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.

1992/9.
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, Recalling also that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling further General Assembly resolution 32/130 of 16 December 1977, Reaffirming the Declaration on Social Progress and Development proclaimed by the General Assembly in its resolution 2542 (XXIV) of 11 December 1969 and the Declaration on the Right to Development adopted by the Assembly in its resolution 41/128 of 4 December 1986, Welcoming the second progress report (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1991/17) 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, Bearing in mind Sub-Commission resolutions 1989/20 and 1989/21 of 31 August 1989, 1990/16 of 30 August 1990 and 1991/27 of 29 August 1991, 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, Having in mind the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children, and the Plan of Action for Implementing the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children in the 1990s, adopted by the World Summit for Children on 30 September 1990 (E/CN.4/1991/59, annex), Having in mind also the considerations of the World Bank contained in the publication World Debt Tables 1991-92 (volume 1) of December 1991, 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 the living standards of the inhabitants in many developing countries, with serious effects, of a social nature, Concerned about the repercussions of structural adjustment programmes in the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, Considering that the new strategies for solving the debt problem, of both official and private origin, require policies of economic adjustment accompanied by growth and development, and that it is essential, within those policies, to give priority consideration in their implementation to human conditions, including standards of living, health, food, education and employment of the population, especially among the most vulnerable and low-income groups, Taking into account the particular concern expressed by the General Assembly at the growing deterioration of living conditions in the developing world, at its negative effects on the full enjoyment of human rights, and especially at the very serious economic situation of the African continent and at the terrible effects of the heavy burden of external debt on the developing countries, Recalling its resolutions 1989/15 of 2 March 1989, 1990/17 and 1990/18 of 23 February 1990, 1990/24 of 27 February 1990 and 1991/13 of 22 February 1991,

1. Expresses appreciation for the preliminary report (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1989/19) and first (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/19) and second (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1991/17) progress reports 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 final report of its Special Rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-ninth session;

3. Invites Governments and interested intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission 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 human rights;

4. Requests the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission to take into account, in his final report, the comments and views provided on the subject;

5. Decides to continue to consider, at its forty-ninth session, the agenda item entitled "Question of the realization in all countries of the economic, social and cultural rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and study of special problems which the developing countries face in their efforts to achieve these human rights, including: 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 on the Right to Development".

37th meeting
21 February 1992
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 43 to 2,
with 7 abstentions. See chap. VII.]