Religious and Linguistic Minorities;
3. Urges States and the international community to promote and protect the rights of
persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as set out in the
Declaration, including through the facilitation of their participation in all aspects of the political,
economic, social, religious and cultural life of society and in the economic progress and
development of the country;
4. Also urges States to take, as appropriate, all the necessary constitutional,
legislative, administrative and other measures to promote and give effect to the Declaration;
5. Recommends that the human rights treaty bodies, when considering reports
submitted by States parties, give particular attention to the implementation of articles relating to
the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities;
6. Calls upon special representatives, special rapporteurs and working groups of the
Commission to continue to give attention, within their respective mandates, to situations
involving minorities;
7. Calls upon the Secretary-General to make available, at the request of
Governments concerned, qualified expertise on minority issues, including the prevention and
resolution of disputes, to assist in existing or potential situations involving minorities and to
include in his report to its fifty-seventh session information on relevant projects and activities in
this regard;
8. Calls upon the High Commissioner to continue to promote, within her mandate,
the implementation of the Declaration and to engage in a dialogue with Governments concerned
for that purpose;
9. Invites the High Commissioner to continue her efforts to improve the coordination
and cooperation of United Nations programmes and agencies active in the field of the promotion
and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities, and invites the United Nations programmes and agencies to continue to give attention
within their respective mandates to situations of minorities;
10. Takes note of the holding of expert seminars, in accordance with the
recommendations of the Working Group on Minorities, on the effective participation of
minorities from 30 April to 2 May 1999 in Flensburg, Germany, and on intercultural and
multicultural education from 29 September to 2 October 1999 in Montreal, Canada;
11. Also takes note of the emphasis by the Working Group on Minorities regarding
the participation by minorities and the work on a manual on the Declaration on the Rights of
Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities;
12. Requests the Working Group, within its mandate, to contribute to, and participate
in, the preparations for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, and to intensify its activities in this regard;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Working Group, from within
existing resources, with all the necessary services and facilities to fulfil its mandate;
14. Calls upon States, intergovernmental organizations, United Nations bodies and
non-governmental organizations to participate actively in the work of the Working Group,
including through written contributions;
15. Also calls upon States to facilitate the effective participation of representatives of
non-governmental organizations and persons belonging to minorities in the work of the Working
Group on Minorities, and invites the High Commissioner for Human Rights to seek voluntary
contributions in this regard;
16. Invites the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to
consider favourably the recommendation of the Working Group to organize a seminar for
representatives of international and regional organizations, treaty bodies and specialized
agencies, to discuss issues concerning their respective work on the protection of minorities,
improve coordination so as to reduce duplication and parallel activities, exchange information
and seek ways of better protecting the rights of persons belonging to minorities;
17. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session on the implementation of the present resolution;
18. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session
under the same agenda item.
63rd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/53. Internally displaced persons
The Commission on Human Rights,
Deeply disturbed by the alarmingly high numbers of internally displaced persons
throughout the world who receive inadequate protection and assistance, and conscious of the
serious challenge this is creating for the international community,
Conscious of the human rights and humanitarian dimensions of the problem of internally
displaced persons and the responsibilities this poses for States and the international community
to explore methods and means better to address their protection and assistance needs,
Recalling the relevant norms of international human rights instruments, international
humanitarian law and refugee law, and recognizing that the protection of internally displaced
persons has been strengthened by identifying, reaffirming and consolidating specific rights for
their protection, in particular through the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement
(E/CN.4/1998/53/Add.2, annex),
Recalling also its previous relevant resolutions, in particular resolution 1999/47 of
27 April 1999, and General Assembly resolution 54/167 of 17 December 1999, as well as the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on
Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), regarding the need to develop global strategies to address the
problem of internal displacement,
Recalling further that the Economic and Social Council in its agreed conclusions 1998/2
of 28 July 1998 on the coordinated follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration
and Programme of Action commended the efforts of the Representative of the Secretary-General
for internally displaced persons to promote a comprehensive strategy that focuses on prevention,
as well as better protection, assistance and development for internally displaced persons,
Recalling in particular Economic and Social Council agreed conclusions 1998/1
of 17 July 1998 on special economic, humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, in which the
Council noted with satisfaction the designation of the Emergency Relief Coordinator as the focal
point for inter-agency coordination of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons
and also noted the adoption by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee of the Guiding Principles
on Internal Displacement,
Recalling also Economic and Social Council agreed conclusions 1999/1 of 23 July 1999
on special economic, humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, in which the Council called on
all States to apply international norms with regard to internally displaced persons, called for
further strengthening and coordinating of international efforts for those persons and welcomed
the efforts of the Representative of the Secretary-General, the Emergency Relief Coordinator and
the members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee in this regard,
Noting the growing interest of the international community in the issue of internally
displaced persons and the decision of the Economic and Social Council to address this issue in
the context of the humanitarian segment at its substantive session in 2000,
Noting also the recommendations concerning internally displaced persons contained in
the report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/1999/957),
Recalling the statement by the President of the the Security Council of 13 January 2000
(S/PRST/2000/1) which emphasized that national authorities have the primary responsibility to
provide protection and assistance to internally displaced persons within their jurisdiction,
Deploring practices of forced displacement, in particular “ethnic cleansing” and forced
relocations, and the negative impact they constitute for the enjoyment of fundamental human
rights by large groups of populations,
Noting the work of the Representative of the Secretary-General in developing a legal
framework, in particular the compilation and analysis of legal norms and the development of
guiding principles; analysing institutional arrangements; undertaking dialogue with
Governments; and issuing a series of reports on particular country situations together with
proposals for remedial measures,
Welcoming the cooperation established between the Representative of the
Secretary-General and the United Nations as well as other international and regional
organizations, in particular the participation of the Representative in the work of the
Inter-Agency Standing Committee and its subsidiary bodies, and encouraging further
strengthening of this collaboration in order to promote better assistance, protection and
development strategies for internally displaced persons,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Representative of the
Secretary-General on internally displaced persons (E/CN.4/2000/83 and Adds.1-3);
2. Expresses its appreciation to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the
activities undertaken so far, despite the limited resources available to him, and for the catalytic
role he continues to play to raise the level of consciousness about the plight of internally
displaced persons;
3. Also expresses its appreciation to those Governments and intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations which have provided assistance and protection to internally
displaced persons and have supported the work of the Representative of the Secretary-General;
4. Commends the Representative of the Secretary-General for his efforts to promote
a comprehensive strategy that focuses on prevention, as well as better protection, assistance and
development for internally displaced persons;
5. Encourages the Representative of the Secretary-General through continuous
dialogue with Governments and all intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
concerned to continue his analysis of the causes of internal displacement, the needs of those
displaced, measures of prevention and ways to strengthen protection, assistance and solutions for
the internally displaced, taking into account specific situations;
6. Welcomes the fact that the Representative of the Secretary-General has made use
of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement in his dialogue with Governments and
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and requests him to continue his efforts
in that regard;
7. Notes with appreciation that United Nations agencies, regional and
non-governmental organizations are making use of the Guiding Principles in their work,
encourages the further dissemination and application of the Guiding Principles, expresses its
appreciation for the dissemination and promotion of the Guiding Principles at regional and other
seminars on displacement and encourages the Representative to continue to initiate or support
such seminars in consultation with regional organizations, intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations and other relevant institutions;
8. Welcomes the specific attention paid by the Representative of the
Secretary-General to the special assistance, protection and development needs of internally
displaced women and children and his commitment to pay more systematic and in-depth
attention to the specific needs of women and children and to the strategies for addressing such
concerns, and welcomes in this regard the expert meeting on gender dimensions of internal
displacement hosted by the United Nations Children’s Fund in June 1999 and the paper on the
same subject presented to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee;
9. Thanks Governments which have invited the Representative of the
Secretary-General to visit their countries and encourages them to follow up on his
recommendations and suggestions and to make available information on measures taken thereon;
10. Calls upon all Governments to facilitate the activities of the Representative of the
Secretary-General, in particular those Governments with situations of internal displacement
which have not yet extended invitations or responded positively to requests for information from
the Representative;
11. Also calls upon Governments to provide, and to facilitate the efforts of relevant
United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations to provide protection and assistance to
internally displaced persons, including by further improving access to internally displaced
persons;
12. Stresses the importance of appropriate follow-up to the recommendations of the
Representative by Governments as well as by the relevant parts of the United Nations system in
the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, including at the country level;
13. Also stresses the need to further strengthen inter-agency arrangements with regard
to internally displaced persons that are predictable, characterized by accountability within the
United Nations system, universal in their application and equipped to meet the immense
humanitarian challenge, and calls upon States to provide adequate resources for programmes to
assist and protect internally displaced persons;
14. Welcomes the development of frameworks of cooperation to address the needs of
internally displaced persons, in particular the designation of the Emergency Relief Coordinator
as the focal point for inter-agency coordination of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced
persons, the appointment of an adviser on internally displaced persons within the Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the designation of focal points on internally displaced
persons within some of the other international organizations, and encourages the Representative
of the Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Development
Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme, the World Health
Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the International Committee of the
Red Cross and all other relevant humanitarian assistance and development organizations,
including non-governmental organizations, further to enhance their collaboration;
15. Also welcomes the ongoing review of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and
its members of their policies and programmes concerning internally displaced persons, including
through the adoption of a policy paper on the protection of internally displaced persons, the
Handbook for Applying the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the Manual on Field
Practice in Internal Displacement and supplementary guidance to humanitarian/resident
coordinators on their responsibilities in relation to internally displaced persons, underlines the
need for these organizations to strengthen their capacities and policies in addressing internal
displacement and urges stronger collaborative arrangements both at headquarters and in the field
in order to close remaining gaps relating to protection, assistance and solutions for internally
displaced persons;
16. Notes with appreciation the increased attention paid to internally displaced
persons in the consolidated inter-agency appeals process and encourages further efforts to
improve the integration of internal displacement in consolidated appeals;
17. Welcomes the establishment of the global internally displaced persons database,
as advocated by the Representative of the Secretary-General, and encourages the members of the
Inter-Agency Standing Committee and Governments to continue to collaborate on and support
this effort, including by providing financial resources;
18. Also welcomes the initiatives undertaken by regional organizations, such as the
Organization of African Unity, the Organization of American States and the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe, to address the assistance, protection and development
needs of internally displaced persons and encourages them and other regional organizations to
strengthen their activities and their cooperation with the Representative of the Secretary-General;
19. Further welcomes the attention paid by relevant special rapporteurs, working
groups, experts and treaty bodies to issues of internal displacement, and calls upon them to
continue to seek information on situations which have already created or could create internal
displacement and to include relevant information and recommendations thereon in their reports
and make them available to the Representative of the Secretary-General;
20. Calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to develop
projects, in cooperation with Governments, relevant international organizations and the
Representative of the Secretary-General, to promote the human rights of internally displaced
persons, as part of the programme of advisory services and technical cooperation, and to include
in her report to the Commission information on their implementation;
21. Requests the Secretary-General to disseminate resolution 1998/26
of 26 August 1998 of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on
housing and property restitution in the context of the return of refugees and internally displaced
persons;
22. Also requests the Secretary-General to provide his Representative, from within
existing resources, with all necessary assistance to carry out his mandate effectively, and
encourages the Representative of the Secretary-General to continue to seek the contribution of
States, relevant organizations and institutions in order to put the work of the Representative on a
more stable basis;
23. Requests the Representative of the Secretary-General to continue to report on his
activities, to the General Assembly and to the Commission on Human Rights;
24. Decides to continue its consideration of the question of internal displacement at
its fifty-seventh session.
63rd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/54. Violence against women migrant workers
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling all previous resolutions on violence against women migrant workers adopted
by the General Assembly, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice and the Commission on Human Rights, as well as the
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women,
Reaffirming the outcomes of the World Conference on Human Rights, the International
Conference on Population and Development, the World Summit for Social Development and the
Fourth World Conference on Women, specifically as they pertain to women migrant workers,
Emphasizing the need for accurate, objective, comprehensive and comparable
information, as well as for a wide and systematic exchange of experiences and lessons learned by
individual countries in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of women migrant
workers for policy formulation and joint action,
Noting the large numbers of women from developing countries and from some countries
with economies in transition who continue to venture forth to more affluent countries in search
of a living for themselves and their families as a consequence of, inter alia, poverty,
unemployment and other socio-economic conditions, and acknowledging the duty of sending
States to work for conditions that provide employment and security to their citizens,
Deeply concerned over the continuing reports of grave abuses and acts of violence
committed against the persons of women migrant workers by some employers in some host
countries,
Encouraged by some measures adopted by some receiving States to alleviate the plight of
women migrant workers residing within their areas of jurisdiction,
Recognizing the importance of continued cooperation at the bilateral, regional and
international levels in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of women migrant
workers,
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on violence against women
migrant workers (E/CN.4/2000/76);
2. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
(E/CN.4/2000/82), particularly the observations made on violence against women migrant
workers, and encourages her to continue addressing the issue of violence against women migrant
workers, in particular the problem of gender-based violence and of discrimination;
3. Takes note with appreciation of the workshop-seminar on migrant women, boys
and girls held in San Salvador on 25 and 26 February 2000 as part of the Plan of Action of the
Regional Conference on Migration;
4. Calls upon concerned Governments, particularly those of countries of origin and
destination, if they have not yet done so, to put in place penal sanctions to punish perpetrators of
violence against women migrant workers and, to the extent possible, to provide the victims of
violence with the full range of immediate assistance, such as counselling, legal and consular
assistance, temporary shelters and other measures that will allow them to be present during the
judicial process, to safeguard their dignified return to the country of origin as well as to establish
reintegration and rehabilitation schemes for returning women migrant workers;
5. Invites the States concerned, specifically countries of origin and destination, to
consider adopting appropriate legal measures against intermediaries who deliberately encourage
the clandestine movement of workers and who exploit women migrant workers in violation of
their human dignity;
6. Encourages States to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of Their Families, as well as the Slavery Convention of 1926;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission on Human Rights at
its fifty-eighth session a comprehensive follow-up report on the problem of violence against
women migrant workers, taking into account the views of States and based on all available
information from authorities and bodies within the United Nations system, intergovernmental
organizations and other sources, including non-governmental organizations;
8. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-eighth session
under the appropriate agenda item.
63rd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/55. Human rights and mass exoduses
The Commission on Human Rights,
Deeply disturbed by the scale and magnitude of exoduses and displacements of people in
many regions of the world and by the human suffering of refugees and displaced persons, a high
proportion of whom are women and children,
Recalling its previous relevant resolutions, in particular resolution 1998/49
of 17 April 1998, as well as those of the General Assembly, and the conclusions of the World
Conference on Human Rights, which recognized that violations of human rights, persecution,
political and ethnic conflicts, famine and economic insecurity, poverty and generalized violence
are among the root causes leading to the mass exodus and displacement of people,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed
conflict (A/54/619 and S/1999/957) and the recommendations made therein, as well as
Security Council resolutions 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999 on the protection of civilians in
armed conflict and 1261 (1999) of 25 August 1999 on children in armed conflict, and relevant
statements by the President of the Security Council,
Recalling all relevant human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, the principles of international protection for refugees and the General Conclusion
on international protection adopted by the Executive Committee of the Programme of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at its fiftieth session in October 1999, and that
asylum applicants should have access to fair and expeditious status-determination procedures,
Stressing the importance of adherence to international humanitarian, human rights and
refugee law in order to avert mass exoduses and displacements and to protect refugees and
internally displaced persons, and expressing its deep concern at the lack of respect for those laws
and principles, especially during armed conflict, inter alia, the denial of full, safe and unimpeded
access to displaced persons,
Reaffirming the primary responsibility of States to ensure the protection of refugees and
internally displaced persons within their own territories, including by upholding the security and
civilian and humanitarian nature of camps and settlements for refugees and internally displaced
persons,
Welcoming the entry into force on 15 January 1999 of the Convention on the Safety of
United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 49/59 of 9 December 1994, encouraging States to become parties to the Convention,
and strongly condemning attacks and the use of force against United Nations and associated
personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organizations, including locally engaged staff,
Recognizing the contribution of the establishment of the International Criminal Court to
ending impunity for perpetrators of certain crimes, including deportation or forcible transfer of
population, as defined in the Rome Statute of the Court (A/CONF.183/9), which lead to, or result
from, mass exoduses and displacements,
Recognizing also that the human rights machinery of the United Nations, including the
mechanisms of the Commission and the human rights treaty bodies, has important capabilities to
address human rights violations which cause movements of refugees and displaced persons or
prevent durable solutions to their plight,
Recognizing further the complementarity between the systems for the protection of
human rights and for humanitarian action, in particular the mandates of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, as well as the work of the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally
displaced persons and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and
armed conflict, and that cooperation between them, in accordance with their respective
mandates, as well as coordination between the human rights, political and security components
of United Nations operations, make important contributions to the promotion and protection of
human rights of persons forced into mass exodus and displacement,
Welcoming the continuing efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
in meeting the protection and assistance needs of refugees worldwide and in working to make it
possible for refugees to exercise their fundamental right to return to and to stay in their own
countries in safety and dignity,
1. Calls upon all States to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms and to
refrain from denying these to individuals in their population because of nationality, ethnicity,
race, gender, age, religion or language and thus to make a substantial contribution to addressing
human rights situations that lead to mass exoduses and displacements;
2. Takes note with interest of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights on human rights and mass exoduses (E/CN.4/2000/81);
3. Reaffirms the need for all Governments, intergovernmental bodies and concerned
international organizations to intensify their cooperation and assistance in worldwide efforts to
address human rights situations that lead to, as well as the serious problems that result from,
mass exoduses of refugees and displaced persons;
4. Emphasizes the responsibility of all States and international organizations to
cooperate with those countries, particularly developing countries, affected by mass exoduses of
refugees and displaced persons, and calls upon Governments, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, other
relevant parts of the United Nations system and other humanitarian organizations to continue to
respond to assistance needs of countries hosting large numbers of refugees and displaced persons
until durable solutions are found;
5. Encourages States that have not already done so to consider acceding to
the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and to relevant
regional instruments concerning refugees, as applicable, and other relevant international
instruments of human rights and humanitarian law, and to take appropriate measures to
disseminate and implement those instruments domestically in order to encourage compliance
with provisions against arbitrary and forcible displacement and greater respect for the rights of
those who flee;
6. Calls upon States to ensure effective protection of refugees by, inter alia,
respecting the principle of non-refoulement;
7. Also calls upon States to ensure effective protection of, and assistance to, refugees
and internally displaced persons, consistent with international law, including by ensuring full,
safe and unhindered access by humanitarian workers to displaced populations and ensuring the
security and civilian and humanitarian nature of camps and settlements for refugees and
internally displaced persons;
8. Recognizes that women and children constitute the majority of most refugee and
displaced populations and that, in addition to the problems they share with all refugees and
displaced persons, women and girls in such circumstances are vulnerable to persecution,
gender-based discrimination and gender-specific violations of human rights, and calls upon
States to protect and promote and respect the human rights of all refugees and displaced persons,
in particular refugee and displaced women and children, to ensure that their particular needs are
met and to ensure that women are full and equal participants in the planning, design,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all projects and programmes;
9. Calls upon all States to promote conditions conducive to the voluntary return of
refugees in safety and with dignity;
10. Welcomes in particular the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights to contribute to the creation of an environment for a viable and sustainable return
of refugees and displaced persons in post-conflict societies through initiatives such as the
rehabilitation of the justice system, the creation of independent national institutions capable of
defending human rights and broad-based programmes of human rights education and the
strengthening of local non-governmental organizations through field presences and programmes
of advisory services and technical cooperation;
11. Encourages the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, other relevant components of the
United Nations system, other humanitarian organizations and regional organizations to continue
to cooperate within their respective mandates and in accordance with international law in the
creation of an environment for a viable and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons
in post-conflict societies;
12. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in the
exercise of her mandate and in cooperation with the High Commissioner for Refugees and the
Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons, to pay particular
attention to human rights situations which cause or threaten to cause mass exoduses or
displacements and to contribute to efforts to address such situations effectively through
promotion and protection measures, emergency preparedness and response mechanisms, early
warning and information-sharing, technical advice and expertise and cooperation in countries of
origin as well as host countries;
13. Encourages all United Nations bodies, including the human rights treaty bodies,
acting within their mandates, and the specialized agencies, as well as governmental,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and the special rapporteurs, special
representatives and working groups of the Commission to pay particular attention to, and to
provide the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with all relevant information
in their possession on, human rights situations that create or affect refugees and displaced
persons for appropriate action in fulfilment of her mandate in consultation with the
High Commissioner for Refugees and the Representative of the Secretary-General;
14. Welcomes with appreciation the ongoing contributions of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
and the Representative of the Secretary-General to the deliberations of the Commission and to
other international human rights bodies and mechanisms, invites them to exchange relevant
information on mass exoduses and displacements with all United Nations bodies, including the
human rights treaty bodies, acting within their mandates, and invites the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees to address the Commission at each of its future sessions;
15. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare
and submit to the Commission at its fifty-ninth session, within existing resources, a report on
measures taken to implement the present resolution and obstacles to its implementation,
including information on measures taken by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant United Nations bodies, taking into account
information and comments provided by Governments, intergovernmental organizations,
specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations;
16. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-ninth session
under the sub-item “Mass exoduses and displaced persons” of the agenda item entitled
“Specific groups and individuals”.
63rd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]
2000/56. Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission
on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the
International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of
the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the International
Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, in particular resolution 1997/32 of 11 April 1997,
Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, in which
the Council authorized the Sub-Commission to establish annually a working group on
indigenous populations with the mandate to review developments pertaining to the promotion
and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, giving
special attention to the evolution of standards concerning the rights of indigenous people,
Affirming its recognition of the value and diversity of the cultures and forms of social
organization of indigenous people and that the development of indigenous people within their
countries will contribute to the socio-economic, cultural and environmental advancement of all
the countries of the world,
Recalling that the goal of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People is to
strengthen international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in
such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health, and that the
theme of the Decade is “Indigenous people: partnership in action”,
Recognizing the importance of consultation and cooperation with indigenous people in
planning and implementing the programme of activities for the Decade, the need for adequate
financial support from the international community, including support from within the
United Nations and the specialized agencies, and the need for adequate coordination and
communication channels,
Mindful of the decision by the General Assembly in its resolution 49/214
of 23 December 1994 to observe the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
on 9 August every year,
I. REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS
POPULATIONS OF THE SUB-COMMISSION ON THE
PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Takes note of the report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights (E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54) and of the report of the Working
Group on its seventeenth session (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/19);
2. Urges the Working Group to continue its comprehensive review of developments
and of the diverse situations and aspirations of the world’s indigenous people, and welcomes its
proposal to highlight specific themes of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous
People at its future sessions, noting that at its eighteenth session the Working Group will focus
on the theme of “Indigenous children and youth”;
3. Again invites the Working Group to take into account in its deliberations on
developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous
people the work, within the framework of their respective mandates, of all thematic special
rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts, working groups and expert seminars as
it pertains to the situation of indigenous people;
4. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council authorize the Working Group
to meet for five working days prior to the fifty-second session of the Sub-Commission;
5. Invites the Working Group to continue its consideration of ways in which the
expertise of indigenous people can contribute to the work of the Working Group, and encourages
initiatives by Governments, organizations of indigenous people and non-governmental
organizations to ensure the full participation of indigenous people in the activities related to the
tasks of the Working Group;
6. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To provide adequate resources and assistance to the Working Group in the
discharge of its tasks, including adequate dissemination of information about the activities of the
Working Group to Governments, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and
organizations of indigenous people, in order to encourage the widest possible participation in its
work;
(b) To transmit the reports of the Working Group to Governments, organizations of
indigenous people and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as soon as
possible, for specific comments and suggestions;
7. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so
to consider contributing to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations;
II. INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
8. Takes note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights on the implementation of the programme of activities for the International Decade of the
World’s Indigenous People (E/CN.4/2000/85);
9. Invites the Working Group on Indigenous Populations to continue its review of
activities undertaken during the Decade, and encourages Governments and intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations to provide information on the implementation of the goals
of the Decade, in accordance with paragraph 16 of the annex to General Assembly
resolution 50/157 of 21 December 1995;
10. Welcomes the affirmation by the General Assembly that a major objective of the
Decade is the adoption of a declaration on the rights of indigenous people and its recognition that
among the important objectives of the Decade is the consideration of the establishment of a
permanent forum for indigenous people in the United Nations system;
11. Requests the High Commissioner, in her capacity as Coordinator of the Decade,
to submit an updated annual report reviewing activities within the United Nations system under
the programme of activities for the Decade to the Commission on Human Rights at its
fifty-seventh session under the agenda item entitled “Indigenous issues”, in accordance with the
request by the General Assembly to the Secretary-General;
12. Notes that, in her report, the High Commissioner, in her capacity as Coordinator
of the Decade, reviews the implementation of the programme of activities of the Decade, takes
note of the information contained therein about the activities of the United Nations system,
including the specialized agencies, and other intergovernmental activities relating to indigenous
people and urges all parties concerned to intensify their efforts to achieve the goals of the
Decade;
13. Emphasizes the important role of international cooperation in promoting the goals
and activities of the Decade and the rights, well-being and sustainable development of
indigenous people;
14. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in a position to do so
to support the Decade by contributing to the Voluntary Fund for the International Decade of the
World’s Indigenous People;
15. Encourages Governments, as appropriate, recognizing the importance of action at
the national level for the implementation of the goals and activities of the Decade, to support the
Decade, in consultation with indigenous people, by:
(a) Preparing relevant programmes, plans and reports in relation to the Decade and
establishing national committees or other mechanisms involving indigenous people to ensure that
the objectives and activities of the Decade are planned and implemented on the basis of full
partnership with indigenous people;
(b) Seeking means of giving indigenous people greater responsibility for their own
affairs and an effective voice in decisions on matters which affect them;
(c) Identifying resources for activities designed to implement the goals of the
Decade;
16. Appeals to intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to support the
Decade by identifying resources for activities designed to implement the goals of the Decade, in
cooperation with indigenous people;
17. Encourages Governments to consider contributing, as appropriate, in support of
the achievement of the goals of the Decade, to the Fund for the Development of Indigenous
Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean;
18. Requests the High Commissioner to ensure that the indigenous people’s unit in
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is adequately staffed and
resourced to enable the activities of the Decade to be effectively implemented;
19. Recommends that the High Commissioner, when developing programmes within
the framework of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People and the
United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, give due regard to the development of
human rights training for indigenous people;
20. Encourages the High Commissioner to cooperate with the Department of Public
Information in preparing and disseminating information on the International Decade of the
World’s Indigenous People, taking due care to portray accurately the information regarding
indigenous people;
21. Invites the United Nations financial and development institutions, operational
programmes and specialized agencies, in accordance with the existing procedure of their
governing bodies:
(a) To give increased priority and resources to improving the conditions of
indigenous people, with particular emphasis on the needs of these people in developing
countries, including through the preparation of specific programmes of action for the
implementation of the goals of the Decade, within their areas of competence;
(b) To launch special projects, through appropriate channels and in collaboration with
indigenous people, for strengthening their community-level initiatives, and to facilitate the
exchange of information and expertise among indigenous people and other relevant experts;
(c) To designate focal points or other mechanisms for coordination with the
High Commissioner of activities relating to the Decade;
22. Recommends that the situation of indigenous people be taken into account in
forthcoming United Nations conferences of relevance, including the special session of the
General Assembly entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the
twenty-first century”, the special session of the Assembly entitled “World Summit for Social
Development and Beyond: achieving social development for all in a globalizing world”, the
special session of the Assembly for the follow-up to the World Summit for Children, and the
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance;
23. Decides to consider the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People at
its fifty-seventh session under the agenda item entitled “Indigenous issues”.
63rd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XV.]
2000/57. Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to elaborate
a draft declaration in accordance with paragraph 5 of
General Assembly resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994
The Commission on Human Rights,
Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 47/75 of 14 December 1992 and Part II,
paragraph 28, of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23),
Reaffirming its resolution 1995/32 of 3 March 1995, in which it established an
open-ended inter-sessional working group with the sole purpose of elaborating a draft
declaration, considering the draft contained in the annex to resolution 1994/45 of
26 August 1994 of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,
entitled “Draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples”, for consideration
and adoption by the General Assembly within the International Decade of the World’s
Indigenous People,
Reaffirming in particular that the invitation contained in that resolution was addressed to
organizations of indigenous people seeking authorization to participate in the working group,
Recognizing that organizations of indigenous people have special knowledge and
understanding of the current situation of the world’s indigenous people and their human rights
needs,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994, in which the
Assembly encouraged the Commission to consider the draft declaration with the participation of
representatives of indigenous people, on the basis of and in accordance with appropriate
procedures to be determined by the Commission,
Welcoming the progress made in the process of drafting a declaration on the rights of
indigenous people, and emphasizing the importance and special nature of such a draft declaration
as an instrument specifically for promoting the rights of indigenous people,
Recalling the need for the working group to consider all aspects of the draft declaration,
including its scope of application,
1. Takes note of the report of the working group (E/CN.4/2000/84) and welcomes
the continuation and positive nature of the deliberations of the working group, particularly the
measures taken to ensure effective input by organizations of indigenous people;
2. Expresses its appreciation for the work of the Economic and Social Council in
considering applications from organizations of indigenous people to participate in the working
group under the procedures set out in the annex to Commission resolution 1995/32;
3. Welcomes the decisions of the Council approving the participation of
organizations of indigenous people in the work of the working group, and urges the Council to
process all pending applications as soon as possible, taking strictly into account the procedures
set out in the annex to Commission resolution 1995/32;
4. Recommends that the working group meet for 10 working days prior to the
fifty-seventh session of the Commission, the cost of the meeting to be met from within existing
resources;
5. Invites the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the working group and all interested parties
to conduct broad informal inter-sessional consultations with a view to facilitating progress in
drafting a declaration on the rights of indigenous people at the next session of the working
group;
6. Encourages organizations of indigenous people which are not already registered
to participate in the working group and which wish to do so to apply for authorization in
accordance with the procedures set out in the annex to Commission resolution 1995/32;
7. Requests the working group to submit a progress report for consideration by the
Commission at its fifty-seventh session under the agenda item entitled “Indigenous issues”;
8. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 32.]
63rd meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XV.]
2000/58. Situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the
provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Guided also by the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Geneva
Conventions of 12 August 1949, in particular common article 3 thereof, and Additional
Protocol II thereto, of 8 June 1977, as well as other instruments of international humanitarian
law,
Recalling the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in
June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), in particular part I,
paragraph 4, thereof,
Recalling that the Russian Federation is a party to the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
and other regional human rights instruments, such as the European Convention on Human
Rights,
Recalling also that the Russian Federation is a party to the Geneva Conventions
of 12 August 1949 and Additional Protocol II thereto,
Recalling the earlier statements on the subject by the Chairperson of the Commission
of 27 February 1995 and 24 April 1996,
Gravely concerned by the continued violence in the Republic of Chechnya of the
Russian Federation, in particular reports indicating disproportionate and indiscriminate use of
Russian military force, including attacks against civilians, which has led to a serious
humanitarian situation,
Gravely concerned also at reports of attacks against civilians and serious crimes and
abuses committed by Chechen fighters,
Deeply concerned at reports that gross, widespread and flagrant violations of human
rights have been committed in the region, notably in the alleged “camps of filtration”,
Underlining the need to respect the principle of proportionality and to observe
international human rights and humanitarian law in situations of conflict and in activities
undertaken against terrorism,
Deploring the high number of victims and displaced persons and the suffering inflicted
on the civilian population by all parties, including the serious and systematic destruction of
installations and infrastructure, contrary to international humanitarian law,
Expressing concern about the spill-over effect of the conflict to neighbouring republics of
the Russian Federation,
Noting the appointment by the Government of the Russian Federation of a presidential
representative for human rights in Chechnya and the establishment of his office in the Republic,
which should increase transparency and action on alleged human rights violations,
Welcoming the cooperation on the part of the Russian Federation with the Council of
Europe, including the visits of the Council’s Commissioner for Human Rights and the signature
of a memorandum of understanding between the Russian authorities and the Council and the
acceptance of three representatives of that organization in the office of the presidential
representative, and noting the report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture in
the Northern Caucasus,
Also welcoming the fact that the Russian authorities have reached a preliminary
agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross on free access to Russian detention
camps,
Noting the visit to the Russian Federation by the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights,
1. Welcomes the oral report of the High Commissioner;
2. Calls upon all parties to the conflict to take immediate steps to halt the hostilities
and the indiscriminate use of force and to begin without delay the holding of a political dialogue
and effective negotiations with the aim of achieving a peaceful solution to the crisis, which fully
respects the territorial integrity and the Constitution of the Russian Federation;
3. Supports the requests made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe and the Chairman-in-Office of the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for international involvement, and urges
the Government of the Russian Federation to agree to the requests of those organizations to
deploy staff in the region in line with their mandates;
4. Calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to establish urgently,
according to recognized international standards, a national, broad-based and independent
commission of inquiry to investigate promptly alleged violations of human rights and breaches
of international humanitarian law committed in the Republic of Chechnya in order to establish
the truth and identify those responsible, with a view to bringing them to justice and preventing
impunity;
5. Requests the Russian Federation to disseminate, and ensure that the military at all
levels has a knowledge of, basic principles of human rights and international humanitarian law;
6. Requests the relevant special rapporteurs and working groups of the
Commission, i.e. the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, the Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on violence against
women, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons and
the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict, to undertake
missions to the Republic of Chechnya and neighbouring republics without delay, and asks them
to submit reports to the Commission and to the General Assembly as soon as possible;
7. Requests the High Commissioner to facilitate their tasks;
8. Urges the Government of the Russian Federation to cooperate with the special
mechanisms of the Commission and, in particular, to give favourable consideration to the
requests already presented to undertake visits in the region as a matter of priority;
9. Also urges the Government of the Russian Federation to allow international
humanitarian organizations, notably the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross, free and secure access to areas of
internally displaced and war affected populations in the Republic of Chechnya and neighbouring
republics, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to facilitate their activities and
the delivery of humanitarian aid to the victims in the region;
10. Calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to give free and effective
access in the Republic of Chechnya by international and regional organizations, in particular the
International Committee of the Red Cross, to all places of detention, notably in the alleged
“camps of filtration”, in order to ensure treatment of all detainees in conformity with
international law;
11. Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to consult with the
Government of the Russian Federation in order to ensure the implementation of the present
resolution and to promote confidence-building measures based on respect for human rights and
humanitarian law;
12. Welcomes the invitation extended by the Government of the Russian Federation to
the High Commissioner for a return visit in two or three months;
13. Requests the High Commissioner to report on the implementation of the present
resolution to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session and to keep the Commission and the
General Assembly informed on further developments as appropriate.
64th meeting
25 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 25 votes to 7,
with 19 abstentions. See chap. IX.]
2000/59. Question of draft optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights
of the Child on involvement of children in armed conflict and on
the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolutions 1994/91 and 1994/90, of 9 March 1994, by which it established
an open-ended inter-sessional working group on a draft optional protocol to the Convention on
the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in armed conflict, and an open-ended
inter-sessional working group on the elaboration of a draft optional protocol to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child on the sale children, child prostitution and child pornography,
Recalling also its subsequent resolutions, in particular its resolution 1999/80
of 28 April 1999, in which it requested its open-ended inter-sessional working groups to meet
early in 2000 in order to make further progress with the aim of finalizing their work before the
tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention, and to report to the Commission at its
fifty-sixth session,
Recalling further that the General Assembly in its resolution 54/149 of
17 December 1999 strongly supported the work of the open-ended inter-sessional working
groups and urged them to finalize their work before the tenth anniversary of the entry into force
of the Convention,
Adhering to the principle that the best interests of the child are to be a primary
consideration in all actions concerning children,
Reaffirming its commitment to strive for the promotion and protection of the rights of the
child in all avenues of life,
Conscious of the tenth anniversaries, in the year 2000, of the World Summit for Children
and the entry into force of the Convention, and of the symbolic and practical importance of the
adoption of the two draft optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on
involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography before the special session of the General Assembly for the follow-up to the World
Summit for Children, to be convened in 2001,
Recognizing that the adoption and implementation of the two draft optional protocols to
the Convention will make a substantial contribution to the promotion and protection of the rights
of the child,
1. Welcomes with appreciation the reports of the Open-ended inter-sessional
working groups set up by the Commission on Human Rights to draft the two optional protocols
to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in armed conflict and on
the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (E/CN.4/2000/74 and
E/CN.4/2000/75), and in particular that the working groups were able to finalize their work and
to submit the texts of the two draft optional protocols to the Commission on Human Rights at its
fifty-sixth session;
2. Adopts the texts of the two draft optional protocols to the Convention on
involvement of children in armed conflicts and on the sale of children, child prostitution and
child pornography, as contained in the annexes to the present resolution;
3. Calls upon all States which have signed or ratified or acceded to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child, to sign and ratify or accede to the two optional protocols as soon as
possible after they are adopted by the General Assembly;
4. Recommends that the two optional protocols, after adoption by the
General Assembly, be open for early signature and ratification or accession: at the special
session of the General Assembly, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and
peace for the twenty-first century”, to be convened from 5 to 9 June 2000 in New York; and
thereafter at United Nations Headquarters, including at the special session of the Assembly,
entitled “World Summit for Social Development and beyond: achieving social development for
all in a globalizing world”, to be convened from 26 to 30 June 2000 in Geneva; and at the
Millennium Summit of the United Nations, to be convened from 5 to 8 September 2000 in
New York;
5. Recommends the following draft resolution to the Economic and Social Council
for adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution 2.]
65th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIII.]
ANNEX A
Draft Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
on Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
The States Parties to the present Protocol,
Encouraged by the overwhelming support for the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
demonstrating the widespread commitment that exists to strive for the promotion and protection
of the rights of the child,
Reaffirming that the rights of children require special protection and calling for
continuous improvement of the situation of children without distinction, as well as for their
development and education in conditions of peace and security,
Disturbed by the harmful and widespread impact of armed conflict on children and the
long-term consequences this has for durable peace, security and development,
Condemning the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict and direct attacks on
objects protected under international law, including places generally having a significant
presence of children, such as schools and hospitals,
Noting the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and, in
particular, the inclusion in the Statute of conscripting or enlisting children under the age
of 15 years or using them to participate actively in hostilities as a war crime in both international
and non-international armed conflicts,
Considering therefore that to strengthen further the implementation of rights recognized
in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, there is a need to increase the protection of children
from involvement in armed conflict,
Noting that article 1 of the Convention specifies that, for the purposes of that Convention,
a child means every human being below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to
the child, majority is attained earlier,
Convinced that an optional protocol to the Convention, raising the age of possible
recruitment of persons into armed forces and their participation in hostilities, will contribute
effectively to the implementation of the principle that the best interests of the child are to be a
primary consideration in all actions concerning children,
Noting that the twenty-sixth international Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
in December 1995 recommended, inter alia, that parties to conflict take every feasible step to
ensure that children under the age of 18 years do not take part in hostilities,
Welcoming also the unanimous adoption, in June 1999, of International Labour
Organization Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the
Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, which prohibits, inter alia, forced or
compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict,
Condemning with the gravest concern the recruitment, training and use within and across
national borders of children in hostilities by armed groups distinct from the armed forces of a
State, and recognizing the responsibility of those who recruit, train and use children in this
regard,
Recalling the obligation of each party to an armed conflict to abide by the provisions of
international humanitarian law,
Stressing that this Protocol is without prejudice to the purposes and principles contained
in the Charter of the United Nations, including Article 51, and relevant norms of humanitarian
law,
Bearing in mind that conditions of peace and security based on full respect of the
purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations and observance of
applicable human rights instruments are indispensable for the full protection of children, in
particular during armed conflicts and foreign occupation,
Recognizing the special needs of those children who are particularly vulnerable to
recruitment or use in hostilities contrary to this Protocol owing to their economic or social status
or gender,
Mindful also of the necessity to take into consideration the economic, social and political
root causes of the involvement of children in armed conflicts,
Convinced of the need to strengthen international cooperation in implementation of this
Protocol, as well as physical and psychosocial rehabilitation and social reintegration of children
who are victims of armed conflict,
Encouraging the participation of the community and, in particular, children and child
victims in the dissemination of information and education programmes concerning the
implementation of the Protocol,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that members of their armed
forces who have not attained the age of 18 years do not take a direct part in hostilities.
Article 2
States Parties shall ensure that persons who have not attained the age of 18 years are not
compulsorily recruited into their armed forces.
Article 3
1. States Parties shall raise the minimum age in years for the voluntary recruitment of
persons into their national armed forces from that set out in article 38.3 of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, taking account of the principles contained in that article and recognizing that
under the Convention persons under 18 are entitled to special protection.
2. Each State Party shall deposit a binding declaration upon ratification of or accession to
this Protocol which sets forth the minimum age at which it will permit voluntary recruitment into
its national armed forces and a description of the safeguards that it has adopted to ensure that
such recruitment is not forced or coerced.
3. States Parties which permit voluntary recruitment into their national armed forces under
the age of 18 shall maintain safeguards to ensure, as a minimum, that:
-?Such recruitment is genuinely voluntary;
-?Such recruitment is done with the informed consent of the person’s parents or legal
guardians;
-?Such persons are fully informed of the duties involved in such military service; and
-?Such persons provide reliable proof of age prior to acceptance into national military
service.
4. Each State Party may strengthen its declaration at any time by notification to that effect
addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall inform all States Parties.
Such notification shall take effect on the date on which it is received by the Secretary-General.
5. The requirement to raise the age in paragraph 1 does not apply to schools operated by or
under the control of the armed forces of the States Parties, in keeping with articles 28 and 29 of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Article 4
1. Armed groups, distinct from the armed forces of a State, should not, under any
circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities persons under the age of 18 years.
2. States Parties shall take all feasible measures to prevent such recruitment and use,
including the adoption of legal measures necessary to prohibit and criminalize such practices.
3. The application of the present article under this Protocol shall not affect the legal status
of any party to an armed conflict.
Article 5
Nothing in the present Protocol shall be construed as precluding provisions in the law of
a State Party or in international instruments and international humanitarian law which are more
conducive to the realization of the rights of the child.
Article 6
1. Each State Party shall take all necessary legal, administrative and other measures to
ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Protocol within its
jurisdiction.
2. States Parties undertake to make the principles and provisions of the present Protocol
widely known and promoted by appropriate means, to adults and children alike.
3. States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons within their
jurisdiction recruited or used in hostilities contrary to this Protocol are demobilized or otherwise
released from service. States Parties shall, when necessary, accord to these persons all
appropriate assistance for their physical and psychological recovery, and their social
reintegration.
Article 7
1. States Parties shall cooperate in the implementation of the present Protocol, including in
the prevention of any activity contrary to the Protocol and in the rehabilitation and social
reintegration of persons who are victims of acts contrary to this Protocol, including through
technical cooperation and financial assistance. Such assistance and cooperation will be
undertaken in consultation among concerned States Parties and relevant international
organizations.
2. States Parties in a position to do so shall provide such assistance through existing
multilateral, bilateral or other programmes, or, inter alia, through a voluntary fund established in
accordance with United Nations General Assembly rules.
Article 8
1. Each State Party shall submit, within two years following the entry into force of the
Protocol for that State Party, a report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child providing
comprehensive information on the measures it has taken to implement the provisions of the
Protocol, including the measures taken to implement the provisions on participation and
recruitment.
2. Following the submission of the comprehensive report, each State Party shall include in
the reports they submit to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with article 44
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child any further information with respect to the
implementation of the Protocol. Other States Parties to the Protocol shall submit a report every
five years.
3. The Committee on the Rights of the Child may request from States Parties
further information relevant to the implementation of this Protocol.
Article 9
1. The present Protocol is open for signature by any State which is a party to the
Convention or has signed it.
2. The present Protocol is subject to ratification or open to accession by any State.
Instruments of ratification or accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the
United Nations.
3. The Secretary-General, in his capacity as depositary of the Convention and the Protocol,
shall inform all States Parties to the Convention and all States which have signed the Convention
of each instrument of declaration pursuant to article 3, ratification or accession to the Protocol.
Article 10
1. The present Protocol shall enter into force three months after the deposit of the
tenth instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying the present Protocol or acceding to it after its entry into force the
present Protocol shall enter into force one month after the date of the deposit of its own
instrument of ratification or accession.
Article 11
1. Any State Party may denounce the present Protocol at any time by written notification to
the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall thereafter inform the other States Parties
to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and all States which have signed the Convention.
Denunciation shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the
Secretary-General. If, however, on the expiry of that year the denouncing State Party is engaged
in armed conflict, the denunciation shall not take effect before the end of the armed conflict.
2. Such a denunciation shall not have the effect of releasing the State Party from its
obligations under the present Protocol in regard to any act which occurs prior to the date at
which the denunciation becomes effective. Nor shall such a denunciation prejudice in any way
the continued consideration of any matter which is already under consideration by the
Committee prior to the date at which the denunciation becomes effective.
Article 12
1. Any State Party may propose an amendment and file it with the Secretary-General of the
United Nations. The Secretary-General shall thereupon communicate the proposed amendment
to States Parties, with a request that they indicate whether they favour a conference of States
Parties for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals. In the event that, within
four months from the date of such communication, at least one third of the States Parties favour
such a conference, the Secretary-General shall convene the conference under the auspices of the
United Nations. Any amendment adopted by a majority of States Parties present and voting at
the conference shall be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
2. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of the present article shall enter
into force when it has been approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations and
accepted by a two-thirds majority of States Parties.
3. When an amendment enters into force, it shall be binding on those States Parties which
have accepted it, other States Parties still being bound by the provisions of the present Protocol
and any earlier amendments which they have accepted.
Article 13
1. The present Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and
Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the United Nations.
2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit certified copies of the present
Protocol to all States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and all States which
have signed the Convention.
ANNEX B
Draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
The States Parties to the present Protocol,
Considering that in order further to achieve the purposes of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child and the implementation of its provisions, especially articles 1, 11, 21, 32, 33, 34, 35
and 36, it would be appropriate to extend the measures that States Parties should undertake in
order to guarantee the protection of the child from the sale of children, child prostitution and
child pornography,
Considering also that the Convention recognizes the right of the child to be protected
from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to
interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental,
spiritual, moral or social development,
Gravely concerned at the significant and increasing international traffic of children for
the purpose of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography,
Deeply concerned at the widespread and continuing practice of sex tourism to which
children are especially vulnerable, as it directly promotes the sale of children, child prostitution
and child pornography,
Recognizing that a number of particularly vulnerable groups, including girl children, are
at greater risk of sexual exploitation, and that girl children are disproportionately represented
among the sexually exploited,
Concerned about the growing availability of child pornography on the Internet and other
evolving technologies and recalling the International Conference on Combating Child
Pornography on the Internet held at Vienna in 1999 and, in particular, its conclusion calling for
the worldwide criminalization of the production, distribution, exportation, transmission,
importation, intentional possession and advertising of child pornography, and stressing the
importance of closer cooperation and partnership between Governments and the Internet
industry,
Believing that the elimination of the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography will be facilitated by adopting a holistic approach addressing the contributing
factors, including underdevelopment, poverty, economic disparities, inequitable socio-economic
structure, dysfunctioning families, lack of education, urban-rural migration, gender
discrimination, irresponsible adult sexual behaviour, harmful traditional practices, armed
conflicts and trafficking of children,
Believing that efforts to raise public awareness are needed to reduce consumer demand
for the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and in the importance of
strengthening global partnership among all actors, and of improving law enforcement at the
national level,
Noting the provisions of international legal instruments relevant to the protection of
children, including the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation with
Respect to Intercountry Adoption, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child
Abduction, the Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement
and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of
Children and International Labour Organization Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the
Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour,
Encouraged by the overwhelming support for the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
demonstrating the widespread commitment that exists for the promotion and protection of the
rights of the child,
Recognizing the importance of the implementation of the provisions of the Programme of
Action for the Prevention of the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
adopted by the Commission on Human Rights in its resolution 1992/74 of 5 March 1992 and the
Declaration and Agenda for Action of the World Congress against the Commercial Sexual
Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in 1996 and the other relevant decisions and
recommendations of pertinent international bodies,
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people
for the protection and harmonious development of the child,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
States Parties shall prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
as provided for by this Protocol.
Article 2
For the purpose of the present Protocol:
SALE OF CHILDREN
(a) Sale of children means any act or transaction whereby a child is transferred by
any person or group of persons to another for remuneration or any other consideration;
CHILD PROSTITUTION
(b) Child prostitution means the use of a child in sexual activities for remuneration or
any other form of consideration;
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
(c) Child pornography means any representation, by whatever means, of a child
engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities or any representation of the sexual parts of
a child, the dominant characteristic of which is depiction for a sexual purpose.
Article 3
1. Each State Party shall ensure that, as a minimum, the following acts and activities are
fully covered under its criminal or penal law, whether these offences are committed domestically
or transnationally or on an individual or organized basis:
(a) In the context of sale of children as defined in article 2 (a):
(i) The offering, delivering, or accepting by whatever means a child for the
purpose of:
-?Sexual exploitation of the child;
-?Transfer of organs of the child for profit;
-?Engagement of the child in forced labour;
(ii) Improperly inducing consent, as an intermediary, for the adoption of a
child in violation of applicable international legal instruments on adoption;
(b) Offering, obtaining, procuring or providing a child for child prostitution, as
defined in article 2 (b); and
(c) Producing, distributing, disseminating, importing, exporting, offering, selling, or
possessing for the above purposes, child pornography as defined in article 2 (c).
2. Subject to the provisions of a State Party’s national law, the same shall apply to an
attempt to commit any of these acts and to complicity or participation in any of these acts.
3. Each State Party shall make these offences punishable by appropriate penalties which
take into account their grave nature.
4. Subject to the provisions of its national law, each State Party shall take measures, where
appropriate, to establish the liability of legal persons for offences established in paragraph 1 of
this article. Subject to the legal principles of the State Party, this liability of legal persons may
be criminal, civil, or administrative.
5. States Parties shall take all appropriate legal and administrative measures to ensure that
all persons involved in the adoption of a child act in conformity with applicable international
legal instruments.
Article 4
1. Each State Party shall take such measures as may be necessary to establish its jurisdiction
over the offences referred to in article 3.1, when the offences are committed in its territory or on
board a ship or aircraft registered in that State.
2. Each State Party may take such measures as may be necessary to establish its jurisdiction
over the offences referred to in article 3.1 in the following cases:
(a) When the alleged offender is a national of that State or a person who has his
habitual residence in its territory;
(b) When the victim is a national of that State.
3. Each State Party shall also take such measures as may be necessary to establish its
jurisdiction over the above-mentioned offences when the alleged offender is present in its
territory and it does not extradite him to another State Party on the ground that the offence has
been committed by one of its nationals.
4. This Protocol does not exclude any criminal jurisdiction exercised in accordance with
internal law.
Article 5
1. The offences referred to in article 3.1 shall be deemed to be included as extraditable
offences in any extradition treaty existing between States Parties, and shall be included as
extraditable offences in every extradition treaty subsequently concluded between them, in
accordance with the conditions set forth in these treaties.
2. If a State Party which makes extradition conditional on the existence of a treaty receives
a request for extradition from another State Party with which it has no extradition treaty, it may
consider this Protocol as a legal basis for extradition in respect of such offences. Extradition
shall be subject to the conditions provided by the law of the requested State.
3. States Parties which do not make extradition conditional on the existence of a treaty shall
recognize such offences as extraditable offences between themselves subject to the conditions
provided by the law of the requested State.
4. Such offences shall be treated, for the purpose of extradition between States Parties, as if
they had been committed not only in the place in which they occurred but also in the territories
of the States required to establish their jurisdiction in accordance with article 4.
5. If an extradition request is made with respect to an offence described in article 3.1 and if
the requested State Party does not or will not extradite, on the basis of the nationality of the
offender, that State shall take suitable measures to submit the case to its competent authorities
for the purpose of prosecution.
Article 6
1. States Parties shall afford one another the greatest measure of assistance in connection
with investigations or criminal or extradition proceedings brought in respect of the offences set
forth in article 3.1, including assistance in obtaining evidence at their disposal necessary for the
proceedings.
2. States Parties shall carry out their obligations under paragraph 1 of the present article in
conformity with any treaties or other arrangements on mutual legal assistance that may exist
between them. In the absence of such treaties or arrangements, States Parties shall afford one
another assistance in accordance with their domestic law.
Article 7
States Parties shall, subject to the provisions of their national law:
(a) Take measures to provide for the seizure and confiscation, as appropriate, of:
(i) Goods such as materials, assets and other instrumentalities used to commit
or facilitate offences under the present Protocol;
(ii) Proceeds derived from such offences;
(b) Execute requests from another State Party for seizure or confiscation of goods or
proceeds referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) and (ii);
(c) Take measures aimed at closing on a temporary or definitive basis premises used
to commit such offences.
Article 8
1. States Parties shall adopt appropriate measures to protect the rights and interests of child
victims of the practices prohibited under the present Protocol at all stages of the criminal justice
process, in particular by:
(a) Recognizing the vulnerability of child victims and adapting procedures to
recognize their special needs, including their special needs as witnesses;
(b) Informing child victims of their rights, their role and the scope, timing and
progress of the proceedings and of the disposition of their cases;
(c) Allowing the views, needs and concerns of child victims to be presented and
considered in proceedings where their personal interests are affected, in a manner consistent with
the procedural rules of national law;
(d) Providing appropriate support services to child victims throughout the legal
process;
(e) Protecting as appropriate the privacy and identity of child victims and taking
measures in accordance with national law to avoid the inappropriate dissemination of
information that could lead to the identification of child victims;
(f) Providing, in appropriate cases, for the safety of child victims, as well as that of
their families and witnesses on their behalf, from intimidation and retaliation;
(g) Avoiding unnecessary delay in the disposition of cases and the execution of
orders or decrees granting compensation to child victims.
2. States Parties shall ensure that uncertainty as to the actual age of the victim shall not
prevent the initiation of criminal investigations, including investigations aimed at establishing
the age of the victim.
3. States Parties shall ensure that, in the treatment by the criminal justice system of children
who are victims of the offences described in the present Protocol, the best interest of the child
shall be a primary consideration.
4. States Parties shall take measures to ensure appropriate training, in particular legal and
psychological, for the persons who work with child victims of the offences prohibited under the
present Protocol.
States Parties shall, in appropriate cases, adopt measures in order to protect the safety and
integrity of those persons and/or organizations involved in the prevention and/or protection and
rehabilitation of child victims of such offences.
5. Nothing in this article shall be construed as prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights
of the accused to a fair and impartial trial.
Article 9
1. States Parties shall adopt or strengthen, implement and disseminate laws, administrative
measures, social policies and programmes, to prevent the offences referred to in the present
Protocol. Particular attention shall be given to protect children who are especially vulnerable to
these practices.
2. States Parties shall promote awareness in the public at large, including children, through
information by all appropriate means, education and training, about the preventive measures and
harmful effects of the offences referred to in the present Protocol. In fulfilling their obligations
under this article, States Parties shall encourage the participation of the community and, in
particular, children and child victims, in such information and education and training
programmes, including at the international level.
3. States Parties shall take all feasible measures with the aim of ensuring all appropriate
assistance to victims of such offences, including their full social reintegration, and their full
physical and psychological recovery.
4. States Parties shall ensure that all child victims of the offences described in the present
Protocol have access to adequate procedures to seek, without discrimination, compensation for
damages from those legally responsible.
5. States Parties shall take appropriate measures aimed at effectively prohibiting the
production and dissemination of material advertising the offences described in the present
Protocol.
Article 10
1. States Parties shall take all necessary steps to strengthen international cooperation by
multilateral, regional and bilateral arrangements for the prevention, detection, investigation,
prosecution and punishment of those responsible for acts involving the sale of children, child
prostitution, child pornography and child sex tourism.
States Parties shall also promote international cooperation and coordination between their
authorities, national and international non-governmental organizations and international
organizations.
2. States Parties shall promote international cooperation to assist child victims for their
physical and psychological recovery, social reintegration and repatriation.
3. States Parties shall promote the strengthening of international cooperation in order to
address the root causes, such as poverty and underdevelopment, contributing to the vulnerability
of children to the practices of sale, prostitution, pornography and child sex tourism.
4. States Parties in a position to do so shall provide financial, technical or other assistance
through existing multilateral, regional, bilateral or other programmes.
Article 11
Nothing in the present Protocol shall affect any provisions which are more conducive to
the realization of the rights of the child and which may be contained in:
(a) The law of a State Party; or
(b) International law in force for that State.
Article 12
1. Each State Party shall submit, within two years following the entry into force of the
Protocol for that State Party, a report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child providing
comprehensive information on the measures it has taken to implement the provisions of the
Protocol.
2. Following the submission of the comprehensive report, each State Party shall include in
the reports they submit to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with article 44
of the Convention any further information with respect to the implementation of the Protocol.
Other States Parties to the Protocol shall submit a report every five years.
3. The Committee on the Rights of the Child may request from States Parties further
information relevant to the implementation of this Protocol.
Article 13
1. The present Protocol is open for signature by any State which is a party to the
Convention or has signed it.
2. The present Protocol is subject to ratification or open to accession by any State which is a
party to the Convention or has signed it. Instruments of ratification or accession shall be
deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 14
1. The present Protocol shall enter into force three months after the deposit of the
tenth instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying the present Protocol or acceding to it after its entry into force, the
present Protocol shall enter into force one month after the date of the deposit of its own
instrument of ratification or accession.
Article 15
1. Any State Party may denounce the present Protocol at any time by written notification to
the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall thereafter inform the other States Parties
to the Convention and all States which have signed the Convention. Denunciation shall take
effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General.
2. Such a denunciation shall not have the effect of releasing the State Party from its
obligations under this Protocol in regard to any offence which occurs prior to the date at which
the denunciation becomes effective. Nor shall such a denunciation prejudice in any way the
continued consideration of any matter which is already under consideration by the Committee
prior to the date at which the denunciation becomes effective.
Article 16
1. Any State Party may propose an amendment and file it with the Secretary-General of the
United Nations. The Secretary-General shall thereupon communicate the proposed amendment
to States Parties, with a request that they indicate whether they favour a conference of States
Parties for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals. In the event that, within
four months from the date of such communication, at least one third of the States Parties favour
such a conference, the Secretary-General shall convene the conference under the auspices of the
United Nations. Any amendment adopted by a majority of States Parties present and voting at
the conference shall be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
2. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of the present article shall enter
into force when it has been approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations and
accepted by a two-thirds majority of States Parties.
When an amendment enters into force, it shall be binding on those States Parties which
have accepted it, other States Parties still being bound by the provisions of the present Protocol
and any earlier amendments which they have accepted.
Article 17
1. The present Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and
Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the United Nations.
2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit certified copies of this
Protocol to all States Parties to the Convention and all States which have signed the Convention.
2000/60. Abduction of children from northern Uganda
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolution 1999/43 of 26 April 1999,
Recalling the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the
Prostitution of Others, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights,
Recalling also the findings and recommendations presented in the final report of the
expert appointed by the Secretary-General on the impact of armed conflict on children
(see A/51/306 and Add.1),
Recalling further the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993
by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), which expressed concern about
violations of human rights during armed conflicts affecting the civilian population, especially
women, children, the elderly and the disabled,
Recalling the obligation of States parties to respect and strictly observe international
humanitarian law in accordance with the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 for the
protection of war victims, the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977 and other principles of
international law,
Expressing profound concern at the continuing abduction, torture, detention, rape,
enslavement and forced recruitment of children from northern Uganda,
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/69);
2. Condemns in the strongest terms the Lord’s Resistance Army for the abduction,
torture, killing, rape, enslavement and forcible recruitment of children in northern Uganda;
3. Demands the immediate cessation of all abductions and attacks on all civilian
populations, in particular women and children, in northern Uganda by the Lord’s Resistance
Army;
4. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release and safe return of all abducted
children currently held by the Lord’s Resistance Army;
5. Requests the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, established
by the General Assembly in its resolution 36/151 of 16 December 1981, to provide assistance to
the victims and their families suffering from the effects of torture inflicted by the Lord’s
Resistance Army;
6. Urges all Member States, international organizations, humanitarian bodies and all
other concerned parties with any influence on the Lord’s Resistance Army to exert all possible
pressure on it to release, immediately and unconditionally, all children from northern Uganda;
7. Urges all parties supporting the continuation of abduction and detention of
children by the Lord’s Resistance Army to cease immediately all assistance to and collaboration
with the rebel Army;
8. Welcomes the bilateral agreement between the Sudan and Uganda signed at
Nairobi on 8 December 1999 by the Presidents of the two countries;
9. Reiterates the commitment made by the Sudan and Uganda to make a special
effort to locate any abductees, especially children, who have been abducted in the past and to
return them to their families;
10. Welcomes with appreciation the efforts exerted by the Governments of the Sudan
and Uganda, complemented by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children
and armed conflict, the United Nations Children’s Fund and non-governmental organizations,
which resulted in the identification and reunification of many of those children with their
families;
11. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
to undertake an assessment of the situation on the ground in the affected areas, including the
needs of the victims, in full consultation with the relevant United Nations organizations and
non-governmental organizations, and to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
12. Decides to continue its consideration of the question at its fifty-seventh session
under the same agenda item.
