Major Developments at the 1989 Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights

Abstract

On 10 March 1989 the United Nations Commission on Human Rights concluded its six week session in Geneva with a number of significant decisions as to country situations in which human rights violations have occurred, including the establishment of a Special Rapporteur on Romania. The Commission also continued monitoring disappearances, torture, executions, religious intolerance, and mercenaries; approved a draft Convention on the Rights of the Child after nine years of discussion; promptly transmitted to the General Assembly a draft Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights for the abolition of the death penalty; reaffirmed the right of conscientious objection to military service; renewed emphasis on the provision of advisory services to assist governments in protecting the rights of their citizens; and acted on a number of other matters.' The Commission session was marred, however, by the failure to take any action on human rights abuses in Iraq or even to discuss human rights in Africa (outside of Southern Africa). The Commission also refused to seek greater scrutiny of the human rights situation in Cuba, despite strenuous lobbying by the United States delegation.