GA/SHC/4310

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.

Among them was a draft approved by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions on preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. By its terms, the Assembly would urge States to take effective action to eliminate all such violence and to address structural and underlying causes and risk factors.

Its passage weathered unyielding attempts to pass seven draft amendments, proposed by the Russian Federation, and three proposed by the United States, to address wording concerns. Each of the measures failed in recorded votes.

The representative of the Netherlands, presenting the draft resolution, highlighted the dramatic increase in violence against women and girls during the COVID19 pandemic. The draft expresses an unambiguous condemnation of violence, and presents a global compromise, based on agreed language. We all had to compromise, he said, rejecting the proposed amendments as hostile. Echoing those concerns, the United Kingdoms representative rejected the amendments, several of which sought to weaken language on sexual and reproductive rights. South Africas delegate likewise said the proposed amendments contradict the principle of multilateralism. Terms, such as sexual and reproductive health, were agreed upon in the 1990s. Meanwhile, Egypts representative expressed support for amendment L.59, stressing that the concept of intimate partner violence remains unclear and lacks an internationally agreed definition.

In other action, the Committee approved its omnibus draft resolution on the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by a recorded vote of 174 in favour to none against, with 7 abstentions (Cameroon, Eritrea, Hungary, Iran, Libya, Poland, Syria). By its terms, the Assembly would urge States to uphold the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps and settlements. It would also call on those that have not yet contributed to burden- and responsibility-sharing to do so, with a view to broadening the support base.

Several delegates, including from the United Kingdom and Portugal, on behalf of a group of countries, expressed regret over the call for a vote on a purely humanitarian text. Norways representative, presenting the text on behalf of the Nordic countries, said it represents a technical rollover of the one approved in 2019. Due to COVID19, and following the Third Committee bureaus guidance, no substantial negotiations were held.

Syrias delegate, however, called for a vote, explaining that his delegation would abstain, as amendments to the drafts substance submitted by Syria and Iran were never entertained. Syria had suggested negotiating in New York on several occasions in hopes of reaching a balanced text. There was no response to our calls, he stressed.

More broadly, the Committee approved several drafts without a vote, among them a draft on literacy, by which the Assembly would urge Governments to cooperate in ensuring that sufficient funds are channelled through existing international financing mechanisms for education including during the COVID19 pandemic and that they also explicitly target and benefit youth and adult literacy.

Among other drafts approved by consensus was one on human rights and extreme poverty, by which the Assembly would call on Member States to design COVID19 recovery strategies and implement gender-responsive social protection and fiscal policies that promote gender equality.

Also approved today were draft resolutions on: trafficking in women and girls; child, early and forced marriage; the human rights treaty body system; the world drug problem; obstetric fistula; female genital mutilation; and protecting children from bullying.

The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 17 November, to continue its work.

Action

Launching the day, the Committee took up the draft resolution titled Trafficking in women and girls (document A/C.3/75/L.14).

The representative of the Philippines, presenting the draft resolution, said human trafficking robs women and girls of their dignity in the most heinous way, which is why the Philippines applies the full force of law against human traffickers. Her country added a new paragraph on the impact of COVID19 on human trafficking. Online sexual exploitation has significantly increased as a result of lockdowns and restrictions imposed by authorities. However, considering the many challenges of the online platform of the meetings, the Philippines decided to introduce only technical and minor updates to the resolution. She expressed regret over the amendment to operative paragraph 31, which reflects agreed and delicately crafted language. References to sexual and reproductive healthcare services do not necessarily include abortion, she stressed, calling for a victim-centred approach.

The representative of the United States presented amendment L.68, which would delete the words including sexual and reproductive healthcare services from operative paragraph 31.

The representative of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union, objected to the amendment, stressing that the reference to sexual and reproductive healthcare services is based on long-agreed language and that trafficking of women and girls has increased during the COVID19 pandemic. The European Union will vote against this amendment, he said, urging all States to do the same.

The representative of Argentina, on behalf of a cross-regional group of countries, expressed surprise over the proposed amendments, as they seek to modify agreed language that stems from the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. She called for universal access to healthcare services, expressing regret that delegations are forced to vote on this issue and urging Member States to vote against the amendment.

The Committee then rejected draft amendment L.68, by a recorded vote of 120 against to 9 in favour (Libya, Nauru, Palau, Qatar, Russian Federation, Sudan, Syria, Tonga, United States), with 28 abstentions.

