Effects on the full enjoyment of human rights of the economic adjustment policies arising from foreign debt and, in particular, on the implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development.

1990/24. Effects on the full enjoyment of human rights of the economic adjustment Policies arising from foreign debt, and, in Particular, on the implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling that the purpose of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the full promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, Bearing in mind Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities resolutions 1989/20 and 1989/21 of 31 August 1989, Reaffirming the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Declaration on Social Progress and Development as well as the Declaration on the Right to Development adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 41/128 of 4 December 1986, Welcoming the general comment on article 22 of the relevant Covenant adopted by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its fourth session (see E/1990/23, annex III), Welcoming also the preliminary report on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, prepared by the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Mr. Danilo Türk (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1989/19), Noting with interest the African Alternative Framework to Structural Adjustment Programmes for Socio-economic Recovery and Transformation adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 44/24 of 17 November 1989, Recognizing that the activities of the various organizations in the United Nations system should be closely interrelated and that it is necessary to draw on all the efforts made in the various disciplines relating to man in order to promote all his rights effectively, Noting with appreciation the conclusions of the United Nations Children's Fund study Adjustment with a Human Face and reports The State of the World's Children 1989 and 1990, Noting with interest the conclusions of the World Bank in World Debt Tables 1989/90, (volume 1), relating to the external debt of developing countries, Aware that the serious problem of foreign debt remains one of the most acute factors adversely affecting economic and social development and living standards in many developing countries, Observing the beginning of new orientations in economic adjustment programmes which take into account economic growth and problems affecting the welfare of the population, and the positive response on the part of international financial agencies, Considering that the new strategies for solving the debt problem require policies of economic adjustment accompanied by growth and that it is necessary, within those policies, to monitor social conditions, including standards of living, health, education and employment of the population, especially among low income groups, Also recalling its resolution 1989/15 of 2 March 1989,

1. Expresses its appreciation of the preliminary report on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights prepared by the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Mr. Danilo Türk;

2. Invites the Sub-Commission to submit the second report of its Special Rapporteur on the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-seventh session;

3. Invites Governments which so desire to provide the Special Rapporteur with their comments and the information at their disposal about their experience concerning the impact of economic adjustment policies arising from foreign debt on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights;

4. Requests the Special Rapporteur to take into account, in his second report, the comments and views of Governments on the subject;

5. Decides to continue to consider, at its forty-seventh session, the sub item "Problems related to the right to enjoy an adequate standard of living; foreign debt, economic adjustment policies and their effects on the full enjoyment of human rights and, in particular, on the implementation of the Declaration of the Right to Development".

42nd meeting
27 February 1990
[Adopted by 36 votes to 2, with
5 abstentions. See chap. VII.]