A/HRC/15/32 agreements. The concept of a “common heritage of mankind” was established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as other instruments. Several respondents pointed out that the international community affirms its solidarity with victims of violations of international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, but that it is a broader and indispensable component of the efforts to realize the right to development and rights-based approaches to development, the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and the Millennium Development Goals. 10. Most respondents stressed that international solidarity should be based on the equality and sovereignty of all States. The Constitution of Colombia promotes international relations on the basis of fairness, equality, reciprocity and respect for national sovereignty and the self-determination of peoples. States have pledged to achieve the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and should be led by their commitments to friendly relations. Some supported the principle of solidarity, but cautioned against its misuse to legitimize a new form of humanitarian intervention. It was also stated that the issues of relief provided to the Palestinian people living in the occupied territories and the collective punishment imposed upon them are not dealt with effectively or taken into account sufficiently by the international community. 11. The view was expressed that international solidarity is conceived as a product of social history, with the understanding that, as time progresses, new, justified claims that need to be addressed arise within the international community. Some respondents felt that solidarity rights or third generation rights are not yet established in the minds and hearts of many leaders and people at the grass-roots level, and much sensitization is needed in this regard. Numerous issues were listed as appropriate for treatment as solidarity rights, including bridging global imbalances in the levels of development among countries, closely related to poverty alleviation; promoting an international economic order based on equal participation in decision-making processes; technology transfer; the fair distribution of costs and burdens; transparent, democratic, just and accountable international institutions; the equitable participation of all, without discrimination, in domestic and global governance; equitable regional and gender-balanced representation in the composition of the staff of the United Nations system; respect for cultural diversity, cultural heritage and cultural rights; friendly relations among States; and equitable access to benefits from the international distribution of wealth through enhanced international cooperation, in particular in international economic, commercial and financial relations. Also included were the rights to peace; migration; food security; knowledge, especially for economic and social development; the production of medicine for treatment of pandemics, such as AIDS and influenza A H1N1; and a healthy and sustainable environment. 12. The development of international law recognizing people as subjects of the law, with a clear-cut role for people in global responses to disasters, should be a goal. A common guideline could, for example, be developed for people helping others across borders in times of natural or man-made disasters. Over time, this dual approach of people and States helping each other would strengthen the principle of international solidarity as a genuine principle of international relations and law. The revolution in international news transmission and information technology has brought the people of the world together, leading to manifestations of solidarity across borders through the expression of genuine grief and sympathy, and help for disaster victims, indicating a sense of unity among all. There is a gap between people’s sense of solidarity and that among States, which continues to be guided primarily by national interests. Bridging this gap further is possible by extending the scope of the principle of solidarity. 13. Almost all respondents supported a legal framework for human rights and international solidarity. Some made specific suggestions for the strengthening of the definition, understanding and implementation of international solidarity, for instance that GE.10-14914 5