Recognizing that these rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person,
Recognizing that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying civil and political freedom and freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his civil and political rights, as well as his economic, social and cultural rights,
Considering the obligation of States under the Charter of the United Nations to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and freedoms,
Realizing that the individual, having duties to other individuals and to the community to which he belongs, is under a responsibility to strive for the promotion and observance of the rights recognized in the present Covenant,
Agree upon the following articles:
PART I
Article 1. 1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.
3. The States Parties to the present Covenant, including those having responsibility for the administration of Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories, shall promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
PART II
Article 2. 1. Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
2. Where not already provided for by existing legislative or other measures, each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take the necessary steps, in accordance with its constitutional processes and with the provisions of the present
(Footnote continued from page 172)
*See p. 300 of this volume for the texts of the declarations recognizing the competence of the Human Rights Committee under article 41.
**Several of the 35 instruments deposited were accompanied by reservations, about which the Covenant is silent. In this regard, the Secretary-General, on the basis of the consultations that he held in the same circumstances with respect to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (see No. I-14531 of volume 993), has considered that the States concerned did not object to the entry into force of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on 23 March 1976.
***See p. 288 of this volume for the texts of the declarations and reservations made upon ratification or accession.
†The following countries made declarations regarding the declaration made upon ratification by the Federal Republic of Germany: France, German Democratic Republic, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America. For the texts of the said declarations, see No. I-14531 in volume 993.
Vol. 999, I-14668
