United Nations Resolutions
The pursuit of human rights was a central reason for creating the United Nations. World War II atrocities and genocide led to a ready consensus that the new organization must work to prevent any similar tragedies in the future.
The UN Charter obliges all member nations to promote "universal respect for, and observance of, human rights" and to take "joint and separate action" to that end.
Since establishment in 1945, UN has passed several thousand resolutions and made great effect to protect human rights, hold justice, counter terrorism, stop conflict, prevent war, keep world peace and promote social and economic development.
A United Nations resolution is a formal text adopted by a United Nations body. In practice, most resolutions are issued by the Security Council or the General Assembly.
Notable Security Council resolutions:
o UN Resolution 38: India, Pakistan and Kashmir conflict
o UN Resolution 46: Establing the Truce Commission for Palestine
o UN Resolution 83: Calling for the cessation of activities in Korea
o UN Resolution 582: Condemns continued military action in the Iran–Iraq War
o UN Resolution 660: Condemns the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
o UN Resolution 1314: Children and armed conflict
o UN Resolution 1325: Women and peace and security
o UN Resolution 1373: Counter-terrorism
o UN Resolution 1377: Declaration on global efforts to combat terrorism
Notable General Assembly resolutions:
o UN Resolution 273: Admits the State of Israel to membership in the United Nations
o UN Resolution 377: The "Uniting for Peace" Resolution
o UN Resolution 1761: Recommended sanctions against South Africa in response to the policy of apartheid
o UN Resolution 2758: Expelled the Republic of China and replaced it with the People's Republic of China
o UN Resolution 3314: Defined aggression
Notable UN Human Rights resolutions:
o The Charter of the United Nations
o The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
o Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
o International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
o United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
o Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women
o Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials
o Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials
o Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
o Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers
o Declaration on the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance
o Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment
o Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power
