Assistance to Paraguay in the field of human rights.

1990/61. Assistance to Paraguay in the field of human rights

The Commission on Human Rights, Taking note of Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities resolution 1989/15 of 31 August 1989, Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments promoting and protecting human rights, Reiterating that the Governments of all Member States are under the obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recalling that international co-operation in the field of human rights is one of the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, Noting with satisfaction the ratification by Paraguay of the American Convention on Human Rights and the readiness to ratify shortly the major international instruments on human rights, Bearing in mind the positive developments in the overall situation in Paraguay and the endeavours of the Government and the people to consolidate democracy and guarantee the full observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Also noting with satisfaction that the Government of Paraguay has repealed repressive Laws Nos. 209 and 294 and has allowed all exiles to return, thus complying with the request made by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the Commission on Human Rights in earlier resolutions, Noting with appreciation the full observance of freedom of the press and the acknowledged progress achieved in the effective enjoyment of political rights, Noting with interest the process of trade union reorganization initiated in Paraguay and the announcement by the Government of a comprehensive agrarian reform in Paraguay, Welcoming the request by the Government of Paraguay to receive as soon as possible technical assistance and advisory services in the field of human rights, which emphasizes the will of the Government to continue to intensify the process of reforms to secure the effective and full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 41/154 of 4 December 1986 and 43/90 of 8 December 1988, as well as its own resolutions 1985/26 of 11 March 1985 and 1989/72 of 8 March 1989, which emphasize the duty of the United Nations to render effective assistance to countries that, going through a particular period in their history, need international co-operation to consolidate their democratic institutions and adapt their internal legislation to the demands of the proper rule of law, Taking note of the importance of the services of experts, fellowships, training courses and seminars under the programme of advisory services, as forms of practical assistance to States to enable them to develop the infrastructure necessary to meet international standards in the field of human rights,

1. Welcomes the process of democratization in Paraguay, which is a crucial step towards the full and effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

2. Notes with Particular interest the ratification of the American Convention on Human Rights, the repeal of repressive Laws Nos. 209 and 294, as well as the full exercise of freedom of the press and the other reforms undertaken for the benefit of the Paraguayan population as a whole;

3. Encourages the Government of Paraguay to further the process of democratization and to continue the institutional and legal reforms to guarantee the effective enjoyment and full exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms;

4. Notes with satisfaction the request by the Government of Paraguay to receive technical assistance and advisory services in the field of human rights, as well as its full readiness to co-operate with the Commission on Human Rights;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide such advisory services and other appropriate forms of assistance in the field of human rights as are requested by the constitutional Government of Paraguay to foster democratic advances and the strengthening of the institutions responsible for ensuring respect for human rights;

6. Appeals to the international community to render all possible assistance to Paraguay so as to contribute to the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights;

7. Decides to consider at its forty-seventh session the question of assistance to Paraguay in the field of human rights, under the agenda item "Advisory services in the field of human rights".

53rd meeting
7 March 1990
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XXII.]