Wresinskis speech to the Human Rights Commission of the UN, Geneva, 20 February 1987.
The adoption of the “Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights” by the United Nations General Assembly concludes an investment of more than 25 years that started when, in February 1987, Joseph Wresinski appealed to the Human Rights Commission to examine the question of extreme poverty and Human rights.
In its 21st session in September 2012, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted by consensus the “UN Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights” submitted by the Special Rapporteur, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona. And during its 67th session, the United Nations General Assembly “Takes note with appreciation” of these guidelines. This UN document is the first official text on the subject of extreme poverty and human rights adopted by the General Assembly. It concludes an investment of more than 25 years that started when, in February 1987, Joseph Wresinski 3 presented his Report on Extreme Poverty and Social Insecurity of the Economic and Social Council of France to the former Human Rights Commission of the UN in Geneva (now Human Rights Council). In his speech, Wresinski appealed to the Commission to examine the question of extreme poverty and human rights.