The United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted today a resolution submitted by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Singapore, which reinforces the positive role of the family in protecting human rights after the family issue has been absent from the Human Rights Council's agenda for several years.
The resolution affirms that the family is the basic and fundamental unit of society and that states have obligations under the relevant provisions of international human rights law to support the role of the family in protecting and promoting the human rights of its members.
The resolution calls on all relevant stakeholders to consider strengthening family-oriented policies as a cross-cutting issue in national development plans and programs.
The resolution also provides a series of activities over the next two years focusing on the advantages of family-oriented policies and best practices worldwide and considering the different ways the family can contribute to promoting and protecting human rights.
While seizing the opportunity to mark the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2024, the resolution urges countries to increase cooperation on family issues at all levels and to take concerted action to promote optimal family-oriented policies and programs as part of a comprehensive and integrated approach to development and acknowledges the important role played by "organizations and family associations", which have the knowledge and experience necessary to provide advice on family issues, in the areas of advocacy, promotion, research and capacity building.
The UN Human Rights Council will hold an official panel discussion on the family for the first time in 2024, proving once again the importance of this issue to the Council and its mechanisms. Moreover, the Council decided to organize another expert workshop in 2025.
Source: Saudi Press Agency