Source: – HYPERLINK http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/CDC4844BA94B4966C12573AD00488A07?OpenDocument http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/CDC4844BA94B4966C12573AD00488A07?OpenDocument 
Date: December 10, 2007
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATED AT UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
Year-long Campaign Leading up to Celebration of Sixtieth Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights Launched
10 December 2007
The United Nations Office at Geneva today celebrated Human Rights Day, commemorating the fifty-ninth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and launching a year-long campaign leading up to the sixtieth anniversary. The event heard a video message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and statements by High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Sergei Ordzhonikidze, President of the Human Rights Council Doru Romulus Costea, and national representatives. 

In the video message, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the Declaration remained as relevant today as it did on the day it was adopted. But the fundamental freedoms enshrined in it were still not a reality for everyone. Too often, Governments lacked the political will to implement international norms they had willingly accepted. This anniversary year was an occasion to build up that will. It was a chance to ensure that these rights were a living reality -- that they were known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. The Declaration should be an integral part of everybody’s life. 

Ms. Arbour, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the Human Rights Council was the appropriate place to commemorate the unprecedented triumph for non-discrimination, equality and impartiality enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration was the product of the pondered judgement of an inspired group of eighteen framers who had come to the fledging Commission on Human Rights from diverse backgrounds, regions and legal traditions. The solidarity that the world mustered 60 years ago represented an equilibrium which the world should never cease to strive for, irrespective of how approaches may vary today or in the future. All should devote every effort to removing the obstacles that continued to hamper the implementation and fulfilment of all human rights standards. 

Mr. Ordzhonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the protection and promotion of human rights was one of the core pillars of the mission of the United Nations. Ensuring the dignity and well-being of every human being was a challenge for the entire United Nations family but realizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was their solemn responsibility. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the embodiment of the conscience of mankind and had shaped the aspirations and guided the actions of peoples across the world.

Mr. Costea, President of the Human Rights Council, said the Universal Declaration had marked the first time that the rights and freedoms of individuals had been set forth in such detail. It had also represented the first international recognition that human rights and fundamental freedoms were applicable to every person, everywhere. The Universal Declaration was a shared vision of a more equitable and just world and it had inspired more than 60 international human rights instruments, which together constituted a comprehensive system of legally binding treaties. Yet, despite all this progress, there were still too many men and women excluded from their fundamental rights. 

In national declarations, speakers said, among other things, that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been a milestone in the history of humanity, one that placed the dignity and worth of the human person at the centre of the international community’s priorities. Marking the anniversary should provide an opportunity for the international community to reflect upon the situation in the world today. The Declaration was a blueprint which illustrated best how the multilateral world should act. The story of the Declaration itself was still unfolding; for the millions who were still denied the full realisation of their human rights, the international community should ensure that the Declaration was not a dream, but a reality. 

Speaking this morning were the representatives of Cuba for the Non-Aligned Group, Brazil for the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, Egypt for the African Group, Portugal for the European Union, Pakistan for the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Syria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Morocco, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, Brazil in a national capacity, Qatar, Holy See, Libya, the Philippines, Tunisia, Bahrain, Croatia, Russian Federation, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and Algeria. 

The commemoration event will continue at 3 p.m. this afternoon. If the list of speakers is exhausted, the Human Rights Council, which briefly opened its resumed sixth session this morning, will continue its work and hear the presentation of the report of the Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and hold a discussion on the rectification of the legal status of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 


Statements

BAN KI-MOON, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a video message, said on this Human Rights Day, the United Nations was launching a year-long commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The entire UN family would take part in a campaign to promote the Declaration's ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone. The campaign reminded the international community that in a world still reeling from the horrors of the Second World War, the Declaration was the first global statement of what was now taken for granted -- the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings. The extraordinary vision and determination of the drafters had produced a document that for the first time set out universal human rights for all people in an individual context. The Declaration was the most translated document in the world and had inspired the Constitutions of many newly independent States and many new democracies. 

The Secretary-General said the Declaration remained as relevant today as it did on the day it was adopted. But the fundamental freedoms enshrined in it were still not a reality for everyone. Too often, Governments lacked the political will to implement international norms they had willingly accepted. This anniversary year was an occasion to build up that will. It was a chance to ensure that these rights were a living reality -- that they were known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. The Declaration should be an integral part of everybody’s life. 

