First regular session, 1980 

SECOND (SOCIAL) COMMITTEE 

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 20TH MEETING 

Held at Headquarters, New York 
on Monday, 28 April 1980, at 3 p.m. 

Chairman: Mr. KOSTOV (Bulgaria) 

CONTENTS 

Social development questions (continued) 
Human rights questions (continued) 

This record is subject to correction. 

Corrections should be submitted in one of the working languages. They should be set forth in a memorandum and also incorporated in a copy of the record. They should be sent within one week of the date of this document to the Chief, Official Records Editing Section, Department of Conference Services, room A-3550, 866 United Nations Plaza. 

Any corrections to the records of the meetings of this session will be consolidated in a single corrigendum, to be issued shortly after the end of the session. 

The meeting was called to order at 3.20 p.m. 

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS (continued) (E/1980/31; A/35/130; E/1980/C.2/L.2, L.5 and L.7) 

1. Mr. FARRUGIA (Malta), introducing draft resolution E/1980/C.2/L.5, relating to the World Assembly on the Elderly to be held in 1982, recalled that the General Assembly, in resolution 33/52, had decided to convene the World Assembly with a view to launching an international action programme aimed at guaranteeing economic and social security to older persons, as well as opportunities to [ ] tribute to national development. As requested by the General Assembly, the Secretary-General had elaborated a draft programme and had made recommendations on the organization and objectives of the World Assembly that that were contained in document A/35/130. 

2. The draft resolution, sponsored by Malta, Nepal and the United States, was also aimed at ensuring that the preparations for the World Assembly in 1982 would proceed in an appropriate manner and in due time. He drew attention to the second preambular paragraph, which identified the main issues to be considered by the Assembly in 1982, as put forward by the Secretary-General in chapter II, section C, of his report. He also recalled that General Assembly resolution 34/225, mentioned in the sixth preambular paragraph, concerned the identification of activities that were completed, obsolete, of marginal usefulness or ineffective. 

3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the draft resolution concerned the designation of a Secretary-General for the World Assembly, In view of the importance of that Assembly, its Secretary-General should be a recognized expert on the aging and should be engaged full-time. Paragraphs 1 and 2 supplemented the Secretary-General's proposals in document A/35/130; those proposals were again mentioned in paragraph 3 of the draft resolution, in which the Council recommended that the General Assembly should approve them. Lastly, it was suggested in paragraph 4 that an item entitled "World Assembly on the Elderly" should be included in the provisional agenda for the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly. 

4. The sponsors of the draft resolution considered that those measures would ensure the success of the World Assembly in 1982; a decision in that regard should be taken at the current session of the Council. 

5. Mrs. SEMICHI (Algeria) considered that the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Social Aspects of the Development Activities of the United Nations had painstakingly discharged the complex mandate which the Council had entrusted to it in resolution E/1979/45 by including in its report (E/1980/31) recommendations "for improvements in dealing with social aspects of development within the United Nations". 

6. First, she noted with satisfaction that, in chapter I, paragraph 8, of the report, the experts had stressed the indivisible nature of the development process. At the national level, the success the indivisible nature of the development process. At the national level, the success of any social development policy – the solution of problems in such fields as health, housing and education – therefore depended on the underlying economic conditions. 

7. In the chapter devoted to recommendations, the experts had emphasized the need for structural reforms aimed at meeting the needs of the population, which implied the speedier establishment of the new international economic order. They had also noted the importance of co-ordination within the United Nations system, and her delegation accordingly supported the recommendations for improving the functioning of the Economic and Social Council and for having greater attention paid to the question of enlarging the membership of the Council. 

8. As to the recommendation in paragraph 42 of the report that the Third Committee of the General Assembly should regain its primary responsibility for social development, her delegation felt that the discussions should be balanced so that social development questions received the attention they deserved. She also noted with interest the role assigned to the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, especially in regard to the integration of women in development. It was important for the Centre to ensure co-ordination of all programmes benefiting women undertaken throughout the United Nations system, as well as questions relating to social development. 

9. Given the importance of the Working Group's recommendations, her delegation would support any initiative aimed at extending the mandate of the Group to enable it to submit its full and final report to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1981. 

HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS (continued) (E/1980/9 and Corr.1 and Add.1 and 2, E/1980/13 and Corr.1, E/1980/25; E/CN.5/558, chap. VII; E/1980/NGO/1) 

10. Mr. KANE (Senegal) said that the promotion and protection of human rights constituted one of the primary tasks of the United Nations since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

11. The report of the Commission on Human Rights on its thirty-sixth session (E/1980/13 and Corr.1) testified to the growing importance for each people of the full enjoyment of the fundamental principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the degrading situation of the peoples of South Africa and Namibia illustrated those legitimate aspirations. Senegal accordingly supported the decisions taken by the Commission on Human Rights especially with regard to the convening of an international conference on sanctions against South Africa. Beforehand, however, all States which had not yet done so should halt all assistance to the racist régime of South Africa. In that connexion, it would be desirable for all States Members of the United Nations to accede to the various international instruments on the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, including the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. 

12. In the occupied Arab territories, the situation had hardly changed, since Israel continued to torture Arab detainees and to violate the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, which was a war crime and an affront to mankind. Moreover, in its resolution 465 (1980), the Security Council had deplored the acts committed by Israel. The international community should no longer tolerate the abridgment of religious freedoms and practices and the mass arrests of the inhabitants of the occupied territories. 

13. His delegation was also concerned by the situation in Chile, in which the United Nations had sought to bring about a solution, first by appointing a commission of inquiry and then by authorizing the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, at its thirty-fifth session, to appoint experts and a Special Rapporteur to study the question of human rights in Chile. Senegal hoped that the Council would approve the recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur should be extended for another year, and earnestly hoped that the Chilean Government would collaborate with him in good faith. 

