[hr-council] Human Rights Council holds general debate on follow-up to and implementation of Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

[HREA]

UNITED NATIONS Press release
Human Rights Council
Midday 
24 March 2009

The Human Council at its midday meeting today held a general debate on follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

In the general debate on follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Work, speakers said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted 16 years ago offered a comprehensive framework that addressed a range of issues related to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Council should continue to address the issue of discrimination because of sexual orientation. A number of speakers welcomed the joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity which was delivered at the General Assembly last December by 66 States from all United Nations regional groups. Other speakers raised concerns about migration policies that endangered the enjoyment of human rights of migrants and their children. Some said that the existing international order continued to be led by selectivity, economic and political exploitation. One third of the world's population still continued to live in abject poverty. The roots of the current crises could only be addressed if the policies and strategies put in place were participatory and took into account inequalities and discrimination.

Another issue raised was how the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action could help promulgate the rights of children and women. The World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 was an important milestone in the path towards the achievement of higher standards of human rights globally, and since the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and the Programme of Action considerable progress had been made in the promotion and protection of human rights. However, the international community was now faced with new challenges including the global financial and economic crises, unstable food prices and climate change. Despite progress, the enjoyment of human rights remained a distant reality for many. Legislative measures did not suffice when those standards were not implemented and remedies to address human rights violations were not available.

Speakers representing national human rights institutions said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action were particularly important for national human rights institutions. The Declaration and Programme of Action affirmed their constructive role in the promotion and protection of human rights at the national level and called on Member States to establish and strengthen independent and effective national human rights institutions in line with the relevant international standards. One of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Paris Principles was the guarantee of independence of these institutions.

Speaking in the general debate were Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union, Chile on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Indonesia, Chile, Argentina, Russian Federation, Kuwait, Morocco, Austria, Turkey, Iran, United States, Denmark on behalf of Sweden, Norway and Finland, Algeria and Colombia.

The following national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations also took the floor: International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human rights, National Human Rights Commission of Korea, European Group of National Human Rights Institutions, Independence of National Human Rights Institutions, International Federation of University Women, European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association of Europe, Arab commission for Human Rights, Centrist Democratic International, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Indian Council of South America and Union de l'Action Feminine.

The Council today is holding back-to-back meetings from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. When it meets at 3 p.m. this afternoon, it will hold a general debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, including follow-up and implementation of the Durban Review Declaration and Programme of Action. At the beginning of the meeting, it will hear presentations of the reports of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and the Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards.


Documents on Follow-up and Implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

The report of the Secretary-General on regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/10/41) is not available.

The report of the Secretary-General on National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/10/54) covers the period from January to December 2008, and contains information on the activities undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in relation to national human rights institutions; measures taken by Governments and institutions in this regard; partnership initiatives with United Nations agencies and other international and regional organizations; and cooperation between national human rights institutions and international human rights mechanisms to promote and protect human rights. Specifically, the report highlights the main achievements, challenges and priorities for the Office of the High Commissioner at the national level, where efforts span from encouraging preliminary steps in the establishment of national human rights institutions to supporting their ongoing longevity and effectiveness in fulfilling their mandate. It also discusses the role played by the Office in facilitating cooperation between those institutions and summarizes key activities conducted in this regard. Information regarding the work of national human rights institutions in respect of specific thematic issues, such as conflict prevention and the prevention of torture, is also included.

The report of the Secretary General on Process currently utilized by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to accredit national institutions compliant with the Paris Principles (A/HRC/10/55) outlines progress achieved since the previous report on the accreditation of national human rights institutions to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/7/70) and should be read in conjunction with the report of the Secretary General on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/10/54), which includes, inter alia, information on ways and means of enhancing the participation of the said institutions in the work of the Council.

The note by the Secretariat on integrating the human rights of women throughout the United Nations system (A/HRC/10/63) informs the Council that, in order to allow for all Government responses to be considered and to ensure its translation, the High Commissioner's report on this topic will be submitted to the Council at its eleventh session.

General Debate on Follow-up and Implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

VERONIKA STROMSIKOVA (Czech Republic), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna 16 years ago, offered a comprehensive framework that addressed a range of issues related to the promotion and protection of human rights which continued to require their common attention. The European Union supported the continuing efforts of the High Commissioner, Special Procedures and treaty bodies to implement the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, saying that the Human Rights Council had a special responsibility to ensure the implementation of the Declaration by addressing challenges and ongoing denials of human rights.

