RES/39/7 Local government and human rights

GE.18-16415(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-ninth session

10–28 September 2018

Agenda item 3

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 27 September 2018

39/7. Local government and human rights

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international

human rights instruments, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolutions 24/2 of 26 September 2013, 27/4

of 25 September 2014 and 33/8 of 29 September 2016 on the role of local government in

the promotion and protection of human rights,

Recalling further General Assembly resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015 on the

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in which the Assembly adopted a

comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative

Sustainable Development Goals and targets, and its commitments to working tirelessly for

full implementation of the Agenda by 2030 at all levels,

Underscoring the significant contribution that local government can make to the

implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and their targets,

Bearing in mind that the Sustainable Development Goals are integrated and

indivisible, balance the three dimensions of sustainable development — economic, social

and environmental — and are aimed at realizing the human rights of all and at achieving

gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls,

Bearing in mind also that human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright

of all human beings, and that their protection and promotion is the first responsibility of

Governments,

Recognizing the role of local government in the promotion and protection of human

rights, without any prejudice to the primary responsibility of the national Government in

this regard,

Recognizing also that local government has different forms and functions in every

State, in accordance with the constitutional and legal system of the State concerned,

Recognizing further that, given its proximity to people and being at the grass-roots

level, one of the important functions of local government is to provide public services that

United Nations A/HRC/RES/39/7

address local needs and priorities related to the realization of human rights at the local

level,

Underlining that the promotion of a human rights culture within public services, and

public servants’ knowledge, training and awareness, play a vital role in promoting respect

for and the realization of human rights in society, and stressing the importance in this

regard of human rights education and training for public servants at the local government

level,

Underlining also that the expertise and knowledge of local government officials are

an important asset in the provision of public services and the promotion and protection of

human rights and fundamental freedoms at the local government level, and in the

implementation of the pledge in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no

one behind,

Recognizing that, despite improvements in several countries, in some instances local

stakeholders can face challenges in participating in local government programmes,

Noting relevant international and regional initiatives to promote human rights at the

local level, and the role of local governments in the implementation of such initiatives,

Reaffirming the crucial role that the national Government can play in promoting a

positive contribution by local government to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with

regard to the promotion and protection of human rights,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the summary report on the intersessional

panel on the role of local government in the promotion and protection of human rights;1

2. Encourages the interaction and exchange of knowledge between local

government and local stakeholders, including, inter alia, local civil society, in the

formulation and implementation of local government programmes, with the aim of

achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the promotion of a human rights

culture within public services;

3. Encourages local governments to ensure the participation of local

stakeholders in local government activities and in public affairs in efforts to promote and

protect human rights at the local level;

4. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to

prepare a report, in consultation with all States and relevant intergovernmental

organizations, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, relevant special procedures

of the Human Rights Council, the Advisory Committee, the treaty bodies, national human

rights institutions, civil society, including non-governmental organizations, and local

governments, on effective methods to foster cooperation between local government and

local stakeholders for the effective promotion and protection of human rights at their level

through local government programmes, including raising awareness of the Sustainable

Development Goals, and to indicate the major challenges and best practices in this regard,

and to submit the report to the Council prior to its forty-second session;

5. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

39th meeting

27 September 2018

[Adopted without a vote.]

1 A/HRC/38/22.