30. In his intervention during that session, Mr. Sorensen stressed, inter the link between development, democracy and the abolition of torture as well as the importance of information, education and research to prevent torture. The Committee against Torture was ready to provide assistance in promoting these issues before the World Conference. ~, 31. Members of the Committee exchanged views on suggestions and recommendations that its representative or its alternate representative could submit to the Preparatory Committee for the World Conference on Human Rights at its third session, to be held in Geneva in September 1992. 32. Members of the Committee were of the view that the question of torture should be dealt with by the World Conference and that the fight against torture should be one of the objectives of the Conference. They were of the view also that non-governmental organizations should be duly represented at the Conference, and that two members of each of the human rights treaty bodies should be entitled to participate as observers in the Conference. In addition, each regional preparatory meeting for the Conference should encourage States to pledge contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and, as recommended by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the World Conference should set aside some time to meet as a pledging conference for United Nations voluntary funds. It was also suggested that the World Conference consider the possibility of making Human Rights Day on 10 December of each year a thematic celebration by focusing on important issues, such as the fight against torture all over the world. Such a suggestion could perhaps be discussed during the fourth meeting of the Chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies, to be held in Geneva in October 1992. -7- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library