Strengthening of United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation, and the importance of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity.

1993/59. Strengthening of United Nations action in the field of human rights through the promotion of international cooperation, and the importance of non-selectivity, Impartiality and objectivity

The Commission on Human Rights, Aware of the fact that the promotion, protection and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms are legitimate concerns of the world community, Bearing in mind that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace, Bearing in mind 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 fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling that, in accordance with Article 55 of the Charter of the United Nations, the organization shall promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, with a view to creating conditions of stability and well-being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and that, in accordance with Article 56, all Members pledge themselves to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the Organization for the achievement of the purposes set forth in Article 55, Desirous of further strengthening international cooperation in the field of promoting and encouraging respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Deeply convinced that such cooperation should be based on the principles embodied in international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments, Convinced that, in order to be fully effective in the field of human rights, this cooperation should in, addition be based on a deep understanding of the wide variety of problems existing in all societies and on full respect for the political, economic and social realities of each of them, in strict conformity with the purpose of promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through international cooperation, Bearing in mind the important contribution that accurate, impartial and objective information can make to achieving such understanding and full respect, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 32/130 of 16 December 1977, 37/200 of 18 December 1982, 41/155 of 4 December 1986 and 43/155 of 8 December 1988, Bearing in mind General Assembly resolutions 2131 (XX) of 21 December 1965, 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970 and 36/103 of 9 December 1981, Aware of the fact that the promotion, protection and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms as legitimate concerns of the world community should be guided by the principles of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity and should not be used for political ends, Underlining the paramount responsibility of each State to promote, protect and secure the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the duty that all Governments have to carry out the obligations they have undertaken under international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations, as well as various international instruments in the field of human rights, and to respect and enforce, in good faith, their domestic legislation in conformity with those instruments, Affirming the importance of the objectivity, independence and discretion of thematic and country special rapporteurs, as well as members of the working groups and bodies established in compliance with United Nations human rights instruments, in carrying out their mandates, Considering General Assembly resolution 47/122 of 18 December 1992 and the annex thereto, Bearing in mind its resolutions 1991/79 of 6 March 1991 and 1992/39 of 28 February 1992, Reaffirming General Assembly resolutions 45/163 of 18 December 1990, 46/129 of 17 December 1991 and 47/131 of 18 December 1992,

1. Reiterates that, by virtue of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, all peoples have the right to determine freely, without external interference, their political system and to pursue their economic, social and cultural development and that every State has the duty to respect that right within the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for territorial integrity;

2. Reaffirms that it is a purpose of the United Nations and the task of all Member States, in cooperation with the Organization, to promote, encourage respect for and achieve the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to remain vigilant with regard to any violations of human rights wherever they occur;

3. Also reaffirms that the promotion, protection and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms should be guided by the principles of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity and should not be used for political ends;

4. Expresses its conviction that an impartial and fair approach to human rights contributes to the promotion of international cooperation and to the promotion, protection and effective realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

5. Calls upon all Member States to base their activities for the promotion, protection and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the development of further international cooperation in this field, on the Charter of the United Nations, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international instruments and to refrain from activities that are inconsistent with this international legal framework;

6. Invites Member States, as appropriate, to consider adopting, within the framework of their respective legal systems and in accordance with their obligations under international law, particularly the Charter of the United Nations, and the international human rights instruments, measures which they deem suitable for furthering international cooperation for the promotion and development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

7. Reaffirms that such cooperation should make an effective and practical contribution to the urgent task of preventing mass and flagrant violations of human rights, to the promotion and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to the strengthening of international peace and security;

8. Underlines, in this context, the continuing need for accurate, impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situation and events in all countries;

9. Requests all human rights bodies within the United Nations system, as well as special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts and working groups appointed or established as special procedures, duly to take into account the contents of the present resolution in carrying out their respective mandates;

10. Recognizes the valuable role that non-governmental organizations can play in the field of human rights;

11. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/1993/30);

12. Also takes note of the fact that the World Conference on Human Rights will make recommendations to ensure universality, objectivity and non-selectivity in the consideration of questions relating to human rights;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to continue gathering information and comments from all Member States on the basis of the present resolution, for their timely transmission to the World Conference, so that they may be considered in adopting relevant proposals, including various ways and means of strengthening United Nations action in this regard;

14. Also requests the Secretary-General, on the basis of the comments made by Governments, to prepare and submit to the Commission on Human Rights, at its fiftieth session, a comprehensive report on various ways and means of promoting international cooperation and strengthening United Nations action in the field of human rights in accordance with the principles of non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity;

15. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fiftieth session under the agenda item entitled "Further promotion and encouragement of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the question of the programme and methods of work of the Commission".

63rd meeting
9 March 1993
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. XI.]