25 November 1981

Human rights and scientific and technological developments

A The General Assembly,

Noting that scientific and technological progress is one of the important factors in the development of human society,

Reaffirming that scientific and technological progress is a necessary prerequisite for accelerating social and economic development in all countries, Noting once again the great importance of the Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 3384 (XXX) of 10 November 1975,

Considering that implementation of the said Declaration will contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security of peoples, their economic and social development as well as international co-operation in the field of human rights,

Seriously concerned that the results of scientific and technological progress could be used for the arms race to the detriment of international peace and security and social progress, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the dignity of the human person,

Convinced that, in the era of modern scientific and technological progress, mankind's resources and scientists' activities should be used for the peaceful economic, social and cultural development of all countries and for the raising of the living standards of peoples,

Recognizing that the establishment of the new international economic order calls in particular for an important contribution to be made by science and technology to economic and social progress,

Bearing in mind that exchange and transfer of scientific and technological knowledge is one of the basic ways to accelerate social and economic development of the developing countries,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on human rights and scientific and technological developments,

1. Stresses the importance of the implementation by all States of the provisions and principles contained in the Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind in order to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms under conditions of scientific and technological progress;

2. Calls upon all States to make every effort to use the achievements of science and technology in order to promote peaceful social, economic and cultural development and progress;

3. Requests the specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations system to take into account in their programmes and activities the provisions of the Declaration;

4. Invites those Member States, the specialized agencies and other bodies of the United Nations which have not yet done so to submit their information in accordance with General Assembly resolution 35/130 A of 11 December 1980;

5. Requests the Commission on Human Rights in its consideration of the item entitled "Human rights and scientific and technological developments" to give special attention to the question of the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration;

6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session the item entitled "Human rights and scientific and technological developments".

B The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 33/53 of 14 December 1978, in which it requested the Commission on Human Rights to urge the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to undertake as a matter of priority a study of the question of the protection of those detained on the grounds of mental ill-health with a view to formulating guidelines,

Recalling also its resolution 35/130 B of 11 December 1980, in which it welcomed the action taken by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to implement resolution 33/53,

Convinced that detention of persons in mental institutions on account of their political views or on other non-medical grounds is a violation of their human rights,

Noting with satisfaction the work being undertaken by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on this subject in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 33/53 and 35/130 B, Requests the Commission on Human Rights to continue its consideration of this question in the light of the action being taken by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, with a view to submitting a report to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session through the Economic and Social Council.