Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights
Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/60
The Commission on Human Rights,
Bearing in mind that among the purposes of the United Nations are those of developing friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples and taking other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace, as well as achieving international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
Recalling the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration by the General Assembly on 8 September 2000 and its own resolution 2002/86 of 26 April 2002 on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 54/113 of 10 December 1999 on the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations and the proclamation of the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations by the Assembly in its resolution 56/6 of 9 November 2001,
Reaffirming its commitment to promoting international cooperation, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, in particular Article 1, paragraph 3, as well as relevant provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, for enhancing genuine cooperation among Member States in the field of human rights,
Emphasizing 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,
Underlining that tolerance and respect for diversity and the universal promotion and protection of human rights are mutually supportive, and recognizing that tolerance and respect for diversity effectively promote and are supported by, inter alia, the empowerment of women,
Reaffirming that dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations, including in the field of human rights, could contribute greatly to the enhancement of international cooperation in this field,
Bearing in mind the valuable contribution that dialogue among civilizations can make to an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind,
Emphasizing the need for further progress in the promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through, in particular, international cooperation,
Underlining that mutual understanding, dialogue, cooperation, transparency and confidence building are important elements in all the activities for the promotion and protection of human rights,
Expresses its conviction that an unbiased and fair approach to human rights issues contributes to the promotion of international cooperation as well as to the effective promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Bearing in mind that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and thus should be treated equally in the course of international cooperation,
1. Reaffirms that it is one of the purposes of the United Nations and the responsibility of all Member States to promote, protect and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through, inter alia, international cooperation;
2. Considers that international cooperation in this field, in conformity with the purposes and principles set out in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, should make an effective and practical contribution to the urgent task of preventing violations of human rights and of fundamental freedoms for all;
3. Reaffirms that the promotion, protection and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms should be guided by the principles of universality, non-selectivity, objectivity and transparency, in a manner consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter;
4. Recognizes that, in addition to their separate responsibilities to their individual societies, States have a collective responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global level;
5. Urges all actors on the international scene to build an international order based on inclusion, justice, equality and equity, human dignity, 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;
6. Calls upon Member States, specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations to continue to carry out a constructive dialogue and consultations for the enhancement of understanding and the promotion and the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and encourages non-governmental organizations to contribute actively to this endeavour;
7. Invites States and relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms and procedures to continue to pay attention to the importance of mutual cooperation, understanding and dialogue in ensuring the promotion and protection of all human rights;
8. Decides to continue its consideration of this question, as a matter of priority, at its sixtieth session.
24 April 2003
Source:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
http://www.unhchr.ch
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