Nearly all the international human rights instruments adopted by United Nations bodies since 1948 elaborate principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states in its preamble that it developed out of recognition of the fact that in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoyin freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his civil and political rights. A similar statement is made in the preamble to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted by the General Assembly in 1975 (resolution 3452 (XXX)), spells out the meaning of article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which provide that no one may be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This prohibition was further reinforced by the adoption in 1984 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (General Assembly resolution 39/46). Similarly, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1981 (resolution 36/55); clearly defines the nature and scope of the principles of non discrimination and equality before the law and the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief contained in the Universal Declaration and the International Covenants. A similar situation prevails as regards international human rights instruments adopted outside the United Nations system. For example, the preamble to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by the Council of Europe at Rome in 1950, concludes with the following words: Being resolved, as the Governments of European countries which are like-minded and have a common heritage of political traditions, ideals, freedom and the rule of law, to take the first steps for the collective enforcement of certain of the rights stated in the Universal Declaration; Article II of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, adopted at Addis Ababa in 1963, provides that one of the purposes of the Organization is "to promote international cooperation, having due regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights". The American Convention on Human Rights, signed at San José, Costa Rica, in 1969, states in its preamble that the principles to which it gives effect are those set forth in the Charter of the Organization of American States, in the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Judges of the International Court of Justice have occasionally invoked principles contained in the International Bill of Human Rights as a basis for their decisions. National and local tribunals have frequently cited principles set out in the International Bill of Human Rights in their decisions. Moreover, in recent years, national constitutional and legislative texts have increasingly provided measures of legal protection for those principles; indeed, many recent national and local laws are clearly modelled on provisions set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants, which remain a beacon for all present and future efforts in the field of human rights, both nationally and internationally. Finally, the World Conference on Human Rights, held at Vienna in June 1993, adopted by acclamation the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, in which it welcomed the progress made in the codification of human rights instruments and urged the universal ratification of human rights treaties. In addition, all States were encouraged to avoid, as far as possible, the resort to reservations (part 1, para. 26). Thus the International Bill of Human Rights represents a milestone in the history of human rights, a veritable Magna Carta marking mankind's arrival at a vitally important phase: the conscious acquisition of human dignity and worth. Printed at United Nations, Geneva June 1996