E/1999/27 E/CN.6/1999/10 Chapter I Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention A. Draft resolution to be recommended by the Council for adoption by the General Assembly 1. The Commission on the Status of Women recommends to the Economic and Social Council the approval of the following draft resolution for adoption by the General Assembly: Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women* The Economic and Social Council Recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following draft resolution: “The General Assembly, “Reaffirming the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action1 and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,2 “Recalling that the Beijing Platform for Action, pursuant to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, supported the process initiated by the Commission on the Status of Women with a view to elaborating a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women3 that could enter into force as soon as possible on a right to petition procedure, “Noting that the Beijing Platform for Action also called on all States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to do so as soon as possible so that universal ratification of the Convention can be achieved by the year 2000, “1. Adopts and opens for signature, ratification and accession the Optional Protocol to the Convention, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution; “2. Calls upon all States which have signed, ratified or acceded to the Convention to sign and ratify or to accede to the Protocol as soon as possible; “3. Stresses that States Parties to the Protocol should undertake to respect the rights and procedures provided by the Protocol and cooperate with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at all stages of its proceedings under the Protocol; “4. Stresses that in the fulfilment of its mandate as well as its functions under the Protocol, the Committee should continue to be guided by the principles of nonselectivity, impartiality and objectivity; “5. Requests the Committee to hold meetings to exercise its functions under the Protocol after its entry into force, in addition to its meetings held under article 20 of the Convention. The duration of such meetings shall be determined and, if necessary, * 1 2 3 For the discussion, see chap. V. A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III. See Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13). General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex. 1