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Date: December 10, 2007

COMMEMORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CONCLUDES
10 December 2007
The commemoration of Human Rights Day at the United Nations Office at Geneva concluded this afternoon after participants marked the fifty-ninth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and celebrated the launch of a year-long campaign leading up to the sixtieth anniversary. 

In national declarations, State representatives said, among other things, that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had become the model that Governments and individuals could adopt in order to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. The slogan chosen for the sixtieth anniversary “Dignity and Justice for all of us” reflected the spirit of human rights and main freedoms that had to be guaranteed for everybody in all circumstances. The protection and promotion of human rights were a never-ending process. The Declaration had showed that a common language, in the field of human rights, had always been possible. Today unfortunately, some Governments still routinely denied their citizens fundamental freedoms and the work that had begun 60 years ago was far from complete. The Special Procedures that were constantly developing were a prime example that the work stemming from the Declaration was not complete. 

Speaking this afternoon were the representatives of Indonesia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, China, Chile, Greece, Ecuador, Israel, United States, Egypt, Bangladesh, Latvia, Uruguay, Iran, Lebanon, Slovenia, India, Republic of Korea, Bhutan, Sudan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, Peru, Yemen, Ukraine, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Malaysia, Cuba and the United Kingdom.

The Council also heard statements from Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, speaking on behalf of the Special Procedures mandate holders, Philippe Texier, Chairperson of the Meeting of Chairpersons of Human Rights Treaty Bodies, Jennifer Lynch, Chair of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, as well as statements from civil society representatives and High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour who introduced the representatives of the 2007 Human Rights Fellowship Progamme for Students from Least Developed Countries. 

Statements

GUSTI AGUNG WESAKA PUJA (Indonesia) said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could be described as the mother of all human rights instruments. It had become the model that Governments and individuals could adopt in order to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. The protection of individual rights and freedoms had come in parallel with the development of international humanitarian law. The proliferation of human rights instruments and the impressive achievements in mainstreaming human rights in all societies attested to that. It was encouraging that human rights, peace and security and development were on an equal footing – and were inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. 

However, extreme poverty and famine, coupled with the effects of post-11-September incidents, in the form of many human rights violations, had demonstrated how far the world still was from fully realizing the goals of the Declaration. The international community should build confidence in a process that encouraged introspection and self-criticism, dialogue and consultation, rather than confrontation and judgment. The Declaration called for the advent of a world in which human beings would enjoy freedom of speech and belief, and freedom from fear and want. It recognized the importance of economic, social and cultural rights, as well as their interdependence with civil and political rights. In spite of the enormous achievements made so far, there was still much left to be done to realize the goals of the Declaration. 

AHMET UZUMCU (Turkey) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had served as the basis for every effort for the promotion and protection of human rights since its codification. New generations had to be made aware of the Declaration in order to keep it alive, and the planned activities of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights would support that. Efforts to include the Declaration in school curricula should be redoubled. 

In this context, Turkey underscored that the Human Rights Council was the most important global forum in the field of human rights, and its constructive spirit and practice of addressing differences through genuine dialogue and flexibility should be continued.

ELCHIN AMIRBAYOV (Azerbaijan) said that the Council had a special role in regard to today’s launch of the anniversary-year campaign of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as, when it’s predecessor body, the Commission on Human Rights, had met for the first time in 1947, its major function had been to draft the Declaration. One of the important innovations of the Declaration had been that it had not only reaffirmed – but had resolutely expanded – the principle of non-discrimination. It had also been the main source for drafting of international covenants, and was still a source of inspiration for the standard-setting and implementation activities of the United Nations. Many States had also incorporated the Universal Declaration as a model for their constitutional and other legislative acts. 

The slogan chosen for the sixtieth anniversary of the Declaration – “Dignity and Justice for all of us” – reflected the spirit of human rights and fundamental freedoms that had to be guaranteed for everybody in all circumstances. The Declaration was a living document whose spirit and letter needed to be invoked to address contemporary challenges.