65th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIII.]
2000/61. Human rights defenders
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 53/144 of 9 December 1998 by which the
Assembly adopted by consensus the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals,
Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms,
Reiterating the importance of this Declaration and its promotion and implementation,
Emphasizing the important role that individuals, non-governmental organizations and
groups play in the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Noting with deep concern that, in many countries, persons and organizations engaged in
promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms are often subjected to threats,
harassment, insecurity, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial executions,
1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/95) on ways for
effective promotion and implementation of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of
Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, submitted pursuant to Commission
resolution 1999/66 of 28 April 1999;
2. Calls upon all States to promote and give effect to the Declaration;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to appoint, for a period of three years, a special
representative who shall report on the situation of human rights defenders in all parts of the
world and on possible means to enhance their protection in full compliance with the Declaration;
the main activities of the special representative shall be:
(a) To seek, receive, examine and respond to information on the situation and the
rights of anyone, acting individually or in association with others, to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms;
(b) To establish cooperation and conduct dialogue with Governments and other
interested actors on the promotion and effective implementation of the Declaration;
(c) To recommend effective strategies better to protect human rights defenders and
follow up on these recommendations;
4. Urges all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Representative of
the Secretary-General in the performance of his or her tasks and to furnish all information in the
fulfilment of his or her mandate upon request;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Representative with all
necessary assistance, in particular the staff and resources deemed necessary to fulfil his or her
mandate;
6. Requests the Special Representative to submit annual reports on his/her activities
to the Commission and to the General Assembly and to make any suggestions and
recommendations enabling him or her better to carry out his or her tasks and activities;
7. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-seventh session under the agenda
item entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights”;
8. Recommends the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 35.]
65th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 50 votes to none,
with 3 abstentions. See chap. XVII.]
2000/62. Promotion of the right to a democratic and equitable
international order
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the purposes and principles
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,
Affirming that the enhancement of international cooperation for the promotion and
protection of all human rights should continue to be carried out in full conformity with the
purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and
particularly with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and non-use of
force or the threat of force in international relations,
Recalling the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the
determination to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the
human person and in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small,
Reaffirming that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the
rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be fully realized,
Recalling the determination expressed in the Preamble of the Charter of the
United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to establish conditions
under which justice and respect for obligations arising from treaties and other sources of
international law can be maintained, to promote social progress and better standards of life in
larger freedom, to practise tolerance and good neighbourliness and to employ international
machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
Considering the major changes taking place on the international scene and the aspirations
of all the peoples for an international order based on the principles enshrined in the Charter of
the United Nations, including promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination
of peoples, peace, democracy, justice, equality, rule of law, pluralism, development, better
standards of living and solidarity,
Considering also that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all
human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the
rights and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind, in particular as to race, sex,
language or religion,
Reaffirming that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and that democracy is based on the freely
expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural
systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives,
Emphasizing that democracy is not only a political concept but also has economic and
social dimensions,
Recognizing that democracy, respect for all human rights, including the right to
development, transparent and accountable governance and administration in all sectors of society
and effective participation by civil society are an essential part of the necessary foundations for
the realization of social- and people-centred sustainable development,
Underlining that it is an ethical imperative for the international community to arrest and
reverse the marginalization of several countries and to promote their expeditious enjoyment of
the benefits of globalization and interdependence,
Resolved, on the eve of a new century and millennium, to take all measures within its
power to secure a democratic and equitable international order,
1. Affirms that everyone is entitled to a democratic and equitable international order;
2. Also affirms that a democratic and equitable international order fosters the full
realization of all human rights for all;
3. Further affirms that a democratic and equitable international order requires,
inter alia, the realization of the following rights:
(a) The right of all peoples to self-determination, by virtue of which they can freely
determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural
development;
(b) The right of peoples and nations to permanent sovereignty over their natural
wealth and resources;
(c) The right of every human person and all peoples to development;
(d) The right of peoples to peace;
(e) The right to an international economic order based on equal participation in the
decision-making process, interdependence, mutual interest, solidarity and cooperation among all
States;
(f) The right to solidarity, by virtue of which all peoples and nations are entitled to
international assistance in their efforts for the realization of the right to development, in
particular in eradicating poverty, illiteracy and hunger, as well as in dealing with the
consequences of emergency situations, such as natural disasters;
(g) The right of everyone to transparent, democratic, just and accountable
international institutions in all areas of cooperation, in particular through the implementation of
the principles of full and equal participation in their respective decision-making mechanisms;
(h) The right to equal access to international public service for persons from all
regions and countries, ensuring an equitable regional and gender-balanced representation;
(i) The right to a free, just, effective and balanced international information and
communication order;
(j) The right of everyone to cultural cooperation, promoting and protecting the
variety and diversity of cultures around the world;
(k) The right to a healthy environment for everyone;
(l) The right of everyone to equitable access to benefits from the international
distribution of wealth through enhanced international cooperation, in particular in economic,
commercial and financial international relations;
(m) The right of everyone to ownership of the common heritage of mankind;
4. Stresses the importance of preserving the rich and diverse nature of the
international community of nations and peoples, as well as the respect of national and regional
particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds in the enhancement of
international cooperation in the field of human rights;
5. Reaffirms that all States should promote the establishment, maintenance and
strengthening of international peace and security and, to that end, should do their utmost to
achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international control, as well as to
ensure that the resources released by effective disarmament measures are used for
comprehensive development, in particular that of the developing countries;
6. Recalls the proclamation by the Member States of the United Nations of their
determination to work urgently for the establishment of an international economic order based on
equity, sovereign equality, interdependence, common interest and cooperation among all States,
irrespective of their economic and social systems, which shall correct inequalities and redress
existing injustices, make it possible to eliminate the widening gap between the developed and the
developing countries and ensure steadily accelerating economic and social development and
peace and justice for present and future generations;
7. Stresses the importance of international cooperation for the establishment of a
new equilibrium and greater reciprocity in the international flow of information, in particular,
correcting the inequalities in the flow of information to and from developing countries;
8. Reaffirms that the international community should devise ways and means to
remove current obstacles and meet challenges to the full realization of all human rights and to
prevent the continuation of human rights violations resulting therefrom throughout the world;
9. Urges States to continue their efforts, through enhanced international cooperation,
towards the creation of a democratic and equitable international order;
10. Requests human rights treaty bodies, the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights and the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to pay due attention, within
their respective mandates, to the present resolution and to make contributions towards its
implementation;
11. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to include in
her report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session progress made in the implementation of
the present resolution;
12. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of
Member States, organs, bodies and other components of the United Nations system,
intergovernmental organizations, in particular the Bretton Woods institutions, and
non-governmental organizations and to disseminate it on the widest possible basis;
13. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-seventh session under
the same agenda item.
65th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 30 votes to 17,
with 6 abstentions. See chap. XVII.]
2000/63. Human rights and human responsibilities
Guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, particularly
its Article 1, paragraph 3,
Inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of
achievement for all peoples and the commitment to promote its effective recognition and
observance by progressive measures, national and international,
Recalling that human responsibilities were an integral part of the negotiating process
leading to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are an integral part of the
Universal Declaration itself, but have since been ignored,
Underscoring that other human rights instruments, while defining specific rights, also
include human responsibilities,
Convinced, in an increasingly interdependent world, of the need to promote a culture of
responsibility based on existing human rights norms and standards,
Mindful that such a culture of responsibility is the fundamental element in the promotion
and protection of all human rights,
Bearing in mind that human rights are closely linked to human responsibilities and that
both aim at human dignity,
1. Stresses the urgent need to give practical effect to the specific responsibilities
defined in all human rights instruments;
2. Requests the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
to undertake a study on the issue of human rights and human responsibilities and to submit an
interim study to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session and a complete study to the
Commission at its fifty-eighth session;
3. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session
under the same agenda item.
65th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 22 votes to 21,
with 10 abstentions. See chap. XVII.]
2000/64. The role of good governance in the promotion of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of
achievement of all peoples and all nations applying to every individual and every organ of
society, and also the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23), which
affirmed that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated,
Recognizing the importance of a conducive environment, at both the national and the
international levels, for the full enjoyment of all human rights,
Emphasizing that the strengthening of good governance at the national level, including
through the building of effective and accountable institutions for promoting growth and
sustainable human development, is a continuous process for all Governments regardless of the
level of development of the countries concerned,
Noting that good governance practices necessarily vary according to the particular
circumstances and needs of different societies, and that the responsibility for determining and
implementing such practices, based on transparency and accountability, and for creating and
maintaining an enabling environment conducive to the enjoyment of all human rights at the
national level, rests with the State concerned,
Affirming the need for enhanced cooperation at the international level between States and
through the United Nations system, to ensure that States needing external inputs in order to
improve good governance activities have access, if and when required, to the necessary
information and resources,
Recognizing the need for a closer examination of the role of good governance for the
promotion of human rights and the relationship between good governance practices and the
promotion and protection of all human rights in all countries,
1. Recognizes that transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory
government, responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people, is the foundation on which
good governance rests, and that such a foundation is a sine qua non for the promotion of human
rights;
2. Emphasizes, in this context, the need to promote partnership approaches to
international development cooperation and to ensure that prescriptive approaches to good
governance do not impede such cooperation;
3. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to invite all
States to provide practical examples of activities that have been effective in strengthening good
governance practices for the promotion of human rights at the national level, including activities
in the context of development cooperation between States, for inclusion in a compilation of
indicative ideas and practices that could be consulted by the interested States when required;
4. Decides to continue consideration of the question of the role of good governance
in the promotion of human rights at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 50 votes to none,
with 2 abstentions. See chap. XVII.]
2000/65. The question of the death penalty
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the right
of everyone to life, article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and
articles 6 and 37 (a) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 2857 (XXVI) of 20 December 1971
and 32/61 of 8 December 1977 on capital punishment, as well as resolution 44/128
of 15 December 1989, in which the Assembly adopted and opened for signature, ratification and
accession the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty,
Recalling further Economic and Social Council resolutions 1574 (L) of 20 May 1971,
1745 (LIV) of 16 May 1973, 1930 (LVIII) of 6 May 1975, 1984/50 of 25 May 1984, 1985/33
of 29 May 1985, 1989/64 of 24 May 1989, 1990/29 of 24 May 1990, 1990/51 of 24 July 1990
and 1996/15 of 23 July 1996,
Recalling its resolutions 1998/8 of 3 April 1998 and 1999/61 of 28 April 1999, in which
it expressed its conviction that abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of
human dignity and to the progressive development of human rights,
Welcoming the exclusion of capital punishment from the penalties that the International
Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Tribunal for Rwanda and the
International Criminal Court are authorized to impose,
Commending those countries that have recently abolished the death penalty,
Welcoming the fact that many countries, while still keeping the death penalty in their
penal legislation, are applying a moratorium on executions,
Referring to the report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions (E/CN.4/2000/3), with respect to the Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights
of those facing the death penalty, set out in the annex to Economic and Social Council
resolution 1984/50,
Deeply concerned that several countries impose the death penalty in disregard of the
limitations provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Concerned that several countries, in imposing the death penalty, do not take into account
the Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty,
1. Welcomes the sixth quinquennial report of the Secretary-General on capital
punishment and implementation of the Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those
facing the death penalty, submitted in accordance with Economic and Social Council
resolution 1995/57 of 28 July 1995 (E/2000/3);
2. Calls upon all States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights that have not yet done so to consider acceding to or ratifying the Second Optional
Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of
the death penalty;
3. Urges all States that still maintain the death penalty:
(a) To comply fully with their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, notably not to impose the
death penalty for any but the most serious crimes and only pursuant to a final judgement
rendered by an independent and impartial competent court, not to impose it for crimes committed
by persons below 18 years of age, to exclude pregnant women from capital punishment and to
ensure the right to a fair trial and the right to seek pardon or commutation of sentence;
(b) To ensure that the notion of “most serious crimes” does not go beyond intentional
crimes with lethal or extremely grave consequences and that the death penalty is not imposed for
non-violent financial crimes or for non-violent religious practice or expression of conscience;
(c) Not to enter any new reservations under article 6 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights which may be contrary to the object and the purpose of the Covenant
and to withdraw any such existing reservations, given that article 6 of the Covenant enshrines the
minimum rules for the protection of the right to life and the generally accepted standards in this
area;
(d) To observe the Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing
the death penalty and to comply fully with their international obligations, in particular with those
under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations;
(e) Not to impose the death penalty on a person suffering from any form of mental
disorder or to execute any such person;
(f) Not to execute any person as long as any related legal procedure, at the
international or at the national level, is pending;
4. Calls upon all States that still maintain the death penalty:
(a) Progressively to restrict the number of offences for which the death penalty may
be imposed;
(b) To establish a moratorium on executions, with a view to completely abolishing
the death penalty;
(c) To make available to the public information with regard to the imposition of the
death penalty;
5. Requests States that have received a request for extradition on a capital charge to
reserve explicitly the right to refuse extradition in the absence of effective assurances from
relevant authorities of the requesting State that capital punishment will not be carried out;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to submit to the Commission on
Human Rights, at its fifty-seventh session, in consultation with Governments, specialized
agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, a yearly supplement on
changes in law and practice concerning the death penalty worldwide to his quinquennial report
on capital punishment and implementation of the Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the
rights of those facing the death penalty;
7. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-seventh session under
the same agenda item.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 27 votes to 13,
with 12 abstentions. See chap. XVII.]
2000/66. Towards a culture of peace
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling General Assembly resolutions 50/173 of 22 December 1995, 51/101
of 12 December 1996 and 52/13 of 20 November 1997, on a culture of peace, 51/104
of 12 December 1996, on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and public
information activities in the field of human rights, 52/15 of 20 November 1997 in which the
General Assembly proclaimed the year 2000 as the International Year for the Culture of Peace;
and 53/25 of 10 November 1998 on the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and
Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010),
Also recalling its resolutions 1998/54 of 17 April 1998 and 1999/62 of 28 April 1999
entitled “Towards a culture of peace”,
Reaffirming that, since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of
men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed,
Bearing in mind the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations, and guided by the
purposes and principles contained therein,
Taking into account that a culture of peace actively fosters non-violence and respect for
human rights, strengthens solidarity among peoples and dialogue between cultures, and promotes
democratic participation and the right to development of women and men on an equal footing,
Recognizing that culture is an integral whole and a basis for the intellectual development
of all human beings, and affirming the need for access, on an equal basis, by children, women
and men, including the elderly, to the science of knowledge, in particular to an education for
peace, and to the enjoyment of the beautiful legacy of mankind, for the full development of
individuals as human beings,
Underlining the need to implement effective policies, at all levels, in accordance with the
Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, for the full enjoyment of all human
rights and fundamental freedoms by all people, thereby encouraging them to contribute actively
to the further development of a culture of peace,
1. Welcomes the adoption by the General Assembly, by its resolution 53/243
of 13 September 1999, of the Declaration and Plan of Action on a Culture of Peace;
2. Also welcomes the proclamation by the General Assembly of the year 2000 as the
International Year for the Culture of Peace; as well as all other activities that Governments,
non-governmental organizations, civil society and the United Nations system are currently
undertaking in order to commemorate this special occasion;
3. Strongly reiterates its invitation to States to promote a culture of peace based on
the purposes and principles established in the Charter of the United Nations and in the
Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, as an integral approach to
preventing violence in its diverse manifestations;
4. Takes note of the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights (E/CN.4/2000/97 and Add.1);
5. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner, in coordination with the
Bureau of the Commission at its fifty-sixth session, to organize, provide the necessary resources,
including financial resources, and coordinate, during the course of the International Year for a
Culture of Peace, a panel/forum on a culture of peace, with participation open to Governments,
non-governmental organizations and other interested organizations, focusing on the contribution
of the promotion, protection and realization of all human rights to the further development of a
culture of peace;
6. Requests the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
to take into account and reflect in its deliberations, as appropriate, the provisions of the
Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, as well as the contribution of the
promotion, protection and realization of all human rights for the further development of a culture
of peace;
7. Decides to continue considering the question of a culture of peace at its
fifty-seventh session, giving due attention to the fact that the General Assembly proclaimed the
years 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the
Children of the World.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVII.]
2000/67. Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Taking note of General Assembly resolution 54/157 of 17 December 1999 and recalling
its own resolution 1998/9 of 3 April 1998,
Mindful that the International Covenants on Human Rights constitute the first
all-embracing and legally binding international treaties in the field of human rights and, together
with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, form the core of the International Bill of
Human Rights,
Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General on the status of the International
Covenants on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2000/89) and of withdrawals and reservations with respect
to the Covenants (E/CN.4/2000/96),
Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and reaffirming that all human rights and
fundamental freedoms are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and that the
promotion and protection of one category of rights should never exempt or excuse States from
the promotion and protection of the other rights,
Recognizing the important role of the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in examining the progress made by States parties in
implementing the obligations undertaken in the International Covenants on Human Rights and
the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in
providing recommendations to States parties on their implementation,
Recognizing also the importance of regional human rights instruments and their
monitoring mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights which complement the
universal system of human rights protection,
1. Reaffirms the importance of the International Covenants on Human Rights as
major parts of international efforts to promote universal respect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms;
2. Appeals strongly to all States that have not yet done so to become parties to the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, as well as to accede to the Optional Protocols to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to make the declaration provided for in article 41 of
that Covenant;
3. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to intensify
systematic efforts to encourage States to become parties to the International Covenants on
Human Rights and, through the programme of technical cooperation and advisory services in the
field of human rights, to assist such States, at their request, in ratifying or acceding to the
Covenants and to the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights;
4. Emphasizes the importance of the strictest compliance by States parties with their
obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and, where applicable, the Optional
Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
5. Stresses the importance of avoiding the erosion of human rights by derogation,
and underlines the necessity of strict observance of the agreed conditions and procedures for
derogation under article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, bearing in
mind the need for States parties to provide the fullest possible information during states of
emergency so that the justification for the appropriateness of measures taken in those
circumstances can be assessed;
6. Also stresses the importance of fully taking into account a gender perspective in
the implementation of the International Covenants on Human Rights at the national level,
including in the reports of States parties and in the work of the Human Rights Committee and the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
7. Encourages States parties to consider limiting the extent of any reservations they
lodge to the International Covenants on Human Rights, to formulate any reservations as
precisely and narrowly as possible and to ensure that no reservation is incompatible with the
object and purpose of the relevant treaty or otherwise contrary to international law;
8. Also encourages States parties to review regularly any reservations made in
respect of the provisions of the International Covenants on Human Rights and the Optional
Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with a view to withdrawing
them;
9. Takes note of General Comments Nos. 27 and 28 adopted by the Human Rights
Committee and General Comments Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 adopted by the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights since the fifty-fourth session of the Commission;
10. Urges States parties to fulfil in good time such reporting obligations under the
International Covenants on Human Rights as may be requested and to make use of
gender-disaggregated data in their reports;
11. Also urges States parties to take duly into account, in implementing the provisions
of the International Covenants on Human Rights, the observations made at the conclusion of the
consideration of their reports by the Human Rights Committee and by the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the views adopted by the Human Rights
Committee under the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights;
12. Invites States parties to give particular attention to the dissemination at the
national level of the reports they have submitted to the Human Rights Committee and the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the summary records relating to the
examination of those reports by the Committees and the observations made by the Committees at
the conclusion of the consideration of the reports;
13. Once again encourages all Governments to publish the texts of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights and the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights in as many local languages as possible and to distribute them and make them known as
widely as possible in their territories;
14. Invites the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, when considering the reports of States parties, to continue to identify
specific needs that might be addressed by United Nations departments, funds and programmes
and the specialized agencies, including through the advisory services and technical assistance
programme of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
15. Stresses the need for improved coordination between relevant United Nations
mechanisms and bodies in supporting States parties, upon their request, in implementing the
International Covenants on Human Rights and the Optional Protocols to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and encourages continued efforts in this direction;
16. Welcomes Economic and Social Council decision 1999/287 of 30 July 1999
approving the holding of two additional three-week extraordinary sessions of the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as corresponding pre-sessional working groups of
one week’s duration during the years 2000 and 2001, respectively, in order to reduce the backlog
of reports;
17. Welcomes the efforts of the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to improve the efficiency of their working methods and
encourages them to continue to consider further ways and means to that end;
18. Invites States to continue to contribute, with practical proposals and ideas, to the
dialogue on ways of improving the functioning of the Human Rights Committee and the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
19. Welcomes the continuing efforts of the Human Rights Committee and the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to strive for uniform standards in the
implementation of the provisions of the International Covenants on Human Rights, and appeals
to other bodies dealing with similar human rights questions to respect those uniform standards,
as expressed in the general comments of the Committees;
20. Stresses the need for further efforts towards developing indicators and
benchmarks to measure progress in the realization of the rights set forth in the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as the desirability of considering the
issue of justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights in order to strengthen the enjoyment
of these rights;
21. Encourages the Secretary-General to continue to assist States parties to the
International Covenants on Human Rights in the preparation of their reports, including by
convening seminars or workshops at the national level for the purpose of training government
officials engaged in the preparation of such reports and by exploring other possibilities available
under the regular programme of technical cooperation advisory services in the field of human
rights;
22. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the Office of the High
Commissioner effectively assists the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the implementation of their respective mandates,
including by the provision of adequate Secretariat staff resources;
23. Welcomes the initiative by the Secretary-General, taking into account the
suggestions of the Human Rights Committee, to take determined steps, in particular through the
Department of Public Information, to give more publicity to the work of that Committee and,
similarly, to the work of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
24. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission on Human Rights, at
its fifty-seventh and fifty-eighth sessions, a report on the status of the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and its Optional Protocols, including all reservations and declarations;
25. Decides to consider this question at its fifty-eighth session under the agenda item
entitled “Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights”.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVII.]
2000/68. Impunity
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments, and
the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23),
Recalling all previous resolutions and decisions by the Commission and
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on impunity, as well as
part II, section E, paragraph 91, of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,
Recalling also the universality, interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights,
civil, cultural, economic, political and social,
Noting all previous United Nations reports on the issue of impunity,
Taking note of the reports of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/90 and
E/CN.4/2000/91),
Recognizing the importance of combating impunity for all human rights violations that
constitute crimes,
Expressing satisfaction at the adoption on 17 July 1998 of the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court (A/CONF.183/9), while acknowledging the work of the
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Tribunal for
Rwanda, as measures in the fight against impunity,
Convinced that the practice and expectation of impunity for violations of international
human rights or humanitarian law encourage such violations and are among the fundamental
obstacles to the observance of international human rights and humanitarian law and the full
implementation of international human rights and humanitarian law instruments,
Convinced also that exposing violations of human rights, holding their perpetrators and
their accomplices and collaborators accountable, obtaining justice for their victims, as well as
preserving historical records of such violations and restoring the dignity of victims through
acknowledgement and commemoration of their suffering, will guide future societies and are
integral to the promotion and implementation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and
to the prevention of future violations,
Recognizing that accountability of perpetrators of grave human rights violations is one of
the central elements of any effective remedy for victims of human rights violations and a key
factor in ensuring a fair and equitable justice system and, ultimately, reconciliation and stability
within a State,
Welcoming the establishment, by a number of States where serious human rights
violations have occurred in the past, of mechanisms to expose such violations, including
commissions of inquiry or commissions for achieving truth and reconciliation,
Conscious that the phenomenon of impunity affects all spheres of society,
Convinced of the need for Governments to combat impunity by addressing past or
ongoing abuses, taking measures aimed at preventing the recurrence of such violations,
1. Emphasizes the importance of combating impunity to the prevention of violations
of international human rights and humanitarian law and urges States to give necessary attention
to the question of impunity for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law,
including those perpetrated against women and children, and to take appropriate measures to
address this important issue;
2. Recognizes that, for the victims of human rights violations, public knowledge of
their suffering and the truth about perpetrators of these violations are essential steps towards
rehabilitation and reconciliation, and urges States to intensify their efforts to provide victims of
human rights violations with a fair and equitable process through which these violations can be
investigated and made public and to encourage victims to participate in such a process;
3. Welcomes in this regard the publication in some States of the reports of
commissions of truth and reconciliation established by those countries to address human rights
violations that have occurred there in the past and encourages other States where serious human
rights violations have occurred in the past to establish appropriate mechanisms to expose such
violations;
4. Emphasizes the importance of taking all necessary and possible steps to hold
accountable perpetrators of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and
urges States to take action in accordance with due process of law;
5. Recalls the Secretary-General’s call on all countries to sign and ratify the
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as a means to end the culture of impunity,
contained in the report entitled “We the peoples: the role of the United Nations in the
twenty-first century” (A/54/2000);
6. Welcomes in this context the progress made in the fight against impunity
including the recognition of the principle of complementarity in the Rome Statute;
7. Calls upon States to continue to participate actively with the Preparatory
Commission that is engaged, inter alia, in drafting the rules of procedure and evidence and the
elements of crime of the International Criminal Court and to consider signing and ratifying the
Rome Statute;
8. Calls upon States and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
to consider providing to States, upon their request, concrete and practical assistance and
cooperation in seeking to achieve the goals set out in the present resolution;
9. Calls upon States to continue to support the work of the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Tribunal for Rwanda;
10. Requests the Secretary-General to seek the views of Governments,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on the issue of the possible appointment
of an independent expert charged with examining all aspects of the issue of impunity of
perpetrators of human rights violations, with a view to a decision on this matter at the
fifty-seventh session of the Commission;
11. Also requests the Secretary-General again to invite States to provide information
on any legislative, administrative or other steps they have taken to combat impunity for human
rights violations in their territory and to provide information on remedies available to the victims
of such violations;
12. Further requests the Secretary-General to collect the information and comments
received pursuant to the present resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Commission at
its fifty-seventh session;
13. Invites the special rapporteurs and other mechanisms of the Commission to
continue to give due consideration to the issue of impunity in the discharge of their mandates;
14. Decides to continue its consideration of this matter at its fifty-seventh session
under the agenda item entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights”.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVII.]
2000/69. Fundamental standards of humanity
The Commission on Human Rights,
Gravely concerned at the large number of situations where internal violence causes
extensive suffering and undermines the protection of human rights,
Conscious of the desirability of continuing to study the principles governing the
behaviour of all persons, groups and public authorities,
Emphasizing, in this regard, the importance of promoting and respecting existing norms
of international human rights and humanitarian law,
Recalling its resolution 1999/65 of 28 April 1999, and taking note of the report of the
expert meeting on fundamental standards of humanity (E/CN.4/2000/145, annex) convened in
Stockholm from 22 to 24 February 2000 by the Governments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway and Sweden,
1. Recognizes the desirability of seeking ways of ensuring the effective promotion
and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals in all situations in a
manner consistent with international law;
2. Also recognizes in this regard the vital importance of the existence in each
country of appropriate national legislation for dealing with such situations in a manner consistent
with the rule of law;
3. Further recognizes the desirability of a process of identifying and respecting
fundamental standards of humanity applicable in all situations in a manner consistent with
international law, including the Charter of the United Nations;
4. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on fundamental standards of
humanity (E/CN.4/2000/94), and requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the
International Committee of the Red Cross, to submit a further report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session covering relevant developments in relation to the issues identified in these
areas;
5. Invites States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to
engage in discussions in relevant forums on the strengthening of protection of the individual in
all situations, with a view to promoting the ongoing process with respect to fundamental
standards of humanity.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVII.]
2000/70. Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Bearing in mind that among the purposes of the United Nations are those of developing
friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and
self-determination of peoples and taking other appropriate measures to strengthen universal
peace, as well as achieving international cooperation in solving international problems of an
economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language
or religion,
Recalling its resolution 1999/68 of 28 April 1999 and General Assembly
resolution 54/181 of 17 December 1999,
Reaffirming that dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations, including in the
field of human rights, could contribute greatly to the enhancement of international cooperation in
this field,
Emphasizing that further progress in the enhancement of international cooperation in the
field of human rights is essential for the full achievement of the purposes of the United Nations,
including the effective promotion and protection of all human rights,
Emphasizing also the need for further progress in the promotion and encouragement of
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through, in particular, international
cooperation,
Underlining that mutual understanding, dialogue, cooperation, transparency, and
confidence-building are important elements in all the activities for the promotion and protection
of human rights,
Recalling resolution 1998/28 of 26 August 1998 of the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, entitled “Promotion of dialogue on human rights
issues”,
1. Reaffirms that it is one of the purposes of the United Nations and the
responsibility of all Member States to promote, protect and encourage respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms through, inter alia, international cooperation;
2. Considers that international cooperation in this field, in conformity with the
purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, should make
an effective and practical contribution to the urgent task of preventing violations of human rights
and of fundamental freedoms for all;
3. Reaffirms that the promotion, protection and full realization of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms should be guided by the principles of universality, non-selectivity,
objectivity and transparency, in a manner consistent with the purposes and principles of the
Charter of the United Nations;
4. Decides to continue consideration of this question, as a matter of priority, at its
fifty-seventh session.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVII.]
2000/71. United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights,
Reaffirming article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in accordance with
which education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the
strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Recalling the provisions of other international human rights instruments, including
article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and article 29
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which reflect the aims of the aforementioned
article,
Taking into account its resolution 1993/56 of 9 March 1993, in which the Commission
recommended that knowledge of human rights, both in its theoretical dimension and in its
practical application, should be established as a priority in education policies,
Believing that every woman, man and child, to realize their full human potential, must be
made aware of all their human rights, civil, cultural, economic, political and social,
Believing also that human rights education constitutes an important vehicle for the
elimination of gender-based discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities through the
promotion and protection of the human rights of women,
Convinced that human rights education should involve more than the provision of
information and should constitute a comprehensive lifelong process by which people at all levels
of development and in all societies learn respect for the dignity of others and the means and
methods of ensuring that respect in all societies,
Convinced also that human rights education and information contribute to a concept of
development consistent with the dignity of women and men of all ages which takes into account
particularly vulnerable segments of society such as children, youth, older persons, indigenous
people, minorities, rural and urban poor, migrant workers, refugees, persons with human
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection and disabled persons,
Bearing in mind the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by the
World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), in particular Part II, paragraphs 78 to
82, thereof,
Recalling the responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
to coordinate relevant United Nations education and public information programmes in the field
of human rights,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 49/184 of 23 December 1994, in which the
Assembly proclaimed the 10-year period beginning on 1 January 1995 the United Nations
Decade for Human Rights Education, welcomed the Plan of Action for the Decade
(A/51/506/Add.1, appendix), and requested the High Commissioner to coordinate the
implementation of the Plan of Action,
Noting General Assembly resolution 54/161 of 17 December 1999, in which the
Assembly urged all Governments to contribute further to the implementation of the Plan of
Action, in particular by establishing, in accordance with national conditions, broadly
representative national committees for human rights education responsible for the development
of comprehensive, effective and sustainable national plans of action for human rights education
and information,
Bearing in mind that, according to the Plan of Action, during the year 2000 a mid-term
global evaluation of progress made towards the achievement of the objectives of the Decade
shall be undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
in cooperation with all other principal actors of the Decade, and that the High Commissioner
shall report to the General Assembly on the results of the evaluation,
Welcoming the initiative of the Office of the High Commissioner to launch the
second phase of the project “Assisting Communities Together”, supported by voluntary funds
and designed to provide small grants to grass-roots and local organizations carrying out practical
human rights activities,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the
implementation of the Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights
Education (E/CN.4/2000/93);
2. Welcomes the steps taken by Governments and intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations to implement the Plan of Action as indicated in the report of the
Secretary-General;
3. Urges Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
to contribute to the mid-term global evaluation of progress made towards the achievement of the
objectives of the Decade to be undertaken by the Office of the High Commissioner in 2000, by
providing appropriate information on steps taken in this regard;
4. Urges all Governments to contribute further to the implementation of the Plan
of Action, in particular by establishing, in accordance with national conditions, broadly
representative national committees for human rights education responsible for the development
of comprehensive, effective and sustainable national plans of action for human rights education
and information, complementary to other national plans of action already defined (such as
general human rights plans of action or those relating to women, minorities and indigenous
issues), in accordance with the guidelines for national plans of action for human rights education
(A/52/469/Add.1 and Corr.1);
5. Also urges Governments to encourage, support and involve national and local
non-governmental and community-based organizations in the implementation of their national
plans of action;
6. Encourages Governments to consider, within the national plans of action
mentioned above, the establishment of public access human rights resource and training centres
capable of engaging in research, the gender-sensitive training of trainers, the preparation,
collection, translation and dissemination of human rights education and training materials, the
organization of courses, conferences, workshops and public information campaigns and
assistance in the implementation of internationally sponsored technical cooperation projects for
human rights education and public information;
7. Also encourages Governments, where such national public access human rights
resource and training centres already exist, to strengthen their capacity to support human rights
education and public information programmes at the international, national, regional and local
levels;
8. Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner to continue to support national
capacities for human rights education and information through its technical cooperation
programme in the field of human rights, including the organization of training courses and the
development of targeted training materials for professional audiences, as well as the
dissemination of human rights information materials as a component of technical cooperation
projects;
9. Also encourages the Office of the High Commissioner to further develop its
Web site, in particular with respect to the dissemination of human rights education materials and
tools;
10. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue
implementation of and to expand the “Assisting Communities Together” project and to consider
other appropriate ways and means to support human rights education activities, including those
undertaken by non-governmental organizations;
11. Encourages Governments to support further through voluntary contributions the
education and public information efforts undertaken by the Office of the High Commissioner in
the framework of the Decade;
12. Requests human rights treaty-monitoring bodies to consider adopting a general
comment on human rights education and to place emphasis, when examining reports of States
parties, on the obligations of States parties in the area of human rights education and
information, and to reflect this emphasis in their concluding observations;
13. Invites the specialized agencies, especially the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization, and relevant United Nations programmes and funds to
contribute, within their respective spheres of competence, to the implementation of the Plan of
Action and to cooperate closely with the Office of the High Commissioner in that regard;
14. Urges the relevant organs, bodies and agencies of the United Nations system, all
human rights bodies of the United Nations system, as well as the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, to provide training in the human rights of women for all United Nations personnel and
officials;
15. Calls upon international, regional and national non-governmental organizations
and intergovernmental organizations, in particular those concerned with women, labour,
development, food, housing, education, health care and the environment, as well as all other
social justice groups, human rights advocates, educators, religious organizations and the media,
to undertake specific activities of formal, non-formal and informal education, including cultural
events, alone and in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in
implementing the Plan of Action;
16. Requests the Secretary-General, through the High Commissioner, to submit to the
Commission the recommendations of the mid-term global evaluation report to be presented by
the High Commissioner to the General Assembly;
17. Decides to continue consideration of the question of human rights education at its
fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVII.]
2000/72. Adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and
dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the International Covenants on Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action (A/CONF.157/23), particularly on the question of the human rights to life, health and a
sound environment for every individual,
Recalling its earlier resolutions on the subject and, in particular, its resolution 1999/23
of 26 April 1999, General Assembly resolution 46/126 of 17 December 1991 and Economic and
Social Council decision 1995/288 of 25 July 1995,
Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 42/183 of 11 December 1987, 43/212
of 20 December 1988, 44/226 of 22 December 1989 and 45/13 of 7 November 1990,
Affirming that the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and
wastes constitute a serious threat to the human rights to life and health of individuals,
particularly in developing countries that do not have the technologies to process them,
Reaffirming that the international community must treat all human rights in a fair and
equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis,
Reaffirming also General Assembly resolution 50/174 of 22 December 1995 on
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,
Mindful of the call by the World Conference on Human Rights on all States to adopt and
vigorously implement existing conventions relating to the dumping of toxic and dangerous
products and wastes and to cooperate in the prevention of illicit dumping,
Aware of the increasing rate of illicit movement and dumping by transnational
corporations and other enterprises from industrialized countries of hazardous and other wastes in
developing countries that do not have the national capacity to deal with them in an
environmentally sound manner, which constitutes a serious threat to the human rights to life,
good health and a sound environment for everyone,
Aware also that many developing countries do not have the national capacities and
technologies to process such wastes in order to eradicate or diminish their adverse effects on the
human rights to life and health,
1. Expresses deep concern that the report of the Special Rapporteur on the adverse
effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the
enjoyment of human rights (E/CN.4/2000/50 and Add.1) was not ready in time for consideration
by the Commission;
2. Appreciates the efforts made by the Special Rapporteur in carrying out her
mandate in the face of very limited financial resources, and expresses its appreciation to the
Governments of Germany and the Netherlands for the cooperation extended to the Special
Rapporteur during her visits to those countries;
3. Categorically condemns the illicit dumping of toxic and dangerous products and
wastes in developing countries, which adversely affects the human rights to life and health of
individuals in those countries;
4. Reaffirms that illicit traffic and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and
wastes constitute a serious threat to the human rights to life, health and a sound environment for
every individual;
5. Once again urges all Governments to take legislative and other appropriate
measures with a view to preventing illegal international trafficking in toxic and hazardous
products and wastes;
6. Invites the United Nations Environment Programme, the secretariat for the Basel
Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their
Disposal, the Commission on Sustainable Development, the International Register of Potentially
Toxic Chemicals, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International
Labour Organization, the World Health Organization and regional organizations to continue to
intensify their coordination and international cooperation and technical assistance on
environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes, including the
question of their transboundary movement;
7. Welcomes the cooperation between the secretariat for the Basel Convention and:
(a) The International Criminal Police Organization, in the monitoring and prevention
of cases of illegal trafficking through the exchange of information;
(b) The World Customs Organization, in the training of customs officers and the
harmonization of classification systems for effective control at customs border posts;
8. Expresses its appreciation to the relevant United Nations agencies, in particular
the United Nations Environment Programme and the secretariat for the Basel Convention, for the
support extended to the Special Rapporteur, and urges them and the international community to
continue to give her the necessary support to enable her to discharge her mandate;
9. Urges the international community and the relevant United Nations bodies, in
particular the United Nations Environment Programme and the secretariat for the Basel
Convention, to continue to give appropriate support to the developing countries, upon their
request, in their efforts to implement the provisions of existing international and regional
instruments controlling the transboundary movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous
products and wastes in order to protect and promote the human rights to life and good health of
all;
10. Urges the Special Rapporteur to continue to undertake, in consultation with the
relevant United Nations bodies and organizations, and secretariats of relevant international
conventions, a global, multidisciplinary and comprehensive study of existing problems of and
solutions to illicit traffic in and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes, in
particular in developing countries, with a view to making concrete recommendations and
proposals on adequate measures to control, reduce and eradicate these phenomena;
11. Reiterates its request to the Special Rapporteur to continue to consult all relevant
United Nations bodies, organizations and secretariats, in particular the Chemicals Division of the
United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations and the secretariat for the Basel Convention, and to take duly into account the
progress made in other forums and to identify loopholes;
12. Invites the Special Rapporteur, in accordance with her mandate, to include in her
report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session:
(a) Comprehensive information on persons killed, maimed or otherwise injured in
developing countries through the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products
and wastes;
(b) The question of the impunity of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes,
including racially motivated discriminatory practices, and to recommend measures to bring it to
an end;
(c) The question of rehabilitation of and assistance to victims;
(d) The scope of national legislation in relation to transboundary movement and
dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes;
13. Encourages the Special Rapporteur, in accordance with her mandate and with the
support and assistance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to continue to
provide Governments with an appropriate opportunity to respond to allegations transmitted to
her and reflected in her report, and to have their observations reflected in the report to the
Commission;
14. Reiterates its call to the Secretary-General to continue to make all necessary
resources available for the Special Rapporteur to carry out her mandate successfully and, in
particular, to provide her with adequate financial and human resources, including administrative
support;
15. Decides to continue consideration of the question of the adverse effects of the
illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of
human rights at its fifty-seventh session under the same agenda item.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 37 votes to 16. See chap. X.]
2000/73. Composition of the staff of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling that, in its report to the Special Commission of the Economic and Social
Council (E/CN.4/1988/85 and Corr.1), the Commission on Human Rights reaffirmed that the
paramount consideration for employing staff at every level was the need for the highest
standards of efficiency, competence and integrity and was convinced that this objective was
compatible with the principle of equitable geographical distribution and took into account
Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling also Part II, paragraphs 11 and 17, of the Vienna Declaration and Programme
of Action (A/CONF.157/23), in which the World Conference on Human Rights requested the
Secretary-General and the General Assembly to provide sufficient human, financial and other
resources to the Centre for Human Rights to enable it effectively, efficiently and expeditiously to
carry out its activities, while recognizing the necessity for restructuring United Nations human
rights machinery, in accordance with its real needs,
Taking into account the need to pay particular attention to the recruitment of personnel
for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from developing
countries, thus improving the present staff composition, based on a more equitable geographical
distribution,
Noting with concern that the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights submitted pursuant to Commission resolution 1999/70 of 28 April 1999
(E/CN.4/2000/104) concerning the geographical composition and the functions of the Office
staff clearly reflects that one region is unequivocally over-represented in the staff composition
(see annex to the present resolution),
Expressing its concern again over the under-representation of the developing countries
on the staff of the Office of the High Commissioner, particularly bearing in mind the criteria of
equitable geographical distribution,
1. Takes note of the report of the High Commissioner on the composition of the staff
of the Office of the High Commissioner (E/CN.4/2000/104);
2. Reiterates its support of the statement of the High Commissioner to the
Third Committee at the fifty-second session of the General Assembly, in which she expressed
her willingness to ensure a good geographical balance and a sense of bringing together North and
South in a joint commitment to human rights, in the process of filling key senior positions in the
Office;
3. Reaffirms that Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations
should guide the Secretary-General in his policy for recruiting the staff of the Organization,
mindful of the criteria of equitable geographical distribution;
4. Considers that it is necessary, in the process of restructuring the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to take urgent, concrete and immediate
action to change the currently prevailing geographical distribution of staff of the Office in favour
of a more equitable distribution of posts, in accordance with Article 101 of the Charter,
particularly by recruiting personnel from developing countries, including to key posts, and in this
regard, invites the High Commissioner to consider the establishment of a task force within her
Office with the mandate to work in cooperation with relevant components of the United Nations
Secretariat in the recruitment and training of qualified personnel from developing countries for
the staff of the Office;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to ensure that
particular attention is paid to recruiting personnel from developing countries for the existing
vacancies and for additional posts in the Office of the High Commissioner to ensure an equitable
geographical distribution, giving particular priority in this regard to recruitment for high-level
and Professional posts and to the recruitment of women;
6. Requests once again the Secretary-General, in signing agreements with countries
as a result of which Junior Professional Officers are provided to the Office of the High
Commissioner, to urge those countries to ensure the allocation of additional financial resources
to guarantee that personnel from developing countries are able to work as Junior Professional
Officers, with a view to conforming with the principle of equitable geographical distribution;
furthermore, a permanent mechanism must be established, by virtue of which every Junior
Professional Officer from a donor country who joins the Office will be matched by another
Junior Professional Officer from a developing country;
7. Emphasizes the importance of openly advertising all posts, including ad hoc
appointments for field operations, including the dissemination of detailed job descriptions among
all States prior to the filling of those posts;
8. Requests the High Commissioner to ensure that Junior Professional Officers are
not given sensitive political assignments where their impartiality may be questioned;
9. Reaffirms the importance of ensuring universality, objectivity and non-selectivity
in the consideration of human rights issues, and requests the High Commissioner to continue
ensuring that the fulfilment of her mandate and that of the Office is guided by these principles;
10. Stresses that the staff of the Office of the High Commissioner need to maintain
their neutrality and fully respect the independence of the work of all mechanisms of the
Commission and the treaty bodies, while providing support to their functioning;
11. Requests the High Commissioner to submit a comprehensive report on the
implementation of the present resolution to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session, which
should include:
(a) The composition of the staff of the Office, organized by the five United Nations
regional groups established by the General Assembly (African States, Asian States,
Latin America and Caribbean States, Western Europe and Other States and Eastern Europe
States) and reflecting, inter alia, grade, nationality and gender, including with regard to
non-regular staff;
(b) Measures adopted to improve the current situation and their results;
(c) Recommendations to improve the current situation;
12. Decides to consider this matter under the same agenda item at its
fifty-seventh session.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 35 votes to 17,
with 1 abstention. See chap. XVIII.]
ANNEX
Staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(Geographical distribution)
Regional groups
Posts subject to
geographical
distribution
Posts not subject to
geographical
distribution
Total
Africa 11 25 36
Asia 15 1 16
Latin America and Caribbean
States
8 8 16
Eastern Europe States 5 1 6
Western Europe and Other
States
34 59 93
Others 2 2 4
Total 75 96 171
2000/74. Regional cooperation for the promotion and protection
of human rights in the Asian and Pacific region
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolution 1999/69 of 28 April 1999,
Reiterating that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to achieve international
cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian
character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental
freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and
interrelated, that the international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal
manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis, and that, while the significance of
national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds
must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural
systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Recognizing that regional cooperation can play an important role in promoting universal
respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Recognizing also the valuable contribution that independent national institutions,
intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations can make in the field of
human rights in the Asian and Pacific region,
Welcoming the convening of the Eighth Workshop on Regional Arrangements for the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Asian and Pacific Region, held in Beijing
from 1 to 3 March 2000,
1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/102) and the
progress achieved in the implementation of Commission resolution 1999/69;
2. Also welcomes all the respective conclusions of the interactive discussions held
during the four regional inter-sessional workshops held in Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo and Sana’a
respectively on national plans of action, independent national institutions, human rights
education, and the effective realization of economic, social and cultural rights and the right to
development for strengthening national capacities and for the promotion and protection of
human rights;
3. Endorses the conclusions of the eighth workshop on the next steps to be taken to
facilitate the process of regional cooperation in the Asian and Pacific region;
4. Reaffirms that developing and strengthening national capacities for the promotion
and protection of human rights in accordance with national conditions provides the strongest
foundation for effective and enduring regional cooperation in the field of human rights in the
Asian and Pacific region, and notes the discussions at the relevant workshop of the region on
national human rights plans of action and capacity-building;
5. Recognizes the importance of an inclusive, step-by-step, practical and
building-block approach towards enhancing regional cooperation for the promotion and
protection of human rights in accordance with the pace and priorities to be set by the
Governments of the Asian and Pacific region by consensus;
6. Notes the discussion at the relevant workshop in the region on, inter alia, all
obstacles to the effective realization of economic, social and cultural rights and the right to
development and the need for international cooperation to support efforts of countries to
overcome them;
7. Also notes the discussions at the relevant workshops in the region on the positive
role human rights education can play in enhancing respect for and contributing to the promotion
and protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and sustainable development;
8. Welcomes the in-depth discussions held during the eighth workshop reviewing
developments in the Asian and Pacific region over the past year in the four priority areas
identified at the sixth workshop, held inTehran from 28 February to 2 March 1998, which
adopted the Framework for Regional Technical Cooperation in the Asian and Pacific region
(E/CN.4/1998/50, annex II);
9. Notes that the eighth workshop summed up experience, looked to the future and
endorsed the next steps and activities for cooperation on human rights in the region;
10. Also notes that views were exchanged at the eighth workshop on the forthcoming
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance;
11. Commends the contribution of the Government of China, as the host of the
eighth workshop, to the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian and Pacific
region;
12. Welcomes the establishment of independent national institutions in countries of
the Asian and Pacific region and their important contribution to the process of regional
cooperation, inter alia, through the work of the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights
Institutions, and notes the discussions at the relevant workshop in the region in this regard;
13. Notes the contribution of independent national institutions, intergovernmental
organizations and representatives of non-governmental organizations to the eighth workshop;
14. Welcomes the useful work done by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in allocating funding for developing and implementing the
project proposals made at the seventh workshop, held in New Delhi from 16 to
18 February 1999, in the four areas identified under the regional framework;
15. Encourages all Governments in the Asian and Pacific region to consider making
use of the facilities offered by the United Nations, under the programme of advisory services and
technical cooperation in the field of human rights, to further strengthen national human rights
capacities, and in this regard calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner to continue to
give adequate attention to the programme;
16. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session a report containing the conclusions of the Ninth Workshop on Regional Cooperation for
the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Asian and Pacific Region and information
on the progress achieved in the implementation of the present resolution;
17. Decides to continue its consideration of the question at its fifty-seventh session
under the same agenda item.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVIII.]
2000/75. Effective implementation of international instruments on
human rights, including reporting obligations under
international instruments on human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 53/138 of 9 December 1998 and its own
resolution 1998/27 of 17 April 1998, as well as other relevant resolutions,
Reaffirming that the full and effective implementation of United Nations human rights
instruments is of major importance to the efforts of the Organization, pursuant to the Charter of
the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to promote universal respect
for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Considering that the effective functioning of treaty bodies established pursuant to
United Nations human rights instruments is indispensable for the full and effective
implementation of such instruments,
Reiterating its concern about the large number of overdue reports under the
United Nations human rights instruments, the increasing backlog of reports on the
implementation by States parties and delays in consideration of reports by treaty bodies, as well
as the lack of adequate resources, which impedes the effective functioning of the treaty bodies,
including in regard to their ability to work in the applicable working languages,
Recalling that the effectiveness of the treaty bodies in encouraging the realization by
States parties of their obligations under the United Nations human rights instruments requires
constructive dialogue aimed at assisting States parties in identifying solutions to human rights
problems and should be based on the reporting process supplemented by information from all
relevant sources, which should be shared with all interested parties,
Conscious of the importance of coordination of the human rights promotion and
protection activities of the United Nations system,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the persons chairing the human
rights treaty bodies on their 10th meeting (A/53/432, annex), held at Geneva
from 14 to 18 September 1998, and the holding of the 11th meeting at Geneva from 31 May
to 4 June 1999, and also takes note of the conclusions and recommendations of those meetings;
2. Encourages each treaty body to continue to give careful consideration to the
relevant conclusions and recommendations contained in the reports of the meetings of the
chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies and, in this context, encourages enhanced
cooperation and coordination between the human rights treaty bodies;
3. Takes note with interest of the report of the Secretary-General on implementation
of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international
instruments on human rights (E/CN.4/2000/106);
4. Welcomes the submission of comments by Governments, United Nations bodies
and specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and interested persons on the final
report of the independent expert on enhancing the long-term effectiveness of the United Nations
human rights treaty system (E/CN.4/1997/74) and the Secretary-General’s report thereon
(E/CN.4/2000/98);
5. Notes with appreciation the continuing attention given by the human rights treaty
bodies, the chairpersons of those bodies, Governments, United Nations bodies and specialized
agencies, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, non-governmental
organizations and interested persons to the question of enhancing the long-term effectiveness of
the United Nations human rights treaty system, including the final report of the independent
expert and other contributions;
6. Emphasizes the need to ensure financing and adequate staff and information
resources for the operations of the human rights treaty bodies and, with this in mind:
(a) Reiterates its request that the Secretary-General provide adequate resources in
respect of each treaty body, while making the most efficient use of existing resources, in order to
give the human rights treaty bodies adequate administrative support and better access to
technical expertise and relevant information;
(b) Calls upon the Secretary-General to seek in the next biennium the resources
within the United Nations regular budget necessary to give the human rights treaty bodies
adequate administrative support and better access to technical expertise and relevant information;
(c) Welcomes the plans of action prepared by the High Commissioner to enhance the
resources available to all the human rights treaty bodies and thereby strengthen the
implementation of these human rights treaties, and encourages all Governments, United Nations
bodies and specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and interested persons to
consider contributing to the appeal for extrabudgetary resources for the treaty bodies made by
the High Commissioner until the regular budget funding meets their needs;
7. Takes note of the measures taken by each of the human rights treaty bodies to
improve their functioning, as reflected in their respective annual reports, and encourages
continuing efforts by the human rights treaty bodies and the Secretary-General to help improve
the meeting of reporting obligations by States parties and to reduce the backlog in the
consideration of reports by treaty bodies;
8. Welcomes the continuing efforts by the human rights treaty bodies and the
Secretary-General aimed at streamlining, rationalizing, rendering more transparent and otherwise
improving reporting procedures, and encourages the Secretary-General, the treaty bodies and the
next meeting of the chairpersons of the treaty bodies to continue to examine ways of reducing
the duplication of reporting required under the different instruments, without impairing the
quality of reporting, and of generally reducing the reporting burden on States parties, including
through an ongoing examination of proposals for reports focused on a limited range of issues,
the harmonization of the general guidelines regarding the form and content of reports, the
possibility of consolidating overdue reports, the timing of consideration of reports and the
methods of work of the treaty bodies;
9. Urges States parties to contribute, individually and collectively, such as through
meetings of States parties, to identifying practical proposals and ideas for improving the
functioning of the treaty bodies;
10. Also urges States parties to make every effort to meet their reporting obligations
under United Nations human rights instruments;
11. Reiterates that a priority of the programme of advisory services and technical
assistance of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights should be
to provide assistance to States parties, upon their request and, if possible, in coordination with
other United Nations bodies, Governments and other interested parties in order to:
(a) Assist those States in the process of ratifying United Nations human rights
instruments;
(b) Assist States with the implementation of their obligations under such instruments,
including the preparation of their initial reports;
12. Welcomes the publication of the revised Manual on Human Rights Reporting
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.GV.97.0.16) and requests the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, in accordance with Economic and Social Council
decision 1998/252 of 30 July 1998, to take the necessary measures to ensure the translation into
all the official United Nations languages of the revised Manual as soon as possible;
13. Also welcomes the availability of documentation regarding the treaty bodies on
the Web site of the Office of the High Commissioner and urges the Secretary-General to ensure
that United Nations practices concerning access to treaty information are consistent with
Commission resolutions 1999/60 of 28 April 1999 on public information activities and 1999/64
of 28 April 1999 on human rights education;
14. Invites States parties that have not yet submitted their initial reports under
United Nations human rights instruments to avail themselves, where necessary, of technical
assistance for this purpose;
15. Encourages the human rights treaty bodies to continue to identify specific
possibilities for technical assistance, to be provided at the request of the State concerned, in the
regular course of their work of reviewing the periodic reports of States parties, and encourages
States parties to consider carefully the concluding observations of the treaty bodies in identifying
their needs for technical assistance;
16. Urges each State party whose report has been examined by a human rights treaty
body to translate, publish and make available in its territory the full text of the concluding
observations of the treaty body on its report and to provide adequate follow-up to those
observations;
17. Welcomes the contribution to the work of the human rights treaty bodies made by
the specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies and encourages the specialized
agencies and other United Nations bodies, the various organs of the Commission on Human
Rights, including its special procedures, the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights, the Office of the High Commissioner and the chairpersons of the human rights
treaty bodies to continue to explore specific measures to intensify this cooperation among
themselves and improve communication and information flow to improve further the quality of
their work, including by avoiding unnecessary duplication;
18. Recognizes the important role played by non-governmental organizations in all
parts of the world in the effective implementation of all human rights instruments, and
encourages the exchange of information between the human rights treaty bodies and such
organizations;
19. Recalls, with regard to the election of the members of the human rights treaty
bodies, the importance of giving consideration to equitable geographical distribution and gender
balance of membership and to the representation of the principal legal systems, and of bearing in
mind that the members shall be elected and serve in their personal capacity and shall be of high
moral character, acknowledged impartiality and recognized competence in the field of human
rights, and encourages States parties, individually and through meetings of States parties, to
consider how to give better effect to these principles;
20. Welcomes the continuing emphasis by the chairpersons of the human rights
treaty bodies that the enjoyment of the human rights of women should be monitored closely
by each treaty body within the purview of its mandate and, in this regard, takes note of the
excerpt of the report of a gender integration workshop held in Geneva in May 1999
(E/CN.6/2000/8-E/CN.4/2000/118, annex) and the report of the Secretary-General on the
integration of a gender perspective into the work of the United Nations human rights
bodies (HRI/MC/1998/6);
21. Also welcomes the contribution of the human rights treaty bodies, within their
mandates, to the prevention of violations of human rights, in the context of their consideration of
reports submitted under their respective treaties;
22. Encourages the chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies to pursue at their
future meetings the reform process aimed at improving the effective implementation of
international instruments on human rights;
23. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission at its
fifty-eighth session on measures taken to implement the present resolution and obstacles to its
implementation, and on measures taken or planned to ensure financing and adequate staff and
information resources for the effective operation of the human rights treaty bodies;
24. Decides to consider this question on a priority basis at its fifty-eighth session
under the agenda item entitled “Effective functioning of human rights mechanisms”.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVIII.]
2000/76. National institutions for the promotion and
protection of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and its own resolutions
concerning national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, notably
Assembly resolutions 48/134 of 20 December 1993 and 52/128 of 12 December 1997 and
Commission resolutions 1992/54 of 3 March 1992, 1998/55 of 17 April 1998 and 1999/72
of 28 April 1999,
Welcoming the rapidly growing interest worldwide in the creation and strengthening of
independent, pluralistic national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights,
Convinced of the important role such national institutions play in promoting and
protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and in developing and enhancing public
awareness of those rights and freedoms,
Recognizing that it is the prerogative of each State to choose, for the establishment of a
national institution, the legal framework that is best suited to its particular needs and
circumstances to ensure that human rights are promoted and protected at the national level in
accordance with international human rights standards,
Recalling the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by the
World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), in which was reaffirmed the important
and constructive role played by national human rights institutions and their role in remedying
human rights violations and in the dissemination of human rights information and education
concerning human rights,
Taking note of the Programme of Action (see A/CONF.157/NI/6) adopted by national
institutions meeting in Vienna, from 14 to 16 June 1993 during the World Conference on Human
Rights, in which it was recommended that United Nations activities and programmes should be
reinforced to meet the requests for assistance from States wishing to establish or strengthen their
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights,
Recalling also the Platform for Action adopted in September 1995 by the Fourth World
Conference on Women (A/CONF.177/20, chap. I, annex II), in which Governments were urged
to create or strengthen independent national institutions for the promotion and protection of
human rights, including the human rights of women,
Welcoming the strengthening of international cooperation among national human rights
institutions, including through the meeting of the Coordinating Committee created by national
institutions, held in Geneva in March 1999 in association with the fifty-fifth session of the
Commission,
Welcoming also the strengthening of regional cooperation among national human rights
institutions, including through the fourth Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Forum of National
Human Rights Institutions, held in Manila in September 1999, the third meeting of European
National Institutions, held in Strasbourg in March 2000, the first Regional Meeting of National
Institutions for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in the Americas, held in
Tegucigalpa in September 1999, and the Fifth International Workshop of National Human Rights
Institutions, held in Rabat in April 2000,
Welcoming further the strengthening of regional cooperation between national human
rights institutions and other regional human rights forums, including the first round table
between the Council of Europe and national institutions in Strasbourg in March 2000 and the
adoption of a resolution by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the
granting of observer status to national human rights institutions in Africa,
Noting the importance of participation by national institutions in relevant United Nations
meetings dealing with human rights, and that a number of national institutions have for some
time taken a constructive part in such meetings,
1. Reaffirms the importance of the development of effective, independent, pluralistic
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights in conformity with the
Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human
rights, annexed to General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993;
2. Encourages Member States to establish or, where they already exist, to strengthen
such institutions, as outlined in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action;
3. Welcomes the support for the creation and development of further independent
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
as outlined in article 14, paragraph 3, of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of
Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 53/144 of 9 December 1998;
4. Recognizes the important and constructive role that individuals, groups and
organs of society can play, in cooperation with national institutions, for the better promotion and
protection of human rights and in this context welcomes the convening by the Asia-Pacific
Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, in cooperation with the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, of a workshop on cooperation between
non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions in Sri Lanka in
July 1999;
5. Welcomes the decisions announced recently by a growing number of States to
establish, or to consider establishing, national institutions for the promotion and protection of
human rights, including the trend towards the establishment of such institutions in developed
countries;
6. Endorses the view of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
expressed in its General Comment No. 10 (1998) (E/1999/22-E/C.12/1998/26, annex V) that
national human rights institutions have a potentially crucial role to play in promoting and
ensuring the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights;
7. Calls upon States, in this context, to ensure that all human rights are appropriately
reflected in the mandates of national human rights institutions when they are established;
8. Affirms the important role of national human rights institutions in combating
racial and related forms of discrimination and in the protection and promotion of the human
rights of women and the rights of the child, and in this context:
(a) Encourages the appropriate participation of national institutions in preparations
for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related
Intolerance at the national, regional and global levels;
(b) Stresses the desirability of appropriate participation by national institutions, in
cooperation with other mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights, in the
five-year review of the implementation of the Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World
Conference on Women;
(c) Welcomes the involvement of national institutions in activities associated with the
tenth anniversary year of the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
9. Reaffirms the role of national institutions, where they exist, as appropriate
agencies, inter alia, for the dissemination of human rights materials and other public information
activities during the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004);
10. Commends the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the
priority accorded to the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions,
including through technical cooperation, and calls upon her Office to continue to strengthen its
coordinating role in this field;
11. Welcomes the consolidation and strengthening of the work of the Office of the
High Commissioner in the area of national human rights institutions, and calls for the appropriate
allocation of resources necessary for this work;
12. Expresses its appreciation to those Governments that have contributed additional
resources for the purpose of the establishment and strengthening of national human rights
institutions;
13. Takes note with satisfaction of the efforts of those States that, through internal
legislative mechanisms, have provided their national institutions with more autonomy and
independence, and encourages other Governments to follow suit;
14. Welcomes the important work of the Coordinating Committee of national
institutions, in close cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner, in assessing
conformity with the Principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and
protection of human rights and in assisting Governments and national institutions, when
requested, to follow up on relevant resolutions and recommendations concerning the
strengthening of national institutions;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide, from within existing
resources, the necessary assistance for holding meetings of the Coordinating Committee during
the sessions of the Commission, under the auspices of, and in cooperation with, the Office of the
High Commissioner;
16. Also requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide, from within existing
resources and from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of
Human Rights, the necessary assistance for international and regional meetings of national
institutions;
17. Welcomes the practice of national institutions which conform with the Principles
relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights of
participating in an appropriate manner in their own right in meetings of the Commission on
Human Rights and its subsidiary bodies;
18. Also welcomes the decisions to hold the sixth international workshop on national
institutions, the fifth Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights
Institutions, the third Conference of African National Institutions for the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights and the second Regional Meeting of National Institutions for the
Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in the Americas within the next year, and encourages
national institutions to organize similar events with non-governmental organizations in their own
regions;
19. Invites Governments and intergovernmental organizations to contribute to
the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights
for the purpose of financing, where necessary, attendance by representatives of national
institutions;
20. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh
session on the implementation of the present resolution;
21. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session.
