Forty-ninth session

4 August 1997

The Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities has to continue efforts to reform its methods of work and adjust its focus in response to a complex and changing world following the end of the cold war, its newly-elected Chairman said in the morning.

In remarks made as the main subsidiary organ of the Commission on Human Rights opened its forty-ninth session, the incoming Chairman, Jose Bengoa of Chile, said in the past the Subcommission had shown an ability to face new challenges and new issues in the human-rights field. It must do so again, and it must look beyond the United Nations human-rights system in its work.

In addition to Mr. Bengoa, the Subcommission elected as ViceChairmen Sang Yong Park, expert from the Republic of Korea; Halima Embarek Warzazi, expert of Morocco, and Ioan Maxim, expert from Romania. Marc Bossuyt, expert from Belgium, was appointed Rapporteur.

The meeting also was addressed by Ralph Zacklin, Officer-in Charge of the High Commissioner/Centre for Human Rights, who said the Subcommission played an important and unique role as a "think-tank" for the United Nations human rights programme. He went on to review thoroughgoing reforms being carried out at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

And Asbjorn Eide, outgoing Chairman, told the meeting of actions of the Commission on Human Rights related to the Subcommission's activities, suggesting that at this session the Subcommission should develop a plan for its future study programme, as it was in the unique situation of having nearly all its current studies completed.

In the afternoon the Subcommission discussed its provisional agenda, hearing proposed additions and deletions from its expert members.

The present provisional substantive agenda items are: question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms; comprehensive examination of thematic issues related to the elimination of racial discrimination; realization of economic, social and cultural rights; implementation of the human rights of women; contemporary forms of slavery; human rights of indigenous peoples; protection of minorities; administration of justice and the human rights of detainees; freedom of movement; review of further developments in field with which the Subcommission has been or may be concerned; communications concerning human rights, and concluding items.