RES/23/3 Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights

GE.13-14934

Human Rights Council Twenty-third 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∗

23/3. Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights

The Human Rights Council,

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 at the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, for enhancing genuine cooperation among Member States in the field of human rights,

Recalling the adoption by the General Assembly of the United Nations Millennium Declaration on 8 September 2000, and the renewed commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by their target date of 2015, as set out in the outcome document adopted at the High-level Plenary Meeting of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals,

Recalling also all decisions and resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights, the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, the latest of which being Council decision 22/116 of 21 March 2013, Assembly resolution 67/169 of 20 December 2012 and Council resolution 19/33 of 23 March 2012,

Recalling further the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 8 September 2001, and the Durban Review Conference, held in Geneva, from 20 to 24 April 2009, and their role in the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights,

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

of the Council on its twenty-third session (A/HRC/23/2), chap. I.

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,

Recognizing also that the promotion and protection of human rights should be based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue in all relevant forums, including in the context of the universal periodic review, and be aimed at strengthening the capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the benefit of all human beings,

Reiterating the role played by the universal periodic review as an important mechanism in contributing to the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolution 6/17 of 28 September 2008, in which the Council requested the Secretary-General to establish a universal periodic review voluntary trust fund to facilitate the participation of developing countries, particularly least developing countries, in the universal periodic review mechanism, and to establish the voluntary fund for financial and technical assistance, to be administered jointly with the universal periodic review voluntary trust fund, in order to provide, in conjunction with multilateral funding mechanisms, a source of financial and technical assistance to help countries to implement recommendations emanating from the universal periodic review in consultation with, and with the consent of, the country concerned,

Reaffirming that dialogue among and within religions, cultures and civilizations in the field of human rights could contribute greatly to the enhancement of international cooperation in this field,

Emphasizing the need for further progress in the promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through, inter alia, international cooperation,

Underlining the fact that mutual understanding, dialogue, cooperation, transparency and confidence-building are important elements in all activities for the promotion and protection of human rights,

1. Reaffirms that it is one of the purposes of the United Nations and also the primary responsibility of States to promote, protect and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through, inter alia, international cooperation;

2. 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;

3. Reaffirms that dialogue among and within cultures and civilizations facilitates the promotion of a culture of tolerance and respect for diversity, and welcomes in this regard the holding of conferences and meetings at the national, regional and international levels on dialogue among civilizations;

4. Urges all actors on the international scene to build an international order based on inclusion, justice, equality and equity, human dignity, mutual understanding and the 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;

5. Reaffirms the importance of the enhancement of international cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights and for the achievement of the objectives of the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;

6. Considers that international cooperation in the field of human rights, 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 fundamental freedoms;

7. Emphasizes the need to promote a cooperative and constructive approach to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as to enhance the role of the Human Rights Council in promoting advisory services, technical assistance and capacity- building to support efforts to ensure equal realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, where appropriate;

8. 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 set out in the Charter;

9. Emphasizes the importance of the universal periodic review as a mechanism based on cooperation and constructive dialogue with the objective of, inter alia, improving the situation of human rights on the ground and promoting the fulfilment of the human rights obligations and commitments undertaken by States;

10. Also emphasizes the role of international cooperation in support of national efforts and in raising the capacities of States in the field of human rights through, inter alia, the enhancement of their cooperation with human rights mechanisms, including through the provision of technical assistance, upon the request of and in accordance with the priorities set by the States concerned;

11. Takes note of the latest report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the operations of the Voluntary Fund for Participation in the Universal Periodic Review,1 requests the Office of the High Commissioner to continue to seek ways and means to facilitate the existing procedure, including by addressing the concerns identified in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the report, and to report on its progress in that regard in its next annual report to the Council on the operations of the Voluntary Fund;

12. Also takes note of the note of the Secretary-General2 informing the Human Rights Council that a consolidated annual written update on the operations of the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the Universal Periodic Review would be submitted to the Council at its twenty-fourth session;

13. Further takes note of the compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner of the views of States and relevant stakeholders on the contribution of the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance,A/HRC/19/50. in particular with regard to its sustainability and accessibility, to the implementation of recommendations accepted by States as part of their universal periodic review that required financial support;

14. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to seek to enhance dialogue with representatives from non-traditional donor countries with a view to broaden the donor base and replenish the resources available to both funds;

15. Also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to make clear the process by which States request assistance from both funds, and to process such requests in a timely and transparent manner that adequately responds to the requesting States;

1 A/HRC/23/61.

2 A/HRC/23/60.

16. Urges States to continue to support both funds;

17. Calls upon 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 protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and encourages non-governmental organizations to contribute actively to this endeavour;

18. Calls upon States to further advance initiatives aimed at enhancing international cooperation in the field of human rights on issues of common interest and concern, bearing in mind the need to promote a cooperative and constructive approach in this regard;

19. Urges States to take necessary measures to enhance bilateral, regional and international cooperation aimed at addressing the adverse impact of consecutive and compounded global crises, such as financial and economic crises, food crises, climate change and natural disasters, on the full enjoyment of human rights;

20. 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;

21. Takes note of the holding of the seminar on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights on 15 February 2013, with the participation of States, relevant United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, and other stakeholders, including academic experts and civil society, and also takes note of the report of the Office of the High Commissioner submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 19/33,4 containing a summary of the deliberations held during the seminar based on the study of the Advisory Committee on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights;A/HRC/19/74.

22. Recalls that, in its resolution 67/169, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General, in collaboration with the High Commissioner, to consult States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on ways and means, as well as obstacles and challenges and possible proposals to overcome them, for the enhancement of international cooperation and dialogue in the United Nations human rights machinery, including the Human Rights Council;

23. Requests the Advisory Committee to prepare, in consultation with States, a more focused and in-depth study on the ways and means to enhance international cooperation in the field of human rights, including, but not limited to, the identification of areas where further progress could be made, taking into account responses received further to the consultations as requested by the General Assembly in resolution 67/169, and to submit a progressive report to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-sixth session;

24. Decides to continue its consideration of the matter in 2014, in accordance with its annual programme of work.

38th meeting 13 June 2013

[Adopted without a vote.]

4 A/HRC/23/20.