66th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVIII.]
2000/77. The protection of United Nations personnel
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the relevant provisions on protection contained in the Convention on the
Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, the Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the Specialized Agencies, the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and
Associated Personnel, the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocols
thereto of 1977 and the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain
Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or Have
Indiscriminate Effects and its Protocols,
Guided also by the International Bill of Human Rights,
Recalling the fiftieth anniversary, on 12 August 1999, of the Geneva Conventions, on the
occasion of which the United Nations reaffirmed the need to promote and ensure respect for the
principles and rules of international humanitarian law,
Recalling its resolution 1998/37 of 17 April 1998,
Welcoming General Assembly resolution 54/192 of 17 December 1999 on the safety and
security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel,
Taking note of Security Council resolution 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999, and
reaffirming the statements by the President of the Council of 9 February 2000 on the protection
of United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones
(S/PRST/2000/4), of 8 July 1999 on the maintenance of peace and security and post-conflict
peace-building (S/PRST/1999/21), of 29 September 1998 and 19 June 1997 on protection for
humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations (S/PRST/1998/30 and
S/PRST/1997/34) and of 12 March 1997 on the security of United Nations operations
(S/PRST/1997/13),
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed
conflict (A/54/619) as well as his report on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency
humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, and the addendum thereto on the safety
and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel
(A/54/154-E/1999/94 and Add.1),
Noting with satisfaction the entry into force on 15 January 1999 of the Convention on the
Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel,
Concerned, however, that only one State in which humanitarian or peacekeeping
missions are taking place under the auspices of the United Nations has adhered to the
Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel,
Welcoming the inclusion of attacks intentionally directed against personnel involved in a
humanitarian assistance or peacekeeping mission in accordance with the Charter of the
United Nations as a war crime in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
(A/CONF.183/9), and noting the role that the Court could play in bringing to justice those
responsible for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as a
measure of preventing impunity,
Concerned by the increasingly difficult context in which United Nations operations and
missions as well as humanitarian assistance take place in some areas, in particular the continued
erosion, in many cases, of respect for international human rights and humanitarian law,
Strongly condemning the acts of murder and various forms of physical violence,
abduction, hostage-taking, kidnapping, harassment, illegal arrest and detention, acts of
destruction and looting of property, shooting at vehicles and aircraft, mine-laying, looting of
assets, physical and psychological threats and other hostile acts against United Nations and
associated personnel and other personnel acting under the authority of United Nations
operations, as well as personnel of international humanitarian organizations,
Expressing concern that the occurrence of attacks and threats against United Nations and
associated personnel and other personnel is a factor that increasingly affects and restricts the
ability of the Organization to provide assistance and protection to civilians in fulfilment of its
mandate under the Charter of the United Nations,
Recognizing the urgency of improving the security of United Nations and associated
personnel and the fundamental requirement that appropriate modalities for the safety and
security of United Nations and associated personnel should be incorporated into all new and
ongoing United Nations and field operations,
Emphasizing the need to give further consideration to the safety and security of locally
recruited United Nations and associated personnel and other personnel, who account for the
majority of casualties,
Recalling that the primary responsibility under international law for the security and
protection of United Nations and associated personnel lies with the Government hosting a
United Nations operation conducted under the Charter of the United Nations or its agreements
with the relevant organizations,
1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the security of United Nations
personnel (E/CN.4/2000/99);
2. Takes into account the note by the secretariat (E/CN.4/2000/100), stating that the
comprehensive and in-depth study on the safety and security problems faced by the
United Nations and associated personnel, requested by the Commission in 1997 and in 1998, will
be prepared on an inter-agency basis and will be submitted in due course;
3. Calls upon all organizations of the United Nations system to report systematically
any incident involving the safety and security of staff to the United Nations Security Coordinator
so that a comprehensive record may be maintained;
4. Calls upon all States to consider promptly signing and acceding to or ratifying the
Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, in particular those
receiving United Nations operations on their territories;
5. Also calls upon all States to consider signing, acceding to and ratifying the
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
6. Urges all States to take the necessary measures to ensure the full and effective
implementation of the relevant principles and rules of international humanitarian law, as well as
relevant provisions of human rights law related to the safety and security of United Nations and
associated personnel;
7. Calls upon all States and others concerned:
(a) To respect and ensure respect for the rights of United Nations and associated
personnel and other personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a
United Nations operation and to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of
those personnel as well as the inviolability of United Nations premises which are essential to the
continuation and successful implementation of United Nations operations;
(b) To provide adequate and prompt information concerning the arrest or detention of
United Nations and associated personnel and other personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment
of the mandate of a United Nations operation;
(c) To grant the representatives of the competent international organization
immediate access to such personnel;
(d) To allow independent medical teams to investigate the health of detained
United Nations and associated personnel and other personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment
of the mandate of a United Nations operation and to afford them the necessary medical
assistance;
(e) To allow representatives of the competent international organization to attend
hearings involving United Nations and associated personnel and other personnel carrying out
activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a United Nations operation, provided that such
attendance is consistent with domestic law;
(f) To ensure the prompt release of United Nations and associated personnel and
other personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a United Nations operation
who have been arrested or detained in violation of their immunity, in accordance with the
relevant conventions and applicable international humanitarian law;
(g) To adopt appropriate domestic legislation and judicial and administrative
measures to ensure that the perpetrators of unlawful acts against United Nations and associated
personnel and other personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a
United Nations operation are held accountable for their actions;
8. Encourages all States to contribute to the Trust Fund for Security of Personnel of
the United Nations system;
9. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To take the necessary measures to ensure full respect for the human rights,
privileges and immunities of United Nations and associated personnel and other personnel
carrying out activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a United Nations operation and, when
those human rights, privileges and immunities are violated, to ensure that such personnel are
restored to their organization, and, where appropriate, to seek redress and compensation for the
damage caused to them;
(b) To take the necessary measures to implement the recommendations contained in
the final report of the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights on protection of the human rights of United Nations staff members,
experts and their families (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1992/19), including the recommendations contained in
paragraphs 45 and 47 of that report;
(c) To take concrete steps, within his mandate, to improve the safeguards for the
security and safety of locally recruited United Nations and associated personnel and other
personnel, who account for the majority of casualties, and to consider ways and means of
strengthening their protection when carrying out activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a
United Nations operation;
(d) To ensure the inclusion in headquarters and other mission agreements of the
applicable principles and rules on protection contained in the Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the United Nations, the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the
Specialized Agencies and the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated
Personnel;
(e) To take the necessary measures in order to ensure that security matters are an
integral part of the planning for existing and newly mandated United Nations operations and that
such precautions extend to all United Nations and associated personnel and, as appropriate, to
other personnel;
(f) To take concrete steps to improve safeguards for the security of United Nations
and associated personnel, including strengthening the Office of the United Nations Security
Coordinator to enable it to perform its responsibilities as overall security manager of the
United Nations system;
(g) To ensure that field missions are adequately staffed with security professionals
and provided with essential equipment;
(h) To take the necessary measures to ensure that United Nations and associated
personnel and other personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a
United Nations operation or mission are properly informed about the conditions under which
they are called to operate and the standards they are required to meet, including those contained
in relevant domestic and international law, and that adequate training is provided in security,
human rights and humanitarian law so as to enhance their security and effectiveness in
accomplishing their functions;
10. Recalls the request to the Secretary-General to complete the review of security in
peacekeeping and other operations and to compile examples of best practices, obstacles
encountered and lessons learned and to elaborate further specific and practical measures to
increase the safety and security of personnel involved, and requests him to inform the
Commission of the results in this respect at its fifty-eighth session;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Commission at its
fifty-eighth session on the situation of United Nations and associated personnel and other
personnel carrying out activities in fulfilment of the mandate of a United Nations operation who
are imprisoned, missing or held in a country against their will, on new cases that have been
successfully settled as they relate to the principles set out in the International Covenants on
Human Rights and on the implementation of the measures referred to in the present resolution.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVIII.]
2000/78. Situation of human rights in Haiti
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other
international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women,
Reaffirming that all Member States have the obligation to promote human rights and to
fulfil the obligations they have undertaken under the various international instruments in this
field,
Recalling its resolution 1999/77 of 28 April 1999 and taking note of General Assembly
resolution 54/187 of 17 December 1999,
Having in mind the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of democracy and
human rights in Haiti (A/54/625), and the report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council
on the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (S/2000/150), and considering the
statement by the President of the Security Council of 15 March 2000 (S/PRST/2000/8),
Welcoming Economic and Social Council resolution 1999/11 of 27 July 1999 in which
the Council, inter alia, emphasized the need to establish the necessary mechanisms to develop,
on a priority basis, a long-term strategy and programme of support for Haiti,
Recognizing the interdependence and the mutual reinforcement between democracy,
development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the commitment of
the international community to supporting, strengthening and promoting this principle,
Underlining its appreciation for the important contribution of the United Nations Civilian
Police Mission in Haiti and the International Civilian Mission in Haiti,
Expressing its gratitude to all the countries that took part in the work of the
United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti and the International Civilian Mission in Haiti,
Recognizing the major contribution that the National Truth and Justice Commission is
called upon to continue to play in strengthening the process of democratization and establishing
a climate of freedom and tolerance conducive to respect for human rights in the country,
Noting the establishment of an international civilian support mission in Haiti with the
mandate to promote and protect human rights, to reinforce the institutional effectiveness of the
police and judiciary, and to coordinate the international community’s dialogue with political and
social actors in Haiti,
Inviting the Organization of American States to pursue, as appropriate, its cooperation
with the United Nations in Haiti,
Recalling the statements by the Haitian authorities to the effect that the Government of
that country remains committed to upholding human rights, and encourages further
improvement,
Underlining the importance of a functioning parliament to the development of democratic
government, the rule of law and the advancement of political, social and economic human rights
to the benefit of all Haitians,
Expressing concern over recent acts of violence that negatively affect the political
evolution and the stability of the country, and at the security problems faced by Haitian society,
some of which are due to the difficult social and economic conditions of that society, and which
both account for and result from the limitations of the judicial and police systems, as indicated in
the reports of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti,
Regretting the continuous unfortunate delays in the electoral process, in spite of the
expressed commitment of the Government, since March 1999, to have as its principal goals the
holding of early, free and fair elections,
Welcoming the visit to the country of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women,
its causes and consequences, and taking note of her report (E/CN.4/2000/68/Add.3),
Taking note of the announcement by the Provisional Electoral Council that the first round
of elections will take place on 21 May and the second round on 25 June 2000, confirmed by
presidential decree, and urging the Government, in coordination with the Provisional Electoral
Council, to provide full financial, security and logistical support to ensure free, fair, transparent
and prompt elections,
1. Expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General, his Special Representative for
Haiti and the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti for their continuing
efforts in favour of the consolidation of democratic institutions in Haiti and respect for human
rights;
2. Commends the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti for its successful
training and mentoring assistance to the Haitian National Police, as well as the efforts of the joint
United Nations/Organization of American States International Civilian Mission in Haiti in
monitoring human rights and promoting democratic reforms and assisting the Haitian authorities
in the area of institution-building;
3. Takes notes with interest of the report on the situation of human rights in Haiti
submitted to the General Assembly by the independent expert (A/54/366) and encourages active
follow-up of the recommendations contained therein;
4. Calls upon Haiti to ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment and the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights;
5. Insists on the importance, for combating impunity and for the realization of a
genuine and effective process of transition and national reconciliation, of the investigations
undertaken by the National Commission for Truth and Justice, and once again strongly urges the
Government of Haiti to institute legal proceedings against perpetrators of human rights
violations identified by the National Commission and to create effective facilities for providing
support to the victims, in particular women, children and members of their families, and in this
specific context reiterates the recommendations contained in the report of the independent expert
on the situation of human rights in Haiti;
6. Requests all interested Governments to make available to the Government of Haiti
information and documentation to enable it to prosecute the perpetrators of human rights
violations in order to facilitate the reconciliation process;
7. Reiterates its concern over the lack of a functioning parliament and over the lack
of fully independent local government;
8. Regrets the continuing delay of the parliamentary elections foreseen initially for
19 March 2000;
9. Strongly urges the Government of Haiti to enable the people of Haiti to express
their political will through scheduled elections in good conditions of security, as soon as
possible, and in this connection urgently calls upon the Government of Haiti, in coordination
with the Provisional Electoral Council, to hold free, fair and prompt elections, in order to ensure
that the parliament and local government are put in place without delay;
10. Deplores the recent increase of acts of violence and urges the Haitian authorities
and political leaders to cooperate with a view to putting an end to such violence;
11. Calls upon the Government of Haiti to properly investigate politically motivated
crimes and prosecute perpetrators of such crimes in accordance with Haitian law, to take
vigorous action to eliminate any continuing human rights violations, including illegal arrests and
detentions and the detention by authorities of individuals in violation of court orders for their
release, and to ensure due process including reasonable timeframes;
12. Also calls upon the Government of Haiti to comply with its existing obligations
under international human rights law by harmonizing all relevant provisions of Haitian national
law with international standards and by continuing to comply with its reporting obligations to
treaty-monitoring bodies, in particular the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women;
13. Further calls upon the Government of Haiti, in cooperation with the International
Civilian Support Mission in Haiti, to continue structural reforms in the police and judicial system
and the improvement of the prison sector, as a way to reinforce the promotion and protection of
human rights;
14. Recalls with appreciation, and urges implementation of, the initiative of the
Government of Haiti, in collaboration with the international community and women’s groups,
to adopt measures to promote the human rights of women and to fight against the violence of
which they are victims, through the training of judicial staff and the dissemination of
information on women’s rights at all levels of the educational system;
15. Stresses the importance of the Haitian National Police maintaining
professional and apolitical behaviour and in this connection reiterates the need for the
Haitian National Police to continue receiving technical training to enable it to perform
its functions efficiently, within a framework of respect for human rights;
16. Welcomes the establishment of the International Civilian Support Mission in
Haiti, and supports its activities, in particular in the human rights field and that of judicial and
police system reform, encourages the Haitian authorities to cooperate fully with the
Representative of the Secretary-General in this regard and urgently appeals to all countries in a
position to do so to make financial contributions to the Mission as soon as possible, in order to
allow it to perform its work effectively;
17. Invites the international community, including the Bretton Woods institutions, to
stand ready to continue their involvement in the reconstruction and development of Haiti, when
conditions permit;
18. Encourages the Government of Haiti to promote the rights of children, in
particular their right to education;
19. Invites the Secretary-General and the Government of Haiti to contribute to the
strengthening of the Office for the Protection of Citizens, including through regional
representation as appropriate, incorporating a gender perspective, through the establishment of a
programme of technical cooperation, in close collaboration with the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti,
and encourages the international community to assist in this effort;
20. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide all
necessary human and financial resources for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the
independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti;
21. Invites the independent expert to report to the General Assembly at its
fifty-fifth session and to the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-seventh session on
developments in the human rights situation in Haiti;
22. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session
under the agenda item entitled “Advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of
human rights”.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]
2000/79. Situation of human rights in Cambodia
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the purposes and principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights,
Recalling the Agreement on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia
Conflict, signed in Paris on 23 October 1991, including Part III thereof, relating to human rights,
Bearing in mind its resolution 1999/76 of 28 April 1999, General Assembly
resolution 54/171 of 17 December 1999 and previous relevant resolutions,
Recognizing that the tragic history of Cambodia requires special measures to assure the
protection of the human rights of all people in Cambodia and the non-return to the policies and
practices of the past, as stipulated in the Agreement signed in Paris on 23 October 1991,
Desiring that the international community continue to respond positively to assist efforts
to investigate the tragic history of Cambodia, including responsibility for past international
crimes, such as acts of genocide and crimes against humanity,
Bearing in mind the request in June 1997 by the Cambodian authorities for assistance
in responding to past serious violations of Cambodian and international law, the letters
dated 15 March 1999 from the Secretary-General to the President of the General Assembly and
the President of the Security Council (A/53/850-S/1999/231) and the report of the Group of
Experts appointed by the Secretary-General annexed thereto, and the ongoing discussions
between the Government of Cambodia and the United Nations Secretariat on standards and
procedures for bringing to justice the Khmer Rouge leaders most responsible for the most serious
violations of human rights in the years 1975-1979,
Recognizing the legitimate concern of the Government and people of Cambodia in the
pursuit of internationally accepted principles of justice and of national reconciliation,
Recognizing also that accountability of individual perpetrators of grave human rights
violations is one of the central elements of any effective remedy for victims of human rights
violations and a key factor in ensuring a fair and equitable justice system and, ultimately,
reconciliation and stability within a State,
Welcoming the continuing role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights in the promotion and protection of human rights in Cambodia,
1. Requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for human
rights in Cambodia, in collaboration with the office in Cambodia of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, to assist the Government of Cambodia in ensuring the
protection of the human rights of all people in Cambodia and to ensure adequate resources for
the continued functioning of the operational presence in Cambodia of the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and to enable the Special Representative
to continue to fulfil his tasks expeditiously;
2. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General concerning the role of the Office of
the High Commissioner in assisting the Government and people of Cambodia in the promotion
and protection of human rights (E/CN.4/2000/108) and also welcomes the agreement by the
Government of Cambodia to extend the memorandum of understanding for the office of the
High Commissioner at Phnom Penh until March 2002, enabling the Office to continue its
operations and to maintain its technical cooperation programmes, and encourages the
Government to continue to cooperate with the Office;
3. Also welcomes the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
for human rights in Cambodia (E/CN.4/2000/109) and notes in particular his concerns about the
problem of impunity and the need to promote and protect the independence of the judiciary and
to establish the rule of law;
4. Notes with concern the continued problems related to the rule of law and the
functioning of the judiciary, including interference by the executive with the independence of the
judiciary, inter alia, rearrests, and welcomes recent statements by the Government committing
itself to judicial reform, the work currently being done to prepare the laws and codes which are
essential components of the basic legal framework, meetings of the Supreme Council of
Magistracy and the Government’s decision to set up a commission on judicial reform;
5. Urges the Government of Cambodia to continue to take the necessary measures to
develop an independent, impartial and effective judicial system, including through the early
adoption of the draft statute on magistrates, a penal code and a code on criminal procedures, and
the reform of the administration of justice, and appeals to the international community to assist
the Government to this end;
6. Commends the initial efforts by the Government of Cambodia with regard to the
review and the stated commitment to the downsizing of the police and the military, urges the
Government of Cambodia to take further measures to carry out effective reform aimed towards
professional and impartial police and military forces, and invites the international community to
assist the Government to this end;
7. Also commends the vital and valuable role played by non-governmental
organizations in Cambodia, inter alia, in the development of civil society, and encourages the
Government of Cambodia to continue to work with non-governmental organizations in efforts to
strengthen and uphold human rights in Cambodia;
8. Notes with interest the activities undertaken by the governmental Cambodian
Human Rights Committee, the National Assembly Commission on Human Rights and Reception
of Complaints and the Senate Commission on Human Rights and Reception of Complaints, and
welcomes preliminary efforts to establish an independent national human rights commission
which should be based on international standards, such as the Principles relating to the status of
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (“Paris principles”), and
requests the Office of the High Commissioner to provide advice and technical assistance in these
efforts;
9. Expresses grave concern about continued violations of human rights, including
torture, extrajudicial killings, excessive pre-trial detention, violation of labour rights, illegal
confiscation of land and forced relocation, as well as the apparent lack of protection from mob
killings as detailed in the reports of the Special Representative, and notes some progress made by
the Government of Cambodia in addressing these issues;
10. Expresses serious concern about the continued prevalence of impunity in
Cambodia, commends the initial commitment and efforts of the Government of Cambodia to
tackle this question, such as amending article 51 of the 1994 Law on Civil Servants, and calls
upon the Government to take further measures, as a matter of critical priority, to investigate
urgently and prosecute, in accordance with due process of law and international human rights
standards, all those who have perpetrated violations of human rights;
11. Welcomes the investigations into some cases of politically motivated violence,
while remaining concerned at the continued reports of politically motivated violence and
intimidation, and urges the Government of Cambodia to undertake further investigations in line
with its stated commitments;
12. Reaffirms that the most serious human rights violations in Cambodia in recent
history have been committed by the Khmer Rouge, welcomes the final collapse of the
Khmer Rouge, which has paved the way for the investigation and prosecution of its leaders, and
takes note with interest of the steps taken by the Government of Cambodia to bring to justice the
Khmer Rouge leaders most responsible for the most serious violations of human rights;
13. Appeals strongly to the Government of Cambodia to ensure that those most
responsible for the most serious violations of human rights are brought to account in accordance
with international standards of justice, fairness and due process of law, takes note with interest of
the progress of the recent talks between the Government of Cambodia and the United Nations
Secretariat aimed at guaranteeing such standards and procedures, encourages the Government to
continue to cooperate with the United Nations with a view to reaching an early agreement, and
welcomes the efforts of the Secretariat and the international community in assisting the
Government to this end;
14. Reaffirms the importance of the upcoming communal elections being conducted
in a free and fair manner, and urges the Government of Cambodia to prepare for them
accordingly;
15. Welcomes the adoption of a five-year action plan by the Government of
Cambodia, in particular by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Veterans, as well as other
measures taken by the Government to improve the status of women, and urges the Government
to continue to take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women, including in
the political and public life of the country, to combat violence against women in all its forms,
including grave violations of the rights of women perpetrated by law enforcement and armed
forces personnel, and to take all steps to meet its obligations as a party to the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, including by seeking technical
assistance;
16. Commends the initiatives of and the progress made by the Government of
Cambodia towards ensuring adequate health conditions, calls upon the Government to continue
to take further measures to achieve this goal, with emphasis on ensuring adequate health
conditions for women and children and minority groups and on the problem of the human
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and encourages the
international community to continue to support the Government to this end;
17. Also commends the continued efforts of the Government of Cambodia, together
with non-governmental organizations and the local authorities, to improve the quality of and
access to education, and calls for further measures to be taken in order to ensure the right of
Cambodian children to education, especially at the primary level, in accordance with the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, and requests the international community to provide
assistance for the achievement of this goal;
18. Welcomes the Five-Year National Plan against Child Sexual Exploitation in
Cambodia, and encourages the Government of Cambodia to ensure the necessary law
enforcement and other measures in support of the Plan in order to tackle the problem of child
prostitution and trafficking in Cambodia;
19. Notes with serious concern the problem of child labour, calls upon the
Government of Cambodia to ensure adequate health and safety conditions for children and to
outlaw, in particular, the worst forms of child labour, invites the International Labour
Organization to continue to extend the necessary assistance in this regard and encourages the
Government of Cambodia to consider ratifying International Labour Organization Convention
No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the
Worst Forms of Child Labour;
20. Also notes with serious concern the prison conditions in Cambodia, notes with
interest some improvements in the prison system and the recent adoption of the Proclamation on
Administration of Prisons and Prison Procedures, commends the continued international
assistance to improve the material conditions of detention, and calls upon the Government of
Cambodia to take the further measures necessary to improve prison conditions, especially with
regard to providing the minimum standard of food and health care and meeting the special needs
of women and children;
21. Urges an end to racial violence against and vilification of ethnic minorities,
including the ethnic Vietnamese, and also urges the Government of Cambodia to take all steps to
meet its obligations as a party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination, including through seeking technical assistance;
22. Commends the successful completion of the voluntary repatriation of Cambodian
refugees from Thailand undertaken by the Government of Cambodia, the Government of
Thailand and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;
23. Welcomes the actions taken by the Government of Cambodia to combat illicit
logging, which has seriously threatened full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by
many Cambodians, including indigenous people, expects these efforts by the Government of
Cambodia to continue, and welcomes the progress made recently on the drafting of the new land
law;
24. Also welcomes the submission of the initial reports of Cambodia under the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, asks the Government of Cambodia to follow up the recommendations made by the
Human Rights Committee regarding the report submitted under the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, calls upon the Government to meet its reporting obligations under all
other international human rights instruments, and requests the office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia to continue to provide assistance in this regard;
25. Expresses grave concern at the devastating consequences and destabilizing effects
of the use of anti-personnel landmines on Cambodian society, welcomes the ratification by
Cambodia of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer
of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction in July 1999, encourages the Government of
Cambodia to continue its support and efforts for the removal of these mines and for
victim-assistance and mine-awareness programmes, and commends donor countries for their
contributions and assistance to mine action;
26. Expresses concern about the large number of small arms in society and
commends the efforts by the Government of Cambodia to control the spread of weapons;
27. Notes with appreciation the use by the Secretary-General of the United Nations
Trust Fund for a Human Rights Education Programme in Cambodia to finance the programme of
activities of the office of the High Commissioner in Cambodia, as defined in resolutions of the
General Assembly and the Commission, and invites Governments, intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations, foundations and individuals to consider contributing to the
Trust Fund;
28. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session on the role and achievements of the Office of the High Commissioner in
assisting the Government and the people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human
rights and on the recommendations made by the Special Representative on matters within his
mandate;
29. Decides to continue its consideration of the situation of human rights in
Cambodia at its fifty-seventh session under the agenda item entitled “Advisory services and
technical cooperation in the field of human rights”.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]
2000/80. Advisory services and technical cooperation
in the field of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling:
(a) That one of the principal purposes of the United Nations is to achieve
international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms,
(b) General Assembly resolution 926 (X) of 14 December 1955, in which the
Assembly established the United Nations programme of advisory services in the field of human
rights, and Economic and Social Council decision 1987/147 of 29 May 1987, pursuant to which
the Secretary-General established the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation
in the Field of Human Rights, as well as Commission resolutions 1998/57 of 17 April 1998 and
1999/73 of 28 April 1999,
Recalling also that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in
June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), inter alia:
(a) Calls upon the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights to assume a larger role in the promotion of human rights through cooperation with
Member States and by an enhanced programme of advisory services in the field of human rights,
(b) Recommends increased coordination in support of human rights and fundamental
freedoms within the United Nations system, and urges all United Nations organs, bodies and the
specialized agencies whose activities deal with human rights to cooperate to this end in order to
strengthen, rationalize and streamline their activities, taking into account the need to avoid
unnecessary duplication,
(c) Recommends that a comprehensive programme be established within the
United Nations in order to help States in the task of building and strengthening adequate national
structures which have a direct impact on the promotion and protection of human rights,
democracy and the rule of law,
Mindful that the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
includes responsibilities, inter alia, for:
(a) Provision of advisory services and technical and financial assistance at the request
of States,
(b) Enhancing international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all
human rights,
(c) Coordination of human rights promotion and protection activities throughout the
United Nations system,
(d) Coordination of relevant United Nations education and public information
programmes in the field of human rights,
Reaffirming that developing and strengthening national capacities and institutions for the
promotion of human rights is an important area for international cooperation,
Acknowledging the importance of further strengthening the provision of advisory services
and technical cooperation by the Office of the High Commissioner,
1. Notes with appreciation the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights on advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights
(E/CN.4/2000/105) as well as the launching of the High Commissioner’s first annual appeal;
2. Declares that advisory services and technical cooperation, when requested by
Governments for the purpose of developing and strengthening national capacities in the field of
human rights, constitute one of the most efficient and effective means of promoting and
protecting all human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
3. Welcomes, therefore, the increasing number of requests for advisory services and
technical cooperation in the field of human rights as an expression of the growing commitment
of States to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and encourages all
States to consider making use of advisory services and technical cooperation in order to achieve
the full enjoyment of all human rights;
4. Calls for a substantial increase in available financial resources, including from
voluntary contributions, for advisory services and technical cooperation, which should be
managed in a more efficient and coordinated way;
5. Expresses its appreciation for the contributions made to the United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights, welcomes in particular
the increasing contributions made by developing countries and invites more Governments and
non-governmental organizations to consider contributing;
6. Invites all Governments considering making voluntary contributions to the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to consider providing unearmarked
contributions to the extent possible;
7. Encourages efforts to integrate in a comprehensive manner into technical
cooperation programmes economic, social and cultural rights, as well as a clear gender
perspective;
8. Reaffirms that United Nations field activities in the area of human rights should,
when requested, be complemented by advisory services and technical cooperation projects aimed
at producing lasting results through the enhancement of national capacities and the promotion of
national institutions;
9. Stresses that, when assisting States in promoting and protecting all human rights
and strengthening the rule of law and democracy, priority should be given to technical
cooperation programmes designed to address their specific requirements;
10. Affirms that, in order to secure the sustainability of advisory services and
technical cooperation projects, these should incorporate qualified national human rights expertise
to the extent possible, and further develop and strengthen such expertise;
11. Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner to continue its current practice
of making the best use of available human rights expertise relevant to, and, as appropriate, from,
the regions where technical cooperation activities are undertaken;
12. Recognizes the usefulness of advisory services and technical cooperation for all
countries, and calls upon the Office of the High Commissioner to continue to develop its
potential for the promotion and protection of all human rights through advisory services and
technical cooperation projects and to accord these activities the highest priority;
13. Notes the interdependence between social and economic development, poverty
eradication and the promotion and realization of all human rights, and in this regard welcomes
the lead role of the High Commissioner in inter-agency coordination in the field of human rights;
14. Encourages Governments, relevant United Nations treaty bodies, special
rapporteurs and representatives, as well as working groups, to consult each other in order to
elaborate proposals for specific projects to be realized under the programme of advisory services
and technical cooperation in the field of human rights with a view to contributing to practical and
tangible change in the human rights situation;
15. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To continue, in accordance with Part II, paragraph 16, of the Vienna Declaration
and Programme of Action and in cooperation with the Board of Trustees of the United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights, to ensure efficient
management of the Voluntary Fund, strict and transparent project-management rules and
periodic evaluations of the programme and projects and to arrange for the holding of information
meetings open to all Member States and organizations directly involved in the programme of
advisory services and technical cooperation;
(b) To continue to provide the necessary administrative assistance for the Board of
Trustees, to arrange meetings of the Board and to ensure that its conclusions are reflected in the
annual report to the Commission on technical cooperation in the field of human rights;
(c) To submit a further analytical report to the Commission at its fifty-eighth session
on the progress and concrete achievements made, as well as obstacles encountered in the
implementation of the programme of advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of
human rights and on the operation and administration of the Voluntary Fund;
16. Decides to continue consideration of this subject at its fifty-eighth session.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]
2000/81. Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights instruments,
Recalling its resolution 1999/75 of 28 April 1999,
Bearing in mind Security Council resolution 1265 (1999) of 17 December 1999 on the
protection of civilians in armed conflict, the report of the Secretary-General on protection for
humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations (S/1998/883) and
General Assembly resolution 54/192 of 17 December 1999 entitled “Safety and security of
humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”,
Recalling Security Council resolution 751 (1992) of 24 April 1992 on the situation in
Somalia,
Noting with concern that the persisting lack of a central authority in Somalia has
exacerbated the grave situation of human rights in the country,
Recognizing that the people of Somalia have the principal responsibility for their national
reconciliation process and that they are the ones to decide freely on their political, economic and
social systems,
Expressing satisfaction that, despite all difficulties, the people of the northern regions of
Somalia continue to enjoy relative peace and stability, as well as the provision of basic services,
Considering, as stated by the independent expert on the situation of human rights in
Somalia, that the people of Somalia should not be abandoned by the international community
and that human rights should be placed on the agenda of talks regarding the future of Somalia,
1. Welcomes:
(a) The report of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia
(E/CN.4/2000/110 and Corr.1) and the conclusions and recommendations contained therein;
(b) The efforts made by the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity, the
League of Arab States, the European Union, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the
Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development and the Intergovernmental Authority Partners’ Forum in favour of peace, and in
particular the recent initiative of the President of Djibouti, aimed at restoring peace, stability and
reconstruction of the State in Somalia;
(c) The establishment of local administrations in areas where peace and stability have
been achieved, as well as the role of civil society in this process;
(d) The appointment in October 1999 by the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights of a human rights officer for Somalia in the framework of the office of the
United Nations Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, based in Nairobi, and expresses
the hope that he will be able to give meaningful assistance to the Somali people through the
fulfilment of his mandate to monitor the human rights situation in Somalia, mainstream and
integrate a human rights perspective into the work of all the United Nations agencies regarding
Somalia, provide technical assistance in the field of human rights, support human rights
non-governmental organizations, raise awareness in the area of the administration of justice and
assist the independent expert in fulfilling her mandate;
(e) The integration by a number of United Nations agencies of human rights issues in
their programmes, as reported by the independent expert;
2. Takes note of local efforts in Hargeisa to gather information on allegations
concerning war crimes and crimes against humanity and of the need for appropriate
investigations throughout Somalia in order to bring perpetrators to justice;
3. Notes with appreciation the important role of mediation and reconciliation that is
and can be played by Somali clan elders, other local leaders and members of civil society at the
grass-roots level, and urges all parties involved to renew their efforts;
4. Expresses deep concern at reported cases of rape, arbitrary and summary
executions, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and violence,
in particular against women and children, and at the absence of an effective judicial system,
essential to ensure the right to a fair trial in accordance with international standards;
5. Condemns:
(a) The widespread violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law, in
particular against minorities, women and children, as well as the forced displacement of
civilians;
(b) All violations of international humanitarian law, including forced recruitment of
children by the militias and acts of violence such as hostage-taking, abduction and murder,
particularly of humanitarian relief workers;
6. Strongly urges all parties in Somalia:
(a) To respect human rights and international humanitarian law pertaining to internal
armed conflicts;
(b) To support, as recommended by the independent expert, the re-establishment of
the rule of law throughout the country, in particular by applying internationally accepted
criminal justice standards;
(c) To protect United Nations personnel, humanitarian relief workers and
representatives of non-governmental organizations and of the international media, and guarantee
all persons involved in humanitarian action freedom of movement throughout the country and
safe and unhindered access to civilians in need of protection and humanitarian assistance;
7. Calls upon:
(a) All parties to the conflict in Somalia to respond positively to peace initiatives;
(b) Subregional, regional and international organizations and concerned countries to
continue to intensify the coordinated efforts aimed at facilitating the national reconciliation
process in Somalia, aware of the fact that the peaceful coexistence of all parties and groups is an
important foundation for the respect of human rights;
(c) Individual donor countries, international organizations and non-governmental
organizations further to incorporate human rights principles and objectives in the humanitarian
and development work they carry out in Somalia and to cooperate with the independent expert;
(d) The international community to provide continuing and increased assistance in
response to the United Nations appeals for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in all
regions of Somalia, including those aimed at the strengthening of civil society, encouraging
governance and the re-establishment of the rule of law, and to support the activities of the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning Somalia;
(e) All States having information about violations of the provisions of Security
Council resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992 concerning a mandatory arms embargo against
Somalia, to provide this information to the Committee on Somalia of the Security Council
created pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) with a view to supporting the work of the Committee;
8. Commends the work carried out by the independent expert, particularly in
assessing the means necessary to establish a programme of advisory services and technical
assistance through, inter alia, the contribution of agencies and programmes of the
United Nations in the field, as well as of the non-governmental sector;
9. Invites governments and organizations in a position to do so to respond positively
to requests by the Secretary-General for assistance in the implementation of the present
resolution;
10. Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide for the translation
of the present resolution, accompanied by an appropriate background explanatory note, into the
local language and for its wide dissemination within the country through the human rights officer
for Somalia based in Nairobi;
11. Decides:
(a) To extend the mandate of the independent expert on the situation of human rights
in Somalia for a further year and requests the independent expert to report to the Commission on
Human Rights at its fifty-seventh session;
(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to provide the independent expert
with all necessary assistance in carrying out her mandate and to provide adequate resources,
from within existing overall United Nations resources, to fund the activities of the independent
expert and the High Commissioner in providing advisory services and technical assistance;
(c) To continue consideration of the question at its fifty-seventh session under the
same agenda item.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIX.]
2000/82. Effects of structural adjustment policies and foreign debt
on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly
economic, social and cultural rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling that the purpose of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the full
promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Reaffirming the Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted by the
General Assembly in its resolution 41/128 of 4 December 1986, and the resolutions and
decisions adopted by the United Nations in connection with the problem of the foreign debt of
the developing countries, particularly Commission resolution 1999/22 of 23 April 1999,
Bearing in mind that the absolute amounts attained by the foreign debt and debt service
of the developing nations indicate the persistent seriousness of this situation, that the latest
episodes of financial crisis in Asia and other regions have caused this situation to deteriorate
further and that the foreign debt burden is becoming increasingly unbearable for a considerable
number of developing countries,
Aware that the serious problem of the foreign debt burden remains one of the most
critical factors adversely affecting economic, social, scientific and technical development and
living standards in many developing countries, with serious effects of a social nature,
Stressing that the economic globalization process creates new challenges, risks and
uncertainties for the implementation and consolidation of development strategies,
Expressing its concern that, despite repeated rescheduling of debt, developing countries
continue to pay out more each year than the actual amount they receive in official development
assistance,
Acknowledging that, in spite of the fact that debt reduction schemes have helped to
reduce debt, many highly indebted poor countries are still left with the bulk of their debt,
Considering that the measures for alleviating the debt problem, of both official and
private origin, have not achieved an effective, equitable, development-oriented and durable
solution to the outstanding debt and debt service of a large number of developing countries,
especially the poorest and heavily indebted countries,
Bearing in mind the relationship between the heavy foreign debt burden and the
considerable increase in poverty which is apparent at the world level and is especially large in
Africa,
Recognizing that foreign debt constitutes one of the main obstacles preventing the
developing countries from fully enjoying their right to development,
1. Takes note of the joint report submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the effects
of foreign debt on the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and the independent
expert on structural adjustment policies, to the Commission on Human Rights at its
fifty-sixth session (E/CN.4/2000/51, annex);
2. Stresses that structural adjustment policies have serious implications for the
ability of the developing countries to abide by the Declaration on the Right to Development and
to formulate national development policies that aim to improve the economic, social and cultural
rights of their citizens;
3. Also stresses the importance of continuing to implement immediate, effective and
durable actions for alleviating the burdens of debt and debt service of the developing countries
with debt problems, in the framework of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights;
4. Affirms that the permanent solution to the foreign debt problem lies in the
establishment of a just and equitable international economic order which guarantees the
developing countries, inter alia, better market conditions and commodity prices, stabilization of
exchange rates and interest rates, easier access to financial and capital markets, adequate flows
of new financial resources and easier access to the technology of the developed countries;
5. Stresses the need for the economic programmes arising from foreign debt to take
account of the specific characteristics, conditions and needs of the debtor countries and the need
to incorporate the social dimension of development;
6. Affirms that the exercise of the basic rights of the people of debtor countries to
food, housing, clothing, employment, education, health services and a healthy environment
cannot be subordinated to the implementation of structural adjustment polices and economic
reforms arising from the debt;
7. Emphasizes the important need for initiatives on foreign debt, in particular in the
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the decision of the Paris Club to go beyond the
Naples terms, to be implemented completely and flexibly, and at the same time notes with
concern the rigidity of the eligibility criteria approved by the international creditor community in
the context of those initiatives, which is becoming a source of greater concern in the light of the
latest symptoms of the international financial crisis;
8. Also emphasizes the need for new financial flows to debtor developing countries
from all sources, in addition to debt relief measures that include debt cancellation, and urges
creditor countries and the international financial institutions to increase concessional financial
assistance on favourable terms, as a means of supporting the implementation of the economic
reforms, combating poverty and achieving sustained economic growth and sustainable
development;
9. Decides to appoint an independent expert on the effects of structural adjustment
policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social
and cultural rights, for a period of three years;
10. Requests the independent expert to present an analytical report to the
Commission, on an annual basis, on the implementation of the present resolution, paying
particular attention to:
(a) The effects of the foreign debt and the policies adopted to face them on the full
enjoyment of all human rights, in particular, economic, social and cultural rights in developing
countries;
(b) Measures taken by Governments, the private sector and international financial
institutions to alleviate such effects in developing countries, especially the poorest and heavily
indebted countries;
(c) New developments, actions and initiatives being taken by international financial
institutions, other United Nations bodies and intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations with respect to structural adjustment policies and human rights;
11. Also requests the independent expert to provide an advance copy of his annual
report to the open-ended Working Group established to elaborate policy guidelines on structural
adjustment programmes and economic, social and cultural rights in order to assist the group in
the fulfilment of its mandate;
12. Decides to discontinue the mandates of:
(a) The Special Rapporteur on the effects of foreign debt on the full enjoyment of
economic, social and cultural rights;
(b) The independent expert on structural adjustment policies;
13. Decides to appoint Mr. Fantu Cheru as independent expert on the effects of
structural adjustment policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human rights,
particularly economic, social and cultural rights, in order to take advantage of his expertise in
this matter;
14. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the independent expert with all
necessary assistance, in particular the staff and resources required to perform his functions;
15. Urges Governments, international organizations, international financial
institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to cooperate fully with the
independent expert in the discharge of his mandate;
16. Calls upon Governments, international organizations and international financial
institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to take appropriate
measures and action for the implementation of the commitments, agreements and decisions of
the major United Nations conferences and summits organized since the beginning of the 1990s
on developments related to the question of external debt;
17. Also calls upon Governments, international financial institutions and the private
sector to consider the possibility of cancelling or reducing significantly the debt of the heavily
indebted poor countries, giving priority to countries emerging from devastating civil wars or that
have been devastated by natural disasters;
18. Urges States, international financial institutions and the private sector to take
urgent measures to alleviate the debt problem of those developing countries particularly affected
by the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, so that more
financial resources can be released and used for health care, research and treatment of the
population in the affected countries;
19. Recognizes that there is a need for more transparency, participation by all States
and consideration of the relevant resolutions of the Commission in the deliberations and
activities of international and regional financial institutions;
20. Considers that, in order to find a durable solution to the debt problem, there is a
need for a political dialogue between creditor and debtor countries within the United Nations
system, based on the principle of shared interests and responsibilities;
21. Requests the Economic and Social Council to authorize the Working Group on
Structural Adjustment to meet for two weeks well in advance of, and at least four weeks prior to,
the fifty-seventh session of the Commission with the mandate to: (a) continue working on the
elaboration of basic policy guidelines on structural adjustment programmes and economic, social
and cultural rights which could serve as a basis for a continued dialogue between human rights
bodies and international financial institutions, and (b) report to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session;
22. Reiterates its request to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights to pay particular attention to the problem of the debt burden of developing countries, in
particular of the least developed countries, and especially the social impact of the measures
arising from the foreign debt;
23. Requests the High Commissioner to take urgent action to strengthen the
responsiveness of her Office in the area of economic, social and cultural rights;
24. Decides to continue the consideration of this matter at its fifty-seventh session
under the same agenda item.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 30 votes to 15,
with 7 abstentions. See chap. X.]
2000/83. Work of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling its resolution 1999/81 of 28 April 1999,
Taking note of:
(a) The note by the Chairperson of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights on enhancing the effectiveness of the Sub-Commission
(E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/38),
(b) The note by the Chairperson of the Sub-Commission on the common position of
the Sub-Commission on future tasks, length of sessions, working methods, composition and
election of members (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/47),
(c) The report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the
effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2000/112), in
particular paragraphs 42 to 56,
(d) The statement made on 22 March 2000 by the Chairperson of the
fifty-sixth session of the Commission under item 3 of its agenda,
1. Reaffirms:
(a) Its recognition of the valuable contribution made by the Sub-Commission to the
human rights work of the United Nations over the past 53 years;
(b) The need for clarification and adjustment of the mandate of the Sub-Commission
as outlined in the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the
effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights;
2. Decides to consider the issue of the work of the Sub-Commission again at its
fifty-seventh session under the relevant agenda item;
3. Invites the Chairperson of the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on Human
Rights to address the Sub-Commission at the opening meeting of its fifty-second session and to
inform it about the debate that took place on this subject at the fifty-sixth session of the
Commission under agenda items 16 and 20.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVI.]
2000/84. Defamation of religions
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recalling that all States have pledged themselves, under the Charter of the
United Nations, to promote and encourage universal respect for and observance of human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
Recalling also its resolution 1999/82 of 30 April 1999,
Reaffirming that discrimination against human beings on the grounds of religion or belief
constitute an affront to human dignity and a disavowal of the principles of the Charter of the
United Nations,
Recognizing that discrimination based on religion or belief constitutes an offence to
human dignity and a violation of human rights,
Reaffirming the call of the World Conference on Human Rights for all Governments to
take all appropriate measures, in compliance with their international obligations and with due
regard to their respective legal systems, to counter intolerance and related violence based on
religion or belief, including practices of discrimination against women and including desecration
of religious sites, recognizing that every individual has the right to freedom of thought,
conscience, expression and religion,
Alarmed at the serious instances of intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence based
on religion or belief, including acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by religious
extremism, occurring in many parts of the world and threatening the enjoyment of human rights
and fundamental freedoms,
Underlining the importance of creating conditions to foster greater harmony and
tolerance within and among societies and conscious of the importance of education in ensuring
tolerance of and respect for religion and belief,
Welcoming the designation by the General Assembly of the year 2001 as the
United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations,
Expressing its appreciation in this context of the joint efforts of the member States of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights in organizing the seminar entitled “Enriching the Universality of Human Rights: Islamic
Perspectives on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” in Geneva on 9 and
10 November 1998,
Emphasizing that non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and communities
have an important role to play in the promotion of tolerance and the protection of freedom of
religion or belief,
1. Expresses deep concern at negative stereotyping of religions;
2. Also expresses deep concern that Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with
human rights violations and with terrorism;
3. Expresses its concern at any role in which the print, audio-visual or electronic
media or any other means is used to incite acts of violence, xenophobia or related intolerance and
discrimination towards Islam and any other religion;
4. Urges all States, within their national legal framework, in conformity with
international human rights instruments to take all appropriate measures to combat hatred,
discrimination, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by religious
intolerance, including attacks on religious places, and to encourage understanding, tolerance and
respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief;
5. Invites Governments, intergovernmental and regional organizations to provide
their views on the religious perspectives of combating racism to the Secretary-General of the
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
and invites the Secretary-General of the World Conference, through its preparatory process, to
present these inputs to the World Conference;
6. Calls upon the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance and the Special
Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to take into
account the provisions of the present resolution when reporting to the Commission;
7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
67th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. VI.]
