Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

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Adopted by the United Nations World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, Austria, 25 June 1993

Considering that the promotion and protection of human rights is a matter of priority for the international community, and that the Conference affords a unique opportunity to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the international human rights system and of the machinery for the protection of human rights, in order to enhance and thus promote a fuller observance of those rights, in a just and balanced manner,
 
Recognizing and affirming that all human rights derive from the dignity and worth inherent in the human person, and that the human person is the central subject of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and consequently should be the principal beneficiary and should participate actively in the realization of these rights and freedoms,
 
Reaffirming their commitment to the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights,
 
Reaffirming the commitment contained in article 56 of the Charter of the United Nations to take joint and separate action, placing proper emphasis on developing effective international cooperation for the realization of the purposes set out in article 55, including universal respect for and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all,
 
Emphasizing the responsibilities of all States, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to develop and encourage respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
 
Recalling the preamble to the Charter of the United Nations, 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,
 
Recalling also the determination expressed in the preamble of the Charter of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to establish conditions under which and respect for obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, to practice tolerance and good neighbourliness, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
 
Emphasizing that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which constitutes a common standard of achievement of all people and all nations, is the source of inspiration and has been the basis for the United Nations in making advances in standard setting as contained in the existing international human rights instruments, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International  Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
 
Considering the major changes taking place on the international scene and the aspirationsof all the people for an international order based on the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations including the promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principal of equal rights and self determination of people, on peace, democracy, justice, equality, rule of law, pluralism, development, better standards of living and solidarity,
 
Deeply concerned by various forms of discrimination and violence, to which women continue to be exposed all over the world,
 
Recognizing that the activities of the United Nations in the field of human rights should be rationalized and enhanced in order to strengthen the United Nations machinery in this field and to further the objectives of universal respect for observance of international human rights standards,
 
Having taken into account the Declarations adopted by the three regional meetings at Tunis, San Jose and Bangkok and the contributions made by governments, and bearing in mind the suggestions made by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as the studies prepared by independent experts during the preparatory process leading to the World Conference on Human Rights,
 
Welcoming the International Year of the World's Indigenous People in 1993 as a reaffirmation of the commitment of the international community to ensure their enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to respect the value and diversity of their cultures and identities,
 
Recognizing also that the international community should devise ways and means to remove the current obstacles and meet challenges to the full realization of all human rights and the continuation of human violations resulting thereof throughout the world,
 
Invoking the spirit of our age and the realities of our time which calls upon the people of the world and all States Members of the United Nations to rededicate themselves to the global task of promoting and protecting all human rights an fundamental freedoms so as to secure full and universal enjoyment of these rights,
 
Determined to take new steps forward in the commitment of the international community with a view to achieving substantial progress in human rights endeavours by an increased and sustained effort to international cooperation and solidarity,

Solemnly adopts the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action:

18. The human rights of women and of the girl-child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. The full and equal participation of women in the political, civil, economic, social and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex are priority objectives of the international community. Gender-based violence and all forms of sexual harassment and exploitation, including those resulting from cultural prejudice and international trafficking are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person, and must be eliminated. This can be achieved by legal measures and through national action and international cooperation in such fields as economic and social development, education, safe maternity and health care, and social support. The human rights of women should form an integral part of the United Nations human rights activities including the promotion of all human rights instruments relating to women. The World Conference urges governments, institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to intensify their efforts for the protection and promotion of human rights of women and the girl-child.
    

21. The World Conference on Human Rights, welcoming the early ratification of the convention on the Rights of the Child by a large number of States and noting the recognition of the human rights of children in the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit, urges universal ratification of the Convention by 1995 and its effective implementation by States Parties through the adoption of all the necessary legislative, administrative and other measures and the allocation to the maximum extent of the available resources. In all actions concerning children, non-discrimination and the best interest of the child should be primary considerations and the view of the child given due weight. National and international mechanisms and programmes should be strengthened for the defence and protection of children, in particular, the girl-child, abandoned children, street children, economically and sexually-exploited children including through child pornography, child prostitution or sale of organs, children victims of diseases including AIDS, refugee and displaced children, children in detention, children in armed conflict, as well as children victims of famine and drought and other emergencies. International cooperation and solidarity should be promoted to support the implementation of the Convention and the rights of the child should be a priority in the United Nations system-wide action on human rights. The World Conference also stresses that the child for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality should grow up in a family environment, which accordingly merits broader protection.
     

22. Special attention needs to be paid to ensuring non-discrimination, and the equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by disabled persons, including their active participation in all aspects of society.
     

25. The World Conference on Human Rights affirms that extremic poverty and social exclusion constitute a violation of human dignity and that urgent steps are necessary to achieve better knowledge of extreme poverty and its causes, including those related to the problem of development, in order to promote the human rights of the poorest, and to put an end to extreme poverty and social exclusion and to promote the enjoyment of the fruits of social progress. It is essential for States to foster participation by the poorest people in the decision-making process by the community in which they live, the promotion of human rights and efforts to combat extreme poverty.
    

28. The World Conference on Human Rights expresses its dismay at massive violations of human rights specially in the form of genocide, "ethnic cleansing" and systematic rape of women in war situations, creating mass exodus of refugees and displaced persons. While strongly condemning such abhorrent practices it reiterates the call that perpetrators of such crimes be punished and such practices immediately stopped.
     

29. The World Conference on Human Rights expresses grave concern about continuing human rights violations in all parts of the world in disregard of standards as contained in international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law and about the lack of sufficient and effective remedies for the victims. The World Conference is deeply concerned about violations of human rights during armed conflicts, affecting the civilian population, especially women. Children, the elderly and the disabled. The Conference therefore calls upon States and all parties to armed conflicts to strictly observe international humanitarian law, as set forth in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and other rules and principles of international law, as well as minimum standards for protection of human rights, as laid down in international conventions. The World Conference reaffirms the right of the victims to be assisted by humanitarian organizations, as set forth in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and other relevant instruments or international humanitarian law and calls for the safe and timely access for such assistance.

6. The rights of the disabled person

63. The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal and thus unreservedly include persons with disabilities. Every person is born equal and has the same rights of life and welfare, education and work, living independently and active participation in all aspects of society. Any direct discrimination or other negative discriminatory treatment of a disabled person is therefore a violation of his or her rights. The World Conference calls on governments, where necessary, to adopt or adjust legislation to assure to these and other rights for disabled persons.
     

64. The Place of disabled persons is everywhere. Persons with disabilities should be guaranteed equal opportunity through the elimination of all socially-determined barriers, be they physical, financial, social or psychological, which exclude or restrict full participation in society.
     

65. Recalling the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session, the World Conference calls upon the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council to adopt the draft Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for persons with Disabilities, at their meetings in 1993.