THIRD ¢OMMInEE, 1628th GENERAL MEETqNG ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 4 1968, TWENTY-THIRD SESSION af 11.10 a.m. OÿciaI Records NEW YORK

CONTENTS their perpetrators, but had formed part of the Zionist Page leaders' constant policy of aggression. The historian Agenda item 62: Arnold Toynbee had compared the atrocities committed Internationa! Year for Hÿrnan Rights (con- by the Jews against the Arabs with those which the tinued_) : nazis had inflicted on the Jews themselves. It was in- (a) Measures and activities undertaken in deed tragic that in a Jewish State non-Jewish minori- connexion with the International Year for ties should be made the victims of discrimination. : report of the Secretary- The establishment of a refuge for a persecutedpeople General; could hardly justify intolerant attitudes reflecting a (ÿ_) International Conference on Humaÿ Rights fanaticism which should have disappeared with the General debate and consideration of draft Middle Ages. resolÿifion A/C.3/L.1623/Rev.I (continued) 3. Resolution I of the Teheran Conference onrespect for an implementation of human rights in occupied Chairman: Mr. Erik NETTEL (Austria). territories, in which the Government of Israel was called on to recognize the rights of the population of the occupied areas, had aroused-among the Palestine AGENDA TEM 62 Arabs the hope that Israel would comply with its International Year for Human Rights (continued) obligations under the United Nations Charter. -That (A/7194, A/7195, A/ZlgS/Add.] and Add.3-7, A/ resolution, however, had fared no better than many CONF.32/41, A/C.3/L.1623/Rev.1, A/C.3/L.1626 others concerning Palestine, for the Israelis had ig- and Add.l, A/C.3/L.1633 and Add.l, A/C.3/L.1635, nored it, just as, in their determination to confront A/C.3/L.1636, A/C.3/L.1637 and Add.1 and 2, the world with a fair accompli, they had ignored earlier A/C.3/L.1638-1641, A/C.3/L.1642/Rev.1, A/C.3/ decisions of the General Assembly and the Security L.1643): Council and had refused to allow a representative of (a) Measures and activities undertaken in connexion the Secretary-General to investigate the situation in wlfh the [nfernational Year for Human Rights: Palestine. As a result, the Arab refugees would have report of the Secretary-General; to face another winter without proper shelter or (b) International Conference on Human Rights clothing. For purely humanitarian reasons, the Com- missioner-General of the United Nations Relief and GENERAL DEBATE AND CONSIDERATION OF Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near DRAFT RESOLUTION A/C.3/L.1623/REV.I I East had urged that the refugees should be permitted (continued) to return to their former places of residence. I. Miss HLASS (Jordan) said that it was her painful 4. In addressing the Special Political Committee at duty to speak for the 2.5 rdillion of her fellow Arabs its 612th meeting on ii November 1968, the Secre- who had been reduced to the status of refugees by tary-General had stated that the Palestine refugees t Israel's aggression in Palestine. Since world recog- were living with no homeland, no future and no hope nition of the human rights of those refugees would and that the General Assembly had been able to do help to bring their sufferings, privations, frustrations nothing in the past twenty years to bring a solution and fears to an end, she appealed on their behalf to to that problem within reach, and he had urged that all the members of the human family, without distinc- the relevant resolutions of the Assembly and the tion as to race, eolour, religion or frontier. The in- Security Council should be implemented. That state- numerable documents, declarations and instruments ment confirmed, the fact that human rights were being relating to the subject had had no effect at all on the violated by Israel in Palestine--a situation which had situation of the Palestine Arab refugees, for it was dragged on for the past twenty years. Whatwas more, impossible to solve the problem unless a humanitarian after the 1967 war, Israel, far from complying with approach was taken. While international bodies held its obligations under the Universal Declaration of lengthy debates on the subject, thousands of Arabs Human Rights, had intensified its repressive measures Were forced to abandon their homes and saw their against the Arab population. lands occupied by strangers coming from afar. While Useless declarations were being drawn up, the 5. Among the specific violations of human rights com- Palestine Arabs, deprived of their fundamental rights, mitted by Israel, she cited the expulsion of 400,000 Were suffering cold and hunger° Arabs, by force or by threats, from the West Bank of the River Jordan and from the Gaza Strip. Despite 2. The massacres of Arab villagers and other brutal the General Assembly's appeals that the refugees crimes committed by Israel against defenceless com- should be allowed to return, Israel was continuing to munities had not been isolated instances, regretted by apply measures of intimidation to drive out the popu-

1 A/C.3/SR.1628 General Assembly -- Twenty-third Session -- Third Committee

