Human rights and scientific and technological developments

The General Assembly,

Noting that scientific and technological progress is one of the decisive factors in the development of human society,

Recalling once again the great importance of the Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 3384 (XXX) of 10 November 1975,

Considering that implementation of the Declaration will contribute to the strengthening of international peace and the security of peoples and to their economic and social development, as well as to international co-operation in the field of human rights,

Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the Declaration on Social Progress and Development,

Realizing that the science and technology of our times create possibilities for providing an abundance of wealth on Earth and establishing material conditions for the prosperity of society as well as the all-round development of every person,

Seriously concerned that the results of scientific and technological progress could be used for the arms race and development of new types of weapons to the detriment of international peace and security and social progress, human rights and fundamental freedoms and the dignity of the human person,

Emphasizing the growing importance of intellectual work, of interaction between science, technology and society and the humanistic, moral and ethical orientation of science and of scientific and technological progress,

Convinced that in the era of modern scientific and technologial progress the resources of mankind and the activities of scientists should be used for the peaceful economic, social and cultural development of countries and for the improvement of the living standards of all people,

Recognizing that the establishment of the new international economic order calls in particular for an important contribution to be made by science and technology to economic and social progress,

Bearing in mind that the exchange and transfer of scientific and technological knowledge is one of the important ways to accelerate the social and economic development of the developing countries,

Taking note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General on human rights and scientific and technological developments,

1.         Stresses the importance of the implementation by all States of the provisions and principles contained in the Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind in order to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms;

2.         Calls upon all States to make every effort to use the achievements of science and technology in order to promote peaceful social, economic and cultural development and progress and to put an end to the use of these achievements for military purposes;

3.         Also calls upon States to take all necessary measures in order that all the achievements of science and technology be placed at the service of mankind and do not lead to the degradation of the natural environment;

4.         Requests the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to take into account in their programmes and activities the provisions of the Declaration;

5.         Requests the Commission on Human Rights to continue to give special attention, in its consideration of the item entitled "Human rights and scientific and technological developments", to the question of the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration;

6.         Invites the Commission on Human Rights to take appropriate measures and to assist the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in preparing the study requested by the Commission in its resolutions 1982/4 of 19 February 1982, 1984/29 of 12 March 1984 and 1986/11 of 10 March 1986;

7.         Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-third session the item entitled "Human rights and scientific and technological developments".