Ban Ki-moon Urges Freedom to Express on Human Rights Day

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated the call for freedom of assembly, expression and free access to social media for all people as the international community observes the Human Rights Day (HRD) today. “The importance of human rights has been underlined over and over again this year,” the Secretary-General said in his HRD message. “Across the globe, people mobilized to demand justice, dignity, equality, participation – the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration.” Many of these peaceful demonstrators persevered despite being met with violence and further repression. In some countries, the struggle continues; in others, important concessions were gained or dictators were toppled as the will of the people prevailed, he said. HRD, observed on December 10, recognizes the work of human rights defenders worldwide who act to end discrimination. Acting alone or in groups within their communities, every day human rights defenders work to end discrimination by campaigning for equitable and effective laws, reporting and investigating human rights violations and supporting victims. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on this day in 1948. “Human rights belong to every one of us without exception. But unless we know them, unless we demand they be respected, and unless we defend our right – and the right of others – to exercise them, they will be just words in a decades-old document. “That is why, on Human Rights Day, we do more than celebrate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 – we acknowledge its enduring relevance for our own times.” Many of the people seeking their legitimate aspirations were linked through social media. Gone are the days when repressive governments could totally control the flow of information, he said. “Today, within their existing obligation to respect the rights of freedom of assembly and expression, governments must not block access to the internet and various forms of social media as a way to prevent criticism and public debate.” Ban Ki-moon urged people to take strength from the achievements in 2011 like the new democratic transitions set in motion, new steps to ensure accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, new and ever-spreading awareness of rights themselves. “As we look to the challenges ahead, let us take inspiration from the example of human rights activists and the timeless power of the Universal Declaration, and do our utmost to uphold the ideals and aspirations that speak for every culture and every person,” he said. When the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, with 48 states in favour and eight abstentions, it was proclaimed as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”, towards which individuals and societies should “strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance”