UN Declaration of human Rights turns 60
Today, the 10 December 2008, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) turns 60. The day marks the anniversary of the United Nation’s Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Respect for human rights and human dignity “is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”, the General Assembly declared. In 1950, the General Assembly invited all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December as Human Rights Day. The UDHR was the first international recognition of all human beings having fundamental rights and freedoms, the first universal statement on the basic principles of inalienable human rights, and a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. The UDHR is the foundation of international human rights law. The Declarations’ core values include non-discrimination, equality, fairness and universality.The Declaration represents a contract between governments and their peoples, who have a right to demand that this document is respected. More information is found on the un-site.
OSCE ministerial council: One step on the road
The Peace Institutes volunteer Tamra Grigoryeva has attended the 4th to 5th of December ministerial council in Helsinki. She agrees with the word of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Alexander Stubb at the close of the meeting:Although the meeting failed on many initiatives, mainly on political declaration and the decision on holding an OSCE summit, yet the spirit of Helsinki has revitalized the OSCE, and the meeting of foreign ministers gave new impetus to discussions on European security challenges. Her article from the meeting can be found here.