A/RES/40/124 GA

VI. Resolutions adopted on tbe reports of the Tbird Committee 239 and protection of human rights, endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 33/46, Emphasizing the importance of the Universal Declara- tion of Human Rights,6 the Intemational Covenants on Human Rights24 and other intemational human rights instruments for promoting respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Conscious of the significant role that institutions at the national level can play in protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms and in developing and enhancing public awareness and observance ofthose rights and freedoms, Welcoming the organization at Geneva, under the aus- pices of the United Nations, of a seminar on the experi- ence of dilferent countries in the implementation of inter- national standards on human rights, held from 20 June to 1 July 1983, 153 and a seminar on community relations commissions and their functions, held from 9 to 20 Sep- tember 1985, 154 l. Takes note ofthe report of the Secretary-General; 155 2. Emphasizes the importance of developing, in accordance with national legislation, elfective national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights, and of maintaining their independence and integ- rity; 3. Encourages ali Member States to take appropriate steps for the establishment or, where they already exist, the strengthening of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights; 4. Draws attention to the constructive role that national non-govemmental organizations can play in the work of such national institutions; 5. Encourages ali Member States to take appropriate steps to promote the exchange of information and experi- ence concerning the establishment of such national institu- tions; 6.' Requests the Secretary-General to give due attention to the role of national institutions and non-govemmental organizations concerned with the protection and promo- tion of human rights and to provide ali necessary assist- ance to Member States, upon their request, in the imple- mentation of paragraphs 3 and 5 above, according high priority to the needs of developing countries; 7. A/so requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide and, as appropriate, to enhance assistance in the field of human rights to Governments, at their request. within the framework of the programme of advisory serv- ices in the field of human rights; 8. Welcomes and encourages the elforts of the Secre- tary-General to prepare and submit to the General Assem- bly, through the Commission on Human Rights and the Economic and Social Council, a consolidated report, for eventual publication as a United Nations handbook, on national institutions for the use of Govemments, including infonnation on the various types and models of national and local institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights, taking into account dilfering social and legal systems; 9. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Gen- eral Assembly at its forty-first session on the 1mplementa- tion of the present resolution. 153 See ST/HR/SER,NIY 154See ST/HR/SER,Nl7. / lfith plenary meeting /3 Decemher /985 40/124. Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms The General Assembly, Recalling that in the Charter of the United Nations the peoples of the United Nations declared their detennina- tion 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 and to employ intemational machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of ali peoples, Recalling a/so the purposes and principies of the Charter to achieve international co-operation in solving interna- tional problems of an economic, social, cultural or human- itarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for ali without distinction as to race. sex, language or religion, Emphasizing the significance and validity ofthe Univer- sal Declaration ofHuman Rights6 and ofthe International Covenants on Human Rights24 in promoting respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental free- doms, Recallmg its resolution 321130 of 16 December 1977, in which it decided that the approach to the future work within the United Nations system with respect to human rights questions should take into account the concepts set forth in that resolution, Recalling a/so its resolutions 34/46 of 23 November 1979, 35/174 of 15 December 1980, 36/133 of 14 Decem- ber 1981, 38/124 of 16 Dt>cember 1983 and 39/145 of 14 December 1984, Taking mto account Commission on Human Rights res- olution 1985/43 of 14 March 1985,30 Underlming the fact that the right to development is an inalienable human right, Recognizing that the human being is the main subject of development and that everyone has the right to participate in, as well as to benefit from. the development process, Reiterating once again that the establishment ofthe new intemational economic order is an essential element for the effective promotion and the ful! enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for ali. Reiterating a/so its pnfound conviction that ali human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and inter- dependent and that equal attention and urgent considera- tion should be given to the implementation, promotion and protection of both civil and political and economic, social and cultural rights, Reaffirming the importance of furthering the activities of the existing organs of the United Nations system in the field of human rights in cnnformity with the principies of the Charter, Underlining the need for the creation of conditions at the national and international levels for the promotion and foil protection of the human rights of individuals and peoples, Recognizing that international peace and security are essential elements for the ful! realization of human rights, including the right to development, Considering that the resources that would be released by disarmament could contribute significantly to the develop- ment of ali States, in particular the developing countries, 240 General Assembly-Fortieth Session -----------------------"--------- -----·····--·-----------·-··----- Recognizing that co-operation among ali nations