This post is a summary of two reports: 1) ¨Secretary-general`s message for human rights day.¨ at UN.org and 2) ¨Message from secretary Hillary Clinton. at Humanrights.gov. Both published at human rights day, 10 December, 2011.
Human rights belong to every one of us without exception. But unless we know them, unless we demand they be respected, and unless we defend our rights, and the rights of others, to exercise them, they will be just words in a decade-old document.
The importance of human rights has been underlined over and over again this year. Across the globe, people mobilized to demand justice, dignity, equality, participation. The rights enshrined in the UDHR.
Many of these peaceful demonstrators persevered despite being met with violence and further repression. In some countries, the struggle continues, in others, important concessions were gained or dictators were toppled as the will of the people prevailed.
Many of the people seeking their legitimate aspirations were linked through social media. Gone are the days when repressive governments could totally control the flow of information. Government must not block access to the internet and various forms of social media as a way to prevent criticism and public debate.
We know there is still too much repression in our world, still too much impunity, still too many people for whom rights are not yet a reality.
On December 10, 1948, world leaders gathered and pledged to uphold and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people. This promise recognized that human beings are, by virtue of their birth, endowed with certain inalienable rights.
63 years later, we hear this call for freedom and dignity echoed in the streets, squares and neighborhoods of middle east, north Africa, and beyond. It is up to people of each nation to create the governments and societies that reflect their aspirations, and craft the constitutions and build the foundations that will protect their human rights and freedoms and it is up to the people of every nation to guard their budding democracies against those who would seek to hijack freedom.
The violence we have witnessed this year against people exercising their universal rights to free expression, assembly and association remind us of the distance that exist between the values inscribed in the UDHR and the realities for many people around the world.
It is an obligation of every government to guarantee the rights of all citizens. We will stand with those who defend human rights against opression wherever it occurs, and support those working toward a more peaceful world.
Endowed - have something as a natural characteristic.
Budding - showing signs of promise.
Hijack - take over something and use it for a different purpose.
Pledge - solemnly promise to do something.