LOUISE ARBOUR, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that it was with great pleasure that she was participating in the launch of the year-long campaign to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Human Rights Council was the appropriate place to commemorate the unprecedented triumph for non-discrimination, equality and impartiality enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

In the last 60 years much work had been done, said Ms. Arbour. All States continued to confirm their commitment to the Declaration and most recently at the 2005 World Summit world leaders had reiterated their pledge to promote universal respect for and the observance and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. This reaffirmation should come as no surprise. The Declaration had inspired Constitutional principles in some 90 States. All States had ratified at least one of the core nine international human rights treaties and 80 per cent had ratified four or more. This process was still ongoing and the Declaration continued to underpin everyone’s aspirations for a better future and for the life in dignity to which we were all entitled.

Ms. Arbour said that the Declaration was the product of the pondered judgement of an inspired group of 18 framers who had come to the fledging Commission on Human Rights from diverse backgrounds, regions and legal traditions. They had sought a common standard of achievement for all to share, which would help to secure a high standard of life and greater enjoyment of freedom. The solidarity that the world mustered 60 years ago represented an equilibrium the international community should never cease to strive for, irrespective of how approaches may vary today or in the future. As the world was advancing this area further and higher, it had to devote every effort to removing the obstacles that continued to hamper the implementation and fulfilment of all human rights standards. 

Ms. Arbour said that with all this in mind, the Secretary-General had launched the Declaration’s year-long campaign which would engage the whole UN-system in promoting the Declaration’s ideals and principles. These celebrations were meant both as tributes to an extraordinary human achievement and as reminders that the task of making the Declaration a living reality for everyone to enjoy was incumbent to all of us.

SERGEI ORDZHONIKIDZE, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the protection and promotion of human rights was one of the core pillars of the mission of the United Nations. Ensuring the dignity and well-being of every human being was a challenge for the entire United Nations family but realizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was their solemn responsibility. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the embodiment of the conscience of mankind and had shaped the aspirations and guided the actions of peoples across the world. Yet much remained to be done. He called on Governments, civil society and ordinary people everywhere to join in efforts to ensure that the principles of the Declaration entered the consciousness of all.

Mr. Ordzhonikidze said the world today was united in its shared resolve to fight inequality, injustice, inhumanity and intolerance wherever they occurred. The anniversary and the year-long campaign launched today were an opportunity to intensify efforts to narrow the gap between the promise of the Declaration and its implementation on the ground as part of efforts to build a peaceful, prosperous and fair world for all.

DORU ROMULUS COSTEA, President of the Human Rights Council, said that 1948 was a red-letter year for human rights, when the General Assembly had adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the General Assembly proclaimed that the Universal Declaration was a common ideal that every People and State should attain and that the Declaration marked a new decisive stage on the road of human progress. Since then, the perception of human rights had changed, and new treaties and other declarations had been adopted. An important one was the Vienna Declaration, out of which the Office of the High Commissioner had been created. The final Document of the 2005 World Summit underscored that human rights were the basis on which the United Nations system lay. 

Mr. Costea said that the current Council had been established out of this 2005 World Summit. The Council had well advanced its institution building process since then and had also tackled many aspects and seized itself of violations and situations that had requested action. But had they implemented the universal recognition of human rights, as asked by their Heads of States, he asked? 

The Universal Declaration had marked the first time that the rights and freedoms of individuals had been set forth in such details. It had also represented the first international recognition that human rights and fundamental freedoms were applicable to every person, everywhere. The Universal Declaration was a shared vision of a more equitable and just world and it had inspired more than 60 international human rights instruments, which together constituted a comprehensive system of legally binding treaties. Yet, despite all this progress, there were still too many men and women excluded from their fundamental rights. 

Mr. Costea underscored that the Council was one of the most important bodies dealing with human rights violations throughout the world. In order to engage in this dialogue, full application of the Declaration was needed. Its implementation was a shared responsibility. The Council should be a vibrant example of the respect of human rights. But the Council still had a long way to go to carry out fully its mission. 

JUAN ANTONIO FERNANDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba), speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said today, the fifty-ninth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was being celebrated. The theme chosen for the campaign reflected the will of the Non-Aligned Movement to contribute towards the creation of a world where all enjoyed human rights, without distinction according to race, or any other criteria. Reflection should be given to the lacunae in the Declaration, due to the situation in 1948, mainly due to the composition at that time of the United Nations. The authors of the Declaration had been prevented from including such rights as economic, social and cultural rights, the right to self-determination, and others. All economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, and civil and political rights, should be taken fully into account in the celebrations over the next year. 

