Human rights in the administration of justice

The General Assembly,

Guided by the principles embodied in articles 3, 5, 9, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular article 6, which explicitly states that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life,

Guided also by the relevant principles embodied in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,

Calling attention to the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power and the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, approved by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1984/50 of 25 May 1984 and endorsed by the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, as well as to the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners,

Considering the importance of progress with regard to the draft Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment,

Further calling attention to the prohibition under article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the imposition of the death penalty for crimes committed by persons below 18 years of age,

Recognizing the significant contributions of the programme of work of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice to international co-operation in the field of human rights in the administration of justice, as reaffirmed, inter#alia, by the Economic and Social Council in its resolutions 1987/49 and 1987/53 of 28 May 1987,

Acknowledging the important work accomplished by the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-third session in this field, as reflected in its resolutions 1987/33 of 10 March 1987 on human rights in the administration of justice and 1987/57 of 11 March 1987 on summary or arbitrary executions,

Convinced of the need for further co-ordinated and concerted action in promoting respect for human rights in the administration of justice,

1.         Reiterates its call upon Member States to bring to an end the continued use of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, prohibited under international law, and strongly condemns the practice of summary or arbitrary executions;

2.         Urges Member States to spare no effort in providing for effective legislative and other mechanisms and procedures and adequate resources to ensure more effective implementation of existing international standards relating to human rights in the administration of justice;

3.         Welcomes the recommendations made by the Commission on Human Rights in its resolution 1987/33 on more effective implementation of existing international standards relating to human rights in the administration of justice and the need for strengthening co-ordinated national and international action in this regard;

4.         Encourages the Commission on Human Rights, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control, as well as regional and interregional human rights, crime prevention and criminal justice institutes and other entities of the United Nations system concerned to intensify their co-operation in matters relating to human rights in the administration of justice and invites the Economic and Social Council to co-ordinate such efforts;

5.         Encourages the continuing development of strategies for the practical implementation of United Nations standards and norms on human rights in the administration of justice and of measures to assist Member States, at their request, in this implementation, as well as in evaluating their impact and effectiveness, in particular under the advisory services of the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development, the Centre for Human Rights and the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat;

6.         Notes with appreciation the steps initiated by the Centre for Human Rights and the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs to ensure closer co-operation in this field, including preparations for the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders;

7.         Recognizes the important role of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned, in promoting human rights in the administration of justice and invites them to continue to co-operate with the Secretary-General to this effect;

8.         Decides to consider at its forty-third session the question of human rights in the administration of justice.