Ambassador

Op-Ed

December 10, 2006

"HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2006"
By
Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne

On December 10, people around the world observe International Human Rights Day and mark the 58th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

It is an occasion to pay our respect and gratitude to those individuals of conviction and courage who advocate for human rights and expose abuses. There is no shortage of heroes, some famous and many more less well known, but we can all appreciate that their actions helped lay the foundation for democracies that promote personal freedom, open and fair elections, access to justice, and vibrant civil societies.     

To be sure, the United States’ own journey to freedom and justice for all its citizens has been long and difficult, and it is still unfinished.  The central drama in American life for over 200 years has been the challenge of trying to live up to our stated ideals.

Maintaining a truly democratic system with a free press and citizen activists is not always comfortable for governments in power.  But the duty to defend human rights is especially great for those democracies that enjoy freedom's blessings.

The U.S. and Argentina share a commitment to the core values of democracy, which makes us natural partners in the defense of freedom and the protection of human rights around the world. One example has been our cooperation in helping to bring stability and the benefits of democracy to Haiti. We share a long history of judicial cooperation designed to enhance the protection of human rights and the pursuit of justice. We have also worked together on many occasions in the U.N. and the OAS to defend these vital principals.  The spirit inherent in Human Rights Day is strong between our two countries. 

As we look around the world and within our own hemisphere, we can identify countries where fundamental human freedoms are denied or under attack.  We can recognize together that wherever freedoms of speech, press, association and worship are lacking, our own societies stand to lose. It is crucial that Argentina and the United States continue working with the international community to protect and encourage those who do the indispensable work of defending, promoting and protecting fundamental human rights.