UN General Assembly
1993

Fundamental human rights are universal; their substance is absolute and unrelated to circumstances. But saying this does not mean that we are closing our eyes to the existence of many different cultures and traditions in the historical development of the various regions of the world. This should be duly taken into account; however, it cannot justify any violations of human rights or non-execution of the relevant instruments. There is no room for treating criticism of such unlawful policies and lawful attempts to redress them as an infringement of the sovereignty of States. In promoting, developing and effectively defending human rights, the United Nations should make these activities part of its cooperation with States. International peace and security, sustainable development and human rights are the three closely related areas on which the United Nations should concentrate. "An Agenda for Peace", Agenda 21 and the forthcoming agenda 38 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session for development should, in my view, be complemented by an agenda for human rights. With the results of the Vienna Conference kept in mind, the Agenda for Human Rights