DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES UNITED NATIONS DUTY TO TRANSLATE INTO PRACTICE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS

6 October 1998

Press Release
DSG/SM/20
HR/4382

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES UNITED NATIONS DUTY TO TRANSLATE INTO PRACTICE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS

19981006 Louise Fréchette Tells United States Congress Human Rights Caucus

Following is the text of the statement by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette at a reception given by the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, in Washington, D.C. today:

I would like, at the outset, to extend the appreciation of all of us in the United Nations system for the commendable work of the Human Rights Caucus in focusing the attention of Congress on human rights and violations of those rights around the world.

In this fiftieth anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that focus has never been more important. The world is changing: modern technology, communications and open borders have led to a movement and exchange of ideas on a scale never seen before. Those nations which fail to uphold basic principles of acceptable behaviour can no longer hide behind their borders.

For the United Nations, that makes all the more compelling our duty to translate into practice our commitment to human rights. For decades, the primary focus in human rights was on establishing international norms and standards. That work was largely successful.

In the 1990s, the emphasis has shifted to implementation. Human rights monitors are often attached to peacekeeping operations. We run advisory services to strengthen the judiciary. Special rapporteurs are investigating torture, child labour and child prostitution, religious intolerance and violence against women. I am pleased to report that we now have more staff working on human rights in the field than at Headquarters.

And, of course, the United Nations provides global leadership on human rights in the person of Mary Robinson, who, as High Commissioner for Human Rights, has raised the profile of the issue around the world.

- 2 - Press Release DSG/SM/20 HR/4382 6 October 1998

Hand in hand with human rights come issues of democratization and good governance. Increasingly across the world, it has become an established norm that military coups by self-appointed juntas against democratically-elected governments are simply not acceptable. The United Nations is receiving more requests for electoral assistance than ever before. In the past five years, we had no fewer than 80 such requests. The United Nations helps teams of international observers assess the legitimacy of an electoral process and its outcome. We guide, monitor and sometimes run elections in various countries.

The Declaration of Human Rights is not a legally binding document. Yet, it has been a fundamental source of inspiration for national and international efforts to protect and promote human rights and freedoms.

The main principles of the Declaration have inspired the constitutions of many countries which have become independent since it was written. Conceived as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations" the Declaration has become a yardstick by which to measure the respect for, and compliance with, international human rights standards.

The first article of the Declaration is quite simple. Let me quote it to you. "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

Nobody personified that spirit of brotherhood better than Raoul Wallenberg. That fact was acknowledged here in Washington 17 years ago yesterday, when Wallenberg became the third foreigner to be given honorary citizenship of this country -- thanks to legislation written by you, Congressman [Tom] Lantos.

Wallenberg's life and achievements highlighted the vital difference an individual can make amidst conflict and suffering. His intervention gave hope to victims, encouraged them to fight and resist, to hang on and bear witness.

Remembering his life should be an inspiration for others to act; for future generations to act; for all of us to act.

Congressman Lantos, I know that you owe much to Raoul Wallenberg. But I also know we owe much to you, to your indefatigable work in the cause of human rights and in keeping his legacy alive. You, like him, provide an example to us all.

And the work of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus provides an invaluable example of what can be achieved when we join forces to achieve common goals. Such partnerships strengthen immeasurably the work of governments and the United Nations.

For although the United Nations is an association of sovereign States, the rights it exists to uphold and defend belong to people.

It follows that people everywhere have a responsibility to speak up for those rights, whenever they see them threatened, wherever they know them to be violated. For your work in that regard, I thank you all.

* *** *