YouSaid · the spoken record

Volio Jimenez

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS VOLIO JIMENEZ

lines on the record: 82
first: 1982-09-24
most recent: 1983-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“the attention of the industrialized democratic countries to the need to increase co-operation with the democratic countries of the region, with bold and effective initiatives which will contribute to the efforts to ensure recovery and economic and social development which are being made by the countries of the region concerned". In addition to those that I have mentioned, there are, of course, many other reasons why the general picture of present international relations so gloomy. The situation in the Middle East requires that we dedicate ourselves, free from the heavy burden of prejudices, obstacles and past events, to the search for peace for that tormented region.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“We should like to stress that the adoption of a programme such as the one just mentioned should not be seen as a substitute for greater efforts leading to the creation of a new economic order. We believe, however, that these measures are in keeping with the spirit of the new order, that they would help to establish a climate more conducive to the success of initiatives concerning the structural change that we desire and that they would create necessary conditions-although perhaps not all the conditions-for the peace and security which our peoples deserve. In this respect, the meeting of Foreign Ministers held at San Jose on 4 October drew "...”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“For this reason it is necessary that we start work on an emergency programme encompassing, infer a//a, the following actions: first, initiatives to increase the flow of trade by means of eliminating barriers to the exports of the developing countries and by means of greater South-South exchange; secondly, the creation of compensatory funds to reduce the impact of the deterioration in the terms of trade; thirdly, better promotion of joint investment by the industrialized and developing countries in the latter; fourthly, the increase, on a generous and disinterested basis, of the flow of resources towards multilateral financing bodies and technological co-operation to improve the liquidity of the developing countries; and, fifthly, the promotion of greater understanding and tolerance in those bodies as regards the implementation of economic measures in such a way as to ensure a better balance between the objectives of reactivation and of stabilization.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Recognizing the structural problems which characterize international economic relations and emphasizing that a global discussion of these problems is necessary, we share the opinion of those that say it is urgent that short-term action be taken to prevent the complete collapse of the weaker economies.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The stagnation of our economies, the galloping inflation which characterizes most of our economies, the deterioration in the terms of trade and the serious disequilibrium in the balance of payments which accompanies it disrupt social peace and make it more difficult to find democratic political solutions to the serious problems besetting many countries. Our region has seen its external debt doubled in only three years, and today it exceeds $240 billion. This is the result of an attempt to replace a lack of dynamism in exports, brought about to some extent by the weak demand of the developed countries, by an influx of capital, with increasingly higher interest rates. In the circumstances, it is disappointing that today there is not the necessary political consensus to ensure a take-off in global negotiations.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“With greater eloquence than mine, representatives have referred to the catastrophic developments in the world economy, which have had a devastating effect on the development and political stability of the vast majority of States Members of the United Nations. Today I should like to add my voice to the powerful voices that have spoken out in alarm and protest against this state of affairs. In particular I should like to highlight the situation in Latin America. The year 1981 was one of the worst of the post-war period from the economic standpoint. All the indices suggest that there will be a greater deterioration in the immediate future.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Moreover, the changes that are needed to bring about the enjoyment of economic and social rights require more time and more financial and technological resources, as well as a degree of national and international consensus that is much greater and more solid in nature. For that reason, the United Nations must concern itself with showing Member States that here, too, there are real causes of discontent that affect world peace in a direct way and with devastating force. Governments would thus be' come more interested in the social reforms that are required. The Government of Costa Rica is also concerned about other problems that tend to work against peace.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“But if economic, social and cultural rights, enshrined in the International Covenant, are to be enjoyed, there must be transformations in the structures of States, which is much more difficult to achieve than changes needed to bring about the enjoyment of this other set of rights. Such structures are the heirs to odious privileges of the few, which have been prejudicial to the rights of the many dispossessed. They also represent cruel forms of repression, perhaps more ruthless and inhumane than those generated by lack of respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of men and citizens, because they intensify the pain and despair of the weakest.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“My Government also supports the efforts of all countries which advocate abolition of the death penalty and particularly the efforts by the delegations of the Federal Republic of Germany and Sweden. As I have already stressed, economic, social and cultural rights are no less important and deserve our full attention. The comparison between those rights and civil and political rights-a comparison that was valid in an earlier time for the purpose of stressing the former, is outmoded. It is today generally recognized that the enjoyment of social justice in liberty is indispensable.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“In order to shed new light on the subject of capital punishment and to link it, as it must be linked, to the struggle for the protection of fundamental human rights, the Government of Costa Rica has convened a world congress to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in Costa Rica. My Government and the people of Costa Rica hope that many will participate in the conference. We wish to create a climate which would lead to the abolition of such a drastic punishment, which is so prone to error and arbitrary use. Costa Rica would be greatly honored if the Secretary- General would be present at the opening of that congress in December this year.