Assembly adopts declaration on right to development, acts on wide range of issues related to human rights.

Thc General Assembly acted on a wide range of human rights issues on 4 December, adopting more than 40 texts based on recommendations of its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).

Highlights of that work were the adoption of a 10-article Declaration on the Right to Development, annual reviews of human rights situations in five third world nations, and calls for action to assist millions of persons who are homeless or illiterate or endure other forms of human deprivation and suffering.

Other major texts approved dealt with: setting international standards in the field of human rights, international Covenants on human rights, human rights and scientific and technological developments, alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nation's system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights, torture, mass exoduses, involuntary disappearances, arbitrary executions, genocide, religious intolerance and the rights of children and of migrant 

In adopting resolution 41/118 without a vote, the Assembly invited the Economic and Social Council to consider in 1987 the question of declaring 1989 as International Literacy Year, under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). That organization was encouraged to elaborate a plan of action designed to assist States in eradicating illiteracy by the year 2000.

The Assembly also called on States and international organizations to intensify efforts to achieve the goals of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, to be observed in 1987. It did so in resolution 41/146, adopted by a vote of 153 to none, with 2 abstentions (Israel, United States). The world body expressed deep concern that millions of people did not enjoy the right to adequate housing and that measures should be taken to promote the right of all persons to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families.

Declaration text: In the Declaration, set out in resolution 41/128, the right to development is described as an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized.

The human right to development also implies the full realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, "which includes, subject to relevant provisions of both International Covenants on Human Rights, the exercise of their inalienable right to full sovereignty over all their natural wealth and resources", the document says.

Central role of

human person

The human person is the central subject of development, the Declaration states, and should be the active participant and beneficiary of the right to development. States have the primary responsibility for the creation of national and international conditions favourable to the realization of this right, and the duty to take steps, individually and collectively, to formulate international development policies with a view to facilitating the full realization of this right.

As a complement to the efforts of developing countries, says the Declaration, effective international cooperation is essential in providing these countries with appropriate means and facilities to foster their comprehensive development. States 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 developing countries.

According to the Declaration, States should ensure: equality of opportunity for all in their access to basic resources, education, health services, food, housing, employment and the fair distribution of income. Effective measures should be undertaken to ensure that women have an active role in the development process.

The Assembly approved the text a vote of 146 to 1 (United States), with 8 abstentions.

Country reviews

Resolutions were adopted in connection with consideration of human rights situations in Afghanistan, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala and Iran.

Afghanistan: In adopting resolution 41/158 by a vote of 89 to 24, with 36 abstentions, the Assembly reiterated its deep concern that the Afghan authorities, with heavy support from foreign troops, were acting "with great severity against their opponents and suspected opponents without any respect for the international human rights obligations which they have assumed" Grave concern was expressed at the methods of warfare used, and at the severe consequences for the civilian population of indiscriminate bombardments and military operations primarily, targeted on villages and the agricultural structure.

The Assembly reiterated its profound distress and alarm at the widespread violations of the right to life, liberty and security of person, including the "commonplace practice of torture and summary executions of the opponents of the regime", as well as at continuing evidence of a policy of religious intolerance. Deep concern was expressed about the number of persons detained for seeking to exercise their fundamental human rights and freedoms, and their detention under conditions contrary to internationally recognized standards. The Assembly noted with great concern that human rights violations had caused millions of people to flee their homes and country.

Parties to the conflict were called on to admit international humanitarian organizations, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross. The authorities in Afghanistan were urged to co-operate with the Commission on Human Rights and to allow its Special Rapporteur, Felix Ermacora, to visit the country.

Special Rapporteur Ermacora, who was first appointed in 1984, in an interim report ( A/41/778) stated that the had assembled information from interviews conducted in Pakistani refugee camps, communications from interested individuals or organizations, and United Nations documents and other publications. During a 10-day visit to Pakistan in September 1986, he had interviewed 108 persons from 20 provinces of Afghanistan, and visited three refugee camps and six hospitals.

He said that the majority of Afghans could not be guaranteed their basic economic, social and cultural rights without outside assistance, mostly provided by non-governmental organizations. Civilians in areas outside government control continued to suffer. Prison conditions for political detainees had not improved. Waves of refugees continued to leave the country in spite of increased hazards such as outright bombing and brutal reprisals against villagers who assisted them, as well as amnesty decrees and Government appeals. They were in a "deplorable situation", he said, and needed representation and protection of their interests.

