PART I: THE CONCEPT OF A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN AND EARLY EXPERIENCES 2. Development of the concept of national human rights action plans 2.1 The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights The concept of national human rights action plans was developed as part of the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in 1993. This Conference was a major event in the history of international activity to promote and protect human rights. It was only the second world conference on human rights, the first having been held in Teheran in 1968. The Vienna Conference undertook a wide-ranging review of progress in the field of human rights since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It also sought to identify obstacles to further progress and ways in which they might be overcome. The Conference and its preparatory process thus resulted in a close examination of existing philosophies, concepts and mechanisms as well as many proposals for new approaches to the promotion and protection of human rights. The document adopted at the Conference, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action3 (VDPA), was particularly important because of its comprehensiveness and because it was agreed by all participating governments. It made many recommendations and suggestions to governments and other actors in the international community regarding actions that could be taken to advance the promotion and protection of human rights. These recommendations were not binding but they have a strong persuasive character owing to the significance of the occasion and the fact that they were unanimously supported. 2.2 What did the Conference say about national action plans? The Conference made two recommendations concerning national human rights action plans. Part II, paragraph 71, reads: The World Conference on Human Rights recommends that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby that State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights. This paragraph is part of a section of the Declaration that addresses “Cooperation, development and strengthening of human rights”. The section focuses on strengthening national human rights institutions and infrastructures, including through international cooperation and assistance. Paragraph 69 recommends: 3 United Nations document A/CONF.157/23. The VDPA is accessible from the home page of the OHCHR web site (www.ohchr.org) through the “Index”. 7