December 10, 2008 will mark the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the founding document of the modern human rights system. The UDHR is a set of basic rights and protections that are to be enjoyed by all persons throughout the world, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The UDHR recognizes that "the inherent dignity and... the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."
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I call for a recommitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognizes that "the inherent dignity and... the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."
I accept and respect the principles outlined in the Declaration and call on my government and the newly elected President of the United States to recommit to the Declaration and lead the world by example.
While the U.S. government was a leading voice in the creation of the UDHR, its policy and practice over the past 60 years has shown a failure to live up to these ideals. To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the UDHR, the ACLU will be engaging in an advocacy campaign to raise awareness of U.S. obligations and shortcomings under the UDHR and human rights law. A recommitment by the U.S. to the principles and ideals of the UDHR is essential not only for improving U.S. standing in the world, but, more importantly, for its promise to ensure equality and justice for all at home.
While the U.S. government was a leading voice in the creation of the UDHR, its policy and practice over the past 60 years has shown a failure to live up to these ideals. To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the UDHR, the ACLU will be engaging in an advocacy campaign to raise awareness of U.S. obligations and shortcomings under the UDHR and human rights law. A recommitment by the U.S. to the principles and ideals of the UDHR is essential not only for improving U.S. standing in the world, but, more importantly, for its promise to ensure equality and justice for all at home.