The Afghan authorities' plan to resettle 300,000 persons from the eastern provinces in the south-west region would result in those people being displaced against their will, creating a situation of "internal exile", Mr. Ermacora said. Only a complete withdrawal of foreign troops would lead to the return of refugees, more than a third of the 15 million population, he said.

Mohammad Farid Zarif (Afghanistan) replied that contrary to the "lies" in the report of the Special Rapporteur, his Government had left no stone unturned to establish democratic revolutionary legality in law and in deed. Those who had masterminded the present unjust exercise against Afghanistan had arbitrarily selected his country to serve as "their whipping boy" to teach lessons to nations that dated to adopt an independent, progressive course. Adoption of resolutions in the Commission on Human Rights had been done in brazen disregard of the principle of sovereignty and by exertion of enormous pressure on some States.

The Special Rapporteur had relied on the "preposterous allegations" of "mercenary ringleaders", he said, through interpreters provided by "bandit groups" he chose to call "opposition movements". No mention was made of important measures adopt by the Government to promote such fundamental rights as the rights to health, life, employment, shelter, education, security, freedom of religious thought and practice, and political belief. His Government rejected the report, which aimed to "frame the Government and its sincere and trustworthy friend, the Soviet Union", and represented a stark picture of "dishonesty, fabrication and gross distortion of facts".

Chile: The Assembly, in resolution 41/161, adopted by a vote of 94 to 5 (Chile, Indonesia, Lebanon, Paraguay, United States), with 52 abstentions, recognized, as a positive fact, that the Government had permitted the Special Rapporteur to visit the country in December 1985, while regretting that that co-operation had not led to a substantial improvement in human rights and fundamental freedoms. Deep distress was expressed at the absence of institutional machinery which protected the unrestricted exercise of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Concern was expressed at both the persistence of serious violations of human rights in Chile and the denial of the exercise of the rights of free expression, assembly and association.

The Assembly also expressed grave concern at the ineffectiveness of the government authorities in preventing ill-treatment of individuals by the military, police and security forces, and at the failure of judicial authorities to conduct full investigations and prosecute those responsible for the numerous unresolved cases of murder, abduction, disappearances and torture. The Government must, the Assembly stated, restore and respect human rights so that the principle of legality, democratic institutions and the effective enjoyment and exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms might also be restored.

Twelve specific recommendations were made in that connection, including: ending the state of siege; making legislation conform with guarantees of human rights as defined in international instruments; immediately ending all forms of physical and psychological torture; and urgently investigating all reports of deaths, torture, abductions and other human rights violations by the military, police and security forces and punishing those found guilty.

The Government should: ensure the independence of the judiciary; guarantee that anti-terrorist legislation not be used against persons who had not committed terrorist acts; respect the right of nationals to live in and freely enter and leave the country; and end the practice of forced exile.

Special Rapporteur Fernando Volio Jimenez of Costa Rica reported (A/41/719) that the Government's "more frequent, close and smooth" cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights had had positive effects. "Constructive" steps had been taken towards safeguarding human rights. None the less, the human rights situation in Chile continued to be a source of great concern because the system was not democratic.

The serious events of September 1986 had placed the country in a "still more delicate predicament". Free rein was being given to violence in order to impede establishment of the rule of law. However, there was still reason to hope that the situation would be reversed "before plunging the country into the abyss of annihilation".

The Government, with citizen cooperation, should redouble efforts to prevent gangs of extremists from perpetrating outrageous acts. Chileans were capable of making "the indispensable and urgent effort to restore the country's republican practices, and to apply them to forge a consensus on the most prudent and viable way of achieving change in keeping with the loftiest aspirations of the individual and the community in a climate of tolerance generating pluralism of ideas and of political action programmes for the general welfare".

A "convergence of opinions" in favour of a democratic and representative system should be sought without further delay and without discouraging ambiguities which might lead to violent confrontations. Reforms in the legal system must be put into immediate effect. The uncertainty surrounding the investigation of the 663 cases of missing detainees that had been brought before the courts cast doubt on the conduct of the public authorities. Ways must be found to strengthen freedom of the mass media; their present status exposed them unduly to restrictive government measures. The Government should also authorize the holding of peaceful gatherings in public places.