LI BAODONG (China) said the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been of historical significance. The Declaration attested to the soul-searching reflection conducted by mankind in the face of war and atrocities, and represented a blueprint for achieving freedom from fear and want for all survivors of the war. Peace, equality and justice were the most basic assertions of human rights. The protection and promotion of human rights was a never-ending process. Each and every country was faced with a unique and common challenge on their way to human rights development. 

China believed that the future contained a range of challenges, and a truly fair and independent Human Rights Council could respond to the needs of humanity with one voice. It should do away with its arrogance and prejudice, and strive for mutual harmony, trust and respect. History had witnessed the great progress China had made, and the efforts it had made with regard to cooperation in human rights. The Chinese Government would continue to work with all other countries in the spirit of cooperation, as stipulated in the Declaration. 

JUAN MARTABIT (Chile) said that neither individual human development nor international security could be achieved without human rights. History had shown repeatedly that the suppression of human rights in the collective interest had perverse results. Recognizing its importance, Chile has adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the recovery and development of its democracy. 

The theme of Dignity and justice for all was very appropriate in celebration of the Declaration's anniversary. In particular, Chile proposed to integrate the human rights of women and gender equality within the United Nations system.

FRANCISCOS VERROS (Greece) said that, at the time of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Europe had been healing its wounds from the Second World War. Greece had also been destroyed by five years' of war and foreign occupation. The Declaration had shown that a common language in the field of human rights had always been possible. The text adopted was seen today as one of the principal sources of international law and human rights. It also showed the way towards a better cooperation, a better atmosphere and better results in the Human Rights Council.

LETICIA BAQUERIZO (Ecuador) said Ecuador approved of the theme of Dignity and justice for all to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and endorsed the words of the High Commissioner in that regard. Historically, Ecuador had been a member of the Human Rights Commission, and a founding member of the Human Rights Council, and had worked to strengthen the international system of human rights. Economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights, the right to development and others were all indivisible and interdependent. Ecuador was committed to human rights, and this was to be seen by its endorsement of the protection and promotion of human rights in the United Nations and other international organizations. 

In the domestic sphere, Ecuador had initiated a 2007-2010 National Development Plan, in which development was based on a broad view of human rights. In terms of the process of institutional strengthening of human rights within the United Nations, it was worth highlighting that the first High Commissioner for Human Rights had been an Ecuadorian. Ecuador welcomed the significant progress made to date in the institutional development of the Human Rights Council, and encouraged that progress, in order to create a strong basis for the protection and promotion of human rights, which was a process that was never static. The Member States of the Council should reach agreement after holding dialogues in the true spirit of multilateralism. 

ITZHAK LEVANON (Israel) said that the world’s revulsion at the Holocaust had prodded the international community into action to establish a mechanism to emphasize universal respect for human rights. That was the legacy of those who survived: to inspire the United Nations to codify specific rights on the basis that we were all human – foremost among them the inherent right to life.

All rights needed to be balanced against one another, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized that human rights were not absolute and the cause of human rights should not be used as a tool to infringe upon the rights of others. Those who resorted to violent acts, such as international terrorism, as a means of advancing their agenda were subverting the Universal Declaration for their own political gains. 

MICHAEL S. KLECHESKI (United States) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stood today as a landmark achievement in the history of human liberty. It had been the first time that a document considered to have universal value and application had been adopted by an international organization. It had also been the first time that human rights and freedoms had been as meticulously and clearly stated in a declaration that was deliberately simple and straightforward, such that all people could understand it. The drafters of the Declaration had been very well aware of the historic importance of the ideas they were putting on paper. Today, unfortunately, some Governments still routinely denied their citizens fundamental freedoms. 

The work that had begun 60 years ago was far from complete. The United Nations Human Rights Council had to have the courage and clarity of vision to stand in solidarity with those who were seeking freedom.

SAMEH SHOUKRY (Egypt) said that, almost 60 years ago, only hours before the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a controversy had broken out over the first words of the first article of the Declaration. The moral of that incident, although it emanated from political as well as ideological considerations, was that those who had drafted the document had argued and disagreed on the origin of mankind, but did not argue or disagree that all peoples were equal in dignity and rights. It had been hoped, in 1948, that the Declaration and its principles would serve as a basis for a serious international endeavour aiming at the protection and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Today, almost 60 years later, the international community could wonder if such a noble objective had been achieved, or whether it was still among the many unfulfilled ambitions and aspirations. 