The representative of Hungary, stressing the importance of protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators, disassociated from preambular paragraph 10, underscoring that the causes of migration should be addressed nationally.

The representative of the United States called for an effective implementation of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Traffickers have exploited COVID19 restrictions for profit, he said, highlighting the vulnerability of women and girls during the pandemic. He disassociated from operative paragraph 31 of the draft resolution as the United States cannot accept references to sexual and reproduction health and healthcare services or any similar language that would promote abortion or recognize the right to abortion. We do not recognize abortion as a method of family planning, he said, noting that there is no international right to abortion. Regarding references to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the International Criminal Court, he referred to the United States statement delivered on 13 November, stressing that the United States disassociates from preambular paragraph 10 and does not accept the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and objects to such references in the draft. He also opposed the term child prostitution and called for its substitution with the term child trafficking.

The Committee approved the draft resolution on Trafficking in women and girls. By its terms, the Assembly would urge States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

Among other terms, the Assembly would call on Governments to intensify their efforts to prevent and address, with a view to eliminating, the demand that fosters the trafficking of women and girls, and to put in place or to enhance preventive measures including legislative and punitive measures to deter exploiters of trafficked persons, as well as to ensure their accountability.

The representative of the Russian Federation said she was not convinced that the International Criminal Court represents the appropriate instrument for exercising justice, even if the crimes stipulated in the draft resolution could hypothetically fall under its jurisdiction. The Court must restore its own authority and refrain from a policy of double standards and politicized investigations, he stressed, rejecting the wording in preambular paragraph 16 about the Rome Statute and disassociating from consensus on this paragraph.

The representative of Qatar said her country views operative paragraph 31 from the perspective of national laws and in accordance with its traditions.

The representative of Iraq disassociated from preambular paragraph 16.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution titled Child, early and forced marriage (document A/C.3/75/L.18/Rev.1), which contained no programme budget implications.

The representative of Zambia, introducing the draft, said child, early and forced marriage constituted a grave abuse of human rights. Unfortunately, COVID19 has impeded progress towards eliminating this problem, he said, citing an extremely concerning finding in a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), suggesting that the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic would likely generate 13 million additional cases of forced marriage by 2030. We cant afford to see hard-won progress set back, he said. The draft proposed by Zambia and Canada has the support of a cross-regional group of countries, and is a strong, balanced text reached through extensive, transparent negotiations. It contains language concerning the impact of the pandemic on efforts to end harmful practices affecting children, particularly girls, as well as proposals to eliminate such behaviour. Negotiations took place in a collegial manner. Therefore, we are disappointed that some delegations decided to table amendments, which compromises the integrity of principles underlying negotiations, he said, urging that the draft be approved by consensus.

The representative of the Russian Federation, introducing amendments L.77 through L.83, said she is disappointed by the reluctance of those who drafted the text to consider her delegations numerous concerns, thereby forcing her to submit several amendments.

On amendment L.77, she said it proposes changes related to the COVID19 pandemic in preambular paragraph 26.

On amendment L.78, she said it replaces the words humanitarian situations with the words humanitarian emergencies in preambular paragraph 27 and removes the non-factual list of risks faced by girls because of the pandemic, including female genital mutilation and obstetric fistula.

On amendment L.79, she said it proposes changes to operative paragraph 22, aligning new unagreed passages with consensus language from the 2030 Agenda.

On amendment L.80, she said it proposes changes to operative paragraph 23, on measures to be taken against the pandemic, which aim to replace terminology in it with terms mentioned in previous agreements.

Turning to amendment L.81, she said it aims to clarify clear inconsistences in references to children and adolescents in operative paragraph 23(a), by deleting the words and adolescents. Adolescents are also children, she stressed.

Meanwhile, amendment L.82 seeks to delete a reference to marginalized people from operative paragraph 23(c), she said.

On amendment L.83, she said it aims to change vague references to humanitarian settings to humanitarian emergencies in operative paragraphs 21, 23(f) and 26.

These are far from the full list of amendments we would like to be made to the draft, she said. But due to the circumstances, we chose to focus on the most problematic passages in the new paragraphs introduced in the text.

The representative of the United States, introducing amendment L.84, said it proposes alternate language preferred by his country on sexual and reproductive health, contained in many parts of the text, including in operative paragraphs 18 and 23(a). The United States views on this are well known, he stressed.

