Samarkand Declaration of the Asian Forum on Human Rights "Outcomes of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Challenges and Reality" Samarkand, 22-23 November 2018 We, participants of the Asian Forum for Human Ri...
Samarkand Declaration of the Asian Forum on Human Rights "Outcomes of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Challenges and Reality" Samarkand, 22-23 November 2018 We, participants of the Asian Forum for Human Rights, Noting that, 2018 is the year of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the 25thanniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Action Program on Human Rights, and that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, Affirming our obligations to promote universal respect, observance and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all under the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, Reaffirming that States have the primary responsibility for the respect, promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons and the obligation to follow them, Recalling that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development based on international human rights standards seeks not to leave anyone behind and aims at ensuring equality and non-discrimination, putting people at the center of the development process, thus seeks to realize human rights of all. Considering that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are complex and indivisible, ensure the balance of all three - economic, social and environmental components of sustainable development and aimed at realizing the human rights of all people, achieving gender equality Having considered that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on governments, parliaments and other interested parties to draft and adopt laws and programs that meet human needs, set aside isolationist strategies, protect human rights and leave no one behind, Welcoming the efforts of the Governments of the Asian region to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and national SDGs, Recognizing the important role of the countries of the Asian region in ensuring peace, stability and sustainable development in the region, as well as in promoting regional and international cooperation, Taking into account the unique cultural and civilizational potential of the Asian region, which had a decisive influence on the development of many countries and entire regions, Considering current challenges and threats the countries of the Asian region have been being faced, and the fact that, unlike other regions, there is no regional system for the protection of human rights in Asia, Taking into account, that NMRFs (national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up) and NHRIs (national human rights institutions) are two constituent elements of the national human rights protection system, that complement each other, Following the discussions, hereby agreed on the following proposals and statements: Within the framework of national programs aimed at the achievement of the 17 SDGs states shall seek to ensure the full compliance with all their international obligations on human rights, focusing on the principles of equality and non-discrimination based on gender, race, religious, cultural, ethnic origin, migration status or on any other ground. It is of paramount importance to take into account the gender aspects in achievement of SDGs and fulfillment of human rights. States shall establish effective national mechanisms for monitoring and tracking progress on the implementation of the SDGs, as they establish similar processes to follow up on the recommendations of human rights mechanisms and ensure the implementation of quantitative and qualitative indicators on human rights in collecting, analyzing information and drafting reports on the implementation of the SDGs. States commit to building partnerships to share good practice and enhance national and regional capacities to collect, track and report on SDG implementation and human rights using quality data and statistics. States shall involve all stakeholders in the design and monitoring process with the aim of ensuring a transparent, inclusive and accountable national process for the implementation of the SDGs and other related commitments, including all three branches of the government - legislative, judicial and executive, also statistical authorities, as well as NMRFs, NHRIs and civil society. It is encouraged to ensure closer cooperation with the parliaments at the national level and inter-parliamentary organisations in order to increase the capacity of parliaments, in particular with regard to allocating budget funds for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and strengthening the rule of law and promoting the harmonization of national legislation with international human rights obligations. National parliaments have important functions to promote development processes, implement national plans and strategies, and ensure greater transparency and accountability at both national and global levels, also through the participation of parliamentarians in the high-level political forum on sustainable development, capacity building and holding regular parliamentary events dedicated to the work of parliaments in the institutionalization of sustainable development goals, including the participation of civil society institutions. It is recommended for states to establish partnerships and ensure cooperation between government bodies, courts, national human rights institutions, civil society and other stakeholders in the promotion, protection and realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including through advisory bodies, coordinators in bodies governance and national human rights reporting and follow-up mechanisms, or through measures aimed at ensuring observance and protection of human rights and freedoms. States shall strengthen the role of NHRIs established and functioning in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutio...