text: (continued) (A/39/307, 422 and Add.l, 581 and Corr.l) AGENDA ITEM. 97: QUESTION OF A CONVENTION OH THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (continued) (A/39/185) AGENDA ITEM 98: INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS: (continued) (A/39/133, 360, 581 and Corr.l) (a) REPORT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE (A/39/40, 484, 644) (b) STATUS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AND THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS: REPORT OF THE ·sECRETARY-GENERAL (continued) (A/39/461) (c) ELABORATION OF A SECOND OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, AIMING AT THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY (A/39/535) AGENDA ITEM 99: TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREA'IMENT OR PUNISHMENT: REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (continued) (A/39/73, 360, 480 and Add.l-2, 499 and Add.l-2, 506, 662J A/C.3/39/L.40) 1. Mrs. YAMAZAKI (Japan), referring to agenda item 98, said that her delegation was pleased to note the increase in the number of States parties to the International Covenants on Human Rights. However, more important still was the effective implementation of the International Covenants, which could be ensured only if States took the necessary measures to guarantee human rights. The reporting obligation was the best means of monitoring the implementation of the Covenants and ensuring greater international co-operation in that field. She noted with concern that a large majority of the reports were being submitted late, which considerably hindered the monitoring process. 2. With regard to the report of the meeting of chairmen of the bodies entrusted with the consideration of reports submitted under human rights instruments (A/39/484), one of the main reasons for the failure to submit or the late submission of reports was, in fact, the considerable burden that the reporting obligation imposed on Governments, especially in those States which did not have 
analysis: The text appears to be discussing international human rights instruments and their implementation, specifically the International Covenants on Human Rights and the reporting obligations of States parties. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting a high-level international discussion. The focus on human rights and the mention of specific reports and meetings also suggests that the topic is closely related to international law and governance.