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internal jurisdiction of states.
Nevertheless, the General Assembly and other UN bodies have taken numerous decisions relating to human rights questions, both general and particular, and accordingly the practice of the UN does not treat Article 2 (7) as a bar to consideration of any human rights issue so long as the majority wish to discuss it. Moreover, Articles 55 and 56 impose on member governments a positive obligation to pursue policies which observe human rights and to cooperate with the United Nations to that end.
4. Detailed discussion of human rights matters takes place in the UN Human Rights Commission and the Sub-Commission which meet every year in Geneva.
Line to take
5.
The UK delegation may be confronted with accusations that HMG's concern for human rights is unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of a Sovereign State. They should make it plain that HMG considers it has become accepted (eg in the UN and CSCE) that human rights are a legitimate object of international concern. UK foreign policy is based firmly on respect for the principles of self-determination and non- intervention in the internal affairs of other states. But fundamental human rights such as those set out in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the UN Covenants on Civil and Political and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, are based upon values which transcend national frontiers and are internationally accepted.
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6. The delegation may hear the view expressed that for all HMG's professed concern it does little to alleviate the suffering of victims of violations of human rights. The
/delegation
(55)
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