Marking the anniversary should provide an opportunity for the international community to reflect upon the situation in the world today. Many phenomena such as poverty, under-development, marginalisation, instability, hunger, lack of access to health care, discrimination, defamation of religious and religious intolerance and many other factors continued to prevail and to increase. All these issues should be addressed in order to create a world of dignity and justice for all. The right to development needed to be recognised as an integral part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The fate of the Palestinians and other Arab peoples should not be forgotten, as they still lived under foreign occupation. The Non-Aligned Movement attributed great importance to the realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. In promoting a world of respect and dignity for all, the international community could rely on the support of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

SERGIO ABREU E LIMA FLORENCIO (Brazil), speaking on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC), said GRULAC valued the importance of the protection and promotion of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been strengthened by and had inspired other treaties and covenants, but there was still much to be done, including effective implementation.

The creation of the Human Rights Council was the most recent effort of the international community to make positive and tangible efforts to support the protection and promotion of human rights, and GRULAC affirmed the commitment of its members to continue to work towards justice and dignity for all.

SAMEH SHOUKRY (Egypt), speaking on behalf of the African Group, said that since 1948, the 10th of December of every year had marked a special occasion. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been a milestone in the history of humanity, one that placed the dignity and worth of the human person at the centre of the international community’s priorities. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been proclaimed as the common standard of achievement for all people and nations. When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been proclaimed, only a few African countries had the privilege to participate in its elaboration. The vast majority of the peoples of the Continent were being subjugated under foreign occupation and domination. It was only a decade or more later before the right of all peoples to self-determination had been recognized and took effect for most African peoples. While Africa was a free continent today, its conscience still yearned to see the Palestinian people realize their right to self-determination. 

However, in the midst of remarkable progress in establishing this human rights framework, an artificial separation had been created between civil and political rights on the one hand, and economic, social and cultural rights, on the other. This mistake had been partially corrected in the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, which recognized the indivisibility of all human rights. The achievements that had emanated from the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were undeniable. The realities of today certainly did not suggest that the vision contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been fulfilled. Freedom from want was a distant notion when the world was seeing millions dying from hunger, because of apathy and economic greed. The right to development remained largely in the realm of rhetoric, not reality. Slavery, which had disappeared, was also resurfacing. What was most needed today was concrete and concerted action, at all levels, to address the various scourges impeding the realization of the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

FRANCISCO XAVIER ESTEVES (Portugal), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said when in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it led one of the great achievements of the United Nations - the creation of a comprehensive body of human rights law, creating a code applicable to all human beings everywhere, without distinction. The ideas of the Declaration had been elaborated into a legal framework of binding treaties. The Declaration was undoubtedly as relevant today as in 1948, and remained the centrepiece of the protection and promotion of human rights. Some of the most important recent conventions were that on the rights of persons with disabilities, and the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances. The recent adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was another important step to enhance human dignity and justice. 

All human rights were universal and indivisible - and applicable worldwide. It was fundamental to ensure the enjoyment of human rights by all, including women and girls. The simple and basic idea of human rights had and would continue to have a significant impact on history, as democracy and the rule of law took root in more and more countries. Economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights should be treated equally. The protection and promotion of human rights, for which Governments had responsibility, could not be realised without the participation of non-governmental organizations, civil society, and individuals. The changes and the creation of the Council, with all its advantages, had allowed for reaction to human rights violations, wherever and whenever they occurred. In order to give effectiveness to the principles enshrined in the Declaration, all should focus more on their implementation. 

MASOOD KHAN (Pakistan), speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said the OIC echoed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s call that the Universal declaration should be an integral part of everyone’s life to promote the dignity and equality of all human beings. The OIC also shared his concern that international norms accepted willingly were not implemented faithfully. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was more than a treaty. It could safely be called the collective expression of human conscience. 

Muslim countries had made substantial contributions to the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two International Covenants. The travaux preparatory of these documents recorded inputs given by Muslim countries on religious freedom, social justice, the indivisibility of human rights and the right to self-determination. The Universal Declaration was a living document and its full import needed to be invoked to face contemporary challenges. The rising tide of defamation of religions and Islamophobia needed to be stemmed. Attempts to equate Islam with terrorism in many polities around the world should be discouraged. Stereotyping and demonization of Muslims should cease lest it should plunge the world into the darkness of spirit. 

