Situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in El Salvador.

35. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
192. Situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in El Salvador

The General Assembly, Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,[1] Conscious of its responsibility to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, Noting that all Governments have an obligation to respect and promote human rights in accordance with the responsibilities they have undertaken under various international instruments, Bearing in mind resolution 19 adopted on 30 July 1980 by the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women,[2] Dismayed by reports of human rights violations in El Salvador and especially by the death of thousands of persons and the climate of repression and insecurity prevailing in the country, which favours terrorism by paramilitary groups and enables it to be engaged in with impunity, Deeply shocked by the vile assassination of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, a prestigious personality, outstanding for his defence of the human rights of the Salvadorian people, and by the persecution of Salvadorian figures such as Monsignor Arturo Rivera Damas, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of San Salvador, Gravely concerned about the unknown fate of many persons detained by the authorities, Profoundly indignant at the assassination of Mr. Enrique Alvarez Cordova, President of the Revolutionary Democratic Front of El Salvador, as well as of five other members of the Executive Committee of that Front, perpetrated on 27 November 1980 in San Salvador, Considering that the supply of arms and other military assistance will serve to aggravate the situation in that country,

1. Expresses its deep concem at the grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in El Salvador;

2. Deplores the murders, disappearances and other violations of human rights reported in El Salvador and requests the Salvadorian authorities to take prompt action to curb the reprehensible activities of paramilitary groups;

3. Urges the Government of El Salvador to take the necessary steps to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country and to guarantee the safety of Monsignor Arturo Rivera Damas, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of San Salvador, whose life is in danger;

4. Appeals for a cessation of violence and for the establishment of full respect for human rights in El Salvador;

5. Calls upon Governments to refrain from the supply of arms and other military assistance in the current circumstances;

6. Requests the Commission on Human Rights to examine, at its thirty-seventh session, the situation of human rights in El Salvador.

96th plenary meeting
15 December 1980

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[1] Resolution 217 A (III). [2] See Report of the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Copenhagen, 14-30 July 1980 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.80.IV.3 and corrigendum), chap. I, sect. B.