Strengthening of the rule of law

Expresses its deep concern at the scarcity of means at the disposal of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for the fulfilment of its tasks; notes that the UN Programme of Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in the Field of Human Rights does not have sufficient funds to provide any substantial financial assistance to national projects that have a direct impact on the realization of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law in countries that are committed to those ends but that face economic hardship; encourages the High Commissioner to continue the dialogue with other relevant bodies and programmes of the UN system, with a view to enhancing system-wide coordination of assistance in human rights, democracy and the rule of law; also encourages the High Commissioner to continue to explore the possibility of further contact with and support of financial institutions with a view to obtaining technical and financial means to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner to provide assistance to national projects aiming at the realization of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law; requests the High Commissioner to accord high priority to the technical cooperation activities; takes note with appreciation of the proposal contained in the report of the Secretary-General that an analysis be undertaken of technical cooperation provided by UN in the field of human rights with the aim of formulating recommendations for inter-agency coordination, funding and allocation of responsibilities in order to improve efficiency and complementarity of action concerning, inter alia, assistance to States in strengthening the rule of law.

Adopted without vote, 70th meeting

3 p.

Adopted at the 70th plenary meeting, 12 Dec. 1997.