International co-operation in solving international problems of a social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

1989/49. International co-operation in solving international problems of a social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 41/155 of 4 December 1986 and 43/155 of 8 December 1988 and its own resolution 1987/42 of 10 March 1987, Conscious that it is a purpose of the United Nations and the task of all Member States to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Considering that special emphasis should be put on the effective implementation of the principles embodied in 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, Considering that existing regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights make a major contribution to the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms and that the exchange of information and experience in this field, as well as human rights teaching, could be further improved, Noting with satisfaction the results of the Vienna meeting of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, especially the commitments of participating States in the human rights, humanitarian and related fields, Noting the importance that the promotion and protection of human rights have acquired on the international agenda and in relations among States,

1. Calls upon all States to implement fully the international standards for the promotion and protection of human rights;

2. Urges all States to co-operate fully with the relevant bodies of the United Nations system and treaty bodies as well as other intergovernmental forums dealing with the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world;

3. Invites all Governments to co-operate closely with special rapporteurs appointed by the Commission;

4. Considers that such co-operation will make an effective and practical contribution to the implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all;

5. Urges States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the various international instruments in the field of human rights;

6. Recognizes the value of common efforts by Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations at international, regional, bilateral and national levels in the field of human rights;

7. Considers that the results of the Vienna meeting of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe contribute significantly to enhanced respect for, and observance of, human rights and international co-operation in the promotion of human rights and in humanitarian and related fields;

8. Considers that the World Public Information Campaign for Human Rights will contribute to the promotion and improvement of understanding in the field of human rights;

9. Emphasizes that the wide dissemination of information on human rights and the enhancement of the teaching of human rights are important tasks and would contribute to the implementation of universally recognized international human rights standards;

10. Invites all States and international organizations to submit to the Secretary-General their comments and views on ways and means of strengthening international co-operation in solving international problems of a social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms, for consideration at its forty-sixth session.

53rd meeting
7 March 1989
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]