Rationalization of the work of the 3rd Committee : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly
- Author: UN General Assembly (45th sess. : 1990-1991)
- Document source:
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Date:
18 December 1990
The General Assembly,
Recalling its decision 44/435 of 15 December 1989, in which it decided to defer consideration of the draft decision entitled "Programme of work of the Third Committee" until its forty-fifth session,
Recalling also that the Third Committee, at its organizational meeting on 24 September 1990, decided to establish an open-ended working group on the rationalization of the work of the Third Committee to consider appropriate ways and means of rationalizing the Committee's programme of work, including existing proposals,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Working Group on the Rationalization of the Work of the Third Committee;
2. Adopts the new structure of the agenda of the Third Committee, as contained in section I of the annex to the present resolution;
3. Approves the biennial programme of work of the Third Committee for 1991-1992, as contained in section II of the annex;
4. Endorses the recommendations concerning organizational matters, as contained in section III of the annex;
5. Decides to implement the provisions of the present resolution beginning at its forty-sixth session;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to take the present resolution into account in drawing up future agendas of the General Assembly.
ANNEX I. NEW STRUCTURE OF THE AGENDA OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
Item 1. Report of the Economic and Social Council item 12.
Item 2. Elimination of racism and racial discrimination.
Item 3. Right of peoples to self-determination.
Item 4. Social development:
(a) Questions relating to the world social situation and to youth,
aging, disabled persons and the family;
(b) Crime prevention and criminal justice.
Item 5. Advancement of women.
Item 6. Narcotic drugs.
Item 7. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; questions relating to refugees and displaced persons; and humanitarian questions:
(a) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;
(b) Questions relating to refugees and displaced persons;
(c) Humanitarian questions.
Item 8. Human rights questions:
(a) Implementation of human rights instruments;
(b) Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
(c) Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives.
Item 1. Report of the Economic and Social Council
Matters calling for action by the General Assembly (Third Committee) or brought to its attention
- Questions that do not fall within the purview of the other items on the agenda of the General Assembly allocated to the Third Committee
Item 2. Elimination of racism and racial discrimination Annual Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Status of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid
Biennial Adverse consequences for the enjoyment of human rights of political, military, economic and other forms of assistance given to the racist regime of South Africa (1992)
Status of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1992)
Item 3. Right of peoples to self-determination Annual Importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights
Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination
Use of mercenaries as a means to violate human rights and to impede the exercise of the right of people to self-determination (to be considered biennially after the entry into force of the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries)
Item 4. Social development
(a) Questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, aging, disabled persons and the family
Annual World social situation
Implementation of the International Plan of Action on Aging and related activities (biennially after 1993)
Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (biennially after end of Decade in 1992)
Biennial Popular participation in its various forms as an important factor in development and in the full realization of all human rights (1993)
Year 1 (1991) - Interim report on the world social situation and report of the Commission for Social Development.
Year 2 (1992) - General debate on the basis of the report of the Economic and Social Council.
Year 3 (1993) - Report on the world social situation and report of the Commission for Social Development.
Year 4 (1994) - General debate on the basis of the report of the Economic and Social Council.
