PRESS RELEASES
Remarks by
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman
"Democracy and Human Rights: Celebrating the
56th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights"
Universite Antonine
15 December 2004 - 3:00 p.m.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a revolutionary document
when the United Nations passed it in 1948. It remains so today.
Americans take a justifiable pride in the central role that Eleanor
Roosevelt played in its drafting and passage, but the Declaration
comes out of and belongs to all humanity. Speaking to the U.N. General
Assembly, Roosevelt predicted that it might become an "international
Magna Carta," and in many ways it has.
By one estimate, provisions of the constitutions of 90 countries
can be traced to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its
opening words resonate around the world in 2004 with the same force
they did in the wake of World War II, and bear repeating: "Whereas
recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equality and inalienable
rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom,
justice, and peace in the world."
The drafters of the Declaration were able to draw inspiration from
heroic efforts in the post-war period to assert the primacy of human
rights and the dignity of individuals. Mahatma Gandhi, who led India
on its way to become the world's largest democracy, is a vibrant
example of the universality of the democratic ideal. The movement
toward freedom Gandhi began and Indians completed put an end to
the noxious notion that democratic governance was a luxury to be
enjoyed by a few wealthy, Western nations.
Protecting freedom and human rights are part of what President
Bush has called the "non-negotiable demands of humanity."
America's foreign policy continues to be anchored by our conviction
that democracy is for everybody, and that human rights are indeed
inalienable. Our ideals find expression in policies that seek to
extend democracy and protect people's rights as defined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Recently, we have combined forces with
allies and friends to make good on our word.
In Iraq, a multinational coalition with troops from over 30 countries
joined with the United States to bring freedom to a people who were
too long denied even its most basic elements. Although the road
to democracy may be difficult, Americans are confident that Iraqis
will prevail. The United States stands firmly behind the Iraqis
as they work to build their own democracy and ensure that the human
rights of all citizens are protected. Our support for Iraq is in
keeping with American and universal values in support of human rights.
The same holds true for Afghanistan, where the efforts of many
individual nations, along with the United Nations, led to successful
national elections. Like the Iraqis, Afghans take nothing for granted.
Having been denied freedom for so long, they are anything but cynical
about the power and virtues of democratic governance. During those
recent elections, a group of women was waiting in line in Kandahar
to vote when a bomb went off near them. Security officials advised
the women to go home, but they refused to leave and instead stayed
and voted. Like the hundreds of thousands of their compatriots who
stood in line for hours in heavy snow to cast their vote, those
Afghan women brought the words of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights to life.
As we reflect on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we
should recognize that we have more in common than we have disagreements.
In the United Nations, the United States works closely with its
Security Council partners to ensure the principles enshrined in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remain the common standard
of achievement for all peoples and all nations. This explains why
the United States joined its Security Council partners recently
in taking action to protect the human rights of vulnerable populations
in Asia in East Timor and in Africa in Cote d'Ivoire, and particularly
in Sudan.
And, I am sure I don't have to remind you of another very important
UN Security Resolution, introduced by France and the United States
with the co-sponsorship of Germany and the United Kingdom---UNSCR
1559. It's important that I mention UNSCR 1559 during this discussion
of democracy and human rights because through UNSCR 1559 the international
community affirms that the Lebanese people have the right to make
their own national decisions without foreign interference or influence.
In this, UNSCR 1559 is consistent with Article 21 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights that states, "The will of the people
shall be the basis of the authority of government."
With UNSCR 1559, the Security Council affirmed its support for
the full sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, free of foreign
forces. The United States strongly believes that Lebanon should
be allowed to determine its own future and assume control of its
territory. The Lebanese people have a right to exercise their rights
as free people and to make choices about their future as free people,
without outside coercion and interference.
The United States and its international partners want very much
to see a prosperous Lebanon that moves ahead economically, politically
and socially-those very ideals enshrined in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights some 56 years ago. We want to see a Lebanon that
provides a promising future for its young people, with a democratic
government of which the Lebanese people can be proud. We hope to
see a Lebanon with positive and constructive diplomatic relations
with its neighbors, but relations based on principles of mutual
respect and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of others.
We want to see a growing Lebanese economy, benefiting all of the
Lebanese people and rooted in reforms, rule of law, and transparency.
That is what UNSCR 1559 is about--about building the future for
Lebanon that Lebanon's people so deserve and want.
Lebanon has the potential to become a model of democracy and respect
for human rights in this region. Lebanon has a proud history of
lively participatory politics, with strong civil society organizations
and an active Parliament. The Lebanese press features a wide range
of views in it pages, reflecting a full spectrum of political debate.
These rich traditions should allow Lebanon to have free, fair and
credible Parliamentary elections in spring 2005. Such elections
will show the world Lebanon's commitment in deed as well as word
to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The U.S., working
with its Security Council partners who are committed to helping
Lebanon implement UNSCR 1559, will welcome election results that
truly reflect the genuine will of the Lebanese people.
UNSCR 1559 is very much in the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt and
the people from around the world who worked with her at the United
Nations to draft the Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal
Declaration is intact and is very vital to all our lives today.
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