lation of the occupied areas, with the aimof depriving the developed countries continued to increase. For those areas of their Arab character. Nor did the that reason, her delegation particularly welcomed Israelis hesitate to raze entire villages and compel the the adoption of resolution XVlr of the Teheran Con- inhabitants to sell their lands to new occupants. At ference, concerning economic development andhuman the same time, they were continuing to deport Arab rights. leaders, and students who had gone abroad to study were being prevented from returning. The political ii. With regard to the explosive crisis in race rela- pressures, the arbitrary arrests, the destruction of tions which was threatening the world, she said that homes and the other acts of harassment to which the her country shared with many others a feelingof deep Arab population was subjected had given rise to a revulsion at the injustices and indignities imposed on reign of terror which had aroused even on the coloured people of , South West the part of Israel inte!lectuals. Africa, Rhodesia, Mozambique and Angola. Yet the crisis in race relations, while it reflected the failure 6. Moreover, the Holy City of Jerusalem had been of the international community's efforts to ensure the converted into a tourist and amusement centre, protection of human rights, revealed at the same time where immorality flourished. Holy Places "of Islam the success achieved through the Universal Declara- and Christianity had been profaned, temples of various tion in the matter of propagating the principles of religions had been robbed and vandalized, and Jewish human rightsÿ condemning injustices, and recognizing rites had been celebrated in mosques which hadnever the need for change and the justice and legitimacy of before been entered by non-Moslems. The Arab vil- change. However, racism was also related to economic lages which had been demolished had included places development, for the world race crisis would not abate of profound historical and reiigious significance. so long as the contrasts between prosperity and poverty, development and stagnation, complacency and 7. All the appeals addressed by the United Nations despair, which marked the dividing line between de- to Israel to respect the Geneva Conventions, the veloped and developing nations, coincided in large Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other measure with the boundary b.etween the white and the instruments had met with a stubborn refusal. Her non-white worlds. Only effective action towards eco- delegation therefore urged the Committee to affirm nomic equality for all States could make it possible Israel's gÿlilt and to ask the General Assembly to in- to solve racial problems. sist on compliance with its decisions concerning 1° ale stine. 12. Lastly, she stressed the value of the Teheran Conference as a contribution to the advancement of 8. Miss BEHARRY (Guynana) said that Guyana, as human rights and a stimulus to public opinion, which a developing country, attached particular importance was always conscious of the vulnerability of funda- to the link between economic, social and cultural de- mental freedoms. velopment and the fundamental freedoms of the indi- vidual, and also to the threat which racist attitudes 13. Mr. PANDEY (Nepal) felt that the question of posed for the entire world. Both questions should be human rights required special attention, because it given high priority in the years to come. concerned the pride and dignity of men and, what was more, the very survival of humanity. The recog- 9. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights estab- nition of human rights and fundamental freedoms and lished standards for Governments and individuals, ex- of the dignity and worth of the human person, without pressed man's .desire for freedom and security, and distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, was proclaimed a common standard of achievement for all one of the basic principles underlying the United peoples. Nevertheless, twenty years after its adoption Nations Charter and a prerequisite for the mainte- it had become necessary to examine the question of nance of international peace and security. The Inter- its actual implementation in a broader perspective, national Year for Human Rights commemorating the so that the rights which it proclaimed wouldhave real twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal significance for the peoples of the developing world. Declaration of Human Rights, which could be truly The problem faced by millions of human beings was described as a popular Magna Carta, called for all not so much the enjoyment of civil and political rights Member States to rededicate themselves to the lofty as economic survival itself. ideals of human dignity and freedom. i0. To a person who had neither home nor employ- 14. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration, ment it meant very little to be told that his Govern- human rights had been enumerated and codified in a ment had recognized the right to privacy, to the protec- series of instruments which had provided the legal tion of propertÿ and to the free choice of employment. framework for their protection and had aroused an It was therefore impossible to assess the rights set awareness among individuals of the need to recognize forth in the Universal Declaration without taking those rights as the basic conditions of life. Neverÿ account of economic and social considerations. The theless, , racism and other types of dis- most elaborate code of fundamental freedoms or of crimination continued to exist, even though they constitutional guarantees of their exercise meant should be universally condemned, and millions of nothing where the illiterate majority was incapable human beings were still deprived of their legitimate of understanding its rights and securing their exer- rights, including the right of self-determination. cise. Throughout much of the developing world, many Nepal had always unequivocally opposed such policies of the fundamental freedoms embodied in the Univer- and would continue to support any measures by the no meaning. 