Economic and Social Council

Distr. GENERAL

E/CN.4/1997/2
E/CN.4/Sub.2/1996/41
25 November 1996

Original: ENGLISH/FRENCH/SPANISH

REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMISSION ON PREVENTION OF DISCRIMINATION
AND PROTECTION OF MINORITIES ON ITS FORTY-EIGHT SESSION

Geneva, 5-30 August 1996

Rapporteur: Ms. Lucy Gwanmesìa

GE.96-14294 (K)

4. Considers that the data for the next Review Conference, scheduled
for 2001, to be too far away in view of the existing situation with respect to
this matter, which requires an urgent solution;

5. Reiterates its request to Governments and the international
community to pursue a policy of information, prevention, rehabilitation and
reintegration for the victims of anti-personnel land-mines, particularly
children, and to take the economic and social measures considered necessary
for that purpose;

6. Again encourages Governments, organizations and individuals that
can do so to respond favourably to the request for voluntary contributions to
the United Nations mine-clearance programme, if possible on a regular basis;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to all Governments the
Sub-Commission's appeal for voluntary contributions to the mine-clearance
programme and to the Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Clearance
established in November 1994;

8. Decides to consider this question at its forty-ninth session under
the same agenda item in order to ensure the necessary follow up within the
framework of the full enjoyment of human rights and the strengthening of
international humanitarian law.

27th meeting
23 August 1993
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]

The Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of
Minorities,

Guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human
Rights and the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional
Protocols thereto,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 42/99 of 7 December 1987
and 43/111 of 8 December 1988 reaffirming that all people have an inherent
right to life,

Concerned at the alleged use of weapons of mass or indiscriminate
destruction both against members of the armed forces and against civilian
populations, resulting in death, misery and disability,

Concerned at the alleged use of weapons of mass or indiscriminate
destruction both against members of the armed forces and against civilian
populations, resulting in death, misery and disability,

Concerned also at repeated reports on the long term consequences of the
use of such weapons upon human life and health and upon the environment,

Convinced that the production, sale and use of such weapons are
incompatible with international human rights and humanitarian law,

Believing that continued efforts must be undertaken to sensitize public
opinion to the inhuman and indiscriminate effects of such weapons and to the
need for their complete elimination,

Convinced that the production, sale and use of such weapons are
incompatible with the promotion and maintenance of international peace and
security,

1. Urged all States to be guided to be guided in their national policies by the
need to curb the production and the spread of weapons of mass destruction or
with indiscriminate effect, in particular nuclear weapons, chemical weapons,
fuel-air bombs, napalm, cluster bombs, biological weaponry and weaponry
containing depleted uranium;

2. Request the Secretary-General:

(a) To collect information from Governments, the competent
United Nations bodies and agencies and non-governmental organizations on the
use of  nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, fuel-air bombo, napalm, cluster
bombs, biological weaponry and weaponry containing depleted uranium, on their
consequential and cumulative effects, and on the danger they represent to
life, physical security and other human rights,

(b) To submit a report on the information gathered to the
Sub-Commission at its forty-ninth session, together with any recommendations
and view which he may have received on effective ways and means of
eliminating such weapons,

3. Decides to give further consideration to this matter at its
forty-ninth ocasion, on the basis of any additional information which may be
contained in reports of the Secretary-General to the Sub-Commission or to
other United Nations bodies, or which may be submitted to the Sub-Commission
by Governments or non-governmental organizations.

31th meeting
29 August 1996
[Adopted by 15 votes to 1, with 9 abstentions. See chap. XIV.]