Voluntary Fund for Technical Co-operation in the Field of Human Rights.

1991/49. Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling General Assembly resolution 926 (X) of 14 December 1955, by which the Assembly established the United Nations programme of advisory services in the field of human rights," Recalling the establishment by the Secretary-General on 16 November 1987 of the Voluntary Fund for Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in the Field of Human Rights pursuant to Commission resolution 1987/38 of 10 March 1987 and Economic and Social Council decision 1987/147 of 29 May 1987, Bearing in mind the appeal made by the Secretary-General on that occasion to Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for contributions to the Voluntary Fund, Noting with satisfaction that several Governments and non-governmental organizations have responded favourably to this appeal, Mindful of the provisions of General Assembly resolution 926 (X) by which advisory services shall be rendered by the Secretary-General solely at the request of Governments, Recalling its resolutions 1990/58 and 1990/59 of 7 March 1990, Taking note with appreciation of the relevant sections of the report of the Secretary-General on advisory services in the field of human rights (E/CN.4/1991/55), Taking note with interest of the experience gained by the Centre for Human Rights in executing projects under the Voluntary Fund which give priority to activities aiming at building up or strengthening national and regional institutions and infrastructures in the field of human rights, Bearing in mind the substantial interrelationship between activities under the regular programme of advisory services and projects of technical cooperation financed under the Voluntary Fund, Noting with satisfaction that within the comprehensive programme of advisory services and technical cooperation a clear distinction will be made between technical cooperation projects financed under the Voluntary Fund and activities under the regular budget of the United Nations, Taking note with appreciation of the work of the advisory group in the Centre for Human Rights in assisting the Secretary-General to deal with requests submitted by Governments, Welcoming the fact that the advisory group is using project guidelines which have been drawn up in conformity with established practices of the United Nations Development Programme, Taking note with appreciation that the Centre for Human Rights is assuming functions as a focal point and clearing-house for inter-agency coordination with other organizations of the United Nations system,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the projects realized since the establishment of the Voluntary Fund;

2. Also expresses its appreciation to those Governments and non-governmental organizations that have made financial contributions to the Voluntary Fund;

3. Calls upon all Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals to consider making voluntary contributions for the implementation of projects within the programme of the Voluntary Fund;

4. Emphasizes that the objective of the Voluntary Fund is to provide financial support for international cooperation aiming at building up and strengthening national and regional institutions and infrastructures which will have a long-term impact on improved implementation of international conventions and other international instruments on human rights promulgated by the United Nations, the specialized agencies or regional organizations;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to elaborate comprehensive programmes of advisory services and technical co-operation, maintaining a clear distinction between technical cooperation projects financed under the Voluntary Fund and other activities like seminars, fellowships and dissemination of documentation to be financed under the regular budget of the United Nations and within the World Public Information Campaign for Human Rights;

6. Encourages the Secretary-General in his efforts to attribute to the Centre for Human Rights the functions of a focal point and clearing-house for inter-agency coordination with other organizations of the United Nations system;

7. Also encourages the Secretary-General and the Centre for Human Rights to participate actively in the formulation of projects regarding technical cooperation in the field of human rights, in close consultation with Governments concerned, taking into account relevant suggestions made by human rights treaty bodies, special rapporteurs and non-governmental organizations;

8. Decides to pursue this intensified cooperation in the framework of advisory services in promoting by the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights;

9. Further encourages the Secretary-General to pay due attention to the particular needs of developing countries from all regions and to explore fully the possibilities offered by the cooperation of the relevant specialized agencies with the Centre for Human Rights;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to bring regularly to the attention of all Governments and of the competent human rights organs the possibilities that exist under the Voluntary Fund of providing technical cooperation in the field of human rights to Governments at their request;

11. Encourages Governments interested in technical cooperation in the field of human rights, particularly those of developing countries, to make use of the Voluntary Fund;

12. Also encourages Governments to seek contact and to cooperate with non-governmental human rights organizations in formulating and implementing programmes under the Voluntary Fund;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to guarantee transparency of the criteria applied and of the rules of procedure to be followed in carrying out technical cooperation in the field of human rights;

14. Also requests the Secretary-General to report annually to the Commission on Human Rights on the operation and administration of the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights in a distinct part of his annual report on advisory services and technical cooperation in the field of human rights.

52nd meeting
5 March 1991
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XXI.]