Racism: Third Decade proclaimed; tolerance year, crime, drug abuse acted on.

Deeply concerned about discriminatory practices based on culture, nationality, language or religion, the General Assembly proclaimed the Third Decade to Combat Racism, beginning in 1993, and adopted an eight-part Programme of Action for the Decade.

Acts of racism, said the Assembly in adopting resolution 48/91 on 20 December, were "among the most serious violations of human rights in the contemporary world and must be combated by all available means".

In the new Programme of Action, the Assembly supported the same goals of the first decade - "to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind on grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, especially by eradicating racial prejudice, racism and racial discrimination".

Major obstacles

Despite efforts during the past two Decades to eradicate such practices, racism and racial discrimination continued to represent "major obstacles" to ensuring respect for human rights and maintaining peace, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ibrahima Fall told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) on 11 October.

By proclaiming the Third Decade, as well as the UN Year for Tolerance (1995), and creating a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Assembly showed its determination to "give the highest priority" to fighting racial discrimination. Among 75 resolutions and 9 decisions emanating from the work of the Third Committee, the Assembly also adopted texts on: self-determination and the use of mercenaries; prevention of crime, drug abuse and alien smuggling; women: refugees; and the disabled.

Concerned that the objectives of the first two Decades to Combat Racism had not been attained and that "millions of human beings continue to be victims" of racial discrimination, the Assembly decided that the UN and the international community should continue to "intensify their efforts" to combat racism and "provide assistance and relief to the victims".

It urged legislative, administrative and educational measures to fight new forms of racism, and to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur on racism. Ratification of international conventions on migrant workers and on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination was asked. Continuation of the study on the effects of racial discrimination on the children of minorities - particularly those of migrant workers - was requested.

Assistance should be given to the victims of the political antagonisms resulting from the process of dismantling apartheid", the Assembly said, calling for UN seminars on the 'effects of racial discrimination on the health of members of disadvantaged groups", and training in human rights for South African police. It also called for regional workshops on immigration and racism, transmission of racial inequality from one generation to the next, and legislation to combat racism.

At the international level, the "biggest contribution to the elimination of racial discrimination will be that which results from the actions of States within their own territories", the Assembly declared.

Crime/drug prevention

In addition to condemning alien smuggling see box, page 87), the Assembly, alarmed by high costs of crime, particularly in its new and transnational forms", requested (resolution 48/103) the Secretary-General to continue preparations for the Ninth U N Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in 1995, and expressed its support to the World Ministerial Conference on Organized Transnational Crime, in 1994. It also welcomed the initiative to hold in June 1994 the International Conference on "Laundering and Controlling Proceeds of Crime: A Global Approach". All three meetings will be in Italy.

As drug abuse continues to take lives, destroy the environment and exacerbate poverty in many parts of the world, the Assembly renewed (48/12) its commitment to strengthening international action to combat illicit drug production and trafficking.

In a six-part text in resolution 48/112, adopted on 20 December, the Assembly called upon States to intensify effective cooperation to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking, and support national and regional strategies for drug abuse control. States were encouraged to take action to " prevent the illicit arms trade by which weapons are provided to drug traffickers".

The Assembly emphasized the link between illicit production, demand for and traffic in narcotic drugs, and the economic and social conditions in affected countries. Further work was asked on an updated UN System-Wide Action Plan on Drug Abuse Control. States should support the Global Programme of Action and the UN International Drug Control Programme, it said. According to a 49-page report (A/48/286), despite success in some countries in reducing the supply of illicit drugs, the situation had changed little in the past three years. Still, steps were being made to expand subregional drug control activities, and certain organizations were taking a more prominent role in the fight against drug abuse. For instance, the international Monetary Fund had "singled out the drug problem as one of five global priorities", the report stated.

Illicit transnational drug trafficking and the diversion of arms also had become a "grave concern" for many States, the report stated. In most countries suffering from civil war or terrorist activities, rival factions were trying to finance their operations with proceeds from drug trafficking.

Mercenaries,

self-determination

Convinced that the use of mercenaries threatens international peace, the Assembly condemned (48/92) their "recruitment, financing, training, assembly, transit and use" for the purpose of "destabilizing and overthrowing" Governments, particularly in developing countries and in Africa. In reaffirming the universal realization of the right to self-determination, the Assembly called upon (48/93) all States to "cease immediately their military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories". The Assembly asked (48/94) all States Governments to implement all relevant UN resolutions regarding the exercise of the right to self-determination, calling on Israel to refrain from violating the Palestinians' fundamental rights, and on South Africa to end violence by adhering to the National Peace Accord.

Social development

Beyond its efforts to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities (see box, page 48), the Assembly invited (48/98) Member States, non-governmental organizations and research centres to support the UN programme on ageing.

Recalling its resolution (47/5) to observe 1999 as the international Year of Older Persons, the Assembly decided (48/433) to redesignate 1999 as the International Year of the Elderly. it also endorsed (48/98) recommendations to streamline implementation of the Plan of Action on Ageing, and called upon the Secretary-General to "maintain the integrity and the identity" of the UN programme on ageing.

Regarding the World Summit for Social Development, to take place in Copenhagen in March 1995, the Assembly asked (48/100) all countries appoint representatives to the Preparatory Committee, and invited hem to "contribute generously to the voluntary Trust Fund" for the Summit. In forming this resolution, the Assembly had before it a report (A/48/476) detailing the work of the regional economic commissions in preparing for the Summit.

