A/RES/49/184
Page 3
Recalling that it is the responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to
coordinate relevant United Nations education and public information programmes in the field of human
rights, 7/
Taking note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 8/ in
paragraph 94 of which he declared that human rights education is essential for the encouragement of harmonious
inter-community relations, for mutual tolerance and understanding and finally for peace,
Aware of the experience in human rights education of United Nations peace-building operations,
including the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador and the United Nations Transitional Authority in
Cambodia,
Bearing in mind the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference
on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, 9/ in particular section II, paragraphs 78 to 82 thereof,
1.
Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General 10/ on human rights
education, submitted in accordance with the request contained in General Assembly resolution 48/127 of 20
December 1993;
2.
Proclaims the ten-year period beginning on 1 January 1995 the United Nations Decade for
Human Rights Education;
3.
Welcomes the Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education,
1995-2005, as contained in the report of the Secretary-General, 11/ and invites Governments to submit
comments, with a view to supplementing the Plan of Action;
4.
Invites the Secretary-General to submit proposals, taking into account the views expressed by
Governments, for the purpose indicated in paragraph 3;
5.
Appeals to all Governments to contribute to the implementation of the Plan of Action and to
step up their efforts to eradicate illiteracy and to direct education towards the full development of the human
personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
6.
Urges governmental and non-governmental educational agencies to intensify their efforts to
establish and implement programmes of human rights education, as recommended in the Plan of Action, in
particular by preparing and implementing national plans for human rights education;
7/
See resolution 48/141, para. 4 (e).
8/
A/49/36.
9/
A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.
10/ A/49/261-E/1994/110 and Add.1.
11/ A/49/261-E/1994/110/Add.1, annex.
/...