UN Bodies/General Assembly/Third Committee

General Assembly Adopts 48 Third Committee Resolutions, Proclaims International Day for People of African Descent, Covering Broad Themes of Human Rights

16 Dec

The General Assembly proclaimed 31 August as the International Day for People of African Descent today, seeking to promote greater recognition and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies, as it adopted 48 resolutions and one decision recommended by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).

Third Committee Sends 15 Drafts to General Assembly, Concludes Session amid Sparring over Arbitrary Executions, Self-Determination

19 Nov

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) concluded its work today, approving 15 draft resolutions on issues ranging from freedom of religion and combating intolerance, to missing persons and displaced populations in Africa.

Third Committee Sends 15 Drafts to General Assembly, Concludes Session amid Sparring over Arbitrary Executions, Self-Determination

19 Nov

Third Committee Approves 7 Drafts on Human Rights in Myanmar, Iran, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as Delegates Denounce ‘Intrusive’ Demands

18 Nov

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) sent seven draft resolutions to the General Assembly today, five of which were focused on country-specific situations and subject to heated debate.

Third Committee Approves 12 Drafts on Organ Donation, Rights to Privacy, Development, amid Sparring over Death Penalty Moratorium

17 Nov

In a full day of action, held in person, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved 12 draft resolutions, including 8 on human rights questions and 2 on crime prevention.

Third Committee Approves 11 Drafts, among Them 4 Covering Women’s Rights, Omnibus Text on High Commissioner for Refugees Report, as Myriad Amendments Fail to Pass

16 Nov

In a day of intense action, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved 11 draft resolutions, including 4 on the broad theme of the advancement of women, which touched on the special needs of women and girls living in conflict-affected areas, complex humanitarian emergencies and terrorism.

Third Committee Approves Six Drafts on Pandemic Response, Refugees and Persons with Disabilities, amid Contentious Debate around Consensus Language

13 Nov

In a half day of intense action, held in-person, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved six draft resolutions, including two on the advancement of women, which touched on the topical theme of the pandemic.

For World’s 80 Million Displaced, International Aid ‘Life-Saving’, Head of Refugee Agency Tells Third Committee, as COVID-19 Presents Biggest Crisis in Its History

3 Nov

International collaboration and a sustained, adequately funded response are needed to ensure the world’s 80 million displaced persons are protected from the COVID‑19 pandemic and its lingering socioeconomic aftermath, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates discussed tackling ever-proliferating humanitarian crises amid an unprecedented emergency.

Third Committee Delegates Decry Systemic Racism against People of African Descent, Minorities, as Dialogues with Experts Reveal Frustrated Demands for Justice

2 Nov

Politicians and public figures are fuelling racist hatred and violence against minorities, using xenophobic expressions to inflame prejudice, independent experts warned the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates engaged them in interactive dialogues, held virtually, on the broad themes of racism and self‑determination.

As COVID-19 Crisis Unfolded, Human Rights Council Moved Fast to Address Evolving Ground Conditions, its President Tells Third Committee amid Calls for Fairness

30 Oct

As the COVID‑19 crisis unfolded into a human rights emergency, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and its mandate holders quickly mobilized to carry out their work despite multiple challenges, its President told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as some delegates raised questions about bias and favouritism.