A/HRC/RES/32/23
Noting that 2016 marks the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities, welcoming the fact that, to date, 163 States and one regional
integration organization have ratified or acceded to the Convention, and calling upon States
that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to consider doing so,
Noting also that the 2016 Social Forum will focus on the promotion and full and
equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with
disabilities in the context of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
Taking note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights entitled “Protection of the family: contribution of the family to the realization of the
right to an adequate standard of living for its members, particularly through its role in
poverty eradication and achieving sustainable development”,1
1.
Reaffirms that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society,
and is entitled to protection by society and the State;
2.
Also reaffirms that States have the primary responsibility to promote and
protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals, and stresses the
fundamental importance of full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
family members;
3.
Affirms the need to promote and protect rights of the child, and in this regard
calls upon States to render appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the
performance of their child-rearing responsibilities in the best interests of the child, bearing
in mind that a child should grow up in a safe and supportive family environment, and
giving high priority to the rights of children, including their survival, protection and
development;
4.
Reaffirms the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents, legal guardians or
other persons legally responsible for the child to provide, in a manner consistent with the
evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the
child of his or her rights;
5.
Recognizes the positive impact that policies and measures to protect the
family can have on protecting and promoting the human rights of its members, and can
contribute to, inter alia, promoting human rights for persons with disabilities, decreasing
drop-out rates from educational institutions and inclusion in schools, achieving equality
between women and men and girls and boys, empowering women and girls and enhancing
protection against violence, abuses, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour,
and harmful practices, while bearing in mind that violations and abuses of the human rights
and fundamental freedoms of family members adversely affect families and have a negative
impact on efforts aimed at protecting the family;
6.
Stresses that equality between women and men, and equal participation of
women in employment, public life and decision-making, as well as shared parental and
household responsibilities, are essential elements of family policies;
7.
Recognizes that the family, while respect for the rights of its members is
ensured, is a strong force for social cohesion and integration, intergenerational solidarity
and social development, and that the family plays a crucial role in the preservation of
cultural identity, traditions, morals, heritage and the values system of society;
1
2
A/HRC/31/37.