Strengthening of international co-operation in the field of human rights.

1987/42 Strengthening of international co-operation in the field of human rights

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling that the purposes of the United Nations include the achievement of international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, Desirous of achieving further progress in international co-operation in the field of promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, Considering that such international co-operation should be based on the norms and principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other relevant international instruments, Deeply convinced that such co-operation should be based on a profound understanding of the economic, social and cultural realities and the variety of problems existing in different societies, Emphasizing the necessity for the international community to continue its efforts to take practical measures to prevent mass and flagrant violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms affected by situations that jeopardize international peace and security, such as apartheid, all forms of racial discrimination, colonialism, foreign occupation and domination, aggression and threats against national sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, as well as the refusal to recognize the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination, Recalling General Assembly resolution 41/155 of 4 December 1986, by which the Assembly invited all States to communicate to the Secretary-General their views on the means and methods of strengthening international co-operation in the field of human rights,

1. Calls upon all Member States to base their activities to promote and protect human rights, including the development of further international co-operation in this field, on the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other relevant international instruments and to refrain from activities that are inconsistent with this international legal framework;

2. Considers that such co-operation should make an effective and practical contribution to the urgent task of preventing mass and flagrant violations of human rights, to the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and to the strengthening of international peace and security;

3. Emphasizes that co-operation in the field of human rights should be guided by justice and equality with due respect for the dignity of all peoples without any discrimination;

4. Notes the important place that the promotion and protection of human rights has secured on the international agenda and in relations between States;

5. Invites all States, when communicating their views on the means and methods of strengthening international co-operation in the field of human rights, to reflect the measures they have taken for achieving such co-operation;

6. Decides to consider this question further at its forty-fourth session.

54th meeting
10 March 1987
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 40 to none, with
2 abstentions. See chap. XI.]