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United Nations Daily Highlights 96-07-26United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSFriday, July 26, 1996This document is prepared by the Central News Section of the Department of Public Information and is updated every week-day at approximately 6:00 PM. HEADLINES
The Security Council on Friday condemned the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight as being incompatible with elementary considerations of humanity. The Council, by a vote of thirteen in favour, with two abstentions (China and the Russian Federation) adopted resolution 1067 (1996) and called upon Cuba to join other States in complying with their obligations under the Chicago Convention. It expressed deep regret over the loss of four lives and offered its deep sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of "this tragic event". The Council noted that the "unlawful shooting down by the Cuban Air Force of two civil aircraft on 24 February 1996 violated the principle that States must refrain from the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight". The Council stressed that when intercepting civil aircraft, the lives of persons on board and the safety of the aircraft must not be endangered. It welcomed the decision of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to initiate a study of the safety-related aspects of the report of the investigation. The intended study would focus on issues with regard to the adequacy of standards and recommended practices and other rules relating to interception of civil aircraft with a view to preventing the recurrence of a similar tragic event. Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali has welcomed the signing, on Thursday, of an Agreement on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter- Parliamentary Union. He said the agreement would serve to strengthen the long-standing ties that exist between the two organizations, particularly in the promotion of peace, human rights and democracy. The Economic and Social Council has requested UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to submit recommendations for strengthening all aspects of the United Nations system capacity for humanitarian assistance to the Economic and Social Council's 1997 substantive session. The Council also appealed to Member States and the UN system to increase the disbursement of grants and soft loans for the reconstruction and development of Lebanon. It called upon the United Nations system to support national capacity-building and institutional renewal in Lebanon. The Human Rights Committee has called for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria and an end to human rights abuses by security forces in Brazil and Peru. The Committee, during its fifty-seventh meeting in Geneva also completed work on a general comment on article 25 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which deals with the right to take part in public affairs, to vote or be elected, and to have access to public service. In a private session, the committee considered numerous complaints by individuals on human rights violations. The Committee noted that while Nigeria's military Government had ratified the Covenant, the continuation of the military regime and its policy of issuing decrees suspending human rights were in themselves obstacles to implementing the treaty. Noting that the threat posed by terrorism in Peru, could not justify measures which violated basic human rights, the committee called for a stop to the use of "faceless courts" to try terrorism suspects. It recommended reconsideration and repeal of amnesty laws absolving State officials and security forces accused of abuses committed in the fight against terrorism. The Committee urged the Brazilian federal Government to ensure that its state governments and state security forces, which have a high degree of autonomy, do not violate the international human rights instruments the country has ratified. The first session of the Open-ended Ad hoc Working Group on Biosafety has succeeded in establishing a firm foundation for negotiating a future protocol to the Convention on Biological diversity. The Biosafety Working Group, currently meeting in Denmark, is discussing how to draft a protocol for the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs), that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has adopted, without a vote, a resolution updating arrangements which had been in place since 1968 for its consultation with non-governmental organizations. The revised arrangements cover a range of aspects on the participation of non-governmental organisations in the Council's work. In a related action, it recommended that the General Assembly give consideration to the participation of those organizations in all areas of the work of the United Nations. The participation of non-governmental organisations in the work of the UN is provided for in Article 71 of the UN Charter which states that the Council may make arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organisations concerned with matters within its competence. The Charter makes no provision for the participation of such organisations in other areas of UN work. Bosnia and Herzegovina will soon receive UN Development Programme assistance towards reconstruction efforts. According to a UNDP announcement, a $110 million programme for reconstruction has been prepared and focuses on regional development strategies to fuel rehabilitation of social and economic sectors. Training local people in health management, economic planning, statistical analysis and rehabilitating industry are other priorities for which UNDP will offer support. The International Law Commission has adopted a draft Code of Crimes against the Peace and Security of Mankind and, a set of draft articles on State Responsibility. The draft Code and the draft articles will now go to the General Assembly for further consideration. The purpose of the 20-article draft Code of Crimes against the Peace and Security of Mankind is to establish and to address issues relating to individual criminal responsibility for, and punishment of the most heinous crimes under international law. For information purposes only - - not an official record From the United Nations home page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgUnited Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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