Post by Tamrin on Dec 10, 2013 7:06:05 GMT 10
International: UN Human Rights Day
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with
the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms, whereas a common understanding of these rights
and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
now, therefore, The General Assembly, Proclaims this Universal Declaration of
Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations ...
(From the Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights —
Adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, 10 December 1948)
The history of the human race has generated several papers articulating basic moral imper-
atives, or fundamental principles, of human coexistence that… substantially influenced the
fate of humanity on this planet. Among these historic documents, the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights … holds a very special, indeed, unique position. It is the first code of
ethical conduct that was not a product of one culture, or one sphere of civilization only, but
a universal creation, shaped and subscribed to by representatives of all humankind. Since
its very inception, the Declaration has thus represented a planetary, or global commitment,
a global intention, a global guideline. For this reason alone, this exceptional document —
conceived as a result of a profound human self-reflection in the wake of the horrors of
World War II, and retaining its relevance ever since — deserves to be remembered today
Václav Havel
the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms, whereas a common understanding of these rights
and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
now, therefore, The General Assembly, Proclaims this Universal Declaration of
Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations ...
(From the Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights —
Adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, 10 December 1948)
The history of the human race has generated several papers articulating basic moral imper-
atives, or fundamental principles, of human coexistence that… substantially influenced the
fate of humanity on this planet. Among these historic documents, the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights … holds a very special, indeed, unique position. It is the first code of
ethical conduct that was not a product of one culture, or one sphere of civilization only, but
a universal creation, shaped and subscribed to by representatives of all humankind. Since
its very inception, the Declaration has thus represented a planetary, or global commitment,
a global intention, a global guideline. For this reason alone, this exceptional document —
conceived as a result of a profound human self-reflection in the wake of the horrors of
World War II, and retaining its relevance ever since — deserves to be remembered today
Václav Havel