Death penalty Protocol adopted, World conference on human rights considered.

The General Assembly has opened for signature, ratification and accession a new human rights instrument aimed at the abolition of the death penalty.

The 11-article Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, was adopted by the Assembly on 15 December by a vote of 59 to 26, with 48 abstentions. It calls for States Parties to commit themselves to take measures to abolish the death penalty within their jurisdictions.

Noting that article 6 of the Covenant refers to the death penalty "in terms that strongly suggest that its abolition is desirable", the Assembly favoured an international commitment to a ban on capital punishment.

Abolition of the death penalty contributes to "enhancement of human dignity and progressive development of human rights", the Assembly stated, adding that all measures with that aim should be considered as progress in the enjoyment of the right to life".

In another action, the Assembly also asked Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar to seek the views of Governments and international bodies on convening a world conference on human rights.

Such a meeting would deal at the highest level with the crucial questions facing the UN in connection with the promotion and protection of human rights, it stated.

Noting progress made by the UN towards achieving respect for human rights for all, the Assembly called appropriate a review of UN accomplishments through its human rights programme and what remained to be done. The first world conference on human rights was held in 1968.

The Assembly also welcomed Iran's invitation to the Commission on Human Rights Special Representative to make his first visit to that country. Iran said such a visit would result in a report "based on realities rather than allegations"'

As for other country reports, the Assembly urged a comprehensive political solution in Afghanistan; appealed for a resumption of dialogue to secure agreements on El Salvador; and expressed satisfaction at the progress of the Chilean electoral process as an important step towards the rapid return of democracy in that country.

During the forty-fourth Assembly, work continued on a convention to protect the rights of all migrant workers and their families, with the aim of adopting it in 1990.

The Assembly also recommended expansion of the membership of the Human Rights Commission.

Calling for respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes, the Assembly strongly appealed to States to abstain from financing or providing, directly or indirectly, any form of overt or covert support for political parties or groups and from taking actions to undermine the electoral process in any country.

In other action, the Assembly:

* Asked for revised draft guidelines for regulating computerized personal data files;

* Wanted further consideration of draft principles and guarantees to protect persons suffering from mental disorder or detained on the grounds of mental ill-health;

* Appealed for effective action to eliminate summary or arbitrary executions; and

* Supported continuing efforts for self-determination and to combat racism.

Country reports reviewed

Two UN committees met in Geneva in October and November to review reports from nations adhering to international human rights instruments. The Committee against Torture (13-24 November) examined documents from 10 nations adhering to the 1984 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Steps taken by four countries to implement the 1976 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights were examined by the Human Rights Committee (23 October-10 November).