RES/12/28 Follow-up to the tenth special session of the Human Rights Council on the impact of the global economic and financial crises on the universal realization and effective enjoyment of human rights

GE.09-16759

UNITED NATIONS

A

General Assembly Distr. GENERAL

A/HRC/RES/12/28 12 October 2009

Original: ENGLISH

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twelfth session Agenda item 3

PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS,

INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council*

12/28. Follow-up to the tenth special session of the Human Rights Council on the impact of the global economic and financial crises on the universal realization and effective enjoyment of human rights

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations,

Guided also by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,

Reaffirming that peace and security, development and human rights are the interrelated pillars of the United Nations system,

Reaffirming also that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and that they must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, in which the Assembly affirmed that the Council should be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all * The resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council will be contained in the report of the Council on its twelfth session (A/HRC/12/50), chap. I.

human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of any kind, serving as, inter alia, a forum for dialogue on thematic issues on all human rights, and that the promotion and protection of human rights should be based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue and aimed at strengthening the capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the benefit of all human beings,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 63/303 of 9 July 2009, in which the Assembly endorsed by consensus the outcome document of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development, held in New York from 24 to 30 June 2009,

Recalling further Council resolution S-10/1 of 24 February 2009, in which the Council expressed its serious concern at the negative impact of the global economic and financial crises on economic and social development and on the full enjoyment of all human rights in all countries, and recognized that developing countries, particularly least developed countries and small-island developing States, were in a more vulnerable situation when facing that impact,

1. Reiterates the fact that multiple and interrelated global economic and financial crises pose additional challenges to the universal realization and effective enjoyment of all human rights, and stresses the central importance of recognizing human dignity for all people when they are faced with economic circumstances beyond their control and that deprive them of their capacity to realize their rights fully;

2. 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;

3. Also reaffirms 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, and recalls its determination to take 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;

4. Recalls that the crisis presents unique challenges to the efforts of all categories of developing countries and that strong and urgent actions are needed to counter the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable populations and to help restore strong growth and recover lost ground in their progress towards the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium development Goals, as recognized in the outcome document of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development;

5. Decides to hold a panel discussion during the high-level segment of its thirteenth session, to discuss and evaluate the impact of the financial and economic crises to the realization of all human rights worldwide, with a view to contribute to the work of the Open-ended Working Group of the General Assembly to follow up on the issues contained in the outcome document of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development, and requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a summary of the panel to be submitted to the Open-ended Working Group;

6. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to consult States Members of the United Nations and all other relevant stakeholders on the issue with a view to present to the Council, at its thirteenth session, a report on the impact of the crises to the realization of all human rights and on possible actions required to alleviate it;

7. Encourages all States Members of the United Nations and relevant stakeholders to engage fully in the panel discussion with a view to guarantee the appropriate balance and diversity of views on the issue;

8. Reiterates its invitation to all relevant special procedures mandate holders, within their respective mandates and, as appropriate, to report on the impact of the global economic and financial crises on the realization and effective enjoyment of all human rights, building on the deliberations of its tenth special session;

9. Decides to remain seized of this matter.

32nd meeting 2 October 2009

[Adopted without a vote.]