Developments relating to the activities of the Centre for Human Rights : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 44/135 of 15 December 1989,

Bearing in mind Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1989/46 of 6 March 1989 and 1990/25 of 27 February 1990, as well as Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/47 of 25 May 1990,

Considering that the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms is one of the basic aims of the United Nations according to the Charter of the United Nations and an issue of the utmost importance for the Organization,

Recognizing that the work-load of the Centre of Human Rights of the Secretariat has increased rapidly in recent years, while resources have failed to keep pace with the increase in responsibilities,

Noting that the difficult financial situation during the biennium 1990-1991 created considerable obstacles to the implementation of the various procedures and mechanisms, negatively influenced the servicing by the Secretariat of human rights bodies concerned and impaired the quality and precision of reporting,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General and noting that in spite of the recognition that the responsibilities of the Centre for Human Rights have increased rapidly in recent years, the only specific proposal made in the report as an interim solution for 1991 to the problems posed by the resource situation of the Centre, pursuant to the request made by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1990/47, is the reference to voluntary donations,

1.         Requests the Secretary-General to act promptly to respond to the needs of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat and to make additional specific proposals as interim solutions to these problems for the current biennium, in particular indicating the human resources required for the Centre to carry out its functions adequately, together with the related administrative and budgetary implications thereof, to the General Assembly not later than 10 December 1990, so that the budgetary process can be completed by the end of the current session;

2.         Also requests the Secretary-General, in conformity with his commitment, to include in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1992-1993 programme and resource proposals for long-term solutions to the problems posed by the situation in the Centre for Human Rights which respond to the needs of the Centre, are commensurate with its work-load and also take into account the need to respond to the requests for advisory services and technical assistance, primarily from developing countries, and the proposals contained in the report of the Task Force on Computerization, and in the study carried out by an independent expert concerning the effective implementation of international instruments on human rights;

3.         Further requests the Secretary-General to submit an interim report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-seventh session and a final report to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session, under the item entitled "Report of the Economic and Social Council".