Part I
Part II
A.
Increased coordination on human rights within the United Nations
system
B. Equality,
dignity and tolerance
- Racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance
- Persons
belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic
minorities
- The
equal status and human rights of women
- The
rights of the child
- Freedom
from torture
- The
rights of the disabled person
C. Cooperation,
development and strengthening of human rights
D. Human rights education
E. Implementation and monitoring
methods
F. Follow-up to the World Conference
on Human Rights
The World Conference on Human
Rights,
Considering that the promotion and protection of human rights
is a matter of priority for the international community, and that
the Conference affords a unique opportunity to carry out a comprehensive
analysis of the international human rights system and of the machinery
for the protection of human rights, in order to enhance and thus
promote a fuller observance of those rights, in a just and balanced
manner,
Recognizing and affirming that all human rights derive from
the dignity and worth inherent in the human person, and that the
human person is the central subject of human rights and fundamental
freedoms, and consequently should be the principal beneficiary and
should participate actively in the realization of these rights and
freedoms,
Reaffirming their commitment to the purposes and principles
contained in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights,
Reaffirming the commitment contained in Article 56 of the
Charter of the United Nations to take joint and separate action,
placing proper emphasis on developing effective international cooperation
for the realization of the purposes set out in Article 55, including
universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental
freedoms for all,
Emphasizing the responsibilities of all States, in conformity
with the Charter of the United Nations, to develop and encourage
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without
distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
Recalling the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations,
in particular the determination to reaffirm faith in fundamental
human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and
in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small,
Recalling also the determination expressed in the Preamble
of the Charter of the United Nations to save succeeding generations
from the scourge of war, to establish conditions under which justice
and respect for obligations arising from treaties and other sources
of international law can be maintained, to promote social progress
and better standards of life in larger freedom, to practice tolerance
and good neighbourliness, and to employ international machinery
for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all
peoples,
Emphasizing that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which constitutes a common standard of achievement for all peoples
and all nations, is the source of inspiration and has been the basis
for the United Nations in making advances in standard setting as
contained in the existing international human rights instruments,
in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights.
Considering the major changes taking place on the international
scene and the aspirations of all the peoples for an international
order based on the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United
Nations, including promoting and encouraging respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principle of
equal rights and self -determination of peoples, peace, democracy,
justice, equality, rule of law, pluralism, development, better standards
of living and solidarity,
Deeply concerned by various forms of discrimination and violence,
to which women continue to be exposed all over the world,
Recognizing that the activities of the United Nations in
the field of human rights should be rationalized and enhanced in
order to strengthen the United Nations machinery in this field and
to further the objectives of universal respect for observance of
international human rights standards,
Having taken into account the Declarations adopted by the
three regional meetings at Tunis, San José and Bangkok and the contributions
made by Governments, and bearing in mind the suggestions made by
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as
the studies prepared by independent experts during the preparatory
process leading to the World Conference on Human Rights,
Welcoming the International Year of the World's Indigenous
People 1993 as a reaffirmation of the commitment of the international
community to ensure their enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms and to respect the value and diversity of their cultures
and identities,
Recognizing also that the international community should
devise ways and means to remove the current obstacles and meet challenges
to the full realization of all human rights and to prevent the continuation
of human rights violations resulting thereof throughout the world,
Invoking the spirit of our age and the realities of our time
which call upon the peoples of the world and all States Members
of the United Nations to rededicate themselves to the global task
of promoting and protecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms
so as to secure full and universal enjoyment of these rights,
Determined to take new steps forward in the commitment of
the international community with a view to achieving substantial
progress in human rights endeavours by an increased and sustained
effort of international cooperation and solidarity,
Solemnly
adopts the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
I
1. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms the solemn commitment
of all States to fulfil their obligations to promote universal respect
for, and observance and protection of, all human rights and fundamental
freedoms for all in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,
other instruments relating to human rights, and international law.
The universal nature of these rights and freedoms is beyond question.
In this framework, enhancement of international cooperation in the
field of human rights is essential for the full achievement of the
purposes of the United Nations.
Human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human
beings; their protection and promotion is the first responsibility
of Governments.
2. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of
that right they freely determine their political status, and freely
pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Taking into account the particular situation of peoples under colonial
or other forms of alien domination or foreign occupation, the World
Conference on Human Rights recognizes the right of peoples to take
any legitimate action, in accordance with the Charter of the United
Nations, to realize their inalienable right of self-determination.
The World Conference on Human Rights considers the denial of the right
of self-determination as a violation of human rights and underlines
the importance of the effective realization of this right.
In accordance with the Declaration on Principles of International
Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation Among States in
accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, this shall not
be construed as authorizing or encouraging any action which would
dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity
or political unity of sovereign and independent States conducting
themselves in compliance with the principle of equal rights and self-determination
of peoples and thus possessed of a Government representing the whole
people belonging to the territory without distinction of any kind.
3. Effective international measures to guarantee and monitor the implementation
of human rights standards should be taken in respect of people under
foreign occupation, and effective legal protection against the violation
of their human rights should be provided, in accordance with human
rights norms and international law, particularly the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
14 August 1949, and other applicable norms of humanitarian law.
4. The promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms must be considered as a priority objective of the United
Nations in accordance with its purposes and principles, in particular
the purpose of international cooperation. In the framework of these
purposes and principles, the promotion and protection of all human
rights is a legitimate concern of the international community. The
organs and specialized agencies related to human rights should therefore
further enhance the coordination of their activities based on the
consistent and objective application of international human rights
instruments.
5. All human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent
and interrelated. The international community must treat human rights
globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with
the same emphasis. While the significance of national and regional
particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds
must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their
political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all
human rights and fundamental freedoms.
6. The efforts of the United Nations system towards the universal
respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all, contribute to the stability and well-being necessary for
peaceful and friendly relations among nations, and to improved conditions
for peace and security as well as social and economic development,
in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
7. The processes of promoting and protecting human rights should be
conducted in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter
of the United Nations, and international law.
8. Democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Democracy is
based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their
own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full
participation in all aspects of their lives. In the context of the
above, the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms at the national and international levels should be universal
and conducted without conditions attached. The international community
should support the strengthening and promoting of democracy, development
and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the entire
world.
9. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that least developed
countries committed to the process of democratization and economic
reforms, many of which are in Africa, should be supported by the international
community in order to succeed in their transition to democracy and
economic development.
10. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms the right to development,
as established in the Declaration on the Right to Development, as
a universal and inalienable right and an integral part of fundamental
human rights.
As stated in the Declaration on the Right to Development, the human
person is the central subject of development.
