Human rights treaty body system

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEMS 125 AND 134, STRENGTHENING AND ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY BODY SYSTEM, PROGRAMME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/68/L.37, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE RESUMED SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 26 March 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda items 125 and 134, Strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system, programme budget implications of draft resolution A/68/L.37.

2. The Group would like to thank Assistant Secretary General, Controller Maria Eugenia Cesar, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General A/68/779, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Group also wishes to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for his introduction of the report of the Advisory Committee.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China deeply regrets the late issuance of reports, a problem that has been a chronically affecting this Committee and hinders its ability to effectively undertake and complete its work. We reiterate that the timely submission of reports from the Secretariat and the ACABQ in all official languages, according to the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, are critical for the Committee's work.

4. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the human rights pillar of the Organization. Strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system has become critical due to the increasing workload of the system. We believe that the United Nations has an important role to play in supporting State parties in building the capacity to implement their treaty obligations, in consultation with and with the consent of the State concerned.

5. The Group notes the additional requirements in the amount of $194.300 under the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015 and fully supports the provision of the resources requested by the Secretary-General should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/68/L.37.

Mr. Chairman,

6. The Group of G77 and China call for all mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations to be provided with adequate resources from the regular budget for their implementation.

Mr. Chairman,

7. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage constructively on the negotiations on this very important agenda item.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.