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

35. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
174. 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, Bearing in mind Article 13, paragraph 1 b, of the Charter, by which the General Assembly shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of promoting international co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights[1] and of the International Covenants on Human Rights[2] in further promoting international co-operation in respecting and observing human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recalling also its resolution 32/130 of 16 December 1977, in which it decided that the approach to the future work within the United Nations system with respect to human rights questions should take into account the concepts set forth in that resolution, Recognizing that the efforts of States and of the United Nations for the promotion of political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights require the establishment of the new international economic order to ensure the full enjoyment of those rights, Recognizing also that the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States to promote and protect civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural rights should continue, Reiterating its profound conviction that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent, and that 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, Stressing that, in order fully to guarantee human rights and complete personal dignity, it is necessary to guarantee the right to work, the participation of workers in management, and the right to education, health and proper nourishment, through the adoption of measures at the national and international levels, including the establishment of the new international economic order, Emphasizing that the right to development is a human right and that equality of opportunity is as much a prerogative of nations as of individuals within nations, Recalling its resolution 34/46 of 23 November 1979, Appreciating that it is necessary that the Commission on Human Rights should continue its current work on the over-all analysis with a view to further promoting and improving human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the question of the Commission's programme and working methods, and on the over-all analysis of the alternative approaches and ways and means for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the provisions and concepts of resolution 32/130, Noting with appreciation the report of the Seminar on the Effects of the Existing Unjust International Economic Order on the Economies of the Developing Countries and the Obstacle that this Represents for the Implementation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, organized by the United Nations and held at Geneva from 30 June to 11 July 1980,[3] Taking into account the request made to the Secretary-General in paragraph 12 of resolution 34/46,

1. Reiterates its request to the Commission on Human Rights to continue its current work on the overall analysis with a view to further promoting and improving human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the question of the Commission's programme and working methods, and on the over-all analysis of the alternative approaches and ways and means for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the provisions and concepts of General Assembly resolution 32/130;

2. Reaffirms that 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, and that, 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;

3. Emphasizes the necessity of establishing the new international economic order to ensure the promotion and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all;

4. Affirms that the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States to promote and to protect civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, should continue;

5. Requests the Commission on Human Rights to take the necessary measures to promote the right to development as a human right, which is as much a prerogative of nations as of individuals within nations, and to take action for its realization;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to give priority, through the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights, to the holding in 1981 of a seminar on the relations that exist between human rights, peace and development and, to this end, to present a report to the Commission on Human Rights at its thirty-seventh session, as was recommended by the Seminar on the Effects of the Existing Unjust International Economic Order on the Economies of the Developing Countries and the Obstacle that this Represents for the Implementation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;

7. Requests the Secretary-General, when preparing the study requested in paragraph 12 of resolution 34/46, to include possible solutions which will help eliminate the massive and flagrant violations of human rights and of the rights of peoples and individuals affected by situations such as those resulting from the evils mentioned in paragraph 1 (e) of resolution 32/130, and to indicate the obstacles to the establishment of the new international economic order, which is an essential element for the effective promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

8. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-sixth 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".

96th plenary meeting
15 December 1980

---

[1] Resolution 217 A (III). [2] Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. [3] ST/HR/SER.A/8.