Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations System for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

32. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
130. Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms

The General Assembly, Convinced that the obligation of all States to observe the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations is fundamental for the promotion and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and for the realization of the full dignity and worth of the-human person, Conscious that it is the duty of the United Nations and of all Member States to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Convinced that such co-operation should be based on a profound understanding of the variety of problems existing in different societies and on the full respect for their economic, social and cultural realities, Bearing in mind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,[1] Acknowledging the progress achieved by the international community in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly with respect to the standard-setting work within the United Nations system, Noting with satisfaction the entry into force of the International Covenants on Human Rights[2] and of a large number of other important international instruments in the field of human rights, Considering that the acceptance by Member States of the obligations contained in those instruments is an important element for the universal realization and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recognizing that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his civil and political rights, Profoundly convinced that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are interrelated and indivisible, Recognizing that apartheid, all forms of racial discrimination, colonialism, foreign domination and occupation, aggression and threats against national sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, as well as the refusal to recognize the fundamental rights of all peoples to self-determination and of every nation to exercise full sovereignty over its natural wealth and resources, constitute situations which in themselves are and generate mass and flagrant violations of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples as well, as of individuals, Deeply concerned at the continuing existence of an unjust international economic order which constitutes a major obstacle to the realization of the economic, social and cultural rights in developing countries, Considering that the approach to the future work within the United Nations system in the field of human rights should take into due account the experiences and the general situation of, as well as the efforts made by, the developing countries to implement human rights and fundamental freedoms, Considering that the thirtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be marked by an over-all analysis of existing problems in the field of human rights and by increased efforts in finding appropriate solutions for the effective promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking into account the experiences and contributions of both developed and developing countries, Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General on this item,[3]

1. Decides that the approach to the future work within the United Nations system with respect to human rights questions should take into account the following concepts:

(a) All human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent; equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the implementation, promotion and protection of both civil and political, and economic, social and cultural rights;

(b) "The full realization of civil and political rights without the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights is impossible; the achievement of lasting progress in the implementation of human rights is dependent upon sound and effective national and international policies of economic and social development", as recognized by the Proclamation of Teheran of 1968;[4]

(c) All human rights and fundamental freedoms of the human person and of peoples are inalienable;

(d) Consequently, human rights questions should be examined globally, taking into account both the overall context of the various societies in which they present themselves, as well as the need for the promotion of the full dignity of the human person and the development and well-being of the society;

(e) In approaching human rights questions within the United Nations system, the international community should accord, or continue to accord, priority to the search for solutions to the mass and flagrant violations of human rights of peoples and persons affected by situations such as those resulting from apartheid, from all forms of racial discrimination, from colonialism, from foreign domination and occupation, from aggression and threats against national sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, as well as from the refusal to recognize the fundamental rights of peoples to self-determination and of every nation to the exercise of full sovereignty over its wealth and natural resources;

(f) The realization of the new international economic order is an essential element for the effective promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms and should also be accorded priority;

(g) It is of paramount importance for the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms that Member States undertake specific obligations through accession to or ratification of international instruments in this field; consequently, the standard-setting work within the United Nations system in the field of human rights and the universal acceptance and implementation of the relevant international instruments should be encouraged;

(h) The experience and contribution of both developed and developing countries should be taken into account by all organs of the United Nations system in their work related to human rights and fundamental freedoms;

2. Requests the Commission on Human Rights:

(a) To undertake at its thirty-fourth session, as a matter of priority, an over-all analysis of the alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the light of the above concepts;

(b) To comply with the mandate established by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1992 (LX) of 12 May 1976 and the Commission in its decision 4 (XXXIII) of 21 February 1977,[5] and in the light of the present resolution;

(c) To submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-fourth session, through the Economic and Social Council, a report with its conclusions and recommendations on the work done with respect to subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, and to submit a progress report to the Assembly at its thirty-third session, through the Council;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the present resolution to all United Nations organs and specialized agencies concerned;

4. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-third session the item entitled "Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

105th plenary meeting
16 December 1977

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[1] Resolution 217 A (III). [2] Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. [3] A/10235, A/32/178, A/32/179. [4] Final Act of the International Conference on Human Rights (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.68.XIV.2), p. 3. [5] See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, Sixty-second Session, Supplement No. 6 (E/5927), chap. XXI, sect. B.