General Assembly Session 51 meeting 78

The President

Today we commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948. The Declaration of 1948 marked the first time in history that we witnessed the emergence of a universal acceptance of minimum standards, expressing the fundamental rights and freedoms of the entire human community, without partitions or restrictions. This is a milestone anniversary.

Normally on such a day we gather to reaffirm the commitment of the international community to meet the aspirations of men, women and children for a world of peace, justice and freedom, and for equitable economic and social development. However, it is apparent from ongoing discussions in the United Nations, and even more so in the real world outside, that starvation, torture, killings, deprivation and discrimination are alive and thriving. All this in spite of there being more than 70 legal instruments on human rights currently in force.

Revelations of widespread human rights violations, in virtually all regions of the world, lay bare the wide gap between our international principles and the stark facts of life for so many of our fellow human beings. Such revelations also point to a quintessential dilemma of the inter-governmental process based on the sovereignty of States: that despite sophisticated codification of legal instruments and carefully constructed mechanisms to protect human rights, these are of little use if there is no political will on the part of those who govern to implement them effectively.

Recent events in the Great Lakes region, in Rwanda and in the former Yugoslavia testify to the moral impasse in which humanity finds itself today. Our repeated inability to guarantee the most basic of rights -- the right of the human person to security and to live free from terror -- should give a severe jolt to the human conscience, and calls for much introspection on the whole human rights debate.

If universality is the central tenet of human rights, universal application of their principles is the guardian of human dignity for all. Since 1948, global events have demonstrated with increasing clarity that peace, democracy, development and human rights are intrinsically interdependent. We understand that peace and human rights are knitted together, the removal of one strand resulting in the unravelling of the other. We also know that sustained economic and social development, and respect for human rights, cannot be achieved without each safeguarding the other.

Why then does the dominant human rights paradigm continue to fail the majority of humanity? Maybe it is because "human rights", as reflected in the current Charter, says little about global injustices or the rights of humanity, and does not provide a blueprint for a more just world order. Instead, human rights are posited in an exclusively individual context. This poses a difficult dichotomy between State and society by disregarding the political and social context of the rights situation, and by taking little notice of the communal moorings of the individual.

There is no doubting that ideas on human rights have contributed significantly to civilization by endowing the individual with certain basic rights, such as the rights of free speech and free association; by strengthening the position of the ordinary citizen against the arbitrariness of powers and by expanding the space for individual participation in public decision-making. However, these democratic principles have scarcely flowed in the opposite direction, and have neither forced the State, nor authority in general, to be more accountable to the public.

This inherent weakness in the human rights paradigm has even allowed Governments and powerful interest groups to repackage human rights, to discard all notions of universality and inalienability, and to use them selectively as political weapons against their opponents. Ironically, the politicization of human rights in this fashion is now practised by countries, North and South alike, whenever politically expedient, each pointing a finger at the other.

It has long been argued that human rights talk is inflationary power talk. Though colonial rule has ended, domination by countries in various spheres continues to have an impact on the human rights of the vast majority of the developing world, admittedly in ways which are more subtle and sophisticated, but no less devastating.

Domination of global peace and security through power elitism, domination over the survival of life on our planet by possession of nuclear weapons, domination of global trade, finance and development through the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization, and domination over the global news and information networks merely elicit criticism of those in power and posturing on human rights. The scepticism has only increased since the progressive degeneration of human rights standards within developed societies.

At the same time, recourse to debates on differentiated cultural values also undermines the universality and justified moralities of human rights, and may be used to excuse or defend autocratic practices. Whether one articulates rights or upholds responsibilities, these should be guided by a larger spiritual and moral world view which endows human endeavour with meaning and purpose, and with coherence and unity.

After all, individual rights and liberties will only be meaningful if they can bring about fundamental changes to society by transforming values, attitudes and power structures. Ultimately the bottom line is the role of Governments and their accountability to those who are governed by them. As things are, there are many that have failed people, promising will-of-the-wisp doctrinal solutions as panaceas, but cloaking power perpetuation at any cost.

I now call on the Secretary-General.

The Secretary-General

I am delighted to join you on this important occasion. On this Human Rights Day, the international community rededicates itself to the universal goal of defending fundamental freedoms and promoting basic human rights wherever they are threatened. We reaffirm that human rights constitute one of the basic pillars of the Charter of the United Nations. They are the foundation of our international society. Such freedoms and rights are universal and must be the birthright of all humanity.

Peace, human rights, democracy and development are the daily work of the United Nations. All around the world, the United Nations is working hard to prevent and resolve conflict, and to offer millions of people new hope for a better and more peaceful future. Human rights are a crucial part of these efforts. We fully recognize the need for individual freedoms and individual rights to be upheld as a foundation for peace within and among nations.

But as the twentieth century draws to a close, human rights face increasing threats and new challenges. The spread of war, violence, hunger, poverty and growing inequality all risk undermining hard-won rights and freedoms. Intolerance, racism, xenophobia, religious fanaticism and terrorism all give serious cause for concern. That is why it is now more urgent than ever for all the peoples of the world and all Member States to renew their commitment to the global task of protecting and promoting human rights.

The right to life, freedom from torture and ill-treatment, equality before the law, and freedom of expression are all rights which require constant protection and vigilance. Equally, our commitment to lasting development requires that the international community uphold and promote fundamental economic and social rights, such as the right to food, shelter, employment, education and health care.