Achievement of social justice (1992)
Policies and programmes involving youth (1992)
International Year of the Family, 1994 (1991, 1993, 1994; thereafter, biennially, if necessary)
Implementation of the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future (1991)
National experience in promoting the co-operative movement (1992)
International Literacy Year (1991)
Quinquennial Anniversary of the Declaration on Social Progress and Development (1994)
(b) Crime prevention and criminal justice
Biennial Crime prevention and criminal justice (1991, 1993)
International co-operation in combating organized crime (1992, 1994)
Quinquennial
Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (1995)
Item 5. Advancement of women Annual Implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women
Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat
Biennial United Nations Development Fund for Women (1991)
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1992)
International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (1991)
National experience relating to the improvement of the situation of women in rural areas (1993)
Item 6. Narcotic drugs Annual Implementation of the Global Programme of Action against illicit production, supply, demand, trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
International action to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking
Biennial Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1992)
Item 7. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; questions relating to refugees and displaced persons; and humanitarian questions
(a) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Annual Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(b) Questions relating to refugees and displaced persons
Annual International Conference on the Plight of Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in Southern Africa
International Conference on Central American Refugees
Assistance to student refugees in southern Africa
Situation of refugees in the Sudan
Assistance to refugees in Somalia
Assistance to voluntary returnees and displaced persons in Chad
Assistance to refugees and returnees in Ethiopia
Assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Malawi
Humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Djibouti
Emergency humanitarian assistance to Liberian refugees and displaced persons
(c) Humanitarian questions
Biennial New international humanitarian order (1992)
Promotion of international co-operation in the humanitarian field (1992)
Humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters and similar emergency situations (1992)
Item 8. Human rights questions
(a) Implementation of human rights instruments
Annual Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights
Convention on the Rights of the Child (biennially after 1992)
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (biennially after the entry into force of the Convention)
Biennial Report of the Committee against Torture and status of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1992)
International Covenants on Human Rights (1991)
Status of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1992)
United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (1991)
(b) Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Annual Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Right to development
Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance
Question of enforced or involuntary disappearances (biennially after the adoption of a declaration thereon)
Respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes
Enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections
World Conference on Human Rights
Developments relating to the activities of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat
Torture and inhuman treatment of children in detention in South Africa
Biennial Respect for the right of everyone to own property alone as well as in association with others and its contribution to the economic and social development of Member States (1992)
Human rights and mass exoduses (1991)
Human rights in the administration of justice (1991)
Summary or arbitrary executions (1992)
Development of public information activities in the field of human rights (1992)
Guidelines for the regulation of computerized personal data files
Human rights and scientific and technological developments (1991)
National institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights (1991)
International co-operation in solving international problems of a social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms (1992)
Regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights (1992)
Regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian and Pacific region (1992)
(c) Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives
II. BIENNIAL PROGRAMME OF WORK OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE FOR 1991-1992
1991 Item 1. Report of the Economic and Social Council
Documentation Matters calling for action by the General Assembly (Third Committee) or brought to its attention
- Questions that do not fall within the purview of the other items on the agenda of the General Assembly allocated to the Third Committee
Item 2. Elimination of racism and racial discrimination
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council on the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (resolution
45/105, para. 26)
Report of the Secretary-General on resources for the activities of the Second Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (resolution
45/105, paras. 17 and 18)
Report of the Secretary-General on the financial situation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (resolution 45/88,
paras. 9 and 10)
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid
(resolution 45/90)
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
(resolution 2106 A (XX))
Item 3. Right of peoples to self-determination
Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on the importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights (resolution 45/131,
para. 6)
Report of the Secretary-General on the use of mercenaries as a means to violate human rights and to impede the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination (resolution 45/132, para. 10)
Report of the Secretary-General on the strengthening of assistance to colonial Territories and peoples (resolution 45/130, paras. 36 and 37)
Item 4. Social development
(a) Questions relating to the world social situation and to youth,
aging, disabled persons and the family
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Interim report of the Secretary-General on the world social situation
(resolution 45/87, para. 9)
