text: 258. An amendment (E/CN.4/1990/L.77) to draft resolution E/CN.4/1990/L.38 submitted on 2 March 1990 by Bangladesh, China, Egypt*, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran*, Japan, Jordan*, and Pakistan, which was subsequently withdrawn, read as follows: "Delete the following from the fourth preambular paragraph: the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on the elimination of the death penalty, as well as of". 259. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted without a vote. 260. Statements in explanation of vote after the vote were made by the representatives of Japan, Pakistan, Portugal and the United States of America. 261. For the text as adopted, see chapter II, section A, resolution 1990/81. A. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 262. In connection with agenda item 10 (a), the Commission had before it the following documents: Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (A/44/708); Note by the Secretary-General on the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (E/CN.4/1990/16); Report by the Special Rapporteur, Mr. P. Kooijmans, pursuant to Commission resolution 1989/33 (E/CN.4/1990/17 and Add.l). -218-263. At the 23rd meeting, on 14 February 1990, the Special Rapporteur, Mr. P. Kooijmans, introduced his report (E/CN.4/1990/17 and Add.l) to the Commission. 264. On the general debate on item 10 (a), 3/ statements were made by the following members of the Commission: Belgium (27th), Canada (27th), China (27th), Cyprus (27th), India (23rd), Mexico (27th), Philippines (26th), Portugal (27th), Senegal (26th), Spain (27th), Sweden (23rd), Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (27th), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (26th), United States of America (27th), Yugoslavia (26th). 265. The Commission also heard statements by the Observers for: Austria (26th), Costa Rica (26th), Egypt (26th), Netherlands (29th), New Zealand (27th), Turkey (29th).
analysis: The text appears to be related to human rights, specifically the issue of torture and the elimination of the death penalty. The Commission is discussing reports and statements related to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and the work of the Special Rapporteur on Torture. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the text is related to international governance and human rights.