A/RES/48/132
Page 2
Mindful of the significant role played by national institutions in the
promotion and protection of universally recognized human rights and
fundamental freedoms in their respective countries,
Convinced that the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat should
play an important role in coordinating system-wide attention for human rights,
Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1992/51 of 3 March 1992,
2/ and taking note of Commission resolution 1993/50 of 9 March 1993, 3/ both
entitled "Strengthening of the rule of law",
Noting with appreciation that in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action, 4/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993,
the Conference recommended that priority be given to national and
international action to promote democracy, development and human rights,
1.
Endorses the recommendation of the World Conference on Human
Rights that a comprehensive programme be established within the United Nations
and under the coordination of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat,
with a view to helping States in the task of building and strengthening
adequate national structures which have a direct impact on the overall
observance of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law; 5/
2.
Expresses its conviction that such a programme should be able to
provide, upon the request of the interested Government, technical and
financial assistance for the implementation of national plans of action as
well as specific projects for the reform of penal and correctional
establishments and the education and training of lawyers, judges and security
forces in human rights, and in any other sphere of activity relevant to the
good functioning of the rule of law;
3.
Requests the Secretary-General, in accordance with the request
contained in section II, paragraph 70, of the Vienna Declaration and Programme
of Action, 4/ to submit concrete proposals to the General Assembly at its
forty-ninth session containing alternatives for the establishment, structure,
operational modalities and funding of the proposed programme, taking into
account existing programmes and activities already undertaken by the Centre
for Human Rights;
_______________
2/
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1992,
Supplement No. 2 (E/1992/22), chap. II, sect. A.
3/
Ibid., 1993, Supplement No. 3 (E/1993/23), chap. II, sect. A.
4/
A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.
5/
Ibid., sect. II, para. 69.
/...