Human Rights Council
Thirty-fifth session
6–23 June 2017
Agenda item 3
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 22 June 2017
35/4. Promotion of the right to peace
The Human Rights Council,
Recalling all previous resolutions on the promotion of the right to peace and the promotion of peace as a vital requirement for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all, adopted by the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, in particular Council resolution 32/28 of 1 July 2016,
Welcoming the adoption by the General Assembly, by its resolution 71/189 of 19 December 2016, of the Declaration on the Right to Peace,
Recalling that States, the United Nations and specialized agencies should take appropriate sustainable measures to implement the Declaration, in particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
- Recalls that everyone has the right to enjoy peace such that all human rights are promoted and protected and development is fully realized;
- Stresses that 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;
- Recognizes 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;
- Decides to convene, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in the period between the thirty-seventh and the thirty-eighth sessions of the Human Rights Council, a half-day intersessional workshop on the right to peace, to discuss the implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Peace;
- Requests the High Commissioner to submit a report on the workshop, in the form of a summary, to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-ninth session;
- Encourages all Member States, specialized agencies and civil society to participate in the discussions of the workshop so that worldwide representation in the debates can be ensured;
- Decides to remain seized of the matter.
34th meeting
22 June 2017
[Adopted by a recorded vote of 32 to 11, with 4 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour:
Bangladesh, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, China, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Against:
Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America
Abstaining:
Albania, Georgia, Portugal, Switzerland]
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 2016
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/71/484/Add.2)]
71/189. Declaration on the Right to Peace
The General Assembly,
Recalling all previous resolutions on the promotion of the right to peace and the promotion of peace as a vital requirement for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all, adopted by the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, in particular Council resolution 20/15 of 5 July 2012,[1]
Stressing that peace is a vital requirement for the promotion and protection of all human rights for all,
Welcoming the adoption by the Human Rights Council, by its resolution 32/28 of 1 July 2016,[2] of the Declaration on the Right to Peace,
- Adopts the Declaration on the Right to Peace, as contained in the annex to the present resolution;
- 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;
- Decides to continue consideration of the question of the promotion of the right to peace at its seventy-third session under the item entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights”.
65th plenary meeting
19 December 2016
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,[3] the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,[4] the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights4 and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,[5]
Recalling also the Declaration on the Right to Development,[6] the United Nations Millennium Declaration,[7] the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,[8] including the Sustainable Development Goals, and the 2005 World Summit Outcome,[9]
Recalling further the Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace,[10] the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace[11] and the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace,[12] 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,[13]
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[14] 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,4 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[15] 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[16] 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 practising 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 Rights3 and relevant international and regional instruments ratified by States.
[1] See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 53 and corrigendum (A/67/53 and Corr.1), chap. IV, sect. A.
[2] Ibid., Seventy-first Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/71/53), chap. II.
[3] Resolution 217 A (III).
[4] See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
[5] A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.
[12] Resolutions 53/243 A and B.
[13] Resolution 1514 (XV).
[14] Resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.
[16] Resolution 66/137, annex.
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Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace
Approved by General Assembly resolution 39/11 of 12 November 1984
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming that the principal aim of the United Nations is the maintenance of international peace and security,
Bearing in mind the fundamental principles of international law set forth in the Charter of the United Nations,
Expressing the will and the aspirations of all peoples to eradicate war from the life of mankind and, above all, to avert a world-wide nuclear catastrophe,
Convinced that life without war serves as the primary international prerequisite for the material well-being, development and progress of countries, and for the full implementation of the rights and fundamental human freedoms proclaimed by the United Nations,
Aware that in the nuclear age the establishment of a lasting peace on Earth represents the primary condition for the preservation of human civilization and the survival of mankind,
Recognizing that the maintenance of a peaceful life for peoples is the sacred duty of each State,
1. Solemnly proclaims that the peoples of our planet have a sacred right to peace;
2. Solemnly declares that the preservation of the right of peoples to peace and the promotion of its implementation constitute a fundamental obligation of each State;
3. Emphasizes that ensuring the exercise of the right of peoples to peace demands that the policies of States be directed towards the elimination of the threat of war, particularly nuclear war, the renunciation of the use of force in international relations and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations;
4. Appeals to all States and international organizations to do their utmost to assist in implementing the right of peoples to peace through the adoption of appropriate measures at both the national and the international level.