Mario Calderon (Chile) said Chile continued to co-operate with the United Nations. An agreement had already been reached with the International Red Cross, and an Advisory Committee had been created to investigate the situations of those detained, the findings of which would be made known to the Special Rapporteur. The state of siege was gradually being reduced.

He could not agree with some critical remarks in the report regarding administration of justice. The Chilean judiciary had always been independent. It was also not acceptable to say that the political dialogue initiated by the Government was insufficient. His Government was committed to restoring a republican democracy, and had ended the process which would have led it into the Soviet orbit. Many people had forgotten why Chile was now in a period of transition. Terrorism, directly co-ordinated by Moscow, was the major factor threatening human rights in Chile. Huge numbers of weapons had been moved into the country clandestinely.

El Salvador: In adopting resolution 41/157 by a vote of 110 to none against, with 40 abstentions, the Assembly emphasized that it was important that the Special Representative on El Salvador had indicated that the question of human rights was an important part of government policy and increasingly significant and commendable results were being achieved. However, deep concern, was expressed that serious and numerous violations of human rights continued to take place. States were asked to refrain from intervening in El Salvador's internal situation.

The Assembly recommended the early resumption of open and generous talks towards a comprehensive political settlement which would contribute decisively to an improvement in the human rights situation. The Government and the opposition should co-operate fully with humanitarian organizations operating in the country; the process of reform of the judicial system should be deepened; and continuation and broadening of reforms were necessary to contribute to solving the economic and social problems which were the roots of the internal conflict.

In 1980, Jose Antonio Pastor Ridruejo was appointed as Special Representative to investigate the human rights situation in El Salvador. This year, he stated that the Government had co-operated fully in the drafting of his report (A/41/710). In El Salvador from 21 to 27 September 1986, he had interviewed government officials, including President Jose Napoleon Duarte, priests, representatives of the Committee of Mothers and Relatives of Persons Detained, Missing or Killed for Political Reasons, and political prisoners, with whom he said he had spoken freely and on a confidential basis. In Madrid and in New York, he spoke to a representative of the Political and Diplomatic Commission of the FMLN-FDR (Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional - Frente Democratico Revolucionario).

Non-combat-related political assassinations by members of the Armed Forces, Security Forces and Civil Defence had continued, but the number was significantly lower than in 1985. Guerrilla forces continued summary executions and civilian abductions. The number of political prisoners had increased. Judicial procedures for investigating and punishing those suspected of collaboration with the armed opposition continued to be governed by the widely criticized Decree No. 50. He also noted the difficulties which impeded normal functioning of the criminal justice system and "commendable attempts" to reform the legal system. Respect for human rights continued to be an important element of the policy of President Duarte's Government.

He had received no reliable information about massacres by the Salvadorian army. Guerrilla forces had released soldiers captured in combat through the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Interested parties should immediately take steps to end attempts on the lives, physical integrity and freedom of non-combatants. The Government and the FMLN-FDR should rapidly resume talks aimed, at the least, at ensuring the humanization of the conflict. Efforts should be made to alleviate and improve the living conditions of Salvadorians displaced or made refugees.

Benjamin Cestoni (El Salvador) said his Government was constructing an authentically democratic and pluralistic society, trying to achieve peace and harmony despite attempts to disrupt that process. Excesses committed by governmental forces had been punished. The Government was firm in its determination to restore and respect human rights.

The solutions of the problem of El Salvador required the will of the combatant groups to change their attitudes and become part of the democratic process. The Government was determined to use dialogue as its sole means of achieving peace. The situation in his country had been the subject of consideration by the United Nations since 1981. There had been positive developments, particularly since 1984. A Special Rapporteur was no longer needed.

Guatemala: The Assembly, in resolution 41/156, adopted by a vote of 134 to none, with 21 abstentions, welcomed the process of democratization in Guatemala and the return to constitutionality. It encouraged the Government to continue to take measures for the effective application of the Constitution and other laws aiming to safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Government was asked to continue co-operating with the Commission on Human Rights by providing it with information about the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular in regard to the application of the new legal order for the protection of those rights and freedoms. The Assembly recommended that the Commission continue to consider the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Guatemala.