While development facilitates the enjoyment of all human rights, the
lack of development may not be invoked to justify the abridgement
of internationally recognized human rights.
States should cooperate with each other in ensuring development and
eliminating obstacles to development. The international community
should promote an effective international cooperation for the realization
of the right to development and the elimination of obstacles to development.
Lasting progress towards the implementation of the right to development
requires effective development policies at the national level, as
well as equitable economic relations and a favourable economic environment
at the international level.
11. The right to development should be fulfilled so as to meet equitably
the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.
The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes that illicit dumping
of toxic and dangerous substances and waste potentially constitutes
a serious threat to the human rights to life and health of everyone.
Consequently, the World Conference on Human Rights calls on all States
to adopt and vigorously implement existing conventions relating to
the dumping of toxic and dangerous products and waste and to cooperate
in the prevention of illicit dumping.
Everyone has the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress
and its applications. The World Conference on Human Rights notes that
certain advances, notably in the biomedical and life sciences as well
as in information technology, may have potentially adverse consequences
for the integrity, dignity and human rights of the individual, and
calls for international cooperation to ensure that human rights and
dignity are fully respected in this area of universal concern
12. The World Conference on Human Rights calls upon the international
community to make all efforts to help alleviate the external debt
burden of developing countries, in order to supplement the efforts
of the Governments of such countries to attain the full realization
of the economic, social and cultural rights of their people.
13. There is a need for States and international organizations, in
cooperation with non-governmental organizations, to create favourable
conditions at the national, regional and international levels to ensure
the full and effective enjoyment of human rights. States should eliminate
all violations of human rights and their causes, as well as obstacles
to the enjoyment of these rights.
14. The existence of widespread extreme poverty inhibits the full
and effective enjoyment of human rights; its immediate alleviation
and eventual elimination must remain a high priority for the international
community.
15. Respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms without
distinction of any kind is a fundamental rule of international human
rights law. The speedy and comprehensive elimination of all forms
of racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
is a priority task for the international community. Governments should
take effective measures to prevent and combat them. Groups, institutions,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals
are urged to intensify their efforts in cooperating and coordinating
their activities against these evils.
16. The World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the progress made
in dismantling apartheid and calls upon the international community
and the United Nations system to assist in this process.
The World Conference on Human Rights also deplores the continuing
acts of violence aimed at undermining the quest for a peaceful dismantling
of apartheid.
17. The acts, methods and practices of terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations as well as linkage in some countries to drug trafficking
are activities aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental
freedoms and democracy, threatening territorial integrity, security
of States and destabilizing legitimately constituted Governments.
The international community should take the necessary steps to enhance
cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism.
18. The human rights of women and of the girl-child are an inalienable,
integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. The full
and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social
and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels,
and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex
are priority objectives of the international community.
Gender-based violence and all forms of sexual harassment and exploitation,
including those resulting from cultural prejudice and international
trafficking, are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human
person, and must be eliminated. This can be achieved by legal measures
and through national action and international cooperation in such
fields as economic and social development, education, safe maternity
and health care, and social support.
The human rights of women should form an integral part of the United
Nations human rights activities, including the promotion of all human
rights instruments relating to women.
The World Conference on Human Rights urges Governments, institutions,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to intensify
their efforts for the protection and promotion of human rights of
women and the girl-child.
19. Considering the importance of the promotion and protection of
the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the contribution
of such promotion and protection to the political and social stability
of the States in which such persons live,
The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms the obligation of States
to ensure that persons belonging to minorities may exercise fully
and effectively all human rights and fundamental freedoms without
any discrimination and in full equality before the law in accordance
with the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National
or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
The persons belonging to minorities have the right to enjoy their
own culture, to profess and practise their own religion and to use
their own language in private and in public, freely and without interference
or any form of discrimination.
20. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes the inherent dignity
and the unique contribution of indigenous people to the development
and plurality of society and strongly reaffirms the commitment of
the international community to their economic, social and cultural
well-being and their enjoyment of the fruits of sustainable development.
States should ensure the full and free participation of indigenous
people in all aspects of society, in particular in matters of concern
to them. Considering the importance of the promotion and protection
of the rights of indigenous people, and the contribution of such promotion
and protection to the political and social stability of the States
in which such people live, States should, in accordance with international
law, take concerted positive steps to ensure respect for all human
rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, on the basis
of equality and non-discrimination, and recognize the value and diversity
of their distinct identities, cultures and social organization.
21. The World Conference on Human Rights, welcoming the early ratification
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by a large number of
States and noting the recognition of the human rights of children
in the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development
of Children and Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit for Children,
urges universal ratification of the Convention by 1995 and its effective
implementation by States parties through the adoption of all the necessary
legislative, administrative and other measures and the allocation
to the maximum extent of the available resources. In all actions concerning
children, non-discrimination and the best interest of the child should
be primary considerations and the views of the child given due weight.
National and international mechanisms and programmes should be strengthened
for the defence and protection of children, in particular, the girl-child,
abandoned children, street children, economically and sexually exploited
children, including through child pornography, child prostitution
or sale of organs, children victims of diseases including acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, refugee and displaced children, children
in detention, children in armed conflict, as well as children victims
of famine and drought and other emergencies. International cooperation
and solidarity should be promoted to support the implementation of
the Convention and the rights of the child should be a priority in
the United Nations system-wide action on human rights.
The World Conference on Human Rights also stresses that the child
for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality
should grow up in a family environment which accordingly merits broader
protection.
22. Special attention needs to be paid to ensuring non-discrimination,
and the equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
by disabled persons, including their active participation in all aspects
of society.
23. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that everyone,
without distinction of any kind, is entitled to the right to seek
and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution, as well as
the right to return to one's own country. In this respect it stresses
the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1951
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol and
regional instruments. It expresses its appreciation to States that
continue to admit and host large numbers of refugees in their territories,
and to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
for its dedication to its task. It also expresses its appreciation
to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East.
The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes that gross violations
of human rights, including in armed conflicts, are among the multiple
and complex factors leading to displacement of people.
The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes that, in view of the
complexities of the global refugee crisis and in accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations, relevant international instruments
and international solidarity and in the spirit of burden-sharing,
a comprehensive approach by the international community is needed
in coordination and cooperation with the countries concerned and relevant
organizations, bearing in mind the mandate of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees. This should include the development of
strategies to address the root causes and effects of movements of
refugees and other displaced persons, the strengthening of emergency
preparedness and response mechanisms, the provision of effective protection
and assistance, bearing in mind the special needs of women and children,
as well as the achievement of durable solutions, primarily through
the preferred solution of dignified and safe voluntary repatriation,
including solutions such as those adopted by the international refugee
conferences. The World Conference on Human Rights underlines the responsibilities
of States, particularly as they relate to the countries of origin.