The representative of Canada said he was confident in the quality of the negotiation process, since 114 co-sponsors had chosen to support it. He expressed deep regret over the many amendments proposed on language that has long enjoyed consensus. Through multiple bilateral consultations, Canada and Zambia made considerable efforts to accommodate other delegations concerns and made an extensive range of deletions to the text. Most proposed changes did not enjoy wide support, he said, adding that it is unfortunate that this same unfair pattern of negotiation by amendment has been witnessed in other drafts. It suggests that it is not the text under consideration that is the problem, he said. The changes proposed by the United States would be irresponsible to make, given that negative outcomes related to provisioning of reproductive and sexual healthcare services are the leading cause of death of girls aged between 15 and 19 worldwide. Therefore, Canada is voting against all proposed amendments, and calls on other States to do so.

The representative of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union, welcomed the fair, inclusive consultations by facilitators in which all delegations, including the United States and the Russian Federation, had participated. While no delegation is pleased with the outcome, pushing for changes is not fair to others who accepted compromises, and it undermines the principles of diplomacy, she said. She expressed concern over the numerous attempts made to weaken human rights language in the text, as well as its scope. In particular, she took issue with the proposed change to operative paragraph 23, which would replace the word victim with the word people, which would send a negative signal to all girls, who are subjected to harmful practices, she said, adding that she would oppose all amendments.

The representative of Costa Rica, speaking on behalf of a large crossregional group of countries, expressed regret about the approach of proposing multiple amendments, which goes against the Committees working methods as well as the principles of multilateralism. Language in the text pertaining to health-care services is long agreed upon and must be recognized as striking a balance to accommodate different views on the scope of healthcare needs. Moreover, terms such as sexual and reproductive healthcare services have been used since the 1990s and encompass a wide range of positions. Such attempts to undermine the normative framework underpinning the Committees work is deeply unfortunate. Costa Rica will vote against the amendments and she urged all delegates to vote against them as well.

The representative of the United Kingdom welcomed the new parts of the text, which outline the devastating impact of the pandemic, and said he supported national and international efforts to create inclusive societies for everyone, regardless of their marital status. He expressed deep disappointment with the Russian Federations proposed changes, which are highly disruptive and undermine work done to achieve consensus. He also expressed regret over the amendment proposed by the United States, which touches on consensus language used by the Committee and other United Nations bodies for many years. Any attempt to reduce access to healthcare services to girls, including family planning services, would be detrimental to their health, educational access and life choices, he said.

The representative of Argentina, aligning with the statement made by Costa Rica, said the draft provides alarming figures for child, early and forced marriage, which could have been avoided by 2030. She expressed regret about the last-minute amendments aimed at weakening consensus that was built years ago and are unjust to those who participated in negotiations in good faith. It also sets a bad precedent, she said, adding that she will vote against the amendments and encourages other States to do so. We cannot accept language that restricts the rights of women and girls, she stressed.

The Committee then took up the draft amendment L.77, which it proceeded to reject by a recorded vote of 109 against to 20 in favour, with 31 abstentions.

The Committee then turned to the draft amendment L.78, which proposed changes to preambular paragraph 27, rejecting it by a recorded vote of 111 against to 21 in favour, with 29 abstentions.

The Committee then took up draft amendment L.79, which proposed changes to operative paragraph 22, rejecting it by a recorded vote of 105 against to 26 in favour, with 30 abstentions.

The Committee then took up draft amendment L.80, which proposed to amend operative paragraph 23. It rejected the draft amendment by a recorded vote of 101 against to 29 in favour, with 34 abstentions.

The Committee then turned to draft amendment L.81, which it rejected by a recorded vote of 110 against to 19 in favour, with 31 abstentions.

The Committee then rejected draft amendment L.82, which proposed changes to operative paragraph 23(c), by a recorded vote of 108 against to 23 in favour, with 31 abstentions.

The Committee then rejected draft amendment L.83, which proposed changes to operative paragraphs 21, 23(f), and 26, by a recorded vote of 103 against to 24 in favour, with 37 abstentions.

The Committee then rejected draft amendment L.84, which proposed changes to preambular paragraph 23 and operative paragraphs 14, 17, 18, and 23(f), by a recorded vote of 121 against to 11 in favour, with 32 abstentions.

The Committee then approved draft resolution L.18/Rev.1, on Child, early and forced marriage, without a vote.

