A/HRC/9/10
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26. The process towards a draft declaration or even the further development of guidelines,
standards, norms and principles require elaboration of a rigorous conceptual framework for
human rights and international solidarity, on the basis of extensive deliberations and inputs.
As requested in relevant Human Rights Council resolutions, the independent expert intends to
seek views and contributions from Governments, United Nations agencies, other relevant
international organizations and non-governmental organizations in the discharge of his mandate
through a draft questionnaire to solicit their input on the content, scope and nature of obligations
for the promotion and protection of the rights of peoples and individuals to international
solidarity (see Annex). The received input will be analysed with the purpose of planning
incremental steps towards the further development of guidelines and standards and a draft
declaration.
III. CONCLUDING REMARKS
27. International solidarity by its nature covers a broad range of areas of cooperation and
assistance. This does pose a challenge in identifying specific areas of focus in the independent
expert’s work. In accordance with his broad mandate, in this report, the independent expert
considered it important to establish the legal framework of international cooperation in human
rights conventions and treaties and how the obligation of international cooperation has evolved
in human rights instruments.
28. International solidarity and international cooperation are based on the foundation of shared
responsibility. In the broadest sense, solidarity is a communion of responsibilities and interest
between individuals, groups and States, connected to the ideal of fraternity and the notions of
cooperation. The relationship between international solidarity and international cooperation is an
integral one, with international cooperation as a core vehicle by which collective goals and the
union of interests are achieved.
29. International cooperation is well established in international law, in human rights
instruments, including covenants and conventions and is also a core theme in the Declaration on
the Right to Development adopted in 1986. Millennium Development Goal 8 makes explicit
mention of a “global partnership for development”, covering targets on aid, debt, trade and
transfer of technologies. The seven other Millennium Development Goals and their targets can
only be achieved through the pursuance of international cooperation implicit in the concept of a
“global partnership for development”.
30. The typology of respect, protect and fulfil delineate essential aspects of international
obligations in relation to all human rights and is a useful framework to interpret provisions on
international assistance and cooperation.
31. The obligations related to international assistance and cooperation are complementary to
the primary responsibility of States to meet their national human rights obligations. There is a
shared responsibility for development met by States’ national obligations and the obligations of
international cooperation, facilitating global implementation.
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