A/RES/55/106
Recalling further its resolution 54/232 of 22 December 1999, in which it
expressed its deep concern that the number of people living in extreme poverty
continues to increase, with women and children constituting the majority and the
most affected group,
Bearing in mind Commission on Human Rights resolutions 1992/11 of
21 February 1992, 6 1993/13 of 26 February 1993, 7 1994/12 of 25 February 1994, 8
1995/16 of 24 February 1995, 9 1996/10 of 11 April 1996, 10 1997/11 of 3 April
1997, 11 1998/25 of 17 April 1998, 12 1999/26 of 26 April 1999, 13 and 2000/12 of
17 April 2000, 14 as well as resolution 1996/23 of 29 August 1996 15 of the
Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, 16
Recalling its resolution 47/134 of 18 December 1992, in which it reaffirmed
that extreme poverty and exclusion from society constituted a violation of human
dignity and stressed the need for a complete and in-depth study of extreme poverty,
based on the experience and the thoughts of the poorest people,
Recognizing that the eradication of extreme poverty is a major challenge
within the process of globalization and requires coordinated and continued policies
through decisive national action and international cooperation,
Reaffirming that, as the existence of widespread extreme poverty inhibits the
full and effective enjoyment of human rights and might, in some situations,
constitute a threat to the right to life, its immediate alleviation and eventual
eradication must remain a high priority for the international community,
Recalling the United Nations Millennium Declaration, 17
Taking note with satisfaction of the interim 18 and progress 19 reports submitted
to the Commission on Human Rights by the independent expert on the question of
human rights and extreme poverty and the recommendations contained therein,
1.
Reaffirms that extreme poverty and exclusion from society constitute a
violation of human dignity and that urgent national and international action is
therefore required to eliminate them;
2.
Also reaffirms that it is essential for States to foster participation by the
poorest people in the decision-making process in the societies in which they live, in
the promotion of human rights and in efforts to combat extreme poverty, and for
people living in poverty and vulnerable groups to be empowered to organize
6
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1992, Supplement No. 2 (E/1992/22), chap. II,
sect. A.
7
Ibid., 1993, Supplement No. 3 and corrigenda (E/1993/23 and Corr.2, 4 and 5), chap. II, sect. A.
8
Ibid., 1994, Supplement No. 4 and corrigendum (E/1994/24 and Corr.1), chap. II, sect. A.
9
Ibid., 1995, Supplement No. 3 and corrigenda (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2), chap. II, sect. A.
10
Ibid., 1996, Supplement No. 3 (E/1996/23), chap. II, sect. A.
11
Ibid., 1997, Supplement No. 3 (E/1997/23), chap. II, sect. A.
12
Ibid., 1998, Supplement No. 3 (E/1998/23), chap. II, sect. A.
13
Ibid., 1999, Supplement No. 3 (E/1999/23), chap. II, sect. A.
14
Ibid., 2000, Supplement No. 3 and corrigendum (E/2000/23 and Corr.1), chap. II, sect. A.
15
See E/CN.4/1997/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1996/41, chap. II, sect. A.
16
Subsequently renamed the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (see
Economic and Social Council decision 1999/256).
17
See resolution 55/2.
18
E/CN.4/1999/48.
19
E/CN.4/2000/52.
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