14. It was common knowledge that international peace and security were threatened not only by the flagrant violations of civil and political rights in certain countries but also by the existence of economic disparities among nations. The enjoyment in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights therefore constituted a just claim. By emphasizing that economic, social and cultural rights were inseparable from civil and political rights, the Commission had accepted the concept of "right to development", the exercise of which implied a climate of peace and the establishment of an equitable international economic order. In that regard, hi delegation hoped that the Council would have no difficulty in taking note of resolution 7 (XXXVI) of the Commission, in which the Secretary-General was requested to furnish all the assistance necessary to enable a study to be undertaken of the "regional and national dimensions of the right to development as a human right, paying particular attention to the obstacles encountered by developing countries in their efforts to secure the enjoyment of that right". On that same subject, his delegation also hoped that the seminar scheduled to be held on that question at Geneva from 30 June to 11 July 1980 would make it possible to determine the effects of the existing unjust international economic order on the economies of the developing countries, and thus on the right to development. 

15. With regard to missing and disappeared persons, his delegation welcomed the establishment for one year of a Working Group consisting of five members of the Commission to serve as experts appointed in their individual capacities, to examine that question (resolution 20 (XXXVI)). That judicious decision would certainly help to eliminate the political practices that were unfortunately prevalent in certain countries Members of the United Nations. 

16. Despite some glimmers of hope for better protection of human rights and freedoms in certain regions of the world, such as the accession of Zimbabwe to independence, the overthrow of the Somoza régime and the vote on 23 April in the Council of Europe on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a large proportion of mankind continued to be denied enjoyment of the fundamental principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Kampuchea and Afghanistan, for example, were still unjustly unoccupied by foreign Powers in violation of the elementary rules of international law and resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly. The growing practice of kidnapping and torture, the summary execution of fallen political leaders recently carried out in Liberia despite the appeals for clemency made by the Secretary-General of OAU, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly, indicated – should any indication still be needed – that the international community had a long way to go in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. The exclusion of the representative of Liberia from the OAU summit conference held at Lagos was Africa's response to the barbaric, inhuman and degrading acts recently committed in Liberia. 

17. The time had therefore come to act an to insist once again on raising the question of the methods and means available within the framework of the United Nations system for providing a better guarantee of the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In that regard, Senegal would welcome transformation of the Division of Human Rights into a centre for human rights, hoping that that would merely mark a stage in a process that should lead to the establishment of a post of United Nations High Commission for Human Rights. In fact there was a need for effective and permanent machinery that would eliminate injustices and inequalities, tension and massive and flagrant violations of human rights wherever they occurred. 

18. Senegal, which fully appreciated the significance of the struggle for human rights, had in the past several years been engaged in a major effort to give its citizens an awareness of those fundamental, sacred rights. Moreover, it was, together with the countries members of the Organization of African Unity, taking part in the preparation of an African charter of human rights and rights of the people; that would be followed by the establishment of an African commission on human rights, which, like those to be found in other regions of the world, would devote all its efforts to promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

19. Mr. BOLSTER (Ireland) said that the extremely long report of the Commission on Human Rights reflected the work of a very busy session which had produced some highly important conclusions and had shown that Member States were taking increased interest in human rights questions. It was to be hoped, however, that the Commission would not develop into a replica of the Third Committee. 

20. His delegation welcomed draft resolution III concerning the development of public information activities in the field of human rights. However, it felt that, pending implementation of the provisions of the draft, the Economic and Social Council should invite the Secretary-General to ensure that financial and other resources were made available in order to improve the preparation and distribution of existing publications. 

21. His delegation supported draft resolution V and draft decision 16 concerning the establishment of open-ended working groups prior to the thirty-seventh session of the Commission for the purpose of elaborating draft conventions on torture and on the rights of the child. In view of the importance of the working groups which had been entrusted with the elaboration of draft international instruments, he supported draft decision 18 but felt that it should have referred specifically to other, equally important sessional working groups, particularly those which were to prepare instruments on religious intolerance and minorities. 

22. His delegation was also pleased at the establishment of the working group on the question of missing and disappeared persons. The practice of kidnapping, which was increasingly widespread throughout the world, struck at the very roots of legality and civilization, and the international community must not only condemn it but also assist in its eradication. He hoped that the working group which had now been established would be a first step towards that end. 

23. His delegation had noted draft decision 4 concerning the preparation of a study on the new international economic order and the promotion of human rights. He drew attention in that connexion to the interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights, which had been reaffirmed in a number of United Nations resolutions, and emphasized the need fore effective co-ordination among the various sectors of the Organization which dealt with those matters. It should also be borne in mind, however, that political will was essential in order to maintain and promote civil and political rights, whereas development and prosperity, although important, were not always essential to that task. 

24. Since the end of the Commission's thirty-sixth session, there had been further violations of human rights in various parts of the world. The international community could not remain in various parts of the world. The international community could not remain indifferent when human right were not merely denied but, in addition, their principal spokesmen were struck down. No individual in El Salvador had been more prominent than its Archbishop in the peaceful struggle to ensure respect for civil and political rights and the promotion of economic and social rights in that country, and it was for that reason that he had been coldly and deliberately murdered. The Irish Government had condemned that murder, as had the nine States members of the European Community, which had issued a joint statement on the subject. The new administration which had taken office in El Salvador in October 1979 had proved incapable of carrying through the programme of reform and liberalization which it had announced. It must now be hoped that the people of El Salvador would soon enjoy all their rights and that Mgr. Romero's efforts on behalf of social justice and equality would bear fruit, so that his sacrifice would not have been in vain. 

25. Mr. SHERIFIS (Cyprus) recalled that his delegation had repeatedly urged that the Commission on Human Rights should adopt a more pragmatic approach, taking action-oriented decisions and then following them through until their application. All oppressed peoples and individual, such as those in southern Africa, the Middle East and Cyprus, should be able to look to the Commission as the supreme human rights organ of the United Nations system where concrete measures were taken to enable them at last to enjoy their rights. His delegation therefore welcomed the establishment of a working group on the question of missing and disappeared persons; as the representative of a country with an unusually large number of missing persons, he wished to stress the urgency and importance of the task entrusted to the working group. His delegation therefore supported draft decision 6, in which the Economic and Social Council approved the establishment of the group. 

26. His delegation also fully endorsed the provisions of draft resolution III as well as those of draft resolution V concerning the elaboration of a draft convention on torture. In connexion with draft decision 7, he reaffirmed his delegation's support for the Special Rapporteur, whose integrity, objectivity and ability were well known to all. Finally, his delegation gave unqualified support to draft decision 11 concerning the reinstatement of summary records for the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. 

