Respect for human rights in armed conflicts

XXV. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
2677. Respect for human rights in armed conflicts

The General Assembly, Determined to continue all efforts to eliminate the threat or use of force in international relations, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, and to bring about general and complete disarmament under effective international control, Reaffirming its desire to secure the full observance of human rights applicable in all armed conflicts pending the earliest possible termination of such conflicts, Convinced of the continuing value of existing humanitarian rules relating to armed conflicts, in particular the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907,[1]1the Geneva Protocol of 1925[2]2and the Geneva Conventions of 1949,[3]Realizing, however, that because existing humanitarian rules do not adequately meet all contemporary situations of armed conflict it is necessary to develop the substance of these rules and procedures for their implementation, Reaffirming the principles contained in resolution XXIII adopted by the International Conference on Human Rights held at Teheran in 1968,[4]4and in General Assembly resolutions 2444 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968 and 2597 (XXIV) of 16 December 1969, Aware of the importance and complexity of the tasks undertaken in pursuance of these resolutions, which require the continuing attention and concern of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the international community as a whole, Noting with appreciation the two reports of the Secretary-General on respect for human rights in armed conflicts,[5]Recalling resolution XIII adopted unanimously by the twenty first International Conference of the Red Cross held at Istanbul in 1969,[6]6concerning the reaffirmation and development of the laws and customs applicable in armed conflicts, Welcoming the decision of the International Committee of the Red Cross to convene at Geneva, from 24 May to 12 June 1971, a conference on the reaffirmation and development of international humanitarian law applicable to armed conflicts, to be attended by government experts, Believing that one or more plenipotentiary diplomatic conferences of States parties to the Geneva Conventions and other interested States might be convened at an appropriate time, after due preparation, in order to adopt international legal instruments for the reaffirmation and development of humanitarian law applicable to armed conflicts, Considering that the effective implementation of humanitarian rules relating to armed conflicts can best be attained if those rules are laid down in widely accepted agreements, Emphasizing the importance of continued close collaboration between the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross,

1. Calls upon all parties to any armed conflict to observe the rules laid down in the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, the Geneva Protocol of 1925, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and other humanitarian rules applicable in armed conflicts, and invites those States which have not yet done so to adhere to those instruments;

2. Expresses the hope that the conference of government experts to be convened in 1971 by the International Committee of the Red Cross will consider further what development is required in existing humanitarian laws applicable to armed conflicts, and that it will make specific recommendations in this respect for consideration by Governments;

3. Requests the Secretary General:

(a) To invite early comments by Governments on his reports;

(b) To transmit his reports and the comments of Governments thereon, together with the records of relevant discussions and resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights, to the International Committee of the Red Cross for consideration, as appropriate, by the conference of government experts;

(c) To present the comments received to the General Assembly at its twenty-sixth session and to report at that session on the results of the conference of government experts to be convened by the International Committee of the Red Cross and on any other relevant developments;

4. Decides to consider this question again, in all its aspects, at the twenty-sixth session.

1922nd plenary meeting,
9 December 1970.


[1] Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Hague Conventions and Declarations of 1899 and 1907 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1915). [2] League of Nations, Treaty Series, vol. XCIV (1929), No. 2138. [3] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), Nos. 970-973. [4] Final Act of the International Conference on Human Rights (United Nations publication, Sales No.: E.68.XIV.2), p. 18. [5] A/7720 and A/8052. [6] See A/7720, annex I, section D.
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