General Assembly Concludes 21st Session: Approves Human Rights Covenants

The twenty-first session of the General Assembly, which opened on 20 September, ended today after Members had dealt with 98 items on the agenda. On its last day, the Assembly approved two Covenants on Human Rights, one dealing with economic, social and cultural rights, and the other with civil and political rights. The two Covenants, when ratified, will legally require States parties to implement the rights and freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Ambassador Salvador P. Lopez (Philippines) is seen signing the Covenants.