International Human Rights Day 2007, 10 December 2007 - Message by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon
It was almost 60 years ago when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming that respect for human rights and human dignity are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace. This need for respect has not lessened over time.
Respect for others requires an acceptance that we are all equal. When respect is mutual, fundamental human rights are upheld. But as soon as that respect is lost, the balance shifts. It is at this point – when race, creed, colour or political beliefs are challenged – that equality and justice are lost.
The theme for this year’s International Human Rights Day - ‘Dignity and justice for all of us’ - reinforces the continued need to ensure that we are all treated equally. This theme is welcomed by the Commonwealth, for when dignity and justice are denied to anyone, we should be driven to action not because of pity, but because of an inherent understanding of what is right.
It is invariably the case that those who suffer from human rights abuse are not in a position to speak out and be heard. One clear way to ensure that these individuals do not continue to suffer is to lend our own voices. In the 1980s Desmond Tutu refused to remain silent about people’s rights under apartheid South Africa. “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”, he says. “If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” For Archbishop Tutu, being “neutral” is being silent, and that is as bad as joining sides with those who disregard an individual’s rights.
Commonwealth Heads of Government were neither neutral nor silent at their recent biennial meeting in Uganda, when they reaffirmed their commitment to promote respect for and protection of fundamental human rights. They emphasised the need to both protect and promote the victims of terrorism whose dignities are neglected and said that the rule of law, or justice, is essential to countering this threat.
Heads were also not silent when they endorsed the report of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding, chaired by the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. Civil Paths to Peace argues that the solution to conflicts within the Commonwealth should be rooted in the association’s agreed principles of human rights, the rule of law, democracy, gender, equality and a transparent and accountable political culture.
Those countries which have ratified the twin 1966 UN covenants - on Civil and Political Rights, and Social and Economic Rights - were not silent. Their endorsement of these basic creeds demonstrates a united support. I will continue to urge the 19 Commonwealth countries that have yet to ratify these covenants to make that commitment.
Such commitments on an international scale certainly lend a powerful voice to this cause. Yet guiding principles alone will not bring an end to human rights abuse: the principles must be understood; and they must be enacted. That’s why the Commonwealth gives practical training on human rights to enhance awareness, for instance to police forces in 25 countries across three continents. Meanwhile we continue to support National Human Rights Institutions, and in Kampala last month we launched a Commonwealth Model Action Plan on Human Rights
These and other efforts show that awareness and understanding of human rights is greater now than 60 years ago. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. The rights of every person are well known. The silence of those unable to speak up about human rights abuse must be filled by those who continue to call loud and clear for ‘dignity and justice for all’. ENDS
Download:
International Human Rights Day 2007, 10 December 2007 - Message by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon- International Human Rights Day 2007, 10 December 2007 - Message by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon
-
Release date: 7 December 2007
