Indivisibility and interdependence of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Mindful of the obligations of States under the Charter of the United Nations to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Declaration on Social Progress and Development,

Recalling that in the preambles to the International Covenants on Human Rights, it is recognized that the ideal of free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can be achieved only if conditions are created whereby persons may enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights as well as their civil and political rights,

Also recalling its resolutions 40/114 of 13 December 1985, 41/117 of 4 December 1986, 42/102 of 7 December 1987 and 43/113 of 8 December 1988,

Reaffirming the provisions of its resolution 32/130 of 16 December 1977 that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent and that the promotion and protection of one category of rights can never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of the other rights,

Convinced that equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the implementation, promotion and protection of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights,

Desirous of removing all obstacles to the full realization of human rights, in particular mass and flagrant violations of human rights,

Reaffirming that there is a close and multidimensional relationship between disarmament and development, that progress in disarmament would considerably promote progress in development and that resources released through disarmament measures could contribute to the economic and social development and well-being of all peoples,

Recognizing that the realization of the right to development may help to promote the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1985/42 of 14 March 1985, 1986/15 of 10 March 1986, 1987/19 and 1987/20 of 10 March 1987, and 1988/22 and 1988/23 of 7 March 1988, and taking note of Commission resolutions 1989/12 and 1989/13 of 2 March 1989, in which it is stated that the implementation, promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights have not received sufficient attention within the framework of the United Nations system,

1.         Notes the essential importance of national efforts and international co-operation to achieve the full and effective realization of all human rights recognized in the International Covenants on Human Rights and other international instruments;

2.         Appeals to all States to pursue policies directed towards the implementation, promotion and protection of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights recognized in the International Covenants on Human Rights and other international instruments;

3.         Requests the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts under the programme of advisory services to States in the implementation, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms set forth in the International Covenants on Human Rights and other international instruments;

4.         Urges the Secretary-General to take determined steps, within existing resources, to give publicity to the Human Rights Committee and to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and to ensure that they receive full administrative support in order to enable them to discharge their functions effectively;

5.         Requests the organs of the United Nations, in co-operation with the specialized agencies, Member States and non-governmental organizations, to pay equal attention to economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights in the World Public Information Campaign for Human Rights;

6.         Decides to consider the question of the indivisibility and interdependence of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights at its forty-fifth session under the item entitled "International Covenants on Human Rights".