commensurate with the pressing needs of modern times. His delegation was pleased with the interest and support shown by many other delegations, UNICEF and non-governmental organizations in the deliberations on the draft convention. Notwithstanding the difficulties that had delayed the conclusion of the draft, agreement had been reached on the most difficult parts of the text. Accordingly, his delegation hoped that the General Assembly, bearing in mind the prime importance of children for the future of mankind, would adopt the convention on the rights of the child at its fortieth session. 15. Ms. HAGLUND (Sweden), referring to item 98 (c) on the 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), said that, notwithstanding the United Nations resolutions calling for the abolition of capital punishment, many countries continued to apply that penalty. Her Government was concerned that recourse to the death penalty was on the increase, since it was an irreversible punishment which did not allow for the correction of possible judicial mistakes. Furthermore, it had been demonstrated that capital punishment was often used against political opponents as a means of repression, and was more likely to be imposed on victims of racial discrimination or other disadvantaged persons. 16. Her delegation considered that the United Nations should step up its efforts to abolish capital punishment and should explore all ways and means available to that end. Her delegation accordingly fully supported the initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany to elaborate a draft optional protocol to the Covenant and hoped that the Commission on Human Rights and its Sub-commission would submit a draft proposal on the subject shortly. 17. Mrs. PANKOVA (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) said that, despite the efforts made since the proclamation of the International Year of the Child, the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international efforts to promote human rights, particularly the rights of children and the abolition of the death penalty. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it is a speech or statement made by a representative of a country or organization at a United Nations meeting.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education