2008 Press Releses

Human Rights Day

Freetown
December 10, 2008
Contact: PAO Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 022-515-000 or 076-515-000

 

The human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are endowed at birth to all human beings.  On Human Rights Day the people of the United States join in celebrating the Universal Declaration with men and women of every culture and creed, every race and religion, in countries large and small, developed and developing.

In the 60 years since the Declaration's adoption on December 10, 1948, we have seen remarkable gains on every continent for the rights it enumerates.  Hundreds of millions of people are still denied fundamental freedoms by their governments.  Today, across the globe, men and women are working to secure the rights to live in dignity, follow their consciences and speak their minds without fear, choose those who govern them and hold their leaders accountable, and obtain equal justice under the law.  In many countries, brave individuals who peacefully press for the rights of their countrymen and women are targets of persecution and imprisonment by state authorities.

The Declaration is more than a catalogue of rights; it is a call to action for "every individual and every organ of society... to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition..."

If the great promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is to be fulfilled, the international community - and especially the world's democracies -- cannot accept that any people in the world are condemned to live without dignity or under tyranny.  As long as men and women are deprived of their rights, we, who enjoy the blessings of liberty, must give our sustained support to the universal cause of freedom, and to all who courageously champion it.

Defend the Defenders of Human Rights and Democratic Principles

As President Bush has said, "Freedom can be resisted, and freedom can be delayed, but freedom cannot be denied."  For a while, tyrants may rule, but in the long run, those who sacrifice for dignity and democracy will prevail, as the Havels and the Mandelas did before them.  Too often, today's defenders of freedom are denounced and persecuted by their governments.  Yet, with historic hindsight, these heroes and heroines will be recognized for who they are - impatient patriots who inspire their fellow citizens, whose examples give hope to people everywhere who press for the freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 The growing demand for human rights and democracy worldwide is not the result of the impersonal workings of some dialectic, or of the orchestrations of foreign governments.  Rather, this call comes from the powerful human desire to live with dignity and liberty, and the personal bravery and tenacity of men and women in every age and in every society who serve and sacrifice for the cause of freedom.

Democracy is the Form of Government Capable of Securing and Protecting Human Rights

We believe that democracy is the only form of government capable of securing and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms long term.  Countries in which power is concentrated in the hands of unaccountable rulers are the world's most systematic human rights violators.

No form of government is without flaws.  Democracy is a system of government that is of, by and for the people, based on the principle that human beings have the inherent right to shape their own futures.  But humans are flawed creatures and therefore there must be checks and balances built into democratic government, such as a robust civil society, a vibrant free media, a legislature and judiciary independent of the executive, and a well established rule of law.

US Record

The United States, like all democracies, is not perfect.  Our citizens share a proud history of striving in every generation to bring our democratic practices closer to our cherished principles, even as we seek to confront the injustices and challenges of each new age.

We take all of our human rights commitments seriously, and in our good faith efforts to meet those commitments, we value the vital role played by civil society and independent media.  We do not consider views about our performance voiced by others in the international community to be interference in our internal affairs, nor should other governments regard expressions about their performance as such.

The U.S. Government will continue to hear and reply forthrightly to concerns about our practices, including the actions we have taken to defend our nation from the global threat of terrorism.  Our laws, policies, and practices have evolved considerably in recent years.  We strive to protect innocent civilians from attack while honoring our longstanding commitment to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.  As part of this effort, the United States submits reports to international bodies in accordance with human rights treaties to which it is a party.

Building vibrant democracies worldwide is the work of generations, but it is urgent work that cannot be delayed.  Our own democracy still is evolving. The United States' journey toward liberty and justice for all has been long and difficult, but we continue to make progress. Our independent branches of government, our free media, our openness to the world, and, most importantly, the civic courage of impatient American patriots, help us keep faith with our founding ideals and our international human rights obligations.  In January, our nation will mark an historic event - the inauguration of the first African American as President of the United States. Yet we fully recognize that our journey toward a more perfect union is far from complete.

Democracy's path is neither smooth nor straight, but it is sure.  Along the way, there will be setbacks.  Some states still have weak institutions of government and continue to struggle; others have yet to fully commit to the democratic process.  Steps forward are marred with irregularities.  Democratically-elected governments do not always govern democratically once in power.  The way forward is clear: entrust citizens with greater freedom so they can use it to correct the deficiencies that stand in the way of a hopeful future.

The Essential Contributions of Human Rights Defenders, NGOs and Independent Media

The problems confronting states today are too complex to tackle alone.  The contributions of civil society and the free flow of ideas are crucial in addressing domestic and international challenges.  Restricting the political space of NGOs and public debate limits a social growth.

In every region, there are governments that respond to growing demands for personal and political freedom not by accepting their obligations to their people, but by oppressing those who advocate for human rights and expose abuses.  For civil society and the independent media, the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly are oxygen.  Without these fundamental freedoms, democracy is deprived of its breath. 

When democracies support the work of human rights advocates and civil society organizations, we help men and women in countries across the globe shape their own destinies in freedom.  And by so doing, we help to build a safer, better world for all.  We must defend the defenders, for they are the agents of peaceful, democratic change.

Abiding U.S. Support for Human Rights and Democracy Worldwide

There is an increasing worldwide demand for personal and political freedom and for the adoption of democratic principles of government.  The United States supports efforts across the globe to secure and exercise rights.  Our support reflects the core values of the American people.  As President Bush said:  "Freedom is the non-negotiable right of every man, woman, and child, and the path to lasting peace in our world is liberty."

Here in the United States we are in the midst of our own democratic transition to a new Administration.  America's work for freedom's cause across the globe transcends our domestic politics, because the advancement of human rights and democratic principles reflects the core values of our citizens.  When the Obama Administration takes office in January, this important work for human freedom will continue, strengthened by the active, bipartisan support of the Congress, in the finest tradition of the people of the United States.