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“It is also true in countries where the main working milieu continues to be agriculture or other similar occupations." Thirdly, work, at the same time as it promotes a hierarchy of duties, is: "... a source of rights on the part of the worker. These rights must be examined in the broad context of human rights as a whole, which are connatural with man." His Holiness also defends the right to association for the defense of the vital interests of "those employed in the various professions". The right to life, furthermore, has aroused and continues to arouse considerable polemics in all countries, in regard to the question of the death penalty. The United Nations has not remained on the sidelines of that important discussion, as is shown by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“as subject and maker, and, for this very reason, as the true purpose of the whole process of production." Secondly, the strengthening of worker solidarity, not only because there are many different kinds of work and because there are still many injustices which derive from the liberal socio-political system, but also because: "On the world level, the development of civilization and of communications has made possible a more complete diagnosis of the living and working conditions of man globally, but it has also revealed other forms of injustice, much more extensive than those which in the last century stimulated unity between workers for particular solidarity in the working world. This is true in countries which have completed a certain process of industrial revolution.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Equally enlightening are some other thoughts which I shall now sum up. First, rejection of "materialistic and economistic thought", which equates work with goods and is the source of unheard of, inhumane exploitation, even today, when the concept of capitalism at any cost has been tempered. Hence, a different approach must be adopted-one which comprehends the working man: "... in accordance with the true dignity of his work-that is to say,...”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“And if the solution-or rather, the gradual solution-of the social question, which keeps coming up and becomes ever more complex, must be sought in the direction of 'making life more human', then the key, namely human work, acquires fundamental and decisive importance." Furthermore, another cardinal principle enunciated by John Paul II should also be stressed here-the ethical value of work "which clearly and directly remains linked to the fact that the one who carries it out is a person, a conscious and free subject, that is to say, a subject who decides about himself." And here the Pope of the workers pauses to emphasize the subjective dimension of work, rising from its dignity: "... the basis for determining the value of human work is not primarily the kind of work being done, but the fact that the one who is doing it is a person." 114.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“We should bear in mind the basic thinking of His Holiness, or at least this essential part: in particular, makes possible pluralist participation in the choice "Commitment to justice must be closely linked with commitment to peace in the modem world." This is linked to the role of work and the worker in the quest for peace: "... human work is a key, probably the essential key, to the whole social question, if we try to see that question really from the point of view of man's good.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“My Government suggests that the United Nations arrange a seminar with high-level participation to consider in depth the admirable encyclical of His Holiness Pope John Paul II as a contribution to peace. The encyclical will arouse the awareness of the peoples and may ensure that Governments reach appropriate decisions which will mitigate the tension that leads to social injustice and endangers peace. In the hope that this idea of a seminar will be accepted by the United Nations, the Government of Costa Rica takes this opportunity of offering its capital as the headquarters.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Therefore, in order to replace bullets by votes, it was decided, at the meeting of Foreign Ministers on 4 October in San Jose, Costa Rica, to create a body to promote and advise on the subject of democratic elections, the purpose of which would be to ensure an electoral system throughout the continent, promote and foster this process in the Americas and provide advice on the practice of the system to countries requesting it. The recent tragic events relating to the courageous trade union, Solidarity, in Poland have aroused world public opinion regarding the subject of the right to work. Costa Rica believes that the United Nations should promote days of study on work and other rights related to it, such as the freedom to create trade unions independent of Governments.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“When it is a question of peoples exercising their right to rebellion, it is often a last resort in defending their fundamental freedoms. On the other hand, when the right to vote is a possibility and when there are other ways of ensuring the smooth functioning of democracy, guerrilla warfare appears to be a totalitarian weapon which disrupts society in a profound and often irreparable manner. It is thus an ally of anarchy which destroys any effort to bring about the common good.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Among some totalitarian forces there is a tendency to exalt terrorism as a means of social struggle. But fortunately, mankind has reacted vigorously against any justification of this kind of political and social action. Mankind supports instead a democratic struggle for the dignity of all human beings and particularly those that have been excluded from the productive mainstream of society. We must take advantage of this healthy universal reaction to perfect national and international juridical means of dealing with this very serious threat to peace. The latter, guerrilla warfare, which also has a long history, has become a very important factor nowadays. There is sometimes a great deal of ambivalence about guerrilla warfare.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“It makes it possible for the people of the world to be the true forgers of their destiny instead of this being done by minority cliques and those that have seized power and the representation of the majorities on the pretext of the alleged inability of those that know what is best for the development of the personality of the nation and how to contribute intelligently to the common well- being. The right to vote for government. By means of the vote the right to self-determination, embodied by the United Nations in a number of most important documents, is exercised. For this purpose nothing can replace free periodical and fair elections. The use of violence, such as terrorism and guerrilla warfare, can certainly not replace the right to vote. The former is a blot on modem society, although it has a long history.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Of course all human rights are important. Without them international peace is an illusion. At the moment, however, I want to refer to the right to vote, the right to work and the right to life. And I want to make a general comment on economic and social rights, which also play a major role in the important task of creating a community of nations more free from tension and combating the present erosion of efforts in support of peace. The right to vote ensures the right to political participation in all areas at all levels.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“I mention this because it makes it quite clear that the Commission can find new courses of action to carry out its important task and because this sheds new light on Costa Rica's initiative as regards the creation of the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Experience has shown that when United Nations procedures are particularly flexible and diverse in carrying out its essential mandate to promote and protect human rights those rights can be better protected and more people understand what the Organization is for and what it is all about. People also then feel encouraged and cope more vigorously and perseveringly with adversity, anguish, humiliation and the kind of pain that they experience on a daily basis as they strive to ensure that those that govern them respect their dignity.