A/HRC/15/32
solidarity encompasses the relationship of solidarity among all stakeholders in the
international community.
58.
International solidarity is a precondition to human dignity, the basis of all human
rights, and a human-centred approach to development, and has a bridge-building function
across all divides and distinctions. It encompasses the values of social justice and equity;
goodwill among peoples and nations, and integrity of the international community;
sovereignty and sovereign equality of all States, and friendly relations among them.
International cooperation is the core of international solidarity. However, international
solidarity is not limited to international assistance and cooperation, aid, charity or
humanitarian assistance; it is a broader concept and principle that includes sustainability in
international relations, especially international economic relations, the peaceful coexistence
of all members of the international community, equal partnerships and the equitable sharing
of benefits and burdens, refraining from doing harm or posing obstacles to the greater wellbeing of others, including in the international economic system and to our common
ecological habitat, for which all are responsible. In a unified, interdependent, globalized
marketplace, actions and inactions can benefit or harm people at the furthest ends of the
earth; they therefore necessitate shared responsibilities and mutual accountability.
Tolerance and diversity are intrinsic to international solidarity, which has no space for
discrimination of any form. Special attention must be given to the human rights of
vulnerable groups, including women, children, the disabled, the elderly, indigenous peoples
and migrants.
59.
There is an overwhelming manifestation of solidarity by States, individually and
collectively, civil society, global social movements, countless people of goodwill reaching
out to others, and corporate social initiatives by the private sector. The international
responses after cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, the Asian tsunami and the earthquake in Haiti
bear witness to the abundance of solidarity that exists. However, much more is needed,
owing to the magnitude of global and local challenges, the alarming increase of natural and
man-made disasters, and the continuing rises in poverty and inequality. Ideally, solidarity
should be preventive rather than simply reactive to massive irreversible damage already
caused, and must address both natural and man-made disasters. Towards this end, it must
address the core need for justice and equity at the national and international levels; this is
the only long-term, sustainable solution to common challenges faced by the international
community.
60.
In the present report, the independent expert has identified the primary areas to be
addressed, the main concepts and norms that can form the basis of a framework, and good
practices to inform the future development of law and policy with regard to human rights
and international solidarity. There is an abundance of hard and soft laws, policies and
values that can form the basis of a conceptual and normative framework on human rights
and international solidarity, principles and guidelines on human rights and international
solidarity and, eventually, a draft declaration on the right of peoples and individuals to
international solidarity. These laws, policies and values in the national, regional and
international domains include the most basic instruments founded on international
consensus.
61.
International solidarity permeates the three pillars of the Charter of the United
Nations: peace and security; development; and human rights. Development and human
rights are the most secure basis for peace.11 At the nuclear security summit called by the
President of the United States of America on 13 April 2010, the world was reminded that a
11
18
Boutros Boutros-Gali, “An Agenda for Peace”, United Nations, New York, 1992; “An Agenda for
Development”, United Nations, New York, 1994.
GE.10-14914
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