RES/32/28 Declaration on the Right to Peace
Document Type: Final Resolution
Date: 2016 Jul
Session: 32nd Regular Session (2016 Jun)
Agenda Item: Item5: Human rights bodies and mechanisms
Topic: Peace and Transitional Justice
- Main sponsors1
- Co-sponsors40
-
Angola
Belarus
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
Cape Verde
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Eritrea
Indonesia
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Malaysia
Nicaragua
Pakistan
Qatar
South Africa
Sudan
Syrian Arab Republic
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Viet Nam
Algeria
Bahrain
Comoros
Djibouti
Egypt
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Mauritania
Morocco
Oman
Palestine, State of
Saudi Arabia
Somalia
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
-
- In Favour
Algeria
Bangladesh
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
Botswana
Burundi
China
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
Ecuador
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Ghana
India
Indonesia
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Maldives
Mexico
Mongolia
Morocco
Namibia
Nigeria
Panama
Paraguay
Philippines
Qatar
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Togo
United Arab Emirates
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Viet Nam
- Abstaining
Albania
Georgia
Portugal
Switzerland
GE.16-12306(E)
Human Rights Council Thirty-second session
Agenda item 5
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 1 July 2016
32/28. Declaration on the Right to Peace
The Human Rights Council,
Recalling all previous resolutions on the promotion of the right of peoples to peace
adopted by the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and the Human
Rights Council,
1. Adopts the Declaration on the Right to Peace, as contained in the annex to the
present resolution;
2. Recommends that the General Assembly, in accordance with paragraph 5 (c)
of its resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, adopt the following draft resolution:
“The General Assembly,
Welcoming the adoption by the Human Rights Council, through its resolution
of the Declaration on the Right to Peace,
1. Adopts the Declaration on the Right to Peace, as contained in the
annex to the present resolution;
2. Invites Governments, agencies and organizations of the United
Nations system and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to
disseminate the Declaration and to promote universal respect and understanding
thereof.”
45th meeting
1 July 2016
[Adopted by a recorded vote of 34 to 9, with 4 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour:
Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Botswana, Burundi,
China, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana,
India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia,
Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Russian
Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Togo, United Arab Emirates,
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam
Against:
Belgium, France, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea,
Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Abstaining:
Albania, Georgia, Portugal, Switzerland]
Annex
Declaration on the Right to Peace
The General Assembly,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,
Recalling also the Declaration on the Right to Development, the United Nations
Millennium Declaration, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the
Sustainable Development Goals, and the 2005 World Summit Outcome,
Recalling further the Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace,
the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace and the Declaration and Programme of
Action on a Culture of Peace, and other international instruments relevant to the subject of
the present Declaration,
Recalling the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries
and Peoples,
Recalling also that the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning
Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the
United Nations solemnly proclaimed the principle that States shall refrain in their
international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or
political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes
of the United Nations; the principle that States shall settle their international disputes by
peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not
endangered; the duty not to intervene in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of any
State, in accordance with the Charter; the duty of States to cooperate with one another in
accordance with the Charter; the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples;
the principle of the sovereign equality of States; and the principle that States shall fulfil in
good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the Charter,
Reaffirming the obligations of all Member States, as enshrined in the Charter, to
refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial
integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with
the purposes of the United Nations, and to settle their international disputes by peaceful
means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not
endangered,
Acknowledging that the fuller development of a culture of peace is integrally linked
to the realization of the right of all peoples, including those living under colonial or other
forms of alien domination or foreign occupation, to self-determination as enshrined in the
Charter and embodied in the International Covenants on Human Rights, as well as in the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples contained
in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,
Convinced that any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national
unity and territorial integrity of a State or country or at its political independence is
incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter, as stated in the Declaration on
Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among
States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, contained in General
Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970,
Recognizing the importance of the settlement of disputes or conflicts through
peaceful means,
Deeply deploring all acts of terrorism, recalling that the Declaration on Measures to
Eliminate International Terrorism declared that acts, methods and practices of terrorism
constitute a grave violation of the purposes and principles of the United Nations and may
pose a threat to international peace and security, jeopardize friendly relations among States,
threaten the territorial integrity and security of States, hinder international cooperation and
aim at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the democratic bases of
society, and reaffirming that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless
of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed,
Stressing that all measures taken in the fight against terrorism must be in compliance
with the obligations of States under international law, including international human rights,
refugee and humanitarian law, as well as those enshrined in the Charter,
Urging all States that have not yet done so to consider, as a matter of priority,
becoming parties to international instruments related to terrorism,
Reaffirming that the promotion and protection of human rights for all and the rule of
law are essential to the fight against terrorism, and recognizing that effective counter-
terrorism measures and the protection of human rights are not conflicting goals, but are