No report was made on Guatemala in 1986 because the Commission on Human Rights had changed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and had not asked that a report be presented to the Assembly in view of new developments in that country.

Fernando Andrade-Diaz-Duran (Guatemala) said the human rights situation in his country had fundamentally changed. Significant advances had been made. Democratic institutions had returned, and the people had participated in election campaigns in a climate of freedom. A new Constitution had been established. The criminal justice system had been reformed to guarantee all rights. There were no limitations on the formation of political parties. There was a new law of protection of habeas corpus. No sector was left unprotected. The Government was committed to protecting all human rights.

The Mutual Support Group was making important efforts to clarify the situation of disappeared persons. President Cerezo had received the Group several times and had agreed to investigate the disappearances. A plan of economic assistance and scholarships for the disappeared persons' children was being established. Adequate solutions were being found to address labour conflicts. There were still sporadic subversive terrorist actions in certain parts of the country. The Government had adopted a policy of legitimate defence against the guerrillas, and had invited the subversive groups to revise their approach and work peacefully to establish a pluralistic democracy after laying down their arms.

Iran: The Assembly expressed deep concern over specific allegations of violations of human rights in Iran; urged the Government to respect and ensure the rights recognized in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it was a party; asked the Commission on Human Rights to consider further steps for securing effective respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all in Iran; and urged the Government to cooperate fully with the Commission's Special Representative and permit him to visit the country. It did so in adopting resolution 41/159 by a vote of 61 to 32, with 42 abstentions.

Reynaldo Galindo Pohl of El Salvador, designated Special Representative on 20 July 1986, reported (A/41/787) in November that he had not received a response to his communications addressed to Iran in which he had emphasized his belief that direct contacts with the Government were of the greatest importance for the implementation of his mandate. He assured the Government that he would carry out his mandate with the utmost objectivity and impartiality.

On 27 October 1986, he had transmitted to Iran two lists of persons allegedly summarily or arbitrarily executed or who had allegedly died as a result of ill-treatment during their detention, and of other allegations of human rights violations in Iran.

He appealed to Iran to fully cooperate with him to permit him to visit the country, and to reply to requests for specific information.

Said Rajaie-Khorassani (Iran) said the Assembly resolution illustrated that its sponsors had already made up their minds based on their "irrefutable" sources about the situation in Iran. The report of the new Special Representative showed an endeavour to move away from political considerations in previous actions on Iran. However, it was difficult to detach the Special Representative from the body which had approved his mandate.

Iranians, who had been neglected by the champions of human rights for over three decades of suffering from violations of their basic rights, had suddenly discovered the emergence of a great deal of interest and concern about their human rights. That interest was in no way related to the actual human rights situation. It was only a political game played by hegemonic Powers to protect their interests and control the damage resulting from the overthrow of their sub-imperialist base in the volatile Persian Gulf region, he said.

Other action

Alternative approaches: The Assembly approved six resolutions relating to the item on "alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the enjoyment of human rights", including the text on the Declaration on the Right to Development.

Another resolution (41/133), approved by a vote of 133 to 11, with 12 abstentions, dealt with the right to development. The Assembly said concerted international and national effort were needed to eliminate economic deprivation, hunger and disease in all parts of the world without discrimination in accordance with the Declaration and the Programme of Action on a New International Economic Order, the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade and the Charter on the Economic Rights and Duties of States.

To that end, the Assembly stated, international co-operation should aim at maintenance of stable and sustained economic growth with simultaneous action to increase concessional assistance to developing countries, build world food security, resolve the debt burden, eliminate trade barriers, promote monetary stability and enhance scientific and technological cooperation.

In adopting resolution 41/131 by a vote of 134 to 1 against (United States), with 21 abstentions, the Assembly affirmed that all human rights and fundamental freedoms were indivisible and interrelated and that the promotion and protection of one category of rights should never excuse States from the promotion and protection of the others. Equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to implementing, protecting and promoting both civil and political and economic, social and cultural rights.

Concern was expressed at the present situation with regard to the achievement of the objectives and goals for establishing the new international economic order and its adverse effects on the full realization of human rights, in particular the right to development. Concern was also expressed at the existing disparity between the established norms and principles and the actual situation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world.

