Regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian region.

1985/48. Regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian region[1]136

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling that the General Assembly in its resolutions 34/171 of 17 December 1979, 35/197 of 15 December 1980, 36/154 of 16 December 1981, 37/171 of 17 December 1982 and 39/115 of 14 December 1984 has repeatedly affirmed the value of regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 39/116 of 14 December 1984 on regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian region, Noting with appreciation the report of the seminar on national, local and regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asian region, held at Colombo from 21 June to 2 July 1982,[2]137 Taking note with appreciation of comments received on the report of the seminar from Member States in the Asian and Pacific region, Recognizing that regional arrangements may make a major contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and that non-governmental organizations may have a valuable role to play in this process, Noting the establishment in other regions of intergovernmental arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General[3]138 to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session on regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights;

2. Invites States members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific that have not yet done so to communicate their comments on the report of the seminar to the Secretary-General as early as possible, as requested by the General Assembly, and in particular to address the conclusions and recommendations of the report concerning development of regional arrangements in Asia and the Pacific, and thus facilitate further consideration of this question;

3. Invites the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, other regional economic and social commissions and regional intergovernmental bodies dealing with human rights to submit comments on the report of the seminar;

4. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and Governments of the region, to consider the establishment of a regional depository centre for human rights materials for Asia and the Pacific;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to present an interim report to the Commission at its forty-second session incorporating further comments received from Governments on the report of the seminar;

6. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its forty-second session under the agenda item "Further promotion and encouragement of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the question of the programme and methods of work of the Commission; alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

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[1]136 Adopted at the 57th meeting, on 14 March 1985, without a vote. See chap. XI. [2]137 A/37/422, annex. [3]138 A/39/570.