It was true that some human rights and fundamental freedoms had been promoted – but it was equally true that many rights were being violated, and many freedoms were being breached. Many rights were being closely protected, but many still lacked defenders. The commemoration of the Declaration should not be another opportunity to loudly re-emphasize the importance of the protection and promotion of all human rights. Rather, it was necessary, and much more useful, to seize the opportunity to reflect on the path the international endeavour in the field of human rights was taking. 

MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN (Bangladesh) said that any hierarchy of rights, be they civil, political, economic or social was disturbing and unhelpful. What the pioneers of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had foreseen was a future of freedom from want and fear. However, that future was still far from becoming true, in a world where millions suffered extreme poverty and hunger. 

The world had to be freed from the scourge of poverty in order to fully enjoy all human rights. States bore the primary responsibility for that, but the international community also had to meet its commitments of support. At the 2005 World Summit, leaders had recognized that combating poverty was not a matter of charity, but the eradication of poverty might remain elusive if it was not established as a matter of justice and human rights.

JANIS MAZEIKS (Latvia) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was one of the most important documents of the twentieth century and perhaps in the history of mankind. Its authors had managed to harmonize their different cultural and legal traditions and different convictions. In today’s context it was particularly important to note that representatives of all regions of the world had been involved in drafting the Declaration, thus ensuring that the common human heritage was reflected to the fullest extent possible. Over the years, the Declaration had been a beacon of hope for oppressed people and nations. Its adoption in 1948 had marked the beginning of the extremely important work of the United Nations in codifying and further developing international human rights law. Nevertheless, although that legal framework was now well established, there was still room for further improvement. The constant development of the Special Procedures was a prime example that the work stemming from the Declaration was not complete. 

ALEJANDRO ARTUCIO RODRIGUEZ (Uruguay) said Uruguay wished to join in celebrating the fifty-ninth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and also wished to contribute in preparing for the celebrations of its sixtieth anniversary. Uruguay had participated in the discussions on the Declaration in 1948. The Human Rights Council should, in its activities and effectiveness, show the road that humanity had followed in human rights since the adoption of the Declaration to the present, showing also what remained to be done. The Council could and should be the body which stimulated States, and inspired them to extend and deepen respect for all rights and fundamental freedoms. 

The work of the Council, to a very great extent, depended on everyone working together to create a world where peace, brotherhood and human dignity remained on the pinnacle where they should have stayed – free from fear and any type of discrimination. Concrete action was required to achieve that, as although they were important, words were not enough. That was the challenge of the future. 

ALIREZA MOYERI (Iran) said that the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a historical turning point in the protection and promotion of human rights. Nevertheless, it was not until 1993 that all human rights (including the rights to self-determination and development) were put on the same footing and received the same emphasis.

In spite of all these means and instruments introduced by the world community, the innocent people of Palestine had been subjected to massive and systematic violations of their human rights by the Zionist regime for more than six decades. Concrete measures should be taken by the international community for the realization of the right to self-determination and the right to development; the eradication of poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, and injustice; the promotion of international cooperation, and dialogue among cultures and civilizations; and combating Islamophobia and the defamation of religion, in accordance with the principles of impartiality, non-selectivity, dialogue, cooperation and constructive approach.

NAJLA RIACHI ASSAKER (Lebanon) said that all nations present here had the same wish: that the words and deeds of all countries be directed towards the defence of the immutable principle of human rights, the prevention of conflicts and massacres, and the harmonious development of all societies. All present here were united in their desire to combat racism, injustice and other forms of intolerance. 

Lebanon took this opportunity to render homage to the representatives of the 18 countries that had drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: together, each drawing on their own rich heritage, and in respect for the different cultures and religions of the others, they had realized the expectations that their respective countries and, indeed, the entire world, had placed on them. Charles Malek had represented Lebanon in that effort, playing a seminal and leadership role in the drafting process. In that post war period, when two ideological blocs – democracy and totalitarianism – had stood opposed, Charles Malek had proudly declared on behalf of the Lebanon the primacy of the individual as the first and last objective. Now, it was time to seize with both hands the problems that had emerged since 1948 so that, together, they could build human rights for today and for tomorrow.