complementary and mutually reinforcing,
Reaffirming also the determination of the peoples of the United Nations, as
expressed in the Preamble to the Charter, to save succeeding generations from the scourge
of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, to promote social progress and better
standards of life in larger freedom, and to practice tolerance and live together in peace with
one another as good neighbours,
Recalling that peace and security, development and human rights are the pillars of
the United Nations system and the foundations for collective security and well-being, and
recognizing that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and
mutually reinforcing,
Recognizing that peace is not only the absence of conflict but also requires a
positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are
solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, and socioeconomic
development is ensured,
Recalling that the recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable
rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
in the world, and recognizing that peace is promoted through the full enjoyment of all
inalienable rights derived from the inherent dignity of all human beings,
Recalling also that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which
the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be fully
realized,
Recalling further the world commitment to eradicate poverty and to promote
sustained economic growth, sustainable development and global prosperity for all, and the
need to reduce inequalities within and among countries,
Recalling the importance of the prevention of armed conflict in accordance with the
purposes and principles of the Charter and of the commitment to promote a culture of
prevention of armed conflict as a means of effectively addressing the interconnected
security and development challenges faced by peoples throughout the world,
Recalling also that the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of
the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women, on equal
terms with men in all fields,
Reaffirming that, since wars begin in the minds of human beings, it is in the minds
of human beings that the defence of peace must be constructed, and recalling the
importance of the settlement of disputes or conflicts through peaceful means,
Recalling the need for strengthened international efforts to foster a global dialogue
for the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels, based on respect for
human rights and diversity of religions and beliefs,
Recalling also that development assistance and capacity-building based on the
principle of national ownership in post-conflict situations should restore peace through
rehabilitation, reintegration and reconciliation processes involving all those engaged, and
recognizing the importance of the peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities
of the United Nations for the global pursuit of peace and security,
Recalling further that the culture of peace and the education of humanity for justice,
liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of human beings and constitute a duty that
all nations must fulfil in a spirit of mutual assistance and concern,
Reaffirming that the culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and
modes of behaviour and ways of life, as identified in the Declaration on a Culture of Peace,
and that all this should be fostered by an enabling national and international environment
conducive to peace,
Recognizing the importance of moderation and tolerance as values contributing to
the promotion of peace and security,
Recognizing also the important contribution that civil society organizations can
make in building and preserving peace, and in strengthening a culture of peace,
Stressing the need for States, the United Nations system and other relevant
international organizations to allocate resources to programmes aimed at strengthening a
culture of peace and upholding human rights awareness through training, teaching and
education,
Stressing also the importance of the contribution of the United Nations Declaration
on Human Rights Education and Training to the promotion of a culture of peace,
Recalling that respect for the diversity of cultures, tolerance, dialogue and
cooperation, in a climate of mutual trust and understanding, are among the best guarantees
of international peace and security,
Recalling also that tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich
diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human, and the
virtue that makes peace possible and contributes to the promotion of a culture of peace,
Recalling further that the constant promotion and realization of the rights of persons
belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities as an integral part of the
development of a society as a whole and within a democratic framework based on the rule
of law would contribute to the strengthening of friendship, cooperation and peace among
peoples and States,
Recalling the need to design, promote and implement, at the national, regional and
international levels, strategies, programmes and policies, and adequate legislation, which
may include special and positive measures, for furthering equal social development and the
realization of the civil and political, economic, social and cultural rights of all victims of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Recognizing that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
where they amount to racism and racial discrimination, are an obstacle to friendly and
peaceful relations among peoples and nations, and are among the root causes of many
internal and international conflicts, including armed conflicts,
Inviting solemnly all stakeholders to guide themselves in their activities by
recognizing the high importance of practicing tolerance, dialogue, cooperation and
solidarity among all human beings, peoples and nations of the world as a means to promote
peace; to that end, present generations should ensure that both they and future generations
learn to live together in peace with the highest aspiration of sparing future generations the
scourge of war,
Declares the following:
Article 1
Everyone has the right to enjoy peace such that all human rights are promoted and
protected and development is fully realized.
Article 2
States should respect, implement and promote equality and non-discrimination,
justice and the rule of law, and guarantee freedom from fear and want as a means to build
peace within and between societies.
Article 3
States, the United Nations and specialized agencies should take appropriate
sustainable measures to implement the present Declaration, in particular the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. International, regional, national and local
organizations and civil society are encouraged to support and assist in the implementation
of the present Declaration.
Article 4
International and national institutions of education for peace shall be promoted in
order to strengthen among all human beings the spirit of tolerance, dialogue, cooperation
and solidarity. To this end, the University for Peace should contribute to the great universal
task of educating for peace by engaging in teaching, research, post-graduate training and
dissemination of knowledge.
Article 5
Nothing in the present Declaration shall be construed as being contrary to the
purposes and principles of the United Nations. The provisions included in the present
Declaration are to be understood in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international and regional instruments
ratified by States.