16 (XXXVII). Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights[1]39

The Commission on Human Rights, Mindful that the International Covenants on Human Rights constitute the first all-embracing and legally binding international treaties in the field of human rights and, together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, form the heart of the International Bill of Human Rights, Recalling its resolution 8 (XXXVI) of 21 February 1980 and General Assembly resolution 35/132 of 11 December 1980, Recalling its resolution 24 (XXXVI) of 11 March 1980 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/30, of 2 May 1980, on development of public information activities in the field of human rights; Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the status of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,[2]40 Noting, with appreciation that, following the appeals of the General Assembly and the Commission, more Member States have acceded to the International Covenants on Human Rights, Bearing in mind the important responsibilities of the Economic and Social Council in the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Recognizing the important role of the Human Rights Committee in the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol thereto, as reflected in its report,

1. Reaffirms the importance of the International Covenants on Human Rights as major parts of international efforts to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

2. Welcomes Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/24 of 2 May 1980 regarding the consideration of reports submitted under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;

3. Takes note of decision 1981/102 adopted by the Economic and social Council on 6 February 1981 concerning review, of the composition, organization and administrative arrangements of the sessional working group on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and expresses the hope that additional progress can be made in this regard at the first regular session of the Economic and Social Council in 1981 during which the matter will be kept under further review;

4. Urges all States which have not yet done so to become parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as to consider acceding to the Optional Protocol thereto;

5. Invites the States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to consider making the declaration provided for in article 41 of the Covenant;

6. Appreciates that the Human Rights Committee continues to strive for uniform standards in the implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and of the Optional Protocol thereto and emphasizes the importance of the strictest compliance by States parties with their obligations under the Coventant;

7. Further emphasizes the importance of the strictest compliance by States parties with their obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;

8. Welcomes the measures already taken by the Secretary-General to improve the publicity for the work of the Human Rights Committee and encourages the Committee to continue its consideration of this question;

9. Takes note of paragraph 12 of resolution 35/132 of 11 December 1980 in which the General Assembly Urges the Secretary-General to take all possible steps to ensure that the Division on Human Rights of the Secretariat is able to assist effectively the Human Rights Committee and the Economic and Social Council in the implementation of their respective functions under the International Covenants on Human Rights;

10. Encourages all Governments to publish the texts of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to distribute them and make them known as widely as possible in their territories;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission on Human Rights at its thirty-eighth session a report on the status of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to include in this report information on the work of the Economic and Social Council and its Working Group on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.



[1]39 Adopted at the 1635th meeting, on 10 March 1981, without a vote. See chap. XIX. [2]40 A/35/195.
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