ANDREJ LOGAR (Slovenia) said that, today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was equally relevant and inspiring in Geneva, New York, Ljubljana or any other place in the world. It had the character of a manifesto for the organization of mankind. The launching of the campaign commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the Declaration provided the international community with an excellent platform to further promote, educate and learn about human rights in peoples’ daily lives. To know about one's human rights was to own human rights – the aim of the international community should be that all individuals should know their human rights so that they could also claim them when those rights were being abused. 

SWASHPAWAN SINGH (India) said that India had been involved in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Indian Constitution reflected most of the rights recognized in it. Indeed, India was not alone in having a Constitution inspired by the Declaration.

Despite the existence of international machinery for the protection and promotion of human rights, world leaders in 2005 recognized the need for reforms, and people had high expectations of the newly established Human Rights Council, which could only be realized in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation. In that regard, much would depend on the success of the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism.

LEE SUNG-JOO (Republic of Korea) said that the approaching sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a time for earnest reflection by all Member States. Delegations should seize it as an invaluable opportunity to generate fresh momentum for efforts in the field of human rights. During the past 60 years, there had come a full recognition of the principles that all human rights were universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. All were united in believing that the international community would pay greater attention to the despair and agony of the victims on the ground. However, the full implementation of human rights instruments at the domestic and international level still remained to be achieved.

SONAM T. RABGYE (Bhutan) said Human Rights Day commemorated one of mankind’s most successful achievements, the adoption of the landmark instrument that embodied the international community’s collective determination for the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approached its sixtieth anniversary, the fact that it had given birth to a wealth of standard-setting instruments, and continued to inspire many countries in their nation-building, bore testament to its continued relevance. 

Human Rights Day was an event for all members of the international community to celebrate and partake in. The Declaration belonged to the entire international community, and all stakeholders – and that included Member States – should have been provided the opportunity to contribute towards ensuring the success of that event. Through that experience, Bhutan was even more convinced of the need for greater clarity and dialogue in the relationship between the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Member States. In the human rights field, failure to cooperate, unwillingness to engage and lack of transparency were among the most severe criticisms a State could suffer. 

OMER DAHAB FADOL MOHAMMED (Sudan) said that, since its codification in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the most widely disseminated legal and political document in the world. The world was very determined not to see a repetition of the ravages of the Second World War. African countries had mostly not been involved in the Second World War or in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and there was a need to continue to negotiate further on, for instance, the right to self-determination, right to development and right to free trade.

The situation in Darfur since 2003 represented a difficult period in Sudanese history. Correct and factual information would continue to be provided regarding this beloved part of Sudan, without sensation or exaggeration. Sudan would continue to protect and promote the enjoyment of human rights throughout the world.

PITCHAYAPHANT CHARNBHUMIDOL (Thailand) said that the Human Rights Council had a pivotal and leading role to play in reinforcing the universality of human rights and the effective implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During the past 59 years, significant progress had been witnessed. Human rights had been recognized as one of the main three pillars of the United Nations, equally important as development and peace and security. Thailand remained committed to the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The new Constitution, which entered into force this year, contained provisions that would ensure promotion and protection of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. Thailand was also a State party to six out of nine of the core international human rights instruments. Thailand believed that regional and sub-regional human rights bodies and mechanisms could play an important role in complementing the work and initiatives of the Council.

AMEER AJWAD OMER LEBBE (Sri Lanka) said this was a historic opportunity for the international community to take stock of the concept and of the means of bringing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to as wide a global audience as possible. Human rights were the foundation of human existence and coexistence. One of the greatest achievements of the United Nations was the creation of a comprehensive body of human rights law, which, for the first time in history, provided a universal and internationally protected code of human rights, one to which all nations could subscribe and to which all people could aspire. The United Nations had expanded human rights law to encompass specific standards for women, children, disabled persons, minorities, migrant workers, and other vulnerable groups. 

