A/RES/52/117
Page 2
Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, that the
international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing
and with the same emphasis, and that while the significance of national and regional particularities and
various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States,
regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and
fundamental freedoms,
Convinced of the necessity of protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and
determined to take new steps forward, at the national level and with the increased cooperation and
solidarity of the international community, with a view to achieving substantial progress in human rights,
Recalling the significance of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World
Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993,2 as a milestone in the recognition and progressive
development of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all by the international community,
Stressing the importance of ensuring that full attention is given to the integration of the human rights
of women into all preparations for and celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration,
Recognizing the fundamental importance of tolerance as an essential element in promoting a culture
conducive to the acceptance of diversity and pluralism and thereby to the fuller enjoyment of human
rights,
Affirming that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms
set forth in the Declaration can be fully realized,
Stressing the fact that realization of the full range of human rights requires effective policies and
compliance at the national level, as well as equitable economic relations and a favourable economic
environment at the international level,
Convinced that, in the light of the existing level of standard-setting in the field of human rights, a
primary task of the United Nations is to promote the universal ratification of or accession to existing
international instruments and their full implementation by all States parties to those instruments,
Recalling its decision to convene, during its fifty-third session, a one-day plenary meeting, on
10 December 1998, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration,3
Welcoming the international and national initiatives to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the
Declaration, and commending the efforts made in all regions of the world to promote all human rights
and fundamental freedoms,
1. Welcomes the activities undertaken by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
to contribute to the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
2
A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.
3
Resolution 51/88, para. 8.
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