2000/85. Rights of the child
The Commission on Human Rights,
Bearing in mind the Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasizing that the
provisions of this Convention and other relevant human rights instruments must constitute the
standard in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, and reaffirming that the best
interest of the child shall be the primary consideration in all actions concerning children,
Reaffirming its resolution 1999/80 of 28 April 1999 and General Assembly
resolutions 54/149 and 54/148 of 17 December 1999, as well as all previous resolutions on this
subject,
Welcoming the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child, which constitutes an occasion for the renewal of commitment to the rights of the
child,
Welcoming also the preparatory process for the special session of the General Assembly
to be convened in 2001 by way of follow-up to the World Summit for Children and encouraging
States to participate actively therein in order to promote an effective review of progress made, as
well as the identification of obstacles affecting the full implementation of the outcome of the
World Summit for Children, as a reaffirmation of their commitment to children, and encouraging
the establishment of forward-looking strategies,
Reaffirming the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of
Children and the Plan of Action for Implementing the World Declaration on the Survival,
Protection and Development of Children in the 1990s adopted in September 1990 by the World
Summit for Children (A/45/625, annex) and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), which,
inter alia, states that national and international mechanisms and programmes for the safeguard
and protection of children, in particular those in especially difficult circumstances, should be
strengthened, including through effective measures to combat exploitation and abuse of children,
female infanticide, harmful child labour, sale of children and organs, child prostitution and child
pornography, as well as other forms of sexual abuse, and which reaffirms that all human rights
and fundamental freedoms are universal,
Profoundly concerned that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains
critical as a result of poverty, inadequate social and economic conditions in an increasingly
globalized world economy, pandemics, natural disasters, armed conflicts, displacement,
exploitation, illiteracy, hunger, intolerance, disability and inadequate legal protection, and
convinced that urgent and effective national and international action is called for,
Alarmed by the reality of daily violations of children’s rights, including the right to life,
to physical security and to freedom from arbitrary detention, torture and any form of
exploitation, as laid out in relevant international instruments,
Reaffirming that the family is the fundamental group of society and the natural
environment for the growth and well-being of the children and recognizing that the child should
grow up in a family environment and social atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Concerned at the number of illegal adoptions, of children growing up without parents and
of child victims of family and social violence, neglect and abuse,
Reaffirming the importance of access by children to the highest attainable standard of
social services, which are an integral part of, and contribute positively to, social and economic
development and recognizing that the primary responsibility for ensuring provision of and
universal access to social services rests with Governments, and that international cooperation to
enhance social development would facilitate the provision of basic services for all,
Calling for the further mainstreaming of a gender perspective in all policies and
programmes relating to children,
Reaffirming the fundamental principle set forth in the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action and in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted in
September 1995 by the Fourth World Conference on Women (A/CONF.177/20, chap. I) that the
human rights of women and girls are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal
human rights,
Welcoming the adoption, on 26 April 2000, of a draft optional protocol to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
(resolution 2000/59, annex B) and of a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of
the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflicts (ibid., annex A), which develop the
principles and provisions of the Convention and represent an important step towards improving
the standards of protection accorded to children,
Welcoming also the unanimous adoption in June 1999 of International Labour
Organization Convention No. 182 the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of
the Worst Forms of Child Labour, and reaffirming the right of the child to be protected from
economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to
interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental,
spiritual, moral or social development, in accordance with obligations under the Convention on
the Rights of the Child and the aim of effective abolition of child labour contrary to accepted
international standards, giving priority to immediate and concrete action for the elimination of
the worst forms of child labour and to the rehabilitation and social reintegration of the children
concerned, as well as to the search for alternatives to child labour and for a better
socio-economic environment to prevent child labour,
Reaffirming the need for States to ensure that every child alleged to have or recognized as
having infringed the penal law is treated with dignity in accordance with their obligations under
the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international human rights
instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and expressing
deep concern, inter alia, about cases of children prosecuted without account being taken of their
special needs, kept in arbitrary detention, subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment or subjected to punishment, contrary to accepted international
standards,
Reaffirming also the obligation of States to protect children from torture, other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and other forms of abuse and welcoming the
decision of the Committee on the Rights of the Child to devote a theme day during its
twenty-fifth session to State violence against children,
Noting with appreciation the commemorative meeting on the tenth anniversary of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child held jointly by the Committee on the Rights of the Child
and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and taking note of
the decision of the Committee to adopt a general comment on child participation as envisaged in
the Convention, bearing in mind that participation includes, but is not limited to, consultation
and proactive initiatives by children and youth themselves,
Welcoming the proclamation by the General Assembly of the International Decade for a
Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010) and the
Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which serve as the basis for the
International Decade,
Welcoming also the ongoing implementation by the United Nations Children’s Fund of
the human rights-based approach in fulfilling its mandate to promote the rights of the child,
including through its medium-term plan, and encouraging the organization to continue to derive
lessons and identify best practices from this process,
Welcoming further the development of a global strategic framework on young people
and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, based on a human
rights approach, initiated by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS working in
partnership with Joint Programme co-sponsors and in consultation with relevant parts of the
United Nations system,
Recognizing that partnership between Governments, international organizations and all
sectors of civil society, in particular non-governmental organizations, as well as the private
sector, is important to realizing the rights of the child,
Stressing the importance of integrating child-related issues into the work of the World
Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be
held in the year 2001,
I. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION
ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on
the Rights of the Child (E/CN.4/2000/70);
2. Urges once again those States that have not yet done so to positively consider
signing and ratifying or acceding to the Convention as a matter of priority, having in mind the
tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
3. Welcomes the unprecedented number of States (191) that have ratified or acceded
to the Convention, as an indication of the universal commitment to the rights of the child;
4. Calls upon States parties to implement the Convention fully and to ensure that the
rights set forth in the Convention are respected without discrimination of any kind, that the best
interests of the child are a primary consideration in all actions concerning children, and that
children are able to express their opinions on matters affecting them and that these opinions are
listened to and given due weight;
5. Also calls upon States parties to assure to the child who is capable of forming his
or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the
views being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child;
6. Urges States parties to withdraw reservations incompatible with the object and
purpose of the Convention and to consider reviewing other reservations with a view to
withdrawing them;
7. Calls upon States parties:
(a) To accept, as a matter of priority, the amendment to paragraph 2, article 43, of the
Convention;
(b) To comply in a timely manner with their reporting obligations under the
Convention, in accordance with the guidelines elaborated by the Committee on the Rights of the
Child, as well as to take into account the recommendations made by the Committee in the
implementation of the provisions of the Convention and to strengthen their cooperation with the
Committee;
8. Welcomes the role of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in examining the
progress made by States parties in implementing the obligations undertaken in the Convention,
and in providing recommendations to States parties on its implementation and, in cooperation
with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in creating
awareness of the principles and provisions of the Convention;
9. Calls upon States parties to ensure, when electing the members of the Committee
on the Rights of the Child in accordance with article 43 of the Convention, that the members are
of high moral standing and recognized competence in the field covered by the Convention,
serving in their personal capacity, consideration being given to equitable geographical
distribution, as well as to the principal legal systems;
10. Also calls upon States to strengthen efforts to improve national systems for the
collection of comprehensive and disaggregated data, including gender-specific data, for all areas
covered by the Convention;
11. Reaffirms the importance of ensuring adequate and systematic training in the
rights of the child for professional groups working with and for children, inter alia, specialized
judges, law enforcement officials, lawyers, social workers, medical doctors and teachers, and
coordination between various governmental bodies involved in children’s rights;
12. Urges States to take all appropriate measures for the implementation of their
obligations under the Convention, bearing in mind article 4 of the Convention;
13. Recommends that, within their mandates, all relevant human rights mechanisms,
in particular special rapporteurs and working groups, and all other relevant organs and
mechanisms of the United Nations system and the specialized agencies regularly and
systematically take a child’s rights perspective into account in the implementation of their
mandates, especially by paying attention to particular situations in which children are in danger
and where their rights are violated, and that they take into account the work of the Committee on
the Rights of the Child;
14. Decides, with regard to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, to request the
Secretary-General to ensure the provision of appropriate staff and facilities from the
United Nations regular budget for the effective and expeditious performance of the functions of
the Committee, while noting the temporary support given by the plan of action of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to strengthen the implementation of the
Convention, and invites the Committee to continue to enhance its constructive dialogue with the
States parties and its transparent and effective functioning;
II. PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
Identity, family relations and birth registration
15. Calls upon all States:
(a) To intensify efforts to ensure the registration of all children immediately after
birth, including by the consideration of simplified, expeditious and effective procedures;
(b) To undertake to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her identity,
including nationality, name and family relations as recognized by law without unlawful
interference and, where a child is illegally deprived of some or all of the elements of his or her
identity, to provide appropriate assistance and protection with a view to re-establishing speedily
his or her identity;
(c) To ensure, as far as possible, the right of the child to know and be cared for by his
or her parents;
(d) To ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their
will, except when the competent authorities, subject to judicial review, determine, in accordance
with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interest of the
child; such determination may be necessary in a particular case, such as one involving abuse or
neglect of the child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision
must be made as to the child’s place of residence;
Health
16. Calls upon all States:
(a) And relevant bodies and organizations of the United Nations system, in particular
the World Health Organization, to pay particular attention to the development of sustainable
health systems and social services to ensure the effective prevention of diseases, malnutrition,
disabilities and infant and child mortality, including through prenatal and postnatal health care,
as well as the provision of necessary medical treatment and health care to all children, taking into
consideration the special needs of young children, including prevention of common infectious
diseases, the special needs of adolescents, including those relating to reproductive and sexual
health and threats from substance abuse and violence, and the particular needs of children living
in poverty, children in situations of armed conflict and in vulnerable groups;
(b) And relevant bodies and organizations of the United Nations system, in particular
the World Health Organization, to continue to promote education and training of health
professionals and other relevant health-related workers in human rights, in particular the rights of
the child and the human rights of women and girls;
(c) To adopt all necessary measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms by children affected by disease and malnutrition,
including protection from all forms of discrimination, abuse or neglect, in particular in the access
to and provision of health care;
17. Encourages the Committee on the Rights of the Child to continue to give
attention to the realization of the highest attainable standard of health and access to health care,
and takes note of the recommendations adopted on HIV/AIDS;
18. Urges Governments to take all necessary measures to protect children infected
and/or affected by HIV/AIDS from all forms of discrimination, stigma, abuse and neglect, in
particular in the access to and provision of health, education and social services;
19. Calls upon the international community, relevant United Nations agencies, funds
and programmes and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations;
(a) To give importance also to the treatment and rehabilitation of the children
infected with HIV/AIDS and invites them to consider further involving the private sector;
(b) To intensify their support of national efforts against HIV/AIDS aimed at
providing assistance to children infected or affected by the epidemic, focusing particularly on the
worst-hit regions of Africa and where the epidemic is severely setting back national development
gains;
Education
20. Calls upon States:
(a) To recognize the right to education on the basis of equal opportunity by making
primary education compulsory and ensuring that all children have access to free and relevant
primary education, as well as making secondary education generally available and accessible to
all, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education;
(b) Which have not been able to secure compulsory primary education, free of
charge, to work out and adopt a detailed plan of action for the progressive implementation of the
principle of compulsory education free of charge for all;
(c) To ensure that emphasis is given to the qualitative aspects of education, that the
education of the child is carried out and that States parties develop and implement programmes
for the education of the child, in accordance with articles 28 and 29 of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, and that education is directed, inter alia, to the development of respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms and to the preparation of the child for a responsible life
in a free society, in a spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, gender equality and friendship
among peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups, and persons of indigenous origin;
(d) To take all appropriate measures to prevent racist, discriminatory and xenophobic
attitudes and behaviour, through education, keeping in mind the important role that children have
to play in changing these practices;
(e) To remove educational disparities and make education accessible to children
living in poverty, children living in remote areas, children with special educational needs and
children requiring special protection, including refugee children, migrant children, street
children, children deprived of their liberty, indigenous children and children belonging to
minorities;
(f) And educational institutions and the United Nations system, in particular the
United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to develop and implement
gender-sensitive strategies to address the particular needs of the girl child in education;
21. Encourages all relevant actors to strengthen action at the national, regional and
international levels, particularly through education, to:
(a) Ensure that children, from an early age, benefit from education on values,
attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life to enable them to resolve any dispute peacefully
and in a spirit of respect for human dignity and of tolerance and non-discrimination;
(b) Involve children in activities for instilling in them the values and goals of a
culture of peace;
Freedom from violence
22. Reaffirms the obligation of States to protect children from torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
23. Calls upon States:
(a) To take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent all
forms of violence against children and to protect them from torture and other forms of violence,
including physical, mental and sexual violence, abuse by the police, other law enforcement
authorities or employees in juvenile detention centres or orphanages, and domestic violence;
(b) To investigate and submit cases of torture and other forms of violence against
children to the competent authorities for the purpose of prosecution and to impose appropriate
disciplinary or penal sanctions against those responsible for such practices;
24. Requests all relevant human rights mechanisms, in particular special rapporteurs
and working groups, within their mandates, to pay attention to the special situations of violence
against children, reflecting their experiences in the field;
III. NON-DISCRIMINATION
25. Reaffirms the obligation of States to ensure the rights of the child without
discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s
race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin,
property, disability, birth or other status, and to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the
child is protected against all forms of discrimination;
The girl child
26. Reaffirms General Assembly resolutions 54/148 and 54/133 of 17 December 1999
on the girl child and on traditional practices affecting the health of women and the girl child,
respectively, and takes note of Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights resolution 1999/13 of 25 August 1999 on traditional practices affecting the health of
women and the girl child;
27. Calls upon all States:
(a) To take all necessary measures and to institute legal reforms to ensure the full and
equal enjoyment by girls of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, to take effective actions
against violations of those rights and freedoms and to base programmes and policies for the girl
child on the rights of the child and women;
(b) And non-governmental organizations, individually and collectively, to set goals
and to develop and effectively implement gender-sensitive strategies to address the rights and
needs of children, in accordance with their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, especially the rights and particular needs of girls in education, health and nutrition, and to
eliminate harmful traditional or customary attitudes and practices against girls;
(c) To eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls and the root causes of son
preference, which result in harmful and unethical practices, inter alia by enacting and enforcing
legislation and, where appropriate, formulating comprehensive, multidisciplinary and
coordinated national plans, programmes or strategies protecting girls from violence, including
female infanticide and prenatal sex selection, genital mutilation, incest, rape, domestic violence,
sexual abuse and exploitation, and by developing age-appropriate, safe and confidential
programmes and medical, social and psychological support services to assist girls who are
subjected to violence;
(d) To eradicate traditional or customary practices, particularly female genital
mutilation, that are harmful to or discriminatory against women and girls and that are violations
of human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls through the development and
implementation of legislation and policies prohibiting such practices, the prosecution of
perpetrators of such practices, and awareness-raising programmes, education and training,
involving, among others, leaders of public opinion, educators, religious leaders, medical
practitioners, women’s health and family planning organizations, the media, parents and young
people, in order to achieve the total elimination of these practices, and to support women’s
organizations at the national and local levels that are working for the elimination of female
genital mutilation and other harmful traditional or customary practices violating the human rights
of women and girls;
(e) To enact and enforce strictly laws to ensure that marriage is entered into only with
the free and full consent of the intending spouses, to enact and to enforce strictly laws
concerning the minimum legal age of consent and the minimum age for marriage and to raise the
minimum age for marriage where necessary;
28. Urges the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to
provide administrative assistance to the Special Rapporteur on traditional practices affecting the
health of women and the girl child of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights to enable her to proceed with her work;
Children with disabilities
29. Calls upon all States:
(a) To adopt all necessary measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms by children with disabilities and to develop policy
measures and to develop and enforce legislation prohibiting discrimination against children with
disabilities;
(b) To adopt an integrated approach to providing adequate support and appropriate
education for children with disabilities and their parents, in a manner which promotes the child’s
achievement of self-reliance and the fullest possible social integration, individual development
and active participation in the community;
Migrant children
30. Also calls upon States:
(a) To protect all the human rights of migrant children, in particular unaccompanied
migrant children, and ensure that the best interests of the child shall accordingly be a primary
consideration, and encourages the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations
Children’s Fund and other relevant United Nations bodies, within their respective mandates, to
pay particular attention to the conditions of migrant children, and as appropriate, make
recommendations to strengthen their protection;
(b) To cooperate fully with and assist the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of
migrants, in order to address the particular vulnerable conditions of migrant children;
IV. PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
IN PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE SITUATIONS
Children working and/or living on the street
31. Further calls upon all States:
(a) To examine and devise comprehensive economic and social solutions, at the
national and international levels, to the problems causing children to work and/or to live on the
street;
(b) To adopt, promote and implement appropriate programmes and policies for the
protection and the rehabilitation and reintegration of these children, taking into account that such
children are particularly vulnerable to all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect,
especially the girl child;
(c) To ensure that services are provided for children to divert them from, and address
the economic imperatives for, involvement in harmful, exploitative and abusive activity;
(d) To recognize the right to education by making primary education compulsory, to
ensure that all children have access to free primary education as a key strategy to prevent
children working on the street, recognizing in particular the important role of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund in this
regard, to recognize that primary education is one of the main instruments for reintegrating child
workers and to develop and implement programmes designed to integrate working children into
the formal education sector;
(e) To take the situation of children working and/or living on the street into account
when preparing reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and encourages the
Committee and other relevant bodies and organizations of the United Nations system, within
their existing mandates, to increase attention to the question of children working and/or living on
the street;
(f) To guarantee respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly
the right to life, and to take urgent and effective measures to prevent the killing of children
working and/or living on the street and to combat torture and violence against them, as well as
their recruitment into armed forces or groups in breach of international standards and their sexual
exploitation, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to ensure strict compliance with applicable
international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
including the requirement that legal and juridical processes respect the rights of the child;
Refugee and internally displaced children
32. Calls upon all States:
(a) And other parties to armed conflicts to bear in mind that refugee and internally
displaced children are particularly exposed to risks in connection with armed conflicts, such as
being recruited in violation of international standards or subjected to sexual violence, abuse or
exploitation, and stresses the special vulnerability of unaccompanied refugee and internally
displaced children, and calls upon Governments and United Nations bodies and organizations to
give those situations urgent attention, enhancing protection and assistance mechanisms;
(b) To increase protection of refugee and internally displaced children, including
through policies for their care, well-being and development, in such areas as health, education
and psychosocial rehabilitation, with the necessary international cooperation, in particular with
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations
Children’s Fund, the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons and
the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies, in accordance with their obligations under the Convention on the Rights
of the Child;
(c) And United Nations bodies and agencies, in coordination with other international
humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, to ensure the
early identification and registration of unaccompanied refugee and internally displaced children,
to give priority to programmes for family tracing and reunification, and to pay particular
attention to the special protection needs of children with a view to developing programmes for
voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement;
(d) To cooperate with and assist the Representative of the Secretary-General in his
ongoing efforts to pay specific attention to the special needs of children;
Progressive elimination of child labour
33. Calls upon all States:
(a) To translate into concrete action their commitment to the progressive and
effective elimination of child labour contrary to accepted international standards and urges them,
as a matter of priority, to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, such as forced labour, forced
or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict, bonded labour and other forms
of slavery;
(b) That have not yet done so to consider ratifying the conventions of the
International Labour Organization relating to child labour, in particular Convention
No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the
Worst Forms of Child Labour, Convention No. 29 (1930) concerning Forced or Compulsory
Labour and Convention No. 138 (1973) concerning Minimum Age for Admission to
Employment;
(c) To examine and devise economic policies, where necessary, in cooperation with
the international community, that address factors contributing to child labour contrary to
accepted international standards;
(d) To promote education as a key strategy to prevent child labour contrary to
accepted international standards, including the creation of vocational training opportunities and
apprenticeship programmes and integrating working children into the formal education system;
34. Also calls upon all States systematically to assess and examine the magnitude,
nature and causes of child labour and to elaborate and implement strategies for the elimination of
child labour contrary to accepted international standards, giving special attention to specific
dangers faced by girls, as well as to the rehabilitation and social reintegration of the children
concerned;
Children alleged to have or recognized as having infringed the penal law
35. Reaffirms the need for States to ensure that every child alleged to have or
recognized as having infringed the penal law is treated with dignity in accordance with their
obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international
human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
expressing deep concern, inter alia, about cases of children prosecuted without account being
taken of their special needs, kept in arbitrary detention, subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment or subjected to punishment contrary to accepted international
standards and, in this regard, calls upon States to take all the necessary measures to protect
children from these practices;
36. Calls upon States:
(a) To ensure that all structures, procedures and programmes in the administration of
justice with regard to children who infringe the penal law promote their re-education and
rehabilitation, encouraging, whenever appropriate and desirable, measures for dealing with such
children without resorting to judicial proceedings, and providing that human rights and legal
safeguards are fully respected;
(b) To take appropriate steps to ensure compliance with the principle that depriving
children of their liberty should be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest
appropriate period of time, in particular before trial, and to ensure that, if they are arrested,
detained or imprisoned, children are separated from adults, to the greatest extent feasible, unless
it is considered in their best interest not to do so;
(c) Also to take appropriate steps to ensure that no child in detention is sentenced to
forced labour or deprived of access to and provision of health-care services, hygiene and
environmental sanitation, education and basic instruction, taking into consideration the special
needs of children with disabilities in detention, in accordance with their obligations under the
Convention on the Rights of the Child;
(d) Parties to comply with the Convention, in their national legislation and practice,
and all States to bear in mind the Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice
System which appear in the annex to Economic and Social Council resolution 1997/30
of 21 July 1997, the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency
(The Riyadh Guidelines) adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 45/112
of 14 December 1990, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration
of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) adopted by the Assembly in resolution 40/33
of 29 November 1985 and the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of
their Liberty adopted by the Assembly in resolution 45/113 of 14 December 1990, taking into
account the best interest of the child;
V. PREVENTION AND ERADICATION OF THE SALE OF CHILDREN,
CHILD PROSTITUTION AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
37. Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography (E/CN.4/2000/73 and Add.1-3);
38. Calls upon States:
(a) To take:
(i) All appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to ensure the
effective application of relevant international standards concerning the
prevention and the combat of trafficking and sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography and encourages all actors of civil
society and the media to cooperate in efforts to this end;
(ii) Into account the particular problems posed by the use of the Internet in
this regard and to protect children from the practices referred to in
subparagraph (i) above, while ensuring that, in the treatment by the
criminal justice system of children who are victims, the best interest of the
child shall be a primary consideration, and taking into account the
concrete measures outlined in the Vienna Declaration and Programme
of Action and in the programmes of action adopted by the Commission
in 1992, 1993 and 1996;
(b) And, in this regard, to enact, review and revise, where appropriate, relevant laws,
policies, programmes and practices;
(c) And, in this context, to consider the positive input by other international
initiatives outside the United Nations system and to encourage regional and interregional efforts
with the objective of identifying best practices and issues requiring particularly urgent action,
such as the Declaration and Agenda for Action of the World Congress against Commercial
Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in August 1996 (A/51/385, annex), and the
Declaration of the Vienna International Conference on Combating Child Pornography on the
Internet, held in Vienna from 29 September to 1 October 1999;
(d) To criminalize and effectively penalize all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual
abuse of children, including within the family or for commercial purposes, child pornography
and child prostitution, including child sex tourism, while ensuring that, in the treatment by the
criminal justice system of children who are victims, the best interest of the child shall be a
primary consideration, and to take effective measures to ensure prosecution of offenders,
whether local or foreign, by the competent national authorities, either in the offender’s country
of origin or in the country of destination, in accordance with due process of law;
39. Requests States to increase cooperation and concerted action, at the national,
regional and international levels, including in the context of the United Nations, by all relevant
authorities and institutions, in particular law enforcement authorities, in order to adopt and
implement effective measures, including the sharing of relevant data, for the prevention and
eradication of child sex tourism, the sale of children and of their sexual exploitation and abuse,
and to prevent and dismantle networks trafficking in children;
40. Stresses the need to combat the existence of a market that encourages such
criminal practices against children, including through preventive and enforcement measures
targeting customers or individuals who sexually exploit or sexually abuse children;
41. Encourages Governments to facilitate the active participation of child victims of
sexual exploitation or abuse in the development and implementation of strategies to protect
children from sexual exploitation and abuse;
42. Expresses its support for the work of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of
children, calls upon States to cooperate closely with and assist her and to furnish all information
requested, including by inviting her to visit their countries, invites further voluntary
contributions through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
and all the necessary human and financial assistance to be provided for her work for the effective
fulfilment of her mandate and to enable her to submit an interim report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-fifth session and a report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session;
VI. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY ARMED CONFLICT
43. Welcomes the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on
children and armed conflict to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session (A/54/430, annex)
and his additional report to the Commission at its present session (E/CN.4/2000/71);
44. Calls upon all States:
(a) And other parties to armed conflict to respect fully international humanitarian law
and, in this regard, calls upon States parties to respect fully the provisions of the Geneva
Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977;
(b) And relevant United Nations bodies and agencies and regional organizations to
integrate the rights of the child into all activities in conflict and post-conflict situations, including
training programmes and emergency relief operations, country programmes and field operations
aimed at promoting peace and preventing and resolving conflicts, as well as negotiating and
implementing peace agreements and, given the long-term consequences for society, underlines
the importance of including specific provisions for children, including resourcing, in peace
agreements and in arrangements negotiated by parties;
45. Calls upon all States and other parties concerned to continue to cooperate with the
Special Representative, to implement the commitments they have undertaken, to consider
carefully all the recommendations of the Special Representative and to address the issues
identified, and welcomes the continued support and voluntary contributions that are being
provided to the work of the Special Representative;
46. Recognizes, in this regard, the contribution of the establishment of the
International Criminal Court to ending impunity for perpetrators of certain crimes committed
against children, as defined in the Rome Statute of the Court (art. 8) (A/CONF.183/9), inter alia
those involving sexual violence or child soldiers, and thus to the prevention of such crimes, and
calls upon States to consider signing and ratifying the Rome Statute;
47. Condemns the abduction of children in situations of armed conflict and into
armed conflicts, urges States, international organizations and other concerned parties to take all
appropriate measures to secure the unconditional release of all abducted children and urges
States to bring the perpetrators to justice, in accordance with due process of law;
48. Notes the importance of the second debate held by the Security Council, on
25 August 1999, on children and armed conflict and the undertaking by the Council to give
special attention to the protection, welfare and rights of children when taking action aimed at
maintaining peace and security, and reaffirms the essential role of the General Assembly and the
Economic and Social Council for the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of
children;
49. Calls upon all parties to armed conflicts to ensure the full, safe and unhindered
access of humanitarian personnel and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all children
affected by armed conflict;
50. Calls upon States and relevant United Nations bodies to continue to support
national and international mine action efforts, including by financial contributions, mine
awareness programmes, victim assistance and child-centred rehabilitation, taking note of the
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction and its implementation by those States that
become parties to it, and welcomes the positive effects on children of concrete legislative
measures with respect to anti-personnel mines;
51. Notes with concern the impact of small arms and light weapons on children in
situations of armed conflict, in particular as a result of their illicit production and traffic, and
calls upon States to address this problem;
52. Welcomes the ongoing efforts by, inter alia, regional organizations,
intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to ensure the effective
application of international standards concerning the participation of children in armed conflict,
and their demobilization, recovery and social reintegration;
53. Urges all parties to armed conflicts to ensure that the protection, welfare and
rights of children are taken into account during peace negotiations and throughout the process of
consolidating peace in the aftermath of conflict;
54. Urges States and United Nations agencies and bodies, in particular
the United Nations Children’s Fund, non-governmental organizations and the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General, to continue to focus attention on those who involve
children as soldiers in armed conflicts in breach of international standards;
55. Decides, with regard to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on
children and armed conflict, to recommend that the Special Representative and the relevant parts
of the United Nations system continue to develop a concerted approach on the rights, protection
and welfare of children affected by armed conflict, and to increase cooperation among their
respective mandates and with national and international non-governmental organizations
including, as appropriate, in the planning of field visits and follow-up to the recommendations of
the Special Representative;
56. Recommends that, whenever sanctions are imposed in the context of armed
conflict their impact on children be assessed and monitored and, to the extent that they are
humanitarian exemptions, they be child-focused and formulated with clear guidelines for their
application, and reaffirms the recommendations of the General Assembly and the International
Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent;
VII. RECOVERY AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION
57. Urges States and all other relevant actors:
(a) To take all appropriate measures to promote the physical and psychological
recovery and social reintegration of a child victim of any form of neglect; exploitation, or abuse;
torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed
conflicts;
(b) To allocate appropriate resources for comprehensive and gender-sensitive
programmes for the recovery of child victims of the above-mentioned violations of the rights of
the child;
58. Encourages States to cooperate, including through bilateral and multilateral
technical cooperation and financial assistance, in the implementation of their obligations under
the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including in the prevention of any activity contrary to
the rights of the child and in the rehabilitation and social integration of the victims, such
assistance and cooperation to be undertaken in consultation by concerned States and other
relevant international organizations;
VIII.
59. Decides:
(a) To request the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission at its
fifty-seventh session a report on the rights of the child, with information on the status of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child and on the problems addressed in the present resolution;
(b) To continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session under the
same agenda item.
68th meeting
27 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIII.]
2000/86. Human rights and thematic procedures
The Commission on Human Rights,
Considering that thematic procedures established by the Commission with regard to the
consideration of questions related to the promotion and protection of all human rights, being a
major achievement and representing an essential element of the United Nations efforts to
promote and protect internationally recognized human rights, have an important role among its
human rights monitoring mechanisms,
Emphasizing the importance of the impartiality, objectivity and independence of the
thematic procedures, as well as the need for due attention to violations of all human rights
wherever they may occur,
Noting with satisfaction that an increasing number of Governments have developed a
working relationship with the thematic procedures, in particular in the form of invitations to
visit, responses to requests for information and implementation of recommendations, and that
numerous non-governmental organizations have also developed a working relationship with the
thematic procedures,
Welcoming General Assembly resolution 53/144 of 9 December 1998 by which the
Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and
Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms, and recalling its own resolution 1999/66 of 28 April 1999 on the
implementation of the Declaration,
Emphasizing the obligation of all Governments not to subject individuals, organizations
or groups of persons who have provided information to the special procedures to adverse
treatment as a result of such action,
Recalling the applicability of the provisions of the Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the United Nations to the work of the experts of the special procedures system in
the exercise of their functions,
Recalling also all its resolutions on human rights and thematic procedures,
Recalling further:
(a) The recommendations concerning thematic procedures contained in the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June 1993 by the World Conference on Human
Rights (A/CONF.157/23), which called for the strengthening of special procedures,
(b) The Secretary-General’s programme for United Nations reform (A/51/950 and
Add.1-7), which calls for mainstreaming human rights in United Nations activities,
(c) The report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the
effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission (E/CN.4/2000/112),
Mindful of the request of the Secretary-General to the High Commissioner to review the
human rights machinery and develop recommendations on possible ways to streamline and
rationalize it, with a view to strengthening, inter alia, the special procedures,
Welcoming the organization by the High Commissioner of annual meetings of the holders
of mandates, as recommended by the World Conference on Human Rights, and the efforts to
coordinate activities among various mandates in the areas of urgent actions, missions to the field
and relevant meetings and consultations, so as to enhance their effectiveness, taking into account
the need to avoid unnecessary duplication and overlapping,
Noting that some human rights violations are specific to or primarily directed against
women, and that the identification and reporting of these violations demand specific awareness
and sensitivity,
Noting also that children are frequently subject to abuses of their human rights and
deserve specific attention in the context of reporting on violations of their human rights,
Noting further that members of particular groups, including but not necessarily limited to,
national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, migrants, human rights defenders,
indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons affected by human immunodeficiency
virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome and elderly persons may be especially vulnerable
to abuses of their human rights and may deserve specific attention in the context of reporting on
violations of their human rights,
1. Commends those Governments that have invited the thematic special rapporteurs,
representatives, experts or working groups to visit their countries and developed other forms of
intensive cooperation with the thematic procedures;
2. Encourages all Governments to cooperate with the Commission through the
pertinent thematic procedures by :
(a) Responding without undue delay to requests for information made to them
through the thematic procedures, so that the procedures may carry out their mandates effectively;
(b) Considering inviting thematic special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and
working groups to visit their countries;
(c) Considering follow-up visits with a view to the effective implementation of
recommendations by the thematic procedures concerned;
3. Invites the Governments concerned to study carefully the recommendations
addressed to them under thematic procedures and to keep the relevant mechanisms informed
without undue delay on the progress made towards their implementation;
4. Invites non-governmental organizations to continue and to strengthen their
cooperation with thematic procedures and to ensure that the material provided is as detailed and
accurate as possible and falls under the mandate of these procedures;
5. Requests the thematic special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and working
groups:
(a) To make recommendations for the prevention of human rights violations;
(b) To follow closely and reflect in their reports progress made by Governments in
the investigations carried out within their respective mandates;
(c) To continue close cooperation with relevant treaty bodies and country
rapporteurs;
(d) To include in their reports information provided by Governments on follow-up
action, as well as their own observations thereon, including in regard to both problems and
improvements, as appropriate;
(e) To include regularly in their reports gender-disaggregated data and to address the
characteristics and practice of human rights violations under their mandates that are specifically
or primarily directed against women, or to which women are particularly vulnerable, in order to
ensure the effective protection of their human rights;
(f) To address also in their reports the characteristics and practice of human rights
violations under their mandates that are specifically or primarily directed against children, or to
which children are particularly vulnerable, in order to ensure the effective protection of their
human rights, and, if possible, to include also age-disaggregated data;
6. Also requests the thematic special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and
working groups to include in their reports comments on problems of responsiveness and the
result of analyses, as appropriate, in order to carry out their mandates even more effectively, and
to include also in their reports suggestions as to areas where Governments might request relevant
assistance through the programme of advisory services administered by the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights;
7. Requests the Secretary-General, taking note of the recommendations of the
meetings of the special rapporteurs, representatives, experts, chairpersons of working groups of
the Commission and chairpersons of treaty bodies, to convene further such periodic meetings in
order to enable them to continue to exchange views, cooperate and coordinate more closely and
make recommendations;
8. Encourages the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, including
in the follow-up to the five-year review of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, to
further strengthen cooperation among the thematic special rapporteurs, representatives, experts,
members and chairpersons of working groups of the Commission and other relevant
United Nations bodies, including the human rights treaty bodies, with a view to promoting
greater efficiency and effectiveness through better coordination of the various bodies,
mechanisms and procedures, taking into account the need to avoid unnecessary duplication and
overlapping of their mandates and tasks;
9. Suggests that the special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and working groups
of the special procedures of the Commission, acting within their mandates, consider how they
can also promote public awareness about human rights and about the particular situation of
individuals, groups and organs of society who promote and protect human rights and
fundamental freedoms;
10. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To issue annually and sufficiently early, in close collaboration with the thematic
special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and working groups, their conclusions and
recommendations, so as to enable further discussion of their implementation at subsequent
sessions of the Commission;
(b) To present annually a list of all persons currently mandated to carry out the
thematic and country procedures, including their country of origin, in an annex to the annotations
to the provisional agenda of each session of the Commission;
11. Also requests the Secretary-General, in implementing the United Nations budget
for the current biennium, to ensure the availability of such resources as are necessary for the
Office of the High Commissioner to support the effective implementation of all thematic
mandates, including any additional tasks entrusted to the thematic special rapporteurs,
representatives, experts and working groups by the appropriate United Nations organs;
12. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-seventh session.
68th meeting
27 April 2000
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XVIII.]
2000/87. Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The Commission on Human Rights,
Recommends the following draft resolution to the Economic and Social Council for
adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution 3.]
68th meeting
27 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 43 votes to none,
with 9 abstentions. See chap. XV.]
B. Decisions
2000/101. Organization of work
At its 2nd meeting, on 21 March 2000, the Commission on Human Rights decided,
without a vote, to invite the following persons to participate in its meetings:
(a) In connection with item 5: Mr. E. Bernales Ballesteros, Special Rapporteur on
the question of the use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples
to self-determination;
(b) In connection with item 6: Mr. M. Glèlè-Ahanhanzo, Special Rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
(c) In connection with item 7: Mr. A. Sengupta, independent expert on the right to
development;
(d) In connection with item 8: Mr. G. Giacomelli, Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967;
(e) In connection with item 9: Mr. G. Gallón, Special Representative of the
Commission to monitor the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea;
(f) In connection with item 9: Mr. M. Copithorne, Special Representative of the
Commission on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran;
(g) In connection with item 9: Mr. J. Dienstbier, Special Rapporteur on the situation
of human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro);
(h) In connection with item 9: Mr. L. Franco, Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights in the Sudan;
(i) In connection with item 9: Mr. R. Garretón, Special Rapporteur on the situation
of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(j) In connection with item 9: Mr. K. Hossain, Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights in Afghanistan;
(k) In connection with item 9: Mr. R. Lallah, Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights in Myanmar;
(l) In connection with item 9: Mr. M. Moussalli, Special Representative of the
Commission on the situation of human rights in Rwanda;
(m) In connection with item 9: Ms. M.-T. Kéita-Bocoum, Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in Burundi;
(n) In connection with item 9: Mr. A. Mavrommatis, Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in Iraq;
(o) In connection with item 9 (b): Mr. F. Yimer, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the
Working Group on Communications of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights; representatives of States in respect of which situations were being considered
under item 9 (b);
(p) In connection with item 10: Mr. F. Cheru, independent expert on structural
adjustment;
(q) In connection with item 10: Mr. R. Figueredo, Special Rapporteur on the effects
of foreign debt on the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights;
(r) In connection with item 10: Ms. F.Z. Ouhachi-Vesely, Special Rapporteur on the
adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes
on the enjoyment of human rights;
(s) In connection with item 10: Ms. A.-M. Lizin, independent expert on the question
of human rights and extreme poverty;
(t) In connection with item 10: Ms. K. Tomasevski, Special Rapporteur on the right
to education;
(u) In connection with item 11 (a): Mr. L. Joinet, Vice-Chairperson of the Working
Group on Arbitrary Detention;
(v) In connection with item 11 (a): Sir Nigel S. Rodley, Special Rapporteur on the
question of torture;
(w) In connection with item 11 (a): Ms. E. Odio Benito, Chairperson-Rapporteur of
the Open-ended working group on a draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
(x) In connection with item 11 (a): Mr. J. Walkate, Chairperson of the Board of
Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture;
(y) In connection with item 11 (b): Mr. I. Tosevski, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances;
(z) In connection with item 11 (b): Ms. A. Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
(aa) In connection with item 11 (c): Mr. A. Hussain, Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
(bb) In connection with item 11 (d): Mr. P. Cumaraswamy, Special Rapporteur on the
independence of judges and lawyers;
(cc) In connection with item 11 (d): Mr. C. Bassiouni, independent expert on the right
to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights
and fundamental freedoms;
(dd) In connection with item 11 (e): Mr. A. Amor, Special Rapporteur on religious
intolerance;
(ee) In connection with item 12: Ms. D. Simonovic, Chairperson of the Commission
on the Status of Women;
(ff) In connection with item 12 (a): Ms. R. Coomaraswamy, Special Rapporteur on
violence against women, its causes and consequences;
(gg) In connection with item 13: Ms. C. von Heidenstam, Chairperson-Rapporteur of
the Open-ended inter-sessional working group on a draft optional protocol to the Convention on
the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflicts;
(hh) In connection with item 13: Ms. O. Calcetas-Santos, Special Rapporteur on the
sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
(ii) In connection with item 13: Mr. J.I. Mora Godoy, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the
Open-ended inter-sessional working group on a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
(jj) In connection with item 13: Mr. O.A. Otunnu, Special Representative of the
Secretary-General on children and armed conflict;
(kk) In connection with item 14 (a): Ms. G. Rodríguez Pizarro, Special Rapporteur on
the human rights of migrants;
(ll) In connection with item 14 (c): Mr. F.M. Deng, Representative of the
Secretary-General on internally displaced persons;
(mm) In connection with item 14 (d): Swami Agnivesh, Chairperson of the Board of
Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery;
(nn) In connection with item 14 (d): Mr. B. Lindquist, Special Rapporteur of the
Commission for Social Development;
(oo) In connection with item 15: Mr. P. Wille, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the working
group on a permanent forum for indigenous people;
(pp) In connection with item 15: Mr. L.E. Chavez, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the
Working Group on a draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples;
(qq) In connection with item 15: Ms. V. Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson of the Board of
Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations;
(rr) In connection with item 15: Mr. M. Dodson, Chairperson of the Board of
Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for the International Decade of the World.s
Indigenous People;
(ss) In connection with item 16: Mr. R. Hatano, Chairperson of the Sub-Commission
on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights at its fifty-first session;
(tt) In connection with item 19: Ms. M. Rishmawi, independent expert on the
situation of human rights in Somalia;
(uu) In connection with item 19: Mr. T. Hammarberg, former Special Representative
of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia;
(vv) In connection with item 19: Ms. L.I. Takla, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights;
(ww) In connection with item 19: Mr. A. Dieng, independent expert on the situation of
human rights in Haiti.
2000/102. Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights
At its 52nd meeting, on 17 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights, recalling its
resolution 1999/59 of 28 April 1999 and taking note of resolution 1999/8 of 25 August 1999 of
the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, decided, without a vote,
to endorse the appointment of Mr. J. Oloka-Onyango and Ms. Deepika Udagama as Special
Rapporteurs to undertake a study on the issue of globalization and its impact on the full
enjoyment of all human rights, paying specific attention to the recommendations made by the
Sub-Commission and the Commission so as to refine the focus and methods of the study, and to
recommend the following draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 44.]
[See chap. X.]
2000/103. Question of human rights in Cyprus
At its 56th meeting, on 18 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights decided,
without a vote, to retain on its agenda sub-item (a), entitled .Question of human rights in
Cyprus., of the item entitled .Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in any part of the world. and to give it due priority at its fifty-seventh session, it being
understood that action required by previous resolutions of the Commission on the subject would
continue to remain operative, including the request to the Secretary-General to submit a report to
the Commission regarding their implementation.
[See chap. IX.]
2000/104. The rights of non-citizens
At its 62nd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights, taking note of
resolution 1999/7 of 25 August 1999 of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights, decided, without a vote, to recommend the following draft decision to the
Economic and Social Council for adoption:
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. B, draft decision 45.]
[See chap. VI.]
2000/105. Postponement of consideration of draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.63
At its 63rd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights decided,
without a vote, to postpone consideration of draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.63, entitled .Human
rights and indigenous affairs., to the next session of the Commission.
[See chap. XV.]
2000/106. Study on indigenous land rights
At its 63rd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights, taking note of
resolution 1999/21 of 26 August 1999 of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights and recalling its own decisions 1997/114 of 11 April 1997 and 1999/106 of
27 April 1999 and of the submission by the Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples and their
relationship to land of a second progress report rather than a final report to the Sub-Commission
as requested therein, decided, without a vote, to approve the Sub-Commission.s request to the
Secretary-General to transmit as soon as possible the second progress report on the working
paper on indigenous people and their relationship to land (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/18) to
Governments, indigenous people and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for
their comments, data and suggestions, and to request the Secretary-General to provide, from
within existing resources, the Special Rapporteur with all the assistance necessary to enable her
to submit her final working paper to the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights at its eighteenth session and
to the Sub-Commission at its fifty-second session.
[See chap. XV.]
2000/107. The Social Forum
The Commission on Human Rights, taking note of resolution 1999/10 of 25 August 1999
of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, endorses the holding
of a Social Forum during the fifty-second session of the Sub-Commission and, recalling its
resolution 1999/53 of 27 April 1999, decides that, in the light of the developments in its work,
the Sub-Commission should further review during its fifty-second session, its proposal to hold a
forum on economic, social and cultural rights.
[See chap. X.]
2000/108. Reservations to human rights treaties
At its 66th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights, taking note
of resolution 1999/27 of 26 August 1999 of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights and the working paper submitted by Ms. Françoise Hampson
(E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/28 and Corr.1) pursuant to Sub-Commission decision 1998/113
of 26 August 1998, decided, without a vote, to request the Sub-Commission to request
Ms. Hampson to submit to the Sub-Commission at its fifty-second session revised terms of
reference for her proposed study on reservations to human rights treaties, further clarifying how
this study would complement work already under way on reservations to human rights treaties,
in particular by the International Law Commission.
[See chap. XVII.]
2000/109. Enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms
of the Commission on Human Rights
At its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights decided,
without a vote:
(a) To approve and implement comprehensively and in its entirety the report of the
Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of
the Commission (E/CN.4/2000/112) (see annex below) adopted by consensus by the
Working Group on 11 February 2000;
(b) Recalling the Chairperson.s statement of 22 March 2000, to emphasize the
importance and relevance to its work of all aspects of the report, including the general approach
outlined and the specific considerations set out in the individual chapters;
(c) To facilitate the implementation of the report of the Working Group in its
entirety, to transmit to the Economic and Social Council the following specific draft resolution
and draft decisions which require the approval of the Council.
[For the text, see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution 4, and sect. B, draft decision 46.]
[See chap. XX.]
ANNEX
Report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the effectiveness
of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights
Introduction
1. The Working Group met for a total of 15 days (28 September-1 October 1999, 6-10 December 1999,
18-19 January 2000, 7-11 February 2000). The purpose of the Group, as made clear in its title, was to enhance the
effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights. The basis for its work was the statement by
the Chairperson of the fifty-fifth session of the Commission approved by consensus by the Commission on
29 April 1999. The present report to the Commission was adopted by the Working Group on the basis of consensus,
in accordance with the approach outlined in the Chairperson.s statement.
2. The Working Group had before it the report of the Bureau of the fifty-fourth session of the Commission
(E/CN.4/1999/104) and a range of other inputs. The documents tabled during the Working Group meetings are
listed in the annex.
3. The Working Group expresses its appreciation to the representative of the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and to the representatives of the special rapporteurs, special
representatives and independent experts for their participation in the relevant parts of the discussion.
CHAPTER ONE
General approach
4. The Working Group wishes to outline some features which characterized its deliberations:
(i) A coherent approach. In keeping with its mandate, the Working Group sought to proceed in a
manner which was focused and result-oriented, while at the same time maintaining the necessary
coherence and comprehensiveness. It gave particular attention to the specific areas identified in
the Chairperson.s statement of 29 April and this report contains a series of recommendations in
these areas. The Working Group, however, was conscious throughout that the United Nations
machinery for protecting and promoting human rights is extensive and complex and that none of
the component parts functions in isolation from each other. It therefore situates its report in this
wider context.
(ii) Conceptual consistency. The Group also sought to ensure that its recommendations to the
Commission would be underpinned with a conceptual consistency.
-?In addition to recommendations on specific mandates, it proposes some general criteria which
would help to guide decision-making on the rationalization of current and the establishment
of future mandates.
-?In a variety of instances (elections to the Sub-Commission; continuance both of special
procedures working groups and Sub-Commission working groups rather than replacement
by special rapporteurs), it has favoured the maintenance of approaches which were felt to
be more democratic and representative than the proposed alternatives.
-?It also has sought to adopt a consistent approach in seeking to balance the benefits of
continuity with the benefits of renewal: following the decision of the Commission at its
fifty-fifth session to introduce time limits for Special Rapporteurs, the Working Group
recommends time limits for membership of special procedures working groups.
(iii) Balance. The balance to be struck between civil and political rights and economic, social and
cultural rights was a recurring theme in the Group.s work. The Group was agreed that, while a
mathematical approach was inappropriate, it was reasonable to expect that the accepted equal
importance of both sets of rights should find a broad reflection in the United Nations human rights
machinery. This underlying consideration conditions a number of the comments and
recommendations made in the report.
The Commission.s network of special procedures
5. The Group agreed that the network of thematic special procedures is in need of rationalization and
strengthening and that this requires a multi-pronged approach. Its recommendations on rationalization are contained
in paragraphs 12 to 22 below. Other issues of relevance considered by the Group include selection of the mandate
holders, quality of support to the mandates from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and
coherence in the work of the Rapporteurs. Its recommendations in these areas are set out in the following
paragraphs.
Selection of mandate holders
6. To assist in the selection of the most suitable individuals to hold mandates, a list of possible candidates
should be maintained by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The list should comprise the
names and curricula vitae of highly qualified individuals who would be suitable and willing to serve as rapporteurs
in particular areas. The list should be constantly updated and every effort made to ensure that it is representative of
different geographical areas and different legal systems, as well as having a gender balance. To ensure as extensive
a list as possible, contributions should be encouraged from States and from all appropriate sources including
non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council; the Secretariat is also
encouraged to contribute names of suitable persons. The list should be posted on the Web site of the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), as well as being available at the Office.
7. Selection of mandate holders will continue to be the responsibility of the Chairperson following formal
consultation with the Bureau and the regional groups through the regional coordinators. In appointing mandate
holders, the professional and personal qualities of the individual - expertise and experience in the area of the
mandate, integrity, independence and impartiality - will be of paramount importance. Due regard should also be had
to an overall geographical and gender balance among the mandate holders, as well as to ensuring familiarity with
different legal systems. The Chairpersons would give priority consideration to suitable names on the list; however,
this should not exclude - exceptionally, if the requirements of a particular post justify it - consideration of additional
nominations put forward for a specific vacancy. An individual should not hold more than one mandate at a given
time.
Support to mandate holders
8. It is acknowledged that the level of support available to the mechanisms is not commensurate with their
activities and the importance of their responsibilities. The Working Group considers the financial situation of
OHCHR needs to be significantly improved through increased contributions from the United Nations regular
budget, so as to ensure collective responsibility and an adequate allocation of resources to all mandates. In this
respect, it reaffirms that the procedure set out in General Assembly resolution 41/213 regarding the financing of
mandated activities and programmes should be applied. The Working Group notes that improved provision from
the regular budget can be importantly supplemented by increased voluntary funding.
9. The Group also underlines the importance of a balanced allocation of resources at OHCHR, consistent with
the High Commissioner.s emphasis on the equal priority to be accorded to civil and political rights and economic,
social and cultural rights. It notes the High Commissioner.s call for voluntary contributions to be unearmarked as
far as possible so as to offer improved flexibility in resource allocation within the Office. It welcomes and
encourages regular briefings by the Office on resource availability and allocation.
Coherence in the work of rapporteurs
10. The Working Group underlines the independence and individual responsibility of each mandate holder.
However, some organizational aspects of their work will continue to benefit from collective consideration at the
annual meeting of special rapporteurs and other special procedures. The Group encourages the mandate holders to
develop fully the potential of this forum.
11. The Working Group notes the work currently under way in the General Assembly concerning a possible
code of conduct for experts on mission and United Nations officials other than Secretariat staff. The Group
encourages the special rapporteurs to continue to follow this exercise closely and requests that they report, through
the Chairperson of their annual meeting, to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session.
Rationalization of mandates: general criteria
12. The Working Group was conscious of the competing considerations involved in approaching the question
of rationalization of mandates. The Commission clearly must be responsive to human rights imperatives; where
human rights violations exist, mechanisms focus attention and have the potential to bring about important
improvement. At the same time, the increasing number of mandates can create difficulties in terms of overlap and
inadequate support services, as well as straining the capacity of States to absorb the output.
13. The Working Group considered that certain general criteria should guide decision-making on
rationalization of mandates. It sees these general criteria as providing useful points of reference rather than being
applied with automaticity; the criteria also need to be considered in relation to one another rather than in isolation.
It recommends that the criteria to apply at times of creating, merging or terminating mandates would include:
(i) Mandates should always offer a clear prospect of an increased level of human rights protection
and promotion;
(ii) The balance of thematic mandates should broadly reflect the accepted equal importance of civil
and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights;
(iii) Every effort should be made to avoid unnecessary duplication;
(iv) In creating or reviewing mandates, efforts should be made to identify whether the structure of the
mechanism (expert, rapporteur or working group) is the most effective in terms of increasing
human rights protection;
(v) Any consideration of merging mandates should have regard to the content and predominant
functions of each mandate, as well as to the workload of individual mandate holders.
The Group is agreed that an objective and thorough review of all mandates should be conducted periodically by the
Commission. A key question in the review should be the continued need for a mandate in terms of continued human
rights violations in the thematic area concerned or continued situations of human rights violations in the country
concerned.
Rationalization of existing mandates
Recommendations on specific proposals in the report of the Bureau of the fifty-fourth session of the
Commission:
(i) Merge the mandate of the independent expert on structural adjustment and the Special
Rapporteur on foreign debt;
14. The Working Group noted the fact that the independent expert on structural adjustment and the Special
Rapporteur on foreign debt had worked very closely together and had submitted a joint report to the Commission at
its fifty-sixth session. The synergies between the mandates are considerable and there are good grounds to believe
that a merger would strengthen the coverage of the range of issues involved. Accordingly, and taking account of the
resignation of the Special Rapporteur on foreign debt, the Working Group recommends that the independent expert
be given both mandates and retitled the independent expert on structural adjustment and foreign debt.
(ii) Convert the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit movement
of toxic waste into that of special rapporteur on human rights and the environment;
15. The Working Group noted the proposal to convert the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on toxic waste
into that of Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. This mandate was created in 1995, renewed
in 1998 and is due for further renewal in 2001. The Working Group recommends that the Commission be prepared
to consider a broadening of the mandate at that time. The subject matter of an extended mandate would, however,
need to be more precisely defined than .human rights and the environment..
(iii) Transform the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention into a special rapporteur on
arbitrary detention;
Transform the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances into a special
rapporteur on disappearances;
16. The Working Group considers that there is benefit in having these issues dealt with by working groups
(each comprising five experts from different regions) rather than by individual rapporteurs. It therefore recommends
that the Working Groups continue.
17. The Group is conscious of the expertise, dedication and worthwhile contribution made by the members of
the two groups. It considers, however, that turnover in membership of these groups is important for ensuring
renewal and enabling over time a wide variety of experts to make their contributions.
18. It notes that the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances was created in 1980. Three
of the five members have served continuously since that date, the two others joining in 1988 and 1993 respectively.
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was created in 1991 and all five members have served since that date.
19. The Working Group recommends that the same time limits - two terms of three years - should apply for
membership of special procedures working groups as for rapporteurs.
20. It recognizes that in order to provide continuity transitional measures will be necessary in the case of the
two working groups. It recommends that the turnover in both groups should be accomplished in incremental steps
over a three-year transition period. A replacement of two members in year one, two in year two and one in year
three would provide for continuity during the transitional period.
(iv) Terminate the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries and
recommend that this matter henceforth be considered directly in the General Assembly
(Sixth Committee);
21. The Group is not in a position to make a recommendation on this issue. It notes that the mandate is due for
renewal in 2001 and recommends that all options - continuation, adjustment, termination - be further examined to
enable a considered decision to be taken at that time.
(v) Terminate the mandate of the Sub-Commission’s Working Group on Contemporary Forms
of Slavery and transfer those responsibilities which are not addressed by existing
mechanisms to a new special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery.
22. The Group recommends the retention of this Working Group; however, it also recommends that steps be
taken immediately to make the Working Group more focused and more effective. The agenda should be streamlined
to remove duplication with items dealt with by rapporteurs. Taking account of a more focused agenda, meetings of
the Working Group should be reduced to five days from the present eight days. Steps should also be taken to
encourage wider attendance and wider circulation of reports.
CHAPTER TWO
How to support the mechanisms in responding urgently and effectively when allegations or concerns of
serious human rights violations, requiring immediate clarification and/or relief measures, are brought to
their attention
How to make consideration of reports of the special mechanisms at the Commission sessions more
meaningful
How to ensure that, between annual sessions of the Commission, there is effective ongoing follow-up on
the recommendations of special procedures and related conclusions of the Commission at its previous
session
23. The Working Group decided, because of the relationship between the above three issues, to convey its
recommendations in a single chapter.
24. The Working Group is agreed that the special mechanisms are crucial to the functioning of the Commission
on Human Rights. It is therefore essential that they are properly supported, that they work effectively and that
appropriate weight is given to their recommendations.
25. The Working Group noted that a majority of Governments extend cooperation to the mechanisms in all
activities necessary to the fulfilment of their mandates. Refusal of cooperation occurs only in a minority of cases.
These refusals, however, must be a cause of serious concern. In such cases, steps to encourage a more cooperative
response are critically important and should be carefully considered by the Commission. A clear statement by the
Government concerned of its reasons for lack of cooperation will facilitate efforts to overcome the problem.
Urgent responses
26. The Working Group considers that the human rights machinery of the United Nations is particularly tested
at a time when there are allegations of an urgent situation of serious human rights violations requiring immediate
attention in any part of the world. It notes that a special session of the Commission on Human Rights, convened in
accordance with the relevant rules of procedure, is one possible response. Separate from intergovernmental
responses, one or more of the thematic or country-specific rapporteurs concerned may request an immediate visit.
Such requests, precisely because they arise in such difficult circumstances, should always be approached with great
seriousness by the rapporteurs and equally treated with great seriousness by the Governments concerned.
27. A very large number of urgent appeals is issued each year by thematic and country-specific rapporteurs.
The purpose of these appeals is to strengthen human rights protection in situations giving rise to immediate concern.
The Working Group underlines that the quality and credibility of the urgent appeal process is crucial to its
effectiveness and notes the steps planned by OHCHR in this regard. It emphasizes that rapporteurs should
coordinate closely with the Office to ensure that (i) facts providing the basis for the urgent appeal are clearly set out
(ii) there is exchange of information to ensure that rapporteurs do not issue parallel appeals without full knowledge
of any other appeal being made to the Government concerned.
28. For their part, Governments to which urgent appeals are addressed should understand the gravity of the
concern that underlies these appeals and should respond as quickly as possible. The Working Group recommends
that the special procedures should be supported in instances where difficulty is being experienced in securing
governmental responses to urgent appeals. It encourages the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue in
these instances to assist in seeking to promote the establishment of fruitful dialogue and cooperation between the
Government and the special procedure concerned.
How to make consideration of reports of the special mechanisms at the Commission sessions more
meaningful
29. The Working Group considers that the level of attention which the reports of the special mechanisms
currently receive at Commission sessions is inadequate. The steps decided on at the fifty-fifth session of the
Commission in relation to documentation (including executive summaries of reports and advance availability of
unedited reports) should help delegations to better prepare for the discussion at Commission sessions.
30. The Working Group considers that some further steps can help to improve the quality of dialogue on the
rapporteurs. reports at the Commission sessions. A more meaningful discussion is likely if Governments which
have received visits from rapporteurs are in a position to comment in detail on the reports and if the debate at the
Commission has a more interactive character than at present. It therefore recommends as follows:
(i) There should be a consistent practice among country-specific rapporteurs and thematic rapporteurs
who are including country-specific sections in their report, of making the texts of their reports
available to the representatives of countries visited sufficiently in advance to allow a reasonable
opportunity for comment. Comments by the Governments concerned should be made available as
an official document, either as an annex to the report or, if this is not feasible for practical reasons,
as a separate document to be circulated at the same time as the report.
The definition of a .reasonable opportunity. to comment needs to be approached in a spirit of
mutual understanding. Rapporteurs should understand that preparation of comments by
Governments can often require inter-departmental consultation and therefore be time consuming.
Governments for their part should understand that rapporteurs are often working to tight deadlines
with limited support. A .reasonable opportunity. should normally be interpreted as a minimum of
six weeks (with reports being made available, in unedited form if necessary, if possible in the
relevant official language); if such an interval has not been possible, there should be a good
reason, which the rapporteur should explain at the Commission.
(ii) The Working Group considers that there would be important benefits in having more interactive
debate on the reports of rapporteurs. It recommends that time be made available for such debate
in the course of the Commission session, immediately following presentation of the report by the
mandate holder.
Discussion of follow-up of current and past recommendations and consideration of situations involving
failure or denial by Governments
31. The Working Group agrees that cooperation between the Governments and the rapporteurs should be seen
as a process; for the rapporteurs and for the Commission itself, knowledge about the extent of follow-up of earlier
recommendations is essential to considering how the process is to be developed. The Working Group discussed
how a clearer picture might emerge in this regard.
32. The Working Group considers that steps agreed at the fifty-fifth session of the Commission and
recommendations contained elsewhere in the present report would lead to a stronger sense of where progress has
been made and where problems persist. The executive summaries of reports should help to focus discussion.
Rapporteurs should structure their executive summaries so that salient points are identified; comments (positive or
negative) on follow-up and comments about the degree of cooperation by Governments are likely to be among the
issues to which attention is directed. If there is standard formatting of executive summaries, a section on follow-up
is likely to become part of the standard format. In addition, with more systematic and interactive dialogue at
Commission sessions, consideration of follow-up or failures will inevitably receive attention as part of that dialogue.
How to ensure that, between annual sessions of the Commission, there is effective ongoing attention to the
recommendations of the special procedures and related conclusions of the Commission at its previous
session
33. The cycle of meetings (the Commission session in spring; the United Nations General Assembly in
autumn) is such that the Third Committee of the General Assembly is well placed to consider developments in the
interim since the Commission session. Given the significant overlap both in agenda and in attendance between the
Commission and the Third Committee, the Working Group considers that there is scope for a more dynamic sense
of connection between the two. In particular, the Group recognizes the rationale for some form of enhanced
preparation in Geneva so as to ensure that all delegations have relevant information available to them in their
preparations for the Third Committee.
34. The Working Group therefore recommends that the Chairperson of the Commission should convene a
one-day informal meeting of the Commission in late September each year specifically to facilitate exchange of
information in advance of the General Assembly. The meeting, which would not have a formal outcome, would
have an agenda comprising those issues which had been dealt with at the previous Commission session and which
were also on the provisional agenda for the Third Committee. Each item would be focused on briefly, with
information from the Secretariat on any developments since the Commission session, and an opportunity for
comment by government representatives, including any indication of intentions for tabling resolutions in the Third
Committee.
CHAPTER THREE
1503 procedure
35. The Working Group is convinced of the value of the 1503 procedure as a channel for individuals and
groups to bring their concerns about alleged human rights violations directly to attention. It considers that the
objectivity, impartiality and confidentiality of the process must be maintained in any reform. It believes, however,
that the system can be made considerably more efficient without sacrifice of these essential characteristics. It
submits recommendations both on the phase preceding the Commission deliberations and the deliberations at the
Commission itself.
Phase preceding Commission deliberations
36. The Working Group recommends that the present three stages preceding the Commission deliberations
should become two stages. It believes that this would continue to provide the careful filtering necessary, but would
reduce the overly long delays in the present process. The two stages would comprise (i) the Working Group on
Communications and (ii) the Working Group on Situations.
37. The Working Group on Communications (WGC) would comprise five independent experts, members of
the Sub-Commission on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, geographically representative of the five
regional groups. All members of the Sub-Commission would be eligible for membership, with an appropriate
rotation of membership encouraged.
38. The WGC would meet annually immediately following the Sub-Commission, examine the communication
received and any government responses, and prepare its report, including recommendations as to which situations
should be referred to the Working Group on Situations.
39. To assist the efficiency of the process, the secretariat would screen out manifestly unfounded
communications with the approval of the WGC Chair; monthly confidential summaries would be sent to all WGC
members through secure means.
40. The Working Group on Situations (WGS) would comprise, as at present, five members nominated by the
regional groups, with due attention being paid to rotation in membership. The WGS would meet at least one month
prior to the Commission, so as to enable the secretariat to make confidential papers available at least one week in
advance of the session. The Working Group on Situations would examine the report of the Working Group on
Communications, determine whether or not to refer a situation before it to the Commission, and prepare a report
identifying the main issues of concern. In referring a situation to the Commission, the WGS should normally
present a draft resolution or decision on the situation.
Proceedings at the Commission
41. The Working Group considers that the consideration of 1503 situations at the Commission should be made
more meaningful. It recommends two closed sessions to consider the recommendations of the Working Group on
Situations.
At the first session, each country concerned would be invited to make opening presentations. A discussion
would then follow between members of the Commission and the country concerned, based on the contents
of confidential files and the report of the WGS.
In the interim between the first and second sessions, any member or members of the Commission could
submit an alternative or an amendment to any texts forwarded by the WGS. Any such draft texts would be
circulated confidentially by the Secretariat in accordance with the rules of procedure in advance of the
second meeting.
At the second session, members of the Commission would discuss and take action on the draft resolutions
or decisions. The Chairperson of the Commission would subsequently announce in public session which
countries had been examined under the 1503 procedure, as well as the names of countries no longer being
dealt with under the procedure. The 1503 dossiers would remain confidential, except where the
Government concerned had indicated a wish that they become public.
CHAPTER FOUR
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
42. The Working Group recognizes that the Sub-Commission has made an extremely valuable contribution to
the human rights work of the United Nations over the past 53 years. As a body of independent experts, its analysis
and perspectives add an important dimension to the work of the Commission. The Working Group considers,
however, that there is need for clarification and adjustment of the mandate of the Sub-Commission.
43. The concern to safeguard the independence of the Sub-Commission was a predominant theme in the
discussions of the Working Group. The Group emphasizes that the independence of the membership is a defining
characteristic of the Sub-Commission; to the extent that there is any perception that its independence is eroded, the
credibility of the Sub-Commission and hence the influence that it can bring to bear on human rights issues is
weakened.
Membership issues
(i) Election of members
44. The Working Group recommends that the Sub-Commission members continue to be elected according to
the procedures currently in place. It considers that election of the membership is more transparent and democratic
than appointment.
(ii) Safeguarding independence
45. Because of the complexities of the issue, the Working Group stops short of defining the categories of
employment which would exclude candidates from eligibility for election to membership of the Sub-Commission.
However, it emphasizes that persons putting their candidacies forward for membership, and Governments in electing
the membership, should be conscious of the strong concern to ensure that the body is independent and is seen to
be so.
46. Members of the Sub-Commission should maintain the highest integrity and impartiality and avoid acts
which would affect confidence in their independence.
(iii) Duration of membership
47. In paragraph 4 above, the Working Group emphasizes the need for a balanced accommodation of the
benefits of continuity and the importance of renewal. As with the principle of independence discussed above, the
Working Group emphasizes that this should be borne in mind by persons putting their candidacies forward for
membership and by Governments in electing the membership.
(iv) Size of membership
48. The Working Group considered the question of the optimum size of the Sub-Commission. To ensure
effectiveness, numbers should be kept to the minimum necessary. However, the Sub-Commission should have
sufficient numbers to ensure it is both geographically representative and representative of different legal systems;
there must also be a sufficient pool of experts to staff the working groups of the Sub-Commission. Having weighed
the various considerations, the Working Group recommends that the Sub-Commission remain at its present size
of 26 members.
Mandate
(i) Oversight by the Commission
49. The Working Group considered that the role of the Commission in its oversight and determination of
priorities of the Sub-Commission should be strengthened. In assigning projects, the Commission should ensure that
it gives clear direction to the Sub-Commission, taking care to avoid duplication with work being carried out by other
competent bodies and mechanisms. The Commission, at its fifty-sixth session, should undertake an initial review of
the tasks currently being performed by the Sub-Commission; thorough reviews should subsequently be carried out
by the Commission periodically.
50. The principal attention of the Sub-Commission should be given to the elaboration of studies and research
and to providing expert advice at the request of the Commission. The Commission, in considering the assignment of
work, should take into account relevant proposals from the Sub-Commission. The Sub-Commission should retain
some right of initiative in carrying out research and studies. However, such work at its own initiative should
comprise a modest percentage of the Sub-Commission.s work and should also take full account of the need to avoid
duplication with work being undertaken by other competent bodies.
(ii) Country situations/thematic resolutions with a country focus
51. The Working Group also discussed the question of consideration of country situations by the
Sub-Commission. It is conscious that resolutions on country situations risk duplication with the work of the
Commission and creating a perception of politicization of independent experts. At the same time, it accepts that
there could be a loss in human rights terms if the Sub-Commission were unable to give any consideration to specific
country situations.
52. The Working Group therefore recommends that the Sub-Commission should continue to be able to debate
country situations not being dealt with in the Commission. It should also be allowed to discuss urgent matters
involving serious violations of human rights in any country. However, the Sub-Commission should not adopt
country-specific resolutions; its discussions would be reflected in the summary records of the debate, which should
continue to be forwarded to the Commission.
53. The Working Group is conscious of the important range of issues which have been the subject of thematic
resolutions adopted by the Sub-Commission. However, consistent with the independent expert character of the
Sub-Commission as a think-tank, the Working Group recommends that it refrain from negotiating and adopting
thematic resolutions which contain references to specific countries.
(iii) Standard setting
54. The Working Group envisages a potential role for the Sub-Commission in standard setting, as set out in
paragraph 58 below.
(iv) 1503 procedure
55. As is clear from the recommendations in Chapter Three of this report, the Working Group recommends that
the Sub-Commission as a whole cease to have a role in the 1503 procedure.
Duration of annual session
56. Taking account inter alia of the changes in the mandate of the Sub-Commission, the Working Group
recommends that the annual session of the Sub-Commission should be of three weeks. duration.
CHAPTER FIVE
Standard setting
57. The Working Group considers that standard-setting will continue to be one of the central functions of the
Commission on Human Rights. It recommends that the sequence of steps involved in formulating and adopting new
standards should be as follows.
(i) Advance preparation
58. Before referring any matter to a working group the Commission should, where the necessary groundwork
has not otherwise been undertaken, consider requesting the Sub-Commission to undertake a study on the question at
hand and to prepare a draft text which should include a comprehensive analysis, with substantive comments, of the
instrument envisaged. Among the issues to be addressed in any such study, and in the Commission.s deliberations
on whether to proceed, careful consideration should be given to the purposes of any drafting exercise and to the
guidelines set out in General Assembly resolution 41/120.
(ii) Conduct of working groups
59. With the authorization of the working group concerned, all chairpersons should have standing authority to
have informal contacts and consultations between meetings with a view to advancing progress in respect of the
working group.s mandate. If the working group considers it appropriate, and in consultation with OHCHR,
chairpersons should be provided with the necessary financial resources to undertake these tasks. Chairpersons
receiving such assistance should strive to conduct the informal consultations in the most cost-effective manner.
Delegations should be kept informed of the progress of these consultations, including a briefing at the start of each
session of the working group.
(iii) Time limits for standard setting
60. In creating any standard-setting working group, the Commission should consider a specific time-frame
within which the group would be called upon to complete its task. This could vary, depending on the complexity of
the issue and the nature of the instrument. However, in most instances, the established time-frame should not in
principle exceed five years. If, by the end of this time-frame, the working group has not been able to achieve the
desired result, the Commission should consider the following options:
Extending the mandate;
Providing for a period of reflection (such as one or two years); during this period, chairpersons should
continue to consult widely and where possible provide the Commission with papers on an envisaged
outcome;
Examining the working methods of the particular working group (taking into account the format of the
report, annexes to the report, chairperson.s perception paper, etc.).
CHAPTER SIX
Working methods of the Commission
61. Comments and recommendations in earlier sections of this report have related to various aspects of the
working methods of the Commission. The Working Group acknowledges the role of the Bureau in considering
organizational and administrative aspects of the Commission.s work, particularly the question of time management
at annual sessions. It encourages the Bureau to continue to explore proposals for improvement in these areas, to be
brought before the Commission for approval as appropriate.
62. The Working Group recommends that the question of agenda reform should be kept under review. A new
agenda was in place for the fifty-fifth session of the Commission; the Working Group considers that a review of the
experience with the new agenda - including the scope for possible further reclustering of items - would be timely at
the latest after the fifty-seventh session.
63. The Working Group considered the questions of documentation at the annual session and the methodology
for holding consultations on resolutions. In both of these areas, the Working Group is conscious of a certain tension.
If the work of the session is to be serious, well-prepared, and provide all delegations with an opportunity for full
participation, documentation needs to be available well in advance and its bulk should not overwhelm the absorption
capacity of delegations. Equally, to ensure the most relevant and meaningful outcomes, the process of advance
consultation on resolutions should offer scope for involvement by all interested delegations. On the other hand, the
Working Group wishes to avoid any straitjacketing of procedures which might result in urgent situations of serious
human rights abuse not receiving the attention they warrant at the Commission. It also acknowledges that any
recommendation for changes in the approach to consultations must take realistic account of the pressures of working
within the time constraints of the annual session.
Documentation
64. On documentation, the Working Group underlines the importance of compliance with the six-week rule for
the availability of reports and to General Assembly resolution 53/208, which specifies the length of reports. In any
situation where there has not been compliance with these provisions, there should be good reason, which should be
explained to the Commission. The Working Group also refers to paragraph 30 above concerning the inclusion of
government comments in country-specific reports by rapporteurs.
Consultations on resolutions
65. The Working Group is conscious that, while resolutions are a key outcome of Commission sessions, a
disciplined approach is required if each text is to receive the attention it deserves in terms of preparation and
follow-up. This discipline is required in relation both to numbers and length of resolutions. As to numbers, the
Working Group recommends that biennialization be considered of as many thematic resolutions as possible. All
resolutions should be kept under periodic review, with a view to termination of a resolution if the circumstances
giving rise to it no longer apply. As to length, the Working Group notes that if texts are to be accessible and
meaningful, they need to be drafted as clearly and succinctly as possible.
66. The Working Group also recommends that every effort be made to give as much advance notice as possible
of the tabling of resolutions. As a matter of general practice, (i) an indication of thematic resolutions to be tabled
should be made available in advance of the Commission and (ii) in the case of draft resolutions on the human rights
situation in specific countries, the delegations concerned should be informed no later than the first week of the
session. It is understood that, where resolutions are being tabled principally in response to developments which
have arisen in the course of the session, such advance notice will not be feasible. However, in these situations,
delegations initiating texts should still give as much advance notice as possible and should explain, in introducing
the texts at the Commission, the particular circumstances which led to the tabling of texts on short notice.
67. As regards informal consultations on texts, the Working Group recommends that increased efforts be made
to avoid parallel consultations on different texts. The secretariat should be informed of scheduled consultations;
delegations planning to convene consultations should check the secretariat list and make the most committed efforts
to avoid overlap. Announcements of consultations should be made in plenary, making clear whether they are
intended for potential co-sponsors or are open to all.