27. Miss CAO-PINNA (Italy) observed that the year before, when the Economic and Social Council had decided to enlarge the membership of the Commission and to extend the duration of its sessions, no one had had a clear ide of how those important changes would affect the Commission's work. Moreover, the international situation had been characterized by alarming signs of instability. Her delegation felt that the Commission could not simply do its normal work and ignore international events, for every new event on the international scene had human implications. Her delegation was therefore pleased that the Commission had made its voice heard and demonstrated its vitality by adopting resolution 3 (XXXVI) concerning the right of the Afghan people to self-determination. 

29. Her delegation hoped that the international situation would be more stable by the time the next session was held, since that would facilitate the Commission's function of promoting full respect for human rights and would encourage a shift away from a punitive role towards a corrective one, as the observer for Canada and very rightly noted. 

29. The right to self-determination was also dealt with by Commission resolution 10 (XXXVI) concerning the Lancaster House Agreement. However, it had not been possible for the resolution to be adopted by consensus, since the Commission had failed to recognize the importance of the Agreement, which had demonstrated the possibility of achieving a peaceful transition to independence and majority rule; the telegram subsequently sent to the Prime Minister–designate of Zimbabwe had not fully made up for the shortcomings of the resolution. 

30. Another current matter – one which concerned the rights of individuals – had also been considered by the Commission; he was referring to the Sakharov case, which was a symbolic case of non-violent political dissent. In its decision 11 (XXXVI), the Commission had deferred consideration of the matter until its next session; however, in resolution 23 (XXXVI) it had called upon all individuals to strive to promote respect for the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights without prejudice to articles 29 and 30 of the Declaration. 

31. Referring to the agenda items on which the Commission had made significant progress and taken concrete action, he cited in particular the question of missing and disappeared persons (resolution 20 (XXXVI)), the question of massive exoduses (resolution 30 (XXXVI)), the human rights situation in Democratic Kampuchea (resolution 29 ((XXXVI)) – in connexion with which her delegation supported draft decision 14 – and the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea, which, after having been considered at closed meetings the previous year, had been discussed at public meetings and dealt with in resolution 33 (XXXVI). Her delegation was pleased to note that, in dealing with those questions, the Commission had not merely reiterated certain principles but had made provision for concrete action and for diversified types of action according to the nature of each question. That was a promising trend which she hoped would continue. 

32. All those deliberations of the Commission would add considerably to the already heavy workload of the Division of Human Rights, whose structure, manpower and resources would thus become even more inadequate than they had been at the time of the adoption of General Assembly resolution 34/47, which called for changing the Division's name to Centre for Human Rights and providing it with financial and other resources. The Commission had endorsed that proposal in resolution 22 (XXXVI), and her delegation was confident that the Secretary-General would also prove responsive on the matter. 

33. Among the questions on which her delegation felt that the Commission had taken insufficient action were those of the further promotion and encouragement of human rights and fundamental freedoms and of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. With regard to the first of those questions, the Commission had adopted resolution 28 (XXXVI), but the procedural nature of that resolution indicated the cautious manner in which the Commission was proceeding on the matter. Her delegation, which attached great importance to both questions, felt that the over-all analysis referred to in that resolution could not be regarded as having been completed with the adoption of resolution 1979/36 of the Economic and Social Council. However, it welcomed the provisions of operative paragraph 2 of resolution 28 (XXXVI). 

34. With regard to the right to development, she felt that the question should receive continued study, since resolutions 6 (XXXVI) and 7 (XXXVI), which had been adopted on the matter, reflected different approaches to the question of the right to development. Her delegation, for its part, felt that any further study of the nature and content of the right to development should be based on a concept of development as a global process of growth of the whole of society in all its components and should not adhere to the narrow concept of development as a process of purely economic growth. Moreover, a distinction should be drawn between the right "of" development and the right "to" development as a human right. The right to development, as a right of the individual, was not a new right but a synthesis of all the human rights which had already been proclaimed, and it therefore related not only to economic, social and cultural rights but to all human rights, which were interdependent and indivisible. Finally, the right to development, as a right of peoples, should be regarded as a universal right to be pursued by means of dialogue and co-operation, taking into account the interdependence of all countries. 

35. Mr. JOSEH (Australia) said that, when Australia had begun its term as a member of the Commission on Human Rights after an absence of 22 years, the Commission had had a reputation for being concerned with only a narrow range of problems limited to a few select regions of the world, for being reluctant to come to grips with festering problems of human rights in other parts of the world and for holding debates which never amounted to more than a compilation of clichés. Three years later, on completion of its term, Australia was pleased to note that the Commission showed concern for human rights issues, wherever they might arise, and that violations of human rights were regarded as legitimate matters of concern, no matter how powerful the country involved or what kind of smoke-screen might be employed to conceal national ambition. 

36. Australia had also seen that the Commission's debates were not sterile exercises. At its thirty-sixth session, for example, the Commission on Human Rights had adopted a highly important resolution on the question of the human rights situation in Kampuchea. His delegation urged once again the implementation of the provisions of that resolution, including the provisions relating to humanitarian matters. The Commission had also adopted a resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, which in the frankness of its language, surpassed all other resolutions adopted at the Geneva session, and it had adopted important resolutions on southern Africa, where the abhorrent system of apartheid should continue to be a major concern of the civilized world. 

37. Human rights violations in individual countries constituted delicate ground of which to tread, given current tensions in the world and the great diversity of views and ambitions. Accordingly, it was necessary to avoid simplistic approaches, to bear in mind the complex political environments in which otherwise reformist Governments were condemned to operate, and to reflect intelligently on all those factors when considering whether the international community could usefully intervene. Moreover, in prescribing solutions to some human rights problems, the international community should pause to make sure that the alternative was not the creation of tightly collectivist societies where people rushed for any glimpse of an exit. 

38. Having said all that, his delegation recognized the need for a dynamic organ at the centre of the United Nations system to promote respect of universally recognized principles, such as the right to self-determination, the right to freedom from discrimination, the right to freedom of movement and of expression, and the basic right to a decent standard of living. That role was being performed very creditably by the Commission on Human Rights. 

39. At its thirty-sixth session, the Commission had adopted 38 resolutions and 19 decisions, and had broken new ground, particularly with regard to missing or disappeared persons, mass exoduses, the "good offices" role of the Secretary-General in the field of human rights, and the right to development. 

