SECRETARY-GENERAL ACCEPTS PLAQUE FROM CIVIL SERVANTS ASSOCIATION MARKING ANNIVERSARY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECLARATION
Press Release
SG/SM/6844
HQ/593
SECRETARY-GENERAL ACCEPTS PLAQUE FROM CIVIL SERVANTS ASSOCIATION MARKING ANNIVERSARY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECLARATION
19981217 Following are the remarks of Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the unveiling of a plaque donated by the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS) to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, at Headquarters on 17 December:I am very pleased to see you all here today and proud to accept a plaque donated on behalf of the entire retired community of the United Nations. As you know, the past 24 hours have been difficult ones. My thoughts, and I'm sure yours too, are with the people of Iraq, with the United Nations humanitarian workers who remain in the country, and with all others whose lives are in danger.
These recent developments should not detract from the fact that the world has genuine cause for celebration in the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. One of the most moving aspects of this milestone is that it brings together not only people from every corner of the world, but people of all generations.
During the anniversary celebrations, I spoke to a group of children -- the succeeding generations our founders vowed to protect in the first words of the Charter. I told them that now, the turn had come for them to carry on the work of previous generations. To pick up the baton, like in a relay race. To hold high the torch bearing the flame of human rights.
I think I can assure you that they will. You may know that for this anniversary, Amnesty International collected pledges to make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights a reality throughout the world. The result was 12 million signatures. More than 12 million people, following Eleanor Roosevelt's example and lighting candles together, rather than cursing the darkness alone.
In what has become known as the Eleanor Roosevelt corner of the United Nations garden, there is a stone bearing the emblem of the flame of human rights. It is fitting that the plaque you give us today will be placed on that stone. For more than half a century, the commitment of men and women like yourselves gave us a foundation, as solid as that stone, to build on. The emblem of the human rights flame bears constant witness to that commitment. We will do our utmost to ensure that future generations keep the flame burning forever. Thank you all.
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