Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and study of special problems which the developing countries face in their efforts to achieve these human rights.
- Author: UN Commission on Human Rights (42nd sess. : 1986 : Geneva)
- Document source:
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Date:
10 March 1986
1986/13. Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and culture rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Woman Rights and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and study of special Problems which the developing countries face in their efforts to achieve these human rights[1]54
The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling that the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Mindful that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that all persons are entitled to realization of the economic, social and cultural rights which are indispensable to their dignity and the free development of their personality, Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and reaffirming that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interrelated and that the promotion and protection of one category of rights should never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of the other, Aware that, despite progress achieved by the international community with respect to the setting of standards for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights contained in the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, much remains to be done with regard to their implementation, Recalling the essential importance of national efforts and international co-operation based on free consent to the realization of the right of all persons to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to a continuous improvement in living conditions, Recognizing that the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is inextricably linked with the process of development, the central purpose of which is the realization of the potentialities of the human person in harmony with the community, and that full and sustained implementation of the Covenant requires the effective participation of all members of society in relevant decision-making processes as agents and beneficiaries of development, Conscious of the need to secure full respect for the rights contained in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the rights of individuals belonging to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, Reaffirming the importance to the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights of public information activities, including education programmes in the field of human rights, Welcoming Economic and Social Council resolution 1985/17 of 28 May 1985, by which the Council established a Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to be entrusted from 1987 with the important task of examining the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Recalling relevant resolutions and decisions of the Economic and Social Council relating to its Sessional Working Group of Governmental Experts, including resolution 1979/43 of 11 May 1979, which remain in force in so far as they are not superseded or modified by resolution 1985/17,1. Urges all States which have not yet done so to become parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
2. Welcomes the establishment of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and encourages States parties to the Covenant to extend their full support and co-operation to this Committee;
3. Reiterates the appeal to Governments made by the General Assembly, in its resolution 40/114 of 13 December 1985, to give careful consideration to nominations for 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;
4. Expresses the hope that the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will consider as a matter of priority the development of general guidelines for the preparation of reports pursuant to articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant, taking into account the compilation of guidelines prepared by the Secretary-General and the proposal that brief country profiles be prepared containing information on the geography, population, economic situation and legal framework of States parties;
5. Affirms the importance of the reports to be made to the Economic and Social Council by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in view of the relevance of the Committee's work to activities being undertaken throughout the United Nations system relating to economic, social and cultural development;
6. Urges the specialized agencies and other relevant United Nations bodies to extend their full co-operation and support to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, inter alia by providing for the attendance of their representatives at meetings of the Committee;
7. Requests the Economic and Social Council to consider improved ways of bringing to the attention of other United Nations organs, their subsidiary organs and specialized agencies concerned with furnishing technical assistance, including the regional commissions, any matters arising out of reports 60 the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which may assist such bodies in deciding, each within its field of competence, on the advisability of International measures likely to contribute to progressive, effective implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts under the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights to assist States parties in discharging their reporting obligations under the Covenant and, in this regard, requests the Secretary-General to consider holding a training course on the preparation of reports on implementation of the Covenant;
9. Encourages 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 to enable it to discharge its functions as effectively an possible.
[1]54 Adopted at the 50th meeting, on 10 March 1986, without a vote. See chap. VIII.
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