In the light of the comprehensive approach, the World Conference on
Human Rights emphasizes the importance of giving special attention
including through intergovernmental and humanitarian organizations
and finding lasting solutions to questions related to internally displaced
persons including their voluntary and safe return and rehabilitation.
In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles
of humanitarian law, the World Conference on Human Rights further
emphasizes the importance of and the need for humanitarian assistance
to victims of all natural and man-made disasters.
24. Great importance must be given to the promotion and protection
of the human rights of persons belonging to groups which have been
rendered vulnerable, including migrant workers, the elimination of
all forms of discrimination against them, and the strengthening and
more effective implementation of existing human rights instruments.
States have an obligation to create and maintain adequate measures
at the national level, in particular in the fields of education, health
and social support, for the promotion and protection of the rights
of persons in vulnerable sectors of their populations and to ensure
the participation of those among them who are interested in finding
a solution to their own problems.
25. The World Conference on Human Rights affirms that extreme poverty
and social exclusion constitute a violation of human dignity and that
urgent steps are necessary to achieve better knowledge of extreme
poverty and its causes, including those related to the problem of
development, in order to promote the human rights of the poorest,
and to put an end to extreme poverty and social exclusion and to promote
the enjoyment of the fruits of social progress. It is essential for
States to foster participation by the poorest people in the decision-making
process by the community in which they live, the promotion of human
rights and efforts to combat extreme poverty.
26. The World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the progress made
in the codification of human rights instruments, which is a dynamic
and evolving process, and urges the universal ratification of human
rights treaties. All States are encouraged to accede to these international
instruments; all States are encouraged to avoid, as far as possible,
the resort to reservations.
27. Every State should provide an effective framework of remedies
to redress human rights grievances or violations. The administration
of justice, including law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies and,
especially, an independent judiciary and legal profession in full
conformity with applicable standards contained in international human
rights instruments, are essential to the full and non-discriminatory
realization of human rights and indispensable to the processes of
democracy and sustainable development. In this context, institutions
concerned with the administration of justice should be properly funded,
and an increased level of both technical and financial assistance
should be provided by the international community. It is incumbent
upon the United Nations to make use of special programmes of advisory
services on a priority basis for the achievement of a strong and independent
administration of justice.
28. The World Conference on Human Rights expresses its dismay at massive
violations of human rights especially in the form of genocide, "ethnic
cleansing" and systematic rape of women in war situations, creating
mass exodus of refugees and displaced persons. While strongly condemning
such abhorrent practices it reiterates the call that perpetrators
of such crimes be punished and such practices immediately stopped.
29. The World Conference on Human Rights expresses grave concern about
continuing human rights violations in all parts of the world in disregard
of standards as contained in international human rights instruments
and international humanitarian law and about the lack of sufficient
and effective remedies for the victims.
The World Conference on Human Rights is deeply concerned about violations
of human rights during armed conflicts, affecting the civilian population,
especially women, children, the elderly and the disabled. The Conference
therefore calls upon States and all parties to armed conflicts strictly
to observe international humanitarian law, as set forth in the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 and other rules and principles of international
law, as well as minimum standards for protection of human rights,
as laid down in international conventions.
The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms the right of the victims
to be assisted by humanitarian organizations, as set forth in the
Geneva Conventions of 1949 and other relevant instruments of international
humanitarian law, and calls for the safe and timely access for such
assistance.
30. The World Conference on Human Rights also expresses its dismay
and condemnation that gross and systematic violations and situations
that constitute serious obstacles to the full enjoyment of all human
rights continue to occur in different parts of the world. Such violations
and obstacles include, as well as torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading
treatment or punishment, summary and arbitrary executions, disappearances,
arbitrary detentions, all forms of racism, racial discrimination and
apartheid, foreign occupation and alien domination, xenophobia, poverty,
hunger and other denials of economic, social and cultural rights,
religious intolerance, terrorism, discrimination against women and
lack of the rule of law.
31. The World Conference on Human Rights calls upon States to refrain
from any unilateral measure not in accordance with international law
and the Charter of the United Nations that creates obstacles to trade
relations among States and impedes the full realization of the human
rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
international human rights instruments, in particular the rights of
everyone to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being,
including food and medical care, housing and the necessary social
services. The World Conference on Human Rights affirms that food should
not be used as a tool for political pressure.
32. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms the importance
of ensuring the universality, objectivity and non-selectivity of the
consideration of human rights issues.
33. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that States are
duty-bound, as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
and in other international human rights instruments, to ensure that
education is aimed at strengthening the respect of human rights and
fundamental freedoms. The World Conference on Human Rights emphasizes
the importance of incorporating the subject of human rights education
programmes and calls upon States to do so. Education should promote
understanding, tolerance, peace and friendly relations between the
nations and all racial or religious groups and encourage the development
of United Nations activities in pursuance of these objectives. Therefore,
education on human rights and the dissemination of proper information,
both theoretical and practical, play an important role in the promotion
and respect of human rights with regard to all individuals without
distinction of any kind such as race, sex, language or religion, and
this should be integrated in the education policies at the national
as well as international levels. The World Conference on Human Rights
notes that resource constraints and institutional inadequacies may
impede the immediate realization of these objectives.
34. Increased efforts should be made to assist countries which so
request to create the conditions whereby each individual can enjoy
universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. Governments, the
United Nations system as well as other multilateral organizations
are urged to increase considerably the resources allocated to programmes
aiming at the establishment and strengthening of national legislation,
national institutions and related infrastructures which uphold the
rule of law and democracy, electoral assistance, human rights awareness
through training, teaching and education, popular participation and
civil society.
The programmes of advisory services and technical cooperation under
the Centre for Human Rights should be strengthened as well as made
more efficient and transparent and thus become a major contribution
to improving respect for human rights. States are called upon to increase
their contributions to these programmes, both through promoting a
larger allocation from the United Nations regular budget, and through
voluntary contributions.
35. The full and effective implementation of United Nations activities
to promote and protect human rights must reflect the high importance
accorded to human rights by the Charter of the United Nations and
the demands of the United Nations human rights activities, as mandated
by Member States. To this end, United Nations human rights activities
should be provided with increased resources.
36. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms the important and
constructive role played by national institutions for the promotion
and protection of human rights, in particular in their advisory capacity
to the competent authorities, their role in remedying human rights
violations, in the dissemination of human rights information, and
education in human rights.
The World Conference on Human Rights encourages the establishment
and strengthening of national institutions, having regard to the "Principles
relating to the status of national institutions" and recognizing that
it is the right of each State to choose the framework which is best
suited to its particular needs at the national level.
