RES/14/7 Proclamation of 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

GE.10-14576

Human Rights Council Fourteenth session Agenda item 8 Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council*

14/7 Proclamation of 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other relevant instruments of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as well as the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,

Recognizing the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,

Recalling articles 32 and 33 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and article 24, paragraph 2, of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 61/177 of 20 December 2006,

Taking into account the right to the truth as defined in Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/66 of 20 April 2005, and Council decision 2/105 of 27 November 2006 and resolutions 9/11 of 24 September 2008 and 12/12 of 1 October 2009 on the right to the truth,

Acknowledging the reports of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the significant conclusions therein related to the right to the truth (E/CN.4/2006/91, A/HRC/5/7 and A/HRC/12/19),

Recognizing the importance of promoting the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and the importance of the right to truth and justice,

* The resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council will be contained in the report of

the Council on its fourteenth session (A/HRC/14/37), chap. I.

United Nations A/HRC/RES/14/7

General Assembly Distr.: General

Acknowledging, at the same time, the significance of paying tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all,

Recognizing in particular the important and valuable work of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador, who was actively engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights in his country, and whose work was acknowledged internationally through his messages, in which he denounced violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations,

Recognizing the values of Monsignor Romero and his dedication to the service of humanity, in the context of armed conflicts, as a humanist dedicated to defending human rights, protecting lives and promoting human dignity, his constant calls to dialogue and his opposition to all forms of violence to avoid armed confrontation, which consequently led to his death on 24 March 1980,

1. Recommends that the General Assembly proclaim 24 March the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims;

2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, and civil society entities, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day in an appropriate manner;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all States Members of the United Nations.

34th meeting 17 June 2010

[Adopted without a vote.]