UN General Assembly
1969

to naught if it proves impossible to induce the Governments represented in our Organization to ratify, by their own particular constitutional processes, the Covenants opened for signature by States at the end of 1967. 91. The creation of the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has been under discussion for many years in this Organization, originally as a result of a proposal by Uruguay and at recent sessions on the initiative of Costa Rica. The item is on the agenda of this session, too, and though it proved impossible in previous years to press the proposal to a vote in the plenary meetings of the Assembly, we cherish the hope that it may be adopted this year in its new form so that this high United Nations official can shortly embark on his important task of watching, with due tact and discretion, over the observance of fundamental human rights. 92. Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly have decreed that the mandate of the Republic of South Africa over South-West Africa, now known as Namibia, is terminated.