U.N. RESOLUTION ON PROMOTION OF THE

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Subject: U.N. RESOLUTION ON PROMOTION OF THE RIGHT TO DEMOCRACY 

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Subject: U.N. RESOLUTION ON PROMOTION OF THE RIGHT TO DEMOCRACY 

Source:US State Department
27 April 1999 

TEXT: U.N. RESOLUTION ON PROMOTION OF THE RIGHT TO DEMOCRACY 

(Commission on Human Rights adopts resolution 51-2) (760)

Geneva -- The U.N. Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva April
27 adopted the first-ever resolution on the Right to Democracy.

The vote in the 53-member body was 51-2, with Cuba and China opposing
the resolution, which affirms that democracy fosters the full
realization of all human rights, and vice versa.

Following is the text of the resolution:

(Begin text)

1999/... Promotion of the right to democracy

The Commission on Human Rights,

Bearing in mind the indissoluble links between the principles
enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the
foundation of any democratic society,

Recalling that all peoples have the right of self-determination, and
by virtue of which they freely determine their political status and
freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development,

Recognizing that democracy, development and respect for all human
rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually
reinforcing, and that democracy is based on the freely expressed will
of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and
cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their
lives,

Recognizing also the rich and diverse nature of the community of the
world's democracies,

Recalling the large body of international law and instruments,
including its resolutions and those of the General Assembly, which
confirm the right to full participation and the other fundamental
democratic rights and freedoms inherent in any democratic society,

Resolved, on the eve of a new century and millennium, to take all
measures within its power to secure for all people the fundamental
democratic rights and freedoms to which they are entitled,

1. Affirms that democracy fosters the full realization of all human
rights and vice versa,

2. Also affirms that the rights of democratic governance include,
inter alia, the following:

(a) The rights to freedom of opinion and expression, of thought,
conscience and religion, and of peaceful association and assembly;

(b) The right to freedom to seek, receive and impact information and
ideas through any media;

(c) The rule of law, including legal protection of citizens' rights,
interests and personal security, and fairness in the administration of

justice and independence of the judiciary;

(d) The right of universal and equal suffrage, as well as free voting
procedures and periodic and free elections;

(e) The right of political participation, including equal opportunity
for all citizens to become candidates;

(f) Transparent and accountable government institutions;

(g) The right of citizens to choose their governmental system through
constitutional or other democratic means;

(h) The right to equal access to public service in one's own country;

3. Notes that the realization of all human rights -- civil, cultural,
economic, political and social, including the right to development --
are indispensable to human dignity and the full development of human
potential and are also integral to democratic society;

4. Urges the continuation and expansion or activities carried out by
the United Nations system, other intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations and Member States to promote and
consolidate democracy within the framework of international
cooperation and to build a democratic political culture through the
observance of human rights, mobilization of civil society and other
appropriate measures in support of democratic governance;

5. Requests the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, in continuing and expanding its programmes and projects
of technical cooperation to promote democracy and the rule of law, and
in the context of the High Commissioner's activities in the promotion
of human rights, to give priority assistance to such programmes and to
promote democracy-related activities throughout the United Nations
system;

6. Requests human rights treaty bodies, the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and human rights mechanisms
of the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on Prevention
of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to pay due attention,
within their mandates, to those elements of democratic governance
outlined in paragraph 2 of the present resolution;

7. Requests the High Commissioner, in her report to the Commission on
Human Rights at its fifty-sixth session, to reflect progress on the
implementation of the present resolution;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to
the attention of Member States, the competent United Nations organs
and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and to
disseminate it on the widest possible basis;

9. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its fifty-sixth
session under the same agenda item.

(End text)