40. Other important work had been undertaken on the drafting of four human rights instruments dealing with the inadmissibility of torture, the rights of the child, the elimination of discrimination on grounds of religion or belief and the rights of persons belonging to minorities. 

41. The Commission had also expressed its concern for the protection of the rights of United Nations staff, and had considered ways of bringing about a restoration of individual and civil rights, for example in Equatorial Guinea. 

42. His delegation found that change in the Commission's approach to be most encouraging. In its view, the Commission had benefited from the expansion of its membership, which had made it possible for a wider range of opinions to be brought to bear; indeed, thought might be given to the possibility of further increasing the Commission's membership. 

43. His delegation hoped that the Economic and Social Council would adopt by consensus draft resolution III (XXXVI) concerning the development of public information activities in the field of human rights, and it supported the proposal to request the Secretary-General to upgrade the Division of Human Rights to the status of a centre and to provide it with adequate financial and other resources. 

44. Mr. AL-KAISI (Iraq) said that the right of peoples to self-determination was the basic right par excellence since the occupation of one country by another made the exercise of all other rights impossible. Experience had shown that régimes which failed to respect that basic right also committed various violations of the human person, as evidenced by the arbitrary detentions and deportations suffered by Palestinian Arabs in the occupied territories. The elimination of racism from the world was another prerequisite for the establishment of a society in which human rights were safeguarded. The very existence of the Zionist entity in Palestine and the racist régime of South Africa constituted a serious obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights and the establishment of peace in the world. The right of peoples to economic and cultural development was another basic right the enjoyment of which was impeded by the existing international economic system. It was therefore essential to establish a new international economic order which would enable the developing countries to meet the basic needs of their citizens. In that connexion he recalled the proposal made by the President of the Republic of Iraq for the establishment of a special fund to help the developing countries to combat inflation. Indeed, all rights, whether civil, political, economic, social or cultural, were closely interrelated, although the developing countries were obliged temporarily to give priority to economic, social and cultural rights in order to create, as the General Assembly had emphasized in resolution 130 (XXXII), conditions conducive to the exercise of the other rights. The extensive campaign undertaken by Iraq to eradicate illiteracy, which was a prerequisite for creating awareness among citizens of their rights, reflected that priority. 

45. Those who exploited the cause of human rights for political or propaganda purposes were misleading world public opinion. If a country genuinely respected rights, it should demonstrate that attitude by acceding to all international human rights instruments. Accordingly, on the occasion of the thirty-first anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the National Committee on Human Rights in Iraq had condemned all violations of the rights of the peoples, declared null and void all agreements which conflicted with the right to self-determination, denounced racist practices, particularly in Palestine and South Africa, expressed its solidarity with peoples seeking to establish societies free from oppression and exploitation, and called upon States which had not yet acceded to the human rights instruments to do so without delay. 

46. Mr. ERDOS (Hungary) welcomed the resolutions adopted by the Commission on Human Rights at its thirty-sixth session, and particularly those condemning violations of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, in Chile and in southern Africa, as well as those dealing with the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and the particular problems faced by developing countries in seeking to ensure the exercise of those rights. 

47. His delegation had taken an active part, as an observer, in the deliberations of the Commission, particularly during its discussion of the situations in Afghanistan and Kampuchea. In that connexion, it had been unable to support resolutions 3 and29 (XXXVI) which gave a distorted picture of the situation prevailing in those two countries. His delegation also had reservations about resolution 22 (XXXVI) and draft decision 10 (XXXVI), which envisaged the possibility of redesignating the Division of Human Rights. His delegation was convinced that in order to improve the protection of human rights it was better to make use of all the existing possibilities and to strengthen co-operation among Member States than to expand the institutional machinery. 

43. Otherwise his delegation had no difficulty in supporting the draft resolutions and draft decisions proposed by the Commission, particularly draft decisions 7, 8, 9 and 16 concerning, respectively, Chile, the preparation of a study on the right to development, assistance to racist and colonial régimes in southern Africa and a convention on the rights of the child. With regard to draft decision 14 (XXXVI), his delegation hoped that the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities would consider the facts more closely and avoid creating confusion between the situation which had prevailed in Kampuchea at the end of the blood-thirty Pol Pot régime and the situation which currently existed in that country. 

49. Mr. MATELJAK (Yugoslavia) said that the thirty-sixth session of the Commission on Human Rights had been held in extremely unfavourable international conditions, at a time marked by a general exacerbation of tensions, a worsening of relations between the great Powers, and the emergence of new crises in the world. With a view to expanding their spheres of influence, the great Powers were increasingly resorting to the use of force in the form of military interventions on a larger scale, in order to bring pressure to bear on smaller States and interfere in their internal affairs in violation of their independence and sovereignty. All those factors had naturally had a negative impact on the work of the session, which had been marked to a greater extent than before by confrontations between political blocs. As a result, some questions, particularly those relating to migrant workers – consideration of which had been postponed until the thirty-seventh session – had not received the attention they deserved. 

50. In spite of those difficulties, the Commission had on the whole carried out its work satisfactorily, and it was important to note in that connexion the positive part played by most of the non-aligned countries that were members of the Commission. In particular, he welcomed the way in which the Commission had approached a number of fundamental issues, such as racism and racial discrimination, mass violations of human rights in individual countries, and the elaboration of a comprehensive concept of human rights which gave due prominence to the right to development. The concept of self-determination had also been considered from a new angle. Several delegations had expressed the opinion, which his delegation shared, that the right to self-determination did not mean simply the achievement of independence but also encompassed a country's right to choose the course of its own internal development and foreign policy. Such a concept should help to democratize international relations, a process which must be part and parcel of all efforts to ensure the realization of human rights. 

51. The concept of self-determination must also be extended to the human person. Individuals must have the right and the opportunity to determine the conditions governing their life and work and the commission should pay due attention to that issue in its future work. In Yugoslavia, the principle of workers' management fully guaranteed the inalienable right of all citizens to take whatever decisions they believed pertinent to their life, work and political or professional associations. That right guaranteed genuine democracy and the enjoyment of all freedoms. 

