Source: http://www.usmission.ch/Press2007/1210HumanRightsDay.htm http://www.usmission.ch/Press2007/1210HumanRightsDay.htm
Date: December 10, 2007
U.S. Statement Marking Human Rights Day

Delivered to the Human Rights Council 
by Michael Klecheski, Counselor for Political Affairs

Geneva,
December 10, 2007

Sixty years ago, representatives from 16 nations gathered to begin deliberations on a new international bill of rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights – stands today as a landmark achievement in the history of human liberty. We observe this morning that it was 59 years ago today that the then 58 Member States of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the first time in history that a document considered to have universal value and application was adopted by an international organization -- the first time that human rights and freedoms were as meticulously and clearly stated, in a declaration deliberately simple and straightforward, such that all people could understand its import to their own lives and aspirations. 

Born of the strong desire for peace in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Declaration recognizes that the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Eleanor Roosevelt, the first chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, said that the Declaration represented “our common aspiration first voiced in the Charter of the United Nations to lift men everywhere to a higher standard of life and to a greater enjoyment of freedom.” The drafters of the Declaration knew very well the historic importance of the ideas they were putting to paper and committing their governments to uphold. 

Unfortunately, around the world even today, some governments still routinely deny their citizens fundamental freedoms of speech, assembly and worship. People in far too many places live in genuine fear of cruel reprisals for exercising their most basic rights. The work begun sixty years ago is far from complete. 

This Human Rights Council – if it is to advance the work so nobly begun sixty years ago – must have the courage and clarity of vision to stand in solidarity with those who seek freedom to build democracy and to defend and promote the universal human rights that the Declaration sets forth. This institution must work for great purposes. On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration, with history as our judge, let us recommit ourselves anew to its principles and universal application.