Setting international standards in the field of human rights : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling the extensive network of international standards in the field of human rights, which it and other United Nations bodies, including the specialized agencies, have established,

Emphasizing the primacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in this network,

Reaffirming that effective implementation of these international standards is of fundamental importance,

Recognizing the value of continuing efforts to identify specific areas where further international action is required to develop the existing international legal framework in the field of human rights pursuant to Article 13, paragraph 1 a, of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recognizing also that standard setting should proceed with adequate preparation,

Emphasizing that the standard setting activities of the United Nations should be as effective and efficient as possible,

1.         Calls upon Member States and United Nations bodies to accord priority to the implementation of existing international standards in the field of human rights and urges broad ratification of, or accession to, existing treaties in this field;

2.         Urges Member States and United Nations bodies engaged in developing new international human rights standards to give due consideration in this work to the established international legal framework;

3.         Reaffirms the important role of the Commission on Human Rights, among other appropriate United Nations bodies, in the development of international instruments in the field of human rights;

4.         Invites Member States and United Nations bodies to bear in mind the following guidelines in developing international instruments in the field of human rights; such instruments should, inter alia:

(a)        Be consistent with the existing body of international human rights law;

(b)        Be of fundamental character and derive from the inherent dignity and worth of the human person;

(c)        Be sufficiently precise to give rise to identifiable and practicable rights and obligations;

(d)        Provide, where appropriate, realistic and effective implementation machinery, including reporting systems;

(e)        Attract broad international support;

5.         Requests the Secretary-General to provide appropriate specialized support to United Nations bodies working on standard setting in the field of human rights.