Human rights and terrorism.
- Author: UN Commission on Human Rights (51st sess. : 1995 : Geneva)
- Document source:
-
Date:
3 March 1995
Human rights and terrorism
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/43
The Commission on Human Rights, Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights, Bearing in mind that the most fundamental human right is the right to life, Recalling the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23) adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, Recalling and reaffirming General Assembly resolutions 48/122 of 20 December 1993, 49/60 of 9 December 1994 and 49/185 of 23 December 1994 and its own resolution 1994/46 of 4 March 1994, Recalling also resolution 1994/18 of 25 August 1994 of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Reiterating that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and that the individual also has the responsibility to strive for the promotion and observance of human rights, Deeply concerned at the gross violations of human rights perpetrated by terrorist groups, Profoundly deploring the increasing number of innocent persons, including women, children and the elderly, killed, massacred and maimed by terrorists in indiscriminate and random acts of violence and terror, which cannot be justified under any circumstances, Noting with great concern the growing connection between terrorist groups and the illegal traffic of arms and drugs, as well as the consequent commission of serious crimes,1. Reiterates the unequivocal condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism, regardless of their motivation, in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed, as acts of aggression aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy, threatening the territorial integrity and security of States, destabilizing legitimately constituted Governments, undermining pluralistic civil society and having adverse consequences on the economic and social development of States;
2. Expresses its solidarity with the victims of terrorism, and in this context encourages States to respond to the request of the Secretary-General made pursuant to paragraph 4 of General Assembly resolution 49/185 , for their views on the possible establishment of a United Nations voluntary fund for victims of terrorism;
3. Calls upon States to take all necessary and effective measures, in accordance with international standards of human rights, to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism and urges the international community to enhance multilateral and bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism at the national, regional and international levels;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to collect information on this question from all relevant sources and to make it available to the special rapporteurs and working groups concerned and to the Commission on Human Rights for their consideration;
5. Urges all thematic special rapporteurs and working groups to address as appropriate the consequences of the acts, methods and practices of terrorist groups in their forthcoming reports to the Commission;
6. Welcomes the decision of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to entrust one of its members with the task of preparing a working paper on the question of terrorism and human rights, and in this context invites States that so wish to forward relevant information to him;
7. Decides to continue its consideration of the question at its fifty-second session as a matter of priority.
53rd meeting, 3 March 1995 [Adopted without a vote]This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.