Human rights and scientific and technological developments.

1990/40. Human rights and scientific and technological developments

The Commission on Human Rights, Noting that scientific and technological progress is one of the decisive factors in the development of human society, Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, Conscious that it is only the creative genius of humankind that makes progress and the development of civilization possible in a peaceful environment, and that human life must be recognized as supreme, Recalling the fundamental importance of the right to life, Bearing in mind that the exchange and transfer of scientific and technological knowledge is one of the important ways to accelerate the social and economic development of the developing countries, Recalling its relevant resolutions,

1. Calls upon all States to make every effort to use the achievements of science and technology in order to promote peaceful social, economic and cultural development and progress;

2. Recalls the historic responsibility of the Governments of all countries of the world to preserve civilization and to ensure that everyone enjoys his or her inherent right to life, and calls upon them to do their utmost to assist in implementing the right to life through the adoption of appropriate measures at both the national and the international levels;

3. Calls upon all States, appropriate United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned to take the necessary measures to ensure that the results of scientific and technological progress and the material and intellectual potential of humankind are used for the benefit of humankind and for promoting and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

4. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-eighth session the item "Human rights and scientific and technological developments".

52nd meeting
6 March 1990
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XIV.]