Two weeks ago, December 10, was Human Rights Day; that is because the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations’ General Assembly on December 10, 1948. The Commission on Human Rights began ts work in Januarl 1947 under the chairmanship of Eleanor Roosevelt. In 30 areticles the Declaration sets forth basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings everywhere are entitled without any discrimination.

Rhe Unted Nations’ General Assembly has proclaimed the Universal Declaration as “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.” No UN member state has a perfect human rights record, but all UN member states aspire to realize its 30 articles. The United Nations’ General assembly adopted two covenants to formally implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. No UN member state has currently formally adopted an implemented both of these covenants. That remains to be achieved in the future.

2008 is the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Both the United Nations’ Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights categorically state that the relaization o human rights is essential to the promotion and maintenance of world peace. On this, its 60th anniversary year, every UN member state and person should resolve to realize the Universal Declaration’s 30 articles. This will begin the process of leading our troubled, interdependent world is a much more constructive direction.

David Slive
UN Envoy, Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst

Artvoice reserves the right to edit letters for content and length. Shorter letters have a better chance at being published in their entirety. Please include your name, hometown, and contact number. E-mail letters to: editorial@artvoice.com or write to: Artvoice Letters, 810 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202