60th Anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Every Human Has Rights - Campaign Highlights from Every Human Has Rights on Vimeo.

This year is the 60th Anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It's so sad that so few read or take it seriously. This is what I found on the UN Site:

On 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this historic act, the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

Here's a link to the spoken word version of the Declaration:
http://www.knowyourrights2008.org/

If you'd like to sign a pledge to uphold the goals of the Declaration, go to this link:
http://www.everyhumanhasrights.org/

To read the Declaration, please go to http://www.un.org/events/humanrights/2007/hrphotos/declaration%20_eng.pdf

Could you imagine a world in which every person lived and abided by this Declaration? We most certainly wouldn't be at war in Afghanistan or Iraq, Israel and Hamas wouldn't be in an undeclared war, and women and children (and some men) wouldn't be raped, trafficked or abused (see the UNIFEM YouTube video stream at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8N8orgQ_0Q
and the UNIFEM link http://www.unifem.org/campaigns/vaw/).
How do you think we can achieve peace and respect for human rights in the world?

To see what is happening in the world to refugees and displaced persons, check out UNHCR's YouTube video stream at http://www.youtube.com/unhcr.

I won't repeat what I've already stated, so please look down along the right side of this blog and go into the archives to read my earlier posts or simply click on the following links:

Children Murdered for Political Gain, Yet Again
http://palmerspurview.blogspot.com/2009/01/killing-of-children-yet-again.html

Looking for Humane, Peaceful Solutions in Gaza
http://palmerspurview.blogspot.com/2009/01/looking-for-humane-peaceful-solutions.html

Women and Gender-Based Hate Crimes
http://palmerspurview.blogspot.com/2008/08/women-and-gender-based-hate-crimes.html

Niger Refuses Entry to Doctors Without Borders
http://palmerspurview.blogspot.com/2008/10/niger-kept-doctors-without-borders-away.html

Please Help the People of Burma
http://palmerspurview.blogspot.com/2008/11/check-this-out-to-help-burma.html

ADDENDUM 1/31/09
I just signed a petition requesting a Special Prosecutor be appointed to conduct an investigation of possible war crimes by the Bush Administration. Here is what I wrote:
The United States of America was a signatory to the Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. No representative of the American people should feel they are above the rule of law, or have the right to create loopholes through which they can walk to violate the spirit, if not the letter of the law. Please pursue an investigation into possible war crimes committed by the Bush Administration and its authorized representatives.

Children Murdered for Political Gain, Yet Again

When will grown men and women stop killing innocent children over their own adult disputes? If Hamas members were using children as shields, they're murderers and cowards who deny others their right to self-determination. The Israelis, today, are simply child killers. One can use any kind of rationalization or excuse, but, the bottom line is that many innocent children are dead! Is it really that easy to just push a button on something that you know will kill children? Could you stand one foot away from your own children, look them in the eyes, see their fear and tears, then pull the trigger point-blank? It's no different! Shame on all those responsible!

ADDENDUM, 1/8/09
Israel had repeatedly assured the UN and Red Cross that they could safely bring humanitatian aide into Gaza, yet Israel did not cease firing on and near these aide convoys. Today, Israel killed a United Nations aide contractor. Now, both the UN and Red Cross have suspended aide. In an unprecedented statement, the Red Cross has accused Israel of preventing them from reaching injured civilians. The UN Security Council, today, called for a cease fire. My own country stood by and abstained! Shameful!! Hamas and Israel both need to STOP!!!

I just read this in an email from Amnesty International (AI): "The recent report AI co-authored in March 2008, The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion. That research exposed the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza: over 80% live in absolute poverty, unemployment is close to 40%, households spend over 60% on food, and power outages keep hospitals from treating the critically ill."

Would any of you accept these living conditions without trying to do something about them, one way or another? As I stated in an earlier post, creating such horrible, inhumane conditions breeds rebellion and extremism. Examples of people's reactions to similar conditions can be found throughout history. One of the best ways to rid the world of extremism and terror is to treat all humans with respect and maintain their basic human rights.