Europe: Noting a number of "worrisome tendencies" in both market and transition economies, the Economic Commission for Europe reported a "continuing decline in economic activities, growing unemployment, falling real incomes and growing labour-related relative poverty" in the economies in transition.

Asia and the Pacific: Despite progress made in the region, a "wide gap remains between social development and economic progress", reported the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Aiming to "narrow this gap as well as to integrate social concerns into development policies", the Commission adopted in 1992 the Social Development Strategy for the ESCAP Region Towards 2000 and Beyond.

Latin America and the Caribbean: Social development proposals by the region's Commission "revolve around three broad policy areas" - achieving increases in productive employment, investment in human capital and transfers, the report stated. For an integrated approach to development, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean emphasized the need for "equitable foundations for trade" and agreements on "transboundary movements of workers"

Africa: The Economic Commission for Africa has focused on the need to "place social and human development concerns at the core of the development process", the report stated. During 1993, it organized a number of conferences, workshops and meetings dealing with priority areas for the Summit, such as poverty alleviation, generating productive employment and social integration.

Western Asia: The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia stated that its region was in a "state of rapid political, economical and social transition". It undertook a number of studies in 1993 to determine the "impact of the crisis on the social situation of the region, assess population movements associated with the Gulf Crisis", and investigate the reintegration of returnees. The findings of these studies will be used to develop a regional social development agenda, the report stated.

Cultural property

Deeply concerned over "clandestine evacuations" that "impoverish the cultural heritage of all peoples", the Assembly, in adopting resolution 48/15 on 11 November in plenary, condemned illicit trafficking in museum pieces, manuscripts or any other cultural or artistic treasures".

To avoid the loss of such items, the Assembly invited Member States to work with UNESCO in drawing up inventories of cultural property in their territory. It also asked Member States to consider including a clause in excavation permits "requiring archaeologists and palaeontologists to provide the national authorities with photographic documentation of each object brought to light during the excavations".

The Assembly also recommended that Member States "engaged in seeking the recovery of cultural and artistic treasures from the seabed" participate with States that have a cultural link to those treasures.

Alien Smuggling condemned

Every year, hundreds of people die during clandestine attempts to cross international borders by land or sea. Other times they reach their destinations only to fall into debt, bondage or servitude to pay for these tragedies falls, in part, on alien smugglers who, the General Assembly has stated. "convince individuals to migrate illegally by various means for enormous profits".

Addressing this issue for the first time, the Assembly, in adopting resolution 48/102 on 20 December without a vote, urged States to "frustrate the objectives of alien smugglers" and "protect would-be migrants from exploitation and loss of life."

States could accomplish these goals by amending criminal laws to encompass alien smuggling, and by preventing smugglers from using airports, ships, and other ground transportation in their territories. All Governments should also accede to international conventions "preventing the economic exploitation and loss of life that can result from alien smuggling", the Assembly said. However, efforts to prevent alien smuggling should not "inhibit legal migration or freedom of travel or undercut the protection provided by international law to refugees".

Guidelines adopted to ensure

equal rights of disabled

Intensifying its efforts to promote full participation in society by all people, the General Assembly on 20 December adopted a series of rules to ensure that people with disabilities "exercise the same rights and obligations as others".

The new "Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons With Disabilities" (48/96) - a four-part document detailing 22 regulations - targets equal opportunity in areas such as education, employment, recreation and sports.

The Rules were elaborated by a working group set up under Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/26 in May 1990.

"In all societies of the world there are still obstacles preventing persons with disabilities from exercising their rights and freedoms", the Rules state. Promoting equal opportunities for persons with disabilities is an "essential contribution in the general and worldwide effort to mobilize human resources.

First, States must "raise awareness in society about persons with disabilities". Teacher-training courses, public education programmes, and positive portrayals of people with disabilities in the mass media would help accomplish this goal.

The Rules also require States to meet the basic medical, rehabilitation and support services needs of people with disabilities. Medical personnel must receive adequate training "so that they do not give inappropriate advice to parents, thus restricting options for their children".

States should "remove obstacles to participation in the physical environment", the Rules state. Access to education, and subsequently to employment, is also important for achieving equality.

To implement these goals, the Assembly urged States to include "disability aspects" in policy-making and national planning, and to create the "legal bases" for the achievement of full participation and equality for persons with disabilities.

Beyond suggesting a series of regulations, the UN Secretary-General will appoint a Special Rapporteur for three years, to monitor implementaion of the Standard Rules and create a panel of experts to review, advise and provide feedback on how States are progressing in implementing them.

In an effort to include people with disabilities in all aspects of society, the Assembly asked (48/95) the UN Secretary-General to maintain and strengthen programmes for disabled people and promote their participation in the UN system.

The Assembly also asked (49/99) the Secretary General to give higher priority and visibility to disability issues in UN programmes policies and projects. For instance, the UN Development Programme should incorporate a "disability component" in all of its reconstruction programmes.

Finally, the Assembly appealed (48/97) to all Governments to observe the International Day of Disabled Persons on 3 December, so that they would "take the lead in awakening the consciousness of populations" to the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every idea of social, economic and political life.