Annual theme
68. The Working Group favours the continuation of the recent practice of choosing a particular theme for
one day of special dialogue at the session. It recommends that the theme be chosen in Bureau discussions by
the Chairperson, in consultation with all the regional groups; the choice should take into account the annual theme
decided on by the General Assembly for its activities.
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
69. A number of the recommendations in this report refer directly to or have implications for the Office of
the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Attention is specifically drawn to paragraph 8 above relating to the
provision of support to mandate holders. The Working Group is conscious that the effectiveness of OHCHR is a
crucial element in the overall effort to enhance the effectiveness of the Commission and its mechanisms. It
recognizes that, in turn, the effectiveness of the Office depends on the availability of adequate resources, human
and financial, and the optimum use of these resources.
70. The Working Group, recognizing that dramatic increases in tasks facing the Office over recent years have
not been accompanied by a proportionate increase in resources, repeats the need for significant improvement in this
regard. It also considers it important that the distribution of available resources within the Office should be
balanced; that best United Nations practice should be followed in the recruitment of staff; and that the
professionalism and impartiality of the staff should be of the highest standard if the Office is to achieve its full
potential in strengthening human rights protection worldwide.
Consideration of this report by the Commission
71. The Working Group recommends that this report be considered at the earliest appropriate time at the
fifty-sixth session of the Commission and, if acceptable, approved in its entirety through a single decision.
Annex
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE OR TABLED DURING THE THREE SESSIONS
OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
THE MECHANISMS OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
First session, 28 September-1 October 1999
Rationalization of the work of the Commission
E/CN.4/1999/104 and Corr.1
E/CN.4/1999/WG.19/2 (former E/CN.4/1999/120)
E/CN.4/1999/WG.19/3 (former E/CN.4/1999/124)
Special procedures
E/CN.4/2000/5. Report of the meeting of special rapporteurs/representatives, experts and chairpersons of working
groups of the special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights and of the advisory services programme
(Geneva, 31 May-3 June 1999)
(No symbol) Report on capacity-building to strengthen the special procedures system of the United Nations human
rights programme, prepared by Ms. Mona Rishmawi and Mr. Thomas Hammarberg
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/38. Enhancing the effectiveness of the Sub-Commission
E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/47. Common position of the Sub-Commission on future tasks, length of session, working
methods, composition and election of members
E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/SR.22, para. 44. Summary record of the statement made by Mr. Marc Bossuyt concerning the
methods of work of the Sub-Commission
1503 procedure
Annex 1 to document E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/47. Summary of informal discussion by the Working Group on
Communications on the recommendation concerning the 1503 procedure contained in the report of the Bureau of the
fifty-fourth session of the Commission on Human Rights
Background note on the 1503 procedure prepared by the secretariat
Note for the file prepared by the secretariat on the .interpretation to be given to paragraph 10 of Economic and
Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII).
Relevant resolutions
General Assembly
Resolution 53/208, .Pattern of conferences. (concerning documentation and simultaneous distribution)
A/54/6. Proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001, section 22, Human rights
Resolution 41/213, .Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations.
Aide-mémoire of the Chair dated 4 November 1999
Second session, 6-10 December 1999
Three .non papers. dealing respectively with the 1503 procedure, the Sub-Commission and
standard-setting had been distributed during the open-ended consultations of 25 November 1999 by the delegations
of Brazil, Canada, Chile, Japan, Finland, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom
and the United States.
A number of papers were submitted by the Like-Minded Group (LMG) before and during the session:
Proposals by the LMG on enhancing the mechanisms, 26 November 1999;
Proposals by the LMG on methods of work of CHR, 6 December 1999;
Proposal by the LMG on the rationalization and strengthening of the Commission network of thematic
procedures, 7 December 1999.
The delegation of Cuba submitted a proposal at the outset of the session on new composition of the
Commission. The delegation of Malaysia circulated preliminary comments on the issue of cooperation, to be read in
conjunction with the LMG paper of 26 November 1999.
Aide-mémoire of the Chair dated 7 January 2000
Third session, 7-11 February 2000
Draft report of the Chair dated 24 January 2000 and in-session amendments
Revised draft report dated 10 February 2000
Two letters, dated 2 and 10 February 2000, from the Permanent Representative of Malaysia
Letter, dated 4 February 2000, from the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights addressed to the
Permanent Representative of Malaysia
Letter, dated 10 February 2000, from Mr. Asbjørn Eide concerning the draft report
2000/110. Transitional arrangements concerning the 1503 procedure
At its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights decided,
pending adoption by the Economic and Social Council of draft resolution 4 (see chap. I above),
entitled .Procedure for dealing with communications concerning human rights., that those
communications and the replies thereto on which the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights at its fifty-first session had decided to defer action to its next session
should be referred back to the Working Group on Communications, and that those
communications and replies should be examined by the Working Group at its next annual
session, immediately following the fifty-second session of the Sub-Commission, with a view to
determining whether or not they should be brought to the attention of the Working Group on
Situations in accordance with paragraph 2 of draft resolution 4.
[See chap. XX.]
2000/111. Dates of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Human Rights
At its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights, recalling
Economic and Social Council decision 1994/297 of 29 July 1994 and bearing in mind Council
decision 1997/291 of 22 July 1997, decided, without a vote, that the fifty-seventh session of the
Commission should be scheduled to take place from 19 March to 27 April 2001.
[See chap. III.]
2000/112. Organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session
of the Commission on Human Rights
At its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights, taking into
account its heavy schedule of work, as well as the need to give adequate consideration to all the
items on its agenda, and recalling that in previous years the Economic and Social Council had
approved the Commission.s requests for additional meetings for its thirty-seventh to
fifty-sixth sessions, decided, without a vote:
(a) To recommend to the Council that it authorize, if possible from within existing
financial resources, 30 fully serviced additional meetings, including summary records, in
accordance with rules 29 and 31 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, for the Commission.s fifty-seventh session;
(b) To request the Chairperson of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission to
make every effort to organize the work of the session within the times normally allotted, so that
the additional meetings that the Council might authorize would be utilized only if they proved to
be absolutely necessary.
[See chap. III.]
2000/113. Report of the Commission to the Economic and Social Council
on its fifty-sixth session
At its 69th meeting on 28 April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights decided to
include in its report to the Economic and Social Council on its fifty-sixth session, as an annex,
the administrative and programme budget implications of the resolutions and decisions adopted,
submitted by the Secretary-General in compliance with regulation 13.1 of the Financial
Regulations of the United Nations and rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional
commissions of the Economic and Social Council.
[See chap. XXI.]
III. Organization of the work of the session
A. Opening and duration of the session
1. The Commission on Human Rights held its fifty-sixth session at the United Nations
Office at Geneva from 20 March to 28 April 2000. It held 69 meetings (E/CN.4/2000/SR.1-69)5
during the session.
2. The session was opened by Ms. Anne Anderson, Chairperson of the Commission at its
fifty-fifth session, who made a statement.
3. At the 1st meeting, on 20 March 2000, Ms. Mary Robinson, United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, made a statement.
B. Attendance
4. The session was attended by representatives of States members of the Commission, by
observers for other States Members of the United Nations, by observers for non-member States
and Palestine and by representatives of the specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental
organizations, other entities, national human rights organizations and non-governmental
organizations. An attendance list is given in annex II to the present report.
C. Election of officers
5. At its 1st meeting, the Commission elected the following officers by acclamation:
Chairperson: Mr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada (Nepal)
Vice-Chairpersons: Mr. Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim (Sudan)
Mr. Krzysztof Jakubowski (Poland)
Mr. Víctor Rodríguez Cedeño (Venezuela)
Rapporteur: Ms. Marie Gervais-Vidricaire (Canada)
D. Agenda
6. Also at its 1st meeting, the Commission had before it the provisional agenda of the
fifty-sixth session (E/CN.4/2000/1 and Add.1), drawn up, in accordance with rule 5 of the rules
of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, on the basis of
the provisional agenda considered by the Commission at its fifty-fifth session in accordance with
paragraph 3 of Economic and Social Council resolution 1894 (LVII) of 1 August 1974.
7. The agenda was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see annex I to the
present report.
5 Summary records of each of the meetings are subject to correction. They are considered final
with the issuance of a consolidated corrigendum (E/CN.4/2000/SR.1-69/Corrigendum).
E. Organization of work
8. At its 2nd meeting, on 21 March 2000, the Commission considered the organization of its
work.
9. For the documents of the fifty-sixth session issued under agenda item 3, see annex VI to
the present report. For a list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and
Chairperson.s statements, by agenda item, see annex V to the present report.
10. Also at its 2nd meeting, on the recommendation of its officers, the Commission
decided to invite a number of experts, special rapporteurs, special representatives,
chairpersons-rapporteurs of working groups and other persons to participate in the meetings at
which their reports were to be considered.
11. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section B, decision 2000/101.
12. At its 4th meeting, on 22 March 2000, the Commission approved the timetable for the
consideration of agenda items as proposed by the Bureau.
Handling of the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the
effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission
13. At the 5th meeting, on 22 March 2000, a statement was made by the Chairperson with
respect to the handling of the report of the working group (E/CN.4/2000/112). For the text of
that statement, see paragraph 40 below.
14. At its 13th meeting, on 28 March 2000, the Commission accepted the recommendations
of its officers regarding the conduct of business. With regard to speaking time and
arrangements, it was recommended that all non-governmental organizations should be entitled
to not more than six statements per session. The new rule would not apply retroactively.
With regard to joint statements by non-governmental organizations, the following timing
was proposed: one or two non-governmental organizations: 5 minutes; three to
five non-governmental organizations: 7 minutes; six to ten non-governmental
organizations: 10 minutes; more than ten non-governmental organizations: 12 minutes.
15. It was also recommended that all joint statements of non-governmental organizations
would be placed at the top of the non-governmental organizations. list of speakers if so
requested. Bearing in mind the limitation to six statements per non-governmental organization
per session as mentioned above, a joint statement would count as one third of a normal
statement. All non-governmental organizations participating in joint statements should be duly
accredited participants of the current session of the Commission. With regard to the written
statements submitted by non-governmental organizations, it was recommended that all such
statements submitted in sufficient time before the session should be circulated in the three
working languages. Those statements which were not submitted on time might, as an
exceptional and temporary measure, be initially circulated in their original language only.
They would be translated into the working languages as soon as technically feasible.
16. With regard to the concept of so-called .concerned countries., the Commission also
accepted the recommendation that members of the Commission and observer States that were the
subject of specific Commission reports or which were considered as concerned countries by the
Bureau be given an additional five minutes over and above their normal speaking time under the
item concerned. In practical terms, it meant that such members of the Commission would be
allowed to speak for 15 minutes and observer States for 10 minutes in total; their total speaking
time could be divided into two separate statements, if they so wished.
17. Concerning the statements by special rapporteurs, representatives, independent experts,
chairpersons of working groups, it was agreed that they would be entitled to an introductory
(initial) statement of 10 minutes, plus 2 additional minutes for each mission undertaken by
thematic rapporteurs, and concluding remarks of 5 minutes, if requested. All independent
experts, special rapporteurs, etc., should, to the extent possible, be present in the conference
room throughout consideration of the relevant agenda items.
18. It was also recommended that guest speakers should limit their statements to 15 minutes,
as was already the practice of the Commission.
19. It was also agreed that the introduction of draft resolutions by one of the co-sponsors
should be limited to five minutes. Action on all draft proposals recommended by the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights should be taken under the
relevant agenda items of the Commission.
20. With regard to points of order, the Commission accepted the recommendation of its
officers to continue to apply the rulings made by the chairpersons of the fifty-fourth and
fifty-fifth sessions of the Commission authorizing observer Governments to raise points of order
and prohibiting the use of points of order to interrupt the statements of guest speakers.
21. In the general debate on agenda item 3, statements were made by members of the
Commission and observers. For a list of speakers, see annex III.
Special debate on poverty and the enjoyment of human rights
22. At its 41st and 42nd meetings, on 12 April 2000, the Commission held a special debate
on poverty and the enjoyment of human rights. The Chairperson opened the discussion. The
debate was introduced by a panel of seven key speakers: Ms. Mary Robinson, United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights; Ms. Odile Sorgho-Moulinier, Director of the
United Nations Development Programme, Geneva Office; Mr. Siddiqur Rahman Osmani,
Professor of Development Economics at the School of Public Policy, Economics and Law at the
University of Ulster; Mr. Miloon Kothari, Convenor of the Housing Rights Committee of the
non-governmental organization Habitat International Coalition; Ms. Anne-Marie Lizin,
independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty; Mr. Rubens Ricupero,
Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; and
Ms. Marta Santos Pais, Director, Division of Evaluation, Policy and Planning of the
United Nations Children.s Fund.
23. During the special debate, a statement was made by Mr. Reinaldo Figueredo, Special
Rapporteur on the effects of foreign debt on the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural
rights.
24. Statements were also made by members of the Commission, observers and
non-governmental organizations. For a detailed list of speakers, see annex III.
Situation of human rights in Colombia
25. At the 49th meeting, on 14 April 2000, Ms. Mary Robinson, United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, introduced her report on the office in Colombia
(E/CN.4/2000/11).
26. At the same meeting, statements were made by members of the Commission and
non-governmental organizations. The list of speakers appears in annex III of the present report.
27. At the 58th meeting, on 19 April 2000, the Chairperson, on behalf of the Commission,
made a statement concerning the situation of human rights in Colombia. For the text, see
paragraph 40 below.
Question of resources for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights
28. At the 62nd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Chairperson, on behalf of the Commission,
made a statement concerning the question of resources for the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights. For the text, see paragraph 40 below.
F. Meetings, resolutions and documentation
29. As indicated in paragraph 1 above, the Commission held 69 fully serviced meetings,
including 16 additional meetings, authorized by Economic and Social Council decision 1996/295
of 24 July 1996.
30. The resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission at its fifty-sixth session are
contained in chapter II of the present report. Draft resolutions and decisions for action by the
Economic and Social Council are set out in chapter I. For a list of resolutions and decisions
adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by agenda item, see annex V to the
present report.
31. Annex III contains a list of speakers in the general debate on agenda items 3 to 20.
32. Annex IV contains a statement regarding the administrative and programme budget
implications of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission at its fifty-sixth session.
33. Annex VI contains a list of documents issued for the fifty-sixth session of the
Commission.
G. Visits
34. During its fifty-sixth session, the Commission heard statements by the following guest
speakers:
(a) At the 2nd meeting, on 21 March 2000: Mr. José Vicente Rangel, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Venezuela; Mr. Gustavo Bell Lemus, Vice-President of Colombia;
Mr. Joseph Deiss, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland;
Mr. Pascal Désiré Missongo, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Gabon;
Mr. Tonino Picula, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Croatia;
(b) At the 3rd meeting, on 21 March 2000: Mr. Jaime Gama, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey
aligned themselves with the statement); Mr. Jerzy Kranz, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of
Poland; Mr. Dimitrij Rupel, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia; Mr. Jan Kavan, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. At the same meeting, a statement in exercise of the
right of reply was made by the representative of the Russian Federation in connection with the
first two statements;
(c) At the 4th meeting, on 22 March 2000: Mr. Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni,
Minister of State in charge of External Relations of Cameroon; Mr. Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik,
Minister of State in charge of Human Rights of Turkey; Mr. Yossi Beilin, Minister of Justice of
Israel; Mr. Mohamed Auajjar, Minister in charge of Human Rights of Morocco; Ms. Carmen
Moreno de del Cueto, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Mexico; Mr. Aniello Palumbo,
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Italy; Ms. Lydie Polfer, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Luxembourg;
(d) At the 5th meeting, on 22 March 2000: Mr. Joschka Fischer, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Germany; Ms. Anna Lindh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, in connection
with whose statement a statement in exercise of the equivalent of the right of reply was made by
the observer for Turkey; Mr. Abdulkader Bajamal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Yemen;
(e) At the 6th meeting, on 23 March 2000: Mr. Ural Latypov, Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus; Mr. Georges Chicoti, Vice-Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Angola; Mr. Peter Hain, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Mr. Charles Josselin, Minister
Delegate for Cooperation and Francophonie of France; Mr. Pál Csáky, Vice-Prime Minister of
Slovakia; Mr. Sipho M. Pityana, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Affairs of
South Africa;
(f) At the 7th meeting, on 23 March 2000: Ms. Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of
State of the United States of America, in connection with whose statement statements in
exercise of the right of reply were made by the representatives of China, Cuba and the
Russian Federation, and a statement in exercise of the equivalent of the right of reply was made
by the Observer for Iraq, followed by a statement in exercise of the right of reply by the
representative of the United States of America. At the 9th meeting, on 24 March 2000, a
statement in exercise of the right of reply was made by the representative of the Sudan in
connection with the statement made by Ms. Albright;
(g) At the 8th meeting, on 24 March 2000: Mr. Azeddine Laraki, Secretary-General
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference; Ms. Elizabeth Odio-Benito, Vice-President of
Costa Rica; Mr. Bonaventure Chibamba Mutale, Attorney-General of Zambia;
(h) At the 10th meeting, on 27 March 2000: Mr. Erkki Tuomioja, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Finland; Mr. Abel Matutes Juan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain;
Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark; Mr. Paskal Milo, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of Albania; Mr. Chris Patten, Member of the European Commission in
charge of External Relations;
(i) At the 11th meeting, on 27 March 2000: Mr. Kh. Khalafov, Deputy Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan; Mr. C.M. Shafi Sami, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh;
(j) At the 12th meeting, on 28 March 2000: Mr. Ha Hung Cuong, Deputy Minister
of Justice of Viet Nam; Mr. Sadok Chaabane, Minister of Higher Education of Tunisia;
(k) At the 15th meeting, on 29 March 2000: Mr. Louis Michel, Vice-Prime Minister
and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium; Mr. Serguei Ordzhonikidze, Deputy Minister for
Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation;
(l) At the 16th meeting, on 29 March 2000: Mr. Jozias van Aartsen, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands;
(m) At the 18th meeting, on 30 March 2000: Mr. Harry Olympio, Minister for the
Promotion of Democracy and the Rule of Law of Togo; Mr. Marin Raykov, Deputy Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria; Mr. Hasballah M. Saad, Minister of Human Rights Affairs of
Indonesia; Mr. Felipe Pérez Roque, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba; Mr. Dubem Onyia,
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria; Mr. Jaime Arellano, Under-Secretary for Justice
of Chile;
(n) At the 19th meeting, on 30 March 2000: Mr. Pierre-Henri Imbert, Director of
Human Rights of the Council of Europe; Mr. Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin, Minister of Justice
and Attorney-General of the Sudan; Mr. Jean-Martin Mbemba, Attorney-General and Minister of
Justice of the Republic of the Congo; Mr. Jean de Dieu Mucyo, Minister of Justice of Rwanda;
Mr. Eugène Nindorera, Minister of Human Rights, Institutional Reforms and Relations with the
National Assembly of Burundi;
(o) At the 23rd meeting, on 3 April 2000: Mr. Oumid Midhat Mubarak, Minister of
Health of Iraq. At the 24th meeting, on the same day, statements in exercise of the right of reply
were made by the representatives of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
and the United States of America in connection with his statement, followed by a statement in
exercise of the equivalent of the right of reply by the Observer for Iraq;
(p) At the 24th meeting, on 3 April 2000: Mr. Thorbjörn Jagland, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Norway;
(q) At the 25th meeting, on 4 April 2000: Mr. Chakra Prasad Bastola, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Nepal; Ms. Attiya Inayatullah, Member of the National Security of Pakistan.
At the 26th meeting, on the same day, a statement in exercise of the right of reply was made by
the representative of India in connection with the statement made by Ms. Inayatullah, followed
by a statement in exercise of the right of reply by the representative of Pakistan; Mr. Kofi Annan,
Secretary-General of the United Nations;
(r) At the 27th meeting, on 5 April 2000: Mr. Victor Hugo Godoy, Minister of
Human Rights and President of the Interministerial Commission, COPREDEH, of Guatemala;
Mr. Léonard She Okitundu, Minister of Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
At the 28th meeting, on the same day, statements in exercise of the right of reply were made by
the representatives of Burundi and Rwanda in connection with the statement made by
Mr. Okitundu, followed by a statement in exercise of the equivalent of the right of reply by the
Observer for the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(s) At the 30th meeting, on 6 April 2000: Prince Torki Ben Mohammed Ben Saud
Al-Kabeer, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. At the 31st meeting, on the
same day, a statement in exercise of the equivalent of the right of reply was made by the
Observer for Iraq in connection with the statement;
(t) At the 34th meeting, on 7 April 2000: Mr. Nikola Dimitrov, Vice-Minister for
Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia;
(u) At the 39th meeting, on 11 April 2000: Ms. Sadako Ogata, United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees;
(v) At the 42nd meeting, on 12 April 2000: Mr. José Ramos Horta, East Timorese
leader;
(w) At the 45th meeting, on 13 April 2000: Mr. Lloyd Axworthy, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Canada; Ms. Yael Tamir, Minister of Immigrant Absorption of Israel, in
connection with whose statement a statement in exercise of the equivalent of the right of reply
was made by the Observer for Palestine. At the 46th meeting, on the same day, a statement in
exercise of the right of reply was made by the representative of Cuba in connection with the
statement made by Mr. Axworthy. At the 47th meeting, also on the same day, a statement in
exercise of the equivalent of the right of reply was made by the Observer for the Islamic
Republic of Iran in connection with the statement made by Mr. Axworthy;
(x) At the 61st meeting, on 20 April 2000, Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
H. Organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission
35. At the 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Chairperson orally proposed a draft decision
concerning the dates of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission.
36. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section B, decision 2000/111.
37. At the same meeting, the Chairperson orally proposed a draft decision concerning the
organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission (additional meetings).
38. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section B, decision 2000/112.
I. Concluding remarks
39. At the 69th meeting, on 28 April 2000, concluding remarks were made by the following
speakers:
(a) Ms. Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
(b) Mr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada, Chairperson of the fifty-sixth session of the
Commission on Human Rights;
(c) The representative of Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States);
(d) The representative of the Czech Republic (on behalf of the Group of Eastern
European States);
(e) The representative of Venezuela (on behalf of the Group of Latin American and
Caribbean States);
(f) The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
(on behalf of the Group of Western European and other States);
(g) The representative of Indonesia (on behalf of the Group of Asian States).
Chairperson’s statements
40. During consideration of agenda item 3, the Chairperson made three statements, the texts
of which read as follows:
Handling of the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended
working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the
mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights
.I wish to address a management and organizational issue in relation to the
handling of the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the
effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission.
.The report of this working group is contained in document E/CN.4/2000/112.
As you are all aware, this report was adopted by consensus in the working group
on 11 February 2000. I believe we would all want to acknowledge the importance of
what has been achieved in this working group. Despite the inevitable difficulties,
it proved possible to agree by consensus on substantial steps designed to enhance the
effectiveness of our mechanisms. This is a very significant development and I hope and
believe the outcome of the working group will have a positive resonance throughout our
Commission session.
.At this stage, however, I would like to focus on the logistics of adoption of the
report of the working group by the Commission. I would draw your attention to the final
paragraph of the report which states that: .The working group recommends that this
report be considered at the earliest appropriate time in the fifty-sixth session of the
Commission, and, if acceptable, approved in its entirety through a single decision..
.Since the working group was established under item 20 of our agenda
.Rationalization of the work of the Commission., consideration of the report properly
belongs under that item. We are currently scheduled to reach item 20 on 19-20 April. At
that point, I will request the Chairperson of the working group to introduce the report and
we will then proceed to its consideration and approval.
.In the meantime, however, in the course of the session, we will be dealing with a
number of agenda items and a number of draft decisions and resolutions which are
directly affected by the report of the working group. It is clear from the language and
thrust of the report that there was an understanding in the working group that its
recommendations would have effect in the current session. The issue is how to give
effect to this understanding while respecting the sequential consideration of agenda
items.
.This issue has been the subject of informal consultations with all regional
groups. It has been agreed that, pending consideration and adoption of the report under
agenda item 20, all the business of the session - including the formulation and
consideration of draft decisions and resolutions - will be consistent with both the content
and the spirit of the report. However, between items 3 and 20, delegations will refrain
from entering into detailed discussion of the report. This is because it will not be
possible to .implement. the recommendations of the report through decisions and
resolutions before the report has been formally adopted by the Commission under
item 20. Until then, where references in draft decisions and resolutions to the review of
mechanisms exercise are deemed desirable or necessary, these could be limited to the
following formulation: .On the issue of ., the Commission is referred to the report of
the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the
mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2000/112) which will be
considered and approved under agenda item 20..
.Under agenda item 20, the report will be approved in its entirety by a single
decision. This decision will be prepared by the Chair in conjunction with regional
coordinators as early as possible during the session. This decision will explain exactly
what is being implemented during the session (i.e. nearly all of the recommendations)
and what will have to be carried over to the fifty-seventh session or put to the Economic
and Social Council for endorsement..
Situation of human rights in Colombia
.The Commission on Human Rights welcomes the continued readiness of the
Government of Colombia to cooperate with the permanent office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, enabling it to carry out its mandate
and conduct its activities without any impediment. It also welcomes the report on the
situation of human rights in Colombia by the permanent office of the High Commissioner
in Bogotá. It also takes note of a document containing the observations by the
Government of Colombia on its report.
.The Commission welcomes the renewal of the agreement between the
Government of Colombia and the High Commissioner for Human Rights extending the
mandate of the permanent office in Bogotá until April 2002. The Commission strongly
believes that the office in Colombia continues to play a vital role in addressing ongoing
violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and regrets in this context
that many of the recommendations formulated by the office have not been given adequate
follow-up. It continues to consider of the utmost importance and to support fully the
valuable work which the office is undertaking in the promotion and protection of human
rights in assisting Colombian authorities in developing policies and programmes in that
field. In this context it encourages the expansion of the presence of the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights beyond Bogotá.
.The Commission also welcomes the willingness of the Government of Colombia
to engage in constructive peace talks with the main guerrilla groups in the framework of
the peace plan with a view to achieving a sustainable peace in Colombia. The
Commission expects that the peace efforts will soon incorporate other actors in the
conflict, as well as civil society. The Commission, however, remains deeply concerned
about the lack of a permanent ceasefire and about the grave and persistent abuses of
international humanitarian law despite the ongoing peace process. It calls on the parties,
as a priority, to reach a comprehensive human rights and humanitarian agreement and to
initiate discussions on an agreement on the question of how victims of the conflict may
be recognized and obtain reparation.
.The Commission welcomes the announcement by the Vice-President of
Colombia, in his capacity as human rights counsellor of the Government of Colombia, of
the promised integrated plan on human rights entitled .Policy for the promotion, respect
and safeguard of human rights and the application of international humanitarian law.. It
expects that this plan will be translated into practical and effective results with regard,
inter alia, to the need to combat the high level of impunity, assistance for the internally
displaced persons and the safety of human rights defenders. The Commission will follow
its implementation closely.
.The Commission recognizes the additional legislative steps taken in Colombia,
at the national and international levels, in particular the introduction of a new rule which
excludes minors from joining the armed forces. It urges the Government of Colombia to
abolish fully the system of faceless justice, as recommended by the United Nations.
It also notes that the draft bill to ratify the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,
Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and Their Destruction was
passed in the Congress and is currently awaiting presidential approval.
.The Commission has taken note of the approval of the Military Penal Code
reform bill by the Congress of Colombia, but strongly urges the Government of
Colombia to take the necessary steps to overcome constitutional impediments to its entry
into force, so as to ensure an independent judicial system, and to separate the functions of
the executive and the judiciary. It urges the Colombian authorities to ensure that the new
Code will comply with international requirements and with the jurisprudence of the
Colombian constitutional court. It also urges the Colombian authorities to guarantee that
the Code will come into force as soon as possible.
.While welcoming the initial approval by the Congress of a draft law which
criminalizes enforced disappearance and establishes the crimes of genocide, enforced
displacement and torture and a draft Criminal Code, the Commission notes with great
concern the President.s decision to return both drafts to the Congress. The Commission
also hopes that questions underlying this decision will be re-evaluated as a matter of
urgency, with a view to reconsidering the decision and adopting laws that comply with
international standards.
.The Commission expresses its deep concern at the deterioration of the human
rights and humanitarian situation in Colombia during 1999; a decline in reported human
rights violations was offset by an increase, notably, in abuses and killings by the
paramilitary. In this context, it unequivocally condemns the persistent grave violations
and abuses perpetrated by the paramilitary groups and the guerrillas and calls on the
Government to take urgent action to intensify political, administrative, judicial and other
appropriate measures with respect to official bodies, members of the armed forces and
individuals suspected of supporting paramilitary groups. The Commission notes as a
positive development the recent announcement by the Government in this field, whilst
urging it to prevent the armed forces from cooperating and collaborating with the
paramilitary groups and requesting that all allegations of this type be investigated
thoroughly and promptly.
.The Commission strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and violation of
international humanitarian law committed by guerrilla groups, including the systematic
kidnapping of children. It notes with concern the continued use of child soldiers and
anti-personnel mines by the guerrillas. The Commission also condemns the continued
mass abductions and destruction of power lines by the National Liberation Army (ELN)
and the killing of foreigners and continuing kidnapping by the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC). The Commission also condemns the killings and other
serious abuses taking place in the demilitarized zone and calls upon the FARC to agree to
the Government.s proposal of a visit by an international observer mission to the zone. It
urges the guerrilla groups to engage in serious and concrete peace talks with the
Government and to agree to a complete ceasefire without delay.
.The Commission welcomes the further reduction in human rights violations
attributed to the armed and security forces and urges the Government of Colombia to
ensure that members of the State forces against whom credible allegations are made, not
only of committing human rights violations but also of colluding with self-defence and
paramilitary groups, are suspended, whilst speedy investigations are undertaken. If such
allegations are substantiated the official involved should be dismissed from State service
and made subject to criminal trial.
.The Commission remains deeply concerned about the increase in the number of
internally displaced persons in Colombia and calls for continued action and cooperation
between the Colombian authorities and international bodies in this regard. It encourages
the enhanced cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees. It also notes and encourages the ongoing cooperation with the International
Committee of the Red Cross. It encourages the Government of Colombia to seek
effective means to eradicate the causes of displacement, in particular by ensuring visible
operational results in the struggle against paramilitary groups and others forcing
displacement, and bringing those responsible to justice.
.The Commission welcomes the cooperation extended by the Government of
Colombia to the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons
and encourages the Government of Colombia to follow up on his recommendations. It
also encourages the Government of Colombia to extend invitations to other human rights
mechanisms, notably the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
.The Commission deplores the persistence of worrying levels of impunity in
cases of serious crimes, particularly in the military jurisdiction. It commends the efforts
undertaken by the Office of the Prosecutor General in investigating significant cases. It
calls on the Government of Colombia to continue to address the problem and to continue
to take action in dismissing from the service any members of State forces involved in
human rights violations.
.The Commission strongly condemns the continuing attacks on human rights
defenders as well as on journalists and labour union members. It notes the issuing of a
presidential directive dated September 1999 and additional measures undertaken by the
Ministry of the Interior to protect human rights defenders who have been threatened. It
calls on the Colombian authorities to take urgent action for the full implementation of the
above-mentioned measures. It also encourages the effective dialogue between the
Colombian authorities and civil society to promote and reinforce the protection of all
human rights defenders.
.The Commission notes with concern the effects of violence in Colombia,
particularly those victimizing minority groups, such as the indigenous and
Afro-Colombian communities, which, according to the Committee on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination, suffer disproportionately the effects of the violence. It welcomes
the recognition by the Government of Colombia that problems in these fields exist and
calls upon the Government to take effective steps to improve the legal and physical
protection of the affected groups. It calls on all parties to the conflict to respect the rights
of the above-mentioned minority groups.
.The Commission requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights to submit to it at its next session a detailed report containing an analysis by the
office in Bogotá of the human rights situation in Colombia, in accordance with the
provisions of the agreement between the Government of Colombia and the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the operation of the permanent
Office in Bogotá..
Question of resources for the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
.On the occasion of the first session of the United Nations Commission on
Human Rights of a new century, we should all reaffirm our commitment to the essential
work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and
recognize the need for further and continued support of the programmes and activities of
the Office of the High Commissioner. This matter is of particular relevance given the
new mandates the Commission is considering and the numerous existing ones.
.For the first time, the Office of the High Commissioner has published an Annual
Appeal which clearly demonstrates the extent of its commitments and at the same time
highlights the critical need for support.
.The Commission therefore reaffirms its appeal to the Economic and Social
Council and the General Assembly that additional resources be allocated to the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as already recommended in
Commission resolutions 1998/83 of 24 April 1998, 1999/54 of 27 April 1999 and 2000/1
of 7 April 2000, to ensure that all necessary financial, material and personnel resources
are provided to the Office of the High Commissioner commensurate to its increasing
tasks..
IV. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights and follow-up to the World Conference
on Human Rights
41. The Commission considered agenda item 4 at its 3rd and 4th meetings, on 21
and 22 March, at its 28th meeting, on 5 April, at its 35th meeting, on 7 April, and at
its 39th meeting, on 11 April 2000.6
42. For the documents issued under agenda item 4, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V to the present report.
43. At the 3rd meeting, on 21 March 2000, the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, Ms. Mary Robinson, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/12 and Add.1).
44. In the general debate on agenda item 4, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Question of Chechnya
45. At the 28th meeting, on 5 April 2000, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights made a statement regarding the situation in Chechnya.
46. In the general debate on the question of Chechnya, statements were made by members of
the Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a
detailed list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
47. At the 35th meeting, on 7 April 2000, the Observer for Malaysia introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.3/Rev.1, sponsored by Algeria, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Australia, Bhutan, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, France, Japan, the Netherlands, the Republic of
Moldova and the Sudan subsequently joined the sponsors.
48. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of the
United States of America.
49. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/1.
50. After the adoption of the resolution, the representative of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland made a statement in explanation of her delegation.s position.
6 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
V. The right of peoples to self-determination and its
application to peoples under colonial or alien
domination or foreign occupation
51. The Commission considered agenda item 5 at its 5th and 6th meetings, on 22
and 23 March, and at its 35th meeting, on 7 April 2000.7
52. For the documents issued under agenda item 5, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V to the present report.
53. At the 5th meeting, on 22 March 2000, the report on the question of the use of
mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of
peoples to self-determination (E/CN.4/2000/14 and Corr.1), was introduced by Mr. Enrique
Bernales Ballesteros, Special Rapporteur.
54. In the general debate on agenda item 5, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and non-governmental organizations. For a detailed list of speakers, see
annex III.
Question of Western Sahara
55. At the 35th meeting, on 7 April 2000, the Chairperson introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.2.
56. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/2.
57. After the adoption of the resolution, the representative of the United States of America
made a statement in explanation of her delegation.s position.
The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of
the right of peoples to self-determination
58. Also at the 35th meeting, the representative of Cuba introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.4, sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Democratic
People.s Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran (the Islamic Republic of), Iraq, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
7 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
Madagascar, the Republic of the Congo, the Sudan, Swaziland, the Syrian Arab Republic, Togo
and Viet Nam. Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Tunisia and Yemen subsequently joined
the sponsors.
59. The representative of Cuba orally revised the second preambular paragraph of the draft
resolution.
60. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of
Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned
themselves with the statement).
61. The representative of Portugal requested a vote. At the request of the representative of
Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, as orally revised, which was adopted
by 35 votes to 11, with 5 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China,
Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru,
Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation, Rwanda,
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway,
Poland, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America.
Abstaining: France, Italy, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain.
62. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/3.
Situation in occupied Palestine
63. At the 35th meeting, the representative of the Sudan introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.5, sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China,
Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman,
Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and
Yemen. Equatorial Guinea and South Africa subsequently joined the sponsors.
64. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves with the
statement) and the United States of America.
65. At the request of the representative of the United States of America, a roll-call vote was
taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 44 votes to 1, with 6 abstentions. The voting
was as follows:
In favour: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Colombia,
Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan,
Latvia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal,
Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,
Republic of the Congo, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda,
Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: United States of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Romania.
66. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
Canada and Norway.
67. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/4.
VI. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
all forms of discrimination
68. The Commission considered agenda item 6 at its 7th meeting, on 23 March 2000, at
its 8th and 9th meetings, on 24 March, at its 53rd meeting, on 17 April, at its 62nd meeting,
on 25 April, and at its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000.8
69. For the documents issued under agenda item 6, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V to the present report.
70. At the 7th meeting, on 23 March 2000, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary
forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Mr. Maurice Glèlè-Ahanhanzo, introduced his report (E/CN.4/2000/16 and Add.1). At
the 9th meeting, on 24 March 2000, the Special Rapporteur made his concluding remarks.
71. In the general debate on agenda item 6, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III.
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
72. At the 53rd meeting, on 17 April 2000, the representative of Nigeria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.13/Rev.1, sponsored by Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Mexico,
Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States) and Uruguay. Armenia, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mongolia, the Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland subsequently joined the sponsors.
73. The representative of Nigeria orally revised the draft resolution by adding a new
preambular paragraph at the end of the preambular part, and replacing paragraphs 3 to 5, 12, 50,
53, 55 and 57. He also revised paragraphs 16, 31 and 58.
74. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of the
United States of America.
75. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications9 of the draft resolution.
8 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
9 Annex IV contains the estimated administrative and programme budget implications of
Commission resolutions and decisions.
76. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/14.
The rights of non-citizens
77. At the 62nd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Commission considered draft decision 1
recommended by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights for
adoption by the Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
78. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications10 of the draft decision.
79. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland orally
amended draft decision 1 of the Sub-Commission.
80. The draft decision, as orally amended, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section B, decision 2000/104.
Defamation of religions
81. At the 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the representative of Pakistan introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.6, sponsored by Pakistan (on behalf of the States Members of the
United Nations that are members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference).
82. The third and fourth preambular paragraphs, and paragraphs 4 to 7 of the draft resolution
were orally revised by the representative of Pakistan. He further revised the draft resolution by
inserting a new paragraph after the third preambular paragraph.
83. Statements in connection with the draft resolution, as orally revised, were made by the
representatives of India and Portugal (on behalf of the European Union).
84. The representative of Portugal stated that proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.18) to
draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.6 were withdrawn by the sponsors.
85. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text of the
resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/84.
10 Ibid.
VII. The right to development
86. The Commission considered agenda item 7 at its 10th and 11th meetings, on 27 March, at
its 12th and 13th meetings, on 28 March, and at its 46th meeting, on 13 April 2000.11
87. For the documents issued under agenda item 7, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
88. At the 10th meeting, on 27 March 2000, Mr. Arjun Sengupta, the independent expert on
the right to development, made a statement.
89. In the general debate on agenda item 7, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
The right to development
90. At the 46th meeting, on 13 April 2000, the Observer for South Africa introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.14, sponsored by Mexico and South Africa (on behalf of the States
Members of the United Nations that are members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries
and China). Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica,
Denmark, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Spain,
Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
91. Paragraph 2 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the Observer for South Africa.
92. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text of the
resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/5.
11 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
VIII. Question of the violation of human rights in the
occupied Arab territories, including Palestine
93. The Commission considered agenda item 8 at its 13th and 14th meetings, on 28 March,
and at its 52nd meeting, on 17 April 2000.12
94. For the documents issued under agenda item 8, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
95. At the 13th meeting, on 28 March 2000, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, Mr. Giorgio Giacomelli,
introduced his report (E/CN.4/2000/25). At the 14th meeting, on the same day, the Special
Rapporteur made his concluding remarks.
96. In the general debate on agenda item 8, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including
Palestine
97. At its 52nd meeting, on 17 April 2000, the representative of Bangladesh introduced
draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.7, sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh,
China, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco,
Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Pakistan and South Africa subsequently joined the sponsors.
98. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the observers for Israel
and Palestine.
99. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of the
United States of America and Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, the
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and
Slovenia aligned themselves with the statement).
100. At the request of the representative of the United States of America, a roll-call vote was
taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 31 votes to 1, with 19 abstentions. The
voting was as follows:
In favour: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba,
India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo,
Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland,
Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
12 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
Against: United States of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
101. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/6.
Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan
102. Also at its 52nd meeting, the Observer for the Syrian Arab Republic introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.8, sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cuba, the Democratic
People.s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan,
the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Palestine
subsequently joined the sponsors.
103. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the observers for Israel
and Palestine.
104. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representatives of
Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,
Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia aligned themselves with the
statement) and the United States of America.
105. At the request of the United States of America, a roll-call vote was taken on the
draft resolution, which was adopted by 31 votes to 1, with 19 abstentions. The voting was as
follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba,
India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Republic of
Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan,
Swaziland, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: United States of America.
Abstaining: Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany,
Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Peru, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland.
106. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/7.
Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories
107. Also at its 52nd meeting, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union) introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.9, sponsored by Algeria, Austria,
Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Morocco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland. Australia, Cyprus, Jordan, Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Sudan and
Turkey subsequently joined the sponsors.
108. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the Observer for Israel.
109. The representative of the United States of America made a statement in explanation of
vote before the vote.
110. At the request of the United States of America, a roll-call vote was taken on the
draft resolution, which was adopted by 50 votes to 1, with 1 abstention. The voting was as
follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China,
Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia,
Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger,
Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation,
Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Venezuela,
Zambia.
Against: United States of America.
Abstaining: Romania.
111. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/8.
IX. Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in any part of the world, including:
(a) Question of human rights in Cyprus;
(b) Procedure established in accordance with
Economic and Social Council
resolution 1503 (XLVIII)
112. The Commission considered agenda item 9 and sub-item (a) at its 14th to 23rd meetings,
from 28 March to 3 April, at its 37th meeting, on 10 April, at its 55th and 56th meetings,
on 18 April, and at its 63rd and 64th meetings, on 25 April 2000.13 Item 9 (b) was considered by
the Commission in closed session (see paras. 209-212 below).
113. For the documents issued under agenda item 9, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
114. At the 14th meeting, on 28 March 2000:
(a) The Special Representative of the Commission on the situation of human rights in
the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Maurice Copithorne, introduced his report (E/CN.4/2000/35);
(b) The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
Montenegro), Mr. Jiri Dienstbier, introduced his report (E/CN.4/2000/39).
115. At the 15th meeting, on 29 March 2000, the following special rapporteurs introduced
their reports:
(a) The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan,
Mr. Kamal Hossain (E/CN.4/2000/33);
(b) The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Mr. Roberto Garretón (E/CN.4/2000/42);
(c) The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq,
Mr. Andreas Mavrommatis (E/CN.4/2000/37);
(d) The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi,
Ms. Marie-Thérèse Kéita-Bocoum (E/CN.4/2000/34).
13 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 1.
116. At the 18th meeting, on 30 March 2000, the following special representatives introduced
their reports:
(a) The Special Representative of the Commission on the situation of human rights in
Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Gustavo Gallón (E/CN.4/2000/40);
(b) The Special Representative of the Commission on the situation of human rights in
Rwanda, Mr. Michel Moussalli (E/CN.4/2000/41).
117. At the 19th meeting, on the same day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, Ms. Mary Robinson, introduced her report on the situation of human rights in Kosovo,
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (E/CN.4/2000/32), and her report on the situation of human
rights in East Timor (E/CN.4/2000/27).
118. At the same meeting, a statement was read out by a member of the secretariat on behalf
of Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, in
connection with the Special Rapporteur.s report (E/CN.4/2000/38).
119. In the general debate on agenda item 9, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
120. At the 55th meeting, on 18 April 2000, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union) introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.15, sponsored by Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Australia, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Ecuador, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Switzerland, Turkey and the United States of America subsequently joined the sponsors.
121. The fourth preambular paragraph, and paragraphs 1 (d), (g) and 4 (d) of the draft
resolution were orally revised by the representative of Portugal.
122. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of
Cuba.
123. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications14 of the draft resolution.
124. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/15.
14 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
125. After the adoption of the resolution, a statement was made by the representative of
Norway in explanation of his delegation.s position.
Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
126. Also at the 55th meeting, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union) introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.16, sponsored by Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Bulgaria, Israel, Latvia,
Slovenia and Switzerland subsequently joined the sponsors.
127. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Pakistan, Portugal and the Observer for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
128. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications15 of the draft resolution.
129. At the request of the representative of Pakistan, the Chairperson subsequently postponed
consideration of the draft resolution.
130. At its 56th meeting, on 18 April 2000, the Commission resumed consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.16.
131. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Qatar and Venezuela.
132. At the request of the representative of Pakistan, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft
resolution, which was adopted by 22 votes to 20, with 11 abstentions. The voting was as
follows:
In favour: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mauritius,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Spain, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Against: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Morocco,
Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo,
Russian Federation, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Venezuela.
Abstaining: Argentina, Botswana, Burundi, Colombia, Madagascar, Mexico, Nigeria,
Peru, Republic of Korea, Swaziland, Zambia.
15 Ibid.
133. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
Brazil, Chile and Nigeria.
134. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/28.
Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa
135. At the 55th meeting, the representative of Qatar introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.23, sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Cuba, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia,
Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab
Republic, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Indonesia and Palestine subsequently
joined the sponsors.
136. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the observers for Israel
and Lebanon.
137. At the request of the representative of the United States of America, a roll-call vote
was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 51 votes to 1, with 1 abstention. The
voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Canada,
Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador,
France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia,
Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal,
Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,
Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation,
Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Venezuela,
Zambia.
Against: United States of America.
Abstaining: Romania.
138. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/16.
Situation of human rights in Iraq
139. At the 55th meeting, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the European Union)
introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.25, sponsored by Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Israel, Japan, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia subsequently joined the sponsors.
140. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the observers for Iraq
and Kuwait.
141. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications16 of the draft resolution.
142. Statements in explanation of the vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
the Russian Federation, the Sudan and the United States of America.
143. At the request of the representatives of Cuba and the Sudan, a roll-call vote was taken on
the draft resolution, which was adopted by 32 votes to none, with 21 abstentions. The voting
was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala,
Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Peru,
Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda,
Senegal, Spain, Swaziland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Against: None.
Abstaining: Bangladesh, Burundi, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Liberia,
Madagascar, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar,
Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia,
Venezuela, Zambia.
144. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
Indonesia, Madagascar, Qatar and Tunisia.
145. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/17.
Situation of human rights in Afghanistan
146. At the 55th meeting, the Chairperson introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.26.
147. The Chairperson orally revised the draft resolution by inserting a new paragraph 11 and
revising the former paragraph 11, now renumbered 12.
148. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications17 of the draft resolution.
16 Ibid.
17 Ibid.
149. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/18.
150. After the adoption of the resolution, the representative of Japan made a statement in
explanation of his delegation.s position.
Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea and assistance in the field of human rights
151. At the 55th meeting, the representative of Nigeria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.27, sponsored by Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States).
Costa Rica subsequently joined the sponsors.
152. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications18 of the draft resolution.
153. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/19.
Situation of human rights in Burundi
154. At the 55th meeting, the representative of Nigeria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.28, sponsored by Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States).
Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan, Norway, Poland and the United States of America
subsequently joined the sponsors.
155. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications19 of the draft resolution.
156. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/20.
Situation of human rights in Rwanda
157. At the same meeting, the representative of Nigeria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.29, sponsored by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and
Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States). Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Israel,
Norway and the United States of America subsequently joined the sponsors.
158. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of
Rwanda.
18 Ibid.
19 Ibid.
159. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications20 of the draft resolution.
160. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/21.
Situation of human rights in China
161. At the 55th meeting, the representative of the United States of America introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.30, sponsored by the United States of America. The draft resolution
read as follows:
.Situation of human rights in China
.The Commission on Human Rights,
.Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect
human rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations
and as elaborated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International
Covenants on Human Rights and other applicable human rights instruments,
.Mindful that China is a party to the International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Rights of the
Child and the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol,
.Noting that China has reaffirmed its support for the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and, in the past three years, has signed both the International Covenant on
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, although it has yet to ratify either,
.Recognizing the significant transformation that Chinese society has undergone
since the introduction of the reform policies, including the reduction of government
interference in the everyday lives of most citizens and the successful efforts of the
Government of China in economic development and in reducing the numbers of Chinese
living in extreme poverty, thus enhancing the enjoyment of economic and social rights,
.Taking note of the reports of the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture
(E/CN.4/2000/9), of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance (E/CN.4/2000/65),
of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women (E/CN.4/2000/68 and Add.1), and
of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
(E/CN.4/2000/3 and Add.1), as well as the reports of the Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention (E/CN.4/2000/4 and Add.1) and the Working Group on Enforced or
Involuntary Disappearances (E/CN.4/2000/64 and Corr.1 and 2),
20 Ibid.
.1. Welcomes:
.(a) The readiness of the Government of China to exchange information on
human rights issues;
.(b) Progress on the codification of China.s legal practice, including changes
to China.s criminal procedure law that bring it closer to compliance with international
human rights instruments;
.(c) China.s continued expressed intent to proceed promptly with ratification
of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
.(d) Continuing efforts at poverty alleviation and economic development that
have improved economic and social rights for many Chinese citizens;
.2. Expresses its concern:
.(a) At continuing reports of violations of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in China and, in particular, at severe restrictions on the rights of citizens to the
freedoms of non-violent assembly, association, expression, conscience and religion, and
on access to due legal process and to a fair trial, as well as reports of harsh sentences for
some seeking to exercise their rights;
.(b) At increased restrictions on the exercise of cultural, linguistic, religious
and other freedoms of Tibetans;
.(c) At the harsh crackdown during the past year on members of the China
Democracy Party and others who sought to exercise their internationally recognized
rights of association, expression and participation in political life;
.(d) At the severe measures taken to restrict the peaceful activities of
Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and others, including Falun Gong adherents, who, in
pursuing non-violent spiritual interests, have sought to exercise their internationally
recognized rights of freedom of religion or belief and of peaceful assembly;
.3. Calls upon the Government of China:
.(a) To ensure the observance of all human rights, including workers. rights, in
accordance with its obligations under the human rights conventions to which it is a
party and as a member of the International Labour Organization, and to ratify in the near
future the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
.(b) To take further measures to improve the impartial administration of justice
and the rule of law;
.(c) To release political prisoners, including persons imprisoned for the
non-violent expression of their political, religious or social views;
.(d) To permit the peaceful activities of Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and
others who seek to exercise their internationally recognized rights of freedom of religion
or belief and of peaceful assembly;
.(e) To preserve and protect the distinct cultural, ethnic, linguistic and
religious identity of Tibetans and others;
.(f) To develop, with countries or regional groupings that seek them, more
productive bilateral dialogues with a view to reaching further positive developments
before the next session of the Commission;
.(g) To cooperate fully with all thematic special rapporteurs and working
groups of the Commission;
.4. Decides to continue its consideration of the situation of human rights in
China at its fifty-seventh session..
162. The representative of the United States orally proposed to revise the draft resolution by
separating paragraph 2 (d) into two parts, which would read as follows:
.(d) At the severe measures taken to restrict the peaceful activities of
Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and others who sought to exercise their internationally
recognized rights of freedom of religion and peaceful assembly,
.(e) At the severe measures taken against adherents of spiritual movements
such as Falun Gong who, in pursuing non-violent spiritual activities, sought to exercise
their internationally recognized rights of freedom of conscience and of peaceful
assembly..
163. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of
China.
164. Under rule 65, paragraph 2, of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of
the Economic and Social Council, the representative of China moved that the Commission take
no decision on the draft resolution.
165. Statements in connection with that motion were made by the representatives of Canada,
Cuba, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves
with the statement), the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka and the United States of America.
166. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Sudan.
167. At the request of the representative of China, a roll-call vote was taken on the motion,
which was carried by 22 votes to 18, with 12 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia,
Madagascar, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar,
Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Sudan,
Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany,
Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Spain, Swaziland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Liberia, Mauritius, Mexico,
Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Senegal, Tunisia.
Cooperation with representatives of United Nations human rights bodies
168. At the 56th meeting, the Observer for Hungary introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.31, sponsored by Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada,
Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and
Uruguay. Albania, Cameroon, Colombia, France, Georgia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Paraguay and the Republic of Korea subsequently joined the sponsors.
169. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/22.
Situation of human rights in Myanmar
170. Also at the 56th meeting, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union) introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.33, sponsored by Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea,
Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Albania, Estonia, Israel,
New Zealand and Turkey subsequently joined the sponsors.
171. The ninth preambular paragraph and paragraph 5 (d) of the draft resolution were orally
revised by the representative of Portugal.
172. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Bangladesh and Japan, and the Observer for Myanmar.
173. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications21 of the draft resolution.
174. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of
Pakistan.
175. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/23.
Situation of human rights in Sierra Leone
176. At the same meeting, the representative of Canada introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.34, sponsored by Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark,
France, Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda,
Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States
of America. Albania, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland subsequently joined the sponsors.
177. Paragraphs 4 and 5 (b) of the draft resolution were orally revised by the representative of
Canada.
178. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/24.
Situation of human rights in Cuba
179. At the 56th meeting, the representative of the Czech Republic introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.35, sponsored by Albania, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Nicaragua, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Bulgaria, Iceland,
Israel, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Slovenia subsequently joined the
sponsors.
180. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Cuba and Portugal (on behalf of the European Union).
21 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
181. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Chile, China, the Russian Federation and Venezuela.
182. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft
resolution, which was adopted by 21 votes to 18, with 14 abstentions. The voting was as
follows:
In favour: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany,
Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Against: Bhutan, Burundi, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Madagascar,
Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Republic of the Congo,
Russian Federation, Sudan, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
Abstaining: Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mauritius, Mexico,
Nepal, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Swaziland.
183. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
Argentina and Mexico.
184. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/25.
Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro),
the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
185. At the 56th meeting, the representative of the United States of America introduced
draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.36/Rev.1, sponsored by Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, New Zealand
and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia subsequently joined the sponsors.
186. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the Observer for
Croatia.
187. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications22 of the draft resolution.
188. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Argentina, China, Chile, Mexico, Peru, the Russian Federation and Venezuela.
22 Ibid.
189. At the request of the representative of the Russian Federation, a roll-call vote was taken
on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 44 votes to 1, with 8 abstentions. The voting was
as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Canada,
Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia,
Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Norway, Pakistan,
Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania,
Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States
of America, Venezuela.
Against: Russian Federation.
Abstaining: China, Cuba, India, Madagascar, Nepal, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo,
Zambia.
190. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
Brazil and India.
191. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/26.
Situation of human rights in the Sudan
192. At the 56th meeting, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the European Union)
introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.52, sponsored by Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Albania, Israel, Malta, Slovakia
and Switzerland subsequently joined the sponsors.
193. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications23 of the draft resolution.
194. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
China, Pakistan, the Sudan and the United States of America.
195. At the request of the representative of the United States of America, a vote by show
of hands was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 28 votes to none,
with 24 abstentions.
196. For the text of the resolution, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/27.
23 Ibid.
East Timor
197. At the 63rd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Chairperson announced that draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.55, entitled .East Timor., had been replaced by a Chairperson.s
statement. In this connection, the Chairperson, on behalf of the Commission, made a statement
concerning East Timor. For the text, see paragraph 213 below.
198. Statements in connection with the Chairperson.s statement were made by the
representatives of Indonesia, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union) and the United States
of America.
Situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation
199. Also at the 63rd meeting, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union) introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.32, sponsored by Austria, Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Australia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Turkey and the United States of America subsequently joined the sponsors.
200. At the 64th meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Commission continued its consideration of the
draft resolution.
201. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Chile, China, Cuba and the Russian Federation.
202. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications24 of the draft resolution.
203. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of
Bangladesh.
204. At the request of the representative of the Russian Federation, a roll-call vote was
taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 25 votes to 7, with 19 abstentions. The
voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Botswana, Burundi, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic,
El Salvador, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mauritius,
Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda,
Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America, Zambia.
24 Ibid.
Against: China, Cuba, India, Madagascar, Republic of the Congo,
Russian Federation, Sri Lanka.
Abstaining: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia,
Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea,
Senegal, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, Venezuela.
205. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
206. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/58.
(a) Question of human rights in Cyprus
207. At the 56th meeting, the Chairperson introduced a draft decision on the question of
human rights in Cyprus.
208. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section B, decision 2000/103.
(b) Procedure established in accordance with Economic and Social Council
resolution 1503 (XLVIII)
209. The Commission considered agenda item 9 (b) in closed session at its 21st
and 22nd meetings, on 31 March 2000. It had before it for consideration under Economic and
Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) the human rights situations in Chile, Kenya, Latvia,
Republic of the Congo, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam, Yemen and Zimbabwe, as
publicly announced by the Chairperson. The Chairperson also announced that the Commission
had decided to discontinue consideration of the human rights situations in Chile, Kenya, Latvia,
Republic of the Congo, the United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
210. The Chairperson reminded the members of the Commission that, in conformity with
paragraph 8 of Economic and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII), they should not make
any reference in public debate to the confidential decisions taken under that resolution or to any
confidential material relating thereto.
211. The Commission decided at the close of its 22nd meeting to hold another meeting under
agenda item 9 (b) in closed session. The Commission.s consideration of item 9 (b) was
subsequently resumed at its 37th meeting (closed part), on 10 April 2000.
212. In accordance with rule 21 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, and after consultations with the regional groups, it was decided
that the Chairperson would designate five members of the Commission to serve in their personal
capacity on the Working Group on Situations to meet prior to the fifty-seventh session of the
Commission in 2001.
Chairperson’s statement
213. During the Commission.s consideration of agenda item 9, the Chairperson made
one statement, the text of which reads:
East Timor
.The Commission on Human Rights takes note of the report of the joint mission
of its special rapporteurs to East Timor (A/54/660) and the report of the International
Commission of Inquiry (A/54/726) and also takes note of the need to complete the
systematic investigations of violations of fundamental human rights and international
humanitarian law perpetrated in East Timor.
.The Commission on Human Rights also takes note of the report of the
Indonesian Commission of Inquiry and the cooperation established with the International
Commission of Inquiry. The Commission on Human Rights welcomes the general
progress made and some concrete steps already taken by the Government of Indonesia to
investigate fully violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and to
bring those responsible to justice, and welcomes the willingness of the Government of
Indonesia to inform the Commission about further developments.
.The Commission fully supports the Secretary-General.s intention to strengthen
the capacity of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, in
accordance with the latter.s mandate, to conduct forensic investigations and to provide
assistance to ongoing procedures.
.The Commission takes note of the agreement between the Transitional
Administration and the Indonesian authorities to exchange information relevant to
investigations, prosecutions and trials and welcomes the signature by the Government of
Indonesia and the United Nations Transitional Administration of a memorandum of
understanding envisaging mutual cooperation in legal, judicial and human rights-related
matters, with the aim of promoting reconciliation and ensuring future social and political
stability.
.The Commission commends the enhancement of collaboration between the
United Nations and the Government of Indonesia in technical cooperation programmes in
the field of human rights. In this respect, the Commission requests the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide technical assistance and
advisory services to the Government of Indonesia in its effort, in the context of respecting
international standards of justice and fairness, to investigate and bring to justice the
alleged perpetrators of the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law
in East Timor, including in the setting up of a special human rights court.
.The Commission urges a rapid solution of the East Timorese refugee problem in
West Timor. It takes note of the decision by the Government of Indonesia to set a
deadline and to take all necessary measures for the refugees to express freely their choice.
The Commission takes note of positive steps taken by the Government of Indonesia to
enhance the security and the safety in refugee camps. In this regard, the Commission
welcomes the agreements between the Indonesian authorities and the Transitional
Administration of 22 November 1999 and 13 January 2000 for creating a secure
environment for the voluntary repatriation of refugees. However, the Commission
remains concerned at various obstacles, including intimidation and misinformation by
remaining militias in refugee camps, which hamper the safe and voluntary return of
refugees to East Timor. The Commission asks the Government of Indonesia and the
international community to continue to provide relief assistance to the refugees.
.The Commission decides to keep these matters under consideration and requests
the High Commissioner to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its
fifty-fifth session and to report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session..
X. Economic, social and cultural rights
214. The Commission considered agenda item 10 at its 23rd to 27th meetings,
from 3 to 5 April, at its 52nd meeting, on 17 April, and at its 65th to 67th meetings,
on 26 April 2000.25
215. For the documents issued under agenda item 10, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
216. At the 23rd meeting, on 3 April 2000:
(a) The Special Rapporteur on the effects of foreign debt on the full enjoyment of
economic, social and cultural rights, Mr. Reinaldo Figueredo, introduced the report prepared
jointly with the independent expert on structural adjustment policies, Mr. Fantu Cheru
(E/CN.4/2000/51, annex);
(b) The independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty,
Ms. Anne-Marie Lizin, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/52).
217. At the 24th meeting, on the same day, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education,
Ms. Katarina Tomasevski, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/6 and Add.1-2).
218. At the 25th meeting, on 4 April 2000, the Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of
the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment
of human rights, Ms. Fatma Zohra Ouhachi-Vesely, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/50 and
Add.1). At the 27th meeting, on 5 April 2000, the Special Rapporteur made her concluding
remarks.