Member States, the Assembly said, must promote international cooperation on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State. States were urged to co-operate with the Commission on Human Rights in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

By resolution 41/132, the Assembly recognized that there existed in Member States many forms of legal property ownership, each of which should contribute to ensuring effective development and utilization of human resources through the establishment of sound bases for political, economic and social justice; and emphasized the role of individual initiative as an invaluable resource in promoting economic and social development

The Assembly affirmed, in accordance with article 30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that nothing in the Declaration, including the right of everyone to own property alone as well as in association with others, might be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration.

The Secretary-General was asked to prepare a report on the relationship between the full enjoyment by individuals of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the right of everyone to own property alone as well as in association with others, and the economic and social development of Member States; and the role of the right of everyone to own property alone as well as in association with others in ensuring the full and free participation of individuals in the economic and social systems of States.

The vote on that text was 109 in favour to none against, with 41 abstentions.

Member States were also encouraged (41/129) to take steps to establish or strengthen national institutions for the protection of human rights. The Secretary-General was asked to give attention to the role of national institutions and non-governmental organizations concerned with the protection of human rights with to provide assistance to Member States, according high priority to the needs of developing countries.

The Assembly asked Member States (41/130), to publicize United Nations activities in the field of human rights and to accord priority to disseminating the 1948 Universal Declaration Human Rights. United Nations agencies and regional commissions were to assist further in disseminating United Nations material on this question.

The Secretary-General was asked to complete work on a draft teaching booklet on human rights, and to make available funding for public information activities in the human rights field. The Assembly recommended that Member States include in their educational curricula materials relevant to the comprehensive understanding of human rights issues.

The Secretary-General reported (A/41/464) that training course on international human rights standards and the experience of relevant international organs was held at La Paz, Bolivia from 19 to 30 May 1986. The first of its kind intended for a purely national participation, the course included lectures on the main instruments of human rights and on the inter-American system of protection and promotion of human rights.

Scientific and technological developments: The subject of human rights and scientific and technological developments was raised in the United Nations in 1968, when the International Conference on Human Rights, held at Teheran, declared that scientific discoveries and technological advance that offer vast prospect for economic, social or cultural progress might, nevertheless, endanger individual rights and freedoms and would require continuing attention. The Assembly adopted three texts on the subject.

By resolution 41/113, it called for measures to ensure that the results of scientific and technological progress were used "exclusively in the interest of international peace", for the benefit of mankind and for promoting respect for human rights. States were asked to take measures to prohibit propaganda for war, "in particular the formulation, propounding and dissemination of and propaganda for doctrines and concepts aimed at unleashing nuclear war." The vote was 129 to 10, with 15 abstentions.

By resolution 41/114, approved without vote, the Assembly urged the Commission on Human Rights and, through it, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to expedite their consideration of the draft body of guidelines, principles and guarantees related to the protection of persons detained on the grounds of mental ill-health, so that the Commission could submit its views, including the draft guidelines, to the Assembly in 1988.

Under resolution 41/115, States were called upon to make every effort to use the achievements of science and technology to promote peaceful social. economic and cultural development and progress. Implementation of the Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind in order to promote human rights was stressed. Specialized agencies and other United Nations organizations were asked to take into account in their programmes the provisions of that Declaration. The vote was 131 to none, with 24 abstentions.

Instruments, standards: The General Assembly in 1966 adopted two international Covenants on human rights, both of which entered into force in 1976. Together with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and an Optional Protocol to the Civil and Political Rights text, they are known as the "International Bill of Rights".

As of 1 August 1986, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights had been ratified or acceded to by 87 States and had been signed by 9 States; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights had been ratified or acceded to by 83 States and had been signed by 10 States; the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights had been ratified or acceded to by 37 States and signed by 7 States.

The Assembly, in its resolution 41/150 adopted without vote, decided to celebrate in 1988 the fortieth anniversary the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed on 10 December 1948. Member States, the specialized agencies, regional inter-governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations were invited to support activities aimed at encouraging the promotion of the universal observance and enjoyment of civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

In resolution 41/155, adopted by a vote of 154 to none, with 1 abstention (United States), the Assembly called on Member States to base their activities to protect and promote human rights on the United Nations Charter, to Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the two international Covenants on human rights and other relevant instruments. It emphasized that co-operation in the field of human rights should be guided by justice and equality with due respect for the dignity of all peoples without any discrimination.

