27 May 1983

Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1982/36 of 7 May 1982,

Bearing in mind Commission on Human Rights resolution 1983/32 of 8 March 1983,

Mindful of the role that the United Nations could play in the promotion, protection and restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world,

Conscious of the request of the Government of Equatorial Guinea for assistance in the restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country with a view to ensuring, in particular, the right of the population to participate in the management of public affairs in the country,

1. Takes note of the meetings held between the Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations and officials of the United Nations Development Programme;

2. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General and of the report submitted by two constitutional experts, Mr. Ruben Hernandez-Valle and Mr. Jorge Mario Laguardia, who were recruited by the Secretary-General, at the request of the Government of Equatorial Guinea, to assist the Equatorial Guinea National Commission to draft a constitution for that country;

3. Encourages the Government of Equatorial Guinea to continue to display the same spirit of co-operation in implementing the plan of action prepared by the Secretary-General at the request of the Government of Equatorial Guinea;

4. Requests the Secretary-General, in conjunction with the Government of Equatorial Guinea, to consider what further measures could be taken by the United Nations to assist that Government in the continued implementation of the plan of action and to report to the Commission on Human Rights at its fortieth session;

5. Requests the Commission on Human Rights, in the light of the Secretary-General's report, to reconsider this question at its fortieth session under the item entitled "Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent countries and territories".