219. In the general debate on agenda item 10, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and cultural rights
contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and study of special problems which the
developing countries face in their efforts to achieve these human rights
220. At the 52nd meeting, on 17 April 2000, the representative of Germany introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.17, sponsored by Albania, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Mexico, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and Uruguay. Subsequently, Angola, Austria, Belarus, Belgium,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark,
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Kenya,
25 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Philippines,
Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation, Senegal, South Africa, Ukraine and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland joined the sponsors.
221. The representative of Germany orally revised the third preambular paragraph and
paragraphs 2, 6 and 8 of the draft resolution, inserted a new paragraph 6 and renumbered the
following paragraphs.
222. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of
India.
223. At the 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, in accordance with rule 28 of the rules of
procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, the attention of
the Commission was drawn to the estimated administrative and programme budget
implications26 of the draft resolution.
224. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/9.
The right to food
225. At the 52nd meeting, the representative of Cuba introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.19, sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus,
Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Côte d.Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic
People.s Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras,
India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran (the Islamic Republic of), Kenya, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
Madagascar, Mauritania, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Republic of the Congo,
the Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Swaziland,
the Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, Tunisia, Viet Nam, Yemen and Zambia. Belgium, Bulgaria,
Canada, France, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Niger, Norway, Portugal and Sweden subsequently
joined the sponsors.
226. Paragraphs 5 and 9 of the draft resolution were orally revised by the representative of
Cuba.
227. At the 67th meeting, in accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the
functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission
was drawn to the estimated administrative and programme budget implications27 of the draft
resolution.
228. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of the
United States of America.
26 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
27 Ibid.
229. The representative of the United States of America requested a vote. At the request of
the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, as orally revised,
which was adopted by 49 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China,
Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala,
India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan,
Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of
the Congo, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain,
Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: United States of America.
Abstaining: Czech Republic, Latvia.
230. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/10.
231. In view of the adoption of resolution 2000/10, the Commission took no action on draft
decision 4 recommended by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights for adoption by the Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
Human rights and unilateral coercive measures
232. At the 52nd meeting, the Observer for South Africa introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.21, sponsored by South Africa (on behalf of the States Members of
the United Nations members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and China).
233. The representative of the United States of America requested a vote. At the request of
the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted
by 36 votes to 9, with 7 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China,
Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia,
Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo,
Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland,
Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Canada, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States
of America.
Abstaining: Czech Republic, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Republic of Korea,
Spain.
234. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/11.
Human rights and extreme poverty
235. At the 52nd meeting, the representative of France introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.22, sponsored by Albania, Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium,
Bhutan, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d.Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador,
Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal,
Republic of the Congo, Romania, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Tunisia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yemen. Angola, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria,
the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eritrea, Greece, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Liberia,
Mongolia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of
Moldova, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Togo and Ukraine subsequently joined
the sponsors.
236. Paragraphs 8 (a) and 9 of the draft resolution were orally revised by the representative of
France.
237. At the 67th meeting, in accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the
functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission
was drawn to the estimated administrative and programme budget implications28 of the draft
resolution.
238. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of the
United States of America.
239. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/12.
Women’s equal ownership of, access to and control over land and the equal rights to own
property and to adequate housing
240. At the 52nd meeting, the representative of Mexico introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.24, sponsored by Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada,
Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d.Ivoire, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan,
Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama,
Peru, Portugal, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden and Venezuela. Bangladesh,
Belgium, Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, India, Ireland, Israel, Finland, Kenya,
Liberia, Morocco, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United States of America, Uruguay,
Zambia and Zimbabwe subsequently joined the sponsors.
241. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/13.
28 Ibid.
Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights
242. At the 52nd meeting, the Commission considered draft decision 2 recommended by the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights for adoption by the
Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
243. At the 67th meeting, in accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the
functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission
was drawn to the estimated administrative and programme budget implications29 of the draft
decision.
244. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section B, decision 2000/102.
The Social Forum
245. At the 52nd meeting, the Commission considered draft decision 3 recommended by the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights for adoption by the
Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
246. At the request of the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, the Chairperson subsequently postponed consideration of the draft decision.
247. At the 65th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Commission resumed consideration of draft
decision 3, recommended for adoption by the Sub-Commission.
248. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland orally
amended the draft decision.
249. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications30 of the draft decision.
250. The draft decision, as orally amended, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section B, decision 2000/107.
Effects of structural adjustment policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all
human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights
251. At the 52nd meeting, the representative of Cuba introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.20, sponsored by Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, China, Côte d.Ivoire,
Cuba, the Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Republic of
the Congo, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Republic of Tanzania, Tunisia,
Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Angola, Burundi, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic,
Haiti, Indonesia, Liberia, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
252. At the request of the representative of Cuba, the Chairperson subsequently postponed
consideration of the draft resolution.
253. At the 67th meeting, the Commission resumed consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.20.
254. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Canada, Chile, Cuba, Nigeria and Pakistan.
255. The representative of Chile proposed to amend paragraph 13 of the draft resolution as
follows:
.13. Decides to appoint an independent expert on the effects of structural
adjustment policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human rights,
particularly economic, social and cultural rights;..
256. At the request of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the amendment proposed by the
representative of Chile.
257. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote on the proposed amendment were made
by the representatives of Cuba, Guatemala, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
258. The proposed amendment was rejected by 31 votes to 17, with 4 abstentions. The voting
was as follows:
In favour: Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia,
Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania,
Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America.
Against: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cuba,
Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines,
Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan,
Swaziland, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
Abstaining: Argentina, Brazil, Nepal, Russian Federation.
259. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications31 of the draft resolution.
260. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote on the draft resolution was made by
the representative of Japan.
261. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
requested a vote on the draft resolution as a whole. At the request of the representative of Cuba,
a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 30 votes to 15,
with 7 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, China, Cuba, Ecuador,
El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mauritius,
Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of
the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia,
Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia,
Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States
of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Republic of Korea,
Russian Federation.
262. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/82.
The adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products
and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights
263. At the 66th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the representative of Nigeria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.97, sponsored by Nigeria (on behalf of the States members of the
Group of African States). Haiti subsequently joined the sponsors.
264. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Japan and the United States of America.
31 Ibid.
265. The representative of Canada requested a vote. At the request of the representative of
Nigeria, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 37 votes to 16.
The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China,
Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia,
Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of
the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia,
Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia,
Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation,
Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America.
Abstaining: None.
266. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/72.
XI. Civil and political rights, including the questions of:
(a) Torture and detention;
(b) Disappearances and summary executions;
(c) Freedom of expression;
(d) Independence of the judiciary, administration of
justice, impunity;
(e) Religious intolerance;
(f) States of emergency;
(g) Conscientious objection to military service
267. The Commission considered agenda item 11 at its 27th to 34th meetings,
from 5 to 7 April, at its 60th meeting, on 20 April, and at its 62nd meeting, on 25 April 2000.32
268. For the documents issued under agenda item 11, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
269. At the 27th meeting, on 5 April 2000:
(a) The Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances, Mr. Ivan Tosevski, introduced the report of the Working Group
(E/CN.4/2000/64 and Corr.1 and 2 and Add.1);
(b) The Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, Sir Nigel S. Rodley, introduced
his report (E/CN.4/2000/9 and Add.1-5);
(c) Mr. Ivan Tosevski, in his capacity as a member of the Board of Trustees of the
United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, presented the updated information of the
Board (E/CN.4/2000/60 and Add.1);
(d) The Vice-Chairperson of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention,
Mr. Louis Joinet, introduced the report of the Working Group (E/CN.4/2000/4 and Add.1-2). At
the 34th meeting, on 7 April 2000, Mr. Joinet made his concluding remarks.
270. At the 28th meeting, on 5 April 2000, the independent expert on the right to restitution,
compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, Mr. Cherif Bassiouni, introduced his report (E/CN.4/2000/62).
32 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
271. At the 30th meeting, on 6 April 2000, the following special rapporteurs introduced their
reports:
(a) The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom
of opinion and expression, Mr. Abid Hussain (E/CN.4/2000/63 and Add.1-4);
(b) The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers,
Mr. Param Cumaraswamy (E/CN.4/2000/61 and Corr.1 and Add.1 and 2);
(c) The Special Rapporteur on the question of religious intolerance,
Mr. Abdelfattah Amor (E/CN.4/2000/65); at the 34th meeting, the Special Rapporteur made his
concluding remarks;
(d) The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions,
Ms. Asma Jahangir (E/CN.4/2000/3 and Add.1-3).
272. In the general debate on agenda item 11, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Hostage-taking
273. At the 60th meeting, on 20 April 2000, the representative of the Russian Federation
introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.38, sponsored by Australia, Belarus, China,
Costa Rica, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, India, Japan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland,
the Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Venezuela. Colombia, Ecuador,
El Salvador, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
274. The fourth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution was orally revised by the
representative of the Russian Federation.
275. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/29.
Human rights and terrorism
276. Also at the 60th meeting, the Observer for Turkey introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.39, sponsored by Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cuba,
Egypt, Georgia, India, Pakistan, Peru, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and
Turkey. Afghanistan, Cameroon, Colombia and El Salvador subsequently joined the sponsors.
277. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of
the Russian Federation.
278. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications33 of the draft resolution.
279. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria,
Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania,
Slovakia and Slovenia aligned themselves with the statement), the Sudan, the United States
of America and Venezuela.
280. At the request of the representative of the United States of America, a vote by show of
hands was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 27 votes to 13,
with 12 abstentions.
281. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/30.
282. In view of the adoption of resolution 2000/30, the Commission took no action on draft
decision 7 recommended by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights for adoption by the Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
283. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Sweden introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.40, sponsored by Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana,
Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Haiti,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova,
Romania, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Albania, Angola, Argentina, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Morocco and
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland subsequently joined the sponsors.
284. Paragraph 6 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the Observer for Sweden.
285. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of the
United States of America.
286. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/31.
33 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
Human rights and forensic science
287. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Sweden introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.41, sponsored by Belarus, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland. France, Israel, Japan, the Philippines and the United States
of America subsequently joined the sponsors.
288. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/32.
Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of
Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
289. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Ireland introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.42, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal,
the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Tunisia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
the United States of America and Venezuela. Cameroon, El Salvador, India, Liberia,
Mauritius, the Philippines and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
290. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/33.
Conscientious objection to military service
291. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Finland introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.43, sponsored by Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Austria, Azerbaijan and the Netherlands
subsequently joined the sponsors.
292. Paragraph 2 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the Observer for Finland.
293. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/34.
Draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment
294. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Costa Rica introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.44, sponsored by Albania, Argentina, Austria, Belarus,
Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France,
Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela. Australia,
Nicaragua, Panama, the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation subsequently joined
the sponsors.
295. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/35.
Promoting and consolidating democracy
296. At the 60th meeting, the representative of Romania introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1, sponsored by Albania, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova,
Romania, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and
the United States of America. Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Colombia,
Croatia, the Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Mongolia,
Niger, Nigeria, the Philippines, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka and Tunisia subsequently
joined the sponsors.
297. A new preambular paragraph was inserted after the fifth preambular paragraph by the
representative of Romania. The former tenth preambular paragraph, paragraphs 1 (c) (ii),
1 (d) (ii) and (iii), 1 (e) (chapeau) and 1 (f) (ii) of the draft resolution were orally revised by the
representative of Romania.
298. At the request of the representative of Cuba, consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1 and of document E/CN.4/2000/L.58, containing
amendments to E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1, was postponed.
299. Statements in connection with that request were made by the representatives of
Argentina, Burundi, Cuba, Mexico, Romania, the Sudan and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
300. At the 62nd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Commission resumed consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1.
301. The representative of Cuba introduced proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.58) to
draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1, sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Burundi, China, Cuba,
the Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Iraq, Lebanon,
the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda,
the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, the United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam and
Yemen. The proposed amendments read as follows:
.1. Replace the first preambular paragraph with the following text:
.Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the
United Nations and recalling that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to
achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an
economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and
encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without
distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,..
.2. Delete the second preambular paragraph.
[.]
.4. Replace the third preambular paragraph with the following text:
.Reaffirming that democracy, development and respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, that
democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their
own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in
all aspects of their lives, and that, in the context of the above, the promotion and
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and
international levels should be universal and conducted without conditions
attached,..
.5. After the third preambular paragraph, insert a new preambular paragraph reading:
.Reaffirming that every State has an inalienable right to choose its
political, economic, social and cultural systems, without interference in any form
by another State,..
.6. At the end of the third preambular paragraph, insert the following text:
.taking into account the particular situation of peoples under colonial or other
forms of alien domination or foreign occupation,..
.7. Replace the fifth preambular paragraph with the following text:
.Recalling that in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the
World Conference on Human Rights recommended that priority be given to
national and international action to promote democracy, development and all
human rights, including the right to development, as established in the
Declaration on the Right to Development,..
[.]
.9. Replace the seventh preambular paragraph with the following text:
.Recalling that transparent and accountable governance, including in
international institutions and organizations, is indispensable for creating an
enabling environment for building peaceful, prosperous and democratic
societies,..
[.]
.14. In the twelfth preambular paragraph, replace the word Commending with the
word Noting.
.15. Replace paragraph 1 with the following text:
.1. Requests the Secretary-General to seek the views of
Member States on the matter of the promotion and consolidation of
democracy, for further consideration during the fifty-seventh session of the
Commission;.
.16. Delete paragraph 3.
.17. Delete paragraph 4..
302. The representative of Cuba orally revised the proposed amendments further.
303. The representative of Pakistan orally proposed to amend draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1 by inserting a new paragraph 2.
304. Statements in connection with the draft resolution and the proposed amendments
were made by the representatives of Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Pakistan,
Romania, Swaziland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the
United States of America.
305. The representative of Romania further orally revised draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1.
306. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on paragraph 1 of
the proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.58) to draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1,
which was rejected by 22 votes to 10, with 20 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Bhutan, China, Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of the Congo,
Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland.
Against: Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Nepal, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
India, Indonesia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger,
Nigeria, Russian Federation, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Venezuela,
Zambia.
307. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on paragraph 4 of
the proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.58) to draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1,
which was rejected by 23 votes to 11, with 18 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Bhutan, China, Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of the Congo,
Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia.
Against: Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Nepal, Norway, Peru,
Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Spain,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Bangladesh, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India,
Indonesia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria,
Russian Federation, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Venezuela.
308. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on paragraph 5 of
the proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.58) to draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1,
which was rejected by 22 votes to 13, with 18 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bhutan, China, Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar,
Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland,
Zambia.
Against: Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Nepal, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Abstaining: Bangladesh, Burundi, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India,
Indonesia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria,
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Venezuela.
309. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on paragraph 7 of
the proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.58) to draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1,
which was rejected by 22 votes to 17, with 14 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico,
Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Russian Federation, Rwanda,
Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Nepal, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Burundi, Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Liberia,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia.
310. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on
paragraphs 2, 6, 9 and 14 to 17 of the proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.58) to draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1, which were rejected by 29 votes to 8, with 16 abstentions.
The voting was as follows:
In favour: Bhutan, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda,
Sudan.
Against: Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France,
Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg,
Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
Korea, Romania, Senegal, Spain, Swaziland, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Abstaining: Bangladesh, Burundi, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Liberia,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Russian Federation,
Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
311. A statement in explanation of vote after the vote was made by the representative of India.
312. The representatives of Cuba and Romania requested a vote on draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1.
313. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Argentina, China, Cuba, India, Pakistan, the Sudan, Swaziland and Venezuela.
314. At the request of the representative of Romania, a roll-call vote was taken on draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1, which was adopted by 45 votes to none, with 8 abstentions.
The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Chile,
Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany,
Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,
Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania,
Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tunisia,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States
of America, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: None.
Abstaining: Bhutan, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda,
Sudan.
315. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/47.
Question of arbitrary detention
316. At the 60th meeting, the representative of France introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.46, sponsored by Albania, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Belarus,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Eritrea, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal,
Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus,
Ecuador, Georgia, Morocco and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
317. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications34 of the draft resolution.
318. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/36.
Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances
319. At the same meeting, the representative of France introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.47, sponsored by Albania, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d.Ivoire, Cuba, the
34 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Senegal,
Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus,
Georgia, Morocco and the Republic of Korea subsequently joined the sponsors.
320. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Argentina and Guatemala.
321. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/37.
Right to freedom of opinion and expression
322. At the 60th meeting, the representative of Canada introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.48, sponsored by Albania, Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium,
Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d.Ivoire, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine,
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Venezuela. Afghanistan, Angola,
Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, France, Georgia, Greece, India,
Israel, Liberia, Madagascar, Malta, Mongolia, Nepal, Republic of Moldova, Senegal,
South Africa, the United States of America and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
323. Paragraph 13 (b) was orally revised by the representative of Canada.
324. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/38.
Human rights in the administration of justice, in particular juvenile justice
325. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Austria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.49, sponsored by Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Greece,
Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico,
Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of the Congo, Slovenia, South Africa,
Switzerland, Thailand and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Angola, Australia,
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guatemala,
Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Senegal, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, Swaziland and Sweden subsequently joined the sponsors.
326. Paragraphs 9 and 13 of the draft resolution were orally revised by the Observer for
Austria.
327. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/39.
The incompatibility between democracy and racism
328. At the 60th meeting, the representative of Brazil introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.50, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina,
Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,
the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Israel, Italy,
Liberia, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal,
the Republic of the Congo, Romania, the Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Thailand,
Uruguay and Venezuela. Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Canada, Croatia, Eritrea, Ghana,
Greece, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and the United States of America
subsequently joined the sponsors.
329. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of the
United States of America.
330. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/40.
The right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of
human rights and fundamental freedoms
331. At the 60th meeting, the representative of Chile introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.51, sponsored by Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark,
the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Madagascar, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and Venezuela. Albania,
Angola, Canada, Eritrea, Germany, Norway, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Switzerland,
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Uruguay subsequently joined the
sponsors.
332. Paragraph 3 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the representative of Chile.
333. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/41.
Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors and the independence
of lawyers
334. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Hungary introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.53, sponsored by Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay,
Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Uruguay. Angola,
Argentina, Cameroon, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, India and Nicaragua subsequently
joined the sponsors.
335. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications35 of the draft resolution.
336. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/42.
Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
337. At the 60th meeting, the Observer for Denmark introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.54, sponsored by Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon,
Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Eritrea,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States
of America and Venezuela. Angola, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Georgia, Mongolia, Panama, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation subsequently
joined the sponsors.
338. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/43.
35 Ibid.
XII. Integration of the human rights of women and a
gender perspective:
(a) Violence against women
339. The Commission considered agenda item 12 at its 34th and 35th meetings, on 7 April, at
its 36th and 37th meetings, on 10 April, at its 38th meeting, on 11 April, and at its 61st meeting,
on 20 April 2000.36
340. For the documents issued under agenda item 12, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson’s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
341. At the 34th meeting, on 7 April 2000, the Chairperson of the Commission on the Status
of Women, Ms. Dubravka Simonovic, made a statement.
342. At the 36th meeting, on 10 April 2000:
(a) The Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences,
Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/68 and Add.1-5);
(b) The Rapporteur of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women, Ms. Feride Arca, made a statement;
(c) The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan, made a statement.
343. In the general debate on agenda item 12, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III.
Traffic in women and girls
344. At the 61st meeting, on 20 April 2000, the representative of the Philippines introduced
draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.59, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Azerbaijan,
Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia,
Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Senegal, South Africa,
Sri Lanka, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Ukraine. Argentina, Belgium,
36 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
Burundi, Croatia, Denmark, Eritrea, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, Thailand and Uruguay
subsequently joined the sponsors.
345. The representative of the Philippines orally revised the draft resolution by inserting a new
preambular paragraph after the fourth preambular paragraph. The former ninth preambular
paragraph and paragraph 12 were also orally revised.
346. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/44.
Elimination of violence against women
347. Also at the 61st meeting, the representative of Canada introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.60, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Australia, Belarus,
Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Côte d.Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kenya, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru,
the Philippines, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa,
Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the United States
of America and Venezuela. Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi,
Colombia, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Liberia, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mongolia, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Rwanda,
Senegal, Sweden, Tunisia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the
United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay and Zambia subsequently joined the sponsors.
348. Paragraph 3 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the representative of Canada.
The representative of Canada further revised the draft resolution by adding a new paragraph 4.
349. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications37 of the draft resolution.
350. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/45.
Integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations system
351. At the 61st meeting, the representative of Chile introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.61, sponsored by Albania, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Cyprus, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany,
Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico,
37 See also chap. VI, para. 75, note 9.
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Spain,
Swaziland, Sweden, Tunisia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
Uruguay and Venezuela. Bangladesh, Belgium, Burundi, Croatia, France, Liberia,
Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Mauritius, Slovenia, Turkey, the United Republic of Tanzania and
Zambia subsequently joined the sponsors.
352. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/46.
XIII. Rights of the child
353. The Commission considered agenda item 13 at its 38th to 40th meetings, on 11 April, at
its 42nd to 44th meetings, on 12 April, at its 65th meeting, on 26 April, and at its 68th meeting,
on 27 April 2000.38
354. For the documents issued under agenda item 13, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
355. At the 38th meeting, on 11 April 2000, the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General on children and armed conflict, Mr. Olara A. Otunnu, introduced his reports
(E/CN.4/2000/71 and A/54/430).
356. At the 39th meeting, on the same day, the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Open-ended
inter-sessional working group on a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child on the involvement of children in armed conflicts, Ms. Catherine von Heidenstam,
introduced the report of the working group on its sixth session (E/CN.4/2000/74).
357. At the 40th meeting, on 11 April 2000:
(a) The Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Open-ended inter-sessional working group on
a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children,
child prostitution and child pornography, Mr. Jorge Iván Mora Godoy, introduced the report of
the working group on its sixth session (E/CN.4/2000/75);
(b) The Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography, Ms. Ofelia Calcetas-Santos, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/73 and Add.1-3).
358. In the general debate on agenda item 13, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Question of draft optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on
children and armed conflict, as well as on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography
359. At the 65th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Chairperson introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.62.
38 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
360. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/59.
Abduction of children from northern Uganda
361. Also at the 65th meeting, the Observer for Uganda introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.69, sponsored by Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the
United Republic of Tanzania. The United States of America subsequently joined the sponsors.
362. Paragraph 11 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the Observer for Uganda.
363. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications39 of the draft resolution.
364. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Mexico and the Sudan.
365. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/60.
Rights of the child
366. At the 68th meeting, on 27 April 2000, the Observer for Uruguay (on behalf of the Group
of Latin American and Caribbean States) introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.94,
sponsored by Austria, China, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Iceland,
Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay and Venezuela. Albania,
Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece,
Haiti, Hungary, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay,
the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo,
Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Viet Nam and Zambia subsequently joined the sponsors.
367. The Observer for Uruguay orally revised the draft resolution - on the basis of an
unofficial text - by revising the fourth, twelfth and fourteenth to twentieth preambular
paragraphs, as well as paragraphs 2, 5, 7, 12, 15, 16, 19, 22, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 39, 41, 42,
39 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
45, 49, 51, 52 and 53, and by inserting a new paragraph after the eighth preambular paragraph
and new paragraphs following paragraphs 2, 3, 10, 11, 14 and 19 of the original text.
368. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
France and Portugal (on behalf of the European Union).
369. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/85.
370. After the adoption of the resolution, the representative of the United States of America
made a statement in explanation of his delegation.s position.
XIV. Specific groups and individuals:
(a) Migrant workers;
(b) Minorities;
(c) Mass exoduses and displaced persons;
(d) Other vulnerable groups and individuals
371. The Commission considered agenda item 14 at its 45th to 48th meetings, on 13 April, and
at its 62nd and 63rd meetings, on 25 April 2000.40
372. For the documents issued under agenda item 14, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
373. At the 45th meeting, on 13 April 2000:
(a) The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Ms. Gabriela Rodríguez
Pizarro, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/82);
(b) The Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons,
Mr. Francis M. Deng, introduced his report (E/CN.4/2000/83 and Add.1-3);
(c) The Special Rapporteur on monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules
on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities of the Commission for Social
Development, Mr. Bengt Lindqvist, introduced his report (E/CN.5/2000/3 and Corr.1, annex).
374. In the general debate on agenda item 14, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Human rights of migrants
375. At the 62nd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the representative of Mexico introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.56, sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus,
Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Liberia,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines,
Portugal, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and
Zimbabwe. Ghana and Indonesia subsequently joined the sponsors.
40 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
376. The thirteenth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution was orally revised by the
representative of Mexico.
377. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/48.
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families
378. Also at the 62nd meeting, the representative of Mexico introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.57, sponsored by Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cape Verde, Colombia,
Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru,
the Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Turkey.
379. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/49.
Tolerance and pluralism as indivisible elements in the promotion and protection of
human rights
380. At the 62nd meeting, the representative of India introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.64, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Australia,
Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia,
Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal,
the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, the
Russian Federation, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand,
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and
Uruguay. Argentina, Ecuador, Georgia, Israel, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal and Ukraine
subsequently joined the sponsors.
381. The representative of India orally revised the draft resolution by inserting a new
preambular paragraph after the first preambular paragraph. Paragraph 5 (c) of the draft
resolution was also revised.
382. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/50.
Human rights of persons with disabilities
383. At the 62nd meeting, the Observer for Ireland introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.67, sponsored by Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus,
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus,
Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic
of the Congo, Romania, San Marino, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, the Sudan, Sweden,
Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, New Zealand, Pakistan, The former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
384. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications41 of the draft resolution.
385. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/51.
Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities
386. At the 63rd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the Observer for Austria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.70, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Austria,
Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia,
Finland, Georgia, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Malta, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, the
Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Uruguay. Armenia, Equatorial Guinea,
Mauritius, the Netherlands, the Republic of the Congo and San Marino subsequently joined the
sponsors.
387. Paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 14 of the draft resolution were orally revised by the Observer
for Austria.
388. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/52.
Internally displaced persons
389. At the 63rd meeting, the Observer for Austria introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.72, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Austria,
Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark,
Ethiopia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Peru, Portugal, the Republic of Korea,
Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Uruguay. Angola,
Colombia, Ecuador, France, the Republic of the Congo, the Netherlands and Slovenia
subsequently joined the sponsors.
41 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
390. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 23 of the draft resolution were orally revised by the Observer
for Austria.
391. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of
India.
392. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/53.
393. In view of the adoption of resolution 2000/53, the Commission took no action on draft
decision 9 recommended by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights for adoption by the Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54,
chap. I).
Violence against women migrant workers
394. At the 63rd meeting, the representative of the Philippines introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.73, sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Chile,
El Salvador, Indonesia, Ireland, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Peru,
the Philippines, Portugal and Sri Lanka. Azerbaijan, Ecuador and Israel subsequently joined the
sponsors.
395. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/54.
Human rights and mass exoduses
396. At the 63rd meeting, the representative of Canada introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.74, sponsored by Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Georgia, Mauritius, Thailand, Tunisia
and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
397. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/55.
XV. Indigenous issues
398. The Commission considered agenda item 15 at its 48th meeting, on 13 April, at its 49th
and 50th meetings, on 14 April, and at its 63rd meeting, on 25 April, at its 67th meeting,
on 26 April, and at its 68th meeting, on 27 April 2000.42
399. For the documents issued under agenda item 15, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
400. At the 48th meeting, on 13 April 2000:
(a) The Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Open-ended inter-sessional working group on
a permanent forum for indigenous people, Mr. Petter Wille, introduced the report of the working
group (E/CN.4/2000/86);
(b) The Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on a draft United Nations
declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, Mr. Luis Enrique Chávez, introduced the report
of the Working Group (E/CN.4/2000/84);
(c) Statements were made by Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson of the Board
of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, and
Mr. Michael Dodson, Chairperson of the Advisory Group of the United Nations Voluntary Fund
for the International Decade of the World.s Indigenous People.
401. In the general debate on agenda item 15, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III to the present report.
Human rights and indigenous affairs
402. At its 63rd meeting, on 25 April 2000, the representative of Guatemala introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.63, sponsored by Guatemala and Mexico.
403. At the request of the representative of Guatemala, the Commission decided to postpone
consideration of the draft resolution until its next session.
404. For the text of the decision as adopted, see chapter II, section B, decision 2000/105.
Study on indigenous land rights
405. Also at its 63rd meeting, the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland introduced draft decision E/CN.4/2000/L.65, sponsored by the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Canada and Portugal subsequently joined the sponsors.
42 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
406. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section B, decision 2000/106.
407. In view of the adoption of decision 2000/106, the Commission took no action on draft
decision 6 recommended by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights for adoption by the Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights and the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous
People
408. At its 63rd meeting, the Observer for New Zealand introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.66, sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile,
Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras,
Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, the Philippines,
the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Ukraine subsequently joined the sponsors.
409. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/56.
410. In view of the adoption of resolution 2000/56, the Commission took no action on draft
decision 5 recommended by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights for adoption by the Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
Establishment of a permanent forum on indigenous issues
411. At its 63rd meeting, the Observer for Denmark introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.68, sponsored by Belgium, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark,
Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and Venezuela. Belarus, Bolivia, Costa Rica, South Africa and Ukraine subsequently joined the
sponsors.
412. Paragraph 1 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the Observer for Denmark.
413. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Guatemala, Indonesia (on behalf of the Group of Asian States), Mexico,
Morocco, Nigeria, the United States of America, and the Observer for Denmark.
414. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications43 of the draft resolution.
43 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
415. At the request of the representative of Nigeria, the Chairperson postponed consideration
of the draft resolution.
416. At its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Commission resumed consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.68. At the request of the Observer for Denmark, the Chairperson
again postponed consideration of the draft resolution.
417. At its 68th meeting, on 27 April 2000, the Commission resumed consideration of the
draft resolution.
418. Paragraph 1 of the draft resolution was further orally revised by the Observer for
Denmark. Paragraph 8 was also orally revised.
419. The representative of Cuba proposed to amend the draft resolution by inserting a new
preambular paragraph after the sixth preambular paragraph.
420. In this connection, the representative of Spain proposed a sub-amendment to the
amendment proposed by the representative of Cuba.
421. The representative of Cuba proposed a further sub-amendment to be added at the end of
the sub-amendment proposed by the representative of Spain, which would read as follows:
.In order to avoid unnecessary overlapping in the respective mandates of the two bodies..
422. Statements in connection with the proposed amendment and sub-amendments were made
by the representatives of Brazil, Cuba, Guatemala, Nigeria, Portugal and Spain and the Observer
for Denmark.
423. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the
sub-amendment that he proposed.
424. Explanations of vote before the vote on the sub-amendment proposed by the
representative of Cuba were made by the representatives of Argentina, Canada, Guatemala and
Nigeria.
425. The Commission decided, by 21 votes to 11, with 20 abstentions, to reject the
sub-amendment proposed by the representative of Cuba. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Brazil, Burundi, China, Cuba, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo,
Russian Federation, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia.
Against: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Peru,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, United States of America.
Abstaining: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Philippines, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Venezuela.
426. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the
sub-amendment proposed by the representative of Spain.
427. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote on this sub-amendment were made by
the representatives of Cuba and Guatemala.
428. The Commission decided, by 20 votes to 6, with 26 abstentions, to adopt the
sub-amendment proposed by the representative of Spain. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany,
Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, Peru,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland.
Against: Burundi, China, Cuba, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Swaziland.
Abstaining: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India,
Indonesia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan,
Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda,
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, United States of America, Venezuela,
Zambia.
429. At the request of the representative of Cuba, two separate votes by a show of hands were
taken on paragraphs 1 and 8 of draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.68, as orally revised.
430. The Commission decided, by 43 votes to none, with 9 abstentions to retain paragraph 1,
and, by 35 votes to none, with 16 abstentions, to retain paragraph 8 of the draft resolution.
431. The representative of Cuba requested a vote. At the request of the representative of
Guatemala, a roll-call vote was taken on the whole draft resolution as orally revised and
amended, which was adopted by 43 votes to none, with 9 abstentions. The voting was as
follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China,
Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany,
Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico,
Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal,
Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tunisia, United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: None.
Abstaining: Burundi, Cuba, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria,
Republic of the Congo, Sudan.
432. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
Canada, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, India and the United States of America.
433. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/87.
Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to elaborate a draft declaration in
accordance with paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994
434. At its 63rd meeting, the representative of Canada introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.71, sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica,
Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Brazil,
Ecuador, Estonia, France, the Russian Federation and South Africa subsequently joined the
sponsors.
435. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/57.
XVI. Report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights:
(a) Report and draft decisions;
(b) Election of members
436. The Commission considered agenda item 16 at its 50th and 51st meetings, on 14 April,
and at its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000.44
437. For the documents issued under agenda item 16, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
(a) Report and draft decisions
438. At the 50th meeting of the Commission, on 14 April 2000, the Chairperson of the
fifty-first session of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,
Mr. Ribot Hatano, introduced his report (E/CN.4/2000/87).
439. In the general debate on agenda item 16, statements were made by members of the
Commission and non-governmental organizations. For a detailed list of speakers, see annex III
to the present report.
Work of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
440. At the 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the representative of Luxembourg introduced
draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.77, sponsored by Luxembourg. Ukraine subsequently joined the
sponsors.
441. Preambular paragraph (c) and paragraphs 1 (b) and 2 were orally revised by the
representative of Luxembourg.
442. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text, see chapter II, section A,
resolution 2000/83.
(b) Election of members
443. The Commission had before it a note by the Secretary-General containing nominations of
candidates for election to membership of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights and biographical data on the candidates (E/CN.4/2000/88 and Add.1-3).
44 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
444. In accordance with Economic and Social Council resolutions 1334 (XLIV)
of 31 May 1968 and 1986/35 of 23 May 1986 and decisions 1978/21 of 5 May 1978
and 1987/102 of 6 February 1987, the Commission, at its forty-fourth session (39th meeting,
held on 29 February 1988), elected by secret ballot 26 members of the Sub-Commission from
among experts nominated by States Members of the United Nations, on the following basis:
(a) seven members from African States; (b) five members from Asian States; (c) three members
from Eastern European States; (d) five members from Latin American and Caribbean States;
(e) six members from Western European and other States.
445. Pursuant to Economic and Social resolution 1986/35, members of the Sub-Commission
are elected for a term of four years, and half of the membership and the corresponding alternates,
if any, are elected every two years.
446. As the term of office of half of the membership of the Sub-Commission had expired, the
Commission was called upon to hold an election of Sub-Commission members and alternates on
the following basis: four members from African States, two members from Asian States, two
members from Eastern European States, two members from Latin American and Caribbean
States, and three members from Western European and other States.
447. At its 50th and 51st meetings, on 14 April 2000, the Commission elected by secret
ballot 13 members of the Sub-Commission and their corresponding alternates, if any, for a
period of four years. The following candidates were elected:
African States
Ms. Leïla Zerrougui Algeria
Mr. Fisseha Yimer Ethiopia
Ms. Halima Embarek Warzazi Morocco
Mr. Godfrey Bayour Preware Nigeria
Ms. Christy Ezim Mbonu*
Asian States
Mr. Yozo Yokota Japan
Ms. Yoshiko Terao*
Mr. So Gil Park Republic of Korea
Ms. Chin Sung Chung*
Eastern European States
Mr. Stanislav Ogurtsov Belarus
Ms. Iulia Antoanella Motoc Romania
Ms. Victoria Sandru*
*?Alternate.
Latin American and Caribbean States
Mr. Miguel J. Alfonso Martínez Cuba
Mr. Juan Antonio Fernández Palacios*
Mr. Manuel Rodríguez Cuadros Peru
Western European and other States
Mr. Fried Van Hoof Netherlands
Ms. Lammy Betten*
Mr. Asbjørn Eide Norway
Mr. Jan Helgesen*
Mr. David Weissbrodt United States of America
Ms. Barbara Frey*
XVII. Promotion and protection of human rights:
(a) Status of the International Covenants
on Human Rights;
(b) Human rights defenders;
(c) Information and education;
(d) Science and environment
448. The Commission considered agenda item 17 at its 50th and 51st meetings, on 14 April, at
its 52nd and 53rd meetings, on 17 April, and at its 65th and 66th meetings, on 26 April 2000.45
449. For the documents issued under agenda item 17, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
450. In the general debate on agenda item 17, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III.
Human rights defenders
451. At the 65th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the representative of Morocco introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.37, sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the
Republic of Korea, Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland,
Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and
the United States of America. Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, Cyprus, Haiti,
Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, San Marino, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela subsequently joined
the sponsors.
452. Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the draft resolution were orally revised by the representative of
Morocco.
453. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Cuba, the Czech Republic (also on behalf of Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Norway and Pakistan.
45 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
454. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications46 of the draft resolution.
455. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Cuba, Morocco and Portugal (on behalf of the European Union).
456. The representative of Cuba requested a vote on paragraph 3 of the draft resolution. At
the request of the representative of Morocco, a roll-call vote was taken on that paragraph. The
Commission decided, by 44 votes to 1, with 8 abstentions, to retain the paragraph. The voting
was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Chile,
Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany,
Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,
Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania,
Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tunisia, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela,
Zambia.
Against: Cuba.
Abstaining: Bhutan, China, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo,
Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sudan.
457. The representative of Cuba requested a vote on the draft resolution as a whole. At the
request of the representative of Morocco, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, as
orally revised, which was adopted by 50 votes to none, with 3 abstentions. The voting was as
follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Canada,
Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia,
Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger,
Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russian Federation,
Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela,
Zambia.
Against: None.
Abstaining: China, Cuba, Rwanda.
46 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
458. At the 66th meeting, on 26 April 2000, statements in explanation of vote after the vote
were made by the representatives of China and India.
459. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/61.
Reservations to human rights treaties
460. At the 65th meeting, the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland introduced draft decision E/CN.4/2000/L.75, sponsored by the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Portugal subsequently joined the list of sponsors.
461. Statements in connection with the draft decision were made by the representatives of
Colombia, Cuba, Peru, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and
Venezuela.
462. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications47 of the draft resolution.
463. At the request of the representatives of Cuba and Pakistan, the Chairperson subsequently
postponed consideration of the draft decision.
464. At its 66th meeting, the Commission resumed consideration of draft
decision E/CN.4/2000/L.75.
465. The draft decision was orally revised by the representative of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
466. A statement in connection with the draft decision was made by the representative of Peru.
467. The draft decision, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted,
see chapter II, section B, decision 2000/108.
468. In view of the adoption of decision 2000/108, the Commission took no action on draft
decision 8 recommended by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights for adoption by the Commission (see E/CN.4/2000/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54, chap. I).
Promotion of the right to a democratic and equitable international order
469. At the 65th meeting, the representative of Cuba introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.76/Rev.1, sponsored by Algeria, Angola, China, Cuba, the Democratic
People.s Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana,
Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan,
Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, the Sudan, Togo, the United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam,
Yemen and Zambia. Botswana subsequently joined the sponsors.
47 Ibid.
470. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Canada, Cuba, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
471. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of
Chile.
472. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
requested a vote. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the
draft resolution, which was adopted by 30 votes to 17, with 6 abstentions. The voting was as
follows:
In favour: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cuba,
Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius,
Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of
the Congo, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia,
Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia,
Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania,
Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America.
Abstaining: Argentina, Guatemala, Morocco, Peru, Senegal, Swaziland.
473. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/62.
Human rights and human responsibilities
474. At the 65th meeting, the representative of Pakistan introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.78, sponsored by Algeria, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Egypt, India,
Malaysia, Pakistan and Singapore. Bhutan, Indonesia, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan,
the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Niger, Oman, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saudi Arabia,
Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Turkey and Yemen subsequently joined the sponsors.
475. Paragraph 3 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the representative of
Pakistan.
476. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Canada, Guatemala, Japan, Pakistan and the United States of America.
477. A statement in explanation of vote before the vote was made by the representative of
Portugal (on behalf of the European Union).
478. The representative of Canada requested a vote. At the request of the representative of
Pakistan, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 22 votes to 21,
with 10 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines,
Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia,
Zambia.
Against: Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala,
Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal,
Republic of Korea, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela.
Abstaining: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria,
Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal.
479. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/63.
The role of good governance in the promotion of human rights
480. At the 65th meeting, the representative of Chile introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.80, sponsored by Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, Finland, Georgia, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa,
Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine and the United States of America. Azerbaijan, Botswana,
Canada, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, Israel, Japan,
Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Senegal, the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Zambia subsequently joined the
sponsors.
481. The fourth and fifth preambular paragraphs and paragraphs 1 and 2 of the draft resolution
were orally revised by the representative of Chile. A new paragraph 2 was inserted, and the
remaining paragraphs renumbered accordingly.
482. At the 66th meeting, the Commission continued consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.80.
483. The representative of Cuba introduced proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.103) to
draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.80, which read as follows:
.1. Throughout the draft resolution, for good governance read governance.
.2. Add the following new paragraph following the second preambular paragraph:
.Emphasizing that measures should be taken to ensure that human rights
are not exploited as a means of conditionality for loans, aid or trade, which then
unduly results in the imposition of particular policies on recipient countries,
thereby negatively affecting the full enjoyment of the right to development by the
peoples of such countries,..
.3. Add the following new paragraph as paragraph 2:
.2. Affirms that the participation of developing countries in the
international economic decision-making process needs to be broadened and
strengthened through its democratization;..
.4. Renumber the remaining paragraphs accordingly..
484. The proposed amendments (E/CN.4/2000/L.103) to draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.80
were subsequently withdrawn by the representative of Cuba.
485. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Bangladesh, Chile, China, India, Pakistan and Portugal (on behalf of the European Union).
486. The representative of Cuba requested a vote. At the request of the representative of
Chile, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 50 votes to none,
with 2 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Canada,
Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,
Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of
Korea, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda,
Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela,
Zambia.
Against: None.
Abstaining: China, Cuba.
487. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/64.
Question of the death penalty
488. At the 66th meeting, the representative of Portugal (on behalf of the European Union)
introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.81, sponsored by Albania, Angola, Argentina,
Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland,
France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia,
Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay and
Venezuela. Bolivia, Haiti, Mauritius, the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation
subsequently joined the sponsors.
489. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
India, the Russian Federation and the United States of America.
490. At the request of the representative of India, a roll-call vote was taken on
paragraphs 3 (f), 4 (b) and 5, together. The Commission decided, by 26 votes to 15,
with 11 abstentions, to retain these paragraphs. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mauritius,
Mexico, Nepal, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of the Congo,
Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, Venezuela.
Against: Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland,
United States of America.
Abstaining: Bhutan, Burundi, Guatemala, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Philippines,
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Zambia.
491. The representative of the United States of America requested a vote on the draft
resolution as a whole. At the request of the representative of Portugal, a roll-call vote was taken
on the draft resolution, which was adopted by 27 votes to 13, with 12 abstentions. The voting
was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mauritius,
Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
the Congo, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Venezuela.
Against: Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, United States of America.
Abstaining: Bhutan, Burundi, Cuba, Guatemala, India, Madagascar, Morocco,
Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Zambia.
492. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of
Botswana, Indonesia (also on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, China, the Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Eritrea,
Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Iran (the Islamic Republic of ), Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan,
Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Oman, the Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis,
Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, the Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland,
the Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates,
the United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe) and Tunisia.
493. For the text of the resolution as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/65.
Towards a culture of peace
494. Also at the 66th meeting, the representative of El Salvador introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.83, sponsored by Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Bhutan, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d.Ivoire, Croatia,
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Romania,
Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, the Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay
and Venezuela. Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Cyprus, India, Madagascar, Nepal, Republic of
the Congo, Togo and Zambia subsequently joined the sponsors.
495. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications48 of the draft resolution.
496. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/66.
Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights
497. At the 66th meeting, the Observer for Finland introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.84, sponsored by Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa and Spain. Albania, Australia, Austria, Cyprus,
New Zealand, Slovakia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Sweden, Ukraine,
Uruguay and Venezuela subsequently joined the sponsors.
498. The Observer for Finland orally revised the draft resolution by deleting paragraph 8.
499. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/67.
48 See chap. VI above, para .75, note 9.
Impunity
500. At the 66th meeting, the representative of Canada introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.85/Rev.1, sponsored by Albania, Angola, Armenia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Botswana, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Ecuador,
Equatorial Guinea, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain and
Switzerland. Austria, Denmark, Ethiopia, Greece, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands,
Norway, Paraguay, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Uganda and the United States of America subsequently joined the sponsors.
501. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Cuba and France.
502. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications49 of the draft resolution.
503. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/68.
Fundamental standards of humanity
504. At the 66th meeting, the representative of Norway introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.86, sponsored by Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
Ukraine. Argentina, Ecuador, Hungary, Ireland, Slovakia and Uruguay subsequently joined the
sponsors.
505. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/69.
Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights
506. At the 66th meeting, the Observer for South Africa introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.87, sponsored by China and South Africa (on behalf of the
States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Movement of Non-Aligned
Countries).
507. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/70.
49 Ibid.
United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education
508. At the 66th meeting, the Observer for Costa Rica introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.95, sponsored by Australia, Austria, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica,
Côte d.Ivoire, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Italy, Japan, Mexico,
Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Slovakia, Spain, Tunisia, Ukraine and Venezuela.
Angola, Colombia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Finland, Greece, Israel, the Philippines,
the Russian Federation and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
509. Paragraph 4 of the draft resolution was orally revised by the Observer for Costa Rica.
510. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/71.
XVIII. Effective functioning of human rights mechanisms:
(a) Treaty bodies;
(b) National institutions and regional arrangements;
(c) Adaptation and strengthening of the United Nations
machinery for human rights
511. The Commission considered agenda item 18 at its 54th meeting, on 17 April, at
its 57th meeting, on 18 April, at its 66th and 67th meetings, on 26 April, and at its 68th meeting,
on 27 April 2000.50
512. For the documents issued under agenda item 18, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
513. In the general debate on agenda item 18, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers, representatives of national institutions and of non-governmental
organizations. For a detailed list of speakers, see annex III.
Composition of the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights
514. At the 66th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the representative of Cuba introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.79, sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Botswana, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Cuba, the Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia,
the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Oman,
Pakistan, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia,
Senegal, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Swaziland, the Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey,
Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, the United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam,
Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
515. Statements in connection with the draft resolution were made by the representatives of
Canada and the United States of America.
516. A statement on administrative and budgetary matters was made by a representative of the
secretariat.
50 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
517. Statements in explanation of vote before the vote were made by the representatives of
Cuba and Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia aligned
themselves with the statement).
518. At the request of the representative of Cuba, a roll-call vote was taken on the draft
resolution, which was adopted by 35 votes to 17, with 1 abstention. The voting was as follows:
In favour: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, China,
Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia,
Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda,
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia.
Against: Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia,
Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania,
Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America.
Abstaining: Russian Federation.
519. For the text as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/73.
Human rights and thematic procedures
520. Also at the 66th meeting, the representative of the Czech Republic introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.82, sponsored by Albania, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada,
Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Lithuania,
New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
Belarus, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea, Sweden and Uruguay
subsequently joined the sponsors.
521. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the representative of
Cuba.
522. At the request of the representative of Cuba, the Chairperson subsequently postponed
consideration of the draft resolution.
523. At the 68th meeting, on 27 April 2000, the Commission resumed consideration of draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.82.
524. The representative of the Czech Republic orally revised the twelfth preambular paragraph
of the draft resolution and inserted a new paragraph after this preambular paragraph.
525. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/86.
Regional cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian and
Pacific region
526. At the 66th meeting, the representative of China introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.89, sponsored by Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China,
India, Indonesia, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal,
New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia,
Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam and Yemen. Cyprus subsequently joined the sponsors.
527. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/74.
528. At the 68th meeting, after the adoption of the resolution, the representative of the
United States of America made a statement in explanation of his delegation.s position.
Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including
reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights
529. At the 66th meeting, the representative of Canada introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.90, sponsored by Albania, Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Ethiopia,
Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria,
Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and Ukraine. Angola, Australia, Cameroon, Japan, Liechtenstein, Portugal, the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America subsequently joined the
sponsors.
530. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/75.
National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
531. At the 66th meeting, the Observer for Australia introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.91, sponsored by Albania, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia,
Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark,
El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Latvia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Niger,
Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda,
Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, The former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Venezuela. Cyprus,
Indonesia, the Russian Federation and Togo subsequently joined the sponsors.
532. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/76.
The protection of United Nations personnel
533. At the 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Observer for Sweden introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.93, sponsored by Angola, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Ukraine. Albania,
Argentina, Belgium, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Peru,
Poland, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland subsequently joined the sponsors.
534. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/77.
XIX. Advisory services and technical cooperation
in the field of human rights
535. The Commission considered agenda item 19 at its 58th meeting, on 19 April, and at
its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000.51
536. For the documents issued under agenda item 19, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
537. At the 58th meeting, on 19 April 2000:
(a) Ms. Mona Rishmawi, independent expert on the situation of human rights in
Somalia, introduced her report (E/CN.4/2000/110 and Corr.1);
(b) Ms. Leila I. Takla, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights, made a statement.
(c) Mr. Adama Dieng, independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti,
made a statement;
(d) A statement was read out by a member of the secretariat on behalf of
Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of
human rights in Cambodia, who had resigned and would not be available to introduce his report
(E/CN.4/2000/109).
538. In the general debate on agenda item 19, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III.
Situation of human rights in Haiti
539. At the 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the representative of Venezuela introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.88, sponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Haiti, Hungary, Mexico,
Norway, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela. Austria, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, the United States
of America and Uruguay subsequently joined the sponsors.
540. The representative of Venezuela orally revised the seventh and tenth preambular
paragraphs and paragraphs 4, 6 and 11 of the draft resolution.
541. A statement in connection with the draft resolution was made by the Observer for Haiti.
542. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. For the text as
adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 2000/78.
51 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
Situation of human rights in Cambodia
543. Also at the 67th meeting, the representative of Japan introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.92, sponsored by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark,
Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
Albania, Austria, Ireland, Israel and Italy subsequently joined the sponsors.
544. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/79.
Advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights
545. Also at the 67th meeting, the representative of Germany (also on behalf of India)
introduced draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.98, sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Australia,
Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt,
El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and Yemen. Albania, Argentina,
Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ecuador, Lithuania, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea,
the Russian Federation, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Venezuela
subsequently joined the sponsors.
546. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/80.
547. After the adoption of the resolution, the representative of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland made a statement in explanation of her delegation.s position.
Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights
548. Also at the 67th meeting, the representative of Italy introduced draft
resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.100, sponsored by Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica,
Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,
Romania, South Africa and Spain. Australia, Ireland and Israel subsequently joined the
sponsors.
549. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications52 of the draft resolution.
550. The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, resolution 2000/81.
52 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
XX. Rationalization of the work of the Commission
551. The Commission considered agenda item 20 at its 59th meeting, on 19 April, and at
its 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000.53
552. For the documents issued under agenda item 20, see annex VI to the present report. For a
list of all resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and Chairperson.s statements, by
agenda item, see annex V.
553. In the general debate on agenda item 20, statements were made by members of the
Commission, observers and representatives of non-governmental organizations. For a detailed
list of speakers, see annex III.
554. At the 59th meeting, on 19 April 2000, the Chairperson of the Inter-sessional open-ended
working group on enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human
Rights, Ms. Anne Anderson, introduced the report of the working group (E/CN.4/2000/112).
Enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights
555. At the 67th meeting, on 26 April 2000, the Chairperson introduced draft
decision E/CN.4/2000/L.101.
556. Draft decision 2, which appears in the annex to document E/CN.4/2000/L.101, was orally
revised by the Chairperson and further amended by the representative of Pakistan.
557. Statements in connection with draft decision E/CN.4/2000/L.101 were made by the
representatives of Pakistan and the United States of America.
558. In accordance with rule 28 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council, the attention of the Commission was drawn to the estimated
administrative and programme budget implications54 of the draft decision.
559. The draft decision, as orally revised and amended, was adopted without a vote. For the
text as adopted, see chapter II, section B, decision 2000/109.
Transitional arrangements concerning the 1503 procedure
560. Also at the 67th meeting, the Chairperson introduced draft decision E/CN.4/2000/L.102.
561. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section B, decision 2000/110.
53 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
54 See chap. VI above, para. 75, note 9.
XXI. (a) Draft provisional agenda for the fifty-seventh session
of the Commission
562. The Commission considered agenda item 21 at its 69th meeting, on 28 April 2000.55
563. In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of Economic and Social Council
resolution 1894 (LVII), of 1 August 1974, the Commission had before it a note from the
Secretary-General (E/CN.4/2000/L.1), containing a draft provisional agenda for the
fifty-seventh session of the Commission and indicating the documents to be submitted under
each agenda item and the legislative authority for their preparation and consideration.
564. The Commission took note of the draft agenda for its fifty-seventh session, which reads
as follows:
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda.
3. Organization of the work of the session.
Legislative authority: relevant resolutions and decisions of the
General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission.
Documentation:
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights containing
an analysis of the situation of human rights in Colombia (statement agreed on by
consensus by the Commission, made by the Chairperson on 19 April 2000).
4. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and
follow-up to the World Conference on Human Rights.
Legislative authority: General Assembly resolution 48/141; Commission
resolutions 1997/69 and 2000/1.
Documentation:
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(General Assembly resolution 48/141, para. 5; Commission resolutions 1997/69,
para. 14; 2000/1, paras. 19 and 25).
5. The right of peoples to self-determination and its application to peoples under
colonial or alien domination or foreign occupation.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1999/3, 2000/3, 2000/4.
55 See chap. III above, para. 1, note 5.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the question of the use of mercenaries
as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to
self-determination (resolutions 1999/3, para. 12; 2000/3, para. 14);
(b) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on
the outcome of the workshop on the traditional and new forms of
mercenary activities as a means of violating human rights and
impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination
(resolution 2000/3, para. 10);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of
resolution 2000/4 on the situation in occupied Palestine
(resolution 2000/4, para. 2).
6. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination.
Legislative authority: Commission resolution 2000/14.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (resolution 2000/14,
para. 36);
(b) Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of
resolution 2000/14 (para. 73).
7. The right to development.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1998/72 and 2000/5.
Documentation:
(a) Reports of the Working Group on the Right to Development
(resolutions 1998/72, para. 10 (a) (iii) and 2000/5, para. 12);
(b) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(resolution 2000/5, para. 13);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General (resolution 2000/5, para. 14).
8. Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories,
including Palestine.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1993/2, 2000/6, 2000/7
and 2000/8.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the Special Rapporteur (resolution 1993/2 A, para. 4);
(b) Reports of the Secretary-General (resolution 2000/6, para. 9;
resolution 2000/7, para. 6);
(c) List of United Nations reports issued between sessions of the Commission
that deal with the conditions in which the citizens of the Palestinian and
other occupied Arab territories are living under the Israeli occupation
(resolution 2000/6, para. 10).
9. Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part
of the world, including:
(a) Question of human rights in Cyprus;
(b) Procedure established in accordance with Economic and Social Council
resolution 1503 (XLVIII).
Legislative authority: Economic and Social Council resolutions 1235 (XLII),
1503 (XLVIII) and 1990/41; Commission resolutions 8 (XXIII), 2000/15,
2000/16, 2000/17, 2000/18, 2000/19, 2000/20, 2000/21, 2000/22, 2000/23,
2000/24, 2000/25, 2000/26, 2000/27, 2000/28 and 2000/58 and
decision 2000/103.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the Working Group on Situations (Economic and Social Council
resolution 1990/41);
(b) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Commission resolution 2000/15,
para. 5 (a));
(c) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and a member of the
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on a joint
mission to investigate all massacres carried out on the territory of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Commission resolution 2000/15,
para. 5 (b));
(d) Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in
southern Lebanon and western Bekaa (Commission resolution 2000/16,
para. 6 (b));
(e) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq
(Commission resolution 2000/17, para. 4 (a));
(f) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
Afghanistan (Commission resolution 2000/18, para. 17 (a));
(g) Report of the Special Representative of the Commission on the situation
of human rights in Equatorial Guinea (Commission resolution 2000/19,
para. 11);
(h) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
Burundi (Commission resolution 2000/20, para. 30);
(i) Report of the Special Representative of the Commission on the
situation of human rights in Rwanda (Commission resolution 2000/21,
para. 35);
(j) Report of the Secretary-General on reprisals against persons cooperating
with representatives of United Nations human rights bodies
(resolution 2000/22, para. 6);
(k) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
Myanmar (Commission resolution 2000/23, para. 10 (a));
(l) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on
the human rights situation in Sierra Leone (Commission resolution
2000/24, para. 8 (c));
(m) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (Commission resolution 2000/26,
para. 8);
(n) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
the Sudan (Commission resolution 2000/27, para. 7 (a));
(o) Report of the Special Representative of the Commission on the
situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (Commission
resolution 2000/28, para. 5 (a));
(p) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on
the situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation
(Commission resolution 2000/58, para. 13);
(q) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on
East Timor (statement agreed on by consensus by the
Commission, made by the Chairperson on 25 April 2000);
(r) Report of the Secretary-General on the question of human rights in Cyprus
(Commission decision 2000/103).
10. Economic, social and cultural rights.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 2000/9, 2000/10, 2000/11,
2000/12, 2000/13, 2000/72 and 2000/82.
Documentation:
(a) Annual report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing
(resolution 2000/9, para. 7 (d) (vii));
(b) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education
(resolution 2000/9, para. 12 (a));
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of
resolution 2000/9 (resolution 2000/9, para. 13);
(d) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food (resolution 2000/10,
para. 13);
(e) Report of the Secretary-General on the implications and negative
effects of unilateral coercive measures (resolution 2000/11,
para. 11 (b));
(f) Report of the independent expert on the question of human rights and
extreme poverty (resolution 2000/12, para. 7 (f));
(g) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit
movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes
on the enjoyment of human rights (resolution 2000/72, paras. 12 and 13);
(h) Analytical report of the independent expert on the effects of structural
adjustment policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human
rights, in particular, economic, social and cultural rights
(resolution 2000/82, para. 10);
(i) Report of the Open-ended working group established to elaborate policy
guidelines on structural adjustment programmes and economic, social and
cultural rights (resolution 2000/82, para. 21).
11. Civil and political rights, including the questions of:
(a) Torture and detention;
(b) Disappearances and summary executions;
(c) Freedom of expression;
(d) Independence of the judiciary, administration of justice, impunity;
(e) Religious intolerance;
(f) States of emergency;
(g) Conscientious objection to military service.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 2000/29, 2000/30, 2000/31,
2000/32, 2000/33, 2000/34, 2000/35, 2000/36, 2000/37, 2000/38, 2000/40,
2000/42 and 2000/47.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions (resolution 2000/31, para. 12 (a));
(b) Report of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance
(resolution 2000/33, para. 17);
(c) Report of the Open-ended working group on a draft optional protocol to
the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (resolution 2000/35, para. 2);
(d) Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (resolution 2000/36,
para. 13);
(e) Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
(resolution 2000/37, paras. 2 (i) and 10);
(f) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of
the right to freedom of opinion and expression (resolution 2000/38,
para. 15);
(g) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on
the implementation of resolution 2000/40 (para. 3);
(h) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on
the final outcome of the consultative meeting on the basic principles and
guidelines on the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of violations
of international human rights and humanitarian law (resolution 2000/41,
paras. 3 and 4);
(i) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and
lawyers (resolution 2000/42, para. 8);
(j) Annual report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (resolution 2000/43, para. 22);
(k) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture
(resolution 2000/43, para. 33);
(l) Report of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for
Victims of Torture (resolution 2000/43, para. 40);
(m) Report of the Secretary-General on the operations of the United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (resolution 2000/43, para. 41).
12. Integration of the human rights of women and a gender perspective:
(a) Violence against women.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1997/44, 2000/44, 2000/45
and 2000/46.
Documentation:
(a) Update on the report of the Secretary-General on activities of
United Nations bodies and other international organizations pertaining to
the problem of trafficking in women and girls (resolution 2000/44,
para. 13);
(b) Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes
and consequences (resolution 1997/44, para. 14);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on the question of integrating the
human rights of women throughout the United Nations system
(resolution 2000/46, paras. 7 and 24).
13. Rights of the child.
Legislative authority: General Assembly resolution 51/77; Commission
resolutions 1993/79, 2000/60 and 2000/85.
Documentation:
(a) Annual report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on
the situation of children affected by armed conflict (General Assembly
resolution 51/77, para. 37);
(b) Report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights on the state of implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Elimination of the Exploitation of Child Labour (Commission
resolution 1993/79, para. 8);
(c) Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights on the issue of the abduction of children from northern Uganda
(Commission resolution 2000/60, para. 11);
(d) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution
and child pornography (Commission resolution 2000/85, para. 42);
(e) Report of the Secretary-General (Commission resolution 2000/85,
para. 59 (a)).
14. Specific groups and individuals:
(a) Migrant workers;
(b) Minorities;
(c) Mass exoduses and displaced persons;
(d) Other vulnerable groups and individuals.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1999/49, 2000/48, 2000/49,
2000/51, 2000/52 and 2000/53.
Documentation:
(a) Progress report of the Secretary-General on the Guidelines recommended
by the experts participating in the Second International Consultation on
HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (resolution 1999/49, para. 13);
(b) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
(resolution 2000/48, para. 18);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families (resolution 2000/49, para. 8);
(d) Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of
resolution 2000/52 on the rights of persons belonging to national or
ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (para. 17);
(e) Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally
displaced persons (resolution 2000/53, para. 23).