37. Regional arrangements play a fundamental role in promoting and
protecting human rights. They should reinforce universal human rights
standards, as contained in international human rights instruments,
and their protection. The World Conference on Human Rights endorses
efforts under way to strengthen these arrangements and to increase
their effectiveness, while at the same time stressing the importance
of cooperation with the United Nations human rights activities.
The World Conference on Human Rights reiterates the need to consider
the possibility of establishing regional and subregional arrangements
for the promotion and protection of human rights where they do not
already exist.
38. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes the important
role of non-governmental organizations in the promotion of all human
rights and in humanitarian activities at national, regional and international
levels. The World Conference on Human Rights appreciates their contribution
to increasing public awareness of human rights issues, to the conduct
of education, training and research in this field, and to the promotion
and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. While
recognizing that the primary responsibility for standard-setting lies
with States, the conference also appreciates the contribution of non-governmental
organizations to this process. In this respect, the World Conference
on Human Rights emphasizes the importance of continued dialogue and
cooperation between Governments and non-governmental organizations.
Non-governmental organizations and their members genuinely involved
in the field of human rights should enjoy the rights and freedoms
recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the protection
of the national law. These rights and freedoms may not be exercised
contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Non-governmental
organizations should be free to carry out their human rights activities,
without interference, within the framework of national law and the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
39. Underlining the importance of objective, responsible and impartial
information about human rights and humanitarian issues, the World
Conference on Human Rights encourages the increased involvement of
the media, for whom freedom and protection should be guaranteed within
the framework of national law.
II
A. Increased coordination on human rights
within the United Nations system
1. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends increased coordination
in support of human rights and fundamental freedoms within the United
Nations system. To this end, the World Conference on Human Rights
urges all United Nations organs, bodies and the specialized agencies
whose activities deal with human rights to cooperate in order to strengthen,
rationalize and streamline their activities, taking into account the
need to avoid unnecessary duplication. The World Conference on Human
Rights also recommends to the Secretary-General that high-level officials
of relevant United Nations bodies and specialized agencies at their
annual meeting, besides coordinating their activities, also assess
the impact of their strategies and policies on the enjoyment of all
human rights.
2. Furthermore, the World Conference on Human Rights calls on regional
organizations and prominent international and regional finance and
development institutions to assess also the impact of their policies
and programmes on the enjoyment of human rights.
3. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes that relevant specialized
agencies and bodies and institutions of the United Nations system
as well as other relevant intergovernmental organizations whose activities
deal with human rights play a vital role in the formulation, promotion
and implementation of human rights standards, within their respective
mandates, and should take into account the outcome of the World Conference
on Human Rights within their fields of competence.
4. The World Conference on Human Rights strongly recommends that a
concerted effort be made to encourage and facilitate the ratification
of and accession or succession to international human rights treaties
and protocols adopted within the framework of the United Nations system
with the aim of universal acceptance. The Secretary-General, in consultation
with treaty bodies, should consider opening a dialogue with States
not having acceded to these human rights treaties, in order to identify
obstacles and to seek ways of overcoming them.
5. The World Conference on Human Rights encourages States to consider
limiting the extent of any reservations they lodge to international
human rights instruments, formulate any reservations as precisely
and narrowly as possible, ensure that none is incompatible with the
object and purpose of the relevant treaty and regularly review any
reservations with a view to withdrawing them.
6. The World Conference on Human Rights, recognizing the need to maintain
consistency with the high quality of existing international standards
and to avoid proliferation of human rights instruments, reaffirms
the guidelines relating to the elaboration of new international instruments
contained in General Assembly resolution 41/120 of 4 December 1986
and calls on the United Nations human rights bodies, when considering
the elaboration of new international standards, to keep those guidelines
in mind, to consult with human rights treaty bodies on the necessity
for drafting new standards and to request the Secretariat to carry
out technical reviews of proposed new instruments.
7. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that human rights
officers be assigned if and when necessary to regional offices of
the United Nations Organization with the purpose of disseminating
information and offering training and other technical assistance in
the field of human rights upon the request of concerned Member States.
Human rights training for international civil servants who are assigned
to work relating to human rights should be organized.
8. The World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the convening of
emergency sessions of the Commission on Human Rights as a positive
initiative and that other ways of responding to acute violations of
human rights be considered by the relevant organs of the United Nations
system.
Resources
9. The World Conference on Human Rights, concerned by the growing
disparity between the activities of the Centre for Human Rights and
the human, financial and other resources available to carry them out,
and bearing in mind the resources needed for other important United
Nations programmes, requests the Secretary-General and the General
Assembly to take immediate steps to increase substantially the resources
for the human rights programme from within the existing and future
regular budgets of the United Nations, and to take urgent steps to
seek increased extrabudgetary resources.
10. Within this framework, an increased proportion of the regular
budget should be allocated directly to the Centre for Human Rights
to cover its costs and all other costs borne by the Centre for Human
Rights, including those related to the United Nations human rights
bodies. Voluntary funding of the Centre's technical cooperation activities
should reinforce this enhanced budget; the World Conference on Human
Rights calls for generous contributions to the existing trust funds.
11. The World Conference on Human Rights requests the Secretary-General
and the General Assembly to provide sufficient human, financial and
other resources to the Centre for Human Rights to enable it effectively,
efficiently and expeditiously to carry out its activities.
12. The World Conference on Human Rights, noting the need to ensure
that human and financial resources are available to carry out the
human rights activities, as mandated by intergovernmental bodies,
urges the Secretary-General, in accordance with Article 101 of the
Charter of the United Nations, and Member States to adopt a coherent
approach aimed at securing that resources commensurate to the increased
mandates are allocated to the Secretariat. The World Conference on
Human Rights invites the Secretary-General to consider whether adjustments
to procedures in the programme budget cycle would be necessary or
helpful to ensure the timely and effective implementation of human
rights activities as mandated by Member States.
Centre for Human Rights
13. The World Conference on Human Rights stresses the importance of
strengthening the United Nations Centre for Human Rights.
14. The Centre for Human Rights should play an important role in coordinating
system-wide attention for human rights. The focal role of the Centre
can best be realized if it is enabled to cooperate fully with other
United Nations bodies and organs. The coordinating role of the Centre
for Human Rights also implies that the office of the Centre for Human
Rights in New York is strengthened.
15. The Centre for Human Rights should be assured adequate means for
the system of thematic and country rapporteurs, experts, working groups
and treaty bodies. Follow-up on recommendations should become a priority
matter for consideration by the Commission on Human Rights.