'me voice oI the Universal Declaration of had been made and determining what man's position Human Rights and of the Final Act of the Teheran Con- was in the contemporary world, twenty years after ference must reach every man in the world, without the adoption of the Universa! Declaration of Human any distinction based on colour, caste, creed, reli- Rights. Certainly, nothing had had a more profound gion, sex or social status. impact on the inescapable task of drastically reform- 15, In Nepal, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Chris- ing the structure of human society than the idea that finns lived in complete harmony, and there had never man possessed certain inalienable rights. For centu- in the country's history been any conflict between dif- ries that idea had seemed to be mere philosophical ferent religious groups. The Nepalese Government, speculation or the exclusive heritage of certain national which believed that freedom and equality could not communities and racial groupÿ. Contemporary ex- survive in a world of poverty, had adopted as its target perience unfortunately showedthat there was, perhaps, social welfare and a society free from al! kinds of much still to be done before it was fully and universally exploitation. The Constitution prohibited discrimina- accepted. Hence, the value of the Universal Declaration tion of any kind and guaranteed equality before the law. was not only that it had incorporated that idea in a body The principle that land belonged to the tiller had been of clearly defined principles but also that it had pro- recognized as State policy, and under nationalplanning claimed its universality. the country's resources were being directed to eco- 19. Nevertheless, it was easy to see that the mere nomic development. Women enjoyed equal rights with formulation and recognition of human rights as the men in all fields, as was shown by the fact that a common heritage of all men would not change deep- woman was Vice-Chairman of the national legislature. rooted social evils and age-old aberrations overnight. Various government measures had been taken to pro- The Dominican Republic knew from hard experience mote the advance of women, and it should be pointed what a distance there was between doctrine and out that Nepalese women were playing an active and reality, between theory and practice. His delegation notable part in the development of the society. The was therefore pleased to note that a substantial body Government was giving particular attention to family of men and nations was trying to eradicate the great planning and guaranteed paid maternity leave to women. evil of the gap between words and deeds in the matter It was also promoting the all-round development of of human rights. children. 20. In considering the question of human rights, his 16. With regard to draft resolutionA/C.3/L.1626 and delegation also hoped that ideas of regional blocs, Add.l, his delegation believed that the plight of the partisan political interests and notions of international refugees was a humanitarian problem and should be proselytism would be transcended. No one could fail treated as such. It always sympathized with people who to realize that human rights had often been used as had become victims of discrimination on grounds of mere political counters to be moved or discarded ac- religion or colour, whoever and wherever they were, cording to the immediate goals of the countries con- and believed that all nations, large or small, had the cerned and that violations of those rights were used as right to exist as sovereign and independent States. a pretext for pursuing certain political objectives. It Aggression was not only a violation of the political was deplorable, for example, that, while all States integrity of the country that was attacked but also a formally condemned apartheid, some of them, in pur- violation of the human rights of its people. Thus, the suance of their own material interests, were pro- occupation of the territory of another country not moting and developing an active and profitable trade only was a political offence but also violated the human which strengthened those who practised discrimina- rights of the people concerned. The recognition of the tion. On the other hand, his delegation believed that human rights of all peoples was therefore the first the United Nations had not yet exhausted all means step towards political peace throughout the world. of finding a just, negotiated solution to the problem of the Palestine refugees or a conciliatory formula 17. Mr. SHERIFIS (Cyprus) said that, although he which would both guarantee Israel's independence waived his right to speak in the general debate on the and integrity and eliminate the grave threat to peace item under discussion, he nevertheless wished to say in the Middle East. that the International Conference on Human Rights, held at Teheran, had been an extremely important 21. It was also clear that the small Powers were not event in the field of human rights. Two things