confident that the Sub-Commission would be in a position to influence the situation in Yugoslavia. 77. Mr. RETUREAU (World Federation of Trade Unions) said that new crises were arising at a time when a solution was not yet in sight for existing problems such as the civil wars in Liberia, Sudan and Ethiopia, the growing number of refugees in Africa and inter-ethnic and political riots in South Africa. In the Middle East the invasion and annexation of Kuwait by Iraq, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, had produced a new crisis in an area already riddled with destabilizing problems such as the right to E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/SR.20 page 16 self-determination of the Palestinian people, the intifada in the occupied territories, Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights and the destruction of Lebanon. 78. The monarchies of the Gulf States did not enjoy a brilliant record in terms of democracy and human rights; the trade union movement had not been able to celebrate the first of May in Kuwait; trade union leaders in Bahrain had been languishing in prison for years; while in Saudi Arabia and Oman trade union rights simply did not exist. 79. His organization respected international law and the fundamental rights of the human person and of peoples and accordingly firmly rejected the de facto seizure of foreigners as hostages by the Iraqi authorities in Iraq and Kuwait. That action had been justly denounced by the Security Council. 80. When, at its previous session, the Commission on Human Rights had adopted resolution 1990/16 on the question of trade union rights, it clearly established that such rights formed an integral part of human rights and did not fall within the exclusive competence of a single specialized agency. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a statement or declaration from the World Federation of Trade Unions, discussing various global issues and crises, including conflicts, human rights violations, and political unrest. It seems to be focused on the human rights aspect, particularly the right to self-determination, trade union rights, and the protection of human persons. The text also touches on political and economic issues, such as the annexation of Kuwait and the monarchies of the Gulf States' record on democracy and human rights.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Employment