Commission on Human Rights resolution 2000/62 Promotion of the right to a democratic and equitable international order

The Commission on Human Rights,

Reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,
Affirming that the enhancement of international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all human rights should continue to be carried out in full conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and particularly with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and non-use of force or the threat of force in international relations,
Recalling the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the determination to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small,
Reaffirming that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be fully realized,
Recalling the determination expressed in the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to establish conditions under which justice and respect for obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, to practise tolerance and good neighbourliness and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
Considering the major changes taking place on the international scene and the aspirations of all the peoples for an international order based on the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, peace, democracy, justice, equality, rule of law, pluralism, development, better standards of living and solidarity,
Considering also that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind, in particular as to race, sex, language or religion,
Reaffirming that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives,
Emphasizing that democracy is not only a political concept but also has economic and social dimensions,
Recognizing that democracy, respect for all human rights, including the right to development, transparent and accountable governance and administration in all sectors of society and effective participation by civil society are an essential part of the necessary foundations for the realization of social- and people-centred sustainable development,
Underlining that it is an ethical imperative for the international community to arrest and reverse the marginalization of several countries and to promote their expeditious enjoyment of the benefits of globalization and interdependence,
Resolved, on the eve of a new century and millennium, to take all measures within its power to secure a democratic and equitable international order,
1. Affirms that everyone is entitled to a democratic and equitable international order;
2. Also affirms that a democratic and equitable international order fosters the full realization of all human rights for all;
3. Further affirms that a democratic and equitable international order requires, inter alia, the realization of the following rights:
(a) The right of all peoples to self-determination, by virtue of which they can freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development;
(b) The right of peoples and nations to permanent sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources;
(c) The right of every human person and all peoples to development;
(d) The right of peoples to peace;
(e) The right to an international economic order based on equal participation in the decision-making process, interdependence, mutual interest, solidarity and cooperation among all States;
(f) The right to solidarity, by virtue of which all peoples and nations are entitled to international assistance in their efforts for the realization of the right to development, in particular in eradicating poverty, illiteracy and hunger, as well as in dealing with the consequences of emergency situations, such as natural disasters;
(g) The right of everyone to transparent, democratic, just and accountable international institutions in all areas of cooperation, in particular through the implementation of the principles of full and equal participation in their respective decision-making mechanisms;
(h) The right to equal access to international public service for persons from all regions and countries, ensuring an equitable regional and gender-balanced representation;
(i) The right to a free, just, effective and balanced international information and communication order;
(j) The right of everyone to cultural cooperation, promoting and protecting the variety and diversity of cultures around the world;
(k) The right to a healthy environment for everyone;
(l) The right of everyone to equitable access to benefits from the international distribution of wealth through enhanced international cooperation, in particular in economic, commercial and financial international relations;
(m) The right of everyone to ownership of the common heritage of mankind;
4. Stresses the importance of preserving the rich and diverse nature of the international community of nations and peoples, as well as the respect of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds in the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights;
5. Reaffirms that all States should promote the establishment, maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security and, to that end, should do their utmost to achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international control, as well as to ensure that the resources released by effective disarmament measures are used for comprehensive development, in particular that of the developing countries;
6. Recalls the proclamation by the Members of the United Nations of their determination to work urgently for the establishment of an international economic order based on equity, sovereign equality, interdependence, common interest and cooperation among all States, irrespective of their economic and social systems, which shall correct inequalities and redress existing injustices, make it possible to eliminate the widening gap between the developed and the developing countries and ensure steadily accelerating economic and social development and peace and justice for present and future generations;
7. Stresses the importance of international cooperation for the establishment of a new equilibrium and greater reciprocity in the international flow of information, in particular, correcting the inequalities in the flow of information to and from developing countries;
8. Reaffirms that the international community should devise ways and means to remove current obstacles and meet challenges to the full realization of all human rights and to prevent the continuation of human rights violations resulting therefrom throughout the world;
9. Urges States to continue their efforts, through enhanced international cooperation, towards the creation of a democratic and equitable international order;
10. Requests the Commission on Human Rights, human rights treaty bodies, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to pay due attention, within their respective mandates, to the present resolution and to make contributions towards its implementation;
11. Requests the High Commissioner to include in her report to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session progress made in the implementation of the present resolution;
12. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of Member States, organs, bodies and other components of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, in particular the Bretton Woods institutions, and non-governmental organizations and to disseminate it on the widest possible basis;
13. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-seventh session under
the same agenda item.

65th meeting
26 April 2000
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 30 votes to 17,
with 6 abstentions.]