*EPF211 12/09/2003
Human Rights Day 2003
(Celebrations marred by death of U.N High Commissioner) (810)

By Alexandra M. Abboud
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Each year on December 10 the international community recognizes the important achievement of the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the tireless work of those who continue to strive to uphold the principles outlined in the document. This year marks not only the 55th anniversary of the Declaration, but the 10th anniversary of the World Conference on Human Rights, the establishment of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the adoption of the Paris Principles on National Human Rights Institutions.

Human Rights Day is also a more important event this year, because it is marred by the death, less than four months ago, of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio de Mello, who died in an attack on the United Nations Headquarters in Iraq.

In his message for Human Rights Day, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said the death of de Mello "was a bitter blow to the cause of human rights." He added, "Human rights defenders stand in the front lines of protection, casting the bright light of human rights into the darkest corners of tyranny and abuse."

The Declaration, which was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in December 1948, provides a comprehensive outline of the principles of equality and justice now known as "human rights" and affirms that these universal ideals are inherent in and belong to all peoples of the world. According to the Declaration "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."

According to the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most translated document in the world and appears in over 300 languages and dialects from "Abkaz to Zulu." It has inspired several human rights conventions in Europe, Latin America and Africa and has been the inspiration for many of the constitutions in newly formed states, both after World War II and the end of the Cold War.

As a resolution of the U.N. General Assembly, however, the Declaration does not oblige states to comply with its tenants because Assembly resolutions are simply recommendations to the member states, rather than binding obligations. Over time, however, the rights outlined in the Declaration have been codified in a series of U.N covenants, including the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which the United States is a signatory. In addition, almost every member state of the organization is now a party to three or more human rights treaties.

It is clear that the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the chairman of the drafting committee, Eleanor Roosevelt, were aware of the effect that their document would have on the international community and international law. Speaking before the General Assembly in 1948, Roosevelt declared, "the Declaration may well become the international Magna Carta of all men everywhere. We hope this proclamation by the General Assembly will be an event comparable to the proclamation of the Rights of Man by the French People in 1789, the adoption of the Bill of Rights by the people of the United States, and the adoption of comparable declarations at different times in other countries."

The Preamble to the Declaration recognizes that "disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief, and freedom from fear and want, has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people."

Articles 1 and 2 of the Declaration outline the universal and inherent rights that belong to all peoples of the world by stating that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." Article 2 continues, "everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as, race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

The specific rights and freedoms of the Declaration are outlined in 28 additional articles and include the right to life, liberty and security of person, equal protection under the law, and freedom from torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading punishment.

Secretary General Annan underscored the importance of these rights and freedoms when he commented on High Commissioner Sergio de Mello's untimely death. "The defense of human rights is not simply the responsibility of such brave people," he said, "it is the responsibility of us all. We must all be human rights defenders."

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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