Under a text (41/117) on indivisibility and interdependence of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, it appealed to States to pursue policies directed towards the implementation, promotion and protection of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, and called on them to co-operate in creating conditions conducive to the enjoyment of all human rights.

The establishment by the Economic and Social Council of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - which will be entrusted from 1987 on with the task of examining the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - was welcomed, and the Secretary-General was urged to give publicity to the Committee. The vote was 129 to 1 (United States), with 25 abstentions.

By resolution 41/119, approved without a vote, States parties were asked to continually review whether any reservation made in respect of the provisions of the International Covenants on Human Rights should be upheld. Full support for and cooperation with the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was urged. Governments were encouraged to widely disseminate texts of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its Optional Protocol in as many languages as possible.

In resolution 41/120, adopted without a vote, the Assembly invited Member States and United Nations bodies to bear in mind certain guidelines for setting new standards in the field of human rights. Such instruments, the Assembly said, should: be consistent with the existing body of international human rights law; be of fundamental character and derive from the inherent dignity and worth of the human person; be sufficiently precise to give rise to identifiable and practicable rights and obligations; provide, where appropriate, realistic and effective implementation machinery, including reporting systems; and attract broad international support. The Secretary-General was asked to provide appropriate specialized support to United Nations bodies working on standard setting in the field of human rights.

By resolution 41/121, adopted without a vote, the Assembly dealt with reporting obligations of States parties to United Nations conventions on human rights. It asked the Secretary-General to continue work on developing a compilation of the general guidelines elaborated by the various supervisory bodies and articles dealing with related rights under United Nations human rights instruments. States parties were encouraged to take relevant guidelines into account when preparing reports and to provide reports as succinct as possible. It endorsed the Secretary-General's proposal to arrange training courses for those regions experiencing the most serious difficulties in relation to meeting reporting obligations under United Nations human rights instruments.

In resolution 41/154, adopted without a vote, the Assembly endorsed the Commission on Human Rights recommendation that Governments needing technical assistance in the field of human rights should make use of the possibility offered by the United Nations of organizing information and/or training courses for government personnel on the application of international human rights standards, and to avail themselves of the advisory services of experts in the field of human rights.

In resolution 41/142 adopted without a vote, the Assembly urged Governments to take into account the provisions of the 1969 Declaration on Social Progress and Development in their bilateral and multilateral relations in the field of development, and recommended that international organizations and development agencies should consider the Declaration as an important international document in the formulation of strategies and programmes designed to achieve social progress and development. The Secretary-General was asked to prepare a substantive report on possible ways of increasing the contribution of United Nations bodies to achieving the full realization of the Declaration's principles and objectives.

Torture: Two resolutions were approved on the question of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, both without a vote. By one (41/134), States which had not done so were asked to become parties to the 1984 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as a matter of priority.

The Convention on Torture was opened for signature in New York on 4 February 1985; as of 1 December 1986, it had been ratified or acceded to by twelve States, and 56 States had signed it.

By resolution 41/135, the Assembly called on Governments, organizations and individuals to respond favourably to requests for contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. The Secretary-General was asked to assist the Board of Trustees of the Fund in efforts to publicize the Fund and its humanitarian work and in appealing for contributions.

The Fund was established by the Assembly in 1981 to receive voluntary contributions for distribution to individuals who have been tortured and to their relatives. It is administered by the Secretary-General with the advice of a five-member Board of Trustees, whose mandate was extended by the Secretary-General for a three-year period beginning 1 January 1986.

Improvement of social life: By resolution 41/152, adopted without a vote, the Assembly acknowledged that greater progress was necessary in the world social situation despite the efforts that had been made and that efforts to that end should be continued, confirmed the need to ensure the well-being of all persons and the enjoyment of all the other basic human rights, and reiterated the right of every person to the enjoyment of the greatest possible degree of physical and mental health.

Disappearances: On the question on enforced or involuntary disappearances, the Assembly called on the Commission on Human Rights to continue to study the issue as a matter of priority and to take any step it may deem necessary to the pursuit of the task of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances when its considers the Group's report in 1987. Governments concerned should, it said, co-operate with the Working Group to enable it to perform its strictly humanitarian role, and should consider the Working Group's wish to visit their countries, thus enabling it to fulfil its mandate. Resolution 41/145 was adopted without a vote.

