Rapporteur Group on Human Rights
(GR-H)
Restricted | 8 October 1998 |
GR-H(98)21 | |
DECLARATION
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Introduction
At its meeting on 2 October 1998, the GR-H considered the text of the preliminary Draft Political Declaration to be adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 10 December 1998, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Following its examination of the text, the GR-H invited the Secretariat to prepare a new draft incorporating, insofar as possible, proposals made in the course of the discussion.
In accordance with this instruction, the Secretariat has prepared the draft set out hereafter. All amendments to the initial draft and new elements are indicated in bold print to facilitate consideration of the text.
Declaration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(adopted by the Ministers’ Deputies on 10 December 1998 at their 651st meeting)
THE MEMBER STATES OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE,
1. Considering that today marks the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which the member States of the Council of Europe are deeply committed and whose continued importance they reaffirm ;
2. Recalling that the Universal Declaration has been the basis for the creation of human rights protection systems of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and other organisations in different regions of the world;
3. Recognising that the universal protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the foundation of justice and peace in the world, and an essential factor for the development and strengthening of pluralist democracy ;
4. Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated, be they civil, political or economic, social and cultural ;
5. Welcoming the progress made in the last 50 years in the universal acceptance and implementation of international human rights standards, including in Europe ;
6. Paying tribute to the work of the United Nations in this field at the global level and stressing the need to review critically progress made in the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna, 1993) ;
7. Recognising the indispensable contribution of non-governmental organisations as well as individuals defending human rights throughout the world;
8. Expressing satisfaction at the adoption, by the United Nations Diplomatic Conference on 17 July 1998 in Rome, of the Statute of the International Criminal Court, which constitutes a significant step towards the establishment of the rule of law at the international level and an important contribution to the international protection of human rights;
9. Strongly deploring the fact that, in spite of progress made, serious and large-scale violations of human rights continue to occur in many parts of the world, including Europe ;
10. Believing that further efforts are needed to ensure that human rights are effectively protected at the national, regional and international levels and aware that the protection of human rights is a continuing task which demands constant vigilance but also willingness to respect, implement, consolidate and improve existing standards and systems of protection as well as the capacity to respond to new challenges that arise in society;
11. Reaffirming their attachment to the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe – pluralist democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law ;
12. Recalling the historic changes in Europe which have made possible a significant increase in membership of the Council of Europe and which have made Europe today so much more united around common values of respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law than it was fifty years ago ;
13. Reaffirming the essential role at the European level of the Council of Europe in the protection, promotion and further development of human rights;
14. Recognising in this context the need to reinforce the protection of fundamental economic and social rights and being encouraged by the recent entry into force of the Protocol to the European Social Charter enabling the lodging of collective complaints;
15. Affirming also the need to combat racism, intolerance, xenophobia and anti-semitism as a matter of protecting human rights and stressing the important contribution of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) in this respect;
16. Highlighting the importance of the protection of rights of persons belonging to national minorities; and welcoming the imminent putting into effect of the monitoring mechanism of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM);
Stressing the need for effective implementation of the human rights of women;
18. Stressing also the importance of effective protection of the rights of the child;
19. Reaffirming, moreover, that the protection of media freedoms is an integral part of the international protection of human rights;
20. Recognising that more needs to be done, notably through education in human rights and human rights awareness-raising, to promote a genuine human rights culture in all sectors of society ;
21. Bearing in mind the results of the European regional colloquy « In Our Hands – The Effectiveness of Human Rights Protection 50 Years after the Universal Declaration », organised by the Council of Europe on 2-4 September 1998,
VIGOUROUSLY CONDEMN the continuing serious and large-scale violations of human rights throughout the World, and CALL FOR immediate steps to put an end to them and to sanction those responsible.
II. CALL ON ALL STATES:
- to become Party to the universal human rights instruments, wherever possible without reservations, to review existing reservations with a view to their withdrawal, and to ensure the effective implementation of those instruments at the national level;
- to sign and ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court ;
- to refrain from withdrawing from or denouncing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, or supporting such steps, in accordance with the General Comment of the United Nations Human Rights Committee of 29 October 1997;
III. FURTHER CALL ON ALL STATES:
- to establish or reinforce independent national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights;
- to draw up and implement programmes and policies for education in human rights and human rights awareness-raising for all sectors of society.
IV. URGE ALL STATES to abolish and refrain from reintroducing the death penalty and APPEAL to all member States, which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify Protocol No. 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights on abolition of the death penalty;
V. INVITE all member States to sign and ratify the human rights instruments of the Council of Europe, wherever possible without reservations, to review existing reservations with a view to their withdrawal, and to ensure the effective implementation of those instruments at the national level ;
VI. WELCOME the establishment of the new European Court of Human Rights on 1 November 1998;
VII. CONFIRM their continued support for the human rights treaties of the Council of Europe, as well as their supervisory mechanisms, notably: the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Social Charter, the European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities;
VIII. NOTE the progress made in the preparation of an instrument providing for a general prohibition of discrimination and LOOK FORWARD to the completion of this process as soon as possible ;
IX. RESOLVE to take the necessary final steps to establish a Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to promote education in, awareness of and respect for human rights;
X. DECLARE that the promotion and protection of human rights shall remain the highest priority for the Council of Europe and, in line with the decisions of their Heads of State and Government at their 2nd Summit on 10-11 October 1997, RESOLVE to reinforce this work in its various forms;
XI. DECIDE therefore, also in the light of the results of the aforementioned Colloquy, to consider and take all necessary additional steps, including in the budgetary field, to ensure that:
- the Council of Europe’s human rights treaties and mechanisms are capable of effectively guaranteeing the enjoyment of human rights, and their protection, by everyone;
- priority is given to the intergovernmental and other human rights activities of the Council of Europe so as to maintain and enhance its outstanding pioneering role in this field;
XII. INSTRUCT the Secretary General to disseminate broadly this Declaration within the international community and in governmental and non-governmental circles.