The realisation of the goals of the Declaration would be profoundly lacking in depth and realism if they neglected the intimate inter-relationship between human rights and development. This followed from the consideration that, under the provisions of the Declaration, everyone was entitled to a social and economic order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration could be fully realised. The international community should engage in the protection and promotion of all human rights based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue and aimed at strengthening the capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the benefit of all human beings. 

ALICIA MARTIN GALLEGOS (Nicaragua) said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights led to the creation of national, regional and international mechanisms and instruments for the protection and promotion of human rights around the world. Despite its existence, many people still suffered from the denial of their fundamental human rights and died every day from hunger, infectious diseases, war, terrorism, racism and discrimination.

The Human Rights Council offered the international community a new opportunity to work in solidarity towards a world of peace, dignity and justice for all. Nicaragua hoped that other States would ratify international instruments and adopt concrete targets related to human rights and all forms of discrimination, as ‘dignity and justice for all’ would only be possible if the right to development was guaranteed for all.

DINESH BHATTARAI (Nepal) said that by celebrating the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, States were renewing their commitments. Over these years, human rights had been reinforced, deepened and broadened. Human rights were universal, inalienable, interdependent and indivisible. Today, the promotion of social, economic and cultural rights without the advancement of civil and political rights had become inconceivable. Nepal was a party to 19 international conventions and protocols, including the six core human rights instruments. It was felt that any human rights violation crushed the dignity of the human being; therefore dignity of the individual should be at the centre of all human rights activities. November 2006 had brought an end to the decade-long armed conflict in the country. The eagerly awaited National Human Rights Commission had also been formed and all efforts were being made to make it more effective and vibrant. A comprehensive National Plan for Action on human rights was also being prepared for implementation.

CARLOS CHOCANO (Peru) said on 10 December 1948, Peru was one of the 48 countries which, having contributed to its elaboration, voted in favour of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais Chaillot in Paris. As the High Commissioner had said, the world had changed a lot in those 60 years, but the challenge to make effective human rights was every day more urgent and relevant. All Member States and observers should make efforts to overcome these challenges through mutual respect, cooperation, and true compromise in order to protect and promote all the human rights of all countries in the world. 

This was an essential campaign, as the universal character and moral value of the rights and obligations enshrined in the Declaration should be protected and promoted by all. Economic differences could not be an excuse to implement in a relative way the Declaration, and ensure that it was a reality for all men and women in the world. 

SALEH TAISSIR (Yemen) said that human rights were not merely legal or cultural standards, but were the result of human experience and all civilizations and cultures had contributed towards them. They were the cultural basis for democratic and just societies, based on values that should be supported and implemented. The universality of human rights involved human dignity and the protection of rights, including the right to life. Freedom and equality were the most widespread philosophical principles and their promotion and implementation were paramount, and hopefully would lead eventually to an end to all violations of human rights around the world.

VOLODYMYR VASYLENKO (Ukraine) said that the approaching anniversary provided a compelling occasion to reaffirm the equal status, interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights had become a powerful source of profound inspiration that generated positive and radical changes in the traditional system. The two Covenants of 1966 should be noted amongst others as they had further developed provisions contained in the Declaration. Since the International Bill of Human Rights was a milestone in the history of human rights, it could be described as one of the most prominent achievements of the United Nations. As a result of the common efforts of the international community, its activity in the field of the human rights was now based on an impressive body of international instruments. It brought a new quality to human rights protection and promotion. To overcome the politicization of human rights issues in the work of the Human Rights Council, one had to understand that universal human values did not have boundaries and called for earnest and genuine cooperation. There was much room for further development in the human rights field. It was believed that the environmental dimension of human rights should be one of the prime concerns of the Human Rights Council.

GABRIEL SALAZAR (Venezuela) said everybody in the room should reflect on what they were celebrating today. Almost 60 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was operating in a very small universe. Today the world was quite different. The Declaration arose in a geo-political situation and in specific global circumstances. Today, work was required to take it further, deeper, and adapt it to these times. Almost 60 years ago, society began to change, and States began to emerge - and it was these that gave energy and identity to the Declaration. Today’s institutions had to adapt to the reality of the institutional expression of the Declaration - the rest was just words. 

