UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
NATIONS UNIES
COMMISSION ECONOMIQUE POUR L'AFRIQUE
No.. 4602 15 February 1994
The General Assembly agpointed a
High commissioner
for Hnman RightsThe General Assembly this morning appointed Jose Ayala Lasso, of Ecuador, as High Commissioner for Human Rights, for a four-year term of office effective 28 February 1994. Accepting the appointment, Mr. Ayala Lasso said that, in his work, he would pay due attention to national and regional particularities and to cultural and religious traditions. He would forge contacts with United Nations Human Rights Bodies, to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach.
The Assembly created the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights on 20 December 1993. The Commissioner is charged with playing an active role in preventing human rights violations throughout the world and engaging in a dialogue with all governments to secure respect for human rights.
Mr. Ayala Lasso said that all human rights were universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Only those countries which promoted and protected human rights could ensure peace, progress and well-being for their people. Even in the best democracies, there were regrettable lapses. The proof that a nation was determined to follow the right path lay in its willingness to correct its own mistakes.
The appointment of High Commissioner was one of several actions taken this morning, all without a vote.
Acting on a recommendation of its fifth committee (Administrative and Budgetary), the Assembly authorized the Secretary-General to enter into commitments not exceeding DLRS30,040.900 to finance the expansion of the United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa (UNOMSA). The mission is being expanded to include monitoring of the elections to be held in South Africa on 27 April.
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The Assembly also requested that the Secretary-General submit a performance report on the mission to the Assembly, which wou~d be considered prior to making additional appropriations for UNOMSA.
The Representative of Greece spoke in explanation of position.
The expansion of UNOMSA was approved by the security Council by its Resolution 894 of 14 January. Pursuant to that action, The Assembly, on 21 January, encouraged member States to respond positively to the Secretary-General's request for election observers.
In other action, the Assembly requested that all states and international organizations provide additional support, on an urgent basis, to mitigate the economic and financial burden on the Malagasy people, following the recent cyclones and floods which struck Madagascar.
Expressing serious concern at the extensive damage and devastation in that country, the Assembly said such aid should address needs during the period of emergency and the SUbsequent process of recovery. It also requested that the Secretary-General and the United Nations system assist the Government in bringing its recovery efforts to a successful conclusion, acting in close collaboration with governmental authorities.
The text was sponsored by Botswana, as President of the African group, statements were made by the Representatives of Madagascar and France. The item was added to the Assembly's agenda on the recommendation of its general committee, which met on the matter this morning. OWing to its urgent character, the item was taken up for immediate consideration.
Also this morning, the Assembly appointed Sumihiro Kuyama of Japan to the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), for a term of office starting on 1 January 1995 and expiring on 31 December 1999.
Acting on a report of its general committee, the Assembly decided to include on its Agenda an item on observer status for the commonwealth of independent states (CIS) in the General Assembly.
The item will be considered directly in plenary meeting.
The Assembly also took note of a letter by the Secretary- General stating that Costa Rica and Paraguay had made the necessary payments to reduce their arrears below the amount which would have resulted in the loss of their voting rights in the Assembly.
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