The General Assembly,
Recalling article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which states that no one shall be subjected to torture
or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,
Recalling also the Declaration on the Protection of All
Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
Reaffirming the importance of the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
Welcoming the recommendation in the Vienna Declaration
and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human
Rights on 25 June 1993, that providing necessary resources for
assistance to victims of torture should be given high priority,
inter alia, by additional contributions to the United Nations
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture,
Recalling its resolution 36/151 of 16 December 1981, in
which it noted with deep concern that acts of torture took place
in various countries, recognized the need to provide assistance
to the victims of torture in a purely humanitarian spirit and
established the Fund,
Alarmed at the widespread occurrence of torture and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,
Convinced that the struggle to eliminate torture includes
the provision of assistance in a humanitarian spirit to the victims
and members of their families,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General,
Noting the steps taken by the Secretary-General, through
the staff of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat, to
assist the Board of Trustees of the Fund in its efforts to increase
public awareness of the Fund and its humanitarian work,
Recalling the statement by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund on the need to receive contributions from Governments on
a regular basis, which, inter alia, would prevent the interruption
of programmes in the continuation of which the Fund plays an instrumental
role,
Taking account of the fund-raising campaign launched on
the recommendation of the Board of Trustees of the Fund at its
eleventh session, held from 22 April to 1 May 1992, to enhance
the capacity of the Fund to respond more favourably to the increasing
number of requests for assistance to victims of torture,
Taking account also of the increasing number of projects
and the repeated requests by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
to have adequate staff for the operations of the Fund,
Noting with satisfaction the establishment of an international
network of centres for the rehabilitation of torture victims,
which plays an important role in providing assistance to victims
of torture, and the collaboration of the Fund with the centres,
1. Expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Governments,
organizations and individuals that have already contributed to
the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture;
2. Appeals to all Governments, organizations and individuals in
a position to do so to respond favourably to requests for contributions
to the Fund, if possible on a regular basis and annually before
the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and if possible
also with a substantial increase in the number and level of contributions
so that consideration may be given to the ever-increasing demand
for assistance;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to all Governments
the appeals of the General Assembly for contributions to the Fund;
4. Expresses its appreciation to the Governments that pledged
contributions to the Fund at the 1994 United Nations Pledging
Conference for Development Activities;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to include the Fund
on an annual basis among the programmes for which funds are pledged
at the United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Activities;
6. Expresses its appreciation to the Board of Trustees of the
Fund for the work it has accomplished;
7. Renews its request to the Secretary-General to make use of
all existing possibilities, including the preparation, production
and dissemination of information materials, to assist the Board
of Trustees of the Fund in its efforts to make the Fund and its
humanitarian work better known and in its appeal for contributions;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure, within the overall
budgetary framework of the United Nations, the provision of an
adequate and stable level of staffing and technical equipment
to ensure the efficient operation and management of the Fund;
9. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the General
Assembly at its fiftieth session on the operations of the United
Nations Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture. .