31 May 1991

13th plenary meeting

Developments relating to the activities of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 45/180 of 21 December 1990, Commission on Human Rights resolution 1991/23 of 5 March 1991 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/47 of 25 May 1990,

Recalling also section V of General Assembly resolution 45/248 B of 21 December 1990 concerning interim measures for additional human resources for the Centre for Human Rights,

Recognizing the important role of the Centre for Human Rights in the promotion, protection and implementation of human rights and the need to provide sufficient human resources to the Centre, particularly in view of the fact that its workload has greatly increased while resources have failed to keep pace with the expansion of its responsibilities,

1. Notes with regret that the report requested in paragraph 3 of the Commission on Human Rights resolution 1991/23 has not been submitted to the Council;

2. Notes that the workload of the Centre for Human Rights has further increased owing to the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights;

3. Expresses its concern that unless appropriate financial measures are taken, the reduced efficiency of the servicing of human rights bodies by the Secretariat could be further impaired;

4. Calls upon the General Assembly to take into account the discrepancy between the Centre's resources and its increased responsibilities and, in accordance with established procedures, to take appropriate and prompt action to rectify the problem;

5. Requests the Secretary-General, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 45/180 and Commission on Human Rights resolution 1991/23, to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session a progress report on developments relating to the activities of the Centre for Human Rights.