'End discrimination' says UN leader
'End discrimination' says UN leader
Also In The News
|
By Adam Leveridge. |  |
Thursday, 10, Dec 2009 12:00
By Alex Steger.
UN security general Ban Ki-Moon has called on people the world over to end discrimination.
He made the plea in a speech to mark Human Rights Day which falls on the anniversary of the adoption of the universal declaration of human rights.
The UN leader will mark the day, which is celebrated on the December 10th each year, by opening a discussion on the subject of discrimination in development in New York today.
He said: "We must confront inequality and intolerance wherever they are found. On Human Rights Day, I call on people everywhere to join the fight against discrimination."
He went on to say: "No country is free of discrimination. We see it everywhere, in many forms. Ethnic strife. Hate speech. Xenophobia. Its targets include women, children and the poor. Migrants. Minorities of all kinds. They are seen as "different," and excluded from the mainstream. But they are not alone. The United Nations stands with them.
"The United Nations is committed to defending the rights of all, and particularly the most vulnerable. That is our identity and our mission. Discrimination is outlawed by international treaties. But abstract commitments are not enough."
The universal declaration of human rights was adopted by the United Nations general assembly in 1948 and was the first global enunciation on human rights.
It begins with now infamous line: "All human beings are born free and equal and in dignity and rights."