It was in that context that the European Union wanted to affirm the joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity delivered to the General Assembly on 18 December on behalf of 67 States from all geographic regions. With the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action principles in mind, the European Union called upon the Council to continue to address the issue of discrimination because of sexual orientation and reiterated the request of the Norwegian joint statement of 2006 that the President of the Council provide a special opportunity for a more in-depth discussion of that important human rights issue.

CARLOS PORTALES (Chile), speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, said that the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries continued to be concerned about certain migration policies recently adopted, as the new directive approved by the European parliament, and other measures in countries of origin, transit and destination, that endangered the enjoyment of human rights of migrants and their children. They supported the appeal by the High Commissioner made at this session. The Group rejected the measures that sanctioned undocumented migrants and those that assisted them. Those policies aimed at sanctioning undocumented migrants had been inefficient and opened the door for further exploitation. Human rights were universal and therefore their observance did not depend on nationality or migratory status. The Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries rejected any criminalization of migrants that entered the country illegally and said that detention should be minimal. The world had to remember that migrants often wanted to carry out work that the citizens of the country were no more willing to carry out. Also, migration often presented a solution to demographic problems.

MARGHOOB SALEEM BUTT (Pakistan), speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said the international community had covered a long distance to achieve the landmark of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. This achievement was built on several past milestones including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Charter, the two International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and a number of related instruments. It served as a normative bridge between all relevant international instruments.

While the galaxy of instruments that had been negotiated so far affirmed the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all the human rights, in reality the existing international order continued to be led by selectivity, economic and political exploitation. The known ratios of one-third of the world's population living in abject poverty, and twenty thousand people dying every day from hunger, poverty and preventable diseases had been further aggravated by the ongoing food and financial crises. However, arbitrary solutions proposed were directed to help those who were least affected. The High Commissioner for Human Rights rightly stated that it was important to recognize that the roots of the current crises could only be addressed if the policies and strategies put in place were participatory, took into account existing inequalities and discrimination, and provided for sound and viable accountability mechanisms.

KAMAPRADIPTA ISNOMO (Indonesia) said that Indonesia was especially concerned about the impact of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action on promulgating the rights of the child, as that was a predominant concern of the Government. At the national level, Indonesia had established several laws aimed at assuring the rights of children, including regarding education, and a law on child protection, which guaranteed the protection of children against ill-treatment and violence and provided severe penalties if violated.

Indonesia also wished to warmly welcome the work of the Convention on the Rights of the Child Panel that had been undertaken in collaboration with the Council as part of the preparation for the forthcoming anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Indonesia felt that that anniversary was a major milestone and a cause for celebration, given that much had been achieved since the Convention had first been adopted in November 1989. It was also important to touch upon the vital role that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action had in guaranteeing the rights of women. Indonesia hoped that by not only promoting the indivisible and inalienable rights of women in the political, cultural and economic spheres, but also by empowering them, they could go a long way towards consistently assuring their rights in the long term.

CARLOS PORTALES (Chile) said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action recognized and affirmed that all human rights originated in the dignity and worth of a human being which was the central subject of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Chile reaffirmed that it was first and foremost the responsibility of all States to promote and protect human rights. The recognition of the fundamental human rights and the fact that it was the most important duty for the States to protect them stemmed from what was called ius gentium. It was when international law strayed from such concepts and became laws serving an interest that the international community saw great violations and atrocities against humanity. The judge of the International Court of Justice had rightly said that rights holders were human, made of flesh, bone and soul. The human being should be the protagonist of human rights. Each State individually had a responsibility to prevent the violation of human rights and had a duty to react when violations of human rights occurred. The international community needed to assist States in their aim to protect human rights. This was the main responsibility of States; it was not simply a concession but an obligation and the foundation of human rights. This should provide inspiration to the Human Rights Council.

SEBASTIAN ROSALES (Argentina) reaffirmed the principles of universality, interrelation, and interdependence of human rights and the principle of non-discrimination contained in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. This implicated that all persons were entitled to fundamental liberties. Argentina considered to be particularly important that the promotion and the struggle against all forms of discrimination without any distinction based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political opinion, property or ethnicity was in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with Article 2 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights as part of the fight against discrimination. Argentina was committed to continue to combat discrimination and in particular discrimination against persons based on their sexual orientation. As part of their national efforts taken, Argentina established a National Institute for Discrimination and a National Plan of Action in this context. On 18 December 2008, Argentina had the honor to take the floor in the General Assembly on behalf of other Member States and groups to speak about human rights on the grounds of sexual orientation. The text established as a result called for ensuring human rights despite one's sexual orientation.

