A/RES/75/178 GA

United Nations A/RES/75/178 General Assembly Distr.: General 28 December 2020 20-17318 (E) 050121 *2017318* Seventy-fifth session Agenda item 72 (b) Promotion and protection of human rights: human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 2020 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/75/478/Add.2, para. 89)] 75/178. Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order The General Assembly, Recalling its previous resolutions on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, including resolution 74/150 of 18 December 2019, and Human Rights Council resolutions 18/6 of 29 September 2011,1 33/3 of 29 September 2016,2 36/4 of 28 September 2017,3 39/4 of 27 September 2018,4 42/8 of 26 September 20195 and 45/4 of 6 October 2020, Reaffirming the 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, Affirming that the enhancement of international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all human rights for all should continue to be carried out in full conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter and international law, as set forth in Articles 1 and 2 of the Charter, and with full respect for, inter alia, sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, the non-use of force or the __________________ 1 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 53A and corrigendum (A/66/53/Add.1 and A/66/53/Add.1/Corr.1), chap. II. 2 Ibid., Seventy-first Session, Supplement No. 53A and corrigendum (A/71/53/Add.1 and A/71/53/Add.1/Corr.1), chap. II. 3 Ibid., Seventy-second Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/72/53/Add.1), chap. III. 4 Ibid., Seventy-third Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/73/53/Add.1), chap. III. 5 Ibid., Seventy-fourth Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/74/53/Add.1), chap. III. A/RES/75/178 Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order 20-17318 2/7 threat of force in international relations and non-intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, Recalling the Preamble to the Charter, 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, Reaffirming that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 6 can be fully realized, Reaffirming also the determination expressed in the Preamble to the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the 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 practise tolerance and good-neighbourliness and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, Stressing that the responsibility for managing worldwide economic and social issues, including pandemics and other health-related global challenges, as well as threats to international peace and security, must be shared among the nations of the world and should be exercised multilaterally, and that in this regard the central role must be played by the United Nations, as the most universal and representative organization in the world, Concerned about the continued abuse by Member States of the extraterritorial application of their national legislation in a manner that affects the sovereignty of other States, the legitimate interests of entities or persons under their jurisdiction and the full enjoyment of human rights, Considering the major changes taking place on the international scene and the aspirations of all peoples for an international order based on the principles enshrined in the Charter, 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, the rule of law, pluralism, development, better standards of living and solidarity, Recognizing that the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights is essential for the full achievement of the purposes of the United Nations, including the effective promotion and protection of all human rights for all, Considering that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, Reaffirming that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing and that 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, Recognizing that the promotion and protection of human rights should be based on the principle of cooperation and genuine dialogue and aimed at strengthening the __________________ 6 Resolution 217 A (III). Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order A/RES/75/178 3/7 20-17318 capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the benefit of all human beings, Emphasizing that democracy is not only a political concept, but that it also has economic and social dimensions, Recognizing that democracy, respect for all human rights, including the right to development, transparent and accountable governance and administration in all sectors of society and effective participation by civil society are an essential part of the necessary foundations for the realization of social and people-centred sustainable development, Noting with concern that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance may be aggravated by, inter alia, inequitable distribution of wealth, marginalization and social exclusion, Reaffirming that dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations could contribute greatly to the enhancement of international cooperation at all levels, Underlining the fact that it is imperative for the international community to ensure that globalization becomes a positive force for all the world’s people and that only through broad and sustained efforts, based on our common humanity in all its diversity, can globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable, Deeply concerned that the current global economic, financial, energy and food crises, resulting from a combination of several major factors, including macroeconomic and other factors, such as environmental degradation, desertification and global climate change, natural disasters and the lack of financial resources and the technology necessary to confront their negative impact in developing countries, particularly in the least developed countries and small island developing States, represent a global scenario that is threatening the adequate enjoyment of all human rights and widening the gap between developed and developing countries, Noting with great concern the threat to human health, safety and well-being caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which continues to spread globally, and recognizing the unprecedented effects of the pandemic, including the severe disruption to societies and economies, as well as to global travel and commerce, and the devastating impact on the livelihood of people, Reaffirming its commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism and its strong support for the central role of the United Nations system, recognizing the key leadership role of the World Health Organization in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognizing also that a democratic and equitable international order enhances the capacities of all countries to respond to and recover from the pandemic and other global challenges, Recognizing that a democratic and equitable order requires the reform of international financial institutions, in order to widen and strengthen the level of participation of developing countries in the international decision-making process, and a more transparent and open financial system, as well as adequate measures against illicit financial flows, such as tax fraud, tax evasion, illegal capital flight, money-laundering and the proceeds of corruption, and for improving tax transparency worldwide, Stressing that efforts to make globalization fully inclusive and equitable must include policies and measures at the global level that correspond to the needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition and are formulated and implemented with their effective participation, A/RES/75/178 Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order 20-17318 4/7 Stressing also the need for adequate financing of, technology transfer to and capacity-building in developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, including to support their efforts to adapt to climate change, Having listened to the peoples of the world, and recognizing their aspirations to justice, to equality of opportunity for all, to the enjoyment of their human rights, including the right to development, to live in peace and freedom and to equal participation without discrimination in economic, social, cultural, civil and political life, Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 on institution-building of the Council and 5/2 on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders of the Council of 18 June 2007,7 and stressing that all mandate holders shall discharge their duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto, Emphasizing the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 8 for the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Resolved to take all measures within its power to secure a democratic and equitable international order, 1. Affirms that everyone is entitled to a democratic and equitable international order; 2. Also affirms that a democratic and equitable international order fosters the full realization of all human rights for all; 3. Takes note of the report of the Independent Expert of the Human Rights Council on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; 9 4. Calls upon all Member States to fulfil their commitment expressed in Durban, South Africa, during the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to maximize the benefits of globalization through, inter alia, the strengthening and enhancement of international cooperation to increase equality of opportunities for trade, economic growth and sustainable development, global communications through the use of new technologies and increased intercultural exchange through the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity,10 and reiterates that only through broad and sustained efforts to create a shared future based upon our common humanity and all its diversity can globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable; 5. Reaffirms that democracy includes respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives, and re-emphasizes the need for universal adherence to and implementation of the rule of law at both the national and international levels; 6. Affirms that a democratic and equitable international order requires, inter alia, the realization of the following: (a) The right of all peoples to self-determination, by virtue of which they can freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development; __________________ 7 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-second Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/62/53), chap. IV, sect. A. 8 Resolution 70/1. 