on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty and ter- ritorial integrity of each State, including the right of each people to choose freely its own socio-economic and politi- cal system and to exercise full sovereignty over its wealth and natural resources, subject to the principies referred to in article 1, paragraph 2, and article 25 of the Intemational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 7 is essential for the promotion of peace and development, Convinced that the primary aim of such intemational co-operation must be the achievement by each human being of a life of freedom and dignity and freedom from want, Acknow/edging the progress so far achieved by the inter- national community in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Concerned, however, at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the world, Reaffirming that nothing in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or in the Intemational Covenants on Human Rights may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person the right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth therein, Affirming that the ultimate aim of development is the constant improvement ofthe well-being ofthe entire pop- ulation, on the basis of its full participation in the process of development and a fair distribution of the benefits therefrom, Emphasizing that Govemments have the duty to ensure respect for ali human rights and fundamental freedoms, Taking note ofthe work done by the Working Group of Govemmental Experts on the Right to Development, as reflected in its reports to the Commission on Human Rights, 156 1. Reiterates its request that the Commission on Human Rights continue its current work on the overall analysis with a view to further promoting and improving human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the question of the Commission's programme and working methods, and on the overall analysis of the altemative approaches and ways and means for improving the effec- tive enjoyment of human rights and fundamental free- doms, in accordance with the provisions and concepts of General Assembly resolution 32/ l 30 and other relevant texts; 2. Ajfirms that a primary aim ofintemational co-oper- ation in the field of human rights is a life of freedom, dig- nity and peace for ali peoples and for each human being, that ali human rights and fundamental freedoms are indi- visible and interrelated and that the promotion and pro- tection of one category of rights should never exempt or excuse States from the promotion and protection of the others; 3. Affirms its profound conviction that equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the imple- mentation, promotion and protection of both civil and política! and economic, social and cultural rights; 4. Reaffirms that it is of paramount importance for the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms that Member States should undertake specific obligations through accession to, or ratification of, intemational instruments in this field and, consequently, that the stand- ard-setting work within the United Nations system in the field of human rights and the universal acceptance and 156 E/CN.4/1983/ll, rJCN.4/1984,tJ am! Corr.l and 2 ami FICN-1 1985/11. implementation of the relevant intemational instruments should be encouraged; 5. Reiterates once again that the intemational commu- nity should accord, or continue to accord, priority to the search for solutions to mass and flagrant violations of human rights of peoples and individuals affected by situa- tions such as those mentioned in paragraph 1 (e) of Gen- eral Assembly resolution 32/ l 30, paying due attention also to other situations of violations of human rights; 6. Reaffirms its responsibility for achieving intema- tional co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for ali, and expresses its concem at serious violations ofhuman rights, in particular mass and flagrant violations of these rights, wherever they occur; 7. Expresses concern at the present situation with regard to the achievement of the objectives and goals for establishing the new intemational economic order and its adverse effects on the full realization of human rights, in particular the right to development; 8. Reaffirms that the right to development is an ina- lienable human right; 9. Reaffirms a/so that intemational peace and security are essential elements in achieving the full realization of the right to development; 1 O. Recognizes that ali human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent; 11. Considers it necessary that ali Member States pro- mote intemational co-operation on the basis ofrespect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State, including the right of each people to choose freely its own socio-economic and political system and to exercise full sovereignty over its wealth and natural resources, subject to the principies referred to in article 1, paragraph 2, and article 25 of the Intemational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, with a view to resolving intemational problems of an economic, social and humanitarian character; 12. Expresses concern at the disparity existing between the established norms and principies and the actual situa- tion of ali human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world; 13. Urges ali States to co-operate with the Commission on Human Rights in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; 14. Reiterates the need to create, at the national and intemational levels, conditions for the full promotion and protection of the human rights of individuals and peoples; 15. Reaffirms once again that, in order to facilitate the full enjoyment of ali rights and complete personal dignity, it is necessary to promote the rights to education, work, health and proper nourishment through the adoption of measures at the national leve!, including those that pro- vide for workers' participation in management, as well as the adoption of measures at the intemational leve!, inclu- ding the establishment of the new intemational economic order; 16. Again requests the Commission on Human Rights to take the necessary measures to promote the right to development, and welcomes the decision of the Commis- sion, in its resolution 1985/43, conceming the future work of the Working Group of Govemmental Experts on the Right to Development; 17. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the ( ,eneral Assemhlv al its forty-first session a report con- VI. Resolutions adopted on the reports_o_f_th_e_T_hl_rd_C_o_m_m_i_tt_ee ____________ 24_1 taining information on the progress made by the Working Group in the accomplishment of its tasks; 18. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-first session the item entitled "Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms". 116th plenary meeting I 3 December 198 5 40/125. Development of public information activities in the field of human rigbt'i The General Assembly, Reaffirming that activities to improve public knowledge in the field of human rights are necessary to the fulfilment ofthe purposes ofthe United Nations set out in Article 1, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, Reca/ling its resolutions on the status of the lnterna- tional Covenants on Human Rights, 24 including resolution 39/136 of 14 December 1984, Taking into account the relevant General Assembly res- olutions conceming the further promotion of human rights, including resolution 39/ l 44 of 14 December 1984 relating to the activities ofnational institutions in the field of human rights, Welcoming Commission on l-Iuman Rights resolution 1985/49 of 14 March 1985 on the development of public information activities in the field of human rights,30 Recognizing the fundamental importance of national and regional public information activities in the field of human rights and the catalytic effect that initiatives of the United Nations can have on these activities, Reaffirmingthat programmes ofteaching, education and information in the field of human rights are central to the achievement oflasting respect for human rights and funda- mental freedoms, Noting the importance of making available United Nations materials on human rights in national and local languages, including in simplified form, and of making more effective use of the mass media and of new technol- ogies in order to reach a wider audience, especially the less-educated and those in isolated areas, Believing that the promotional activities of the United Nations system in the field of human rights should be enhanced and strengthened, 1. Requests ali Member States to take appropriate steps, by ali available means, including the mass media, to give publicity to the activities ofthe United Nations in the field ofhuman rights and to accord priority to the dissemi- nation, in their respective national and local languages, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,6 the lnterna- tional Covenants on Human Rights and other interna- tional conventions; 2. Ca/Is upon ali relevant bodies ofthe United Nations system, including the specialized agencies and the regional commissions, to assist further in the dissemination of United Nations material on human rights; 3. We/comes the efforts of the Secretary-Genera1 to issue a personalized version of the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights in the six official languages ofthe United Nations, having in mind the desirability of completing this task in 1986, and also welcomes the preparation of a list of 157 A/401348 and Add.l and 2. 15g See A/401348/ Add l and 2. basic reference works on human rights for use by United Nations information centres and other interested bodies; 4. Takes note with satisfaction of the request of the Commission on Human Rights to the Secretary-General, in its resolution 1985/49, to collect relevant material, including that prepared by specialized agencies, regional bodies, groups, non-governmental organizations and indi- viduals, with a view to preparing a basic teaching booklet on human rights in the six official languages ofthe United Nations; 5. Recommends that all Member States consider inclu- ding, in their educational curricula, material relevant to a comprehensive understanding of human rights issues; 6. Urges the Commission on Human Rights to give special attention at its forty-second session to the develop- ment ofpublic information activities in the field ofhuman rights and to submit to the General Assembly at its forty- first session, through the Economic and Social Council, its views and recommendations on further action; 7. Decides to continue its consideration of this ques- tion at its forty-first session under the item entitled "Alter- na ti ve approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms". J 16th plenary meeting 13 December 1985 40/126. New international humanitarian order The General Assembly Recalling its resolutions 36/136 of 14 December 1981, 37/201 of 18 December I Cl82 and 38/ 125 of 16 December 1983, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, 157 itelcoming the views and comments of Governments regarding the proposal to promote a new international humanitarian order contained in the report of the Secre- tary-General, 158 Reiterating that the work of the Independent Commis- sion on Intemational Humanitarian Issues, established outside the framework of the United Nations, could be useful for further study of the proposal, 1. Expresses its appm ·iation to the Secretary-General for his report; 2. Takes note of the activities of the Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues, as described in the report of the Secretary-General, 159 and looks forward to the outcome of its efforts and its final report; 3. Invites Governments that have not yet done so to communicate to the Secretary-General their views regard- ing the proposal to promote a new international humanita- rian order; 4. Requests the Secretary-General, in the light of fur- ther views received, to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-first session an addendum to his report, including a survey of specific humanitarian issues; 5. Decides to review at its forty-first session the ques- tion of a new international humanitarian order. 1 IQ St-e A 401348. annex 11 l 16th pfenary· meeting /3 Decemher 1985

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