RES/38/2 Human rights and international solidarity

GE.18-11657(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-eighth session

18 June–6 July 2018

Agenda item 3

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 5 July 2018

38/2. Human rights and international solidarity

The Human Rights Council,

Reaffirming all previous resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission on

Human Rights and the Human Rights Council on the issue of human rights and

international solidarity,

Underlining the fact that the processes of promoting and protecting human rights

should be conducted in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the

United Nations and international law,

Recalling that, at the World Conference on Human Rights, held in June 1993, States

pledged to cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles to

development, and stressed that the international community should promote effective

international cooperation for the realization of the right to development and the elimination

of obstacles to development,

Reaffirming the fact that article 4 of the Declaration on the Right to Development

states that sustained action is required to promote more rapid development of developing

countries and, as a complement to the efforts of developing countries, effective

international cooperation is essential in order to provide these countries with the

appropriate means and facilities to foster their comprehensive development,

Recognizing that the attention paid to the importance of international solidarity as a

vital component of the efforts of developing countries to realize the right to development of

their peoples and to promote the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by

everyone has been insufficient, and in this context reaffirming the critical relevance of

international solidarity to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development,

Reaffirming the fact that the widening gap between economically developed and

developing countries is unsustainable and that it impedes the realization of human rights in

the international community, and makes it all the more imperative for every nation,

according to its capacities, to make the maximum possible effort to close this gap,

Mindful that while globalization opens up new opportunities for growth and

development, it also presents challenges, including growing inequality, widespread poverty,

unemployment, social disintegration and environmental risks that demand increased

coordination and collective decision-making at the global level,

United Nations A/HRC/RES/38/2

Reaffirming the crucial importance of increasing the resources allocated to official

development assistance, recalling the pledge of industrialized countries to allocate 0.7 per

cent of their gross national product to official development assistance, and recognizing the

need for new and additional resources to finance the development programmes of

developing countries,

Emphasizing the commitment of States in the 2030 Agenda to a revitalized Global

Partnership for Sustainable Development based on a spirit of global solidarity, in particular

with the poorest and with people in vulnerable situations,

Affirming the fact that the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and

the realization of the right to development call for a more enlightened approach, mindset

and action based on a sense of community and international solidarity,

Determined to take new steps forward in the commitment of the international

community with a view to achieving substantial progress in human rights endeavours

through an increased and sustained effort of international cooperation and solidarity,

Asserting the necessity of establishing new, equitable and global links of partnership

and intra-generational solidarity for the perpetuation of humankind,

Resolved to strive to ensure that present generations are fully aware of their

responsibilities towards future ones, and that a better world is possible for both present and

future generations,

1. Reaffirms the recognition set forth in the declaration adopted by the Heads of

State and Government at the Millennium Summit of the fundamental value of solidarity to

international relations in the twenty-first century in stating that global challenges must be

managed in a way that distributes costs and burdens fairly, in accordance with the basic

principles of equity and social justice, and that those who suffer or benefit least deserve

help from those who benefit most;

2. Also reaffirms that international solidarity is not limited to international

assistance and cooperation, aid, charity or humanitarian assistance; it is a broader concept

and principle that includes sustainability in international relations, especially international

economic relations, the peaceful coexistence of all members of the international

community, equal partnerships and the equitable sharing of benefits and burdens;

3. Reiterates its determination to contribute to the solution of current world

problems through increased international cooperation, to create conditions that will ensure

that the needs and interests of future generations are not jeopardized by the burden of the

past, and to hand over a better world to future generations;

4. Reaffirms the fact that the promotion of international cooperation is a duty for

States, and that it should be implemented without any conditionality and on the basis of

mutual respect, in full compliance with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the

United Nations, in particular respect for the sovereignty of States, and taking into account

national priorities;

5. Recognizes that international solidarity shall be a new foundational principle

underpinning contemporary international law;

6. Also recognizes that there is an overwhelming manifestation of solidarity by

States, individually and collectively, by civil society, by global social movements and by

countless people of goodwill reaching out to others, and that this solidarity is commonly

practised at the national, regional and international levels;

7. Acknowledges the increased need for States and other actors to come together

and take collective action in solidarity;

8. Recognizes that international solidarity is a powerful tool for addressing the

structural causes of poverty, inequality and other global challenges;

9. Welcomes the report of the Independent Expert on human rights and

international solidarity;1

10. Requests all States, United Nations agencies, other relevant international

organizations and non-governmental organizations to mainstream the right of peoples and

individuals to international solidarity into their activities, to cooperate with the Independent

Expert in his mandate, and to supply all necessary information requested by him, and

requests States to give serious consideration to responding favourably to the requests of the

Independent Expert to visit their countries to enable him to fulfil his mandate effectively;

11. Requests the Independent Expert to continue to participate in relevant

international forums and major events with a view to promoting the importance of

international solidarity in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development, especially those goals relating to economic, social and climate issues, and

invites Member States, international organizations, United Nations agencies and other

relevant organizations to facilitate the meaningful participation of the Independent Expert

in these international forums and major events;

12. Requests the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner

for Human Rights to provide all the human and financial resources necessary for the

effective fulfilment of the mandate of the Independent Expert;

13. Reiterates its request to the Independent Expert to take into account the

outcomes of all major United Nations and other global summits and ministerial meetings in

the economic, social and climate fields and to continue to seek views and contributions

from Governments, United Nations agencies, other relevant international organizations and

non-governmental organizations in the discharge of his mandate;

14. Requests the Independent Expert to report regularly to the Human Rights

Council and to the General Assembly in accordance with their respective programmes of

work;

15. Decides to continue its consideration of this matter under the same agenda

item.

37th meeting

5 July 2018

[Adopted by a recorded vote of 31 to 14, with 1 abstention. The voting was as follows:

In favour:

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

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

Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines,

Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, United

Arab Emirates, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Against:

Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Republic of

Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom of

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Abstaining:

Mexico]

1 A/HRC/38/40.