Diversity was the future of mankind - defence and protection of human rights would only be ensured insofar as diversity and respect were embraced, and politicisation and double standards banished from the daily lives of all. 

IDHAM MUSA MOKTAR (Malaysia) said that in the years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international community had endeavoured to build on its principles and sought to address obvious shortcomings. Some progress had been made but more remained to be done. Implementation of the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Malaysia had led to social harmony, economic progress and general well-being for its multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society. Dialogue and cooperation were fundamental to the common endeavour to give respect to the culture of human rights and justice for all.

RODOLFO REYES RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said that today’s event was laudable. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a document with clear unquestionable foundations, but some years had been needed until it became universal, as not all countries had been present from the start. Thus, the sixtieth anniversary should rather be a celebration of the system and the whole of the 60 years of development of the human right system should be celebrated. Also, the Council’s institution-building process had led to the end of politicization of the Council and Cuba was now engaged in new efforts to support human rights. Today, the Cuban Foreign Ministry had decided to sign, during the first quarter of 2008, the International Covenants on civil and political rights, and on economic, social and cultural rights. 

NICHOLAS THORNE (United Kingdom) said today was an extremely important anniversary - the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the inspiration for the international system of human rights protection which all present here sought to ensure today. Its aim was to establish, in law, fundamental rights to which all of humanity was entitled. For the first time, the international community had universally agreed on a set of global rights. The Declaration also marked the moment in history when the State ceased to be all-powerful. By declaring these rights to be universal, the Declaration gave everyone a legitimate interest in the rights of everyone else - it offered, for the first time, a common language about human dignity and human decency that transcended nationality, race, religion, and status. 

The Declaration had not yet achieved all of the great hopes that it inspired. But the huge advances that it and its offspring had helped to bring about should not be undervalued. The Declaration had had, among others, an economic impact, setting out the human rights of property, access to impartial justice, holding Governments to account for their behaviour. It had helped to create a rules-based world where trade and commerce could operate safely and securely. It was important that all, today, reflected on the importance of the Declaration and took the opportunity to reassure people in all parts of the world of the Council’s continued commitment to fulfilling the hopes and aspirations that it so eloquently expressed. 

MILOON KOTHARI, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, speaking on behalf of the Special Procedures, said that despite the existence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reality still involved great suffering for human beings. Many individuals were still denied the core values of human rights and this demanded immediate action by States.

An end to discrimination was needed in order to allow access to full human rights for many people. Discrimination could impact on many areas, could include discrimination based on gender and segregation, and could lead to persistent poverty. A growing gulf of economic segregation could result from poverty and economic marginalization. The failure to eradicate poverty could be added to the individual and collective failures to implement various human rights.

Understanding the impact of discrimination offered the possibility of addressing root causes of conflict at a much earlier stage, but clear legislation was often lacking or not implemented. Mr. Kothari called on all parties to be vigilant regarding discrimination, and asked that institutions reflected the multiculturalism present in many states and regions of the world today. Scrupulous attention to the implementation and upholding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was absolutely required to reduce the suffering and deprivation of millions of people.

PHILIPPE TEXIER, Chairperson of the Meeting of Chairpersons of Human Rights Treaty Bodies, said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was an important document, but at the time of its introduction, it had not been binding. That was the reason why the Commission had created the first two Covenants on civil and political rights and on economic, social and cultural rights. But, the two Covenants did not give the same force to economic, social and cultural rights as to political and civil rights. Since then considerable progress had been made. A number of States had ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. An Optional Protocol to the Covenant was also in the works. 

Mr. Texier said that on the protection of human rights, seven different bodies had been set up. But the numbers of ratification of some of them was still unsatisfactory. Treaty bodies were seen as less politicised, this was also due to their working methods, and the constructive dialogue in which discussions were taking place. Much still remained to be done for the protection of human rights throughout the world.

