A/HRC/15/32 Annex Questionnaire for States, United Nations departments and bodies, specialized agencies, other international organizations and non-governmental organizations and special procedures mandate holders Prepared by the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity 1. International solidarity, according to the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity, is defined as the union of interests or purposes among countries, and social cohesion between them, based upon the dependence of States and other international actors on each other, in order to preserve the order and very survival of international society, and in order to achieve collective goals, which require international cooperation and joint action. Given that the principle of international solidarity is essential to responding to current global challenges, what is your opinion with regard to recognizing international solidarity as a principle of international law, in particular, international human rights law? 2. General Assembly resolution 55/2 recognized solidarity as a fundamental value, essential to international relations. Taking into consideration the related concepts of international solidarity, the right to development, and human rights-based approaches to development, what is your opinion on international solidarity as one of the approaches to alleviate poverty? 3. In the context of third generation rights, and recognizing that solidarity rights are third generation rights, comprising, among others, the right to economic and social development, the right to participate in and benefit from the “common heritage of mankind”, the right to peace, the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, the right to humanitarian disaster relief and the right to communication: (a) Do you see third generation rights, in particular solidarity rights, as an established or an emerging area of human rights law? (b) In your perspective, is there any particular right that should be included under solidarity rights other than the rights mentioned herein? 4. The independent expert focuses on three major areas, namely, international cooperation; global responses to natural disasters, agricultural pests and diseases; and third generation rights. In your view, are the main areas of focus sufficiently representative of today’s issues, challenges and crisis situations? 5. International solidarity is closely connected with humanitarian assistance, including global responses to natural disasters. How do you perceive global responses to natural disasters within the framework of international law? 6. The Millennium Development Goals could be considered collective goals of the international community. How should international cooperation be strengthened in order to accomplish the Goals? 7. The right to development is one of the third generation rights which have been enshrined in international and regional instruments. The 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development recognized this right as an inalienable human right. How would the right to 20 GE.10-14914