52. His delegation welcomed the interest which Member States had shown in its draft declaration on the rights of minorities. The adoption of such a declaration would constitute an important contribution to the promotion of human rights in general, for it was difficult to imagine a majority enjoying genuine freedom if it had not first ensured the same freedom for the minority. 

53. As a non-aligned, socialist self-managing country, Yugoslavia had been very active in the work of the Commission on Human Rights for many years, and wished to continue that activity in the future. The Yugoslav Government had therefore decided to seek re-election to the Commission at the current session of the Economic and Social Council and hoped that its candidature would meet with general approval. 

54. Miss OBAFEMI (Nigeria) welcomed the recent victory of the people of Zimbabwe as a decisive step towards the realization of human rights in southern Africa. She also congratulated the United Kingdom Government on the positive role it had played in that connexion and paid tribute to the front-line States for their unswerving support of the liberation movements. Nigeria was totally committed to the cause of eliminating racial discrimination in Africa and had supported all the resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights on that question. The liberation of Zimbabwe was only one stage in the liberation of southern Africa in general and of South Africa, the last bastion of racism, in particular. That bastion survived only because it was supported by the Western countries, which continued to collaborate in all areas with the apartheid régime while proclaiming their opposition to racial discrimination. It was time that the Western countries went beyond mere pious statements and matched their words with deeds. Their collusion with South Africa was not only impeding the people's struggle for liberation but also limiting the range of options open to the liberation movements. 

55. The advent of a society free from foreign exploitation and all forms of economic and political colonialism went hand in hand with establishment of a new international economic order. It should not be forgotten that the present chaotic state of the world economy gave rise to numerous injustices or inequities, of which the developing countries were the main victims. In that connexion, her country would like to see new initiatives taken to amend the rules of international co-operation so as to enable countries to exercise full sovereignty over their natural resources. Existing international economic instruments such as the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States should be revised or reworded so as faithfully to reflect the principles of the new international economic order. Her delegation hoped that the seminar to be held in mid-1980 on the effects of the existing unjust international economic order on the economies of the developing countries, and the obstacle that that represented for the implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms would prove constructive. 

56. With regard to the question of assistance to refugees and displaced persons, she pointed out that such assistance must be balanced, and that the African refugee population seemed to have been somewhat neglected. She hoped that in future positive action would be taken for the benefit of African refugees. 

57. In general, her delegation endorsed the proposals contained in the draft resolutions and draft decisions submitted by the Commission on Human Rights. The Economic and Social Council should have no problem in adopting the drafts since they had been adopted by consensus in the Commission. 

58. Mr. SREBREV (Bulgaria) observed that the thirty-sixth session of the Commission on Human Rights had been one of its most intense, in every sense of the word. With its membership increased and the duration of its session extended, the Commission had considered a number of important questions and accomplished a great deal of work, establishing itself once again as the central organ of the United Nations in the field of human rights. 

59. It was no secret, however, that the session had been influenced to a certain degree by the aggravation of the international situation, caused by the activities of well-known reactionary imperialist circles who were opposed to détente and constructive international co-operation. On various pretexts, those circles had unleashed an anti-socialist propaganda campaign, trying to bring about a return to the "cold war" era. In the course of the session, various attempts had been made to involve the Commission in matters which did not fall within its competence. It was generally acknowledged that the endeavours of Member States in the field of human rights should be based on international co-operation, with due respect for the sovereignty and independence of States. The role of the Commission had therefore been and continued to be to encourage co-operation and not to interfere, as some States would like it to, in the internal affairs of sovereign countries. 

60. Despite such diversionary tactics, the Commission had again attached primary importance to the elimination of systematic mass and flagrant violations of human rights resulting from policies of colonialism and neo-colonialism, apartheid, racism, genocide and the suppression of national liberation movements. It had expressed grave concern at the systematic and constant violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine, the continuing violations of human rights in South Africa and Namibia and the gross and flagrant violations of human rights in Chile. His delegation fully endorsed the resolutions adopted on those questions. 

61. The right to self-determination, to which his delegation attached great importance, must be considered within the framework of the struggle for the elimination of the last vestiges of colonialism, racism, racial discrimination and apartheid. The persistence of those phenomena was due first and foremost to the attempts of certain Western States, which were still seeking neo-colonialist solutions. Moreover, well-known imperialist, hegemonistic and reactionary forces had joined forces in a whole-scale campaign aimed at diverting the attention of their people and of the international community from the real crisis that they faced at home and abroad. His delegation strongly deplored the attempts made in the Commission and elsewhere to discuss the so-called question of Afghanistan. There was no reason whatsoever to present the events in Afghanistan, an independent, sovereign and non-aligned country which had been and continued to be subjected to armed incursions, sabotage and intrigues on the part of imperialist forces, as an alleged case of violation of the right to self-determination. Bulgaria would continue resolutely to oppose any attempt to use that false pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of the people of Afghanistan and to deny their legitimate right to pursue the noble objectives of their April revolution. 

62. His delegation likewise deplored the attempts made during the Commission's previous session to connect the gross and flagrant violations of human rights in Kampuchea, resulting from the genocidal policy of the Pol Pot régime, with the so-called "Question of Kampuchea". 

63. His delegation also attached great importance to the right to development in the framework of the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights, which was an important pre-condition for the realization of civil and political rights. With regard to the drafting of international instruments on human rights, his delegation hoped that, at its next session, the Commission would be able to complete the drafting of the convention on the rights of the child. 

64. Concerning the means of enabling the Commission to carry out its task, his delegation felt that the Commission should address itself to the drafting of a long-term programme whose purpose would be to translate into practice the concepts of human rights formulated in General Assembly resolution 32/130. Unlike some States which argued in favour of establishing new organs, Bulgaria felt that the further promotion of human rights and the analysis of alternative approaches were to be sought within the existing system. It would surely be more effective to seek to improve existing organs than to create new ones, in other words, to take intensive measures rather than extensive ones. That was the spirit in which his delegation had participated in the deliberations of the Commission on the issue and had sponsored resolution 28 (XXXVI) together with other delegations. 

65. Mr. LAEMMERZAHL (German Democratic Republic) said that the various resolutions adopted by the Commission on Human Rights condemning the gross and brutal violations of human rights in southern Africa, Chile and the Arab territories illegally occupied by Israel were a reflection of the endeavours and the struggle waged by millions of people to secure the implementation of their most fundamental rights. 