15. Indigenous issues.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 2000/56, 2000/57 and 2000/58
and decision 2000/105.
Documentation:
(a) Updated annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights on the International Decade of the World.s Indigenous
People (resolution 2000/56, para. 11);
(b) Progress report of the Working Group on a draft United Nations
declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples (resolution 2000/57,
para. 7).
16. Report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights:
(a) Report and draft decisions;
(b) Election of members.
Legislative authority: Commission resolution 2000/83.
Documentation:
Report of the Sub-Commission on its fifty-second session.
17. Promotion and protection of human rights:
(a) Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights;
(b) Human rights defenders;
(c) Information and education;
(d) Science and environment.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1999/60, 1999/63, 1999/67,
1999/68, 2000/61, 2000/62, 2000/63, 2000/64, 2000/65, 2000/66, 2000/67,
2000/68, 2000/69, 2000/70 and 2000/71.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on public information activities
(resolution 1999/60, para. 19);
(b) Report of the Secretary-General on human rights and bioethics
(resolution 1999/63, para. 8);
(c) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on
enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights
(resolution 1999/68, para. 3);
(d) Annual report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on
human rights defenders (resolution 2000/61, para. 6);
(e) Interim study by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights on the issue of human rights and human responsibilities
(resolution 2000/63, para. 2);
(f) Yearly supplement on changes in law and practice concerning the death
penalty worldwide to the Secretary-General.s quinquennial report on
capital punishment (resolution 2000/65, para. 6);
(g) Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International
Covenants on Human Rights (resolution 2000/67, para. 24);
(h) Report of the Secretary-General on the issue of impunity
(resolution 2000/68, para. 12);
(i) Report of the Secretary-General on fundamental standards of humanity
(resolution 2000/69, para. 4);
(j) Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Decade for Human
Rights Education (resolution 2000/71, para. 16).
18. Effective functioning of human rights mechanisms:
(a) Treaty bodies;
(b) National institutions and regional arrangements;
(c) Adaptation and strengthening of the United Nations machinery for human
rights.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1999/71, 2000/73, 2000/74,
2000/76 and 2000/86.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on the state of regional arrangements for
the promotion and protection of human rights (resolution 1999/71,
para. 14);
(b) Comprehensive report of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights on the implementation of resolution 2000/73 on the
composition of the staff of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (para. 11);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on regional arrangements for the
promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian and Pacific region
(resolution 2000/74, para. 16);
(d) Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of
resolution 2000/76 on national institutions for the promotion and
protection of human rights (para. 20);
(e) Report of the Secretary-General containing conclusions and
recommendations of special procedures (resolution 2000/86,
para. 10 (a)).
19. Advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights.
Legislative authority: Commission resolutions 1999/73, 1999/74, 2000/78,
2000/79 and 2000/81.
Documentation:
(a) Report of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti
(resolution 2000/78, para. 21);
(b) Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in
Cambodia (resolution 2000/79, para. 28);
(c) Report of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in
Somalia (resolution 2000/81, para. 11 (a)).
20. Rationalization of the work of the Commission.
Legislative authority: Commission decision 2000/109.
21. (a) Draft provisional agenda for the fifty-eighth session of the Commission;
(b) Report to the Economic and Social Council on the fifty-seventh session of
the Commission.
Legislative authority: Economic and Social Council resolution 1894 (LVII);
rule 38 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Council.
Documentation:
Note by the Secretary-General containing the draft provisional agenda for the
fifty-eighth session of the Commission, together with information concerning
documentation relating thereto.
(b) Report of the Commission to the Economic and
Social Council on its fifty-sixth session
565. Also at its 69th meeting, the representative of Cuba introduced draft
decision E/CN.4/2000/L.99, sponsored by Cuba.
566. The draft decision was adopted without a vote. For the text as adopted, see chapter II,
section A, decision 2000/113.
Adoption of the draft report
567. At its 69th meeting, the Commission considered the draft report on the work of its
fifty-sixth session. The draft report, as contained in documents E/CN.4/2000/L.10 and Add.1-17
and E/CN.4/2000/L.11 and Add.1-9, was adopted ad referendum, and the Commission decided
to entrust the Rapporteur with its finalization.
ANNEXES
Annex I
Agenda
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda.
3. Organization of the work of the session.
4. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and follow-up to the
World Conference on Human Rights.
5. The right of peoples to self-determination and its application to peoples under colonial or
alien domination or foreign occupation.
6. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination.
7. The right to development.
8. Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including
Palestine.
9. Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the
world, including:
(a) Question of human rights in Cyprus;
(b) Procedure established in accordance with Economic and Social Council
resolution 1503 (XLVIII).
10. Economic, social and cultural rights.
11. Civil and political rights, including the questions of:
(a) Torture and detention;
(b) Disappearances and summary executions;
(c) Freedom of expression;
(d) Independence of the judiciary, administration of justice, impunity;
(e) Religious intolerance;
(f) States of emergency;
(g) Conscientious objection to military service.
12. Integration of the human rights of women and a gender perspective:
(a) Violence against women.
13. Rights of the child.
14. Specific groups and individuals:
(a) Migrant workers;
(b) Minorities;
(c) Mass exoduses and displaced persons;
(d) Other vulnerable groups and individuals.
15. Indigenous issues.
16. Report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights:
(a) Report and draft decisions;
(b) Election of members.
17. Promotion and protection of human rights:
(a) Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights;
(b) Human rights defenders;
(c) Information and education;
(d) Science and environment.
18. Effective functioning of human rights mechanisms:
(a) Treaty bodies;
(b) National institutions and regional arrangements;
(c) Adaptation and strengthening of the United Nations machinery for human rights.
19. Advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights.
20. Rationalization of the work of the Commission.
21. (a) Draft provisional agenda for the fifty-seventh session of the Commission;
(b) Report to the Economic and Social Council on the fifty-sixth session of the
Commission.
Annex II
Attendance
Members
Argentina
Mr. Leandro Despouy*, Mr. Juan Carlos Sanchez Arnau*, Ms. Norma Nascimbene de
Dumont**, Mr. Hernán Plorutti**, Mr. Sergio Cerda, Mr. Pablo Chelia
Bangladesh
Mr. C. M. Shafi Sami*, Mr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury**, Mr. Hemayetuddin,
Ms. Ismat Jahan, Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque, Mr. Md. Sufiur Rahman, Mr. Abu Bakr Molla
Bhutan
Mr. Bap Kesang*, Ms. Pema Choden, Mr. Sherab Tenzin, Mr. Ugyen Tshewang,
Mr. Sonam Tobgay
Botswana
Mr. L.J.M.J. Legwaila*, Ms. T.R. Ditlhabi-Oliphant**, Mr. G. Koketso,
Mr. Kwena Rammekwa, Mr. T.A. Boang
Brazil
Mr. Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim*, Mr. Adhemar G. Bahadian**, Mr. Antonio de Aguiar
Patriota, Mr. Frederico S. Duque Estrada Meyer, Mr. Antonio Carlos do Nascimento Pedro,
Ms. Rita de Cassia Marques Ayrosa, Mr. Felipe Costi Santarosa, Mr. Alexandre Pena
Ghisleni
Burundi
Mr. Eugène Nindorera*, Mr. Adolphe Nahayo**, Mr. Zacharie Banyiyezako,
Ms. Epiphanie Kabushemeye-Ntamwana
* Representative
** Alternate
Canada
Mr. Ross Hynes*, Ms. Marie Gervais-Vidricaire**, Ms. Adele Dion**, Mr. Wayne Lord,
Ms. Kerry Buck, Ms. Deborah Chatsis, Ms. Caterina Ventura, Mr. Adrian Norfolk,
Ms. Kirsten Ruecker, Ms. Susan Steffen, Mr. John von Kaufmann, Mr. Richard Le Bars,
Ms. Anne Marie Bougie, Ms. Carole Morency, Ms. Marie-José Desmarais,
Mr. Scott Proudfoot, Ms. Marilyn Whitaker, Ms. Michelle Falardeau-Ramsay,
Mr. Alwyn Child, Ms. Jeanne Corriveau, Mr. Christian Deslauriers
Chile
Mr. Jaime Arellano*, Mr. Pedro Oyarce**, Mr. Alejandro Salinas, Mr. Edgardo Lienlaf,
Mr. Alfredo Labbé, Mr. Eduardo Tapia, Mr. Gerardo Ateaga, Ms. Pamela Villalobos,
Mr. Robinson Pérez, Mr. Luis Maurelia
China
Mr. Qiao Zonghuai*, Mr. Liu Jing, Mr. Li Baodong**, Mr. Liu Xinsheng**,
Mr. Wang Min**, Mr. Dai Yuzhong, Mr. He Kemin, Ms. Di Shan, Mr. Ren Yisheng,
Ms. Liang Bizhen, Mr. Chang Weimin, Mr. Sun Ang, Ms. Qi Xiaoxia, Mr. He Ping,
Ms. Yan Jiarong, Mr. Cong Jun, Mr. Zhao Xing, Mr. Zhang Lei, Ms. Xu Jing,
Mr. Qian Xiaoqian, Ms. Liang Bishen
Colombia
Mr. Camilo Reyes Rodríguez*, Mr. Harold Sandoval Bernal
Cuba
Mr. Carlos Amat Forés*, Mr. Abelardo Moreno Fernández**,
Mr. Juan Antonio Fernández Palacios**, Mr. Miguel Alfonso Martínez,
Ms. Mercedes de Armas García, Mr. Rodolfo Reyes Rodríguez, Mr. Antonio Alonso
Menéndez, Mr. Jorge Ferrer Rodríguez, Ms. Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo,
Mr. Alejandro Castillo Santana
Czech Republic
Mr. Martin Palou.*, Mr. Miroslav Somol**, Ms. Simona Drahonovská, Mr. Karel Hejc,
Mr. Lubomír Hladík, Mr. Petr Hladík, Mr. Zdenék Huml, Mr. Petr Kopriva,
Mr. Jirí Malenovsk?, Ms. Irena Moozová, Ms. Libu.e Paukertová, Mr. Ivan Pintér,
Mr. Tomá. P.tross, Ms. Ivana Schellongová, Ms. Veronika Strom.íková,
Mr. Markéta .arbochová, Mr. Jaromír Marek
Ecuador
Mr. Luis Gallegos Chiriboga*, Mr. Antonio Rodas Posso**, Mr. José Valencia,
Mr. José Rosenberg Guerrero, Mr. Juan Carlos Castrillón, Mr. Marcelo Velastegui
El Salvador
Mr. Victor Manuel Lagos Pizzati*, Mr. Mario Castro Grande, Mr. Carlos García,
Mr. Rafael Hernández Gutiérrez
France
Mr. Philippe Petit*, Mr. Jean Félix-Paganon, Mr. Serge Telle, Mr. Harold Valentin,
Ms. Françoise Tisseyre-Girard, Ms. Salina Grenet, Ms. Chantal Poiret, Mr. Jean-François
Dobelle, Mr. François Saint-Paul, Ms. Brigitte Collet, Mr. Jean-Claude Schlumberger,
Ms. Michèle Dubrocard, Ms. Aline Kuster-Menager, Mr. Hervé Magro,
Ms. Michèle Weil-Guthmann, Ms. Hélène Duchêne, Mr. Hugues Moret,
Mr. Christophe Luprich, Ms. Agnès Bisch, Mr. Didier Le Bret, Ms. Marine de Carne,
Ms. Emmanuelle Ducos, Mr. Pascal Rouzaud, Ms. Mathilde Renaudin,
Ms. Nathalie Cheynis, Mr. Jean-Philippe Charlemagne, Mr. Pierre Truche,
Mr. Emmanuel Decaux, Mr. Gérard Fellous, Mr. Paul Maloukou
Germany
Mr. Walter Lewalter*, Mr. Klaus Metscher**, Mr. Peter Rothen**, Mr. Klaus Botzet,
Mr. Christian Much, Ms. Susanne Wasum-Rainer, Mr. Peter Felten, Mr. Martin Huth,
Mr. Ralph Tarraf, Mr. Helmut Kulitz, Mr. Thomas Bittner, Ms. Martina Niemeyer,
Mr. Ralf Gilch, Ms. Sonja Kreibich, Ms. Tihani Prüfer, Ms. Susana Röckseisen,
Ms. Sabine Strobl, Ms. Kai Werner, Ms. Sonja Kreibich
Guatemala
Mr. Luis Alberto Padilla Menéndez*, Ms. Sara Solís, Ms. Carla Rodríguez-Mancía**,
Mr. Luis Carranza, Ms. Stephanie Hochstetter, Mr. Carlos Larios, Mr. Oswaldo Enríquez,
Mr. Cruz Munguia
India
Ms. Savitri Kunadi*, Mr. Sharat Sabharwal**, Mr. A. Gopinathan, Mr. R.N. Prasad,
Mr. A.K. Bhattacharjee, Mr. J.S. Mukul, Mr. Sharad Kumar, Mr. D.B. Venkatesh Varma,
Mr. Kumar Tuhin, Mr. Mridul Kumar, Mr. Neeru Chadha
Indonesia
Mr. Nugroho Wisnumurti*, Mr. N. Hassan Wirajuda**, Mr. Susanto Sutoyo,
Mr. Makmur Widodo, Mr. Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, Mr. Abdul Ghani,
Ms. Lucia H. Rustam, Mr. Harry Purwanto, Mr. Marti Natalegawa, Mr. Bali Moniaga,
Mr. Daud Yusuf Joesoef, Mr. Primanto Hendrasmoro, Mr. I. Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja,
Mr. Muhammad Anshor, Mr. Albert Hasibuan, Mr. Koeparmono Irsan,
Mr. Havas Oegroseno, Ms. Anita Lantu Luhulima, Mr. Rezlan Ishar Jenie,
Mr. Ade Padmo Sarwono, Mr. Jose Antonio Morato Tavares
Italy
Mr. Claudio Moreno*, Mr. Andrea Negrotto Cambiaso*, Mr. Giulio Cesare Vinci
Gigliucci**, Mr. Massimo Leggeri**, Mr. Giuseppe Calvetta, Mr. Emanuele Pignatelli,
Mr. Marco Ricci, Mr. Luigi Citarella, Ms. Chiara Ingrao, Ms. Maria Grazia Trozzi,
Mr. Pietro Prosperi, Ms. Chiara Cordoletti, Ms. Rosanna Milone, Ms. Annalisa Creta,
Ms. Radha Day, Mr. Antonio Papisca, Mr. Marco Mascia, Mr. Simone Sciurpa
Japan
Mr. Koichi Haraguchi*, Mr. Hideaki Kobayashi**, Mr. Makoto Katsura**,
Mr. Akira Takamatsu**, Mr. Shigeki Sumi**, Mr. Akira Chiba, Mr. Takanori Uehara,
Mr. Takeshi Seto, Mr. Akira Iwanade, Mr. Hideo Nirei, Mr. Hajime Kishimori,
Mr. Kohei Nakamura, Ms. Tomoko Ogata, Mr. Fumio Goto, Ms. Kyoko Kiriu,
Ms. Rie Shiomoto, Ms. Nobuko Iwatani, Mr. Kyle Hedlund
Latvia
Mr. Romans Baumanis*, Ms. Maris Kli.ans, Ms. Dace Dobraja, Mr. Raimonds Jansons,
Mr. Martin. Pavelsons
Liberia
Mr. Henry D. Williamson*, Ms. Neda Damachi, Mr. Edward B. Clarke, Mr. Glean Cooper
Luxembourg
Ms. Michèle Pranchère-Tomassini*, Ms. Sylvie Lucas**, Ms. Béatrice Kirsch,
Mr. Henri Folmer, Ms. Nadine Maisch, Ms. Joëlle Schiertz, Ms. Andrea Peuker
Madagascar
Mr. Maxime Zafera*, Ms. Arlette Ramaroson, Ms. Clarah Andrianjaka,
Mr. Koraiche Allaouidine, Mr. Ernest Tata
Mauritius
Mr. Dhurmahdass Baichoo*, Ms. Usha Dwarka-Canabady, Mr. Ravindranath Sawmy,
Ms. S.C. Young Kim Fat, Mr. Adam Koodoruth, Ms. Nandini Pertaub,
Mr. Haman Kumar Bhunjoo
Mexico
Mr. Antonio de Icaza*, Ms. Carmen Moreno del Cueto**, Mr. Eleazar Benjamín Ruíz y
Avila, Ms. Amparo Canto, Mr. Arturo Hernández Basave, Ms. Alicia Elena Pérez Duarte y
Noroña, Mr. Alejandro Negrin Muñoz, Mr. Tomás Díaz Díaz, Ms. Lourdes Sosa Márquez,
Mr. Tonatiuh Romero Reyes, Mr. Enrique Ochoa Martinez, Ms. Mayra Vaca Baquero,
Ms. Karla Ornelas Loera, Mr. Alejandro Aldai Gonzalez
Morocco
Mr. Nacer Benjelloun-Touimi*, Mr. Abdelaziz Nouaydi, Mr. Mohamed Majdi,
Mr. Karim Medrek, Mr. Omar Bouchiar, Ms. Nadia Kenfaoui Kabbage,
Mr. Lofti Bouchaara, Ms. Loubna Al Atlassi
Nepal
Mr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada*, Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa*, Mr. Nabin Bahadur Shrestha,
Mr. Ram Bhakta P.B. Thakur, Mr. Suresh Man Shrestha, Mr. Pushpa Raj Bhattarai
Niger
Mr. Adamou Seydou*
Nigeria
Mr. Ogbe Obande*, Mr. Godfrey B. Preware*, Mr. Alhaji Sule Lamido*,
Mr. Dubem Onyia*, Mr. P.I. Ayewoh**, Mr. D.P. Cole**, Mr. Chris A. Osah,
Ms. C.E. Mbonu, Mr. F.O. Idigbe, Mr. H.O. Sulaiman, Mr. A.A. Kadiri, Mr. K.V. Ateb,
Mr. O.J. Maiyegun, Mr. N. Ella, Mr. A.G. Abdullahi, Mr. E.E. Onobu, Mr. A. Onoja,
Mr. M.S. Okonkwo, Ms. J. Nwatarali, Mr. Dominic C. Onoh, Mr. I.M. Kazure,
Mr. Shehu Usman Baraya, Mr. Gordon H. Bristol, Mr. J.A. Gana, Mr. A.O. Enikanolaiye,
Mr. Mustapha B. Aliyu, Mr. Adamu A. Musa, Mr. P.K. Nwokedi, Mr. Muhammed Tabiu,
Mr. Kunle Fadipe, Mr. Tom Orage, Ms. Jobi Makinwa, Mr. A.G. Abdullahi,
Mr. Lawal Sheik Abubakar, Mr. J.A. Gana, Mr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, Ms. Oby Okwuonu,
Mr. Robertu Audu, Mr. A.A. Musa
Norway
Mr. Bjørn Skogmo*, Mr. Petter F. Wille**, Mr. Janis B. Kanavin**, Mr. Roald Næss**,
Mr. Jan Helgensen, Ms. Susan Eckey, Ms. Ingrid Mollestad Sylow, Mr. Tom Tyrihjell,
Mr. Hans Fredrik Lehne, Ms. Turid Kongsvik, Mr. Roger Østbøl, Mr. Lars Sigurd Valvatne,
Ms. Hilde Austad, Ms. Merete F. Brattestad, Mr. Ole Johnny Selstad, Ms. Ylva Bie,
Ms. Anne-Karine Arvesen, Ms. Kaia Bilton, Mr. Haakon Gram-Johannesen,
Ms. Kari Jøraandstad, Ms. Kari Utvær Gasser, Mr. Karsten Klepsvik,
Mr. Nils A. Butenchön
Pakistan
Ms. Attiya Inayatullah*, Mr. Aziz Munshi**, Mr. Dereck Cyprian**,
Mr. Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada**, Mr. Munir Akram**, Ms. Attiya Mahmood,
Mr. Asjad Khan, Mr. Abdullah Khan, Mr. Munawar Saeed Bhatti, Ms. Tehmina Janjua,
Mr. M. Syrus Qazi, Ms. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Mr. Farrukh Iqbal Khan, Mr. Sardar Ali,
Mr. Hifzur Rehnan Khan, Mr. Shabbir Ahmad
Peru
Mr. Jorge Voto-Bernales*, Mr. Luis García-Corrochano, Mr. Luis Quesada Inchaustegui,
Mr. Luis Enrique Chávez Basagoitia, Mr. Gonzalo Guillén Béker, Mr. Gustavo Laurie
Escandón, Ms. María del Carmen Nebot del Valle
Philippines
Ms. Rosalinda V. Tirona*, Mr. Denis Y. Lepatan**, Ms. Aurora N. Reciña,
Ms. Maria Teresa C. Lepatan, Ms. Monina G. Callangan, Mr. Robert O. Ferrer, Jr.,
Ms. Regina Irene P. Sarmiento, Ms. Melodie C. Fadriquela, Ms. Elvira L. Maaghop
Poland
Mr. Krzysztof Jakubowski*, Mr. Stanislaw Iwanicki, Mr. Zbigniew Romaszewski,
Mr. Andrzej Potocki, Mr. Stanislaw Cieniuch, Mr. Roman Kuzniar,
Mr. Zbigniew Szymanski, Mr. Tomasz Knothe, Mr. Krzystof Drzewicki,
Ms. Katarzyna Mazela, Ms. Krystyna Zurek, Ms. Mariola Chojnacka, Mr. Andrzej Sados,
Ms. Agnieszka Wyznikiewicz, Ms. Aleksandra Blonska, Ms. Irene Kavalska
Portugal
Mr. Alvaro Mendonça e Moura*, Mr. José Pereira Gomes**, Mr. José Costa Pereira,
Mr. Luis Faro Ramos, Mr. Antonio Ricoca Freire, Ms. Luísa Pais, Ms. Suzana Diogo,
Ms. Cristina Moniz, Mr. Frederico Nascimento, Mr. Paulo Marrecas Ferreira,
Ms. Catarina Albuquerque, Ms. Raquel Tavares, Ms. Patricia Galvão Telles,
Ms. Maria do Rosário Cabrita, Ms. Sandrine Martins, Ms. Maria Celeste Lourenço,
Ms. Sandra Fonseca
Qatar
Mr. Fahad Awaida Al-Thani*, Mr. Abdulla Hussein Jaber, Mr. Khalid Bin Hamad
Al-Thani, Mr. Maisra Khalifa, Mr. Fadil El Tahir
Republic of Korea
Mr. Man-soon Chang*, Mr. Byung-se Yun**, Mr. Gil-sou Shin, Mr. Soo-gil Park,
Mr. Chong-hoon Kim, Mr. Ki-yong Chung, Mr. Ok Lee, Ms. Miryang Youn,
Mr. Kang-il Hu, Mr. Do-hoon Lee
Republic of the Congo
Mr. Jean Martin Mbemba*, Mr. Roger Julien Menga**, Mr. Richard Bongo,
Mr. Maurice Massengo-Tiasse, Mr. Dieudonné Missie, Mr. Sylvian Bayalama,
Mr. Antonin Malekama, Ms. Rebecca Oba, Mr. Justin Biabaroh-Iboro,
Mr. Gabriel Nguengue Montse, Mr. Marcel Mayama
Romania
Mr. Ioan Maxim*, Mr. Alexandru Farcas**, Ms. Victoria Popescu, Mr. Anton Pacuretu**,
Mr. Petru Dumitriu, Mr. Radu Horumba, Mr. Adrian Ciubreag
Russian Federation
Mr. Vasily Sidorov*, Mr. Teymuraz Ramishvili**, Mr. Oleg Malguinov**,
Mr. Anatoly Antonov, Mr. Vladimir Parshikov, Mr. Yuri Boychenko, Mr. Andrei Nikiforov,
Mr. Alexandre Gusev, Mr. Alexei Chervontsev, Mr. Yuri Kolesnikov,
Mr. Serguei Shaposhnikov, Mr. Alexei Rogov, Mr. Victor Meshkov,
Mr. Serguei Tchumarev, Mr. Vladimir Dolgoborodov, Mr. Vassily Kuleshov,
Mr. Yulia Gusynina, Mr. Grigory Lukiyantsev, Ms. Anastasia Otroshevskaya,
Ms. Yulia Mikhailova, Mr. A. Kadyrov, Mr. V. Kalamanov, Mr. V. Kartashkin,
Mr. O. Kutafin, Mr. S. Abuev
Rwanda
Mr. Jean de Dieu Mucyo*, Mr. Canisius Kananura**, Mr. Gérard Ntashamaje**,
Mr. Médard Rutijanwa, Ms. Béatrice Murebwayire
Senegal
Ms. Absa Claude Diallo*, Mr. Amadou Diop, Mr. Paul Badji, Mr. Ibou Ndiaye,
Mr. Diégane Samba Thioune, Mr. Mankeur Ndiaye, Mr. Momar Gueye,
Mr. Abdoulaye Dieye, Mr. Falou Samb, Mr. Iba Mar Oulare, Mr. Mamadou Moustapha
Loum, Mr. André Basse, Mr. Ousmane Seye, Ms. Paulette Diouf Ndong, Mr. Doudou Ndir
Spain
Mr. Raimundo Pérez-Hernández y Torra*, Mr. Juan Zurita Salvador**,
Mr. Rafael Dezcallar de Mazarredo**, Ms. Rosa María Martínez de Codes,
Mr. Juan Manuel González de Linares Palou, Mr. Iñigo de Palacio España,
Mr. Rafael Díaz López, Mr. Rafael Tormo Pérez, Mr. Alvaro Rodríguez Alvarez,
Ms. Maria Noguerol Alvarez, Ms. Angeles Diaz Ojeda, Mr. Francisco Javier Bernáldez
Fernández, Mr. Pedro Vera Pineda, Ms. Judit Rius San Juan, Ms. Patricia Pérez-Gómez,
Mr. Carlos E. Giger Bravo
Sri Lanka
Mr. H.M.G.S. Palihakkara*, Mr. W. Hettiarachchi, Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda,
Mr. Mahinda Gammampila, Mr. S.S. Ganegama Arachchi, Mr. W.P. Wijayasinghe,
Mr. A. Saj U. Mendis, Mr. Sumedha Ekanayake
Sudan
Mr. Ali Mohammed Osman Yassin*, Mr. Ibrahim Mirghani Ibrahim**,
Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Omar El Mufti, Mr. Omer M.A. Siddig, Mr. Hassan El Talib Issa
Hassan, Mr. Mohamed Yousif Abdalla, Mr. Mohamed Musa, Mr. El Tayeb Haroun,
Mr. Omar Gadour, Mr. Hassan Abdalla El Hassen, Mr. Ali Mahmoud Abdelrahman,
Mr. Abbadi Noureldeen, Mr. El Tayeb H. Ali, Mr. Salah Mubarak
Swaziland
Mr. Clifford S. Mamba*, Ms. Nonhlanhla P. Mlangeni**
Tunisia
Mr. Sadok Chaabane*, Mr. Mohamed Lessir, Mr. Ghazi Jomaa, Mr. Abdelhamid El Abed,
Mr. Ridha Khemakhem, Mr. Moustapha Aloui, Mr. Mohamed Samir Koubaa,
Mr. Raouf Chatty, Ms. Holla Bach Tobji, Mr. Noureddine Tabka, Mr. Hatem Ben Salem
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Ms. Audrey Glover*, Mr. Simon Fuller**, Mr. Kevin Lyne**, Mr. Andrew Soper**,
Ms. Carolyn Browne**, Mr. Jolyon Welsh**, Mr. John Kraus**, Mr. Paul Bentall,
Mr. Derek Walton, Ms. Nia James, Mr. Babu Rahman, Mr. Charles Moore,
Ms. Yvonne Chapman, Ms. Lucy Foster, Ms. Jennifer Tooze, Ms. Ruma Mandal,
Mr. Ben Shonveld, Mr. Patrick Tobin, Ms. Susan Farrant, Ms. Sarah Maguire
United States of America
Ms. Nancy H. Rubin*, Mr. Harold Koh**, Mr. George E. Moose**, Mr. James Foley,
Mr. Robert Gribbin, Mr. Harry Johnston, Mr. Michael Kozak, Mr. Howard Lange,
Mr. John Long, Ms. Maria P. Rodriguez, Mr. E. Michael Southwick, Mr. Richard Aker,
Mr. Veomayoury Baccam, Ms. Esther Brimmer, Mr. Charles Brown, Ms. Ellen Cosgrove,
Mr. Edward Cummings, Mr. Michael Dennis, Mr. Anthony Godfrey, Ms. Pamela Holmes,
Ms. Karen Johnson, Mr. Alex Kronemer, Mr. Richard Marshall, Mr. Michael McCamman,
Mr. Manish Mishra, Ms. Laura Muir, Ms. Susan O.Sullivan, Mr. James A. Paige,
Ms. Barbara Perrault, Ms. Maria Pica, Mr. David E. Pollock, Ms. Dorothy Shea,
Ms. Cheryl Sim, Mr. Stephen Solomon, Ms. Yvonne Thayer, Mr. Cornelius Walsh,
Mr. Kenneth Wetzel, Ms. Lynn Whitlock, Mr. Michael Williams, Mr. Robert Witajewski,
Ms. Urenia Young, Mr. Bartram Brown, Mr. Richard J. Batchelor, Mr. Jeffrey Robbins,
Ms. Karin Ryan, Mr. Michael Peay, Mr. David Andrews, Mr. David Abramowitz,
Mr. Paul Berkowitz, Mr. Joseph Rees
Venezuela
Mr. José Vicente Rangel*, Mr. Werner Corrales Leal**, Mr. Victor Rodríguez Cedeño,
Ms. Milagros Betancourt, Mr. Oscar Hernández, Mr. Alfredo Michelena,
Ms. María Cristina Pérez de Planchart, Ms. Dulce Parra, Ms. Sayed Durán,
Mr. Ricardo Salas, Mr. Vladimir González Villaparedes, Ms. Carolina Mendoza,
Ms. María Esperanza Ruesta
Zambia
Mr. Bonaventure Mutale*, Mr. Patrick Nailobi Sin Yinza**, Ms. Victoria Zaza,
Ms. Irene B. Fundafunda, Mr. Palan Mulonda, Mr. George Kanja, Ms. Maria Mapani,
Mr. Emmanuel Katongo, Mr. Edward Chisanga, Ms. Anne Kazhingu
States Members of the United Nations represented by observers
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brunei Darussalem
Bulgaria
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Costa Rica
Côte d.Ivoire
Croatia
Cyprus
Democratic People.s
Republic of Korea
Democratic Republic
of the Congo
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Finland
Gabon
Georgia
Ghana
Greece
Guinea
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritania
Mongolia
Myanmar
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Oman
Panama
Paraguay
Republic of Moldova
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
Sweden
Syrian Arab Republic
Thailand
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Republic of
Tanzania
Uruguay
Viet Nam
Yemen
Zimbabwe
Non-member States represented by observers
Holy See
Switzerland.
Other observers
Palestine
United Nations
Department of Public Information
United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development
United Nations Institute for Disarmament
Research
United Nations Institute for Training
and Research
United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison
Service
United Nations bodies and human rights mechanisms
United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat)
United Nations Children.s Fund
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Fund for
Women
United Nations Population Fund
United Nations Volunteers
Working Group on Indigenous Populations
World Food Programme
Specialized agencies
International Labour Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
World Health Organization
World Bank
International Monetary Fund
International Trade Centre
World Intellectual Property Organization
World Trade Organization
Intergovernmental organizations
Arab Labour Organization
Commonwealth Secretariat
Council of Europe
European Union
International Criminal Police Organization
International Organization for Migration
League of Arab States
Organisation Internationale de la
Francophonie
Organization of African Unity
Organization of the Islamic Conference
Other entities
International Committee of the Red Cross
International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies
Order of Malta
Non-governmental organizations
General consultative status
Asian Legal Resource Centre
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Caritas Internationalis (International
Confederation of Catholic Charities)
Europe-Third World Centre
Franciscans International
Inter-Parliamentary Union
International Alliance of Women -
Equal Rights, Equal Responsibilities
International Association for Religious
Freedom
International Confederation of Free
Trade Unions
International Council of Voluntary Agencies
International Council of Women
International Institute for Non-Aligned
Studies
International Movement ATD Fourth
World
International Save the Children Alliance
Liberal International (World Liberal Union)
Médecins du Monde-International
Muslim World League
Soroptimist International
Transnational Radical Party
Women.s Federation for World Peace
International
Women.s International Democratic
Federation
World Blind Union
World Confederation of Labour
World Conference on Religion and Peace
World Federation of Democratic Youth
World Federation of Trade Unions
World Federation of United Nations
Associations
World Muslim Congress
World Organization of the Scout Movement
(World Scout Bureau)
World Veterans Federation
World Wide Fund for Nature International
Zonta International
Special consultative status
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Commission
African Association of Education for
Development
African Commission of Health
and Human Rights Promoters
Afro-Asian Peoples. Solidarity Organization
Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l.Homme
All India Women.s Conference
American Association of Jurists
Amnesty International
Andean Commission of Jurists
Anti-Slavery International
Arab Lawyers Union
Arab Organization for Human Rights
Asian Women.s Human Rights Council
Associated Country Women of the World
Association de Défense des Tunisiens
à l.Etranger
Association for the Prevention of Torture
Association pour la Promotion de
l.Emploi et du Logement
ATLAS - Association Tunisienne pour
l.Auto-Développement et la Solidarité
Australian Council for Overseas Aid
Baha.i International Community
Bunyad Literacy Community Council
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Canadian Council of Churches
Canadian Human Rights Foundation
Catholic Institute for International
Relations
Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions
Centro de Estudios Europeos
Centro de Estudios sobre la Juventud
CHANGE
China Disabled Person.s Federation
China Society for Human Rights Studies
Christian Aid
Christian Democratic International
Colombian Commission of Jurists
Commission of the Churches on
International Affairs of the World
Council of Churches
Communities Forestry and Social
Development Organizations
Conference of European Churches
Consultative Council of Jewish
Organizations
December Twelfth Movement
International Secretariat
Defence for Children International
Disabled Peoples. International
Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund
Fédération des Associations pour la Défense
et la Promotion des Droits de l.Homme
Fédération Européenne des Femmes Actives
au Foyer
Federation of Cuban Women
Federal Union of European Nationalities
France libertés: Fondation
Danielle Mitterrand
Freedom House
Friends World Committee for Consultation
(Quakers)
General Conference of the Seventh-Day
Adventists
Groupement d.Appui aux Initiatives
Economiques des Femmes
Himalayan Research and Cultural
Foundation
Human Rights Advocates, Inc.
Human Rights Internet
Human Rights Watch
Inclusion International (International League
of Societies for Persons with Mental
Handicap)
Indian Council of Education
Indian Movement .Tupaj Amaru.
Indigenous World Association
Inter-African Committee on Traditional
Practices Affecting the Health of Women
and Children
Interfaith International
International Alert
International Association against Torture
International Association for the Defence
of Religious Liberty
International Association of Democratic
Lawyers
International Catholic Migration
Commission
International Centre for Human Rights
and Democratic Development
International Club for Peace Research
International Commission of Jurists
International Council of Jewish Women
International Council of the Associations
for Peace in the Continents
International Federation of ACAT (Action
of Christians for the Abolition of
Torture)
International Federation of Human Rights
Leagues
International Federation of Journalists
International Federation of Social Workers
International Federation of University
Women
International Federation Terre des
Hommes
International Fellowship of Reconciliation
International Helsinki Federation for
Human Rights
International Human Rights Law Group
International Indian Treaty Council
International Institute of Humanitarian
Law
International Islamic Federation of Student
Organizations
International League for Human Rights
International Movement for Fraternal
Union among Races and Peoples
International Organization for the
Development of Freedom of Education
International Organization for the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination
International Organization of Indigenous
Resource Development
International Rehabilitation Council
for Torture Victims
International Service for Human Rights
International Union of Socialist Youth
International Work Group for Indigenous
Affairs
International Young Catholic Students
Inuit Circumpolar Conference
Islamic African Relief Agency
Japan Fellowship of Reconciliation
Latin American Federation of Associations
of Relatives of Disappeared Detainees
Latin American Human Rights Association
Law Association for Asia and the Pacific
Lutheran World Federation
Médecins sans Frontières (International)
National Coordinator for Human Rights -
Peru
National Union of Jurists of Cuba
Netherlands Organization for International
Development Cooperation
Network of Women.s Non-Governmental
Organizations in the Islamic Republic
of Iran
New Human Rights
New Humanity
North South XXI
Organisation Tunisienne de l.Education
et de la Famille
Organization for Defending Victims
of Violence
Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples
of Africa, Asia and Latin America
OXFAM (United Kingdom and Ireland)
Pax Christi International, International
Catholic Peace Movement
Pax Romana (International Catholic
Movement for Intellectual and Cultural
Affairs and International Movement
of Catholic Students)
Penal Reform International
Permanent Assembly for Human Rights
Physicians for Human Rights
Reporters without Borders International
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial
Romanian Independent Society of
Human Rights
Rural Reconstruction Nepal
Salvation Army, The
School Sisters of Notre Dame
Service Peace and Justice in
Latin America
Society for Threatened Peoples
Solar Cookers International
Susila Dharma International Association
Tiye International
Union Nationale de la Femme Tunisienne
Union of Arab Jurists
United Towns Agency for North-South
Cooperation
Women.s International League for Peace
and Freedom
Women.s World Summit Foundation
World Alliance of Young Men.s Christian
Associations
World Council of Independent Christian
Churches
World Federation for Mental Health
World Federation of Methodist and
Uniting Church Women
World Jewish Congress
World Movement of Mothers
World Organization against Torture
World Society of Victimology
World Union of Catholic Women.s
Organizations
World University Service
Worldview International Foundation
World Vision International
World Young Women.s Christian
Association (World YWCA)
Roster
Aliran Kesedaran Negara
- National Consciousness Movement
Article 19 - The International Centre
against Censorship
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law
and Development
Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace
Asian Cultural Forum on Development
Asociacion Kunas Unidas por Napguana
Association for World Education
Association of World Citizens
Caucasians United for Reparations and
Emancipation
Centre for International Environmental
Law
European Union of Public Relations
Free Youth Association of Bucharest
Grand Council of the Crees (Eenou
Istchee)
Indian Council of South America
International Baccalaureate Organisation
International Buddhist Foundation
International Council of Nurses
International Educational Development, Inc.
International Federation for the Protection
of the Rights of Ethnic, Religious,
Linguistic and Other Minorities
International Federation of Free Journalists
International Federation of Rural Adult
Catholic Movements
International Human Rights Association of
American Minorities
International Institute for Peace
International Movement Against All Forms
of Discrimination and Racism
International Peace Bureau
International PEN
International Police Association
International Round Table for the
Advancement of Counselling
International Women.s Tribune Centre
Liberation
Lila Pilipina
Minority Rights Group
Movement against Racism and for
Friendship among Peoples
Refugees International
Saami Council
Servas International
Soka Gakkai International
Survival International Limited
Third World Movement against
the Exploitation of Women
United Nations Association of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
World Alliance of Reformed Churches
World Association for the School as an
Instrument of Peace
World Medical Association
World Press Freedom Committee
World Organization of Former Pupils
of Catholic Education
Annex III
General debate
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
3
Organization of the work of the session
2nd Members: China, Cuba, India, Indonesia (on behalf of the Group of Asian States), Pakistan (on
behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), Sri Lanka, United States of America
4th Member: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
5th Members: Czech Republic (on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States), Indonesia (on behalf
of the Group of Asian States), Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States), United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland (on behalf of the Group of Western European and other States),
Venezuela (on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States)
13th Members: Cuba, Venezuela
Special debate on poverty and the
enjoyment of human rights
41st Members: Bangladesh, China, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Japan, Madagascar, Norway,
Pakistan, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union), United States of America, Venezuela
Observers: Malaysia, Sweden
Non-governmental organizations: Europe-Third World Centre (also on behalf of
18 non-governmental organizations), World Federation of Methodists and Uniting Church Women
(also on behalf of International Human Rights Law Group and International Women.s Tribune Centre)
42nd Members: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Tunisia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Observers: Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, New Zealand
49th Members (on the situation of human rights in Colombia): Canada, Colombia, Portugal (on behalf of
the European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves with the statement)
Member (right of reply): Colombia
Non-governmental organizations: American Association of Jurists, Amnesty International, Christian
Aid, Colombian Commission of Jurists, Franciscans International (joint statement with
6 non-governmental organizations), Human Rights Watch, International Confederation of Free Trade
Unions, International Federation Terre des Hommes, Latin American Federation of Associations of
Relatives of Disappeared Detainees
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
3rd Members: China, Pakistan
Observers: Egypt, Georgia, Malaysia, Netherlands
Non-governmental organizations: Association for World Education, Association of World Citizens
4th Members: Canada, Cuba, Guatemala, India, Russian Federation, Sudan
Observer: Austria
28th Member (on the question of Chechnya): Russian Federation
4
Report of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights and
follow-up to the World Conference on
Human Rights
39th Members (on the question of Chechnya): Canada, China, Czech Republic, India, Latvia, Norway,
Pakistan (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union), Russian Federation, United States of America
Member (right of reply): Russian Federation
Observers (on the question of Chechnya): Belarus, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, New Zealand,
South Africa; Switzerland
Non-governmental organizations (on the question of Chechnya): Amnesty International (also on
behalf of Human Rights Watch), Association of World Citizens, Indian Movement .Tupaj Amaru.,
International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, International League for Human Rights,
International Peace Bureau, Reporters without Borders - International, Transnational Radical Party,
War Resisters International, World Muslim Congress
5
The right of peoples to self-determination
and its application to peoples under
colonial or alien domination or foreign
occupation
5th Members: China, Cuba, Indonesia, Pakistan
Members (right of reply): India, Pakistan
Observer: Syrian Arab Republic
Non-governmental organizations: African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters,
Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, American Association of Jurists, Association for World
Education, European Union of Public Relations, Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción
de los Derechos Humanos, Interfaith International, International Institute for Peace, North South XXI,
Worldview International Foundation
6
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and all forms of discrimination
6th Members: Botswana, Cuba, Qatar
Observers: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Jordan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mauritania;
Palestine
Non-governmental organizations: Indian Movement .Tupaj Amaru., World Muslim Congress
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
6
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and all forms of discrimination
(concluded)
7th Members: Bangladesh, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and
Turkey aligned themselves with the statement)
Observers: Egypt, Georgia, Panama (on behalf of the Group of Central American States)
Non-governmental organizations: Association for World Education, Azerbaijan Women and
Development Centre, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, International Confederation of Free Trade
Unions, International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism, International
Movement for Fraternal Union among Races and Peoples, International Organization for the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, World Jewish Congress
8th Members: Botswana, China, Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, United States
of America
Non-governmental organizations: Agir ensemble pour les droits de l.homme, Brahma Kumaris
World Spiritual University, International Association against Torture, International Save the Children
Alliance, Lutheran World Federation, Minority Rights Group, Movement against Racism and for
Friendship among Peoples, Society for Threatened Peoples, World Federation of United Nations
Associations
9th Members: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Senegal
Members (right of reply): Latvia
Observers: Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel,
Lithuania, Uruguay
Observer (right of reply): Mauritania
Other observer: International Labour Organization
Non-governmental organizations: International Indian Treaty Council, North South XXI, Women.s
International League for Peace and Freedom, World Muslim Congress
7
The right to development
10th Members: Chile, China, Colombia, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves with the statement),
United States of America
11th Members: Cuba, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Qatar,
Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tunisia, Venezuela
Observers: Iraq, Panama (on behalf of the Group of Central American States)
Other observer: World Bank
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
7
The right to development (concluded)
12th Observers: Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jordan, Malaysia, Netherlands,
Paraguay, South Africa, Uruguay, Yemen
Non-governmental organizations: Association of World Citizens, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual
University, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, Europe-Third
World Centre (also on behalf of Movement against Racism and for Friendship among Peoples),
Franciscans International, Human Rights Advocates, International Confederation of Free Trade
Unions, International Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements, Liberation, North South XXI,
Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Pax Romana, Society for Threatened Peoples
13th Members (right of reply): Sudan
Non-governmental organizations: Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, Indian Movement
.Tupaj Amaru., International Indian Treaty Council, World Federation of Trade Unions
8
Question of the violation of human rights
in the occupied Arab territories, including
Palestine
13th Members: Bangladesh, Canada, China, Cuba, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves with the statement), Qatar,
Russian Federation, Senegal, Tunisia, United States of America
Observers: Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, Syrian Arab Republic; Palestine
14th Observers: Algeria, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jordan,
Mauritania, Yemen
Other observer: League of Arab States
Non-governmental organizations: Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, Amnesty
International, Arab Organization for Human Rights (also on behalf of 5 non-governmental
organizations), Defence for Children International, International Commission of Jurists, International
Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
14th Observer: Croatia
Non-governmental organizations: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International
Association against Torture, International Association for Religious Freedom
9
Question of the violation of human rights
and fundamental freedoms in any part of
the world ...
15th Members: Cuba, India, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia aligned
themselves with the statement)
Observers: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
9
Question of the violation of human rights
and fundamental freedoms in any part of
the world ... (continued)
16th Members: Qatar, Republic of Korea
Members (right of reply): China, Pakistan, Sudan
Observers: Australia, Bahrain, Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia,
Nicaragua
Observers (right of reply): Bahrain, Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Iraq, Malaysia,
Saudi Arabia
Non-governmental organizations: Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, Asian Legal
Resource Centre, Europe-Third World Centre, Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de
los Derechos Humanos, Franciscans International, Interfaith International, International Commission
of Jurists, International Council of the Associations for Peace in the Continents, International
Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, International Union of
Socialist Youth, Liberation, Médecins du Monde-International, Organization for Defending Victims of
Violence, Pax Christi International (also on behalf of International Peace Bureau), Pax Romana,
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, World Evangelical Fellowship
17th Non-governmental organizations: Agir ensemble pour les droits de l.homme, American Association
of Jurists, Anti-Slavery International, Arab Organization for Human Rights, Asian Buddhists
Conference for Peace, Association for World Education, Association of Refugees and Displaced
Persons of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Australian Council for Overseas Aid, Baha.i
International Community, Canadian Council of Churches, Catholic Institute for International
Relations, European Union of Public Relations, Federation of Cuban Women, Freedom House,
International Association for the Defence of Religious Liberty, International Centre for Human Rights
and Democratic Development, International Educational Development, International Federation of
Human Rights Leagues, International Institute for Peace, International Peace Bureau, Netherlands
Organization for International Development Cooperation, New Human Rights, Organization for the
Solidarity of the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, Organisation tunisienne de l.éducation et
de la famille, Physicians for Human Rights, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, Service, Justice and Peace
in Latin America, Society for Threatened Peoples, Survival International, Ltd., Third World
Movement against the Exploitation of Women, Women.s International League for Peace and Freedom
(also on behalf of 4 non-governmental organizations), World Federation of Democratic Youth, World
Organization against Torture
18th Members: Mexico, Rwanda, United States of America
Observer: Equatorial Guinea
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
19th Members: Botswana, China, Japan, Norway, Pakistan (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference, except Morocco)
Observers: Kuwait, Myanmar
20th Members: Argentina, Canada, Poland, Swaziland, Sri Lanka
Members (right of reply): China, Cuba, Czech Republic, India, Italy, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
United States of America
Observers: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus,
Eritrea, Greece, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Lebanon, New Zealand, Syrian Arab Republic
Observers (right of reply): Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kuwait,
Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Viet Nam
Other observer: International Labour Organization
Non-governmental organizations: Centro de Estudios Europeos, Transnational Radical Party
9
Question of the violation of human rights
and fundamental freedoms in any part of
the world ... (concluded)
23rd Member: Sudan
Observers (right of reply): Cyprus, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Turkey
10
Economic, social and cultural rights
23rd Members: China, Cuba, Guatemala, India, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves with the statement), Venezuela
Observer: Iraq
Other observer: World Bank
24th Observers: Bolivia, Egypt, Honduras, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Malaysia, Panama (on behalf of the
Group of Central American States), San Marino, Uruguay, Yemen
Other observers: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Centre
for Human Settlements (Habitat)
Non-governmental organizations: Asian Legal Resource Centre, Caritas Internationalis, Centre on
Housing Rights and Evictions, Europe-Third World Centre, International Federation of Human Rights
Leagues, International Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements, International Federation of
University Women (also on behalf of 10 non-governmental organizations), International Movement of
Apostolate in the Independent Social Milieux, International Save the Children Alliance, Liberation,
Pax Romana, Union of Arab Jurists (also on behalf of 4 non-governmental organizations), World
Federation of United Nations Associations
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
10
Economic, social and cultural rights
(concluded)
25th Members: Bangladesh, Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Norway, Republic of Korea,
Russian Federation, Sudan, Zambia
Observers: Belarus, Israel; Switzerland
Other observer: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
26th Observer: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Observer (right of reply): Malaysia
Non-governmental organizations: Aliran Kesedaran Negara - National Consciousness Movement,
American Association of Jurists, Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace, Association of World
Citizens, Centro de Estudios Europeos, Defence for Children International Movement (also on behalf
of 8 non-governmental organizations), Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, Federación de Asociaciones
de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Human Rights Advocates, Inc., Indian Movement
.Tupaj Amaru., International Commission of Jurists, International Council of the Associations for
Peace in the Continents, International Educational Development, Inc., International Federation of
Social Workers, International Federation Terre des Hommes, International Human Rights Law Group,
International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies, International Movement ATD Fourth World,
International Organization for the Development of Freedom of Education, International Peace Bureau,
Movement against Racism and for Friendship among Peoples, National Union of Jurists of Cuba, New
Humanity, North South XXI, Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Organization for the
Solidarity of the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, Permanent Assembly for Human Rights,
Rural Reconstruction Nepal, Third World Movement against the Exploitation of Women, War
Resisters International, Women.s International Democratic Federation, World Federation of
Democratic Youth, Worldview International Foundation
27th Non-governmental organizations: Andean Commission of Jurists, ATLAS - Association tunisienne
pour l.auto-développement et la solidarité, Australian Council for Overseas Aid, Federation of Cuban
Women, Interfaith International, International Institute for Peace, International Young Catholic
Students, Muslim World League, Society for Threatened Peoples, Women.s International League for
Peace and Freedom, World Muslim Congress
11
Civil and political rights, .
27th Observers: Cameroon, Kenya
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
11
Civil and political rights, . (continued)
28th Members: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal
(on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia aligned themselves with the statement), Romania,
Senegal, Venezuela
Observer: Iraq
29th Observers: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Honduras, Kuwait, Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya, Netherlands, Singapore
Observer (right of reply): Bahrain
Other observer: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Non-governmental organizations: Amnesty International, Arab Organization for Human Rights,
Article 19 - The International Centre against Censorship, Asian Cultural Forum on Development,
Asian Legal Resource Centre, Association of World Citizens, Friends World Committee for
Consultation (Quakers), Human Rights Watch, International Association for Religious Freedom,
International Association for the Defence of Religious Liberty, International Association of
Democratic Lawyers, International Council of the Associations for Peace in the Continents,
International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, International Federation of Journalists,
International Movement for Fraternal Union among Races and Peoples, International Rehabilitation
Council for Torture Victims, International Save the Children Alliance, War Resisters International,
World Evangelical Fellowship, World Federation of United Nations Associations, World Organization
against Torture
30th Members: Botswana, Guatemala, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Spain,
Sudan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America
Observers: Albania, Ireland; Holy See
31st Members: China, Cuba, India, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia
Members (right of reply): China, Nigeria, Sudan
Observers: Algeria, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Israel, Kazakhstan,
Lebanon, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Turkey, Uruguay; Switzerland
Observers (right of reply): Cyprus, Iraq, Malaysia, Turkey, Viet Nam, Yemen
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
11
Civil and political rights, . (concluded) 32nd Observers: Eritrea, Jordan
Observers (right of reply): Angola, Belarus, Yemen
Non-governmental organizations: Aliran Kesedaran Negara - National Consciousness Movement,
Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Franciscans
International, Freedom House, General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventists, Human Rights
Advocates, International Commission of Jurists, International Federation of Action of Christians for
the Abolition of Torture, International Fellowship of Reconciliation, International Human Rights Law
Group, International League for Human Rights, Liberation, Movement against Racism and for
Friendship among Peoples, New Human Rights, North South XXI, Organization for Defending
Victims of Violence, Permanent Assembly for Human Rights, Reporters without Borders
International, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, Rural Reconstruction Nepal, South Asia Human Rights
Documentation, Third World Movement against the Exploitation of Women, Transnational Radical
Party, Women.s International Democratic Federation
33rd Observers (right of reply): Angola, Bahrain, Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, Egypt
Non-governmental organizations: Agir ensemble pour les droits de l.homme, All China Women.s
Federation, American Association of Jurists, Andean Commission of Jurists, Asian Buddhists
Conference for Peace, Association for World Education, Australian Council for Overseas Aid, Brahma
Kumaris World Spiritual University, Centro de Estudios Europeos, Centro de Estudios Sobre la
Juventud, France libertés: Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, Indian Movement .Tupaj Amaru.,
Interfaith International, International Bar Association, International Educational Development, Inc.,
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, International Peace Bureau, Latin American
Federation of Associations of Relatives of Disappeared Detainees, Muslim World League, Netherlands
Organization for International Development Cooperation, Organisation tunisienne des jeunes médecins
sans frontières, Pax Romana, Survival International, Ltd., World Federation of Democratic Youth,
World Federation of Trade Unions, World Muslim Congress, World Press Freedom Committee,
Worldview International Foundation (also on behalf of International Union of Socialist Youth and
Society for Threatened Peoples)
34th Member: Canada
Members (right of reply): Tunisia, United States of America, Zambia
Observers (right of reply): Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Thailand, Viet Nam
Non-governmental organizations: Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, Catholic Institute
for International Relations, European Union of Public Relations, Himalayan Research and Cultural
Foundation, Indian Council of South America, International Council of Nurses, International Human
Rights Association of American Minorities, International Indian Treaty Council, National Union of
Jurists of Cuba, Women.s International League for Peace and Freedom
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
12
Integration of the human rights of
women .
34th Members: Botswana, India, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union;
Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania,
Slovakia and Slovenia aligned themselves with the statement)
35th Member: China
Observers: Cameroon, Croatia, Honduras, Iraq, New Zealand, Panama (on behalf of the Group of
Central American States)
Other observer: International Committee of the Red Cross
Non-governmental organizations: Coalition of Activists Lesbians - Australia, France libertés:
Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, Freedom House, International Association for Religious Freedom,
International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (also on behalf of
Anti-Slavery International), International Movement for Fraternal Union among Races and Peoples,
International Peace Bureau, Japan Fellowship of Reconciliation, National Union of Jurists of Cuba,
Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Organization for the Solidarity of the Peoples of
Asia, Africa and Latin America, Rural Reconstruction Nepal, World Federation of Methodist and
Uniting Church Women (also on behalf of 16 non-governmental organizations), World Organization
against Torture
36th Members: Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Indonesia, Nigeria, Norway,
Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, United States of America, Zambia
Observers: Afghanistan, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Lithuania, Netherlands
37th Observers: Albania, Belarus, Democratic People.s Republic of Korea, Iceland, Iran (Islamic
Republic of), Israel, Jordan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Paraguay, The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Viet Nam, Yemen; Switzerland
Observers (right of reply): Jordan, Turkey
Other observers: United Nations Population Fund, World Health Organization
Non-governmental organizations: Arab Lawyers Union, Asian Legal Resource Centre, Asia Pacific
Forum on Women, Law and Development, Australian Council for Overseas Aid, Catholic Institute for
International Relations, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, International Human Rights
Law Group, Lila Pilipina, Permanent Assembly for Human Rights, Third World Movement against the
Exploitation of Women, Worldview International Foundation
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
12
Integration of the human rights of
women . (concluded)
38th Member (right of reply): China
Other observers: International Labour Organization, United Nations Development Fund for Women
Non-governmental organizations: African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters,
Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, All-China Women.s Federation, American Association
of Jurists, Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace, Asian Women.s Human Rights Council, Association
for World Education, Association of World Citizens, Centro de Estudios sobre la Juventud, China
Society for Human Rights, Federation of Cuban Women, Himalayan Research and Cultural
Foundation, Indian Council of Education, Interfaith International, International Council of Women,
International Fellowship of Reconciliation, International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies,
International Institute for Peace, International Union of Socialist Youth, Muslim World League, Pax
Romana (also on behalf of International Young Catholic Students), Survival International, Ltd.,
Transnational Radical Party, Union nationale de la femme tunisienne, Women.s International
Democratic Federation, World Federation of Trade Unions, World Organization of Former Students of
Catholic Education, World Muslim Congress
39th Members: Japan, Mexico
40th Members: Argentina, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India,
Indonesia, Italy, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria,
Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia,
Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves with the statement), Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal,
United States of America
13
Rights of the child
42nd Members: Cuba, Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Venezuela (also on behalf of the Group of
Latin American and Caribbean States)
Member (right of reply): Nepal
Observers: Angola, Cameroon, Georgia, Honduras, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Israel, Kuwait,
New Zealand, San Marino, South Africa, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uganda;
Holy See
Other observers: International Committee of the Red Cross, International Labour Organization,
United Nations Children.s Fund, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
World Health Organization
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
13
Rights of the child (concluded)
43rd Member (right of reply): Pakistan
Observers: Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Jordan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania;
Switzerland
Observer (right of reply): Bahrain
Non-governmental organizations: Arab Lawyers Union, Centro de Estudios sobre la Juventud,
Defence for Children International Movement, Federation of Cuban Women, Franciscans
International, Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers) (also on behalf of International
Save the Children Alliance), Human Rights Advocates, Inc., Indian Council of Education,
International Association for the Defence of Religious Liberty, International Confederation of Free
Trade Unions, International Federation Terre des Hommes, International Human Rights Law Group,
International Union of Socialist Youth, Minority Rights Group, Movement against Racism and for
Friendship among Peoples, Muslim World League, New Human Rights, Permanent Assembly for
Human Rights, Transnational Radical Party, Women.s Federation for World Peace International,
Women.s International Democratic Federation, World Federation of Methodists and Uniting Church
Women, World Federation of United Nations Associations (also on behalf of All India Women.s
Conference, International Association for Religious Freedom and World Federation of Democratic
Youth), World Organization against Torture, World Vision International, Worldview International
Foundation
44th Observer (right of reply): Ethiopia
Non-governmental organizations: Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, Christian Aid,
Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation, International Institute for Peace, International
Organization for the Development of Freedom of Education (also on behalf of Defence for Children
International Movement, World Federation of Methodists and Uniting Church Women and World
Vision International), Islamic African Relief Agency, Netherlands Organization for International
Development Cooperation, Organization for the Solidarity of the Peoples of Asia, Africa and
Latin America (also on behalf of Europe-Third World Centre and Indian Movement .Tupaj Amaru.),
Society for Threatened Peoples, World Muslim Congress
14
Specific groups and individuals .
45th Members: China, Cuba, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines,
Russian Federation, Senegal, United States of America, Venezuela (also on behalf of the Group of
Latin American and Caribbean States)
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
14
Specific groups and individuals .
(concluded)
46th Members: Argentina, Ecuador, Romania
Member (right of reply): Cuba
Observers: Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Finland
(also on behalf of the Netherlands), Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Singapore, Sweden (on behalf of the
Nordic countries), Turkey, Ukraine; Holy See, Switzerland
Observers (right of reply): Armenia, Cyprus, Turkey
Other observers: International Committee of the Red Cross, International Labour Organization,
International Organization for Migration, United Nations Children.s Fund, World Food Programme
Non-governmental organizations: Association for World Education, International Association for
Religious Freedom, International Council of Voluntary Agencies (joint statement with International
Catholic Migration Commission, Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches)
47th Observers (right of reply): Azerbaijan, Iraq
Non-governmental organizations: Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization, Association de
défense des tunisiens à l.étranger, Australian Council for Overseas Aid, Caritas Internationalis,
Catholic Institute for International Relations, Caucasians United for Reparations and Emancipation,
Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Federal Union of
European Nationalities, Franciscans International, France libertés: Fondation Danielle Mitterrand,
Human Rights Advocates, Human Rights Watch, Inclusion International, Indian Council of Education,
Interfaith International, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, International Educational
Development, Inc., International Federation of Free Journalists, International Human Rights Law
Group, International Movement for Fraternal Union among Races and Peoples, International Save the
Children Alliance, Minority Rights Group, Movement against Racism and for Friendship among
Peoples, Netherlands Organization for International Development Cooperation, North South XXI (also
on behalf of Union of Arab Jurists), Pax Christi International, Pax Romana, South Asia Human Rights
Documentation Centre, Third World Movement against the Exploitation of Women, World Blind
Union, World Evangelical Fellowship, World Federation for Mental Health
48th Non-governmental organizations: Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace, Asian Women.s Human
Rights Council, Association of World Citizens, China Disabled Persons Federation, Himalayan
Research and Cultural Foundation, International Catholic Migration Commission, International
Institute for Peace, International Peace Bureau, Latin American Federation of Associations of
Relatives of Disappeared Detainees, Muslim World League, World Federation of Democratic Youth,
World Federation of Trade Unions, World Muslim Congress, World Society of Victimology,
Worldview International Foundation
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
15
Indigenous issues
48th Observers: Denmark (on behalf of the Nordic countries), Estonia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Panama
(on behalf of the Group of Central American States), South Africa, Ukraine; Switzerland
Other observers: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Bank
49th Members: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela
Non-governmental organizations: Europe-Third World Centre, Grand Council of the Crees,
International Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements, International Indian Treaty Council (also
on behalf of Indigenous World Association and Society for Threatened Peoples), World Federation for
Mental Health
50th Member (right of reply): Colombia
Non-governmental organizations: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, Aliran
Kesedaran Negara - National Consciousness Movement, American Association of Jurists, Asian
Buddhists Conference for Peace, Asociación Kunas Unidos por Nabguana, Federación de
Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, France libertés: Fondation
Danielle Mitterrand, Indian Council of South America, Indian Movement .Tupaj Amaru. (also on
behalf of North South XXI and Union of Arab Jurists), Interfaith International, International
Educational Development, Inc., International Human Rights Association of American Minorities,
International Human Rights Law Group, International Organization of Indigenous Resource
Development, International Peace Bureau, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, Inuit
Circumpolar Conference, Latin American Human Rights Association, Movement against Racism and
for Friendship among Peoples, Netherlands Organization for International Development Cooperation,
Saami Council, South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, World Wide Fund for Nature
16
Report of the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights .
