A/HRC/RES/31/12 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 19 April 2016 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirty-first session Agenda item 3 Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 23 March 2016 31/12. Promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone and respect for cultural diversity The Human Rights Council, Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and all other relevant human rights instruments, Recalling also all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, including Assembly resolutions 64/81 of 7 December 2009 and 64/174 of 18 December 2009, and Council resolutions 10/23 of 26 March 2009, 14/9 of 18 June 2010, 17/15 of 17 June 2011, 19/6 of 22 March 2012, 20/11 of 5 July 2012, 23/10 of 13 June 2013, 25/19 of 28 March 2014 and 28/9 of 26 March 2015, Noting the declarations within the United Nations system on cultural diversity and international cultural cooperation, in particular the Declaration of the Principles of International Cultural Cooperation and the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1966 and 2001, respectively, Welcoming the increasing number of States parties to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on 20 October 2005 and that entered into force on 18 March 2007, Convinced that international cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all should be based on an understanding of the economic, social and cultural specificities of each country and the full realization and recognition of the universality of all human rights and the principles of freedom, justice, equality and non-discrimination, Recognizing that cultural diversity and the pursuit of cultural development by all peoples and nations are a source of mutual enrichment for the cultural life of humankind, GE.16-06397(E) *1606397*