Executions: The Assembly, in resolution 41/144, adopted without a vote, strongly condemned the large number of summary or arbitrary executions, including extra-legal executions, which continued to take place. It demanded that the practice be brought to an end, and welcomed the Economic and Social Council's decision to continue the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to examine questions related to summary or arbitrary executions for another year.

In resolution 41/149, adopted without a vote, the Assembly deplored the continued use of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, prohibited under international law, and strongly condemned the practice of summary or arbitrary executions. The Secretary-General was asked to continue to employ his best endeavours in cases where the safeguards guaranteeing protection for the rights of those facing the death penalty were violated and to fully support the Special Rapporteur on summary or arbitrary executions so as to permit him to respond effectively to such violations and to promote the safeguards.

Genocide: The Assembly, in resolution 41/147, adopted without a vote, strongly condemned the crime of genocide and reaffirmed the necessity of international co-operation in order to liberate mankind from such an "odious crime". States not parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide were urged to ratify or accede to it without further delay.

Mass exoduses: The Assembly, in resolution 41/148 adopted without a vote, invited Governments and international organizations to intensify their co-operation in world-wide efforts to address the serious problem of mass exoduses of refugees and displaced persons. The Secretary-General was asked to continue to follow closely developments in the area of human rights and mass exoduses. The Assembly also expressed encouragement for his efforts to enable the United Nations to anticipate and react more adequately and speedily to cases requiring humanitarian assistance.

Migrants: To enable the Working Group on the drafting of an international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families to complete its task, the Assembly approved an inter-sessional meeting to be held in New York in the spring of 1987. The Working Group would also meet during the 1987 Assembly session to continue the second reading of the draft international convention. Resolution 41/151 was adopted by a vote of 148 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (Belgium, Canada, Federal Republic of Germany, United Kingdom).

Rights of the child: After noting that further progress had been made in 1986 in elaborating a draft convention on the rights of the child, the Assembly asked the Commission on Human Rights to give highest priority to completing it in 1987 so it could be submitted to the forty-second Assembly. Resolution 41/116 was adopted without a vote.

Religious intolerance: The Assembly, in resolution 41/112, adopted without a vote, urged States to provide adequate constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, and pledged its determination to encourage understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief. States were urged to take measures to combat intolerance and to encourage understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief.

The United Nations University and other academic and research institutions were invited to undertake programmes and studies to encourage understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief. The Secretary-General was asked to take measures to make the text of the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief available to United Nations information centres and other interested bodies.

Nazi and fascist activities: In 1967, the Assembly had noted concern expressed regarding recent manifestations of racial intolerance, including the revival of groups professing such ideologies as nazism, and called on States to take measures against them. In adopting resolution 41/160 without a vote, the Assembly condemned and expressed its determination to combat all totalitarian or other ideologies, including Nazi, fascist and neo-fascist ideologies based on racial intolerance, hatred and terror, which deprived people of basic human rights. States were urged to prohibit activities of groups practising those ideologies, and to adopt, as a matter of high priority, measures declaring punishable by law any dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred and of war propaganda, including Nazi, fascist and neo-fascist ideologies.

The Assembly (41/153) asked the Secretary-General to assist the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to puruse the establishment of a depository centre for United Nations human rights materials with the Commission at Bangkok, whose function would include the collection, processing and dissemination of such materials in the Asian and Pacific region.

Other action

The Assembly decided to defer consideration of the item entitled "New international humanitarian order" to its 1987 session. In 1981, Jordan proposed the creation of a new humanitarian order because of the "urgently felt need" to strengthen the international response to human suffering caused by man-made and natural disasters. The Assembly subsequently asked the Secretary-General to seek views of Governments on the proposal.

20th anniversary of

Covenants marked

The General Assembly on 3 November invited all States to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights by continuing and strengthening measures aimed at the implementation, promotion and protection of their provisions.

The two instruments - the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and its Optional Protocol - were opened for signature and ratification on 16 December 1966. The instruments came into force in 1976, giving States the opportunity to give the force of international law to rights enumerated in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In adopting resolution 41/32 without a vote, the Assembly noted that only half of the Member States of the Organization had acceded to the Covenants, and appealed strongly to all States which had not done so to become parties to the Covenants so that they would acquire genuine universality.