JENNIFER LYNCH, Chair of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, said a year-long celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was launched today. The world-wide recognition of this crucial document was a clear sign of its moral force. On every corner of the earth, people continued to protect, or aspire to achieving, the rights and freedoms it described - but realising its aims of dignity and justice for all required persistent vigilance and collaborative cooperation, from national authorities and individual citizens; from civil society and the media; and from the international community. National human rights institutions played a pivotal role in the advancement and realisation of the Declaration. 

National human rights institutions were cornerstones for the protection and promotion of human rights. They were as indispensable to justice as independent judiciaries, representative national parliaments, and strong civil society organizations. They were relied on to challenge the most critical human rights issues: torture, arbitrary detention, gender discrimination, human trafficking, and many others. They were thus indispensable partners in achieving the goals of the Declaration, and subsequent international treaties. Their mandates, standing and outreach made possible the protection of fundamental human rights. For these reasons, States which had not yet done so were urged to strengthen their capacity to implement the Declaration by establishing their own national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles. 

CAMILA LISSA ASANO, speaking on behalf of Civil Society, said that 80 per cent of the world’s population lived in countries in the Global South, where the worst human rights violations occurred. A voice for civil society from the south was a prerequisite for strengthening democracy and protecting human rights at both national and international levels.

The elimination of discrimination, poverty, torture, genocide and other affronts to human dignity could not wait another 60 years. States were primarily responsible for guaranteeing the rights of citizens but were also the primary violators of these rights.

CARLO CLEOFE, speaking on behalf of Civil Society, said that the historical significance of the Declaration could be seen in the fact that the principles contained in its provisions totally reflected the aspirations of peoples for freedom, justice, equality and peace, and was setting common standard by which obligation of the state to respect, protect and fulfil the inherent dignity of man was measured. However, despite this, the reality of human right violations, discrimination and intolerance continued to exist and undermined the full realization of rights. In every region of the world, the use of torture to extract information was a common practice by State agents. Even as world leaders renewed and reiterated their commitment, State repression had led to massive cases of arbitrary detention. The continued existence of discrimination proved that there was still a long way to go. 

LOUISE ARBOUR, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, introducing the members of the Human Rights Fellowship Programme for Students from Least Developed Countries, said the programme had been developed with money received from a prize granted to the High Commissioner, donated by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights staff, Canadian civil society, and others, raising just enough for four fellowships. Four young remarkably committed people had been selected out of more than 2,000 applications. They had appreciated the programme very much, in particular what they had learned from each other. The Office had also gained from hearing their perspectives. 

VERA MUSSAH, Winner of 2007 Human Rights Fellowship Progamme for Students from Least Developed Countries, said that the fellowship helped her meet three other great fellowship students and she believed that, with the help of her new friends and her new Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNITAR families, she would be able to achieve her dream of serving humanity. 

HARI CHANDRA SHARMA, Winner of 2007 Human Rights Fellowship Progamme for Students from Least Developed Countries, said that his fellowship had provided him with a unique chance to increase his knowledge and to develop his career as a human rights defender. Being able to come here had been a wonderful and unexpected opportunity. The experience in Geneva had been valuable to him because in his future he wanted to work with people, especially children, marginalized groups and people who were socially excluded.

NARCISSE M.DONGAR, Winner of 2007 Human Rights Fellowship Progamme for Students from Least Developed Countries, said he was concerned that many young people believed that human rights, fifty-nine years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, remained widely ignored, misunderstood, flouted, and violated by action or inaction. In deepest Africa or Asia, speaking about human rights to the illiterate population, living in misery, was simply to talk of illusions, the inaccessible, of dreams. Human rights should be given a more concrete dimension. The hope was that human rights education was slowly but surely gaining. But for many, the dream remained impossible. 

MAHBUBA AHMED, Winner of 2007 Human Rights Fellowship Progamme for Students from Least Developed Countries, said she had applied for the fellowship as human rights were very important. She had joined an international NGO which worked with poor and excluded people to eradicate poverty and injustice, working with ethnic and linguistic minorities to ensure their rights to food, shelter, work, education and healthcare, but also to try to make their grassroots realities heard at the policy-making level. The four students met and ate together, and talked - they were from diverse backgrounds, but they were the same. The programme had made the participants feel that diversity was beauty and should be celebrated. 

For use of the information media; not an official record