Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, therefore,
The General Assembly,
Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
We
remember with gratitude those who advocated on behalf of the ecumenical
fellowship at the San Francisco Conference in 1945 the inclusion within
the United Nations Charter of provisions for human rights, including a
special Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms to develop
and implement guarantees for religious freedom and other rights.
We
are thankful to those whose faith and vision contributed to the shaping
and adoption of this common standard of achievement for all peoples and
all nations. We remember those all around the world who have dedicated
their lives to the further development of these rights, in order that there
be a progressive subordination of force to the international rule of law.
We
hear the cries of the victims of human rights violations, and feel their
anger, frustrations, agony, loneliness, desperation and pain. We remember
particularly those Christians and people of other faiths and convictions
around the world who have suffered persecution and martyrdom in defense
of human rights.
We
recognize that in some languages the use of masculine terminology in the
original wording of the Declaration would appear to exclude women. Nevertheless,
women as well as men today find in the Declaration a foundation for their
hopes and aspirations. The adoption of this Universal Declaration stands
as one of the landmark achievements of humanity.
As
Christians, we believe that God created every person infinitely precious
and endowed with equal dignity and rights. Yet we confess that we have
often failed to respect such equality, even in our own midst. We have not
always stood up courageously for those whose rights and human dignity are
threatened or violated by discrimination, intolerance, prejudice and hatred.
Indeed Christians have sometimes been agents of such injustice.
The
World Council of Churches has affirmed that human rights, including the
right to religious freedom, are not to be claimed by any religion, nation
or group as an exclusive privilege, but rather that the enjoyment of these
rights is essential in order to serve the whole of humanity. Yet we are
aware that universal human rights have been repeatedly violated or misused
in pursuit of particular religious, ideological, national, ethnic and racial
interests.
In
this Jubilee Assembly of the World Council of Churches held under the theme,
"Turn to God -- Rejoice in Hope", we continue to pursue the goal of unity
for the Church and the whole of humankind.
We
look forward with hope and reaffirm our faith that God will continue to
guide us and give us strength to confront the potent forces of division,
dehumanization and social exclusion which assail us today.
In
this spirit, we recommit ourselves to the principles of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, and to promote and defend them in a way which takes into
account:
the
rights of peoples, nations, communities and their cultures, as well as
the rights of each individual within them;
the
indivisibility of human rights, including social, economic and cultural,
civil and political rights, and the rights to peace, to development and
the integrity of the Creation;
the
right of every person and community, be they in the majority or in the
minority, to participate fully in decisions about their common future;
the
equal rights of young and old, of children and adults, of women and men,
and of all persons irrespective of their origin or condition. urging
our governments to ratify and respect international and regional instruments
for the promotion and protection of human rights, to monitor compliance
with them in their own countries and around the world, and to underwrite
that commitment with human and financial resources;
seeking
cooperation with peoples of other faiths and convictions;
joining
in partnerships with other civil society groups and organizations, and
with governments and political authorities who share these aims.
Most
governments have now committed themselves to respect its provisions, but
we are painfully aware that these principles have yet to receive universal
observance and no country fully respects them. As a result of poverty,
ignorance, exploitation and repression, very many people remain unaware
that they are invested with such inalienable rights. More still are unable
to exercise them.
the
values and insights into human rights and dignity derived from the rich
heritage of peoples' religions, cultures and traditions;
We
commit ourselves to pursue this goal in a way which does not further divide,
but rather unites the human community through:
encouraging
and supporting the efforts of the United Nations;
This we
do for the benefit of the present generation which desperately needs universal
respect for and the exercise of the full range of human rights. We undertake
these commitments especially for the children and youth of today, that
they may take hope and claim the promise of the future. We do it so that
the world in which we are among God's stewards will be passed on to future
generations resting upon the firm foundations of freedom, justice and peace.
© 1999 world council of churches | remarks to webeditor