Over the last 50 years, the United Nations has introduced and developed a comprehensive framework for the protection of human rights. We have established precise international human rights standards. We have created ways and means of improving respect for human rights within Member States. And where necessary and possible, we have intervened to protect victims of human rights abuses and violations.

Countless groups and thousands of individuals have turned to the United Nations human rights bodies for support against discrimination, torture, executions, disappearances and religious and racial intolerance. And every year, individual Member States receive vital technical and educational human rights assistance. Today, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is working actively with Member States to encourage the establishment and strengthening of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights.

To this end, the Centre for Human Rights has established an important presence in a number of Member States. In addition, the Centre is actively promoting training initiatives for members of the military, police, prison officials, lawyers and judges in countries all around the world. A global programme of human rights education has been implemented to support the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education.

(Spoke in French)

Finally, I wish to add that human rights are a concern not only of the United Nations, but also for all actors on the global scene. In fact, public opinion, non-governmental organizations, parliaments and the media are also full-fledged guarantors of respect for human rights. On numerous occasions these new actors in international relations have shown their ability to alert the world to situations and to tragic events where human rights have been scorned. Thus they play a key mobilizing role and bear witness to the vigilance of the international community.

In fact, in order to become an effective part of the daily lives of peoples and of nations, human rights must be monitored continually. The watchful eye of public opinion, the determination of every woman and man, our constant collective engagement -- these are the best means of safeguarding individuals.

The rule of law must be furthered and international awareness must be increased through joint action by States, international organizations, non-governmental institutions and individuals. The new international actors can contribute to helping States and Governments to become more aware and more attentive to the rights of the individual. They can also take part in improved education for all citizens and in providing better information to the general public on questions of human rights and public freedoms.

Finally, this collective assumption of responsibility for protecting human rights is an essential contribution to the democratization of international life.

Indeed, we know that the process of democratization is indissociable from the protection of human rights. Both are universal in dimension. They are common aspirations shared by all peoples and all nations.

More than ever before, the current globalization of the economy must go hand in hand with the globalization of democratization and of respect for human rights.

On this anniversary, I once again invite the international community to join in the struggle in the service of individual rights.

For the struggle for men, women and children and for their dignity is in itself sufficient to justify our full commitment and our full determination.

The President

I now draw the attention of representatives to the fourth report of the General Committee (A/51/250/Add.3), concerning a request by a number of delegations for the inclusion in the agenda of an additional item entitled "Observer status for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the General Assembly" and a request by Italy for the inclusion in the agenda of an additional item entitled "Proclamation of 21 November as World Television Day".

In paragraph 1 of the report, the General Committee decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the item entitled "Observer status for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the General Assembly" should be included in the agenda of the current session.

May I take it that the General Assembly decides to include this additional item in the agenda of the current session?

The President

The General Committee further decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the additional item be considered directly in plenary meeting.

May I take it that the General Assembly decides to consider this item directly in plenary meeting?

The President

In paragraph 2 of the report, the General Committee decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the item entitled "Proclamation of 21 November as World Television Day" should be included in the agenda of the current session.

May I take it that the General Assembly decides to include this additional item in the agenda of the current session?

The President

The General Committee further decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the additional item be considered directly in plenary meeting, on the understanding that the General Assembly would determine when the item would be considered during the fifty-first session.

May I take it that the General Assembly decides to consider this item directly in plenary meeting, on the understanding that the General Assembly will determine when the item will be considered during the fifty-first session?

Mr. Ferrarin (Italy)

We thank the General Assembly for having accepted the inclusion of the new item in the agenda of the fifty-first session.

Two weeks ago, on 21 and 22 November 1996, the first World Television Forum was held at the United Nations, financed entirely by Italy. For the first time in the life of this Organization, leading media personalities, of both the public and private sectors, met under the auspices of the United Nations to discuss the growing significance of television in today's changing world and to consider how they might enhance their future cooperation.

In the final declaration of the World Television Forum, the event was regarded as historic, and indeed it was an historic gathering, since it was attended by more than 140 representatives of broadcasters, representing more than 50 nations.

A useful link has been established. Let us now build on it.

The participants in the forum supported the idea of establishing an annual World Television Day, to be celebrated each 21 November, which would be marked by global exchanges of television programmes, focusing particularly on such issues as peace and security, economic and social development, and the enhancement of cultural exchange. Responding to this appeal, Italy has decided to submit a draft resolution to this end that up to now has attracted 28 sponsors.

At the same time, I would like to stress that as Italy financed all the expenses of the Forum, at no cost to the United Nations, the proclamation of World Television Day will not result in any programme budget implications for the United Nations.

Italy and other countries are considering organizing a second World Television Forum as early as next fall. For this reason, and in particular because of the evident need for public and private broadcasters to know well in advance that a second Forum could be held simultaneously to mark the United Nations World Television Day in order to plan their budget outlines before the end of the year, it is very important that this item be considered before the date of recess of this session of the General Assembly.

Therefore we respectfully submit the formal proposal that the item just included in the agenda be considered in plenary meeting next week, before the adjournment of our work.

If the General Assembly approves the proclamation of 21 November as World Television Day, this will be seen as a marked sign of interest and a strong incentive to plan and adequately fund a second World Television Forum next year.

The President

Delegations have heard the proposal by the representative of Italy to consider this item at the present session, before the recess.

If I hear no objection, may I take it that the Assembly agrees to consider this item at its present session, before its recess this month?

The President

May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the first annual report of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda?

The President

I now call on Mr. Kama, president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Mr. Kama (President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda)

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