For its part, the OIC was going through a phase of introspection and soul searching on human rights. In December 2005, OIC leaders outlined a ten-year road map for human rights, underlining that the OIC would strive for enlargement of political participation within its Member States and promote equality, civil liberties and social justice in their societies. The OIC was also considering the establishment of an independent permanent body to promote human rights in the Member States. 

FUYSAL KHABBAZ HAMOUI (Syria), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, said that when negotiations had started to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this had been a new theme in the international community. Back then, it had been planned as a non-binding document that should not affect domestic laws. Such ideas had seemed pretty ambitious compared to the realities of those times. Moral criteria had become binding standards for all countries thereafter, enshrined in the different Covenants. However what the international community had achieved in this short time should not mean that it should feel self-satisfied. The international community should continue to work towards the settling of the challenges that were still impeding the full realization of the visions expressed back then. The number of independent Arab States in 1948 was only six and all of them had participated in the drafting of the Declaration. This proved that the Arab group had been concerned with human rights issues; despite the challenges it was facing back then. Still, the world had to remember the cases of current daily violations of human rights and other basic freedoms in Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan. This anniversary should be the start of work to remove all obstacles that were standing in the way of the full enjoyment of human rights for everyone.

GEORGI AVRAMCHEV (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), said in the past six decades, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had made the future, a future that was better for all individuals. The drafters of this document, by carrying out the concept of humanism, had led to the establishment of the compound of all human rights. Their commitment had created a set of human rights standards for all, no matter their race, colour, sex, religion, language, political opinion, social origin, or other status. The work of the creators and their prudence had opened room for establishing a complex structure of conventional and extra-conventional tools that covered all the aspects of the rights of individuals in every society and globally. The Declaration was a blueprint which illustrated best how the multilateral world should act. 

Full implementation of all core documents of the United Nations in the field of human rights was one of the most important challenges that stood in front of the international community. All had to join those actions that assisted in protecting the most vulnerable groups: women and children, persons with disabilities, and victims of human rights violations. No matter the size, no matter the geographical region, all should do everything in their capacity to fulfil their obligations in the process of protection and further promotion of basic human rights for all. 

MOHAMMED LOULICHKI (Morocco) said that Morocco had worked towards substantial reforms and initiatives to end human rights abuses and prevent their repetition through standard setting, revision of existing legislation and the creation and strengthening of the Consultative Council for Human Rights and the National Initiative for Human Development to ensure that all Moroccans enjoyed their fundamental rights.

Morocco and King Mohammed VI believed that respect for human rights and international conventions were a prerequisite for equitable development, and not simply a fashionable luxury and would continue to promote the contents of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights throughout Moroccan society and institutions.

BLAISE GODET (Switzerland) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a universal heritage and had often given rise to fervent struggles. In any places and any circumstances the fight for human rights should continue. Switzerland would publish on December 10th 2008 an agenda for specific human rights working topics. Switzerland was convinced that it was through the upcoming dialogues and meetings that would happen throughout the upcoming year of celebration that the restoration of human rights for everyone would be achieved. 

MARIUS GRINIUS (Canada) said today the world was celebrating Human Rights Day. Now that the United Nations and its Member States were starting activities leading up to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the time was right to consider what had been achieved, and what still remained to be done. Today, Canada was proud to have been one of the first countries to respond to the final document of the 2005 World Summit, which recommended that the budget of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights be doubled. Since the adoption of the Declaration, an impressive framework for the protection and promotion of the rights set out therein had been established. The bodies that had been established pursuant to treaties, the Special Procedures and the High Commissioner’s Office all played an impressive role in helping States to live up to their fundamental obligation with regards to human rights. 

Civil society also played an important role in the protection and promotion of human rights. Canada was committed to ensuring that the Universal Periodic Review became a positive force for the further realisation of the rights of all as set out in the Declaration. The story of the Declaration itself was still unfolding. For the millions who were still denied the full realisation of their human rights, the international community should ensure that the Declaration was not a dream, but a reality. 