16. The Centre for Human Rights should assume a larger role in the
promotion of human rights. This role could be given shape through
cooperation with Member States and by an enhanced programme of advisory
services and technical assistance. The existing voluntary funds will
have to be expanded substantially for these purposes and should be
managed in a more efficient and coordinated way. All activities should
follow strict and transparent project management rules and regular
programme and project evaluations should be held periodically. To
this end, the results of such evaluation exercises and other relevant
information should be made available regularly. The Centre should,
in particular, organize at least once a year information meetings
open to all Member States and organizations directly involved in these
projects and programmes.
Adaptation
and strengthening of the United Nations machinery for
human rights, including the question of the establishment of
a
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
17. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes the necessity
for a continuing adaptation of the United Nations human rights machinery
to the current and future needs in the promotion and protection of
human rights, as reflected in the present Declaration and within the
framework of a balanced and sustainable development for all people.
In particular, the United Nations human rights organs should improve
their coordination, efficiency and effectiveness.
18. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends to the General
Assembly that when examining the report of the Conference at its forty-eighth
session, it begin, as a matter of priority, consideration of the question
of the establishment of a High Commissioner for Human Rights for the
promotion and protection of all human rights.
B. Equality,
dignity and tolerance
1. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia
and other forms of intolerance
19. The World Conference on Human Rights considers the elimination
of racism and racial discrimination, in particular in their institutionalized
forms such as apartheid or resulting from doctrines of racial superiority
or exclusivity or contemporary forms and manifestations of racism,
as a primary objective for the international community and a worldwide
promotion programme in the field of human rights. United Nations organs
and agencies should strengthen their efforts to implement such a programme
of action related to the third decade to combat racism and racial
discrimination as well as subsequent mandates to the same end. The
World Conference on Human Rights strongly appeals to the international
community to contribute generously to the Trust Fund for the Programme
for the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.
20. The World Conference on Human Rights urges all Governments to
take immediate measures and to develop strong policies to prevent
and combat all forms and manifestations of racism, xenophobia or related
intolerance, where necessary by enactment of appropriate legislation,
including penal measures, and by the establishment of national institutions
to combat such phenomena.
21. The World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the decision of
the Commission on Human Rights to appoint a Special Rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance. The World Conference on Human Rights also appeals
to all States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to consider making the declaration
under article 14 of the Convention.
22. The World Conference on Human Rights calls upon all Governments
to take all appropriate measures in compliance with their international
obligations and with due regard to their respective legal systems
to counter intolerance and related violence based on religion or belief,
including practices of discrimination against women and including
the desecration of religious sites, recognizing that every individual
has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, expression and religion.
The Conference also invites all States to put into practice the provisions
of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance
and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
23. The World Conference on Human Rights stresses that all persons
who perpetrate or authorize criminal acts associated with ethnic cleansing
are individually responsible and accountable for such human rights
violations, and that the international community should exert every
effort to bring those legally responsible for such violations to justice.
24. The World Conference on Human Rights calls on all States to take
immediate measures, individually and collectively, to combat the practice
of ethnic cleansing to bring it quickly to an end. Victims of the
abhorrent practice of ethnic cleansing are entitled to appropriate
and effective remedies.
2. Persons
belonging to national or ethnic,
religious and linguistic minorities
25. The World Conference on Human Rights calls on the Commission on
Human Rights to examine ways and means to promote and protect effectively
the rights of persons belonging to minorities as set out in the Declaration
on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious
and Linguistic Minorities. In this context, the World Conference on
Human Rights calls upon the Centre for Human Rights to provide, at
the request of Governments concerned and as part of its programme
of advisory services and technical assistance, qualified expertise
on minority issues and human rights, as well as on the prevention
and resolution of disputes, to assist in existing or potential situations
involving minorities.
26. The World Conference on Human Rights urges States and the international
community to promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to
national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in accordance
with the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National
or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
27. Measures to be taken, where appropriate, should include facilitation
of their full participation in all aspects of the political, economic,
social, religious and cultural life of society and in the economic
progress and development in their country.
Indigenous people
28. The World Conference on Human Rights calls on the Working Group
on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination
and Protection of Minorities to complete the drafting of a declaration
on the rights of indigenous people at its eleventh session.
29. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that the Commission
on Human Rights consider the renewal and updating of the mandate of
the Working Group on Indigenous Populations upon completion of the
drafting of a declaration on the rights of indigenous people.
30. The World Conference on Human Rights also recommends that advisory
services and technical assistance programmes within the United Nations
system respond positively to requests by States for assistance which
would be of direct benefit to indigenous people. The World Conference
on Human Rights further recommends that adequate human and financial
resources be made available to the Centre for Human Rights within
the overall framework of strengthening the Centre's activities as
envisaged by this document.
31. The World Conference on Human Rights urges States to ensure the
full and free participation of indigenous people in all aspects of
society, in particular in matters of concern to them.
32. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that the General
Assembly proclaim an international decade of the world's indigenous
people, to begin from January 1994, including action-orientated programmes,
to be decided upon in partnership with indigenous people. An appropriate
voluntary trust fund should be set up for this purpose. In the framework
of such a decade, the establishment of a permanent forum for indigenous
people in the United Nations system should be considered.
Migrant workers
33. The World Conference on Human Rights urges all States to guarantee
the protection of the human rights of all migrant workers and their
families.
34. The World Conference on Human Rights considers that the creation
of conditions to foster greater harmony and tolerance between migrant
workers and the rest of the society of the State in which they reside
is of particular importance.
35. The World Conference on Human Rights invites States to consider
the possibility of signing and ratifying, at the earliest possible
time, the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers
and Members of Their Families.
3. The equal
status and human rights of women
36. The World Conference on Human Rights urges the full and equal
enjoyment by women of all human rights and that this be a priority
for Governments and for the United Nations. The World Conference on
Human Rights also underlines the importance of the integration and
full participation of women as both agents and beneficiaries in the
development process, and reiterates the objectives established on
global action for women towards sustainable and equitable development
set forth in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and
chapter 24 of Agenda 21, adopted by the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 3-14 June
1992).
37. The equal status of women and the human rights of women should
be integrated into the mainstream of United Nations system-wide activity.
These issues should be regularly and systematically addressed throughout
relevant United Nations bodies and mechanisms. In particular, steps
should be taken to increase cooperation and promote further integration
of objectives and goals between the Commission on the Status of Women,
the Commission on Human Rights, the Committee for the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women, the United Nations Development Fund
for Women, the United Nations Development Programme and other United
Nations agencies. In this context, cooperation and coordination should
be strengthened between the Centre for Human Rights and the Division
for the Advancement of Women.
