RES/35/1 Seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and twenty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

GE.17-11599(E)

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Human Rights Council Thirty-fifth session

6–23 June 2017

Agenda item 3

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 22 June 2017

35/1. Seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights and twenty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration

and Programme of Action

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant human rights

instruments,

Noting that 2018 will mark the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights1 and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and

Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June

1993,2 and acknowledging the importance of these instruments for the promotion and the

protection of all human rights,

Emphasizing that the anniversaries offer a valuable opportunity to raise awareness

and to reflect on achievements, best practices and challenges with regard to the full

realization of human rights for all, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex,

language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or

other status,

Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and

interrelated and that the international community must treat them globally in a fair and

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

significance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and

religious backgrounds must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their

political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and

fundamental freedoms,

1 General Assembly resolution 217 A (III).

2 A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.

Stressing the necessity for continued national efforts with a view to the full

realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and acknowledging the benefits

of enhanced international cooperation to that end,

1. Decides to convene, at its thirty-seventh session, a high-level panel

discussion to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights Error! Bookmark not defined.

and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna

Declaration and Programme of Action, 2 with a particular focus on the implementation of

the provisions thereof, including the benefits of enhanced international cooperation in that

regard;

2. Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human

Rights to liaise with States, relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, treaty bodies,

special procedures and regional human rights mechanisms, as well as with civil society,

including non-governmental organizations, and national human rights institutions, with a

view to ensuring their participation in the panel discussion, and to make it fully accessible

for persons with disabilities;

3. Also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a summary

report on the panel discussion and to submit it to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-

eighth session and to the General Assembly;

4. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to make

provisions for events and arrangements aimed at the celebration of the anniversaries and to

circulate the relevant information among States and other stakeholders;

5. Encourages States to use these anniversaries as a tool to raise awareness of

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of

Action and their role in the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental

freedoms;

6. Invites the General Assembly to consider holding a special commemorative

meeting on the occasion of the anniversaries in 2018.

34th meeting

22 June 2017

[Adopted without a vote.]