EVGENY USTINOV (Russian Federation) said that the doctrine of human rights had a long history and had evolved with the changing world, taking into account tragedies that had faced mankind, such as the Second World War. One of the most important results of that war had been the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Achieving the objectives contained in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action could only be possible through constructive dialogue, taking into account national and cultural specificities, without applying double standards. However, those specificities were often ignored, and human rights instruments were used as a tool of political pressure. As a result, human rights were losing their potential as a tool for establishing dialogue between civilizations and reaching understanding between peoples. Therefore, it was necessary to ensure a synergy between human rights and traditional values and through that to strengthen respect for human rights, as provided for in the Vienna Declaration. To do that, the good will and painstaking efforts of all – States, non-governmental organizations and civil society – would be needed.

ABRAR ALMEIAN (Kuwait) said that concerning women and their integration in the work of the United Nations, Kuwait had tried to upgrade all its rights. Islam attached great importance to women and their rights. Kuwait had acceded to various conventions, particularly those concerning women. Women had also joined the military corps. Kuwait was fully aware of the consequences of armed conflict on women. Kuwait wanted to overcome the obstacles for the full implementation of measures concerning the rights of women.

OMAR HILALE (Morocco) said that the commemoration of the fifteenth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was an important step in the field of human rights. Human rights should be indivisible and interrelated and should not privilege any one group. The threat to human rights had been reflected in different international instruments. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action warned of any restrictive interpretation of human rights and any measure that could compromise the territorial integrity. It was regrettable that many statements already heard aimed to undermine those principles. The resolutions of the United Nations had evolved and or been cancelled and this illustrated the normative nature of the United Nations system. Those resolutions had been evolving and had the main objective to maintain the territorial integrity of a country and countries should not use this selectively.

CHRISTINA KOKKINAKIS (Austria) observed that last year they had celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the fifteenth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Austria reiterated the importance it attached to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, as providing a sound basis and framework for the promotion and protection of human rights. Fifteen years after its adoption, considerable progress had been made, in particular by strengthening the United Nations machinery in the field of human rights. The establishment of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and its expansion and consolidation in the field was one of the special success stories of that development. Despite those and other significant progress, the enjoyment of human rights remained a distant reality for many. Legislative measures did not suffice when those standards were not implemented and remedies to address human rights violations were not available.

On the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration, Austria had organized an international expert conference entitled "Global standards, local action" last August in Vienna. The conference had brought together a broad representation of the global human rights community in order to assess progress made in implementation of the Declaration, identify main challenges and, above all, formulate a set of recommendations on how to bridge the gap between existing standards and their implementation. One part of those recommendations dealt with United Nations human rights mechanisms and their effectiveness for people on the ground. The publication of the conference had been finalized and Austria was now able to provide it to all delegations, in the hope that the recommendations therein could contribute to their efforts to improve implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and all other international standards in their daily work.

FAITH ULUSOY (Turkey) said that the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 was an important milestone in the path towards the achievement of higher standards of human rights globally. The Conference recognized that the activities of the United Nations in the field of human rights should be rationalized and enhanced in order to strengthen the United Nations machinery in this field and to further the objectives of universal respect for and observance of international human rights standards. In that respect, the establishment of the Human Rights Council, the review of existing mechanisms and the introduction of new mechanisms, in particular the Universal Periodic Review had been significant achievements. They should be able to use them with a result-oriented approach while ensuring their coherence and complementarity. Since the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and the Programme of Action, considerable progress had been made in the promotion and protection of human rights. The international community was now faced however, with new challenges including the global financial and economic crisis, unstable food prices and climate change.

ASADOLLAH ESHRAGH(Iran) said the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was the outcome of the World Conference in 1993 and had contributed to human rights around the world. Human rights were indivisible and interrelated. The international community must deal with human rights on the same footing and the same emphasis. Iran was of the view that the high goals contained in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action required efforts at both the national and international level. They also required the promotion of dialogue and cooperation between the international communities at all levels. Furthermore, the promotion of human rights education was of paramount importance as stipulated in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and required concrete action. Iran initiative a series of human rights dialogues to enhance common understanding on human rights. In 2007 the Government of Iran organized a ministerial level meeting to this effect. Another important initiative taken by Islamic countries in this respect was establishing 5 August as the Islamic Human Rights Day to commemorate Islamic human rights and dignity.

KRISTEN MCGEENEY (United States) noted that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in 1993, was a vision for the implementation of universal human rights that still challenged the world in 2009. One of the most striking statements in it was the recognition and affirmation that "all human rights derived from the dignity and worth inherent in the human person and that the human person was the central subject of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

The United States was concerned by encroachments on the universally agreed principle that it was individual human beings who held rights and freedoms and who deserved protection. The concept of "defamation of religions" sought to protect religions rather than individuals and some were now trying to expand references to "incitement to religious hatred" to include protection of religion. Those concepts unfortunately carried with them calls to restrict fundamental freedoms that exacerbated the misunderstandings and ignorance that led to intolerance. The United States looked forward to working with Council members to find common ground on which to fight religious intolerance and to promote respect for all religious traditions in a manner that also promoted human rights and fundamental freedoms.

