Minimum humanitarian standards.
| Publisher | UN Commission on Human Rights |
| Author | UN Commission on Human Rights (52nd sess. : 1996 : Geneva) |
| Publication Date | 19 April 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | E/CN.4/RES/1996/26 |
| Reference | 52 |
| Cite as | UN Commission on Human Rights, Minimum humanitarian standards., 19 April 1996, E/CN.4/RES/1996/26, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3b00f0b68.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
Minimum humanitarian standards
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/26
The Commission on Human Rights, Gravely concerned at the large number of situations where internal violence causes extensive suffering and breaches of the principles of humanity and undermines the protection of human rights, Gravely concerned also at the conduct of groups and individuals who resort to violence, thereby contributing to the suffering of innocent people in such situations, Conscious of the desirability of reaffirming the principles of humanity and the dictates of the public conscience governing the behaviour of all persons, groups and public authorities in all situations, Emphasizing, in this regard, the need to identify and implement measures to prevent violations and abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the right to life and integrity of the individual, Recalling resolution 1994/26 of 26 August 1994 of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and its own resolution 1995/29 of 3 March 1995,1. Recognizes the need to address principles applicable to situations of internal violence and disturbance of all kinds in a manner consistent with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations;
2. Also recognizes in this regard the vital importance of the existence in each country of appropriate national legislation for dealing with such situations in a manner consistent with the rule of law;
3. Invites all States to consider reviewing their national legislation relevant to situations of public emergency with a view to ensuring that it meets the requirements of the rule of law and that it does not involve discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion or social origin;
4. Welcomes the offer by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to organize, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross, a workshop to which governmental and non-governmental experts from all regions will be invited to consider this issue and to make the outcome of the workshop available for dissemination to Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the text of the present resolution to Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for their comments on this matter for submission to the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-third session.
51st meeting 19 April 1996 [Adopted without a vote]