09 December 2005
U.S. Salutes Defenders of Human Rights on Human Rights Day, December 9, 2005 ("At no point in history have people been freer," says State Department official)
As the struggle for human rights continues around the world, important advances have been made, Adam Ereli, a U.S. State Department spokesman, said December 9.
On the eve of Human Rights Day, Ereli applauded efforts in Iraq, where a new constitution guarantees the rights of all citizens, and in Liberia, where recently held elections resulted in Africa’s first democratically chosen female president. Human Rights Day is celebrated around the world on December 10.
“Sadly, the struggle for human rights continues in many parts of the globe,” Ereli said. “Rape and murder continue in Darfur. From Cuba to China, Belarus to Burma, Uzbekistan to Zimbabwe, and Iran to North Korea, courageous human rights activists remain harassed and imprisoned.”
On Human Rights Day, established in 1950, the United States and the international community commemorate the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on December 10, 1948, by the United Nations. (See related article.)
“Where democracy is being undermined or where there is no democracy,” Ereli said, “we will act in word and deed to support the human rights activists and non-governmental organizations advancing freedom's cause.”
The text of Ereli’s statement follows:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
December 9, 2005
STATEMENT BY ADAM ERELI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
International Human Rights Day
On December 10, International Human Rights Day, the United States salutes those around the world who struggle to defend, protect and promote the fundamental freedoms that are the birthright of all mankind. 57 years ago, The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Today, we commemorate that historic document, the values it enshrines and our ongoing effort worldwide to promote human rights.
In the last 57 years, human rights and freedom have seen an unprecedented expansion around the world. At no point in history have people been freer. Over the past year, the United States has contributed in important ways to advance the march of freedom. The people of Iraq have elected a new government and written a constitution that guarantees the rights of all its citizens. Free and fair elections were held in the Palestinian territories. We saw the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, and voices are calling for reform throughout the Middle East. Liberia recently held its first post-conflict elections, which resulted in Africa's first democratically chosen female President.
Sadly, the struggle for human rights continues in many parts of the globe. Rape and murder continue in Darfur. From Cuba to China, Belarus to Burma, Uzbekistan to Zimbabwe, and Iran to North Korea, courageous human rights activists remain harassed and imprisoned. Many states continue to clamp down on the non-governmental organizations doing freedom's vital work.
The U.S. stands with all who suffer the injustice of brutality and oppression. We will help fragile democracies deliver on the high hopes of their citizens for a better life. We will call to account democracies that are retreating from their commitments. Where democracy is being undermined or where there is no democracy, we will act in word and deed to support the human rights activists and non-governmental organizations advancing freedom's cause.
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