340.1–AG/9–1451
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs ( Sandifer ) to Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt
My Dear Mrs. Roosevelt: Enclosed is a copy of the resolution on the draft International Covenant on Human Rights adopted by the Economic and Social Council in Geneva on August 29, 1951 together with an explanatory statement concerning the vote for Part C of the resolution and on the resolution as a whole.1
The fourth paragraph of Part A of the resolution was adopted 11 to 7. Part B was adopted by a vote of 15 to 3.
A review of the minutes of the meetings of the Economic and Social Council at which this resolution was discussed shows that only six of the eighteen members of the Economic and Social Council expressed the view that the economic, social and cultural provisions should be removed from the Covenant. These six countries were India, Belgium, Uruguay, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. The following countries expressed the view that these provisions should be retained in the Covenant: Mexico, France, Pakistan, Philippines, Chile, China, USSR, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Peru also tended toward this position. Sweden reserved its position, and Iran did not express its point of view on this question.
There was wide sentiment in the Council discussion that the Covenant should be returned to the Commission on Human Rights for its further consideration after its review by the General Assembly.
We are proceeding with the preparation of a position paper on the draft International Covenant on Human Rights for the next session of the General Assembly. When our work has advanced sufficiently on this paper, we would very much like to discuss it with you.
Sincerely yours,
- Not attached.↩