38. In particular, the World Conference on Human Rights stresses the
importance of working towards the elimination of violence against
women in public and private life, the elimination of all forms of
sexual harassment, exploitation and trafficking in women, the elimination
of gender bias in the administration of justice and the eradication
of any conflicts which may arise between the rights of women and the
harmful effects of certain traditional or customary practices, cultural
prejudices and religious extremism. The World Conference on Human
Rights calls upon the General Assembly to adopt the draft declaration
on violence against women and urges States to combat violence against
women in accordance with its provisions. Violations of the human rights
of women in situations of armed conflict are violations of the fundamental
principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. All
violations of this kind, including in particular murder, systematic
rape, sexual slavery, and forced pregnancy, require a particularly
effective response.
39. The World Conference on Human Rights urges the eradication of
all forms of discrimination against women, both hidden and overt.
The United Nations should encourage the goal of universal ratification
by all States of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women by the year 2000. Ways and means of addressing
the particularly large number of reservations to the Convention should
be encouraged. Inter alia, the Committee on the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women should continue its review of reservations
to the Convention. States are urged to withdraw reservations that
are contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention or which
are otherwise incompatible with international treaty law.
40. Treaty monitoring bodies should disseminate necessary information
to enable women to make more effective use of existing implementation
procedures in their pursuits of full and equal enjoyment of human
rights and non-discrimination. New procedures should also be adopted
to strengthen implementation of the commitment to women's equality
and the human rights of women. The Commission on the Status of Women
and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
should quickly examine the possibility of introducing the right of
petition through the preparation of an optional protocol to the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The
World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the decision of the Commission
on Human Rights to consider the appointment of a special rapporteur
on violence against women at its fiftieth session.
41. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes the importance
of the enjoyment by women of the highest standard of physical and
mental health throughout their life span. In the context of the World
Conference on Women and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women, as well as the Proclamation of Tehran
of 1968, the World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms, on the basis
of equality between women and men, a woman's right to accessible and
adequate health care and the widest range of family planning services,
as well as equal access to education at all levels.
42. Treaty monitoring bodies should include the status of women and
the human rights of women in their deliberations and findings, making
use of gender-specific data. States should be encouraged to supply
information on the situation of women de jure and de facto
in their reports to treaty monitoring bodies. The World Conference
on Human Rights notes with satisfaction that the Commission on Human
Rights adopted at its forty-ninth session resolution 1993/46 of 8
March 1993 stating that rapporteurs and working groups in the field
of human rights should also be encouraged to do so. Steps should also
be taken by the Division for the Advancement of Women in cooperation
with other United Nations bodies, specifically the Centre for Human
Rights, to ensure that the human rights activities of the United Nations
regularly address violations of women's human rights, including gender-specific
abuses. Training for United Nations human rights and humanitarian
relief personnel to assist them to recognize and deal with human rights
abuses particular to women and to carry out their work without gender
bias should be encouraged.
43. The World Conference on Human Rights urges Governments and regional
and international organizations to facilitate the access of women
to decision-making posts and their greater participation in the decision-making
process. It encourages further steps within the United Nations Secretariat
to appoint and promote women staff members in accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations, and encourages other principal and
subsidiary organs of the United Nations to guarantee the participation
of women under conditions of equality.
44. The World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the World Conference
on Women to be held in Beijing in 1995 and urges that human rights
of women should play an important role in its deliberations, in accordance
with the priority themes of the World Conference on Women of equality,
development and peace.
4. The rights
of the child
45. The World Conference on Human Rights reiterates the principle
of "First Call for Children" and, in this respect, underlines the
importance of major national and international efforts, especially
those of the United Nations Children's Fund, for promoting respect
for the rights of the child to survival, protection, development and
participation.
46. Measures should be taken to achieve universal ratification of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child by 1995 and the universal
signing of the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development
of Children and Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit for Children,
as well as their effective implementation. The World Conference on
Human Rights urges States to withdraw reservations to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child contrary to the object and purpose of the
Convention or otherwise contrary to international treaty law.
47. The World Conference on Human Rights urges all nations to undertake
measures to the maximum extent of their available resources, with
the support of international cooperation, to achieve the goals in
the World Summit Plan of Action. The Conference calls on States to
integrate the Convention on the Rights of the Child into their national
action plans. By means of these national action plans and through
international efforts, particular priority should be placed on reducing
infant and maternal mortality rates, reducing malnutrition and illiteracy
rates and providing access to safe drinking water and to basic education.
Whenever so called for, national plans of action should be devised
to combat devastating emergencies resulting from natural disasters
and armed conflicts and the equally grave problem of children in extreme
poverty.
48. The World Conference on Human Rights urges all States, with the
support of international cooperation, to address the acute problem
of children under especially difficult circumstances. Exploitation
and abuse of children should be actively combated, including by addressing
their root causes. Effective measures are required against female
infanticide, harmful child labour, sale of children and organs, child
prostitution, child pornography, as well as other forms of sexual
abuse.
49. The World Conference on Human Rights supports all measures by
the United Nations and its specialized agencies to ensure the effective
protection and promotion of human rights of the girl child. The World
Conference on Human Rights urges States to repeal existing laws and
regulations and remove customs and practices which discriminate against
and cause harm to the girl child.
50. The World Conference on Human Rights strongly supports the proposal
that the Secretary-General initiate a study into means of improving
the protection of children in armed conflicts. Humanitarian norms
should be implemented and measures taken in order to protect and facilitate
assistance to children in war zones. Measures should include protection
for children against indiscriminate use of all weapons of war, especially
anti-personnel mines. The need for aftercare and rehabilitation of
children traumatized by war must be addressed urgently. The Conference
calls on the Committee on the Rights of the Child to study the question
of raising the minimum age of recruitment into armed forces.
51. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that matters relating
to human rights and the situation of children be regularly reviewed
and monitored by all relevant organs and mechanisms of the United
Nations system and by the supervisory bodies of the specialized agencies
in accordance with their mandates.
52. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes the important
role played by non-governmental organizations in the effective implementation
of all human rights instruments and, in particular, the Convention
on the Rights of the Child.
53. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that the Committee
on the Rights of the Child, with the assistance of the Centre for
Human Rights, be enabled expeditiously and effectively to meet its
mandate, especially in view of the unprecedented extent of ratification
and subsequent submission of country reports.
54. The World Conference on Human Rights welcomes the ratification
by many Member States of the Convention against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and encourages
its speedy ratification by all other Member States.
55. The World Conference on Human Rights emphasizes that one of the
most atrocious violations against human dignity is the act of torture,
the result of which destroys the dignity and impairs the capability
of victims to continue their lives and their activities.
56. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that under human
rights law and international humanitarian law, freedom from torture
is a right which must be protected under all circumstances, including
in times of internal or international disturbance or armed conflicts.
57. The World Conference on Human Rights therefore urges all States
to put an immediate end to the practice of torture and eradicate this
evil forever through full implementation of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights as well as the relevant conventions and, where necessary,
strengthening of existing mechanisms. The World Conference on Human
Rights calls on all States to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur
on the question of torture in the fulfilment of his mandate.
58. Special attention should be given to ensure universal respect
for, and effective implementation of, the Principles of Medical Ethics
relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians,
in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment adopted by the
General Assembly of the United Nations.
59. The World Conference on Human Rights stresses the importance of
further concrete action within the framework of the United Nations
with the view to providing assistance to victims of torture and ensure
more effective remedies for their physical, psychological and social
rehabilitation. Providing the necessary resources for this purpose
should be given high priority, inter alia, by additional contributions
to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture.
60. States should abrogate legislation leading to impunity for those
responsible for grave violations of human rights such as torture and
prosecute such violations, thereby providing a firm basis for the
rule of law.
61. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that efforts to
eradicate torture should, first and foremost, be concentrated on prevention
and, therefore, calls for the early adoption of an optional protocol
to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, which is intended to establish a preventive
system of regular visits to places of detention.
Enforced disappearances
62. The World Conference on Human Rights, welcoming the adoption by
the General Assembly of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons
from Enforced Disappearance, calls upon all States to take effective
legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent,
terminate and punish acts of enforced disappearances. The World Conference
on Human Rights reaffirms that it is the duty of all States, under
any circumstances, to make investigations whenever there is reason
to believe that an enforced disappearance has taken place on a territory
under their jurisdiction and, if allegations are confirmed, to prosecute
its perpetrators.
6. The rights
of the disabled person
63. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that all human
rights and fundamental freedoms are universal and thus unreservedly
include persons with disabilities. Every person is born equal and
has the same rights to life and welfare, education and work, living
independently and active participation in all aspects of society.
Any direct discrimination or other negative discriminatory treatment
of a disabled person is therefore a violation of his or her rights.
The World Conference on Human Rights calls on Governments, where necessary,
to adopt or adjust legislation to assure access to these and other
rights for disabled persons.
64. The place of disabled persons is everywhere. Persons with disabilities
should be guaranteed equal opportunity through the elimination of
all socially determined barriers, be they physical, financial, social
or psychological, which exclude or restrict full participation in
society.
65. Recalling the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons,
adopted by the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session, the
World Conference on Human Rights calls upon the General Assembly and
the Economic and Social Council to adopt the draft standard rules
on the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities,
at their meetings in 1993.
C. Cooperation,
development and strengthening of human rights
66. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that priority
be given to national and international action to promote democracy,
development and human rights.
67. Special emphasis should be given to measures to assist in the
strengthening and building of institutions relating to human rights,
strengthening of a pluralistic civil society and the protection of
groups which have been rendered vulnerable. In this context, assistance
provided upon the request of Governments for the conduct of free and
fair elections, including assistance in the human rights aspects of
elections and public information about elections, is of particular
importance. Equally important is the assistance to be given to the
strengthening of the rule of law, the promotion of freedom of expression
and the administration of justice, and to the real and effective participation
of the people in the decision-making processes.
68. The World Conference on Human Rights stresses the need for the
implementation of strengthened advisory services and technical assistance
activities by the Centre for Human Rights. The Centre should make
available to States upon request assistance on specific human rights
issues, including the preparation of reports under human rights treaties
as well as for the implementation of coherent and comprehensive plans
of action for the promotion and protection of human rights. Strengthening
the institutions of human rights and democracy, the legal protection
of human rights, training of officials and others, broad-based education
and public information aimed at promoting respect for human rights
should all be available as components of these programmes.
69. The World Conference on Human Rights strongly recommends that
a comprehensive programme be established within the United Nations
in order to help States in the task of building and strengthening
adequate national structures which have a direct impact on the overall
observance of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law.
Such a programme, to be coordinated by the Centre for Human Rights,
should be able to provide, upon the request of the interested Government,
technical and financial assistance to national projects in reforming
penal and correctional establishments, education and training of lawyers,
judges and security forces in human rights, and any other sphere of
activity relevant to the good functioning of the rule of law. That
programme should make available to States assistance for the implementation
of plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights.
70. The World Conference on Human Rights requests the Secretary-General
of the United Nations to submit proposals to the United Nations General
Assembly, containing alternatives for the establishment, structure,
operational modalities and funding of the proposed programme.
71. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that each State
consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying
steps whereby that State would improve the promotion and protection
of human rights.
72. The World Conference on Human Rights on Human Rights reaffirms
that the universal and inalienable right to development, as established
in the Declaration on the Right to Development, must be implemented
and realized. In this context, the World Conference on Human Rights
welcomes the appointment by the Commission on Human Rights of a thematic
working group on the right to development and urges that the Working
Group, in consultation and cooperation with other organs and agencies
of the United Nations system, promptly formulate, for early consideration
by the United Nations General Assembly, comprehensive and effective
measures to eliminate obstacles to the implementation and realization
of the Declaration on the Right to Development and recommending ways
and means towards the realization of the right to development by all
States.
73. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that non-governmental
and other grass-roots organizations active in development and/or human
rights should be enabled to play a major role on the national and
international levels in the debate, activities and implementation
relating to the right to development and, in cooperation with Governments,
in all relevant aspects of development cooperation.
74. The World Conference on Human Rights appeals to Governments, competent
agencies and institutions to increase considerably the resources devoted
to building well-functioning legal systems able to protect human rights,
and to national institutions working in this area. Actors in the field
of development cooperation should bear in mind the mutually reinforcing
interrelationship between development, democracy and human rights.
Cooperation should be based on dialogue and transparency. The World
Conference on Human Rights also calls for the establishment of comprehensive
programmes, including resource banks of information and personnel
with expertise relating to the strengthening of the rule of law and
of democratic institutions.
75. The World Conference on Human Rights encourages the Commission
on Human Rights, in cooperation with the Committee on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, to continue the examination of optional protocols
to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
76. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that more resources
be made available for the strengthening or the establishment of regional
arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights under
the programmes of advisory services and technical assistance of the
Centre for Human Rights. States are encouraged to request assistance
for such purposes as regional and subregional workshops, seminars
and information exchanges designed to strengthen regional arrangements
for the promotion and protection of human rights in accord with universal
human rights standards as contained in international human rights
instruments.
77. The World Conference on Human Rights supports all measures by
the United Nations and its relevant specialized agencies to ensure
the effective promotion and protection of trade union rights, as stipulated
in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
and other relevant international instruments. It calls on all States
to abide fully by their obligations in this regard contained in international
instruments.
