Fortieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Considering that the year 1988 will mark the fortieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which, conceived as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations and having provided the basis for the development of the International Covenants on Human Rights, has been and rightly continues to be a fundamental source of inspiration for national and international efforts for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Recalling in this respect its resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948, by which it officially proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and its resolution 36/169 of 16 December 1981, concerning the observance of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration, as well as its resolution 38/57 of 9 December 1983, relating to the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration,

Convinced of the continuing need to promote the universal observance and enjoyment of human rights, which contribute to peaceful and friendly relations among nations,

1.         Decides to celebrate in 1988 the fortieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

2.         Invites Member States, the specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to take appropriate measures, such as those set forth in the annex to the present resolution, and to support appropriate activities aimed at encouraging the promotion of the universal observance and enjoyment of civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights;

3.         Requests the Secretary-General to consider including in his proposed programme budget for the biennium 1988-1989 appropriate activities, such as those indicated in the annex to the present resolution, to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration;

4.         Requests the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat to disseminate appropriate public information, broadcasting and audio-visual material designed to draw attention to, and emphasize the importance of, the Declaration and the role played and the work done by the United Nations to ensure the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

5.         Invites the United Nations Postal Administration to issue commemorative postage stamps on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration;

6.         Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-third session an item entitled "Fortieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights";

7.         Further decides to devote one plenary meeting during its forty-third session to the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration, which falls on 10 December 1988, and requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary preparations for the programme of that meeting.

ANNEX

Recommended measures for the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1. The following measures are recommended for possible action at the national level:

(a)        Formal proclamation of 10 December 1988 as Human Rights Day;

(b)        Issuance of special messages on 10 December 1988 by heads of State or Government or other prominent civil personalities;

(c)        Special meetings of parliamentary and other public and private institutions on Human Rights Day;

(d)        Special consideration by States which have not yet ratified or acceded to the international instruments of the United Nations in the field of human rights to become parties to those instruments;

(e)        Establishment or strengthening of national or local institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights and encouragement of teaching programmes on human rights at various educational levels;

(f)         Dissemination of the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in national languages, including the languages of minorities;

(g)        Issuance during 1988 of human rights postage stamps, first-day covers and special cancellations;

(h)        Participation by non-governmental organizations in the celebration of the anniversary, and the organization of activities by such organizations;

(i)         Organization of activities within the framework and in support of current decades and international years being prepared on human rights issues.

2. It is recommended that the following measures, among others, should be taken by the Secretary-General at the United Nations level:

(a)        Issuance by 10 December 1988 of updated versions in all official languages of the United Nations of the publication entitled Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments;

(b)        Issuance by 10 December 1988 of updated versions in all official languages of the United Nations of the publication entitled United Nations Action in the Field of Human Rights;

(c)        Organization of commemorative events, as in past practice, at United Nations Headquarters and at the United Nations Offices at Geneva and Vienna, as well as at Nairobi and at United Nations information centres, on or around 10 December 1988;

(d)        Organization in 1988, within the framework of the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights, of an international seminar on the teaching of human rights;

(e)        Adoption of arrangements for the award of human rights prizes, as envisaged in recommendation C of the annex to General Assembly resolution 2217 A (XXI) of 19 December 1966.