Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
Background
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) is a human rights declaration adopted by consensus at the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993 in Vienna, Austria. This declaration recognized that the promotion and protection of human rights is a matter of priority for the international community, and it acknowledged the importance of human rights education, cooperation, and monitoring.
Development and Adoption
The World Conference on Human Rights, which led to the creation of the VDPA, was convened by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 45/155 of 21 December 1990. The conference was attended by representatives from 171 states, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and national human rights institutions.
The drafting of the VDPA was a complex process that involved extensive negotiations and compromises among states, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The final text of the VDPA was adopted by consensus on 25 June 1993, marking a significant achievement in the history of international human rights law.
Key Provisions
The VDPA is composed of three main parts: the Vienna Declaration, the Programme of Action, and the Final Act. The Vienna Declaration reaffirms the universal nature of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and it emphasizes the duty of states to promote and protect these rights. The Programme of Action outlines specific measures to be taken by states and the international community to implement the principles set out in the Vienna Declaration. The Final Act contains the resolutions and decisions adopted by the conference.
The VDPA reaffirms the principles of universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness of human rights. It recognizes that the promotion and protection of human rights is a legitimate concern of the international community and that it should be a priority for all states. It also acknowledges the importance of international cooperation in this regard.
The VDPA emphasizes the importance of human rights education as a key strategy for promoting respect for human rights and preventing human rights violations. It calls on states to include human rights education in their national school curricula and to promote human rights awareness among all sectors of society.
The VDPA also calls for the establishment of national human rights institutions and the strengthening of regional human rights mechanisms. It encourages states to cooperate with the United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the treaty bodies.
Impact and Legacy
The VDPA has had a significant impact on the development of international human rights law and policy. It has influenced the adoption of new human rights treaties, the establishment of new human rights bodies and mechanisms, and the development of national human rights policies and institutions.
The VDPA has also played a crucial role in promoting the concept of human rights mainstreaming, which involves the integration of human rights considerations into all aspects of policy-making and implementation at the national, regional, and international levels.
Despite its achievements, the VDPA also faces challenges. Some states have been reluctant to fully implement its provisions, and there are ongoing debates about the interpretation and application of some of its principles. Nevertheless, the VDPA remains a cornerstone of the international human rights system, and its principles continue to guide the work of human rights advocates and practitioners around the world.