Measures to be taken against Nazi, Fascist and neo-Fascist activities and all other forms of totalitarian ideologies and practices based on apartheid, racial discrimination and racism, and the systematic denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling that the United Nations emerged from the struggle against nazism, fascism, totalitarian ideologies and regimes, aggression and foreign occupation, and that the peoples expressed their resolve in the Charter of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,

Aware of the determination proclaimed by the peoples of the world in the Charter to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Noting with regret that in the contemporary world there continue to exist various forms of totalitarian ideologies and practices which entail contempt for the individual or a denial of the intrinsic dignity and equality of all human beings and of equality of opportunity in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres, including the practices of apartheid, racial discrimination and racism,

Emphasizing that the doctrines of political, racial or ethnic superiority on which the totalitarian entities and regimes are based contradict the spirit and principles of the United Nations and that the application of such doctrines in practice leads to wars, mass and flagrant violations of human rights and crimes against humanity, such as genocide, and creates serious obstacles to friendly relations among nations and the development of all countries,

Acknowledging with satisfaction the fact that many States have established legal provisions designed to prevent the revival of Nazi, Fascist and neo-Fascist groups and organizations and are extraditing war criminals and persons having committed crimes against mankind,

Mindful of the principles of international co-operation in the detection, arrest, extradition and punishment of persons guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, set forth in its resolution 3074 (XXVIII) of 3 December 1973,

Reaffirming that the prosecution and punishment of war crimes and crimes against peace and humanity, as laid down in its resolutions 3 (I) of 13 February 1946 and 95 (I) of 11 December 1946, constitute a universal commitment for all States,

Recalling its resolutions 2331 (XXII) of 18 December 1967, 2438 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968, 2545 (XXIV) of 11 December 1969, 2713 (XXV) of 15 December 1970, 2839 (XXVI) of 18 December 1971, 34/24 of 15 November 1979, 35/200 of 15 December 1980, 36/162 of 16 December 1981, 37/179 of 17 December 1982, 38/99 of 16 December 1983, 39/114 of 14 December 1984, 40/148 of 13 December 1985 and 41/160 of 4 December 1986,

1.         Again resolutely condemns all totalitarian or other ideologies and practices, including the Nazi, Fascist and neo-Fascist, that are based on apartheid, racial discrimination and racism, and the systematic denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms, or which have such consequences;

2.         Expresses its determination to resist all totalitarian ideologies, and especially their practices, which deprive people of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms and of equality of opportunity;

3.         Calls upon all States to take the necessary measures to ensure the thorough investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and punishment of all war criminals and persons guilty of crimes against humanity who have not yet been brought before a court and appropriately punished;

4.         Also calls upon all Governments to pay constant attention to educating the young in the spirit of respect for international law and fundamental human rights and freedoms and against Fascist, neo-Fascist and other totalitarian ideologies and practices based on terror, hatred and violence;

5.         Further calls upon all States, in accordance with the basic principles of international law, to refrain from practices aimed at the violation of basic human rights, particularly the right to self-determination;

6.         Appeals to States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the International Covenants on Human Rights, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity and the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid;

7.         Invites all States and international organizations to submit to the Secretary-General their comments and information on the implementation of the present resolution;

8.         Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session in the light of the discussion that will take place in the Commission on Human Rights and on the basis of comments provided by States and international organizations.