E/2000/27 E/CN.6/2000/9 Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on policy guidance provided by the Economic and Social Council 5. Communications concerning the status of women. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General assessing the implications of reforms of mechanisms in the human rights area (1503 procedure) for communications concerning the status of women List of confidential and non-confidential communications concerning the status of women 6. Provisional agenda for the session of the Commission. forty-sixth 7. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its forty-fifth session. C. Matters brought to the attention of the Council 3. The following resolutions and decision adopted by the Commission are brought to the attention of the Council: Resolution 44/1. Release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts* The Commission on the Status of Women, Recalling its resolutions 39/2 of 31 March 1995, 40/1 of 22 March 1996, 41/1 of 21 March 1997, 42/2 of 13 March 1998 and 43/1 of 12 March 1999, Recalling also the relevant provisions contained in the instruments of international humanitarian law relative to the protection of women and children in areas of armed conflict, Welcoming the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women, 19 including the provisions regarding violence against women and children, Expressing grave concern at the continuation of armed conflicts in many regions throughout the world and the human suffering and humanitarian emergencies they have caused, Emphasizing that all forms of violence committed against the civilian population, including women and children in areas of armed conflict, including capturing them as hostages, seriously contravene international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 for the protection of victims of war, 20 Expressing its strong belief that the rapid and unconditional release of women and children taken hostage in areas of armed conflict will promote the implementation of the noble goals enshrined in the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, 1. Condemns violent acts in contravention of international humanitarian law against civilian women and children in areas of armed conflict, and calls for an effective response to such acts, including the immediate release of such women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts; 2. Strongly urges all parties to armed conflicts to respect fully the norms of international humanitarian law in armed conflict and to take all necessary measures for the protection of these women and children and for their immediate release; 3. Urges all parties to armed conflicts to provide safe unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance for these women and children; 4. Requests the Secretary-General and all relevant international organizations to use their capabilities and efforts to facilitate the release of these women and children; 5. Also requests the Secretary-General to prepare, taking into account the information provided by States and relevant international organizations, a report on the implementation of the present resolution for submission to the Commission on the Status of Women at its forty-fifth session. __________________ __________________ * 19 For the discussion, see chap. II. See Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, 20 Beijing, 4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13). United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 970-973. 5