REINHARD SCHWEPPE (Germany) said that the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be the guiding principle of all actions of responsible governments serving the well-being of their citizens. All human rights were universal, indivisible, inter-related and interdependent, according to the Declaration, and it was regrettable that certain governments did not uphold these principles on the basis of tradition, culture or religion. 

The Human Rights Council was set up to protect and promote human rights worldwide and the international community should send out a clear signal that human rights were universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and should continue to further develop human rights and standards.

JUAN ANTONIO MARCH (Spain) said that it was hard to exaggerate the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which had been the result of difficult negotiations. Since that time, the world had seen an emerging determination that the way States were treating their citizens was no more an internal matter. The development of the Declaration had been a complex process. On one hand the specialized conventions had created an internationally legal corpus. On the other hand, the establishment of the Human Rights Council legitimised the involvement of the international community and the obligations of States. The 1948 Declaration remained an exceptional document. Today also marked the launching of the campaign leading up to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration under the theme “Know your rights”. This was an important step to ensure the respect of the rights of future generations.

JEAN-BAPTISTE MATTEI (France) said next year it will have been 60 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly in Paris, and this was today still a cause for pride for France. On that day, the Member States had reaffirmed their shared objective - the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. This anniversary should be a time for celebrations, allowing all to reaffirm their commitment to international human rights and fundamental freedoms. The 60th anniversary should inspire the international community to continue the process of developing international standards where they were necessary. This anniversary should convince the international community to make the best possible use of the already-established instruments - the Human Rights Council and the Universal Periodic Review, but also the Special Procedures and the Independent Experts. 

The Declaration would be celebrated in the entire United Nations system, with all stakeholders involved. France would take its part in these endeavours. The United Nations Secretary-General and the High Commissioner had been invited to speak in Paris on the occasion of the commemorative events to be held in 2008, with the aim of making this a collective event, with massive appeal. 

MABEL GOMEZ OLIVER (Mexico) said that the shared ideals of the United Nations had come of age and Mexico was fully committed to and aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights had inspired the international community to create further instruments for the protection and promotion of human rights, including the recent Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, with the goal of guaranteeing greater freedoms and rights for all the citizens of the world.

SERGIO ABREU E LIMA FLORENCIO (Brazil) highlighted the main aspects of a proposal to elaborate voluntary human rights goals they planned to introduce in December of 2008. A draft resolution had been proposed in the September session. Almost all Central and South American countries were supporting this initiative. Countries from all regions had expressed their interest during informal talks. This showed the importance of the Council in helping to reinforce human rights. The setting of goals in consensus should help strengthen human rights and foster dialogue. There were no teachers and no students when it came to human rights and all had to learn something. 

ABULA FALAH ABDULA AL-DOSARI (Qatar) said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a fundamental pillar of the United Nations system. Ever since its adoption, the human rights system had developed considerably, with the emergence of the Human Rights Council. Qatar had always been committed to defending human rights at all levels, national, regional and international. Work had been done to create a good human rights infrastructure at all levels, incorporating economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights. The principles of fundamental freedoms and of complementarity had been enshrined in the Constitution. Qatar had set up bodies to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to ensure their indivisibility at the Governmental and non-Governmental levels. There was also a National Human Rights Commission in Qatar. 

The Government of Qatar took to heart all recommendations put forward by the Human Rights Council, and would continue to strengthen the institutions of human rights and protection mechanisms. Qatar, on the basis of its membership in the Human Rights Council and as a member of other United Nations bodies, would spare no effort to strengthen work already underway by the Council with a view to ensuring that it was successful in everything it was doing to defend human rights. 

SILVANO TOMASI (Holy See) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remained the single most important reference point for cross-cultural discussion of human freedom and dignity in the world and represented the customary law base for any discussion about human rights. The rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were not conferred by States or institutions but were inherent to every person. Human dignity went beyond any individual difference and required all institutions to promote the development of individuals. Human rights were not subject to historical ups or downs or convenient interpretation but found their balance and reference in the centrality of human dignity. Freedom of religion for all, and education to implement such freedom, became the main road for respect of all beliefs and convictions.

ABDHURMAN BENOMRAN (Libya) said Libya believed that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was central to humanity. The lead up to the 60th anniversary of the Declaration was an occasion to review the process and to ensure that all of humanity was free of violations. Man had no dignity if he was deprived of his rights. In Libya citizenship was a basic right for all individuals. Libya was also a party to all human rights conventions, and it respected Islamic law at the same time.

