A/HRC/21/66 I. Introduction 1. In its resolutions 9/2 and 12/9, the Human Rights Council requested the Advisory Committee to prepare inputs to contribute to the elaboration by the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity of a draft declaration on the rights of peoples and individuals to international solidarity, and to the further development of guidelines, standards, norms and principles with a view to promoting and protecting that right. 2. In its resolution 15/13, the Human Rights Council reiterated its request to the Advisory Committee to prepare, in close cooperation with the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity, inputs to contribute to the elaboration of the draft declaration on the right of peoples and individuals to international solidarity, and to the further development of guidelines, standards, norms and principles with a view to promoting and protecting that right. 3. At its sixth session, the Advisory Committee established a drafting group to work on the issue of human rights and international solidarity, consisting of Chen Shiqiu (Chairperson/Rapporteur), Chung Chinsung, Miguel d’Escoto Brockman, Latif Hüseynov, Dheeraj Seetulsingh and Halima Embarek Wazazi. 4. At its seventh session, the Advisory Committee took note of the draft outline prepared by the Chairperson/Rapporteur of the drafting group, and encouraged the drafting group to cooperate closely with the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity and to submit the outcome of its work to the Committee at its eighth session. 5. In its resolution 18/5, the Human Rights Council took note of the steps taken by the drafting group established by the Advisory Committee and reiterated its requests to the Advisory Committee to fulfil its mandate in close cooperation with the independent expert on the subject matter. 6. At its eighth session, the Advisory Committee discussed the draft paper submitted by the Chairperson/Rapporteur of the drafting group, and requested the working group to cooperate closely with the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity and to submit a final paper to the Committee at its ninth session. II. Definition and scope 7. The right to solidarity is a human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to enjoy equally the benefit of a harmonious international society with a just and fair international political and economic order, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms may be fully realized. 8. All peoples and human beings, without distinction as to race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, family, economic or social status, level of education or political or other conviction, should have the right to live in dignity and freedom and to enjoy the right to international solidarity and should, on their part, contribute to it. 9. 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 and equal respect for all sovereign States and peoples 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, the right of peoples to peace and the preservation of ecological systems. 2