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VIENNA DECLARATION PART I



VIENNA DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION
(posted in III parts for easier downloading)
 
Part I
 
***************************
Distr.
GENERAL
 
A/CONF.157/23
12 July 1993
 
Original:  ENGLISH
 
 
WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Vienna, 14-25 June 1993
 
 
                VIENNA DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION
 
 
                          Note by the secretariat
 
 
     Attached is the text of the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action, as adopted by the World Conference on
Human Rights on 25 June 1993.
 
GE.93-14233  (E)
 
 
            VIENNA DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION
 
 
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 Josi 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.
 
END OF PART I