A/HRC/19/74
and all forms of religious intolerance.‖ It should be noted — in view of the fact that the
Human Rights Council, in resolution 6/30, calls for the integration of a gender perspective
— that the 1970 Declaration, which, for the most part, paraphrases the basic provisions of
the Charter, omits all reference to gender-based discrimination and the principle of gender
equality. Cooperation is envisaged: ―in the economic, social and cultural fields‖ and ―in the
promotion of economic growth throughout the world, especially that of the developing
countries‖.
C.
International cooperation in specific human rights documents
(a)
International Bill of Human Rights
14.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is itself based on the obligations
set forth in the Charter, states in its preamble that: ―Member States have pledged
themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal
respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.‖ While the
Declaration is mainly focused on the human rights of the individual, it does state, in article
26, paragraph 2, that education: ―shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship
among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United
Nations for the maintenance of peace‖. In addition, article 28 states that: ―Everyone is
entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration can be fully realized.‖ Thus, it is only when the two covenants are taken
together that the full extent of the commitment to cooperation for the promotion of human
rights is made clear.
15.
Thus, pursuant to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights, ―each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take steps, individually and
through international assistance and co-operation, especially economic and technical, to the
maximum of its available resources, with a view to achieving progressively the full
realization of the rights recognized ...‖ (art. 2, para. 1). More specifically, with regard to
―the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger‖, the Covenant provides that
States ―shall take, individually and through international co-operation, the measures,
including specific programmes, which are needed‖ (art. 11, para. 2). Similarly, States
―recognize the benefits to be derived from the encouragement and development of
international contacts and co-operation in the scientific and cultural fields‖ (art. 15, para. 4).
The same wording is not found in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
aside from article 1, which is common to both covenants and refers to the free disposal of
natural resources ―without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international
economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law‖.
In addition to the ―international assistance and cooperation‖ expressly provided for in
respect of the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights, should not all human rights
be promoted through international cooperation, starting with legal cooperation and
technical assistance in the area of education and vocational training of public officials?
(b)
Other international human rights treaties
16.
In certain treaties, explicit provisions refer to cooperation of the national authorities
with the United Nations. One example is article 35 of the Convention relating to the Status
of Refugees of 1951, which specifically mentions the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees. However, it is primarily in more recent treaties that explicit
reference is made to cooperation. The last preambular paragraph of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child of 1989 recognizes ―the importance of international co-operation for
improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing
countries‖, thus emphasizing the close link between cooperation and development. Article
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