Dear John,
As we celebrate 75 years since the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, I cannot help but think how much the world has changed. Yet, the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration – freedom, equality, non-discrimination – are principles we use every day.
Despite new threats and challenges, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a roadmap that is still relevant and powerful. As we face the climate crisis, the rise in authoritarianism, violence, gender inequality, attacks on freedom of expression, the press, and political participation, threats to the rights of migrants and LGBTQI+ people, these universal principles are our guide.
We are fortunate to have the Inter-American human rights system that has developed key regional human rights standards. But, the Universal Declaration does not only contain norms that have been adopted as legal instruments. The Declaration contains values and an aspiration that the Latin American human rights movement still strives for – the protection of human dignity.
Eleanor Roosevelt, who chaired the U.N. commission that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, predicted that civil society and NGOs would grow like a “curious grapevine” and carry these ideals even in the harshest times.
As WOLA celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are proud to stand in this tradition and are committed more than ever to our role of holding governments to account. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights acts as a powerful beacon in our continued struggle for Human Rights in the Americas. In Solidarity, |
