Succession of States in respect of international human rights treaties.

Succession of States in respect of international human rights treaties

Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/18

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling its resolution 1994/16 of 25 February 1994, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.4/1995/80) on action taken with respect to the implementation of its resolution 1994/16 and the comments made thereon, Bearing in mind relevant decisions and recommendations of the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as well as of the fifth meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies, on succession issues in respect of international obligations in the field of human rights, Welcoming the recommendation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (A/CONF.157/23) adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights to encourage and facilitate the ratification of and accession or succession to international human rights treaties and protocols, Emphasizing once again the special importance of the observance of universal norms and standards on human rights for the maintenance of stability and the rule of law in any State, and noting in this connection the paramount responsibility of each State to promote, protect and secure the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Welcoming the progress made in the confirmation by some successor States of their obligations under international human rights treaties,

1. Reiterates its call to successor States which have not yet done so to confirm to appropriate depositaries that they continue to be bound by obligations under international human rights treaties;

2. Emphasizes the special nature of the human rights treaties aimed at the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

3. Requests the human rights treaty bodies to consider further the continuing applicability of the respective international human rights treaties to successor States, with the aim of assisting them in meeting their obligations;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to encourage successor States to confirm their obligations under the international human rights treaties to which their predecessor States were a party;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission at its fifty-second session in regard to action taken under this agenda item;

6. Decides to continue the consideration of this question at its fifty-second session under the agenda item entitled "Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights".

42nd meeting, 24 February 1995 [Adopted without a vote]