14 December 1981

Alternative approaches and ways and means in the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 35/175 of 15 December 1981, in which it decided to consider at its thirty-sixth session the question of the establishment of a post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights under the item entitled "Alternative approaches and ways and means for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms", Having considered the report of the Commission on Human Rights on its thirty-seventh session,

Noting that the Commission on Human Rights informed the General Assembly that it had not been able to reach a decision at its thirty-seventh session on the desirability of the establishment of a post of High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Also noting that the Commission on Human Rights has been seized of this question since its thirty-fourth session under the item "Further promotion and encouragement of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the question of the programme and methods of work of the Commission; alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms",

1. Requests the Commission on Human Rights at its thirty-eighth session to consider this question with the attention it deserves;

2. Further requests the Commission on Human Rights to submit a report on its deliberations and their results to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session through the Economic and Social Council;

3. Decides to resume consideration of this question at its thirty-seventh session, also taking into account the report of the Commission on Human Rights on its thirty-eighth session and the views expressed by Member States at the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly under the item entitled "Alternative approaches and ways and means within the United Nations system for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms" and to examine what steps may be taken in this regard.