UN Human Rights Treaties

VI. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the Third Committee

175

45/90. Status of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 41/103 of 4 December 1986, 42/56 of 30 November 1987, 43/97 of 8 December 1988 and 44/69 of 8 December 1989,
Mindful that the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid11 constitutes an important international treaty in the field of human rights and serves to implement the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,5
Reaffirming its conviction that apartheid is a crime against humanity and constitutes a total negation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and a gross violation of human rights, seriously threatening international peace and security,
Strongly condemning the abhorrent policy and system of apartheid and the brutal repression it engenders, which continue to aggravate the situation in South Africa,
Emphasizing that the root cause of the conflict in southern Africa is apartheid and the racist regime's policy of aggression, State terrorism and destabilization against the front-line and other neighboring States,
Condemning the continued collaboration of certain States and transnational corporations with the racist r6gime of South Africa in the political, economic, military and other fields as an encouragement to the intensification of its odious policy of apartheid,
Underlining that ratification of or accession to the Convention on a universal basis and the implementation of its provisions without any delay are necessary for its effectiveness and therefore will contribute to the eradication of the crime of apartheid,
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid;28
2. Commends those States parties to the Convention that have submitted their reports under article VII thereof;
3. Appeals once again to those States that have not yet done so to ratify or to accede to the Convention without further delay, in particular those States that have jurisdiction over transnational corporations operating in South Africa and without whose co-operation such operations could not be halted;
4. Underlines the importance of the universal ratification of the Convention, which would be an effective contribution to the fulfillment of the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights instruments;
5. Calls upon all States whose transnational corporations continue to do business with South Africa to take appropriate steps to terminate their dealings with South Africa;
6. Requests the Commission on Human Rights to intensify, in co-operation with the Special Committee
27Resolution 3068 (XXVIII), annex.
28A/45/406.

against Apartheid, its efforts to compile periodically the progressive list of individuals, organizations, institutions and representatives of States deemed responsible for crimes enumerated in article II of the Convention, as well as those against whom or which legal proceedings have been undertaken;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to circulate that list among all States parties to the Convention and all Member States and to bring such facts to the attention of the public by all means of mass communication;
8. Also requests the Secretary-General to invite the States parties to the Convention, the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to provide the Commission on Human Rights with relevant information concerning the forms of the crime of apartheid, as described in article II of the Convention, committed by transnational corporations operating in South Africa;
9. Notes the importance of measures to be taken by States parties in the field of teaching and education for fuller implementation of the Convention;

10. Appeals to all States, United Nations organs, the specialized agencies and international and national non-governmental organizations to step up their activities to enhance public awareness by denouncing the crimes committed by the racist regime with a view to promoting further ratification of or accession to the Convention;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts, through appropriate channels, to disseminate information on the Convention and its implementation with a view to promoting further ratification of or accession to the Convention;
12. Also requests the Secretary-General to include in his next annual report under General Assembly resolution 3380 (XXX) of 10 November 1975 a special section concerning the implementation of the Convention.
68th plenary meeting 14 December 1990
45/91. Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons
The General Assembly,
Recalling all its relevant resolutions, including resolution 37/52 of 3 December 1982, by which it adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons,15 and resolution 37/53 of 3 December 1982, in which, inter alia, it proclaimed the period 1983-1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons as a long-term plan of action,
Recalling also its resolution 43/98 of 8 December 1988, in which it urged Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned to translate into action at all levels, as appropriate, the priorities for global activities and programmes during the second half of the Decade, such as those set forth in the annex to the resolution,
Recalling further the request to the Secretary-General made in its resolution 43/98 to conduct a feasibility study on the substantive, financial and administrative implications of alternative ways to mark the end of the Decade in 1992, which would include a review of the

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global progress achieved and obstacles encountered during the Decade and which would provide a mechanism for preparing the actions needed until the year 2000 and beyond,
Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1989/52 of 24 May 1989, in particular paragraph 9, in which the Council invited the Secretary-General, in connection with the preparation of the feasibility study, to convene an expert meeting in 1990 to advise on the best possible ways of marking the end of the Decade,
Having considered with interest and appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the feasibility study on alternative ways to mark the end of the Decade,29 which was based on the outcome of a meeting of experts held at Jarvenpaa, Finland, from 7 to 11 May 1990, at the generous invitation and with the financial support of the Government of Finland,
Taking note of the suggestion contained in the report of the Secretary-General to consider the proposal for a ministerial-level world conference to mark the end of the Decade,30
Bearing in mind Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/26 of 24 May 1990 on the equalization of opportunities for disabled persons, in which the Council authorized the Commission for Social Development to consider, at its thirty-second session, the establishment of an ad hoc open-ended working group of government experts, funded by voluntary contributions, to elaborate standard rules on the equalization of opportunities for disabled children, youth and adults,
Noting with satisfaction that the 1980s, during which the International Year of Disabled Persons and the Decade were observed, were a period of world-wide sensitization and awareness-raising efforts with respect to the rights and needs of disabled persons,
Convinced of the need to transform this awareness into action,
Noting with concern the deteriorating economic and social situation of some developing countries, which adversely affects vulnerable groups, including disabled persons,
Aware of the need for new and concerted efforts, more vigorous and broader action, and measures at all levels to fulfill the objectives of the Decade,
Expressing its appreciation for the efforts of a number of Member States during the Decade to improve the conditions and well-being of disabled persons and the willingness of those States to involve disabled persons and their organizations in all matters of concern to them,
Aware of the problem arising in some countries in relation to the translation of the terms "impairment", "disability", "handicap" and "disabled person" used in the World Programme of Action,
Noting with gratitude the generous support to the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons provided by some Governments through voluntary contributions,