50th Members: China, Pakistan
Non-governmental organizations: International Indian Treaty Council, International Organization of
Indigenous Resource Development (also on behalf of Asociación Kunas Unidos por Nabguana and
Grand Council of the Crees)
17
Promotion and protection of human
rights .
50th Members: Japan, Mexico, Niger, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and
Turkey aligned themselves with the statement)
Observers: Australia, Singapore, Turkey
Other observers: International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
17
Promotion and protection of human
rights . (concluded)
51st Non-governmental organizations: Amnesty International, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, Human
Rights Advocates, Inc., Human Rights Watch, International Association of Democratic Lawyers,
International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism, International Service for
Human Rights (also on behalf of 15 non-governmental organizations), South Asia Human Rights
Documentation Centre, World Organization against Torture (also on behalf of International Federation
of Human Rights Leagues)
52nd Members: Botswana, El Salvador, Norway, Senegal
53rd Members: Chile, China, Cuba, India, Nigeria, Norway (on behalf of the Nordic countries), Pakistan,
Poland, Sri Lanka
Observers: Albania, Belarus, Iraq, Kuwait, Panama (on behalf of the Group of Central American
States), San Marino, Slovakia; Switzerland
Observers (right of reply): Oman, Saudi Arabia, Viet Nam; Switzerland
Non-governmental organizations: Aliran Kesedaran Negara - National Consciousness Movement,
Association for the Prevention of Torture, Canadian Human Rights Foundation, International
Educational Development, Inc., Latin American Human Rights Association, Netherlands Organization
for International Development Cooperation, Pax Christi International, Transnational Radical Party,
World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Worldview International Foundation
54th Non-governmental organizations: African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters,
Association for World Education, Association pour la promotion de l.emploi et du logement, Centre
Europe-Tiers Monde, France libertés: Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, International Indian Treaty
Council, International Institute for Peace, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims,
International Young Catholic Students, Pax Romana, Soka Gakkai International, World Federation of
Trade Unions
18
Effective functioning of human rights
mechanisms .
54th Members: Argentina, China, Cuba
Observers: Australia, Austria, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Turkey, Ukraine
Non-governmental organizations: Aliran Kesedaran Negara - National Consciousness Movement,
Asian Legal Resource Centre, Association for World Education, Canadian Human Rights Foundation,
Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations (also on behalf of 5 non-governmental organizations),
International Indian Treaty Council, Pax Christi International (also on behalf of 7 non-governmental
organizations) South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
18
Effective functioning of human rights
mechanisms . (concluded)
57th Member: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
National institutions: Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, Canadian Human
Rights Commission, Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos (Mexico), Commission nationale
consultative des droits de l.homme (France), Commission nationale des droits de l.homme (Togo),
Conseil consultatif pour les droits de l.homme du Royaume du Maroc, Danish Centre for Human
Rights, Defensor del Pueblo (Colombia), Human Rights Commission (New Zealand), Human Rights
Committee of Bahrain (Consultative Council), Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
(Australia), Malawi Human Rights Commission, National Commission on Human Rights (Italy),
National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (Cameroon), National Human Rights
Commission (India), National Human Rights Commission (Nigeria), Northern Ireland Human Rights
Commission, Observatoire national des droits de l.homme (Algeria), Ombudsman against Ethnic
Discrimination (Sweden), Rwandan National Commission for Human Rights, South African Human
Rights Commission, Philippines Commission on Human Rights, Ugandan Human Rights Commission
58th Members: Japan, Russian Federation, Venezuela
Observer: Croatia
19
Advisory services and technical
cooperation in the field of human rights
58th Members: Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Japan, Madagascar, Portugal (on behalf of the
European Union; Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey aligned themselves with the statement), Zambia
Observers: Croatia, Haiti, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Panama (on behalf of the Group of
Central American States), Somalia, Ukraine
Other observer: International Committee of the Red Cross
Non-governmental organizations: Aliran Kesedaran Negara - National Consciousness Movement,
Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, International Young Catholic Students, Service, Justice and Peace
in Latin America (also on behalf of International Federation of ACAT)
20
Rationalization of the work of the
Commission
59th Members: Brazil, India, Japan
Observers: Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Malaysia
Non-governmental organizations: Amnesty International (joint statement with Human Rights
Watch), Europe-Third World Centre, Human Rights Advocates, Inc. (also on behalf of
4 non-governmental organizations), Indian Movement .Tupaj Amaru., South Asia Documentation
Centre (joint statement with International Indian Treaty Council)
Agenda item a/ Meeting
number
Speaker
20
Rationalization of the work of the
Commission (concluded)
61st Members: Chile, Pakistan, Peru, Russian Federation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland (on behalf of Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada,
Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Eritrea, Estonia, Finland, France,
Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the
Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, South Africa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine
and the United States of America; Switzerland)
a/ The title of agenda items have been abbreviated where appropriate.
Annex IV
Administrative and programme budget implications of resolutions
and decisions adopted by the Commission at its fifty-sixth session
1. At its fifty-sixth session, the Commission on Human Rights adopted 87 resolutions
and 13 decisions.
2. A number of resolutions and decisions relate to mandates that do not involve substantive
costs or for which provisions have been made in the programme budget 2001-2002.
3. Before taking a decision on those resolutions and decisions involving programme budget
implications, in accordance with regulation 13.1 of the United Nations Financial Regulations and
Rules and rule 28 of the rules of procedures of the functional commissions of the Economic and
Social Council, the Commission was informed through oral statements of the estimated costs
relating to implementation of requests contained in the resolutions and decisions.
4. Pursuant to Commission decision 2000/113, an addendum to this report is issued. This
addendum includes the statements on administrative and programme budget implications in
respect of those resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission in 2000, which would
entail additional requirements.
Annex V
Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission and statements made by the
Chairperson on behalf of the Commission at its fifty-sixth session
A. Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
decision
decision
decision
2000/101
2000/111
2000/112
AGENDA ITEM 3: ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE SESSION
Organization of work
Dates of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Human Rights
Organization of the work of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on
Human Rights [Additional meetings]
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
8-12
35-36
37-38
L.3/Rev.1 resolution 2000/1
AGENDA ITEM 4: REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH
COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOLLOW-UP TO THE
WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights
without a vote 47-50
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.2
L.4
L.5
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/2
2000/3
2000/4
AGENDA ITEM 5: THE RIGHT OF PEOPLES TO SELF-DETERMINATION
AND ITS APPLICATION TO PEOPLES UNDER COLONIAL OR ALIEN
DOMINATION OR FOREIGN OCCUPATION
Question of Western Sahara
The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the
exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination
Situation in occupied Palestine
without a vote
roll-call vote
(35/11/5)
roll-call vote
(44/1/6)
55-57
58-62
63-67
L.13/Rev.1
L.6
resolution
resolution
decision
2000/14
2000/84
2000/104
AGENDA ITEM 6: RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA
AND ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Defamation of religions
The rights of non-citizens
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
72-76
81-85
77-80
L.14 resolution 2000/5
AGENDA ITEM 7: THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT
The right to development without a vote 90-92
L.7
L.8
L.9
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/6
2000/7
2000/8
AGENDA ITEM 8: QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
IN THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES, INCLUDING PALESTINE
Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories,
including Palestine
Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan
Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories
roll-call vote
(31/1/19)
roll-call vote
(31/1/19)
roll-call vote
(50/1/1)
97-101
102-106
107-111
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.15
L.23
L.25
L.26
L.27
L.28
L.29
L.31
L.33
L.34
L.35
L.36/Rev.1
L.52
L.16
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/15
2000/16
2000/17
2000/18
2000/19
2000/20
2000/21
2000/22
2000/23
2000/24
2000/25
2000/26
2000/27
2000/28
AGENDA ITEM 9: QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD, ...
Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and western Bekaa
Situation of human rights in Iraq
Situation of human rights in Afghanistan
Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea and assistance in the field of
human rights
Situation of human rights in Burundi
Situation of human rights in Rwanda
Cooperation with representatives of United Nations human rights bodies
Situation of human rights in Myanmar
Situation of human rights in Sierra Leone
Situation of human rights in Cuba
Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
Montenegro), the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Situation of human rights in the Sudan
Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
without a vote
roll-call vote
(51/1/1)
roll-call vote
(32/0/21)
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
roll-call vote
(21/18/14)
roll-call vote
(44/1/8)
vote (28/0/24)
roll-call vote
(22/20/11)
120-125
135-138
139-145
146-150
151-153
154-156
157-160
168-169
170-175
176-178
179-184
185-191
192-196
126-134
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.32 resolution
decision
2000/58
2000/103
Situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation
Question of human rights in Cyprus
roll-call vote
(25/7/19)
without a vote
199-206
207-208
L.17
L.19
L.21
L.22
L.24
L. 97
L.20
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
decision
decision
2000/9
2000/10
2000/11
2000/12
2000/13
2000/72
2000/82
2000/102
2000/107
AGENDA ITEM 10: ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and cultural
rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and study of
special problems which the developing countries face in their efforts to achieve
these human rights
The right to food
Human rights and unilateral coercive measures
Human rights and extreme poverty
Women.s equal ownership of, access to and control over land and the equal rights
to own property and adequate housing
Adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous
products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights
Effects of structural adjustment policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of
all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights
Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights
The Social Forum
without a vote
roll-call vote
(49/1/2)
roll-call vote
(36/9/7)
without a vote
without a vote
roll-call vote
(37/16/0)
roll-call vote
(30/15/7)
without a vote
without a vote
220-224
225-231
232-234
235-239
240-241
263-266
251-262
242-244
245-250
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.38
L.39
L.40
L.41
L.42
L.43
L.44
L.46
L.47
L.48
L.49
L.50
L.51
L.53
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/29
2000/30
2000/31
2000/32
2000/33
2000/34
2000/35
2000/36
2000/37
2000/38
2000/39
2000/40
2000/41
2000/42
AGENDA ITEM 11: CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ...
Hostage-taking
Human rights and terrorism
Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
Human rights and forensic science
Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance
and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
Conscientious objection to military service
Draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Question of arbitrary detention
Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances
The right to freedom of opinion and expression
Human rights in the administration of justice, in particular juvenile justice
The incompatibility between democracy and racism
The right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of grave
violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors and the
independence of lawyers
without a vote
vote
(27/13/12)
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
273-275
276-282
283-286
287-288
289-290
291-293
294-295
316-318
319-321
322-324
325-327
328-330
331-333
334-336
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.54
L.45/Rev.1
resolution
resolution
2000/43
2000/47
Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Promoting and consolidating democracy
without a vote
roll-call vote
(45/0/8)
337-338
296-315
L.59
L.60
L.61
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/44
2000/45
2000/46
AGENDA ITEM 12: INTEGRATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF
WOMEN .
Traffic in women and girls
Elimination of violence against women
Integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations system
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
344-346
347-350
351-352
L.62
L.69
L.94
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/59
2000/60
2000/85
AGENDA ITEM 13: RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Question of draft optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
on involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography
Abduction of children from northern Uganda
Rights of the child
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
359-360
361-365
366-370
L.56
L.57
L.64
L.67
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/48
2000/49
2000/50
2000/51
AGENDA ITEM 14: SPECIFIC GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS ...
Human rights of migrants
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers
and Members of Their Families
Tolerance and pluralism as indivisible elements in the promotion and protection
of human rights
Human rights of persons with disabilities
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
375-377
378-379
380-382
383-385
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.70
L.72
L.73
L.74
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/52
2000/53
2000/54
2000/55
Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities
Internally displaced persons
Violence against women migrant workers
Human rights and mass exoduses
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
386-388
389-393
394-395
396-397
L.66
L.71
L.68
L.65
resolution
resolution
resolution
decision
decision
2000/56
2000/57
2000/87
2000/105
2000/106
AGENDA ITEM 15: INDIGENOUS ISSUES
Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the International Decade of the
World.s Indigenous People
Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to elaborate a draft
declaration in accordance with paragraph 5 of General Assembly
resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994
Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Postponement of consideration of draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.63 [entitled
.Human rights and indigenous affairs.]
Study on indigenous land rights
without a vote
without a vote
roll-call vote
(43/0/9)
without a vote
without a vote
408-410
434-435
411-433
402-404
405-407
L.77 resolution 2000/83
AGENDA ITEM 16: REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMISSION ON THE
PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ...
Work of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights without a vote 440-442
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.37
L.76/Rev.1
L.78
L.80
L.81
L. 83
L.84
L.85/Rev.1
L.86
L.87
L.95
L.75
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
decision
2000/61
2000/62
2000/63
2000/64
2000/65
2000/66
2000/67
2000/68
2000/69
2000/70
2000/71
2000/108
AGENDA ITEM 17: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS .
Human rights defenders
Promotion of the right to a democratic and equitable international order
Human rights and human responsibilities
The role of good governance in the promotion of human rights
The question of the death penalty
Towards a culture of peace
Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights
Impunity
Fundamental standards of humanity
Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights
United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education
Reservations to human rights treaties
roll-call vote
(50/0/3)
roll-call vote
(30/17/6)
roll-call vote
(22/21/10)
roll-call vote
(50/0/2)
roll-call vote
(27/13/12)
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
451-459
469-473
474-479
480-487
488-493
494-496
497-499
500-503
504-505
506-507
508-510
460-468
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L.79
L.89
L.90
L.91
L.93
L.82
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/73
2000/74
2000/75
2000/76
2000/77
2000/86
AGENDA ITEM 18: EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF HUMAN RIGHTS
MECHANISMS .
Composition of the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
Regional cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the
Asian and Pacific region
Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including
reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights
National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
The protection of United Nations personnel
Human rights and thematic procedures
roll-call vote
(35/17/1)
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
514-519
526-528
529-530
531-532
533-534
520-525
L.88
L.92
L.98
L.100
resolution
resolution
resolution
resolution
2000/78
2000/79
2000/80
2000/81
AGENDA ITEM 19: ADVISORY SERVICES AND TECHNICAL
COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Situation of human rights in Haiti
Situation of human rights in Cambodia
Advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights
Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
without a vote
539-542
543-544
544-547
548-550
L.101
L.102
decision
decision
2000/109
2000/110
AGENDA ITEM 20: RATIONALIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE
COMMISSION
Enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human
Rights
Transitional arrangements concerning the 1503 procedure
without a vote
without a vote
555-559
560-561
Document
E/CN.4/2000/
Action
taken
No. Title a/ Method of
adoption b/
Paragraphs
of report
L. 99 decision 2000/113
AGENDA ITEM 21: (b) REPORT TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL ON THE FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
Report of the Commission to the Economic and Social Council on its fifty-sixth
session
without a vote 565-566
a/ The titles of agenda items have been abbreviated, where appropriate.
b/ In the case of a vote, the figures in brackets represent: votes in favour/votes against/abstentions.
B. Statements made by the Chairperson on behalf of the Commission
Agenda
item
Subject Date Paragraphs
of report
3
3
3
Handling of the report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working group on enhancing the effectiveness
of the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights
Situation of human rights in Colombia
Question of resources for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
22 March 2000
19 April 2000
25 April 2000
40
40
40
9 East Timor 25 April 2000 213
Annex VI
List of documents issued for the fifty-sixth session of the Commission
Documents issued in the general series
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/1 2 Provisional agenda: note by the
Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/1/Add.1 2 Annotations to the provisional agenda prepared by
the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/2-
E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/54
16 Report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights on its fifty-first
session
E/CN.4/2000/3 11 (b) Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions:
report of the Special Rapporteur,
Ms. Asma Jahangir, submitted pursuant to
Commission resolution 1999/35
E/CN.4/2000/3/Add.1 11 (b) _________: summary of cases transmitted to
Governments and replies received
E/CN.4/2000/3/Add.2 11 (b) _________: mission to The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia and Albania
E/CN.4/2000/3/Add.3 11 (b) _________: visit to Mexico
E/CN.4/2000/4 11 (a) Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention
E/CN.4/2000/4/Add.1 11 (a) _________: opinions adopted by the Working
Group on Arbitrary Detention
E/CN.4/2000/4/Add.2 11 (a) _________: visit to Indonesia
E/CN.4/2000/5 4 and 18 Note by the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/6 10 Progress report of the Special Rapporteur on the
right to education, Ms. Katarina Tomasevski,
submitted in accordance with Commission on
Human Rights resolution 1999/25
E/CN.4/2000/6/Add.1 10 _________: mission to Uganda
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/6/Add.2 10 _________: mission to the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
E/CN.4/2000/7 9 Report by the High Commissioner for Human
Rights on the situation of human rights in
Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
E/CN.4/2000/8 3 Statistics relating to the fifty-fifth session of the
Commission on Human Rights: note by the
secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/9 11 (a) Report of the Special Rapporteur,
Sir Nigel S. Rodley, submitted pursuant to
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/32
E/CN.4/2000/9/Add.1 11 (a) _________: Follow-up to the recommendations
made by the Special Rapporteur: visits to Chile,
Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela
E/CN.4/2000/9/Add.2 11 (a) _________: visit to Cameroon
E/CN.4/2000/9/Add.3 11 (a) _________: visit to Romania
E/CN.4/2000/9/Add.4 11 _________: visit to Kenya
E/CN.4/2000/9/Add.5 _________: communications received from
Governments from 15 December 1999 to
15 February 2000
E/CN.4/2000/10 9 Report of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights on the situation of human rights in
Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
E/CN.4/2000/11 3 Report of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights on the office in Colombia
E/CN.4/2000/12 and
Add.1
4 Report of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights submitted pursuant to Commission
resolution 1999/54
E/CN.4/2000/13 5 Situation in occupied Palestine: report of the
Secretary-General
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/14 and
Corr.1
5 Report on the question of the use of mercenaries
as a means of violating human rights and
impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to
self-determination, submitted by
Mr. Enrique Bernales Ballesteros,
Special Rapporteur, pursuant to Commission
resolution 1999/3
E/CN.4/2000/15 6 Report of the Secretary-General submitted
pursuant to Commission resolution 1999/78
E/CN.4/2000/16 6 Report by Mr. Maurice Glèlè-Ahanhanzo,
Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of
Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance, submitted pursuant to
Commission resolution 1999/78
E/CN.4/2000/16/Add.1 6 _________: mission to Hungary, Czech Republic
and Romania
E/CN.4/2000/17 6 Comments of the International Labour Office
E/CN.4/2000/18 [Symbol not used]
E/CN.4/2000/19 7 Report of the Secretary-General submitted in
accordance with Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1999/79
E/CN.4/2000/20 7 Report of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights submitted in accordance with Commission
on Human Rights resolution 1999/79
E/CN.4/2000/21 7 Note by the secretariat on the proceedings of the
Working Group on the Right to Development,
submitted in accordance with Commission on
Human Rights resolution 1999/79
E/CN.4/2000/22 and
Add.1
8 Report of the Secretary General
E/CN.4/2000/23 8 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/24 8 Note by the Secretary-General
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/25 8 Report on the situation of human rights in the
Palestinian territories occupied since 1967,
submitted by Mr. Giorgio Giacomelli,
Special Rapporteur, pursuant to Commission on
Human Rights resolution 1993/2 A
E/CN.4/2000/26 9 (a) Report of the Secretary-General submitted
pursuant to Commission on Human Rights
decision 1999/103
E/CN.4/2000/27 9 Situation of human rights in East Timor: report of
the High Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/28 9 Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and
western Bekaa: report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/29 9 Report of the Secretary-General on the situation
of human rights in Myanmar, submitted pursuant
to General Assembly resolution 54/186
E/CN.4/2000/30 9 and 16 Situation of human rights in the Republic of the
Congo: report by the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/31 9 Report of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights pursuant to Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1999/1: situation of human rights in
Sierra Leone
E/CN.4/2000/32 9 Report of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights on the situation of human rights in
Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
E/CN.4/2000/33 9 Report on the situation of human rights in
Afghanistan submitted Mr. Kamal Hossain,
Special Rapporteur, in accordance with
Commission resolution 1999/9
E/CN.4/2000/34 9 Report on the human rights situation in Burundi
submitted by the Special Rapporteur,
Ms. Marie-Thérèse A. Kéita-Bocoum, in
accordance with Commission resolution 1999/10
E/CN.4/2000/35 9 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic
of Iran: report of the Special Representative,
Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne, submitted
pursuant to Commission resolution 1999/13
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/36 9 Situation of human rights in the Sudan: note by
the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/37 9 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in Iraq,
Mr. Andreas Mavrommatis
E/CN.4/2000/38 9 Situation of human rights in Myanmar: report of
the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah,
submitted in accordance with Commission on
Human Rights resolution 1999/17
E/CN.4/2000/39 9 Situation of human rights in the former
Yugoslavia: report of Mr. Jiri Dienstbier, Special
Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights
on the situation of human rights in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
E/CN.4/2000/40 9 Report on the human rights situation in the
Republic of Equatorial Guinea submitted by the
Special Representative of the Commission,
Mr. Gustavo Gallón, pursuant to Commission
resolution 1999/19
E/CN.4/2000/41 9 Report on the situation of human rights in
Rwanda submitted by the Special Representative,
Mr. Michel Moussalli, pursuant to Commission
resolution 1999/20
E/CN.4/2000/42 9 Report on the situation of human rights in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, submitted by
the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Roberto Garretón, in
accordance with Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1999/56
E/CN.4/2000/43 9 Situation of human rights in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo: note by the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/44 9 Situation of human rights in East Timor: note by
the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/45 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/46 and
Add.1
10 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures:
report of the Secretary-General
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/47 10 Report of the Secretary-General submitted
pursuant to Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1999/25
E/CN.4/2000/48 and
Add.1
10 The right to food: report of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights submitted in
accordance with Commission resolution 1999/24
E/CN.4/2000/49 10 Draft optional protocol to the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights: report of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/50 10 Adverse effects of the illicit movement and
dumping of toxic and dangerous products and
wastes on the enjoyment of human rights: report
submitted by the Special Rapporteur on toxic
waste, Ms. Fatma Zohra Ouhachi-Vesely
E/CN.4/2000/50/Add.1 10 _________: mission to Germany and
the Netherlands
E/CN.4/2000/51 10 Note by the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/52 10 Human rights and extreme poverty: report
submitted by Ms. A.-M. Lizin, independent
expert, pursuant to Commission
resolution 1999/26
E/CN.4/2000/52/Add.1 10 Report of the Workshop on Human Rights and
Extreme Poverty
E/CN.4/2000/53 10 Open-ended working group established to
elaborate policy guidelines on structural
adjustment programmes and economic, social and
cultural rights: note by the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/54 11 (d) Human rights in the administration of justice, in
particular of children and juveniles in detention:
report of the Secretary-General submitted
pursuant to Commission resolution 1998/39
E/CN.4/2000/55 11 (g) Report of the Secretary-General submitted
pursuant to Commission resolution 1998/77
E/CN.4/2000/56 and
Add.1 and 2
11 Human rights and arbitrary deprivation of
nationality: report of the Secretary-General
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/57 11 (a) Human rights and forensic science: report of the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights submitted in accordance with
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1998/36
E/CN.4/2000/58 11 (a) Report of the Open-ended working group on a
draft optional protocol to the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment on its eighth session
E/CN.4/2000/59 11 (a) Status of the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment: report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/60 and
Add.1
11 (a) United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of
Torture: report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/61 and
Corr.1
11 (d) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the
independence of judges and lawyers,
Mr. Param Cumaraswamy, submitted in
accordance with Commission resolution 1999/31
E/CN.4/2000/61/Add.1 11 (d) _________: report on the mission to Guatemala
E/CN.4/2000/61/Add.2 11 (d) _________: Sri Lanka
E/CN.4/2000/62 11 (d) The right to restitution, compensation and
rehabilitation for victims of gross violations of
human rights and fundamental freedoms:
final report of the independent expert,
Mr. M. Cherif Bassiouni, submitted in accordance
with Commission resolution 1999/33
E/CN.4/2000/63 11 (c) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom
of opinion and expression, Mr. Abid Hussain,
submitted in accordance with Commission
resolution 1999/36
E/CN.4/2000/63/Add.1 11 (c) _________: visit to the Sudan
E/CN.4/2000/63/Add.2 11 (c) _________: report on the mission to Ireland
E/CN.4/2000/63/Add.3 11 (c ) _________: visit to the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
E/CN.4/2000/63/Add.4 11 (c ) _________ : mission to Tunisia
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/64 and
Corr.1 and 2
11 (b) Report of the Working Group on Enforced or
Involuntary Disappearances
E/CN.4/2000/64/Add.1 11 (b) _________: visit to Sri Lanka by a member of the
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances
E/CN.4/2000/65 11 (e) Report submitted by Mr. Abdelfattah Amor,
Special Rapporteur, in accordance with
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/39
E/CN.4/2000/66 12 Activities of United Nations bodies and other
international organizations pertaining to the
problem of trafficking in women and girls: report
of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/67 12 Integrating the human rights of women
throughout the United Nations system: report of
the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/68 12 (a) Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence
against women, its causes and consequences,
Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, on trafficking in
women, women.s migration and violence against
women, submitted in accordance with
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1997/44
E/CN.4/2000/68/Add.1 12 (a) _________: communications to and from
Governments
E/CN.4/2000/68/Add.2 12 (a) _________: mission to Cuba
E/CN.4/2000/68/Add.3 12 (a) _________: mission to Haiti
E/CN.4/2000/68/Add.4 12 (a) _________: mission to Pakistan and Afghanistan
E/CN.4/2000/68/Add.5 12 (a) _________: Economic and social policy and its
impact on violence against women
E/CN.4/2000/69 13 Abduction of children from northern Uganda:
report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/70 13 Status of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child: report of the Secretary-General
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/71 13 Additional report of the Special Representative of
the Secretary-General for children and armed
conflict, Mr. Olara Otunnu, submitted in
accordance with General Assembly
resolution 53/128
E/CN.4/2000/72 13 Report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights on the state of
implementation of the Programme of Action for
the Prevention of the Sale of Children, Child
Prostitution and Child Pornography: note by the
Secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/73 13 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of
children, child prostitution and child pornography,
Ms. Ofelia Calcetas-Santos
E/CN.4/2000/73/Add.1 13 _________: mission of the Special Rapporteur to
Belgium and the Netherlands on the issue of
commercial sexual exploitation of children
E/CN.4/2000/73/Add.2 13 _________: mission to Guatemala
E/CN.4/2000/73/Add.3 13 _________: mission of the Special Rapporteur to
Fiji on the issue of commercial sexual
exploitation of children
E/CN.4/2000/74 13 Report of the Open-ended inter-sessional working
group on a draft optional protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child on
involvement of children in armed conflicts on its
sixth session
E/CN.4/2000/75 13 Report of the Open-ended inter-sessional working
group on a draft optional protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale
of children, child prostitution and child
pornography on its sixth session
E/CN.4/2000/76 14 (a) Report of the Secretary-General on violence
against women migrant workers
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/77 14 (a) Status of the International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers
and Members of Their Families and efforts made
by the Secretariat to promote the Convention:
report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/78 14 (d) Note by the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/79 14 (b) Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities: report of the
Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/80 and
Add.1
14 (d) United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on
Contemporary Forms of Slavery: report of the
Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/81 14 (c) Human rights and mass exoduses: report of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights, submitted
pursuant to Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1998/49
E/CN.4/2000/82 14 (a) Human Rights of migrants: report of the Special
Rapporteur, Ms. Gabriela Rodríguez Pizarro,
submitted pursuant to Commission on Human
Rights resolution 1999/44
E/CN.4/2000/83 14 (c) Internally displaced persons: report of the
Representative of the Secretary-General,
Mr. Francis M. Deng, submitted pursuant to
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/47
E/CN.4/2000/83/Add.1 14 (c) _________: profiles in displacement: follow-up
mission to Colombia
E/CN.4/2000/83/Add.2 14 (c) _________
E/CN.4/2000/83/Add.3 _________: profiles in displacement: East Timor
E/CN.4/2000/84 15 Report of the working group on a draft
United Nations declaration on the rights of
indigenous peoples established in accordance with
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/32
E/CN.4/2000/85 15 Implementation of the Programme of Activities
for the International Decade of the World.s
Indigenous People: report of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/86 15 Report of the working group on a permanent
forum for indigenous people
E/CN.4/2000/87 16 Report of Mr. Ribot Hatano, Chairperson of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights at its fifty-first session,
submitted in accordance with Commission
resolution 1999/81
E/CN.4/2000/88 and
Add.1-3
16 (b) Note by the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/89 17 (a) Report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/90 17 Impunity: report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/91 17 Impunity of perpetrators of violations of
economic, social and cultural rights: report by the
Secretary-General prepared in pursuance of
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/58
E/CN.4/2000/92 17 Question of the death penalty: note by the
Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/93 17 (c) Implementation of the Plan of Action of the
United Nations Decade for Human Rights
Education, 1995-2004: report of the
Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/94 17 Fundamental standards of humanity: report of the
Secretary-General submitted pursuant to
Commission resolution 1999/65
E/CN.4/2000/95 17 (b) Implementation of the Declaration on the Right
and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and
Organs of Society to Promote and Protect
Universally Recognized Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms: report of the
Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/96 16 and 17
(a)
Status of withdrawals and reservations with
respect to the International Covenants on Human
Rights: report of the Secretary-General
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/97 and
Add.1
17 (c) Towards a culture of peace: report of the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights submitted in accordance with
Commission resolution 1999/62
E/CN.4/2000/98 and
Add.1
18 (a) Report of the Secretary-General on the
consultations conducted in respect of the report of
the independent expert on enhancing the
long-term effectiveness of the United Nations
human rights treaty system
E/CN.4/2000/99 18 Security of United Nations personnel: report of
the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/100 18 United Nations staff: note by the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/101 9 Cooperation with representatives of
United Nations human rights bodies: report of the
Secretary-General submitted in accordance with
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/16
E/CN.4/2000/102 18 (b) Regional arrangements for the promotion and
protection of human rights in the Asian and
Pacific region: report of the Secretary-General
submitted in accordance with Commission
resolution 1999/69
E/CN.4/2000/103 18 (b) Report of the Secretary-General submitted in
accordance with Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1999/72
E/CN.4/2000/104 18 (c) Composition of the staff of the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights: report of the High Commissioner
E/CN.4/2000/105 and
Add.1
19 Report of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/106 18 (a) Report of the Secretary-General on effective
implementation of international instruments on
human rights, including reporting obligations
under international instruments on human rights
E/CN.4/2000/107 19 Question of assistance to Chad: progress report of
the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/108 19 Role of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in assisting the
Government and people of Cambodia in the
promotion and protection of human rights: report
of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/109 19 Situation of human rights in Cambodia: report of
the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General on human rights in Cambodia,
Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, submitted in
accordance with Commission resolution 1999/76
E/CN.4/2000/110 and
Corr.1
19 Situation on human rights in Somalia: report of
the independent expert, Ms. Mona Rishmawi,
submitted in accordance with Commission
resolution 1999/75
E/CN.4/2000/111 19 Situation of human rights in Haiti: note by the
secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/112 20 Report of the Inter-sessional open-ended working
group on enhancing the effectiveness of the
mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/113 9 Letter dated 26 August 1999 from the Permanent
Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/114 20 Note by the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/115 11 and 12 Situation of human rights in East Timor: note by
the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/116 9 Letter dated 7 January 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Azerbaijan to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
secretariat of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/117 3 Letter dated 4 April 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/118-
E/CN.6/2000/8
12 Joint work plan of the Division for the
Advancement of Women and the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights: report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/119 9 Note verbale dated 24 January 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/120 20 Letter dated 2 February 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/121 9 and
17 (d)
Note verbale dated 3 February 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights
E/CN.4/2000/122 20 Letter dated 4 February 2000 from the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
addressed to the Permanent Representative of
Malaysia to the United Nations Office at Geneva
E/CN.4/2000/123 20 Letter dated 10 February 2000 from the
Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/124 18 Human rights and thematic procedures: note by
the secretariat
E/CN.4/2000/125 11 Note verbale dated 19 January 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights
E/CN.4/2000/126 11 (b) Note verbale dated 11 February 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Mexico to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/127 9 Letter dated 23 February 2000 from the
Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
secretariat of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/128 12 and 13 Note verbale dated 3 February 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/129 9 Note verbale dated 22 February 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/130 9 Letter dated 2 March 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/131 12 (a) Note verbale dated 8 March 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights
E/CN.4/2000/132 11 (a) Letter dated 10 March 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/133 11 (b) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/134 6 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/135 11 (e) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/136 8 Letter dated 14 March 2000 from the Permanent
Observer of Palestine to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/137 9 Note verbale dated 17 March 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar to
the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to
the secretariat of the Commission on Human
Rights
E/CN.4/2000/138 14 (c) Letter dated 15 March 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/139 9 Letter dated 20 March 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/140 6 Letter dated 21 March 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Georgia to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/141 9 Note verbale dated 27 March 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Burundi to
the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to
the secretariat of the fifty-sixth session of the
Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/142 9 Letter dated 28 March 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/143 9 Letter dated 29 March 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/144 9 Letter dated 30 March 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/145 17 Letter dated 30 March 2000 from the head of the
delegation of Sweden to the fifty-sixth session of
the Commission on Human Rights addressed to
the Chairperson of the Commission
E/CN.4/2000/146 8 Letter dated 31 March 2000 from the Permanent
Observer for Palestine to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights and to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/147 9 Letter dated 5 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/148 9 Letter dated 6 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/149 9 Note verbale dated 6 April 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of the Sudan to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/150 9 Letter dated 7 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/151 12 (a) Note by the secretariat
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/152 12 Letter dated 10 April 2000 from the Permanent
Mission of the Dominican Republic to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the fifty-sixth session of the
Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/153 9 Letter dated 10 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/154 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/155 4 Letter dated 13 April 2000 from the Permanent
Mission of the Sudan to the United Nations Office
at Geneva addressed to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/156 9 Letter dated 15 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/157 9 Letter dated 17 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/158 9 Letter dated 18 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/159 9 Letter dated 22 April 2000 from the Chargé
d.affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the
United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights
Documents issued in the general series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/160 11 (g) Letter dated 20 April 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Singapore to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/161 5 and 9 Letter dated 20 April 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Qatar to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/162 17 (a) Letter dated 26 April 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/163 18 Letter dated 27 April 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/164 17 (b) Letter dated 28 April 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/165 12 (a) Note verbale dated 28 April 2000 from the
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/166 5 and 9 Letter dated 28 April 2000 from the Permanent
Representative of India to the United Nations
Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of
the Commission on Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/SR.1-69 a
and E/CN.4/2000/SR.1-
69/Corrigendum
Summary records of the meetings of the
Commission on Human Rights held during its
fifty-sixth session, and corrigendum
a Summary records of the closed meetings (21st, 22nd and 37th (second part)) were issued in
restricted distribution.
Documents issued in the limited series
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/L.1 21 (a) Note by the Secretary-General
E/CN.4/2000/L.2 5 Draft resolution submitted by the Chairperson:
Question of Western Sahara
E/CN.4/2000/L.3/Rev.1 4 Strengthening of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.4 5 The use of mercenaries as a means of violating
human rights and impeding the exercise of the
right of peoples to self-determination
E/CN.4/2000/L.5 5 Situation in occupied Palestine
E/CN.4/2000/L.6 6 Defamation of religions
E/CN.4/2000/L.7 8 Question of the violation of human rights in the
occupied Arab territories, including Palestine
E/CN.4/2000/L.8 8 Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan
E/CN.4/2000/L.9 8 Israeli settlements in the Occupied Arab
Territories
E/CN.4/2000/L.10 and
Add.1-17
21 (b) Draft report of the Commission on its fifty-sixth
session
E/CN.4/2000/L.11 and
Add.1-9
21 (b) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/L.12 4 Amendment to draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.3/Rev.1
E/CN.4/2000/L.13 6 Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance: draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.14 7 The right to development: draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.15 9 Situation of human rights in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo: draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.16 9 Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic
of Iran: draft resolution
Documents issued in the limited series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/L.17 10 Question of the realization in all countries of the
economic, social and cultural rights contained in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in
the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, and study of special problems
which the developing countries face in their
efforts to achieve these human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.18 6 Amendments to draft resolution E/CN.4/2000/L.6
E/CN.4/2000/L.19 10 The right to food
E/CN.4/2000/L.20 10 Effects of structural adjustment policies and
foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human
rights, particularly economic, social and cultural
rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.21 10 Human rights and unilateral coercive measures
E/CN.4/2000/L.22 10 Human rights and extreme poverty
E/CN.4/2000/L.23 9 Human rights situation in southern Lebanon and
western Bekaa
E/CN.4/2000/L.24 10 Women.s equal ownership of, access to and
control over land and the equal rights to own
property and to adequate housing
E/CN.4/2000/L.25 9 Situation of human rights in Iraq
E/CN.4/2000/L.26 9 Situation of human rights in Afghanistan
E/CN.4/2000/L.27 9 Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea
and assistance in the field of human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.28 9 Situation of human rights in Burundi
E/CN.4/2000/L.29 9 Situation of human rights in Rwanda
E/CN.4/2000/L.30 9 Situation of human rights in China
E/CN.4/2000/L.31 9 Cooperation with representatives of
United Nations human rights bodies
E/CN.4/2000/L.32 9 Situation in the Republic of Chechnya of the
Russian Federation
E/CN.4/2000/L.33 9 Situation of human rights in Myanmar
Documents issued in the limited series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/L.34 9 The situation of human rights in Sierra Leone
E/CN.4/2000/L.35 9 Situation of human rights in Cuba
E/CN.4/2000/L.36/Rev.1 9 Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the
Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
E/CN.4/2000/L.37 17 (b) Human rights defenders
E/CN.4/2000/L.38 11 Hostage-taking
E/CN.4/2000/L.39 11 (f) Human rights and terrorism
E/CN.4/2000/L.40 11 (b) Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
E/CN.4/2000/L.41 11 Human rights and forensic science
E/CN.4/2000/L.42 11 (e) Implementation of the Declaration on the
Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of
Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
E/CN.4/2000/L.43 11 (g) Conscientious objection to military service
E/CN.4/2000/L.44 11 (a) Draft optional protocol to the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment
E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1 11 Promoting and consolidating democracy
E/CN.4/2000/L.46 11 Question of arbitrary detention
E/CN.4/2000/L.47 11 Question of enforced or involuntary
disappearances
E/CN.4/2000/L.48 11 The right to freedom of opinion and expression
E/CN.4/2000/L.49 11 (d) Human rights in the administration of justice, in
particular, juvenile justice
E/CN.4/2000/L.50 11 The incompatibility between democracy and
racism
E/CN.4/2000/L.51 11 The right to restitution, compensation and
rehabilitation for victims of grave violations of
human rights and fundamental freedoms
Documents issued in the limited series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/L.52 9 Situation of human rights in the Sudan
E/CN.4/2000/L.53 11 (d) Independence and impartiality of the judiciary,
jurors and assessors and the independence of
lawyers
E/CN.4/2000/L.54 11 (a) Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment
E/CN.4/2000/L.55 9 East Timor
E/CN.4/2000/L.56 14 (a) Human rights of migrants
E/CN.4/2000/L.57 14 (a) International Convention on the Protection of the
Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
Their Families
E/CN.4/2000/L.58 11 Amendment to draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.45/Rev.1
E/CN.4/2000/L.59 12 Traffic in women and girls
E/CN.4/2000/L.60 12 Elimination of violence against women
E/CN.4/2000/L.61 12 Integrating the human rights of women throughout
the United Nations system
E/CN.4/2000/L.62 13 Question of draft optional protocols to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child on
involvement of children in armed conflict and on
the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography
E/CN.4/2000/L.63 15 Human rights and indigenous affairs
E/CN.4/2000/L.64 14 (b) Tolerance and pluralism as indivisible elements in
the promotion and protection of human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.65 15 Study on indigenous land rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.66 15 Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights and the International Decade of
the World.s Indigenous People
Documents issued in the limited series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/L.67 14 Human rights of persons with disabilities
E/CN.4/2000/L.68 15 Establishment of a Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues: draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.69 13 Abduction of children from northern Uganda
E/CN.4/2000/L.70 14 (b) Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities
E/CN.4/2000/L.71 15 Working Group of the Commission on Human
Rights to elaborate a draft declaration in
accordance with paragraph 5 of General Assembly
resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994
E/CN.4/2000/L.72 14 Internally displaced persons
E/CN.4/2000/L.73 14 Violence against women migrant workers
E/CN.4/2000/L.74 14 (c) Human rights and mass exoduses
E/CN.4/2000/L.75 17 Reservations to human rights treaties
E/CN.4/2000/L.76/Rev.1 17 Promotion of the right to a democratic and
equitable international order
E/CN.4/2000/L.77 16 Work of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.78 17 Human rights and human responsibilities
E/CN.4/2000/L.79 18 Composition of the staff of the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.80 17 The role of good governance in the promotion of
human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.81 17 The question of the death penalty
E/CN.4/2000/L.82 18 Human rights and thematic procedures
E/CN.4/2000/L.83 17 Towards a culture of peace
E/CN.4/2000/L.84 17 (a) Status of International Covenants on Human
Rights
Documents issued in the limited series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/L.85/Rev.1 17 Impunity
E/CN.4/2000/L.86 17 Fundamental standards of humanity
E/CN.4/2000/L.87 17 Enhancement of international cooperation in the
field of human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.88 19 Situation of human rights in Haiti
E/CN.4/2000/L.89 18 (b) Regional cooperation for the promotion and
protection of human rights in the Asian and
Pacific region
E/CN.4/2000/L.90 18 Effective implementation of international
instruments on human rights, including reporting
obligations under international instruments on
human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.91 18 (b) National institutions for the promotion and
protection of human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.92 19 Situation of human rights in Cambodia
E/CN.4/2000/L.93 18 (c) The protection of United Nations personnel
E/CN.4/2000/L.94 13 Rights of the child
E/CN.4/2000/L.95 17 (c) United Nations Decade for Human Rights
Education
E/CN.4/2000/L.96 6 Amendments to the amendments contained in
E/CN.4/2000/L.18
E/CN.4/2000/L.97 10 Adverse effects of the illicit movement and
dumping of toxic and dangerous products and
wastes on the enjoyment of human rights: draft
resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.98 19 Advisory services and technical cooperation in the
field of human rights
E/CN.4/2000/L.99 21 (b) Report of the Commission to the Economic and
Social Council on its fifty-sixth session: draft
decision
Documents issued in the limited series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/L.100 19 Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights:
draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.101 20 Enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of
the Commission on Human Rights: draft decision
E/CN.4/2000/L.102 20 Transitional arrangements concerning the
1503 procedure: draft decision
E/CN.4/2000/L.103 17 Amendments to draft resolution
E/CN.4/2000/L.80
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/1 18 Written statement submitted by the Association for
World Education, a non-governmental organization
on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/2 11 (e) Written statement submitted by the Association of
World Citizens, a non-governmental organization
on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/3 4 Written statement submitted by the Association for
World Education, a non-governmental organization
on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/4 5 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/5 8 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Human Rights Leagues, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/6 11 (d) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/7 17 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/8 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/9 11 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Human Rights Leagues and the
World Organization against Torture, organizations
in general consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/10 11 (c) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/11 15 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/12 8 Written statement submitted by the American
Jewish Committee and the World Jewish Congress,
non-governmental organizations in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/13 10 Written statement submitted by the Baha.i
International Community, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/14 10 Written statement submitted by the South Asia
Human Rights Documentation Centre, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/15 14 (c) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/16 15 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/17 17 (b) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/18 6 Written statement submitted by Human Rights
Watch, a non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/19 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/20 11 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/21 13 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/22 14 (c) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/23 17 (b) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/24 18 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/25 19 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/26 3 Written statement submitted by the Colombian
Commission of Jurists, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/27 11 (e) Written statement submitted by the International
Humanist and Ethical Union, a non-governmental
organization on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/28 6 Written statement submitted by the Friends World
Committee for Consultation (Quakers), a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/29 11 (g) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/30 6 Written statement submitted by the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Commission, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/31 14 (b) Written statement submitted by the Caucasians
United for Reparations and Emancipation, a
non-governmental organization on the Roster
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/32 10 Written statement submitted by the International
Movement of Apostolate in the Independent Social
Milieux, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/33 11 (g) Written statement submitted by War Resisters
International, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/34 10 Written statement submitted by Anti-Slavery
International, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/35 13 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/36 3 and 9 Written statement submitted by Franciscans
International, a non-governmental organization in
general consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/37 15 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/38 9 Joint written statement submitted by Franciscans
International, a non-governmental organization in
general consultative status, and Pax Christi
International and Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers,
non-governmental organizations in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/39 15 Written statement submitted by the Indian
Movement .Tupaj Amaru., a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/40 7 and 10 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/41 11 (a) Written statement submitted by the Romanian
Independent Society of Human Rights, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/42 12 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/43 8 Written statement submitted by Pax Christi
International, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/44 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/45 11 Idem
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/46 10 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/47 14 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/48 18 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/49 10 Written statement submitted by the Federación de
Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los
Derechos Humanos, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/50 11 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/51 5 Written statement submitted by the International
League for Human Rights, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/52 16 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/53 6 Written statement submitted by the Organization
for Defending Victims of Violence, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/54 7 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/55 8 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/56 12 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/57 13 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/58 14 (b) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/59 13 Written statement submitted by Franciscans
International, a non-governmental organization in
general consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/60 11 (b) Written statement submitted by the Asian Legal
Resource Centre, a non-governmental organization
in general consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/61 10 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/62 11 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/63 11 (b) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/64 11 (d) Idem
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/65 12 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/66 5 Written statement submitted by North South XXI, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/67
and 68
5 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/69 6 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/70 7 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/71 8 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/
72-75
9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/76
and 77
10 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/78
and 79
11 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/80
and 81
11 (d) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/82 13 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/83 15 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/84 18 (c) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/85 5 Written statement submitted by the American
Association of Jurists, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/86 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/87 12 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/88 13 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/89 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/90 10 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/91
and 92
11 (d) Idem
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/93 10 Joint written statement submitted by the American
Association of Jurists, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status, and
Europe-Third World Centre, a non-governmental
organization in general consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/94 10 Written statement submitted by the International
Centre for Human Rights and Democratic
Development, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/95 11 (a) Written statement submitted by the Arab
Organization for Human Rights, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/96 9 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Human Rights Leagues, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/97 17 (b) Written statement submitted by the World
Organization against Torture, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/98 9 [Symbol not used]
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/99 7 Written statement submitted by the Europe-Third
World Centre, a non-governmental organization in
general consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/100 15 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/101 9 Joint written statement submitted by the
Europe-Third World Centre, a non-governmental
organization in general consultative status, the
American Association of Jurists, the International
League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples
and the Society for Threatened Peoples,
non-governmental organizations in special
consultative status, and FIAN - Foodfirst
Information and Action Network, a
non-governmental organization on the Roster
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/102 6 Written statement submitted by the Commission of
the Churches on International Affairs of the World
Council of Churches, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/103 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/104 11 (e) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/105 11 (c) Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Journalists, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/106 11 (c) Written statement submitted by Reporters Without
Borders - International, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/107 17 (a) Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of ACAT, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/108 7 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements, a
non-governmental organization on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/109 14 (a) Written statement submitted by Human Rights
Advocates, Inc., a non-governmental organization
in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/110 17 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/111 11 (g) Written statement submitted by Agir ensemble pour
les droits de l.homme, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/112 9 Written statement submitted by Article 19 - The
International Centre Against Censorship, a
non-governmental organization on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/113 10 Written statement submitted by the International
Organization for the Development of Freedom of
Education, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/114 5 Written statement submitted by the International
Indian Treaty Council, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/115 6 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/116 7 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/117 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/118 11 (a)
and (e)
Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/119 12 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/120 15 Joint written statement submitted by the
Indigenous World Association, the International
Indian Treaty Council and the International
Organization of Indigenous Resource Development,
non-governmental organizations in special
consultative status, the Indian Law Resource Centre
and the Saami Council, non-governmental
organizations on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/121 17 (d) Written statement submitted by the International
Indian Treaty Council, a non-governmental
organisation in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/122 6 Written statement submitted by the Society for
Threatened Peoples, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/123 7 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/124 9 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/125 10 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/126 11 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/127 13 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/128 15 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/129 9, 11 (a)
and (d)
Written statement submitted by the Lawyers
Committee for Human Rights, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/
130-132
9, 11 and
17 (b)
Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/133 9, 11 and
18 (c)
Idem
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/134
and 135
9, 11 and
17 (b)
Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/136 9 Written statement submitted by Europe-Third
World Centre, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/137 9 Written statement submitted by Pax Christi
International, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/138 11 (a) Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of ACAT, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/139 7 Written statement submitted by Human Rights
Advocates, Inc., a non-governmental organization
in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/140 10 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/141 11 (a) Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/142 13 Idem
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/143 11 (d) Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Human Rights Leagues, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/144 17 Joint written statement submitted by the
International Federation of Human Rights Leagues
and the World Organization against Torture,
non-governmental organizations in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/145 12 (a) Written statement submitted by Human Rights
Advocates, Inc., a non-governmental organization
in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/146 9 Written statement submitted by the Agence
internationale pour le développement, a
non-governmental organization with special
consultative status
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/147 11 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Human Rights Leagues, a
non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/148 5 Written statement submitted by International Alert,
a non-governmental organization in special
consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/149 5 Written statement submitted by the Federation of
Associations for the Defence and Promotion of
Human Rights, a non-governmental organization in
special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/150 9 Joint written statement submitted by Europe-Third
World Centre and Women.s International
Democratic Federation, non-governmental
organizations in general consultative status,
Afro-Asian People.s Solidarity Organization,
American Association of Jurists, General Arab
Women Federation, Indian Movement
.Tupaj Amaru., International Association of
Democratic Lawyers, International League for the
Rights and Liberation of Peoples, International
Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination, North South XXI, Union of
Arab Jurists, Women.s International League for
Peace and Freedom, World Movement of Mothers,
non-governmental organizations in special
consultative status, and International Educational
Development, Inc., International Progress
Organization, Movement Against Racism and For
Friendship Among Peoples, World Peace Council,
non-governmental organizations on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/151 9 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of ACAT, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/152 9 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements, a
non-governmental organization on the Roster
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/153 9 Written statement submitted by the International
League for Human Rights, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
Documents issued in the non-governmental organization series (continued)
Symbol Agenda
item
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/154 9 Written statement submitted by the International
Federation of Social Workers, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/155 9 Written statement submitted by Worldview
International Foundation, a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/156 9 Written statement submitted by Médecins sans
frontières (International), a non-governmental
organization in special consultative status
E/CN.4/2000/NGO/157 9 Written statement submitted by the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions, a
non-governmental organization in general
consultative status
Index of topics considered by the Commission
at its fifty-sixth session
Topic Page
Advisory services (resolution 2000/80) ......................................................................... 325
Afghanistan (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/18) ................................. 111
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/26) .............. 142
Burundi (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/20) ........................................ 120
Cambodia (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/79) .................................... 320
Chairperson.s statements:
Handling of the report of the inter-sessional open-ended working group
on enhancing the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the Commission
(22 March 2000) ................................................................................................ 387
Situation of human rights in Colombia (19 April 2000) .................................... 389
Question of resources for the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (25 April 2000) ............................................ 392
East Timor (25 April 2000) ............................................................................... 418
Chechnya, Russian Federation (Situation in the Republic of) (resolution 2000/58) ..... 251
Children:
Optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(resolution 2000/59) ........................................................................................... 254
Abduction of children from northern Uganda (resolution 2000/60) .................. 270
Rights of the Child (resolution 2000/85) ........................................................... 338
China (Situation of human rights in) ............................................................................. 409
Coercive measures (Human rights and unilateral) (resolution 2000/11) ....................... 79
Colombia (Situation of human rights in)
(Chairperson.s statement of 19 April 2000) .................................................................. 389
Topic Page
Compensation (Right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation)
(resolution 2000/41) ...................................................................................................... 190
Congo (Situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the)
(resolution 2000/15) ...................................................................................................... 99
Cooperation:
Cooperation with representatives of United Nations human rights
bodies (resolution 2000/22) ............................................................................... 129
Enhancement of international cooperation (resolution 2000/70) ...................... 290
Regional cooperation (Asian and Pacific region) (resolution 2000/74) ............ 301
Technical cooperation in the field of human rights (resolution 2000/80) ......... 325
Covenants (Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights)
(resolution 2000/67) ...................................................................................................... 283
Croatia (Situation of human rights in the Republic of) (resolution 2000/26) ............... 142
Cuba (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/25) ............................................ 140
Culture of peace (resolution 2000/66) ........................................................................... 281
Cyprus (Question of human rights in) (decision 2000/103) .......................................... 362
Death penalty (Question of) (resolution 2000/65) ......................................................... 278
Decade (International Decade of the World.s Indigenous People)
(resolution 2000/56) ...................................................................................................... 245
Defenders (Human rights) (resolution 2000/61) ........................................................... 271
Democracy:
Incompatibility between democracy and racism (resolution 2000/40) .............. 189
Promoting and consolidating democracy (resolution 2000/47) ......................... 214
Detention (Question of arbitrary) (resolution 2000/36) ................................................ 174
Development (Right to) (resolution 2000/5) ................................................................. 59
Topic Page
Disabilities (Human rights of persons with) (resolution 2000/51) ................................ 227
Disappearances (Question of enforced or involuntary) (resolution 2000/37) ............... 177
Displaced persons (Internally) (resolution 2000/53) ..................................................... 235
East Timor (Chairperson.s statement of 25 April 2000) ............................................... 418
Economic, social and cultural rights (Question of the realization in all
countries of the) (resolution 2000/9) ............................................................................. 69
Education (United Nations Decade for Human Rights) (resolution 2000/71) .............. 291
Equatorial Guinea (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/19) ........................ 117
Executions (Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary) (resolution 2000/31) ....................... 163
Food (Right to) (resolution 2000/10) ............................................................................. 76
Foreign debt (resolution 2000/82) ................................................................................. 331
Forensic science (Human rights and) (resolution 2000/32) ........................................... 167
Freedom of opinion and expression (Right to) (resolution 2000/38) ............................ 180
Globalization (decision 2000/102) ................................................................................ 362
Golan (Human rights in the occupied Syrian) (resolution 2000/7) ............................... 66
Governance (The role of good) (resolution 2000/64) .................................................... 277
Haiti (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/78) ............................................. 316
Hostage-taking (resolution 2000/29) ............................................................................. 159
Housing (resolution 2000/9) .......................................................................................... 69
Impunity (resolution 2000/68) ....................................................................................... 286
Indigenous issues:
Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission
and International Decade of the World.s Indigenous Peoples)
(resolution 2000/56) ........................................................................................... 245
Topic Page
Working Group of the Commission to elaborate a draft declaration
(resolution 2000/57) ........................................................................................... 249
Establishment of a Permanent Forum (resolution 2000/87) .............................. 358
Land rights (decision 2000/106) ........................................................................ 363
Instruments (Effective implementation of international) (resolution 2000/75) ............. 303
International order (Right to a democratic and equitable) (resolution 2000/62) ........... 273
Iran (Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of) (resolution 2000/28) ........ 156
Iraq (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/17) .............................................. 107
Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories (resolution 2000/8) ....................... 68
Judiciary (Independence and impartiality of the) (resolution 2000/42) ........................ 191
Justice (Human rights in the administration of) (resolution 2000/39) ........................... 185
Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (resolution 2000/26) .................................... 142
Lebanon and western Bekaa (Human rights situation in southern)
(resolution 2000/16) ...................................................................................................... 105
Mass exoduses (Human rights and) (resolution 2000/55) ............................................. 241
Mechanisms (Enhancing the effectiveness of) (decision 2000/109) ............................. 364
Mercenaries (The use of) (resolution 2000/3) ............................................................... 55
Migrants (Human rights of) (resolution 2000/48) ......................................................... 219
Migrant workers:
International Convention (resolution 2000/49) ................................................. 223
Violence against women (resolution 2000/54) .................................................. 240
Military service (Conscientious objection to) (resolution 2000/34) .............................. 172
Minorities (Rights of persons belonging to) (resolution 2000/52) ................................ 232
Myanmar (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/23) ..................................... 130
Topic Page
National institutions (resolution 2000/76) ..................................................................... 307
Non-citizens (Rights of) (decision 2000/104) ............................................................... 363
Occupied Arab territories (Question of the violation of human rights in the)
(resolution 2000/6) ........................................................................................................ 64
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:
Strengthening (resolution 2000/1) ..................................................................... 50
Composition of the staff (resolution 2000/73) ................................................... 298
Chairperson.s statement of 25 April 2000 ......................................................... 392
Organization of work (decisions 2000/101, 2000/111, 2000/112 and 2000/113) ........ 359, 378
379
Palestine (Situation in occupied) (resolution 2000/4) ................................................... 58
Poverty (Human rights and extreme) (resolution 2000/12) ........................................... 81
Special debate .................................................................................................... 382
Procedure:
Thematic procedures (resolution 2000/86) ........................................................ 354
1503 procedure (decision 2000/109 and decision 2000/110) ............................ 364 and
378
Special procedures (decision 2000/109) ............................................................ 364
Protection of United Nations personnel (resolution 2000/77) ....................................... 311
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
(resolution 2000/14) ...................................................................................................... 89
Religion:
Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms
of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
(resolution 2000/33) ........................................................................................... 169
Defamation of religions (resolution 2000/84) ................................................... 336
Resources (Question of ) (Chairperson.s statement of 25 April 2000) ............. 392
Topic Page
Responsibilities (Human) (resolution 2000/63) ............................................................ 276
Review of the mechanisms (Chairperson.s statement of 22 March 2000) .................... 387
Right to development (resolution 2000/5) ..................................................................... 59
Right to food (resolution 2000/10) ................................................................................ 76
Rwanda (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/21) ........................................ 124
Self-determination (resolution 2000/3) ......................................................................... 55
Sierra Leone (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/24) ................................ 136
Slavery (Working Group on Contemporary Forms of) (resolution 2000/44) ............... 201
Social Forum (decision 2000/107) ................................................................................ 364
Somalia (Assistance to) (resolution 2000/81) ............................................................... 328
Standards (Fundamental standards of humanity) (resolution 2000/69) ......................... 289
Structural adjustment (resolution 2000/82) ................................................................... 331
Sub-Commission (resolution 2000/83) .......................................................................... 335
Sudan (Situation of human rights in) (resolution 2000/27) ........................................... 150
Terrorism (resolution 2000/30) ..................................................................................... 160
Thematic procedures (resolution 2000/86) .................................................................... 354
Tolerance and pluralism (resolution 2000/50) ............................................................... 224
Torture:
Draft optional protocol (resolution 2000/35) ..................................................... 173
Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
(resolution 2000/43) ........................................................................................... 193
Toxic waste (resolution 2000/72) .................................................................................. 295
Traffic (in women and girls) (resolution 2000/44) ........................................................ 201
Topic Page
Treaties (Reservations to human rights treaties) (decision 2000/108) .......................... 364
Uganda (Abduction of children from northern) (resolution 2000/60) ........................... 270
Western Sahara (Question of) (resolution 2000/2) ........................................................ 53
Women:
Equal ownership of, access to and control over land and the equal
rights to own property and adequate housing (resolution 2000/13) .................. 86
Traffic in (resolution 2000/44) .......................................................................... 201
Elimination of violence against (resolution 2000/45) ....................................... 204
Integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations
system (resolution 2000/46) .............................................................................. 209
Yugoslavia (Situation of human rights in the Federal Republic of)
(resolution 2000/26) ...................................................................................................... 142
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