UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / - 10 December 2007 -- A deep and abiding commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been at the heart of the mission of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, a peoples' movement to support the United Nations.

In 1948, the World Federation's Plenary Assembly urged the UN General Assembly meeting in Paris to "act expeditiously in adopting the Declaration on Human Rights".

"Today, Dignity and justice for us all is an inspiring theme for the UN's campaign for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", said Hans Blix, WFUNA President.  "We welcome the emphasis on the universality of human rights.  Our member UN Associations in over 100 countries shall be conducting educational programs and outreach activities to help ensure that everyone everywhere knows about human rights."

At the invitation of the Swiss UN Association, Dr Blix chaired a luncheon meeting of human rights experts at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.  Participants included diplomats, UNA leaders, OHCHR representatives, academics and NGOs.   Their dialogue focused on the international human rights instruments and the challenges of compliance. 

Moroccan Ambassador Loulichki, who chaired the Human Rights Council deliberations on the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism, highlighted the shift that had occurred from a time when ratification of a convention was an end in itself to the present day when governments recognize that they need to enact national legislation and ensure implementation.  

In the course of a lively exchange of views on strengthening national protection systems, it was suggested that UN Associations could collaborate with national human rights institutions to promote the integration of human rights perspectives, together with gender mainstreaming, into all aspects of government policy.

Mr. Jan Wouters, President of UNA-Flanders Belgium, who is also a professor in international law, will convene a meeting early in 2008 to consider a draft outline of a paper that will be produced and circulated to UN Associations and others to serve as stimulation in their study of and support for human rights.

The World Federation of the United Nations Associations is a non-governmental organization set up in 1946 as a peoples’ movement in support of the United Nations (UN). Today, the Federation is a world-wide umbrella organization for over 100 national United Nations Associations (UNAs). It aims to build a global constituency for the UN, as well as to strengthen the relations between the UN and civil society.

Labels: United Nations, U.N., World Federation of United Nations Associations, U.N. Human Rights Day 

~~~~~ MaximsNews.com, An Independent Voice from the U.N., provides commentary and analysis from leading world figures: King Abdullah II (Jordan), HRH Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein (Jordan), Sir Brian Urquhart, Hans Blix, Amb. Richard Holbrooke, Anwar Ibrahim, Bianca Jagger, Dr. Nafis Sadik, Shashi Tharoor, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Noeleen Heyzer, Masood Haider, Kerry Kennedy, Ian Williams, Stephen Schlesinger, Sen. Timothy E. Wirth, Marc Morial, Amb. Jayantha Dhanapala (Sri Lanka), Amb. Pierre Schori (Sweden), Amb. William H. Luers, Susan Roosevelt Weld, Rory Kennedy, Mehri Madarshahi, J. Michael Adams, Gloria Feldt, Jeffrey Laurenti, Rodney D. Smith, Ashley Bommer, Rory O'Connor, Genevieve Stamper, Max Stamper and others.

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