66. The resolutions condemning violations of human rights in southern Africa were an important contribution to the peoples' struggle for the elimination of colonialism, racism and apartheid and – particularly in view of the victory won by the Zimbabwean people – could only spur all peace-loving peoples to increase their endeavours with a view to eliminating racism and racial discrimination and to oppose all attempts to threaten and blackmail those peoples that had suffered adversity and interference in their internal affairs. The policy of aggression and terror pursued by the South African racist régime, which enjoyed undiminished co-operative relations with the imperialist Powers and transnational corporations, and its refusal to implement the United Nations decision on the right of the Namibian people to self-determination were a serious threat to world peace and international security especially in view of that régime's nuclear ambitions. The appropriate answer to those challenges was to tighten up the Security Council's coercive measures in order to isolate the racist régime. As a member of the Security Council, the German Democratic Republic was actively urging the adoption of those measures. It had supported General Assembly resolution 34/179 and also endorsed resolution 21 (XXXVI) of the Commission on Human Rights. 

67. The report presented by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Chile (E/CN.4/1362) showed how the fascist junta was trampling on the most fundamental human rights in order to perpetuate its rule, in particular by seeking to adopt a new constitution designed to strengthen and perpetuate the dictatorship and to legalize the repressive practices. The situation currently prevailing in Chile was characterized by mass unemployment and educational misery. The junta had destroyed achievements already won by the Chilean people, and a large proportion of the people were deprived of their economic and social rights. Furthermore, to the present day the junta had refused to give particulars about the fate of 2,500 patriots who had been taken away by the secret service. In that connexion, the report prepared by the Expert on the Question of the Fate of Missing and Disappeared Persons (E/CN.4/1381) was one of the most disturbing documents of modern times. The United Nations and the international community could not remain silent in the face of such a situation but were morally and legally obligated to take action against those gross and flagrant violations of human rights; it should be recalled that international solidarity constituted an important factor in assisting the democratic forces in Chile in their growing resistance. 

68. His delegation welcomed the resolution adopted by the Commission on the question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine (resolution 1 (XXXVI)). A just solution could be arrived ad only if Israel withdrew its troops from all territories occupied since 1967 and if the Palestinian people were assured of the right to self-determination, including the right to establish a sovereign State. Separate manoeuvres that ignored the rights of the Palestinian people could only encourage the aggressor to take actions in defiance of international law. The German Democratic Republic wished to affirm its solidarity and particular support for the just struggle waged by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Arab people of Palestine. 

69. By including in its agenda the question of measures to be taken against ideologies and practices based on terror or incitement to racial discrimination or any other form of group hatred, the Commission had addressed itself to a problem of the utmost topical importance, namely, that of neo-fascist and neo-Nazi developments. It was, unfortunately, an established fact that, 35 years after mankind had been liberated from Hitlerite fascism, the world was witnessing a disturbing resurgence of activities by neo-fascist and neo-Nazi organizations in several Western States. 

70. It was the task in particular of the United Nations, which had been established as a result of the struggle of peoples against fascism, to oppose resolutely those phenomena which constituted a serious threat to human rights and the maintenance of international peace and security, as was rightly stated in General Assembly resolution 2839 (XXVI). 

71. The dangers arising from neo-fascist and neo-Nazi activities in a number of Western States were a serious challenge to all democratic and peace-loving forces. If ambitious neo-fascist and neo-Nazi endeavours were tolerated or encouraged in any form whatsoever, then the only conclusion possible was that certain forces were striving to establish a political reserve that could be mobilized at any time against progressive forces within and beyond the borders of their respective countries. The facts presented to the Commission in Geneva concerning the development of neo-fascism and neo-nazism in a number of Western countries demonstrated in a convincing manner that it was not a question of a handful of irresponsible persons, as was sometimes claimed, but a dangerous phenomenon that was gathering quantitative momentum. The United Nations must therefore take concrete measures to deal with that phenomenon. 

72. At its thirty-sixth session, the Commission on Human Rights had concentrated – in the fulfilment of its tasks – on the concepts outlined in General Assembly resolution 32/130. That resolution was based on the experience of Members States and was one of the most significant documents in the field of international co-operation for the promotion of human rights. The final declaration of the Sixth Summit Conference of Non-Aligned States had stressed the need to work vigorously to implement resolution 32/130, which clearly distinguished between human rights questions within the jurisdiction of a State and violations of human rights which, because of their scale, frequency and gravity, had acquired an international dimension. The thirty-sixth session of the Commission had been marked by the efforts of certain imperialist forces to erode and undermine the concepts laid down in resolution 32/130. Some of the resolutions adopted turned facts upside down and were designed to divert attention from the questions that were crucial to mankind and from attempts to resolve them through peaceful international co-operation. 

73. Resolute action must be taken to oppose such deliberate attempts to jeopardize international co-operation between States in the field of human rights and to turn the United Nations and its organs from their intended purpose and use them as an instrument of cold war as had been done in the 1950s. The reactionary imperialist forces which were behind those designs must not be allowed to threaten the progress made so far towards promoting peace, international security and, consequently, human rights. 

74. According to international principles in the field of human rights, no one was allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of other States or to teach independent, sovereign States a lesson. Efforts should be directed not at creating dangerous precedents, but at achieving constructive co-operation in the implementation of human rights within the existing organs of the United Nations system. 

75. Mrs. ZHANG Zongan (China) said the report of the Commission on Human Rights on its thirty-sixth session (E/1980/13) showed that the Commission had done some very interesting work and had achieved noteworthy results during its in-depth discussions, particularly regarding massive and flagrant violations of human rights and the right to national self-determination. 

76. Her delegation was particularly pleased with the resolutions condemning the Soviet military invasion of Afghanistan and the Vietnamese intervention in Kampuchea. China condemned those acts of aggression and endorsed the demand for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and Kampuchea. The resolutions adopted on that matter firmly expressed the position of those peoples and countries which defended fundamental human rights principles. It must be stressed, however, that the parties concerned, not content with their non-observance of the resolutions, were currently intensifying their efforts in an attempt to legitimize and perpetuate their occupation of Afghanistan and Kampuchea. That was inadmissible, particularly in view of the suffering that the Afghan and Kampuchean peoples were undergoing. Her delegation felt that a demand must be made for the immediate implementation of the relevant resolutions and the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and Kampuchea in order to enable the peoples of those two countries freely to determine their own destinies. 

