National institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

 

National institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights

  The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 32/123 of 16 December 1977, 33/46 of 14 December 1978, 34/49 of 23 November 1979, 36/134 of 14 December 1981, 38/123 of 16 December 1983 and 39/144 of 14 December 1984, Mindful of the guidelines on the structure and functioning of national and local institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 33/46, Emphasizing the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other international human rights instruments for promoting respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Conscious of the significant role that institutions at the national level can play in protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms and in developing and enhancing public awareness and observance of those rights and freedoms, Welcoming the organization at Geneva, under the auspices of the United Nations, of a seminar on the experience of different countries in the implementation of international standards on human rights, held from 20 June to l July 1983, and a seminar on community relations commissions and their functions, held from 9 to 20 September 1985,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;

2. Emphasizes the importance of developing, in accordance with national legislation, effective national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights, and of maintaining their independence and integrity;

3. Encourages all Member States to take appropriate steps for the establishment or, where they already exist, the strengthening of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights;

4. Draws attention to the constructive role that national non-governmental organizations can play in the work of such national institutions;

5. Encourages all Member States to take appropriate steps to promote the exchange of information and experience concerning the establishment of such national institutions;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to give due attention to the role of national institutions and non-governmental organizations concerned with the protection and promotion of human rights and to provide all necessary assistance to Member States, upon their request, in the implementation of paragraphs 3 and 5 above, according high priority to the needs of developing countries;

7. Also requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide and, as appropriate, to enhance assistance in the field of human rights to Governments, at their request, within the framework of the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights;

8. Welcomes and encourages the efforts of the Secretary-General to prepare and submit to the General Assembly, through the Commission on Human Rights and the Economic and Social Council, a consolidated report, for eventual publication as a United Nations handbook, on national institutions for the use of Governments, including information on the various types and models of national and local institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights, taking into account differing social and legal systems;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-first session on the implementation of the present resolution..