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human person, and must be eliminated. This can be achieved by legal measures and through national
action and international cooperation in such fields as economic and social development, education, safe
maternity and health care, and social support.
The human rights of women should form an integral part of the United Nations human rights activities,
including the promotion of all human rights instruments relating to women.
The World Conference on Human Rights urges Governments, institutions, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations to intensify their efforts for the protection and promotion of human rights
of women and the girl-child.
19. Considering the importance of the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to
minorities and the contribution of such promotion and protection to the political and social stability of
the States in which such persons live,
The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirms the obligation of States to ensure that persons
belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all human rights and fundamental freedoms
without any discrimination and in full equality before the law in accordance with the Declaration on the
Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
The persons belonging to minorities have the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise
their own religion and to use their own language in private and in public, freely and without
interference or any form of discrimination.
20. The World Conference on Human Rights recognizes the inherent dignity and the unique
contribution of indigenous people to the development and plurality of society and strongly reaffirms
the commitment of the international community to their economic, social and cultural well-being and
their enjoyment of the fruits of sustainable development. States should ensure the full and free
participation of indigenous people in all aspects of society, in particular in matters of concern to them.
Considering the importance of the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous people, and the
contribution of such promotion and protection to the political and social stability of the States in which
such people live, States should, in accordance with international law, take concerted positive steps to
ensure respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, on the basis of
equality and non-discrimination, and recognize the value and diversity of their distinct identities,
cultures and social organization.
21. The World Conference on Human Rights, welcoming the early ratification of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child by a large number of States and noting the recognition of the human rights of
children in the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children and Plan of
Action adopted by the World Summit for Children, urges universal ratification of the Convention by
1995 and its effective implementation by States parties through the adoption of all the necessary
legislative, administrative and other measures and the allocation to the maximum extent of the
available resources. In all actions concerning children, non-discrimination and the best interest of the
child should be primary considerations and the views of the child given due weight. National and
international mechanisms and programmes should be strengthened for the defence and protection of
children, in particular, the girl-child, abandoned children, street children, economically and sexually
exploited children, including through child pornography, child prostitution or sale of organs, children
victims of diseases including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, refugee and displaced children,
children in detention, children in armed conflict, as well as children victims of famine and drought and
other emergencies. International cooperation and solidarity should be promoted to support the
implementation of the Convention and the rights of the child should be a priority in the United Nations
system-wide action on human rights.
The World Conference on Human Rights also stresses that the child for the full and harmonious
development of his or her personality should grow up in a family environment which accordingly merits
broader protection.