Assistance to Guatemala in the field of human rights.

1988/50. Assistance to Guatemala in the field of human rights

The Commission on Human Rights, Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights, Reiterating that the Governments of all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recalling its resolution 1987/53 of 11 March 1987 on the situation of human rights in Guatemala, Having Considered the report of the Expert, Mr. Héctor Gros Espiell (E/CN.4/1988/42), and endorsing his conclusions and recommendations (paras. 56-59 of the report), Taking into account the fact that the constitutional Government of Guatemala has made considerable efforts to guarantee the full application of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote the process of consolidation of democracy, and has made progress in that field, as shown by the Expert in his report, Considering that the United Nations should be prepared to consider providing assistance to any nation in developing and ensuring respect for human rights, if its Government so requests, Considering that it is desirable to continue to provide advisory services in the field of human rights in Guatemala, in support of the Government's efforts to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country,

1. Expresses its gratitude to the Expert for his report and for the manner in which he has discharged his mandate;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of Guatemala for its collaboration with The Commission on Human Rights, as well as the facilities and co-operation afforded to the Expert;

3. Notes with satisfaction that the Government of Guatemala is prepared to guarantee the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country;

4. Expresses the view that the obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms calls not only for measures to guarantee the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, but also for measures to prevent effectively any violation of those rights;

5. Appeals to the Government of Guatemala to accord priority to the implementation of such measures;

6. Welcomes with satisfaction the interest shown by the Government of Guatemala in continuing its co-operation with The Commission on Human Rights;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide such advisory services and other appropriate forms of assistance in the field of human rights as may be requested by the constitutional Government of Guatemala, with a view to fostering advances in democracy and strengthening the institutions responsible for ensuring respect for human rights, in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Expert's report in the framework of the proposals contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the question (E/CN.4/1988/40 and Add.1);

8. Decides to request the Secretary-General to renew the mandate of the Expert for one year, and requests the Expert to submit a report to the Commission at its forty-fifth session.

52nd meeting
8 March 1988
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XXII.]