9 A/HRC/45/28. 10 See A/CONF.189/12 and A/CONF.189/12/Corr.1, chap. I. Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order A/RES/75/178 5/7 20-17318 (b) The right of peoples and nations to permanent sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources; (c) The right of every human person and all peoples to development; (d) The right of all peoples to peace; (e) The right to an international economic order based on equal participation in the decision-making process, interdependence, mutual interest, solidarity and cooperation among all States; (f) International solidarity, as a right of peoples and individuals; (g) The promotion and consolidation of transparent, democratic, just and accountable international institutions in all areas of cooperation, in particular through the implementation of the principle of full and equal participation in their respective decision-making mechanisms; (h) The right to equitable participation of all, without any discrimination, in domestic and global decision-making; (i) The principle of equitable regional and gender-balanced representation in the composition of the staff of the United Nations system; (j) The promotion of a free, just, effective and balanced international information and communications order based on international cooperation for the establishment of a new equilibrium and greater reciprocity in the international flow of information, in particular correcting the inequalities in the flow of information to and from developing countries; (k) Respect for cultural diversity and the cultural rights of all, since this enhances cultural pluralism, contributes to a wider exchange of knowledge and understanding of cultural backgrounds, advances the application and enjoyment of universally accepted human rights across the world and fosters stable, friendly relations among peoples and nations worldwide; (l) The right of every person and all peoples to a healthy environment and to enhanced international cooperation that responds effectively to the needs for assistance of national efforts to adapt to climate change, particularly in developing countries, and that promotes the fulfilment of international agreements in the field of mitigation; (m) The promotion of equitable access to benefits from the international distribution of wealth through enhanced international cooperation, in particular in international economic, commercial and financial relations; (n) The enjoyment by everyone of ownership of the common heritage of humankind in connection to the public right of access to culture; (o) The shared responsibility of the nations of the world for managing worldwide economic and social development, including addressing pandemics and other health-related global challenges, as well as threats to international peace and security, which should be exercised multilaterally; 7. Stresses the importance of preserving the rich and diverse nature of the international community of nations and peoples, as well as respect for national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, in the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights; 8. Also stresses that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and that the international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the A/RES/75/178 Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order 20-17318 6/7 same emphasis, and reaffirms that, 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 for all; 9. Reaffirms, among other principles, the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in internal affairs; 10. Urges all actors on the international scene to build an international order based on inclusion, social justice, equality and equity, human dignity, solidarity, mutual understanding and promotion of and respect for cultural diversity and universal human rights and to reject all doctrines of exclusion based on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; 11. Reaffirms that all States should promote the establishment, maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security and, to that end, should do their utmost to achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international control, as well as to ensure that the resources released by effective disarmament measures are used for comprehensive development, in particular that of the developing countries; 12. Underlines that attempts to overthrow legitimate Governments by force disrupt the democratic and constitutional order, the legitimate exercise of power and the full enjoyment of human rights, and reaffirms that every State has an inalienable right to choose its political, economic, social and cultural system, without interference in any form by other States; 13. Reaffirms the need to continue working urgently for the establishment of a new international economic order based on equity, sovereign equality, interdependence, common interest and cooperation among all States, irrespective of their economic and social systems, which shall correct inequalities and redress existing injustices, make it possible to eliminate the widening gap between the developed and the developing countries and ensure steadily accelerating economic and social development and peace and justice for present and future generations, in accordance with relevant previous General Assembly resolutions, programmes of action and major conferences and summits in the economic, social and related areas; 14. Also reaffirms that the international community should devise ways and means to remove the current obstacles and meet the challenges to the full realization of all human rights and to prevent the continuation of human rights violations resulting therefrom throughout the world; 15. Urges States to continue their efforts, through enhanced international cooperation, towards the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; 16. Affirms that a democratic and equitable international order, as prescribed in the Charter of the United Nations, cannot be achieved only through the deregulation of trade, markets and financial services; 17. Requests the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide all the human and financial resources necessary for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the Independent Expert; 18. Calls upon all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Independent Expert in his task, to supply all necessary information requested by him and to consider responding favourably to the requests of the Independent Expert to visit their countries to enable him to fulfil his mandate more effectively; Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order A/RES/75/178 7/7 20-17318 19. Requests the Human Rights Council, the human rights treaty bodies, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the special mechanisms extended by the Council and the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee to pay due attention, within their respective mandates, to the present resolution and to make contributions towards its implementation; 20. Calls upon the Office of the High Commissioner to build upon the issue of the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; 21. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of Member States, United Nations organs, bodies and components, intergovernmental organizations, in particular the Bretton Woods institutions, and non-governmental organizations and to disseminate it on the widest possible basis; 22. Requests the Independent Expert to submit to the General Assembly at its seventy-sixth session a report on the implementation of the present resolution, and on the role of a democratic and equitable international order in comprehensively addressing global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic; 23. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its seventy-sixth session under the item entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights”. 46th plenary meeting 16 December 2020

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