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

 

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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, Recalling that in the Charter of the United Nations the peoples of the United Nations declared their 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 and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, Recalling also the purposes and principles of the Charter 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, Emphasizing the significance and validity of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the International Covenants on Human Rights in promoting respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recalling 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, Recalling also its resolutions 34/46 of 23 November 1979, 35/174 of 15 December 1980, 36/133 of 14 December 1981 and 38/124 of 16 December 1983, Recognizing that the human being is the main subject of development and that everyone has the right to participate in, as well as to benefit from, the development process, Reiterating once again that the establishment of the new international economic order is an essential element for the effective promotion and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, Reiterating also 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, Reaffirming the importance of furthering the activities of the existing organs of the United Nations in the field of human rights in conformity with the principles of the Charter, Underlining the need for the creation of conditions at the national and international levels for the promotion and full protection of the human rights of individuals and peoples, Emphasizing that Governments have the duty to ensure respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Taking note of the work done by the Working Group of Governmental Experts on the Right to Development, as reflected in its reports to the Commission on Human Rights, Underlining that the right to development is an inalienable human right, Recognizing that international peace and security are essential elements for the full realization of human rights, including the right to development, Considering that the resources which would be released by disarmament could contribute significantly to the development of all States, in particular the developing countries, Recognizing that co-operation among all nations on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State, including the right of each people to choose freely its own socio-economic and political system, and to exercise full sovereignty over its wealth and natural resources, subject to the principles referred to in article 1, paragraph 2, and article 25 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, is essential for the promotion of peace and development, Convinced that the primary aim of such international co-operation must be the achievement by each human being of a life of freedom and dignity and freedom from want, Acknowledging the progress so far achieved by the international community in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Concerned, however, at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the world, Reaffirming that nothing in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or in the International Covenants on Human Rights may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person the right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth therein, Affirming that the ultimate aim of development is the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population, on the basis of its full participation in the process of development and a fair distribution of the benefits therefrom,

1. Reiterates its request that the Commission on Human Rights 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 overall 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 and other relevant texts;

2. Affirms that a primary aim of international co-operation in the field of human rights is a life of freedom, dignity and peace for all peoples and for each human being, that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interrelated and that the promotion and protection of one category of rights should never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of the others;

3. Affirms its profound conviction that equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the implemention, protection and promotion of both civil and political and economic, social and cultural rights;

4. Reaffirms that it is of paramount importance for the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms that Member States should undertake specific obligations through accession to, or ratification of, international instruments in this field and, consequently, that 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;

5. Reiterates once again that the international community should accord, or continue to accord, priority to the search for solutions to mass and flagrant violations of human rights of peoples and individuals affected by situations such as those mentioned in paragraph 1(e) of its resolution 32/130, paying due attention also to other situations of violations of human rights;

6. Reaffirms its responsibility for achieving international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and expresses its concern at serious violations of human rights, in particular mass and flagrant violations of these rights, wherever they occur;

7. Expresses concern at the present situation with regard to the achievement of the objectives and goals for establishing the new international economic order and its adverse effects on the full realization of human rights, in particular the right to development;

8. Reaffirms that the right to development is an inalienable human right;

9. Reaffirms also that international peace and security are essential elements in achieving the full realization of the right to development;

10. Recognizes that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent;

11. Considers it necessary that all Member States promote international co-operation on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State, including the right of each people to choose freely its own socio-economic and political system, and to exercise full sovereignty over its wealth and natural resources, subject to the principles referred to in article 1, paragraph 2, and article 25 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, with a view to resolving international problems of an economic, social and humanitarian character;

12. Expresses concern at the disparity existing between the established norms and principles and the actual situation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world;

13. Urges all States to co-operate with the Commission on Human Rights in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

14. Reiterates the need to create, at the national and international levels, conditions for the full promotion and protection of the human rights of individuals and peoples;

15. Reaffirms once again that, in order to facilitate the full enjoyment of all rights and complete personal dignity, it is necessary to promote the rights to education, work, health and proper nourishment through the adoption of measures at the national level, including those that provide for workers' participation in management, as well as the adoption of measures at the international level, including the establishment of the new international economic order;

16. Requests the Commission on Human Rights to take the necessary measures to promote the right to development, taking into account the results achieved by the Working Group of Governmental Experts on the Right to Development, which is engaged in the study of the scope and content of the right to development, and welcomes the decision of the Commission in its resolution 1984/16 of 6 March 1984 that the Working Group should continue its work with the aim of submitting as soon as possible a draft declaration on the right to development;

17. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the General Assembly at its fortieth session a report containing information on the progress made by the Working Group of Governmental Experts on the Right to Development of the Commission on Human Rights in the drafting of a declaration on the right to development;

18. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fortieth 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".