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International Human Rights Day
Brussels, 10 December 2008
This year's International Human Rights Day is of special significance as it
marks the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which represented the first step in establishing a comprehensive
international framework for the protection of human rights. Today the
Universal Declaration is one of the fundamental texts establishing respect for
human rights as a guiding principle in international relations. The year 2008
also witnesses the 15th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action proclaimed by the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights as well as
the 10th anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the
Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
President José Manuel Barroso declared: "I am always struck by the truly
revolutionary nature of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which
courageously stated in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War that
"inherent dignity" and "the equal and inalienable rights of all
members of the human family" were the foundations of freedom, justice and
peace. Sixty years on and against the background of the continuing critical
human rights situation in many countries, the Declaration remains as pertinent
as ever."
Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita
Ferrero-Waldner said: "Sixty years after the proclamation of the
Universal Declaration it is widely accepted as part of customary international
law - testimony to the genuinely universal nature of the rights it enshrines.
But much more still needs to be done to make every citizen - women and men -
aware of the impact of this declaration, so that its full potential as an
empowerment tool for human rights defenders and promoters of human security
around the globe will be enforced. Today's celebrations belong to all men and
women who dedicate their lives to defending and upholding human rights
worldwide. I strongly affirm that the European Union continues to be on
their side and is fully determined to contribute to promoting and protecting
human rights as an integral part of its external policies".
Vice-President Jacques Barrot added: "Behind the European project there
is a joint endeavour to the strengthening of pluralism, non-discrimination,
tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men in our
societies. The EU is not complacent with its own human rights record. The
protection of human rights requires a constant effort to extend and update our
legislative and policy initiatives in areas such as the fight against racism,
xenophobia and all types of discrimination. This is our contribution to
implementing every day the Declaration."
Background:
Human
rights lie at the heart of the EU's external relations and development policy,
as it is underlined by the engagement of the EU in a worldwide campaign
against the death penalty, by the key role played by the EU in the fight
against torture as well as by the promotion of universality of the Rome
Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Within the framework of the EU's human rights policy in third countries, the
Commission is committed to advancing the situation of human rights worldwide
through various tools, such as participation in EU human rights dialogues and
consultations as well as in political dialogues with the authorities of third
countries at different levels. Moreover, Commission Delegations regularly
report on the human rights situation in third countries. Finally, through the
European Instrument on Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR, the Commission funds
NGOs worldwide working to promote human rights, in areas such as the fight
against the death penalty, torture, the support to human rights defenders and
to grassroots organisations.
The European Commission fully supports the campaign launched by the UN
Secretary-General in the framework of the 60th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration under the theme "Dignity and Justice for All of Us". In
this context, in cooperation with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights and the UN Regional Information Office for Western Europe, the
Commission supported the production of 22 short movies on human rights
directed by well known film-makers from different regions of the world. The
screening of these films is part of the European Union's official ceremonies
organised by the French Presidency taking place in Paris on 10 December, but
also of a number of cultural and raising awareness events promoted locally by
Delegations of the European Commission in third countries. As a further
initiative to commemorate the 60th anniversary, the European Commission, the
European Parliament and the United Nations organised in Brussels on 7-8
October 2008 the international conference "60th Years of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights: The Defenders take the Floor".
To know more on the EU's Human rights & Democratisation Policy:
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/human_rights/intro/index.htm
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