By its terms, the Assembly would urge Governments to respect the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, through the development and enforcement of policies and legal frameworks and the strengthening of health systems, including health information systems, that make universally accessible and available quality, gender-responsive, adolescent-friendly health services, and sexual and reproductive healthcare services.

By other terms, it would note with concern that child, early and forced marriage disproportionally affects girls who have received little or no formal education, and is itself a significant obstacle to educational opportunities and the development of employable skills for girls and young women in particular, girls who are forced to drop out of school owing to pregnancy, marriage, childbirth and/or childcare responsibilities.

The representative of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union in explanation of vote, said girls, especially those who are marginalized, are disproportionately affected by the secondary impact of the pandemic. Their exposure to harmful practices is of serious concern. In the context of the pandemic, girls face a double jeopardy, which sets back hard-won progress in achieving gender equality. She welcomed the action-oriented sections of the text, and its strong human rights focus, as well as its inclusion of proposed additions, which pertain to menstrual hygiene and domestic violence.

The representative of the Russian Federation said her country did not break consensus and is committed to its obligations to eliminate child marriage. However, this important subject is getting contentious due to a group of countries that stuff it with their politicized approaches, she stressed, adding that her main concerns were ignored by the authors of the draft. She expressed regret that mutually respectful dialogue was not possible, adding that she is therefore forced to disassociate from preambular paragraphs 26 and 27, as well as operative paragraphs 21, 22, 26, and 23, including sections (a) to (g). The Russian Federation is not bound by the provisions it disassociates from and does not see them as agreed-upon language in future negotiations.

The representative of the United States said he disassociates from preambular paragraph 23, as well as operative paragraphs 14, 17, 18, and 23(f), because of its concerns about phrasing related to reproductive healthcare services. The United States fully supports voluntary choice but does not recognize abortion as a method of family planning, he said.

The representative of Guatemala said child marriage is a harmful violation of human rights, and noted that her country has reproductive policies, but does not guarantee reproductive rights, nor the right to abortion, which contravenes the legislation of Guatemala.

The representative of Qatar, likewise, said any mention of sexual and reproductive healthcare services in the text must be understood to adhere to the countrys tradition and values.

Meanwhile, the representative of Egypt said she wished to co-sponsor the draft resolution, but that any mention of sexual and reproductive healthcare services must be understood to adhere to the countrys traditions and values.

The representative of Iraq joined consensus on the draft, in compliance with its national laws and resolutions.

An observer for the Holy See expressed disappointment about the inordinate focus on issues that polarize debate and stated his reservation with two concepts used in the draft: References to sexual and reproductive healthcare services must not be understood to include access to abortion, and references to gender must be understood to apply to biological difference.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution titled Human rights treaty body system (A/C.3/75/L.39), which was introduced by the representative of Iceland, on behalf of Belgium and Slovenia. The text is similar to that adopted two years ago as Assembly resolution 73/162 and contains three notable changes.

The Committee then approved draft resolution L.39 without a vote.

By its terms, the Assembly would recognize the valuable role of each of the human rights treaty bodies in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It would reaffirm the paramount importance of the equality of the six official languages of the United Nations for the effective functioning of the human rights treaty bodies. The Assembly would reiterate its request that the SecretaryGeneral submit to the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session a report on the status of the human rights treaty body system.

The representative of Japan said his country attaches great importance to strengthening the human rights treaty system while avoiding unnecessary duplication. It is important to optimize existing resources, which should be provided to the treaty bodies according to resolution 668/268, he said, calling on Member States to actively strengthen the treaty body system.

The Committee then turned to the draft resolution International cooperation to address and counter the world drug problem (document A/C.3/75/L.10/Rev.1).

The representative of Mexico, introducing the omnibus draft, said the issues addressed by the text affect all countries, and that the current version presents technical updates reflecting developments within the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Mexico would like to strengthen links between specialized bodies in Vienna and discussion within United Nations Headquarters. The pandemic can generate new trends and dynamics in the global drug problem, he warned the Committee, adding that the draft calls for all States to promote a substantive exchange of information related to best practices to counter the global drug problem.

The Committee then adopted L.10/Rev.1 without a vote.

By its terms, the Assembly would reiterate its call on Member States to attain the goals and targets set out in the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, adopted at its sixty-fourth session. Further, it would call on Member States to engage in cooperation aimed at countering the world drug problem on the principle of common and shared responsibility, urging them to ensure non-discriminatory access to health care and social services in prevention, primary care and treatment programmes.