77. China endorsed the resolutions condemning the policies of South Africa in southern Africa and those of Israel in the occupied Arab territories, and it noted with satisfaction the positive nature of those resolutions. It also endorsed the support those resolutions expressed for the peoples of southern Africa and the Palestinian people in their struggle. In that regard, the recent victory of the Zimbabwean people was particularly worth mentioning. The attainment of independence by the new State of Zimbabwe had dealt a hard blow to colonialism and racism, and it provided a magnificent example which should give considerable impetus to the national liberation struggle of the peoples of southern Africa and Palestine. 

78. The Commission had also performed a useful task in adopting resolutions on the protection of fundamental rights and on the rights of the developing countries. Those resolutions were fully in accord with the policy of China, which had always called for the protection of fundamental human rights, the rapid development of the third0wordld countries and the establishment of a new international economic order. Finally, with regard to the questions which required a decision by the Economic and Social Council or had been brought to its attention (chap. I of the report (E/1980/13)), her delegation felt, despite certain reservations, that on the whole the relevant draft resolutions and draft decisions should be adopted. China, for its part, would make every effort to promote their full implementation in so far as related to respect for the right to self-determination and other fundamental rights. 

79. Mr. ALBORNOZ (Ecuador) said that the action taken by the United Nations in the field of human rights should be universal and the Organization should be able to present a report each year on the observance throughout the world of the human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Charter. Such a report should be modelled on the reports on the world economic and social situation. However, the Commission did not have adequate resources to carry out that task, and his delegation felt that it was necessary to support any proposal aimed at providing the Secretariat services concerned with human rights with the financial means to enable them to discharge their duties satisfactorily. 

80. The Government of Ecuador, which had come into being as a result of free elections with the full participation of all political parties, encouraged respect for human rights at both the national and the international level. It had acceded to all the relevant international instruments and recognized the competence of the working groups of the Economic and Social Council which were concerned with the Covenants on Human Rights; his Government had been one of the first to submit a national report in that regard. In Ecuador there were no political prisoners, no curfew, no censorship and no infringement of freedom of the press. His country had a democratic system aimed at the achievement of social justice and economic development. 

81. On the occasion of a visit by a mission from the United Nations Council for Namibia, the President of Ecuador had stated that the problems of southern Africa revealed a flagrant violation of human rights. He had reaffirmed his country's support for the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly the principles of self-determination of peoples and of non-recognition of the acquisition of territory by force, and had pointed out that Ecuadorian legislation rejected racism and discrimination in all its forms. He had also sent a message of congratulations to the Prime Minister of the newly independent Republic of Zimbabwe. 

82. In the view of his delegation, note should be taken of the progress that had been achieved in the protection of human rights since the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration and then, in 1966, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; it was important not merely to stress negative aspects of the situation. Public information activities were important in that effort, and the Department of Public Information and the United Nations Committee on Information had a useful role to play. For its part, the Government of Ecuador had published and widely disseminated the texts of the Universal Declaration and the International Covenants. 

83. Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, and particularly in colonial and dependent countries and territories, only aggravated the tensions and crises which threatened world peace. It was therefore important for the international community, through the Economic and Social Council, to give full support to the Commission on Human Rights. 

84. Mr. SORENSEN (Venezuela), after reiterating his Government's devotion to democracy and citing the principles set forth in the preamble of the Venezuelan Constitution, stressed the freedoms that the citizens of his country enjoyed. The Venezuelan Government faithfully respected the ideal of democracy and citizen participation and guaranteed total respect for the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. The régime of freedom established in 1958 had been strengthened as a result of the reintegration of all citizens, without exception, into civic life. 

85. The Government of Venezuela had always supported any proposal aimed at promoting strict respect for human rights, whether at the regional or world-wide level or through bilateral declarations. It was deeply concerned at the fact that despite the efforts made by the United Nations, particularly the Commission on Human Rights, to guarantee the effective enjoyment of human rights, some peoples were still denied the right to self-determination and the affirmation of their cultural, racial and national identities. The Venezuelan Government condemned racism in all its forms, and particularly the apartheid policies of the Government of South Africa. 

86. The President of the Republic of Venezuela had on many occasions stressed the urgent need to establish a new international economic order based on international social justice in order to overcome the existing imbalances in the international order and to increase the participation of the developing countries in international decision-making. 

87. He appealed to the entire international community to spare no effort in the defence of human rights. His country would give all the support necessary to friendly nations, and in particular to its sister nations on the South American continent, in order to ensure that human dignity was respected everywhere. 

88. Mrs. AKAMATSU (Japan) said that, in Japan, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms was a pillar of the Constitution and her Government was deeply concerned with human rights not only in Japan but all over the world. It had sent observers to the thirty-sixth session of the Commission and hoped that in future it would be able to contribute actively to the Commission's work as one of its members. 

89. Although her delegation highly appreciated the Commission's work, there were several aspects of the report (E/1980/13) with which it was not completely satisfied, particularly the part relating to the item "Adverse consequences for the enjoyment of human rights of political, military, economic and other forms of assistance given to colonial and racist régimes in southern Africa". The position of the Japanese Government on racial discrimination was very clear. As early as 1919, when the Covenant of the League of Nations had been drafted, Japan had sought to have a clause proclaiming racial equality included in it. Unfortunately, despite various measures taken by the Japanese Government against South Africa, its policy seemed at times to be misunderstood. 

90. Japan did not maintain diplomatic relations with the Government of South Africa. Its economic relations with South Africa were confined to the framework of normal trade, and, in order to avoid excessive dependence on South Africa, Japan was promoting economic and technical co-operation with a view to expanding trade with other African countries. Although the Japanese Government had undertaken a policy of liberalized overseas investment, it had made an exception in the case of South Africa and had prohibited direct investment in South Africa by Japanese nationals or bodies corporate under its jurisdiction. In conformity with United Nations resolutions, it had been discouraging Japanese banks and their overseas affiliates from engaging in financial activities in South Africa. 