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The Government of Costa Rica applauds the decision to convert the Division on Human Rights into a Centre and we think that this is a decision that reflects a desire better to protect and defend all freedoms by perfecting existing instruments and designing new ones on the basis of experience. For example, before assuming my present post I had the honor of being appointed by the Commission on Human Rights and by the Secretary-General to act on two recent occasions in an African country as rapporteur and as an expert, respectively, while collaborating with the Government in the improvement of institutions protecting fundamental freedoms after that country had suffered under a cruel dictatorship. Fortunately, very positive results were achieved.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“We must take a similar stand on other international instruments relating to the protection of human rights, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, in particular and also the procedures used by the Commission on Human Rights, of which Costa Rica is a member, must be improved. The Commission must be freed from political interests and influences which all too frequently disrupt and even obstruct its work and thereby prejudice the interests of the thousands of individuals who look to that body as a last resort to protect them from arbitrary action by their rulers.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“The average citizen of the nations represented here trusts the good judgment of those who govern to ensure the well-being to which he is entitled, but which he may not obtain because he is not aware of the new machinery which could be used and cannot bring pressure to bear on his Government to abide by the commitments entered into when it signed the Charter. Human rights were not in the Charter, then the Organization of United Nations, it should be remembered, are indissolubly linked, their primary characteristic, which makes it different from any other organization created before 1945 and which makes it possible for it to fight against the scourge of war.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“I am referring, of course, to the fact that it has finally been recognized that the individual is a subject of international public law and can resort to the appropriate jurisdictional bodies on human rights when domestic means of protection have been exhausted, do not exist, or have serious imperfections. Within the United Nations, the Human Rights Committee must be strengthened and, above all, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights must be ratified. Both instruments must be signed and ratified by all Members of the United Nations, because that would benefit the man in the street in all nations and be a victory of far-reaching consequences.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Violations of human rights, violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights must receive priority attention by the United Nations. More vigorous action is needed, for we have gone beyond the stage of mere declarations which proclaim and define those rights and now an effort must be made, realistically and with a keen sense of urgency, to perfect and put into practice the international instruments which have been created to promote the fundamental freedoms of every person everywhere. In this connection it is fitting to stress one of the most impressive of the revolutions that have occurred in the past three decades, but one which has gone largely unnoticed by the majority of the peoples of the world.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“There can be no doubt that each and every one of us must make an effort, an outstanding effort, to halt the devastating wave of violence which has shaken the world, in spite of the existence of an impressive system of international organizations, the center of which is the United Nations, devoted to the promotion of international harmony. To some extent the peoples of the world are being deceived when they disregard the United Nations in the frontal assault on war, guerrilla warfare, terrorism, torture and foreign intervention in the internal affairs of States. Also, the peoples of the world are in fact being thwarted when the United Nations is not allowed to stop repression of democratic movements which seek changes in unjust economic and social structures by peaceful electoral methods.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“But the twentieth century should be remembered as one of the most significant centuries in the history of mankind because of its dazzling achievements, which should be used to move man forward in the constant, ceaseless effort to reach a higher level and to live in peace. My Government is aware, of course, of the difficulties which stand in the way of the achievement of this goal, especially at the present time, which is dominated by exacerbated nationalism instead of by the noble, visionary, universalist purposes and principles of the United Nations.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Violence makes it impossible to achieve peace by means of persuasion, good offices and mediation. Member States must make a special effort, based on good faith and corresponding deeds, to see that the machinery provided by the Charter is used to prevent and resolve conflicts. Moreover, they have a duty to; do so, a legal and moral duty. Repeated failure to respect the purposes of the Charter only causes profound disenchantment with the United Nations at precisely the time when action by the Organization is needed to moderate the conduct of its Members. Those Members seen to be in the grip of atavistic forces that have stigmatized the twentieth century.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“His report on the work of the Organization speaks directly of matters of high importance with clarity and precision, and it contains sharp, frank and very valuable observations. The leadership provided by the Secretary-General goes precisely in the direction that my Government feels the United Nations should move in. In order to restore much of the faith in the Organization which has been lost, especially that of the common man of the Member States, the United Nations must participate more directly and in a more decisive and inventive manner in order to prevent serious conflicts and to resolve them when the violence which has been unleashed requires that we reiterate in a dramatic manner the commitment to peace with States made when they signed the Charter.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)
“Mr. President, I am pleased to join in the expressions of pleasure at your election. Your brilliant record makes you well qualified to occupy your lofty post and skilfully to conduct our complex proceedings. I am also very pleased that a Latin American has been called upon to be the Secretary-General. His fame is well earned. His election not only crowns a life devoted to the common good and to harmony among nations but also heralds a new current sweeping through Latin America which suggests that the people of our area will play a more fruitful, vigorous, Imaginative and co-operative part represented in world affairs, particularly in the United Nations. What the Secretary-General has accomplished in a short time is new and encouraging.”
1982-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 37 (1982)