United Nations Secretary-General's Message
Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the adoption by
the General Assembly of the landmark Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. This year’s observance also marks 20 years since a bold step
forward in the struggle to make rights a reality for all: the adoption
by the World Conference on Human Rights of the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action. Drawing on the participation of more than 800
non-governmental organizations, national institutions, treaty bodies
and academics, Member States adopted a far-reaching vision and created
the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – thereby
realizing one of the international community’s long-held dreams.
In OHCHR’s two decades of existence, five dedicated High
Commissioners have spearheaded the work of the United Nations to further
human rights globally. Through a wide range of norms and mechanisms,
OHCHR advocates for victims, presses States to live up to their
obligations, supports human rights experts and bodies, and -- through
presences in 61 countries -- helps States to develop their human rights
capacity.
Promoting human rights is one of the core purposes of the United
Nations, and the Organization has pursued this mission since its
founding. Then, as now, the key to success is the political will of
Member States. It is States, in the first instance, that are obliged to
protect human rights and prevent violations at a national level, and
to stand up when other States fail to live up to their commitments.
This is not always easy, and over the past 20 years we have seen
genocide and many other appalling and large-scale violations of
international human rights and humanitarian law.
Improving how the UN system prevents and reacts to impending
catastrophes is at the heart of a new initiative, the Rights Up Front
Action Plan. The Plan aims to ensure the UN system and all staff
recognize the central place of human rights in the Organization’s
collective responsibilities. Above all, it seeks to strengthen our
responses to widespread abuses and prevent such situations from arising
in the first place through an emphasis on rights-based early warning
and action.
On Human Rights Day, I call on States to fulfil the promises they
made at the Vienna Conference. I reiterate the commitment of the UN
Secretariat, funds and programmes to vigilance and courage in the face
of human rights violations. Finally, I pay tribute to one of the great
symbols of human rights of our time: Nelson Mandela, whose passing has
plunged the world into sorrow but whose lifelong commitment to human
dignity, equality, justice and compassion will forever remain an
inspiration as we continue to build a world of all human rights for
all.
Ban Ki-moon
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