ARNOLD SKUBSTED, (Denmark), in a joint statement with Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland, said that they commended the historic joint declaration on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity that was presented in the General Assembly in the December last year, when 66 States from all regions of the world reaffirmed the fundamental principle, expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and international human rights conventions, that all human beings were born free and equal in dignity and rights and that the principle of non-discrimination required that human rights applied equally to every human being regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Nordic countries highly appreciated that others had recently aligned themselves with the Declaration. It was widely recognized that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was forbidden.

CHIBIHI BOUALEM (Algeria) said the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action some 15 years ago at the World Conference on Human Rights was a historic step in favour of the promotion of all human rights without selectivity. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action also established the framework for civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and enshrined the universality, interdependence and indivisibility of those rights. Algeria was committed to the exercise of this right by all people under colonial rule. Algeria urged the Council to ensure that this objectivity was applied. As far as women's rights were concerned, and the equality between men and women, Algeria at the national level had taken measures to ensure that its legislation was in line with Article 18 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and in December 2008 it conducted a constitutional review to remove obstacles that hindered the participation of women in political and social life, and guaranteed their enjoyment of fundamental human rights. Algeria said it had also removed its reservation against Article 2 on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

ALMA VIVIANA PEREZ GOMEZ (Colombia) said Colombia wished to restate the principle of the universality of human rights and the relevance of that principle in the fight against all forms of discrimination. In that spirit, Colombia associated itself with the joint Declaration on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity made last December in the General Assembly. With regard to its commitment to the fight against all forms of discrimination, Colombia reiterated its intention to implement the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review process, as well as the voluntary commitments it had undertaken in that context, in particular those referring to these particular topics, as a demonstration of Colombia's commitment to protect human rights for all its citizens. Among progress achieved in Colombia was the decision handed down by the Supreme Court this year for full protections for same-sex unions. It further reaffirmed its will to carry out campaigns in order to build a society of tolerance for all.

Mr. WOO, of International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, appreciated the support expressed by the Secretary General on the enhancement of the national human rights institutions cooperation at regional levels, and regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights. National human rights institutions were increasing their role and participation in existing regional mechanisms and continued to play an active role in promoting the establishment of new regional arrangements. The International Coordinating Committee welcomed the recent Human Rights Council activities on regional arrangements and looked forward to continuous collaboration on such initiatives. It also expressed its appreciation for the support by the Secretary-General, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and its National Institutions Unit in relation to the International Coordinating Committee accreditation procedure.

BYUNG HOON OH, of National Human Rights Commission of Korea, said the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action called for the strengthening of cooperation between national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights. It was widely agreed that national human rights institutions had a key role to play in the strengthening of Member State capacity, and it was the view of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea that this role could be greatly enhanced by increased cooperation among national human rights institutions as well as greater participation in United Nations human rights mechanisms. The Seoul Guidelines represented an important contribution to the enhancement of international cooperation on human rights. All national human rights institutions should increase their efforts at international cooperation and take full advantage of the opportunities now available for their greater participation in the proceedings of the Human Rights Council.

KIRSTEN ROBERT, of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions, said they strongly believed that education in and for human rights was an essential element in the right to education. The World Programme on Human Rights Education, the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and related programmes provided a number of guidelines for standard practice. Recognizing that action at the national level was critical to success, the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions believed that national action plans in this respect were of great importance. While the first phase of the World Programme on Human Rights Education had covered primary and secondary education, the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions looked forward to the expansion of the programme in further phases to other areas, including training.

ALEX ASATASHURILI, of National Human Rights Institutions of Mexico, on behalf Independence of National Human Rights Institutions, said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was particularly important for national human rights institutions. It affirmed their constructive role in the promotion and protection of human rights at the national level and called on Member States to establish and strengthen independent and effective national human rights institutions in line with the relevant international standards. One of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Paris Principles was the guarantee of independence. This was reflected in freedom from executive interference in the organization of the national human rights institutions, its functional autonomy and the requirements of adequate funding to ensure the smooth conduct of its activities. The organization expressed deep concern regarding recent threats to the independence of national human rights institutions.

