Indivisibility and interdependence of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

 

Indivisibility and interdependence of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights

  The General Assembly, Mindful of the obligations of States under the Charter of the United Nations to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Acknowledging that the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have created new standards and obligations to which States should conform, Recalling that 1986 marks the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights, Also recalling the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, based on the Charter of the United Nations and solemnly proclaimed on 11 December 1969, Taking note of the 1985 Report on the World Social Situation, Reaffirming the provisions of its resolution 32/130 of 16 December 1977 that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent and that the promotion and protection of one category of rights can never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of the other rights, Convinced that the full realization of civil and political rights is inseparably linked with the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, Convinced also that the achievement of lasting progress in the implementation of human rights is dependent upon sound and effective national and international policies of economic, social and political development, Desirous of removing all obstacles to the full realization of human rights, in particular colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, racial discrimination in all its forms, apartheid, foreign intervention, occupation, aggression, discrimination and domination, Recognizing the fundamental rights of every people to exercise full sovereignty over its natural wealth and resources, Recognizing also that the realization of the right to development could help to promote the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, Reaffirming that there is a close relationship between disarmament and development, that progress in the field of disarmament could considerably promote progress in the field of development and that resources released through disarmament measures would contribute to the economic and social development and well-being of all peoples, in particular those of the developing countries, Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1985/42 of 14 March 1985, in which the Commission stated that the promotion and implementation of economic, social and cultural rights and the obstacles to their realization have not received sufficient attention within the framework of United Nations organs, Requesting the Secretary-General to enhance his efforts under the programme of advisory services to States in the implementation of the International Covenants on Human Rights,

1. Recognizes that equal attention should be given to the implementation, promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights;

2. Appeals to all States, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights, to pursue policies directed to the full implementation of the rights contained therein;

3. Requests the Commission on Human Rights to continue its consideration of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights and to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-second session, through the Economic and Social Council, its views and recommendations on these human rights;

4. Welcomes the decision of the Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1985/17 of 28 May 1985, to establish the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which will be entrusted from 1987 on with the important task of overseeing the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;

5. Encourages Governments to give careful consideration to nominations for membership of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in due recognition of the status of Committee members as experts with recognized competence in the field of human rights, serving in their personal capacity;

6. Urges the Secretary-General to take determined steps, within existing resources, to give publicity to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and to ensure that it receives full administrative support in order to enable it to commence its functions effectively;

7. Decides to convene, on 16 December 1986, during its forty-first session, a commemorative plenary meeting of the General Assembly devoted to the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights;

8. Decides also to discuss at its forty-first session, under the item entitled "International Covenants on Human Rights", the question of the indivisibility and interdependence of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights..