Message of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Louise Arbour on International Human Rights Day by Louise Arbour United Nations 8:32am 9th Dec, 2004   Following is the message of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, observed on 10 December 2004:    "International Human Rights Day is always a bittersweet occasion. It is an opportunity to review the impressive progress made in the last 60 years in putting the protection of the individual at the heart of affairs of States. But it is also a reminder that there are many people all over the world who continue to be denied their human rights. Ultimately, it is a call to action in the face of the enormous effort needed to make human rights a reality for everyone. One strategy to achieve that reality is human rights education.    For a society to develop and nurture a human rights culture, human rights education is fundamental. It is a tool for promoting equality and enhancing people's participation in decision-making processes within democratic systems. It is an investment in the prevention of human rights abuses and violent conflicts.    Today, the General Assembly will devote a plenary session to mark the end of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004). Possible future initiatives for the enhancement of human rights education worldwide will be discussed and elaborated.    The Assembly will have before it the recommendations of the Commission on Human Rights and of the Economic and Social Council to proclaim a World Programme for Human Rights Education, starting on 1 January 2005. The World Programme will continue to provide the international community with a common global framework for human rights education.    The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in close consultation with UNESCO and governmental and non-governmental experts and practitioners, has prepared a draft plan of action for the first phase of this Programme, drawing on the principles and frameworks set by several international human rights instruments. This and other initiatives will have real value, however, only if local and national players use them to mobilize and lobby for human rights education in their communities.    On this Human Rights Day, I would like to pay tribute to the many human rights educators indeed, human rights defenders who, in formal and informal settings, in large and small communities, often facing difficult and hazardous situations, contribute to building a universal culture of human rights. Through the development of educational initiatives and by setting standards, they lead by example.    Human rights are our common heritage and their realization depends on the contributions that each and every one of us is willing to make, individually and collectively, now and in the future".    9 December 2004    HUMAN RIGHTS VISION AND PROMISE UNDER CONSIDERABLE STRAIN, SAYS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS    The vision and promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are under considerable strain, the top United Nations human rights official said Thursday, calling the response to the threat of terrorism "confused".    Speaking in Geneva on the eve of International Human Rights Day, Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that today, "Few of us are free from fear; many of us are still not free from want. The sinister shadow of terrorism is generating a confused response, unanchored in the principles that have guided us in the search for a proper balance between our desire for collective security and our need for liberty and individual freedom".    "The vision and the promise contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are under considerable strain", she said.    Mrs. Arbour underlined that the United Nations High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change had captured well the global threats the world faces. "International terrorist groups prey on weak States for sanctuary", she said. "Their recruitment is aided by grievances nurtured by poverty, foreign occupation and the absence of human rights and democracy; by religious and other intolerance; and by civil violence - a witch's brew common to those areas where civil war and regional conflict intersect".    The High Commissioner cautioned against becoming "prisoners of a culture of fear and an ideology of exclusion and arrogance". "More than ever", she said, "the international human rights agenda creates a forum, may be the only universal forum, in which conflicting views, aspirations and beliefs of a most fundamental nature can confront each other in a respectful environment".    She continued: "We must preserve the space that we have created, through our international human rights instruments and institutions, for this interaction to take place. And we must embrace the future boldly as we seek to improve these instruments and institutions."    Much depends on the readiness of the international community to act on its responsibilities, Mrs. Arbour said. She urged all Member States to ensure that the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration on 10 December 1948 are properly promoted and protected.    9 December 2004    HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION A MUST, UN INDEPENDENT EXPERTS AFFIRM ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY    The following statement was issued today by 28 Independent Experts of the Commission on Human rights, on the occasion of the United Nations Human Rights Day, marked on 10 December:    "Over the years, we have witnessed the immense obstacles certain persons and groups face in enjoying their human rights fully. Among the groups most at risk and in need of protection are indigenous peoples, who have suffered perennial prejudice and discrimination.    "Human Rights Day coincides this year with the end of the First International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. In many countries indigenous peoples are the victims of extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention, torture, forced evictions and many forms of discrimination, in particular in the administration of justice. In too many places, they also lack access to basic social rights, such as the rights to health, food, culturally appropriate education and adequate housing.    "Within the indigenous community, the plight of women and human rights defenders is often exacerbated. Indigenous women face multiple forms of discrimination, both as women and as members of the indigenous community. There must be effective implementation of international human rights laws to eradicate gender-based violence, and tackle its causes effectively.    "When they fight for the promotion and protection of human rights, and claim redress for violations they were subjected to, indigenous peoples are, in many parts of the world, specifically targeted and subjected to threats, intimidation, reprisals and attacks.    "Indigenous peoples are also often adversely affected by internal displacement and migration. Their social and economic marginalization adds to the risks they face during displacement, and return and resettlement. As migrants, they are in many instances subject to exploitative conditions of work and other forms of abuse.    "We strongly believe that human rights education is an essential tool to address the rising tide of racial discrimination and xenophobia; discrimination that lies beneath the root causes of human rights violations suffered by these groups. Human rights education can constitute an empowering process for those who are marginalized. It is indispensable in bridging the existing protection gap for marginalized groups, who should be fully involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of any educational activity addressing them. In this respect, we welcome the launch today by the General Assembly of a world Programme on Human Rights Education, which will contribute to building a culture of human rights for all.    "As we embark on the process of defining the goals for a Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, we call on Governments, United Nations agencies and programmes, civil society, the private sector and every individual to focus on the need to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples. Human rights violations remain the main concern for millions of indigenous peoples and thousands of indigenous communities around the world. We urge everyone, civil society, the private sector, the international community and every individual to step up efforts to promote and protect the human rights of indigenous peoples.
	Next (more recent) news item
	Next (older) news item