The right of peoples to self-determination and its application to peoples under colonial or alien domination or foreign occupation.

1982/13. Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights[1]74

The Commission on Human Rights, Mindful that the International Covenants on Human Rights[2]75 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,[3]76 form the heart of the International Bill of Human Rights, Recalling its resolution 16 (XXXVII) of 10 Match 1981 and General Assembly n resolution 36 8 of 25 November 1981, Recalling its resolution 24 (XXXVII) of 11 March 1981 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,[4]77 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,[5]78

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. Takes due note of Economic and Social Council decision 1981/162 of 8 May 1981 concerning the review of the composition, organization and administrative arrangements of the Sessional Working Group of Governmental Experts on the Implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and looks forward to further results in this regard at the first regular session of the Council in 1982;

3. 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 the Optional Protocol thereto and takes note of the decisions of the Human Rights Committee on the question of periodicity and on guidelines regarding the form and content of reports from States parties under article 40, paragraph 1 (b), of the Covenant as well as the adoption by the Committee of general comments under article 40, paragraph 4, of the Covenant;

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 to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

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. Emphasizes the importance of the strictest compliance by States parties with their obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and, where applicable the Optional Protocol thereto;

7. Welcomes the measures taken by the Secretary-General to improve the publicity for the work of the Human Rights Committee and takes note of the General Assembly's request to the Secretary-General in resolution 36/58 to consider the more appropriate steps for the publication of the Committee's documentation and to report on this question to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session;

8. Takes note of paragraph 14 of General Assembly resolution 36/58 in which the Assembly urges the Secretary-General to take all possible steps to ensure that the Division of 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;

9. 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;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission on Human Rights, at its thirty-ninth 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]74 Adopted at the 55th meeting on 9 March 1982, without a vote. See chap. XVII. [2]75 General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI), annex. [3]76 General Assembly resolution 217A (III). [4]77 E/CN.4/1511. [5]78 Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-sixth Session, Supplement No.40 (A/36/40).