The representative of the United States, delivering an explanation of vote, disassociated from operative paragraph 81, stressing that Washington, D.C., submitted a notice of withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). He further disassociated from operative paragraph 109 because the text ignores consensus in Vienna and undermines the treaty-mandated obligations of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution titled Literacy for life: shaping future agendas (document A/C.3/75/L.12/Rev.1), which contained no programme budget implications.

The representative of Mongolia, introducing the draft resolution, described literacy as a building block for achieving human rights. It is crucial to promote literacy as an integral part of the right to education, she said, noting that new elements of the draft reflect the progress made in literacy. However, the outbreak of COVID19 has forced schools to close in more than 190 countries, affecting 90 per cent of the worlds students. Many non-literate people have been the hardest hit by the economic, social and educational impact of the pandemic, she added.

The Committee then approved draft resolution L.12/Rev.1 without a vote.

By its terms, the Assembly would urge international development partners and Governments to cooperate in ensuring that sufficient and sustainable funds are mobilized by and channelled through existing international financing mechanisms for education including during the COVID19 pandemic and that they also explicitly target and benefit youth and adult literacy. It also would call on States to implement the 2030 Agenda, including all literacy-related Sustainable Development Goals and targets.

The representative of the United States underscored that the 2030 Agenda is non-binding and does not create rights or obligations under international law, nor does it create any new financial commitments. The United States recognizes the 2030 Agenda as a global framework for sustainable development that can help countries to work towards global peace and prosperity. He welcomed the call for shared responsibility, including national responsibility in the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing that all countries have a role to play in achieving its vision.

Next, the Committee took up the draft Intensification of efforts to end obstetric fistula (document A/C.3/75/L.17).

The representative of Senegal, speaking on behalf of the African Group, introduced the draft noting that SecretaryGenerals reports on the rights of women are a clear representation of the urgent need for action. Citing the health consequences of obstetric fistula, he said the condition mainly affects women in underdeveloped communities. He underscored that the draft has always been adopted by consensus and noted that the current version presents technical updates. As such, he regretted the late submission of amendments and called on Member States to vote against the proposed changes.

The representative of the United States introduced amendments L.73 and L.86, stating that they would replace language on sexual and reproductive health and remove references to UNFPA and WHO. He said the amendments were tabled within the deadline, and the claim that they were last-minute submissions was inaccurate.

The representative of Denmark, speaking on behalf of a group of countries, voiced regret that the amendments would modify agreed-upon language on the scope of womens health needs. Acknowledging that sexual and reproductive health could be controversial issues, she noted that through the 2030 Agenda, States committed themselves to advancing reproductive health rights.

The representative of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said it goes against the practice of the Committee to present an amendment to a rollover draft. She called for a redoubling of efforts to enhance sexual and reproductive rights, especially as resources for such initiatives have been diverted to address the COVID19 pandemic.

The representative of Senegal said the African Group decided to submit a technical update on the draft that was duly communicated to Member States. He expressed regret that one delegation presented multiple amendments and that those proposed changes had not been presented earlier in the process.

The Committee then decided by a recorded vote of 141 against to 6 in favour (Belarus, Nauru, Qatar, Russian Federation, Tonga, United States), with 18 abstentions, to reject amendment L.73.

By a recorded vote of 153 against to 1 in favour (United States), with 11 abstentions, the Committee also rejected amendment L.86.

The Committee then approved draft resolution L.17 as a whole without a vote. Through its terms, the Assembly would stress the need to address as causes of obstetric fistula the links between poverty, lack of or inadequate education, gender inequality, lack of or inadequate access to healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare services, early childbearing and child, early and forced marriage. The Assembly would also request the Campaign to End Fistula to develop a road map for accelerating action to end obstetric fistula within a decade, towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.

The representative of Guatemala, delivering an explanation of vote after action on L.17, said she joined consensus on the draft because it underscores the link between poverty and inadequate access to health services for women. She expressed reservations related to operative paragraph 3, as issues of reproductive rights could be misinterpreted.

The representative of the United States said untreated fistula can have devastating effects on women and that his country funds related projects that have helped thousands of women. He expressed regret that the two amendments were rejected, and disassociated from preambular paragraph 9 and operative paragraphs 2 and 3. There is no international right to abortion, he said, adding that the draft must not single out specific organizations, and rather, refer to broader relevant partners.