had always treated the same as the big Powers. For ex- ' particularly impressed his delegation: the generous ampleÿ when allegations were made of violations of hospitality of the host country and the excellent human rights in small countries, on-the-spot commit- preparation and organization of the Conference, which tees of inquiry were appointed without any thought of did credit to the Director of the Division of Human the implications for their national sovereignty, but the Rights. He therefore suggested that the sponsors concept of sovereignty was raised like a shieldwhen a of draft resolution A/C.3/L.1623/Rev.I might include great Power was involved. For the Dominican Repub- in it a few words of thanks to the people and Govern- lic, violations of human rights had no frontiers. He ment of Iran and of appreciation to the Secretary- therefore felt that there should be a generalized system General and his staff. of investigation which all States, large and small, t8. Mr. READ VITTINI (Dominican Republic) said would accept beforehand on a voluntary and unselec- tire basis; ,such a consensus would eliminate all scru- that the subject of human rights was probably the most ples concerning sovereignty when the question of far-reaching and important on the agenda of the As- providing proper protection for the human rights of sembly,s current session. The International Year also individuals and groups within any national community Provided an opportunity for reviewing the progress that arose. 4 General Assembly D Twenty-third Session -- Third Committee

22. With regard to the question of the punishment of 26. The most significant feature of the past two war criminals, although his delegation fully agreed decades had been the progress made in the field of with the general view that such crimes were crimes international law and in the national legislation of against humanity, it had some misgivings about the various countries. The numerous conventions and formulation of the relevant legal rules' and feared that declarations formulated and ratified were proof of punishment depended more on the fortunes of war than the interest in human rights. In addition, the same on justice. He wondered, for example, who would judge period had seen the adoption for the first time of the actions of the victors. He feared even more that legal machinery for the implementation of those the judges would be the victors themselves, and that instruments at the international level, whose impor. would mean a violation of the natural and universally tance could not be over-emphasized. accepted juJ:idical rule that no one could be both judge and party to a case. His delegation therefore believed 27. However, respect for civil and political rights that, if in present circumstances war as a source of and particularly for economic, social and cultural the widespread violation of human rights could not be avoided, efforts must be made to humanize it as far rights required much more than the strengthening of as possible. the existing machinery, since it was not by legal means alone that the equality and pro- 23. Finally, he wished to issue a warningwith respect claimed in the Declaration could be achieved. It was to a fundamentally materialistic standard which was easy to say that every person was entitled to all the apparently taking root in contemporary thought. That rights which guaranteed and protected his human dig- standard, which was being applied mainly by societies nity. It was well known, however, that those rights where materialism was the corollary of well-being, remained purely theoretical unless sufficient eco- was reversing values to such an extent that life itself nomic and social progress was made, education was was becoming subordinate to considerations of mate- provided for all and the current gap between stand- rial convenience. His delegation recognized the im- ards of living in various countries and parts of the portance of material necessities, and hence of the world was narrowed. goods that satisfied them, but it did not place them higher than life itself. For that reason, it believed, 28. One of the positive aspects of the International not that birth control was necessary for the acquisi- Year for Human Rights had been the attention devoted tion of the world's goods, but that greater efforts to questions of human rights and their observance. It should be made to produce more. Today, science and was encouraging that not only Governments but also techno].ogy made it possible to exploit the vast re- non-governmental organizations had been active in sources of the sea, which were capable of sustaining that field. populations ten or twenty times larger than the total current world population. Tomorrow, the infinite pos- 29. In 1968, the non-governmental organizations in sibilities of outer space would open up. In his view, consultative status with the Economic and Social demographic development should be based on the free Council had held two conferences on human rights, and sovereign decision of parents to determine the one in January at Geneva and one in September in size of their own families. There was no conflict be- . Another important event had been the As- tween that and the idea that States were in duty bound sembly of Human Rights, organized by the private to educate parents to understand fully the magnitude sector, which had been held in at Montreal. of their responsibilities. The basis of