CONCHITA PONCINI, of International Federation of University Women, on behalf of severals NGOs1, said over a century, women's conferences had followed each other, and the Beijing Conference was the world's biggest conference for women, and the United Nations should keep this momentum, working to ensure equality. As a new financial crisis hit the world, the economics of gender remained ignored. In recent financial crises, women had shown economic ability, able to find smart and effective business models. Many women worked for their families to survive in Africa, and introduction of equal treatment on parental leave had allowed them to have families and work. The United Nations should continue to support the work of the women's organizations.

JOHN FISHER, of European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association, on behalf of severals NGOs2 said that while the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action affirmed the principles of universality and non-discrimination, many people continued to be denied their rights solely because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. At this session of the Council alone, Special Rapporteurs had identified numerous human rights violations on those grounds, including arrests, death threats, violent attacks, violations of freedoms of expression and assembly, raids on homes and offices and torture. They therefore welcomed the joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, delivered at the General Assembly last December by 66 States from all United Nations regional groups, and the recent announcement by the United States that it was willing to join the growing cross-regional support.

ABDEL WAHAB HANI, of Arab Commission for Human Rights, said regarding treaty bodies, the Arab Commission for Human Rights had already stressed earlier the importance to be vigilant as to political nomination. The Arab Commission called upon States not to nominate candidates that held political posts. Today there was a new generation of human rights and a new generation of violations. One such new phenomenon was detention centers for foreigners, many violations occurred in such centers. The Arab Commission suggested that the Council should have a special session on this issue or establish a special mechanism.

AABADILA SEMLALI, of Centrist Democratic International, said States had a duty to fulfil, respect, protect and implement, but there were countries that ignored these obligations, and snatched children away from their families and committed other violations, putting people into military camps without the consent of their families, sent off to act as cannon fodder in fratricidal wars. Non-State actors were involved in this. The only thing that was implemented by countries such as Algeria was covering the sequestered populations, hiding behind the phrase of self-determination. Self-determination did not mean separatism. There should be fulfilment and enjoyment of their human rights of those in the Tinduf camps.

SOPHIE ETSKINE, of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, said that, in the context of integrating human rights of women throughout the United Nations system, the International Humanist and Ethical Union wanted to highlighted two areas in which women were particularly disadvantaged. The first was the plight of women classed as "untouchables". In India, for example, such women, known as Dalits, suffered systematic discrimination and abuse – as women, as untouchable and from poverty. Indian Dalit girls and women numbered more than 80 million and many thousands of them suffered daily violence and abuse at the hands of men – both family members and members of the upper castes. The second point concerned the difficulties of Muslim women. According to media reports from Saudi Arabia, a 75-year-old Syrian woman, had been sentenced to 40 lashes, fourth months' imprisonment and deportation from the Kingdom for having two unrelated men in her house. Subjecting a 75-year-old woman to forty lashes was an abuse of human rights under article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. They could understand why some States wished for silence in the Council with regard to any mention that such punishments were carried out under religious laws.

RONALD BARNES, of Indian Council of South America, said that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action fully recognized the right to self-determination. The States that had signed this Declaration clearly stated that this right was a human right. The Indian Council of South America asked India why it had stated in an earlier debate that the Advisory Committee's proposal was not in compliance with its mandate. A General Assembly resolution also said to give special attention to the right to self-determination. The Indian Council of South America called upon India to carefully examine its position and on States to take up this issue at the next session.

SAADANI MAALAININE, of Union de l'Action Féminine, said the protection and promotion of fundamental freedoms and human rights should be considered a key objective of the international community, particularly the right of women and children to enjoy a decent life with no discrimination or abuse. The human rights of children should be a key rule under international law. All forms of discrimination and related intolerance should be eradicated. In the Tinduf camps, women and children were suffering from the denial of their rights, tortured, and subject to forced labour. Many children were manipulated for political ends, and there was a great deal of suffering. Humanitarian aid was improperly diverted.

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1Joint statement: International Federation of University Women; International Federation of Business and Professional Women; Women's International Zionist Organization; World Federation for Mental Health; Women's World Summit Foundation; International Alliance of Women; Women's International League for Peace and Freedom; Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants, Soka Gakkai International; Worldwide Organization for Women; Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos; Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University; United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society; Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas; Zonta International; International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse; Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association, Femmes Africa Solidarité; Women's Federation for World Peace International; Organisation pour la communication en Afrique et de promotion de la coopération économique internationale (OCAPROCE International); and Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children.


2Joint statement: European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association; Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Network; Danish National Organisation for Gay Men and Lesbians; Public Services International; Swedish Federation of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Rights; and Federatie Van Netherlandse Verenigingen Tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit Coc Nederland.
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For use of the information media; not an official record

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