Letters and messages from the chief commissioner: December 10, 2002
The chief commissioner's letter re: the anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights An Anniversary of Hope
It seems a natural part of the human mind to link momentous events with the date on which they occurred. As individuals we easily remember the days, the months and the years of joyful events such as birthdays and anniversaries and equally, those of sorrow, such as the death of a family member. Sometimes the date itself is a linkage so strong that simply naming that specific day and month is enough to trigger a flood of personal memories and emotional responses. But what occurs when a momentous event affects an entire community or country?
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt described December 7, 1941 as a "day that will forever live in infamy." That date became "Pearl Harbor Day." Similarly, "Remembrance Day" - November 11, has had the power for over 64 years to evoke emotions of both sorrow and gratitude, gentle images of poppies and violent images of war, sacrifice and death. More recently, September 11, 2001, commonly known as "nine-eleven" has become the simple descriptor for violence, fear and evil on a global scale.
Such dates, marking great negatives in our collective history, unfortunately seem to take precedence over other dates: dates that mark great steps forward in our humanity. One such significant date is December 10, 1948 - International Human Rights Day. On that date, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was a statement to the world that the past horrors of war could be avoided if individuals and countries adhered to a universal code of human behaviour. A Canadian diplomat and scholar, John Humphrey, was the main author of the declaration and Canada was one of the more than 150 countries who now are signatories to the 30 articles within the declaration.
Although many of us were not even born when the United Nations declared International Human Rights Day in 1948, nevertheless December 10 stands as a strong reminder for all of us that the fundamental rights and freedoms we Canadians enjoy can never be taken for granted.
With December 10th so close at hand I invite all Albertans to pause and reflect on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (http://www.johnhumphreycentre.org/declaration.htm) and in some way, every day, honour and advance the principles of human rights.
In this troubled world of ours, faced with so much conflict and aggression, we should remember anniversaries of hope such as December 10, 1948, and our commitment to justice and respect for others.
Charlach Mackintosh
Chief Commissioner
Alberta Human Rights & Citizenship Commission
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