ERLINDA F. BASILIO (Philippines) said after all these years, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had stood the test of time, and remained the most powerful statement on the primacy of human rights, the dignity and worth of each and every individual, and the promotion of social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. Fifty-nine years since its adoption, the provisions of the Declaration had acquired the character of customary international law. The Philippines supported the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ campaign to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration in 2008, and believed that the Human Rights Council should express a strong commitment throughout the year to highlight and uphold the common standards of achievement set out in the Declaration. 

SAMIR LABIDI (Tunisia) said that human freedom and dignity were placed at the heart of its society. Tunisia had developed a global approach to the protection and promotion of human rights, encompassing civil, political, economic and social and cultural spheres. Today, the rule of law, democracy, human rights and freedoms as well as improvements in living conditions, increased incomes, gender equality, the consolidation of the rights of women and children and vulnerable groups, and freedom of access to information were all changes that showed the coherent vision that guided Tunisia.

ABDULLA ABDULLATIF ABDULLA (Bahrain) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirmed that mankind had an inherent dignity. It was Bahrain’s political will to seek to put human rights in practice. Bahrain also provided for the protection of freedoms and rights, like free press and the right to free movement. Several institutions to promote and teach human rights had been set up and Bahrain had acceded to several covenants and was cooperating with the United Nations on a permanent basis. 

BANKO SOCANAC (Croatia) said the vital document that was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirmed the universal values that all shared, and established the basic standards in the field of human rights, which led to many subsequent regional and international treaties. Human rights were universal, interdependent, indivisible and inter-related, and therefore the values enshrined in the Declaration called for moral, legal, and political action to advance the realisation of freedom, equality and dignity for all human beings. These values were, however, seldom fully materialised. Grave breaches of human rights that still occurred around the world today should serve as a warning against complacency - and this gathering should be used not only to celebrate the document, but also to commit to tacking the serious problems faced in the present day. 

When dealing with human rights in regional or global fora, there was often a danger, given the numerous difficulties, of falling into pessimism or disillusionment. This was one of the many reasons why the Declaration remained as relevant today as it ever was, and all should commit themselves to, over the next year, ensure the further realisation of all provisions contained within it. In order to achieve this goal, there should be particular emphasis on education, which was the only way to change mentalities and ensure greater respect for human rights. All those gathered here should unite their efforts to ensure a more effective response capacity to the needs of all people around the world whose rights were still violated. 

OLEG MALGINOV (Russian Federation) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was originally created as a combination of goals and principles aimed to establish a fairer world order. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provided impetus for international human rights law and the tenets and standards were constantly evolving through the efforts of governments and non-governmental organizations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights embodied an expression of the desire to avert a repetition of the events of the Second World War. Attempts to revive Nazism and ethnic purity were all the more alarming in this context and Russia called on all parties to ensure that the full enjoyment of human rights was protected and promoted.

LIBERE BARARUNYERETSE (Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie) said that the Organisation was founded not only on sharing a common language, French, but also on sharing the wish to defend universal values like those in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The commemoration of the 60th anniversary was an opportunity to reaffirm the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie’s support of initiatives and activities in favour of consolidating the international system of protecting human rights. In was in this context that a three-year partnership, lasting from 2007 to 2009, had been agreed on between the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Both bodies would work together in the respect of human rights in French-speaking countries and make those countries aware of the importance of ratifying human rights instruments. The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie hoped that the anniversary would provide States with the opportunity to mobilize efforts of civil society. 

IDRISS JAZAÏRY (Algeria) said the international debate on human rights should focus on the shared ideal of the rights of mankind enshrined in the Declaration, excluding any selectivity or misuse of the principles. Algeria had sought to consolidate progress made in recent years of the enjoyment of the rights of Algerian citizens by a National Plan, by which citizens were endowed and provided with all modern institutions necessary for the protection and promotion of their rights. Algeria believed in the mission of human rights defenders. 

The debate on human rights should focus on making a reality of the values which all should share, and which were quite clearly not exclusive to any civilisation, however technically advanced the latter should be. Political rights should not be reduced to mere contrivances or to means to impose normalisation to serve the interests of dominant powers. The universal character of human rights should not be denied, nor should the person for which they were conceived, the individual, be harmed. 


For use of the information media; not an official record 

HR07195E