The General Assembly’s Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee today postponed for a year action on a proposal that the United Nations establish a new office, to be called the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who would oversee implementation of all human rights obligations among member states.
The committee voted 67-0, with 10 abstentions, to forward the proposal to the U. N. Commission on Human Rights, with a request that the Commission report on the suggestion at next year’s session of the General Assembly. However, a clause ordering the Commission to give “high priority” to the issue was deleted from the resolution.
The proposal for the naming of a High Commissioner for Human Rights was first made by Jacob Blaustein, honorary president of the American Jewish Committee and former member of the United States delegation to the Assembly. Later, it was endorsed publicly by Ambassador Arthur J. Goldberg, head of the U. S. delegation here.
Commenting on the vote, Mr. Blaustein said: “While the absence of any negative vote is reason for us to be very pleased, this should not be taken as an indication that the proposal will have smooth sailing in the future. Our main task lies ahead.”
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