that idea was The major event had naturally been the International that man was an end in himself and that the meaning Conference on Human Rights held at Teheran. Each of society lay in providing for every man's wants and of those events was important in its own way. The needs. An over-ihflated society in which the individual Governments which met at Teheran participated in personality lost all meaning and significance, was the development of human rights with the authority engulfed by it and reduced to the status of a mere conferred upon them by membership and voting rights organic component, served little purpose. in the United Nations. Those who had gathered at Montreal were private individuals with special knowl- 24. In conclusion, he recalled that the Supreme Pon- edge of a particular aspect of human rights. The non- tiff, in his message to the Teheran Conference, had governmental organizations disseminated information said that it would be vain to proclaim rights if at the and moulded public opinion, exerting the necessary same time everything was not done to ensure the duty pressure to accelerate action by the official bodies and of respecting them by all people, everywhere, and for acting as practical implementation machinery in many all people (see A/CONF.32/41, annex III). fields. An evaluation of the results of those meetings led to the conclusion that it was easier for private 25. Mr. KEISALO (Finland) said that the year 1948, persons and independent voluntary organizations to in which the UnSversal Declaration of Human Rights do what they had set out to do. Government repre- had ,been adoptgd, had become a milestone in the sentatives were often faced with difficulties, because history of mankind and marked the beginning of a new differences of opinion on various political issues over- era in which the individual was made a subject of shadowed the real purpose of the deliberations and international law. It was true that achievements fell hampered progress. That had been the case at the far short of the targets set; nevertheless, when re- Teheran Conference, which would have produced more viewing the progress of the past twenty years, it had valuable results if more time and attention had been to be remembered that thousands of years had pre- devoted to plan .ing future action in the sphere of ceded the adoption of the Declaration. Man could not human rights, l\evertheless, despite those draw- expect, in such a short period, to achieve what had remained unachieved during another era. backs, his delegation felt that the results had been satisfactory 30. It was regrettable that the Conference had not avert it. The peaceful settlement of the Middle East been able to deal with all the proposals made, includ- problem, under the auspices of the United Nations, ing one by Finland (see A/CONF.32/41, annex V). The could lead to a fair solution. It was also important to Finnish proposal had recommended that the United safeguard the human, spiritual and cultural values of Nations bodies concerned, as appropriate with the a people or of a particular minority in a national assistance of UNESCO and UNITAR, should under- community. take studies: on the implications of scientific andtech- nologica! development on the privacy and freedom of 36. So far as Madagascar was concerned, the spirit individuals and the protection of the dignity and in- of the Universal Declaration was reflected in its tegrity of their personality. It had also recommended Constitution, which recognized various freedoms and that they should study the scope and contents of exist- rights, but, as in all developing countries, the real ing professional codes of in so far as they problems were of an economic nature and social dealt with the invasion of the right to privacy, having backwardness was perhaps the reason why certain in mind the subsequent creation of model rules on that rights had not yet been exercised. To commemorate subject, without prejudice to the principles of free- the International Year for Human Rights, a national dom of information. The draft resolution submitted by committee had been established in Madagascar at E1 Salvador, and Mauritania (A/C.3/L.1642/ the end of 1967 to organize appropriate commemora- Rev.1) referred to that problem. tive acts. The year 1968 was proclaimed International Year for Human Rights by Presidential Decree, and 31. The Proclamation of Teheran was a reaffirma- public information activities included a speech by the tion of the principles contained in the United Nations Head of State, the showing of films onhuman rights, a Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human painting competition and an essay competition on the Rights; his delegation was therefore glad to sponsor subject of human rights in which Students, workers draft resolution AiC.3/L.1623/Rev.1, one of whose and trade union members took part. The Universal provisions endorsed the Proclamation of Teheran. Declaration of Human Rights was translated into the Lastly, he thanked the Director of the Division of Malagasy tongue and articles on human rights were Human Rights for his excellent statement at the published in the bulletins of ministeria! departments 1620th meeting introducing the item and the people and of the public and private agencies concerned. In and Government of Iran for their generous hospitality and assistance. addition, the speeches made by distinguished per- sonalities would be broadcast