From Teheran to Vienna: a timeline

Teheran

1961

The General Assembly adopted resolution 1961 (XVIII) by which it designated 1968 as International Year for Human Rights.

1965

On 12 December 1965, the General Assembly adopted resolution 2081(XX) deciding that an international conference should be convened in 1968.

1968

The International Conference on Human Rights, held in Teheran from 22 April to 13 May, adopted the Proclamation of Teheran.

The Proclamation assessed the progress achieved since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and set forth a plan of action for the future.

Final Act of the Conference A/CONF.32/41
Procedural history of the conference
Conference photos from UN Photo Library
General Assembly resolution 2442 (XXIII) endorsed the Proclamation of Teheran

Vienna

1989

General Assembly resolution 44/156:
"Noting the progress made by the United Nations over the past twenty years towards achieving its goal of promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all .. requested the Secretary-General to seek the views … on the desirability of convening a world conference on human rights"
The Secretary-General reported back to the General Assembly with the views of the governments, specialized agencies and NGOs: A/45/564 and Add.1

"… it was generally felt that a well-prepared world conference with high-level participation could make an important contribution to the international promotion and protection of human rights"

1990

General Assembly resolution 45/155 decided to convene the world conference on human rights and establish the Preparatory Committee

1991

Commission on Human Rights resolution 1991/30 (in E/1191/22, p. 78) made recommendations to human rights mechanisms and the Preparatory Committee

1991-1993

The Preparatory Committee for the World Conference on Human Rights held 4 sessions from 1991 to 1993.

Documents

1^st session in Geneva from 9 to 13 September 1991 and adopted 6 decisions (final report A/46/24):

PC.1/1 Convening of the World Conference on Human Rights;
PC.1/2 Future sessions of the Preparatory Committee;
PC.1/3 Participation of representatives of least developed countries in the preparatory meetings and the Conference itself
PC.1/4 Regional meetings for the World Conference on Human Rights;
PC.1/5 Studies and documentations for the World Conference on Human Rights;
PC.1/6 Participation of human rights experts in the Preparatory Committee and the World Conference

2nd session in Geneva from 30 March to 10 April 1992 and adopted 6 decisions (final report A/47/24):

PC.2/1 Participation of representatives of least developed countries in the World Conference and the preparatory process;
PC.2/2 Public information activities;
PC.2/3 Other meetings related to the preparatory process of the world Conference;
PC.2/4 Publications;
PC.2/5 Dates and venue of the World Conference on Human Rights;
PC.2/6 Studies and documentation;
PC.2/7 Organization of future sessions of the Preparatory Committee;
PC.2/8 Provisional rules of procedure for the World Conference on Human Rights

3^rd session in Geneva from 14 to 18 September 1992 and adopted 3 decisions (final report A/47/24/Add.1):

PC.3/1 Number of Vice-Presidents and of the World Conference on Human Rights;
PC.3/2 Participation of representatives of non-governmental organizations at regional meetings;
PC.3/3 Provisional rules of procedure for the World Conference on Human Rights

4th session in Geneva from 19 April to 7 May 1993 and adopted 5 decisions (final report A/CONF.157/PC/98):

PC.4/1 Drafting of the final outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights;
PC.4/2 Extension of the fourth session of the Preparatory Committee;
PC.4/3 Composition of the General Committee;
PC.4/4 Consideration of paragraph 18 of the draft final document;
PC.4/5 Draft final outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights

1992

General Assembly decision 46/473 decided that the World Conference on Human Rights will be convened at Vienna in June 1993
Regional Meeting for Africa of the World Conference on Human Rights (1992: Tunis):