United Nations
General Assembly
A/RES/59/204
Distr.: General
23 March 2005
Fifty-ninth session
Agenda item 105 (b)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2004
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/59/503/Add.2)]
59/204. Respect for the purposes and principles contained in the
Charter of the United Nations to achieve international
cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for
human rights and for fundamental freedoms and in solving
international problems of a humanitarian character
The General Assembly,
Recalling that, in accordance with Article 56 of the Charter of the United
Nations, all Member States have pledged themselves to take joint and separate
action in cooperation with the Organization for the achievement of the purposes set
forth in Article 55, including universal respect for and observance of human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or
religion,
Recalling also the Preamble to the Charter, in particular the determination to
reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human
person and in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small,
Reaffirming that the promotion and protection of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms must be considered a priority objective of the United Nations
in accordance with its purposes and principles, in particular the purpose of
international cooperation, and that, within the framework of these purposes and
principles, the promotion and protection of all human rights is a legitimate concern
of the international community,
Considering the major changes taking place on the international scene and the
aspirations of all peoples to an international order based on the principles enshrined
in the Charter, including promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principle of equal rights and
self-determination of peoples, peace, democracy, justice, equality, the rule of law,
pluralism, development, better standards of living and solidarity,
Recognizing that the international community should devise ways and means
to remove current obstacles and meet the challenges to the full realization of all
human rights and to prevent the continuation of human rights violations resulting
therefrom throughout the world, and should continue to pay attention to the
importance of mutual cooperation, understanding and dialogue in ensuring the
promotion and protection of all human rights,
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