Realization of economic, social and cultural rights.

1989/12. Realization of economic, social and cultural rights

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling its resolutions 4 (XXXIII) of 21 February 1977, 1985/42 of 14 March 1985, 1986/15 of 10 March 1986, 1987/19 of 10 March 1987 and 1988/22 of 7 March 1988 on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, Taking note of General Assembly resolutions 40/114 of 13 December 1985, 41/117 of 4 December 1986, 42/102 of 7 December 1987 and 43/113 of 8 December 1988, in which the Assembly requested the Commission to give more attention to the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, Welcoming Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities resolutions 1987/29 of 3 September 1987 and 1988/33 of 1 September 1988, Mindful of the obligation of States under the Charter of the United Nations to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Noting that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying civil and political freedom and freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, Recalling the Proclamation of Teheran of 1968, according to which human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible, the full realization of civil and political rights without the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights is impossible and the achievement of lasting progress in the implementation of human rights is dependent upon sound and effective national and international policies of economic and social development, Reaffirming the provisions of General Assembly resolution 32/130 of 16 December 1977, and convinced that the promotion and protection of one category of rights can never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of the other rights, Recalling also that the Declaration on Social Progress and Development provides that social progress and development shall be founded on respect for the dignity and value of the human person and shall ensure the promotion of human rights and social justice, Taking note with appreciation of the reports of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its first and second sessions (E/1987/28 and E/1988/14), Recognizing that colonialism, neo-colonialism, aggression and threats against national sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, foreign occupation, racism, apartheid and all forms of discrimination and domination, as well as the refusal to recognize the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination and of every nation to exercise full sovereignty over its national wealth and resources, still constitute essential obstacles to the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Reaffirming that there is a close relationship between disarmament and development, that progress in the field of disarmament would considerably promote progress in the field of development and that resources released through disarmament measures should be devoted to the economic and social development and well-being of all peoples, in particular those of the developing countries, Convinced that equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the implementation, promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, Recognizing also that the implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development will promote the enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, Concerned at the serious situation with regard to the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in some parts of the world, Mindful that the implementation and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights and the obstacles to their realization have not received sufficient attention within the framework of the United Nations system,

1. Appeals to all States to pursue policies directed towards the implementation, promotion and protection of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights;

2. Calls upon all States to co-operate with each other in promoting social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom;

3. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General prepared in accordance with its resolution 1988/22 (E/CN.4/1989/9);

4. Encourages the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to strive towards the application of universally recognized criteria in the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and to develop general comments following the precedent established by the Human Rights Committee;

5. Welcomes the decision of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, in its resolution 1988/33, to entrust Mr. Danilo Türk with a study of problems, policies and progressive measures relating to the more effective realization of economic, social and cultural rights, in accordance with the guidelines contained in Sub-Commission resolution 1987/29;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all the assistance which he may require for the successful completion of his tasks;

7. Decides to consider the question of the realization of economic, social and cultural rights at its forty-sixth session in the light of the results of the work of the Special Rapporteur.

46th meeting
2 March 1989
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 31 to 10, with with
1 abstention. See chap. VIII.]