91. Her Government extended no economic or military co-operation to South Africa. Even prior to the adoption of Security Council resolution 418 (1977) prohibiting the provision of arms and related material to South Africa, it had decided to impose an arms embargo. On 1 April 1978, Japan had enacted legislation prohibiting even technical assistance relating to the production of arms in South Africa. 

92. Her Government also discouraged exchanges with South Africa in the fields of sports, culture and education. Moreover, since 1974, it no longer issued visas to South African nationals who sought entry into Japan for exchanges in those fields, at either the professional or the amateur level. 

93. Lastly, Japan provided assistance to the victims of apartheid and to South African liberation movements through contributions to the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa and to the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa. 

94. Japan had always faithfully complied with United Nations resolutions and hoped that its efforts would be duly recognized. 

95. Mrs. RODRIGUEZ CALDERON (Observer for Cuba) said that, in addition to containing relevant conclusions and accurate interpretations of the problems affecting millions of people in connexion with the rights of individuals and the rights of peoples, the report of the Commission on Human Rights (E/1980/13) included elements that were the result of propaganda and had nothing to do with the legitimate concerns of the international community with regard to respect for the rights of mankind. That was undoubtedly due to the deterioration of the international situation, in which there were signs of a return o the cold war and to confrontation encouraged by the imperialist Powers, and to the economic, social and cultural inequality prevailing in the world. Some Western circles, having taken it upon themselves to champion human rights, emphasized certain "cases" in order to monopolize the Committee's attention; that phenomenon could only be explained by their shameful desire to make people forget the true rights of individuals and peoples. 

96. In that connexion, she reminded members of the Committee of the position adopted by the Heads of State or Government of the 92 Non-Aligned Countries at their most recent summit conference in September 1979. Their position was that human rights and the basic freedoms of individuals and peoples were inseparable from the satisfaction of all basic needs. Accordingly, the establishment of the new international economic order and the right to development and to equality of opportunity were indispensable conditions for the respect of human rights. 

97. In her delegation's opinion, the Commission on Human Rights should continue to emphasize humanitarian problems and should not go beyond its field of competence by analysing problems of a political nature. Its mandate should be scrupulously observed, and the Commission and its subsidiary bodies should refrain from taking any decision on questions kept under consideration by the General Assembly. Her delegation also wished to draw the Council's attention to the trend towards a proliferation of working groups and similar bodies, which had disturbing financial implications. 

98. Her delegation reiterated its support for the resolutions adopted on the question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine. It supported the struggle of the Palestinian people for the exercise of their inalienable national rights, condemned the occupation of those territories by Israel, demanded Israel's unconditional withdrawal from those territories and condemned the Camp David accords, which impeded the exercise of the national rights of the Arab people of Palestine. 

99. She also wished to reiterate her delegation's support for the decisions taken by the Commission concerning the struggle against racial discrimination and apartheid, particularly in South Africa. The deplorable situation persisting in southern Africa was due largely to the alliance between certain imperialist Powers, first and foremost the Untied States, and the racist régime in Pretoria. 

100. Her delegation attached great importance to the question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights, as endorsed by the United Nations; in particular, it welcomed the decision to organize in June or July 1980, under United Nations auspices, a seminar on the effect of the existing unjust international economic order on the economies of the developing countries. 

101. Her delegation was also extremely interested in the question of human rights in Chile, which were being systematically violated by the Fascist junta. As the Special Rapporteur had emphasized, that situation had even deteriorated, particularly with regard to disappeared persons, the maintenance of the state of emergency, the jurisdiction of the courts, and violations of the right to life, liberty and personal safety and to physical and moral integrity. Her delegation reiterated its solidarity with the martyred people of Chile and strongly supported resolution 21 (XXXVI) adopted by the Commission on that question. 

102. Her delegation also welcomed the adoption of resolution 32 (XXXVI) on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Guatemala, where the violation of those rights and freedoms by the military régime was a cause of concern for international public opinion. She also wished to draw the Council's attention to the current tragedy in El Salvador, which had prompted the World Council of Churches to prepare a detailed report on the emergency situation in that country and to send a fact-finding mission to the area. The mission had met, inter alia, with Archbishop Romero, who, as was known, had since been savagely assassinated. It would be unacceptable if the Commission on Human Rights failed to follow those events closely. 

103. Her delegation wished to draw attention to the fact that at the request of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice and the National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression, an international delegation of jurist shad carried out an investigation in 1979 of the human rights situation in the United States. The mission had arrived at the conclusion that United States institutions, particularly the criminal justice system, were subject tot he influence of racism, as was evident in the "Wilmington 10" affair. 

104. Unfortunately, the United States Government was not content with violating human rights in its own territory. It also did so in other countries, particularly in Cuba. The maintenance of the naval base at Guantánamo, against the wishes of the Cuban people and Government, constituted a grave violation of Cuba's sovereignty. While, from the standpoint of international law, the terms imposed on Cuba by the Platt amendment for its accession to independence were null and void, from the human rights standpoint they constituted a flagrant violation of the right to self-determination of the Cuban people, who had never renounced their sovereignty over the part of their territory occupied by that base. The territory usurped had been used to permit the infiltration and departure of counter-revolutionary elements and to launch provocations against the Cuban people. Moreover, the United States claimed that it would soon use that territory for intimidatory manoeuvres simulating an invasion of Cuba n territory by its troops. The manoeuvres in the Caribbean planed by the United States Government to intimidate people struggling to attain true independence were a new state in the Carter Administration's policy of escalation, which was designed to rehabilitate the interventionist policy of "gunboat diplomacy" and the "big stick". 

105. The Cuban people, together with their brothers in Central America and the Caribbean, denounced the reckless, irresponsible policy pursued by the United States Government and reaffirmed their resolute determination to defend their territorial integrity and national independence at any cost. 

106. Mr. CARDWELL (United States of America) said that, before speaking in exercise of the right of reply, his delegation wished to analyse the statement made by the observer for Cuba in order to ascertain whether it contained any element worthy of a reply. 

ACTIVITIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN; UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN: EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE (continued) (E/1980/15, E/1980/23; E/1980/L.6, L.14/Add.2 and Corr.1; E/1980/C.2/L.3, L.4 and L.6)

107. The CHAIRMAN announced that Jamaica had joined the sponsors of the draft resolution contained in document E/1980/C.2/L.6.

The meeting rose at 7.05 p.m.