New UN High Commissioner will champion rights worldwide.

In a landmark vote on 20 December 1993, the General Assembly created the position of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, marking what many have predicted will be a turning point in UN action in the human rights arena.

Under the direction and authority of the Secretary-General, the new High Commissioner will Promote and protect the effective enjoyment by all of all civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights", the Assembly declared in resolution 48/141.

As the UN official with principal responsibility for human rights activities, the Commissioner will "play an active role in removing the current obstacles and in meeting the challenges to the full realization of all human rights", preventing violations throughout the world, as reflected in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Adopted without a vote, the text was among 53 resolutions and decisions on human rights approved by the General Assembly on the recommendation of its Third Committee. Among other actions, the Assembly designated 199 5 the U N Year for Tolerance (48/126), proclaimed the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (48/163) to commence on 10 December 1994, and asked (48/127) that a UN decade for human rights education be considered.

The responsibilities of the High Commissioner would include strengthening and streamlining existing human rights mechanisms; engaging in dialogue with all Governments to secure respect for all human rights; coordinating human rights promotion and protection activities throughout the UN system, including UN education and public information programmes: and supervising the Centre for Human Rights.

In particular, the High Commissioner will "recognize the importance of promoting a balanced and sustainable development for all people and of ensuring realization of the right to development".

Serving a four-year term at the rank of Under-Secretary-General, the High Commissioner will report annually to the Commission on Human Rights and, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly. With a branch office in New York, the High Commissioner's principal location will be in Geneva.

'Of high

moral integrity'

The Assembly detailed several specific requirements for the new high-level Commissioner. For impartial, objective, non-selective and effective performance of duties", he or she must be a "person of high moral standing and personal integrity", possessing expertise in the human rights field and an understanding of diverse cultures.

Jose Ayala Lasso, Ambassador of Ecuador and Chairman of the working group that drew up the draft resolution, said that the High Commissioner would take into account a State's historical, cultural and religious background. But all human rights are universal regardless of any State's political, cultural and economic systems, he added. I am very much convinced that the effectiveness of the action of the High Commissioner will depend on how much he or she earns the trust of all."

(Mr. Ayala Lasso was confirmed as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 14 February.)

In other action on human rights, the Assembly endorsed (48/121) the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights in June 1993.

It expressed grave concern 481126) over increasing acts of violence against religious and ethnic minorities, stating that tolerance - the "recognition and appreciation of others, the ability to live together with and to listen to others" - was the "sound foundation of an civil society and of peace".

Believing that further efforts were required to promote and protect the the right to freedom of thought", the Assembly called for the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance. It urged (48/128) States to combat acts of violence, including those motivated by religious extremism", and to encourage understanding of different beliefs.

States were urged (48/138) to follow the principles set out in the 1992 Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National, Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.

The Assembly condemned (48/122) terrorism as "activities aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy", and urged international cooperation in combating and eliminating such practices.

In resolution 48/119, the world body encouraged States to become parties to all international covenants on human rights, and it urged 481134) them to strengthen their own national plans to combat human rights violations.

The Assembly endorsed (48/132) a proposal to create a comprehensive UN programme to help States build adequate national structures to promote the overall observance of human rights. It should encompass training for lawyers, judges and security forces in human rights and reform of penal and correctional establishments.

Noting that scientific and technological progress was a decisive factor in the development of human society, the Assembly asked (48140) Member States to "ensure that the results of science and technology are used only for the benefit of the human being".

Country situations

The Assembly expressed concern over violations of human rights in many parts of the world. Among specific countries cited were Afghanistan, Cuba, El Salvador, Estonia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Latvia, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and the former Yugoslavia.

Stressing its commitment to protecting the rights of children, the General Assembly recognized that all children had the right to health, shelter, education, an adequate standard of living and freedom from violence and harassment. It asked (48/136) Governments to take urgent measures to prevent the killing of street children and combat torture and violence against them.

Recognizing a growing number of incidents worldwide of child pornography the selling of children and child prostitutes, it urged (48/156) Governments to enhance international cooperation to eradicate such aberrant practices. Children were also suffering deteriorating orating situations due to war, said the Assembly, which urged (48/157) all UN organizations, Governments and nongovernmental organizations to address the problem of children affected by armed conflict. The Secretary-General would appoint an expert to study the problem and make recommendations on improving the protection of children during war.

The Assembly wanted (48/135) a representative of the Secretary-General on displaced persons to visit countries with large numbers of internally displaced people and study the issues involved.

Preoccupied by the "increasingly heavy burden" imposed on developing countries by sudden mass exoduses, the Assembly asked (48/139) for particular attention for international cooperation to avert new flows of refugees, and to strengthen systems for early warning of human rights abuses leading to those exoduses.

The Assembly also asked (48/48) all Member States to consider adhering to the 1990 international Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.