Report of the Secretary-General on the work being done within the United Nations system to improve and further develop quantitative and qualitative indicators that measure accurately the social condition and the standard of living of the world's population, particularly in developing countries (resolution 45/87, para. 11)
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the International Plan of Action on Aging and related activities (resolution
45/106)
Report of the Secretary-General on a draft world youth programme of action towards the year 2000 and beyond (resolution 45/103, para. 10)
Report of the Secretary-General on the progress made in the preparations for the International Year of the Family (resolution 45/133, para. 14)
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (resolution 45/91, para. 13)
Report of the Secretary-General on progress achieved in implementing and following up the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future (resolution 44/65, paras. 14 and 15)
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the programme for International Literacy Year (resolution 44/127)
(b) Crime prevention and criminal justice
Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on crime prevention and criminal justice
(resolution 45/121, para. 15)
Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of the African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders and all other autonomous institutes of the United Nations (decision 45/428)
Report brought to the attention of the General Assembly:
Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the ministerial meeting on proposals for an effective crime prevention and criminal justice programme (resolution 45/108, para. 6)
Item 5. Advancement of women
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (resolution
45/124, para. 4)
Report of the Secretary-General on the resources available and necessary to ensure adequate support to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and for the effective implementation of all other aspects of the programme on the advancement of women (resolution
45/124, paras. 12 and 16)
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women (resolution
45/129, para. 26)
Report of the Secretary-General on the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (resolution 45/125)
Report of the Secretary-General on the interregional consultation on women in public life (resolution 45/127)
Report of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (resolution 45/128)
Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (resolution
44/60, paras. 8 and 9)
Item 6. Narcotic drugs
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Secretary-General on respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking (resolution 45/147, para. 4)
Report of the Secretary-General on international action to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking and on economic and social consequences of illicit traffic in drugs and psychotropic substances (resolution 45/149,
sect. II, paras. 2, 5 and 6)
Annual report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Global Programme of Action against illicit production, supply, demand, trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (resolution 45/148, para. 4)
Report of the Secretary-General on the enhancement of the United Nations structure for drug abuse control (see resolution 45/179, para. 14)
Item 7. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; questions relating to refugees and displaced persons; and humanitarian questions
(a) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Report of the Secretary-General (resolution 45/140, para. 17)
(b) Questions relating to refugees and displaced persons
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Secretary-General on the International Conference on the Plight of Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in Southern Africa
(resolution 45/137, para. 10)
Report of the Secretary-General on the International Conference on Central American Refugees (resolution 45/141, para. 16)
Report of the Secretary-General on assistance to student refugees in southern Africa (resolution 45/171, para. 11)
Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of refugees in the Sudan
(resolution 45/160, para. 9)
Report of the Secretary-General on assistance to refugees in Somalia
(resolution 45/154, para. 12)
Report of the Secretary-General on assistance to voluntary returnees and displaced persons in Chad (resolution 45/156, para. 6)
Report of the Secretary-General on assistance to refugees and returnees in Ethiopia (resolution 45/161, para. 4)
Report of the Secretary-General on assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Malawi (resolution 45/159, para. 8)
Report of the Secretary-General on humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Djibouti (resolution 45/157, para. 6)
Report of the Secretary-General on emergency humanitarian assistance to Liberian refugees and displaced persons (resolution 45/139, para. 6)
Item 8. Human rights questions
(a) Implementation of human rights instruments
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Secretary-General on the effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights (resolution
45/85, para. 9 (b))
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (resolution 45/104, para. 10)
Report of the Committee against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (resolution 39/46)
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
(resolution 45/142, para. 9)
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocols thereto
(resolution 45/135, para. 19)
Report of the Human Rights Committee
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (resolution 45/158, paras. 6 and 7)
(b) Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the organizations of the United Nations system on the implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development (resolution 45/97, para. 7)
Report of the Secretary-General on the torture and inhuman treatment of children in detention in South Africa (resolution 45/144, para. 6)
Report of the Secretary-General on national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights (resolution 44/64, para. 13)
Report of the Secretary-General on human rights and mass exoduses
(resolution 45/153, para. 13)
Report of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference on Human Rights (resolution 45/155, para. 13)
Report of the Secretary-General on developments relating to the activities of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat (see resolution 45/180, para. 3)
Report of the Secretary-General on a draft programme of activities for the International Year for the World's Indigenous People (resolution
45/164, para. 7)
Report of the Secretary-General on his findings in pursuance of paragraphs 10 and 11 of resolution 45/150 and on the United Nations experience in election monitoring
Draft resolution entitled "Respect for the will of the people of Myanmar"
(see decision 45/432)
Report of the Secretary-General on respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in their electoral processes (resolution 45/151, para. 10)
Draft resolution entitled "Non-discrimination and protection of minorities" (see decision 45/434)
Report of the Secretary-General on human rights in the administration of justice (resolution 45/166, para. 12)
(c) Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
1992 Item 1. Report of the Economic and Social Council
Documentation Matters calling for action by the General Assembly (Third Committee) or brought to its attention
- Questions that do not fall within the purview of the other items on the agenda of the General Assembly allocated to the Third Committee
Item 2. Elimination of racism and racial discrimination
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
(resolution 45/105)
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
(resolution 2106 A (XX))
Report of the Special Rapporteur on adverse consequences for the enjoyment of human rights of political, military, economic and other forms of assistance given to the racist regime of South Africa
(resolution 45/84)
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
(resolution 45/89)
Item 3. Right of peoples to self-determination
Item 4. Social development
(a) Questions relating to the world social situation and to youth,
aging, disabled persons and the family
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Secretary-General on the status and role of co-operatives in the light of new economic and social trends (resolution 44/58, para. 4)
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the policies and programmes involving youth (resolution 45/103, para. 14)
(b) Crime prevention and criminal justice
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council on international co-operation in combating organized crime (resolution
44/71, para. 3 and resolution 45/123, para. 3)
Item 5. Advancement of women
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (resolution 45/128)
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (resolution
45/124, para. 4)
Item 6. Narcotic drugs
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (resolution 45/146, para. 7)
Annual report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Global Programme of Action against illicit production, supply, demand, trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (resolution 45/148, para. 4)
Item 7. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; questions relating to refugees and displaced persons; and humanitarian questions
(a) Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Documentation Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(b) Questions relating to refugees and displaced persons
(c) Humanitarian questions
Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters and similar emergency situations (resolution 45/100,
para. 8)
Report of the Secretary-General on a new international humanitarian order
(resolution 45/101, para. 5)
Item 8. Human rights questions
(a) Implementation of human rights instruments
Documentation Report of the Committee against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (resolution 39/46)
Report of the Human Rights Committee
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (resolution 45/152,
para. 5)
Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations (see decision 45/433)
(b) Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Documentation Relevant chapter of the report of the Economic and Social Council
Report of the Secretary-General on the development of public information activities (resolution 45/99, para. 16)
Report of the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference on Human Rights (resolution 45/155, para. 13)
Report of the Secretary-General on the state of the regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights (resolution 45/167,
para. 10)
Report of the Secretary-General on the views of Member States on General Assembly resolution 43/124 regarding the impact of property on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms (see decision 45/427)
Report of the Secretary-General on regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian and Pacific region
(resolution 45/168, para. 8)
III. RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
Pre-sessional documentation
1. Pre-sessional documentation should be circulated six weeks in advance in all working languages.
Introductory statements by Secretariat officials
2. Texts of introductory statements by Secretariat officials should be circulated to delegations in the original language and in the other official languages, if possible, at least three days in advance of the introduction of the item. Oral introductory statements should be limited to 15 minutes and should only highlight areas of special interest.
3. Secretariat officials should, at the end of the debate on a particular item, respond to matters raised and to questions asked.
Statements by delegations
4. In accordance with rule 106 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly and paragraph 22 of decision 34/401 on the rationalization of the procedures and organization of the General Assembly, at the beginning of each session the Chairman should propose to the Third Committee the limitation of the time to be allowed to speakers. While it is understood that this decision will have to be applied with a degree of flexibility, delegations are encouraged to exercise self-discipline in this respect.
5. Copies of interventions made by delegations will be distributed by the conference officers. If a delegation is in a position to provide 200 copies, they may be circulated to all delegations during delivery of the statement. If only a limited number of copies can be provided, they may be given to the conference officer for placement at the back of the conference room.
Programme of work
6. The Secretariat should propose the programme of work of the Third Committee on the basis of experience gained at previous sessions of the Committee so that sufficient time is allocated for the consideration of a given item.
Questions for further consideration
7. Further consideration should be given to:
(a) The question of inviting eminent persons to address the Third Committee on the world social situation or other issues. It was considered that the experience of other Committees with that matter should be reviewed;
(b) The question of the revitalization of the Economic and Social Council and the relationship of that exercise to the work of the Third Committee;
(c) The relationship between the work of the Second Committee and that of the Third Committee.
Omnibus draft resolutions
8. Delegations are encouraged, to the extent possible, to draw up omnibus draft resolutions and to make resolutions as short and as concise as possible.
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