unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/28/89)
SUB-COMMISSION ON MINORITIES CONTINUES DISCUSSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
GENEVA, 22 August -- At its afternoon meeting today the Sub-Commission on
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities continued discussion
of the question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
including policies of racial discrimination and segregation and of apartheid,
in all countries, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent
countries and territories.
Speakers were Danilo Turk, expert from Yugoslavia; Mary Bautista, expert
from the Philippines; Stanislav Chernichenko, expert from the Soviet Union;
and Tian Jin, expert from China and observers for Angola, United States,
Colombia, India, Turkey, Bulgaria, Portugal, Canada and Cyprus.
The delegations of Indonesia, Mauritania, Turkey, Bulgaria and Cuba spoke
in exercise of right of reply.
Discussion
DANILO TURK, expert from Yugoslavia, pointed out that it was important to
take into account the different types of context in which the question of
human rights violations was considered. Turning to one type of the context,
he agreed with the conclusions of the Ad Hoc working group on apartheid, and
pointed to the need for its dismantling and for comprehensive sanctions.
Military occupation was the second type of context in which human rights
violations should be viewed. The consequences and problems arising out of
this situation could be illustrated by the Israeli occupation of Arab
territories, as well as by some other occupations. Termination of such
occupation was the only solution to the problems stemming from them. The
uncertainties in the process of democratic transformation were the third type
of context in examining human rights violations, as could be illustrated by
the recent experience of the Philippines. Other convulsions of the democratic
process had recently occurred in China, which he deplored, joining in the
appeal for clemency. The situation of indigenous people was a fourth type of
context for the examination of human rights violations. In this connection,
he stressed the need for the discussion of the minorities situation to be
solution oriented. The situation of the Turkish and Macedonian minorities,
and of a few others, could be cited as examples of the need to view human
rights in their specific context.
MARY BAUTISTA, expert from the Philippines, focusing on the role of the
non-governmental organizations, called for responsibility in dealing with
human rights problems. Unfortunately, such things as manipulation with
statistics took place in the Sub-Commission. She illustrated this by
referring to some falsified information relating to the human rights situation
in the Philippines. Correct information, she stressed, was essential for the
Sub-Commission to arrive at the correct solutions.
PEDRO KANGA, observer for Angola, focused on the impact of aggression,
and outside interference on the human rights situation. His country supported
all movements for independence and was concerned about the stubborness of
certain countries in their attempts to prevent peoples from attaining
self-determination. South Africa and Palestine were the most outrageous
examples of denial of self-determination and human rights. As for East Timor,
the Secretary-General should continue his efforts to find a solution to this
problem.
MORRIS ABRAM, observer for the United States, stated that some recent
instances of serious human rights violations were deserving of special
attention. In June, the Chinese Army brutally suppressed peaceful
demonstrations by its own citizens in Tiananmen Square. The United States
fully supported any efforts by the Sub-Commission to ensure for the Chinese
people the full exercise of their human rights. In Bulgaria, the policy of
the Bulgarian Government to assimilate, by force, Bulgaria's ethnic Turks had
deprived these people of their basic cultural and political rights. The
United States remained committed to the struggle for human rights in Cuba and
supported efforts by the United Nations Secretary-General to ensure that the
Cuban Government would respect the human rights of the Cuban people. The
Sub-Commission should surely find the time to stand in silence in memory of a
United Nations officer kidnapped and reported slain while serving peace. He
also mentioned the forced expulsions in Mauritania, Somalia and Ethiopia and
he suggested that the Sub-Commission initiate a major study on the underlying
causes of ethnic, cultural and religious conflicts.
JUAN MANUEL CANO, observer for Colombia, said that at present his country
was conducting a struggle against groups which resorted to violence in order
to change the political system by force. The drug business was waging a war
against the people and the recent events had shown how far the situation had
gone. His Government co-operated on an international level in order to put an
end to this situation and exerted strenuous efforts inside the country to
accomplish this goal. The decrees recently signed by the President of
Colombia were intended to give new impetus to these efforts. Some domestic
measures had been also taken to avoid the practice of torture by military and
police personnel. Following the recent assassination of a presidential
candidate, the Government of Colombia would adopt the necessary measures to
ensure public security.
KAMALESH SHARMA, observer for India, reiterated that the ultimate
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