Report of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on its thirty-third session

17 (XXXVII). Report of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on its thirty-third session[1]41

The Commission on Human Rights, Taking note of the report of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on its thirty-third session,[2]42 Expressing its satisfaction with the priority which has been accorded to consideration of the Sub-Commission's report at this session of the Commission, Recalling the tasks assigned to the Sub-Commission by the Commission at its fifth session[3]43 as well as Commission resolution 8 (XXIII) of 16 March 1967 and Economic and Social Council resolutions 1235 (XLII) of 16 June 1967 and 1503 (XLVIII) of 27 May 1970, on the mandate and terms of reference of the Sub-Commission, Expressing its appreciation for the very valuable contribution of the Sub-Commission to the work of the Commission in the promotion and protection of human rights, Taking into account that members of the Sub-Commission are elected as experts who serve in their individual capacity with particular capabilities which qualify them personally to serve, Deeming it unsuitable, accordingly, that experts should be represented from time to time by alternates whose appointment is not necessarily governed by the same requirement of independent expertise,

1. Requests the Sub-Commission, in the performance of its tasks and duties, to bear in mind the tasks assigned to it by the Commission at its fifth session as well as by Commission resolution 8 (XXIII) and Economic and Social Council resolutions 1235 (XLII) of 16 June 1967 and 1503 (XLVIII) of 27 May 1970;

2. Invites the Sub-Commission to take note of the comments and suggestions made in the course of discussion, during this session of the Commission, under the item concerning the Sub-Commission's report;

3. Further requests the Sub-Commission, in drawing up its annual report to the Commission, to present and indicate clearly in an introductory chapter all matters requiring the approval of the Commission; such matters will include all resolutions and decisions of the Sub-Commission other than those bearing on internal procedural questions or those which follow up previously approved or specifically mandated courses of action;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to take appropriate action to draw to the attention of the members of the Commission, prior to the commencement of each session:

(a) Those matters arising out of the Sub-Commission's report and not requiring prior approval of the Commission, on which the secretariat has already taken action; and

(b) Those matters outstanding, as indicated in the Sub-Commission's report, which the Commission will have to consider at its regular session, together with the material which will be relevant to the Commission's consideration of them;

5. Decides to allocate high priority to the annual consideration of the item on the report of the Sub-Commission, particularly to the recommendations contained therein;

6. Draws the attention of all States and all members of the Sub-Commission to the nature of the Sub-Commission's work as a body of individually qualified experts elected in their personal capacity and to the Commission's view, without prejudice to the operation of rule 13 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, that the practice of permitting alternates to represent members of the Sub-Commission might not on occasion be in keeping with the character of that body.



[1]41 Adopted at the 1635th meeting, on 10 March 1981, without a vote. See chap. XX. [2]42 E/CN.4/1413 and Corr.1. [3]43 Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, Ninth Session, Supplement No. 10, (E/1371) paragraph 13: "(a) to undertake studies, particularly in the light of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to make recommendations to the Commission on Human Rights concerning the prevention of discrimination of any kind relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms and the protection of racial, national, religious and linguistic minorities; and (b) to perform any other functions which may be entrusted to it by the Economic and Social Council or the Commission on Human Rights".
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