asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) instruments of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as agreed by the United Nations on 10 December 1948 which have not yet been ratified by this country (b) the reason for this non-ratification and (c) when it is proposed to ratify these instruments.
Written Answers. - Ratification of Human Rights' Instruments.
28.
The Universal Declaration adopted by the General Assembly in 1948 states a common understanding of the international community concerning the inalienable and inviolable rights of all individuals. As such it has provided a framework within which the elaboration of subsequent human rights instruments has proceeded. However the Universal Declaration is not itself a legally-binding instrument and the question of ratification does not, therefore, arise.
As far as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are concerned, the position remains as explained on 9 February in response to a similar question on international instruments in the area of human rights.