Aware of the important role national committees are playing in furthering the implementation of the World Programme of Action,
Encouraged by the emergence of organizations of disabled persons in some parts of the world and their positive influence on the image and condition of persons with disabilities,
Recognizing the World Congress of Rehabilitation International, the World Congress of Disabled Peoples' International, the General Assembly of the World Blind Union, Independence '92 and other such important events to be held in 1992 as important activities helping to mark the end of the Decade,
Noting the important contribution being made by other non-governmental organizations in improving the status of persons with disabilities,
Desirous of encouraging the continued and practical implementation of the World Programme of Action beyond the Decade,
1. Stresses the need to achieve the objectives set out in the agenda for action until the end of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons and beyond31 and the preliminary outline of a long-term strategy to the year 2000 and beyond: a society for all,32 as contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the feasibility study on alternative ways to mark the end of the Decade;
2. Invites Member States, specialized agencies and other organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to implement the agenda for action and the preliminary outline and to use them as guidelines and stimuli in preparing:
(a) National, regional and international agendas for action aimed at mounting well-focused activities at all levels to benefit people with disabilities in ways that are in conformity with the culture, customs, traditions, level of socio-economic development and resource constraints of each country;
(ft) Long-term strategic plans with precise targets to be reached in the field of prevention, rehabilitation and equality of opportunities by the year 2000;
3. Affirms that, in implementing the agenda for action, special attention should be given to the disabled in developing countries;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to shift the focus of the United Nations programme on disability from awareness-raising to action, with the aim of achieving a society for all by the year 2010 and of responding more appropriately to the many requests for assistance and advisory services;
5. Stresses the need for priority to be given, within existing resources, to action-oriented programmes that will renew international consensus on and elicit a sustained political commitment by Member States to the implementation of the World Programme of Action beyond the Decade and will ensure the continued improvement of the situation of disabled persons;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to assist Member States in establishing and strengthening national committees on disability issues and similar coordinating

A/45/470.
Ibid., sect. II, para. 14.

31/bid., sect.III 32/bid., sect.iv

VI. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the Third Committee

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bodies and to promote and support the establishment of effective national organizations of disabled persons, including umbrella organizations;
7. Also requests the Secretary-General to review the translation into the official languages of the United Nations of the terms "impairment", "disability", "handicap" and "disabled person" used in the World Programme of Action;
8. Emphasizes the need to identify specific measures to strengthen the Disabled Persons Unit of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat, within existing resources, in order to enable it to implement the objectives of the Decade;
9. Welcomes the support already provided by some Governments to the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons and appeals for further voluntary contributions in order to strengthen the Disabled Persons Unit and to enable it to perform its focal-point functions;

10. Reaffirms that the resources of the Voluntary Fund should be used to support catalytic and innovative activities in order to implement further the objectives of the World Programme of Action within the framework of the Decade, with priority given, as appropriate, to programmes and projects of the least developed countries;
11. Invites Governments and non-governmental organizations to continue their contributions to the Voluntary Fund, and calls upon Governments and non-governmental organizations that have not yet done so to consider contributing to the Voluntary Fund so as to enable it to respond effectively to the growing demand for assistance;
12. Also invites Member States to submit updated national reports to the Secretary-General on the implementation of the agenda for action;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session on the implementation of the present resolution;
14. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-sixth session the item entitled "Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons".
68th plenary meeting 14 December 1990
45/92. Human rights and scientific and technological developments
The General Assembly,
Mindful of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,5 the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,33 the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights33 and other relevant instruments, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons34 and the Body of Principles
33 See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
34 Resolution 3447 (XXX).

for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment,35
Recalling its resolution 33/53 of 14 December 1978, in which it requested the Commission on Human Rights to urge the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to undertake, as a matter of priority, a study of the question of the protection of those detained on the grounds of mental ill-health, with a view to formulating guidelines,
Recalling also its resolution 44/134 of 15 December 1989, in which it welcomed the establishment of the open-ended Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to examine, revise and simplify as necessary the draft body of principles and guarantees submitted by the Sub-Commission,
Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1990/38 of 6 March 19903 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/37 of 25 May 1990, by which the Council authorized the Working Group to continue its work with a view to submitting the draft body of principles and guarantees to the Commission at its forty-seventh session,
1. Welcomes the significant progress made by the Working Group in the elaboration of a body of principles for the protection of persons with mental illness and for the improvement of mental health care, and urges the Group to complete its work expeditiously for submission to the Commission on Human Rights;
2. Requests the Commission on Human Rights to consider the subject at its forty-seventh session, in the light of the report and recommendations of the Working Group, with a view to submitting the draft principles to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session, through the Economic and Social Council.
68th plenary meeting 14 December 1990
45/93. Human rights and scientific and technological developments
The General Assembly,
Noting that scientific and technological progress is one of the decisive factors in the development of human society.
Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,5 the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,33 the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights33 and the Declaration on Social Progress and Development,12
Conscious that it is only the creative genius of humankind that makes progress and the development of civilization possible in a peaceful environment and that human life must be recognized as supreme.
Recalling the fundamental importance of the right to life,
Bearing in mind also that the exchange and transfer of scientific and technological knowledge is one of the important ways to accelerate the social and economic development of the developing countries,
3S Resolution 43/173, annex.