RES/37/23 Promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights

 GE.18-05246(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-seventh session

26 February–23 March 2018

Agenda item 3

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 23 March 2018

37/23. Promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration

and Programme of Action, and recalling all relevant international human rights treaties,

including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International

Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,

Recalling previous resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Human

Rights Council on international cooperation in the field of human rights,

Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated,

interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and that all human rights must be treated in a fair

and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis,

Reaffirming also 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 further that, while the significance of national and regional

particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in

mind, all States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, have the duty

to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Reaffirming that the work of the Human Rights Council shall be guided by the

principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, constructive

international dialogue and cooperation, with a view to enhancing the promotion and

protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,

including the right to development,

Acknowledging the important role that mutually beneficial cooperation among all

relevant stakeholders can play in promoting and protecting all human rights in an

increasingly interrelated world,

Emphasizing the responsibility 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,

Emphasizing also that genuine dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights

should be constructive and based on universality, indivisibility, non-selectivity, non-

politicization, equality and mutual respect, with the aim of promoting mutual

understanding, expanding common ground and strengthening constructive cooperation,

including through capacity-building and technical cooperation,

Considering that international cooperation in the field of human rights, in

conformity with the purposes and principles set out in the Charter and international law and

based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue, makes an effective and

practical contribution to preventing violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms

and strengthening the capacity of States to comply with their human rights obligations for

the benefit of all human beings,

Recognizing the importance of technical assistance and capacity-building provided

in consultation with, and with the consent of, the States concerned in promoting mutually

beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights,

Recognizing also the role of the universal periodic review in, inter alia, promoting

the universality, interdependence, indivisibility and interrelatedness of all human rights,

establishing a cooperative mechanism based on objective and reliable information and on

interactive dialogue, and ensuring universal coverage and equal treatment of all States in

contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights and mutually beneficial

cooperation,

Recognizing further that dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations in the

field of human rights could contribute greatly to the enhancement of international

cooperation in this field,

Recognizing the importance of fostering international relations based on mutual

respect, fairness, justice and mutually beneficial cooperation, and of building a community

of shared future for human beings in which human rights are enjoyed by all,

1. Calls upon all States to uphold multilateralism and to work together to

promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights, and encourages other

stakeholders, including international and regional organizations and non-governmental

organizations, to contribute actively to this endeavour;

2. Reiterates the important role of technical assistance and capacity-building in

promoting and protecting human rights, calls upon States to strengthen human rights

technical assistance and capacity-building through mutually beneficial cooperation, upon

the request of and in accordance with the priorities set by the States concerned, and

welcomes in this regard North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation;

3. 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, and calls upon all States and

relevant stakeholders to participate constructively in it;

4. Invites relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms and procedures to

continue to pay attention to the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation in promoting

and protecting all human rights;

5. Requests the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee to conduct a study

on the role of technical assistance and capacity-building in fostering mutually beneficial

cooperation in promoting and protecting human rights, and to submit a report thereon to the

Human Rights Council before its forty-third session.

54th meeting

23 March 2018

[Adopted by a recorded vote of 28 to 1, with 17 abstentions. The voting was as follows:

In favour:

Angola, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic

Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan,

Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Qatar,

Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela

(Bolivarian Republic of)

Against:

United States of America

Abstaining:

Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary,

Japan, Peru, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,

Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

Ireland]