The representative of Sudan said that, despite her delegations sponsorship of the draft, she believes that States have the sovereign right to implement policies consistent with their national legislation.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution titled Human rights and extreme poverty (document A/C.3/75/L.43/Rev.1), which contained no programme budget implications.

The Committee approved draft resolution L.43/Rev.1 without a vote.

By the text, the Assembly would emphasize that extreme poverty is a major issue to be addressed by Governments, the United Nations, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and community-based social organizations. It would reaffirm that political commitment is a prerequisite for the eradication of poverty. Further, it would call on Member States to design recovery strategies based on risk-informed, sustainable financing policies, supported by integrated national financing frameworks in accordance with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development. It would also call on States to implement gender-responsive social protection policies, as well as fiscal policies that promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

The representative of the United States welcomed references to persons with disabilities, calling for a more inclusive approach to development. This is particularly important as persons with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes, which impact their access to health care, education and employment. He further welcomed the integration of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in preambular paragraph 22 and operative paragraph 4. Opposing the assertion in preambular paragraph 22 that extreme poverty may amount to a threat to the right to life, he cited article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life by State actors.

The representative of Somalia raised a point of clarification. Recalling the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, he clarified that Somalia is not a signatory to a statement on the human rights situation in Belarus. In New York and Geneva, and as a Human Rights Council member and country that advances human rights, Somalia disassociates from that statement.

The Committee then took up the draft resolution titled, Intensification of efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (document A/C.3/75/L.19/Rev.1), which the Chair noted had no programme budget implications.

The representative of the Netherlands, presenting the draft, highlighted the dramatic increase in violence against women and girls during the COVID19 pandemic. The draft expresses an unambiguous condemnation of violence, proposing measures to strengthen collective action. It presents a global compromise, based on agreed language, including on the socalled sensitive issues. We all had to compromise, he said, noting that the text represents delicate balance and inviting all Member States to reject the hostile amendments presented.

The representative of the Russian Federation, introducing amendments L.59 through L.65, turned first to L.59, which concerns preambular paragraph 16 and the phrasing including intimate partner violence that was not discussed during negotiations. Amendment L.60 seeks to address inconsistencies in the wording of preambular paragraph 28 related to paid work for girls. Amendment L.61 concerns operative paragraph 6 (b) and proposes that after the word girls, to add the words with appropriate direction and guidance from parents or legal guardians. Amendment L.62 opposes the term femicide which is not widespread. On the basis of previously agreed language, the Russian Federation proposes to replace the words including femicide with the words also known as femicide in certain regions of the world. Amendment L.63 proposes to delete operative paragraph 11. Amendment L.64 opposes the language of operative paragraph 13. The focus of amendment L.65 is on operative paragraph 17, he said, suggesting to replace the words taking into account their diverse situations and conditions with the phrase while respecting their diverse situations and conditions. The amendments balance and improve the document, she said, calling on States to support them.

The representative of the United States presented amendments L.69 through L.71, explaining that L.69 concerns the final preambular paragraph and proposes to replace the words essential health services with the words responsive interventions to meet their health needs. Amendment L.70 proposed to delete operative paragraph 15. Amendment L.71 focuses on operative paragraph 6 (i), proposing to replace the words comprehensive education that is relevant to cultural contexts with the culturally sensitive, healthfocused sex education and after the words reproductive health add in accordance with national legislation and programmes.

The representative of the United Kingdom welcomed the draft resolutions focus on genderbased violence during the pandemic. She expressed deep disappointment to see multiple amendments seeking to weaken language on sexual and reproductive rights. Opposing the efforts to modify previously agreed language, she rejected the amendments and encouraged all other States to do the same.

The representative of South Africa, also speaking for several other countries, said the proposed amendments contradict the principle of multilateralism and longstanding agreed language. Terminology, such as sexual and reproductive health, was agreed upon in the mid1990s. She expressed regret that Member States have been forced to vote and urged delegations to reject the amendments.

The representative of Egypt, commenting on amendment L.59, said the concept of intimate partner violence remains unclear and not internationally agreed upon. Many countries disassociated from this paragraph during the adoption of the resolution during the Assemblys seventyfirst session, she recalled, expressing surprise to see the concept return during the current session. Egypt will vote in favour of the amendment. On amendment L.62, Egypt does not support the change in agreed language, and thus, will vote in favour of the presented amendment. On L.70, she said Egypt has consistently disassociated from operative paragraph 15 and will vote in favour of the amendment.

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