A sub-committee of the U.N. Legal Committee has decided to return the problem of genocide–the mass-extermination of peoples for political, racial and cultural objectives–to the Economic and Social Council, away from legal entanglements,
This decision recommends that the Economic and Social Council proceed to prepare a draft for an international agreement to outlaw biological extermination on the basis of the draft already prepared by the Secretariat.
In effect it releases the entire procedure from the Committee on the Progressive Development of International Law and its drawn-out proceedure which would have in effect pigeon-holed any action for perhaps years to come. The Committee failed to act on the Secretariat’s draft after some lengthy discussions.
By the new decision the Council can proceed with its task on a political level–with legal help if it desires, but without it if necessary. However, the 57-nation Legal Committee must approve the recommendation of the sub-committee.
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