three times a day during 32. Mrs. RAOELINA (Madagascar) congratulated the the week of 7 to 14 December 1968. Director of the Division of Human Rights on his excel- lent statement and paid a tribute to the Government 37. Madagascar was a member of the Commission on of Iran, which had helped to ensure the success of the Human Rights and a party to several international Conference. Her delegation was convinced that the human rights conventions, agreements and treaties, International Year for Human Rights, which was al- including the Convention on the Political Rights of ready drawing to an end, would give new impetus to Women, the Internationa! Convention on the Elimina- future United Nations activities in the sphere of human tion of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the rights and encourage effective governmental observ- Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. ance of the provisions of the Charter and of the Uni- versal Declaration of Human Rights. 38. In conclusion, her delegation hoped that the In- ternational Year for Human Rights and, more speci- 33. Although it was true that considerable progress fically, the TeheranConference, which had undoubtedly had been made since the adoption of the Declaration, been the most significant event of the year, would the International Year had also revealed once again give a new impetus to human rights and fundamental that there were still serious violations of human rights freedoms, which constituted the basis of international in various parts of the world. Racism still existed in peace and security. It also hoped that the draft reso- South Africa and Rhodesia and the moral force of the lution of which it was a co-sponsor (A/C.3/L.1623/ resolutions adopted by the United Nations concerning Rev.1), which contained almost all the recommenda- the system of apartheid was decreasing with time. In tions of the Teheran Conference, would be unanimously addition, the events of August 1968 in Central Europe adopted. were patently contrary to the United Nations aims of fostering friendship and understanding between 39. Miss FERRINGA (Netherlands) said that in her peoples. One might well wonder what special reason country, as in many others, a great variety of special prompted certain countries systematically to condemn activities, undertaken to a significant degree by student despoilment by armed aggression or occupation, while and youth organizations, had been organized to cele- adopting precisely the opposite attitude in practice. brate the International Year for Human Rights.

34. With regard to the dependent countries in the 40. Nevertheless, despite such manifestations of Process of decolonization, her delegation maintained goodwill, 1968 had been a year in which the realiza- that, in conformity with Article 76 of the Charter, tion of fundamental human rights had to a disappoint- the administering Powers should encourage respect ing degree remained in the realm of fantasy. In con- for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for tradiction to article 1 of the Universal Declaration, all without distinction as to racel sex, language or the international community, offered countless human religion. beings neither freedom nor equality nor human rights and dignity, and allowed the spirit of brotherhood to be 35. War inevitably involved violation of human rights, trampled upon by hate, indifference and selfishness, and everything possible should therefore be done to 7' heedless of the voice of reason or conscience. 6 General Assembly -- Twenty-third Session -- Third Committee

41. Her delegation had already expressed in the of a country could only be solved by the people of General Assembly its shock and indignation at the that country. recent attempt in Central Europe to deprive a people of its fundamental rights. It did not therefore intend 46. The situation in Hungary had radically changed to enter into a new discussion of the question, but it since the end of fascist rule, and the people knew could not remain Silent, for, if no protests were made from their own experience that the socialist systeaÿ against the violation of fundamental rights, it was was more satisfactory than the capitalist one. It was illusory to hope for an international community in true that there were no millionaires--who 'would ex~ which human lives and human dignity were safeguarded ploit the workers--but there were also no needy and freedom from fear was secured. people. The Constitution accorded the broadest pos- sible rights to every citizen, and one of the main 42. Nevertheless, progress had been made and her goals of the Government was to strengthen the eco- delegation was glad that the Teheran Conference had nomic basis for the daily exercise of those rights. In strongly reiterated the vital needÿfor concerted and that respect, the Hungarian people couldhave achieved intensified efforts to secure andpreservefundamental better results had it not been hindered by certain rights for all. The Conference had also demonstrated Western Powers, which had spent millions of dollars that, desPite nationalistic attitudes, people did believe to Weaken, undermine or overthrow the socialist sys- in and desire international co-operation, and the reso- tem. It was difficult for some to understand that the lutions adopted at Teheran would stimulate and promote right to build a socialist society was also part of human further activities. rights.