D. Human
rights education
78. The World Conference on Human Rights considers human rights education,
training and public information essential for the promotion and achievement
of stable and harmonious relations among communities and for fostering
mutual understanding, tolerance and peace.
79. States should strive to eradicate illiteracy and should direct
education towards the full development of the human personality and
to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The World Conference on Human Rights calls on all States and institutions
to include human rights, humanitarian law, democracy and rule of law
as subjects in the curricula of all learning institutions in formal
and non-formal settings.
80. Human rights education should include peace, democracy, development
and social justice, as set forth in international and regional human
rights instruments, in order to achieve common understanding and awareness
with a view to strengthening universal commitment to human rights.
81. Taking into account the World Plan of Action on Education for
Human Rights and Democracy, adopted in March 1993 by the International
Congress on Education for Human Rights and Democracy of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and other
human rights instruments, the World Conference on Human Rights recommends
that States develop specific programmes and strategies for ensuring
the widest human rights education and the dissemination of public
information, taking particular account of the human rights needs of
women.
82. Governments, with the assistance of intergovernmental organizations,
national institutions and non-governmental organizations, should promote
an increased awareness of human rights and mutual tolerance. The World
Conference on Human Rights underlines the importance of strengthening
the World Public Information Campaign for Human Rights carried out
by the United Nations. They should initiate and support education
in human rights and undertake effective dissemination of public information
in this field. The advisory services and technical assistance programmes
of the United Nations system should be able to respond immediately
to requests from States for educational and training activities in
the field of human rights as well as for special education concerning
standards as contained in international human rights instruments and
in humanitarian law and their application to special groups such as
military forces, law enforcement personnel, police and the health
profession. The proclamation of a United Nations decade for human
rights education in order to promote, encourage and focus these educational
activities should be considered.
E. Implementation
and monitoring methods
83. The World Conference on Human Rights urges Governments to incorporate
standards as contained in international human rights instruments in
domestic legislation and to strengthen national structures, institutions
and organs of society which play a role in promoting and safeguarding
human rights.
84. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends the strengthening
of United Nations activities and programmes to meet requests for assistance
by States which want to establish or strengthen their own national
institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights.
85. The World Conference on Human Rights also encourages the strengthening
of cooperation between national institutions for the promotion and
protection of human rights, particularly through exchanges of information
and experience, as well as cooperation with regional organizations
and the United Nations.
86. The World Conference on Human Rights strongly recommends in this
regard that representatives of national institutions for the promotion
and protection of human rights convene periodic meetings under the
auspices of the Centre for Human Rights to examine ways and means
of improving their mechanisms and sharing experiences.
87. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends to the human rights
treaty bodies, to the meetings of chairpersons of the treaty bodies
and to the meetings of States parties that they continue to take steps
aimed at coordinating the multiple reporting requirements and guidelines
for preparing State reports under the respective human rights conventions
and study the suggestion that the submission of one overall report
on treaty obligations undertaken by each State would make these procedures
more effective and increase their impact.
88. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that the States
parties to international human rights instruments, the General Assembly
and the Economic and Social Council should consider studying the existing
human rights treaty bodies and the various thematic mechanisms and
procedures with a view to promoting greater efficiency and effectiveness
through better coordination of the various bodies, mechanisms and
procedures, taking into account the need to avoid unnecessary duplication
and overlapping of their mandates and tasks.
89. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends continued work
on the improvement of the functioning, including the monitoring tasks,
of the treaty bodies, taking into account multiple proposals made
in this respect, in particular those made by the treaty bodies themselves
and by the meetings of the chairpersons of the treaty bodies. The
comprehensive national approach taken by the Committee on the Rights
of the Child should also be encouraged.
90. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that States parties
to human rights treaties consider accepting all the available optional
communication procedures.
91. The World Conference on Human Rights views with concern the issue
of impunity of perpetrators of human rights violations, and supports
the efforts of the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission
on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to examine
all aspects of the issue.
92. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that the Commission
on Human Rights examine the possibility for better implementation
of existing human rights instruments at the international and regional
levels and encourages the International Law Commission to continue
its work on an international criminal court.
93. The World Conference on Human Rights appeals to States which have
not yet done so to accede to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949
and the Protocols thereto, and to take all appropriate national measures,
including legislative ones, for their full implementation.
94. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends the speedy completion
and adoption of the draft declaration on the right and responsibility
of individuals, groups and organs of society to promote and protect
universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
95. The World Conference on Human Rights underlines the importance
of preserving and strengthening the system of special procedures,
rapporteurs, representatives, experts and working groups of the Commission
on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination
and Protection of Minorities, in order to enable them to carry out
their mandates in all countries throughout the world, providing them
with the necessary human and financial resources. The procedures and
mechanisms should be enabled to harmonize and rationalize their work
through periodic meetings. All States are asked to cooperate fully
with these procedures and mechanisms.
96. The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that the United
Nations assume a more active role in the promotion and protection
of human rights in ensuring full respect for international humanitarian
law in all situations of armed conflict, in accordance with the purposes
and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
97. The World Conference on Human Rights, recognizing the important
role of human rights components in specific arrangements concerning
some peace-keeping operations by the United Nations, recommends that
the Secretary-General take into account the reporting, experience
and capabilities of the Centre for Human Rights and human rights mechanisms,
in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
98. To strengthen the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights,
additional approaches should be examined, such as a system of indicators
to measure progress in the realization of the rights set forth in
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
There must be a concerted effort to ensure recognition of economic,
social and cultural rights at the national, regional and international
levels.
F. Follow-up
to the World Conference on Human Rights
99. The World Conference on Human Rights on Human Rights recommends
that the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and other
organs and agencies of the United Nations system related to human
rights consider ways and means for the full implementation, without
delay, of the recommendations contained in the present Declaration,
including the possibility of proclaiming a United Nations decade for
human rights. The World Conference on Human Rights further recommends
that the Commission on Human Rights annually review the progress towards
this end.
100. The World Conference on Human Rights requests the Secretary-General
of the United Nations to invite on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights all States, all organs
and agencies of the United Nations system related to human rights,
to report to him on the progress made in the implementation of the
present Declaration and to submit a report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-third session, through the Commission on Human Rights
and the Economic and Social Council. Likewise, regional and, as appropriate,
national human rights institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations,
may present their views to the Secretary-General on the progress made
in the implementation of the present Declaration. Special attention
should be paid to assessing the progress towards the goal of universal
ratification of international human rights treaties and protocols
adopted within the framework of the United Nations system. |
