Yearbook of the United Nations, 2000. Part 2, Human Rights. Chapter 2, Protection of human rights

Abstract

In 2000, the protection of human rights—civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural—continued to be a major focus of UN activities. IN May, the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,Xenophobia and Related Intolerance decided that the Conference would take place from 31 August to 7 September 2001 in South Africa. The General Assembly, in December,reaffirmed the proclamation of the year2001 as the International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which aimed at drawing attention to the objectives of the Conference. IN other action, the Assembly proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day. The General Conference of the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization proclaimed 23 August International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. As part of the twentieth anniversary observance of the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, plans were made to convene an international conference on primary and secondary school education relating to freedom of religion and belief. In November,the Preparatory Committee for the conference adopted the first version of the draft final document. The conference was to take place in Madrid,Spain, in November 2001. April and August resolutions of the Security Council condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians, other protected persons and children in situations of armed conflict. IN July, the Economic and Social Council established as a subsidiary organ a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Forum would discuss indigenous issues within the Council's mandate relating to economic and social development,culture, the environment, education and health, and human rights. Special rapporteurs, special representatives and independent experts of the Commission on Human Rights and its subsidiary body, the Sub-commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, examined, among other issues,allegations of torture; extralegal executions; impunity; mercenary activity; affirmative action; the rights of migrants; the independence of the judiciary; freedom of opinion and expression;freedom of religion or belief; human rights and terrorism; internally displaced persons; globalization and its impact on human rights; extreme poverty; illicit practices related to toxic and dangerous products and wastes; sexual violence during armed conflict; violence against women; the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;and the situation of children affected by armed conflict. Working groups considered arbitrary detention, enforced or involuntary disappearances, minorities, the right to development, structural adjustment policies, contemporary forms of slavery and a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.