text: believe that the historians of the future would lay emphasis on oil but on the fact that the world was experiencing a transition from absolute sovereignty to international discipline. He believed that the standing of the United Nations would be greatly enhanced by the present episode. 39. Mr. van BOVEN said that he believed that there had been some truth in Mrs. Palley's argument concerning oil. The international community had not been greatly alarmed by the killing of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi and Iranian soldiers, but had expressed concern only when oil supplies were threatened. Economic issues did have an impact on human rights. 40. Much attention had been given by the Sub-Commission over the years to human rights violations in South Africa and southern Africa, and he was happy to see some encouraging developments in that area, including the independence of Namibia. Since 1967 the Sub-Commission had also spent much time discussing the human rights situation in the territories occupied by Israel; unfortunately there was no improvement. On the other hand, he welcomed Chile's return to democracy, which proved that persistent pressure could be successful in ending gross violations of human rights. 41. More than 60 country situations had been examined in the framework of the 1503 procedure by the Commission and the Sub-Commission. The Commission itself had created working groups or appointed rapporteurs to deal with non-derogable human rights. The Sub-Commission could not ignore those established mechanisms, nor could it ignore procedures based on treaties and international covenants, all of which were based on specific undertakings by States parties or on their membership of the United Nations. Governments undertook legal obligations as parties to international instruments. The unique function of the United Nations in relation to member States should not be forgotten: membership entailed responsibility and accountability. E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/SR.20 page 10 42. Certain rights were non-derogable. However the Sub-Commission must be 
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the role of the United Nations in promoting human rights and international cooperation, with specific references to the 1990 session of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. The text touches on themes such as the impact of economic issues on human rights, the importance of international discipline, and the accountability of governments to international instruments. Given these themes, it is likely that the text is related to the categories of Humanitarian aid and relief, Human rights, and International relations.