43: It was clear that the effectiveness of international 47. On the subject of the International Year for Human instruments ultimately depended on the willingness of Rights, he considered that the Teheran Conference was Governments to implement their provisions, and in the most significant event andhis delegationwas ready that respect her delegation wished to pay a tribute to to participate in the positive implementation of the the Government of Costa Rica for being the first to resolutions adopted at that Conference. ratify the International Covenants on Human Rights and the Optional Protocol to the International Cove- nant on Civil and Political Rights. 48. In celebration of the International Year in Hun- gary, the Hungarian United Nations Society had held a session in which representatives of all State and 44. She welcomed draft resolution A/C.3iL.1623/ people's organizations concerned in the programme Rev.l. It would ensure that the draft resolutions which of festivities had participated. At a special press the Teheran Conference had been unable to consider conference the Secretary-General of that Society had for lack of time would be sent to the competent organs announced the programme drawn up for the celebra- of the United 'Nations. With that in mind, her delega- tion of the International Year. The head of the delega- tion had not submitted as a separate draft one of those tion that had participated in the Teheran Conference • draft resolutions, namely, that concerning the ques- i had made a statement to the Hungarian Press AgencY tion of implementation, which it had already submitted J and to Hungarian television and radio. The Hungarian J to the Conference (see A/CONF.32/41, annex V), and Society for the Dissemination of Scientific Informa- which it hoped would receive the careful study it J deserved. tion had given a series of lectures on human rights questions. The National Council of Hungarian Women was publicizing the Declaration on the Elimination of 45. Mr. GYARMATI (Hungary) thanked thepeople and Discrimination against Women adopted by the United Government of Iranÿfor their hospitality and for the Nations General Assembly. A scientific debate would excellent organization of the International Conference be held on the defence of civil rights in Hungary. The on Human• Rights. Unfortunately, certain delegations Hungarian United Nations Society would hold a meet- were attempting to impede the work of the Committee ing on 9 December to discuss the development of human by reviving old cold-war practices in pursuit of spe- rights in the world, and its Secretary-General would cific political aims. That, however, was not surprising, inform the press of the resolutions adopted.. The since, when those countries realized that their im- Hungarian radio would broadcast the United Nations perialistic policies were leading them to an impasse, they attempted to distract the attention of public concert on i0 December, Human Rights Day. The postal services would issue a commemorative stamp opinion from their own problems by heapingunfounded for International Human Rights Day, and a book on slanders on socialist and other countries. It was a human rights by one of Hungary's most eminent jurists matter of some astonishment to be given lessons on would be published. democracy and human rights by the representative of a country where ÿvery individual had the right to assassinate his political adversaries, where political 49. His delegation had no difficulty in supporting draft problems were solved by. bullets rather than ballots, resolution A/C.3/L.1623/Rev.I. where millions of coloured inhabitants were treated as second-class citizens, where representatives of 50. Mr. FORSHELL (Sweden)announced that Jordan the news media were brutally beaten up by the police, and Romania had been added to the list of sponsors and where in the last three months eight synagogues of draft resolution A/C.3/L.1623/Rev.i. 1_/ had been burned and desecrated in its largest city. Where fascist and semi-fascist parties were allowed to exist the stage was always set for anti-Semitism. 1_./ In document A[C.3/L.1623[Rev.1/Add.1, subsequently circulated, Jordan, Hungary and Romania were added to the list ot sponsors of It was, therefore, clear that the domestic problems thÿ dPÿft 1-oÿnhlHnn oÿA 1ÿ, .... AÿIÿ z.ÿ___ ÿL- 1=-ÿ