A/HRC/RES/56/18 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 16 July 2024 Original: English Human Rights Council Fifty-sixth session 18 June–12 July 2024 Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 11 July 2024 56/18. Promoting and protecting the enjoyment of human rights by seafarers The Human Rights Council, Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Recalling that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea sets out a general legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, Recalling also the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended, which states that considering the global nature of the shipping industry, seafarers need special protection, as well as other relevant instruments of the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization, Acknowledging the pivotal role of seafarers in the global shipping industry, which transports around 90 per cent of world trade essential to the normal functioning of society, thus contributing to the realization of human rights, Recognizing the human rights, as well as labour rights, of seafarers, including the right to freedom of association and the effective recognition of collective bargaining, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, as well as a safe and secure workplace, fair terms of employment, decent working and living conditions on-board ships, health protection, medical care, welfare measures and other forms of social protection, Mindful of the challenging working and living conditions at sea that could pose risks to seafarers’, including women seafarers’, enjoyment of human rights, safety and well-being, and expressing grave concern over crisis situations, such as public health emergencies and unlawful acts, according to international law, against the safety of maritime navigation, that may aggravate those risks, Noting the risk to seafarers assigned to vessels destined for high-risk areas, as well as the risk of reprisal if such assignments are declined, Noting also the initiatives taken by the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization to promote safe and decent living and working conditions for seafarers; GE.24-13021 (E)