2 Utviklings- og menneskerettsministerens tale under markeringa av 50-årsjubileet for menneskerettserklæringa

Mr. President,

Secretary General,

High Commissioner Mary Robinson,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

A map of the world was drawn fifty years ago. The world community now had a new map to navigate by. This map showed new landmarks based on fundamental values. Many of the previous roads, bridges and harbours had been destroyed in the Second World War. We needed new directions, new standards and new rules for interaction between states and between people. We had to create a new common ground. A common understanding.

The new map provided bridges to life, freedom, liberty and social security, bridges to inherent and equal rights, bridges to brotherhood, bridges to human dignity. This map was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This map is still urgently needed as an instrument to navigate by. Because we are in stormy weather. Violent conflicts, often with ethnic overtones, threaten millions with insecurity and destruction. The global economic crisis is forcing workers out of their jobs, families out of their homes and children out of their schools.

The weakest among us suffer the most. Mothers in despair. Children exploited in factories and brothels. People becoming refugees in their own country. Religious communities persecuted for their faith. Prisoners tortured and executed. Children trained to kill their own relatives. We have only to open our eyes and use our ears.

Too often human gain leads to human pain. Violence has many faces - but few voices. In such a landscape we need to stick to our map. Recognizing the worth of every human person carries an obligation. Human dignity should be our rock, human development should be the road we travel and human rights should be the vehicles we use.

We must address this human pain. We can listen, we can learn, and we can - and must - become involved. This is a time to give voice to the voiceless, hope to the hopeless and freedom to those who have lost their liberty. Because implementing human rights is beneficial for every society and every person. This is a time to consider basic rights and freedoms as building blocks for the future for all of us.

Mr. President,

For far too long, the debate on human rights has been dominated by the assumption that human rights is all about civil and political rights, while development is all about economic growth. This is wrong. Certain human rights may seem of little value to people who are starving and in need, and combating poverty is indeed one of the most urgent human rights challenges we are faced with today. Far too many have turned a blind eye to this important fact.

Economic, social and cultural rights must thus be given their rightful place alongside civil and political rights. Human rights constitute an integrated and mutually reinforcing whole. And we must be more willing to act upon this understanding. Poverty does not, however, make it more legitimate to oppress people. Neither does culture. And as a South African member of parliament put it: «Culture can never be an excuse for abuse».

Human development is «the process of expanding people's choices». This UN definition should guide all our efforts. Human rights is an integral part of such a process. It is indeed a precondition for development. Human rights constitute an integrated whole. Expanding people's choices means respecting people's rights. All of them. Every single one of them. This is what development is all about.

People must be given the means and the opportunities to take control over their own lives. They must be able to expand their choices. They must be given a chance, a chance for change. This is clearly not the time to reduce official development aid. The Norwegian Government is committed to increasing its development assistance to 1 per cent of GDP. We shall give more weight to our responsibility to assist states in their obligation to implement human rights. The main responsibility lies, however, with governments themselves. As donors we can donate resources, but we cannot donate rights. We can offer the means, but we cannot provide the will.

Mr. President,

Promoting human rights starts at home. The map of the individual country must fit in with the map of world. I represent a country which, like the overwhelming majority in this hall, gained full independence in this century. We have been, and still are, learning how valuable respect for human rights is as a building block for our society. Today we are releasing the first annual report on Norway's efforts to promote human rights, at home and internationally. The report shows us what we have accomplished and tells us what we need to do. To this end the Norwegian Government is also drawing up a national plan of action for human rights.

The formulation of national plans of action was one of the commitments we undertook under the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action. I can announce that Norway has decided to contribute USD 1 million to the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the purpose of assisting countries in drawing up their own national plans of action.

Such national instruments should also address the issue of human rights and business ethics. What we do at home must be reflected in what our companies do abroad. This too is a matter of keeping one's own house in order. In Norway we have established close cooperation between the business sector, civil society and government on human rights issues. As you all know, discussions can lead to better understanding, knowledge can result in action.

Mr. President,

«All Human Rights for All» is an appropriate slogan for this 50th anniversary. It is already a pledge, but it should also be a plea. I want to call upon all Member States who have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the two Covenants and the Conventions on the Rights of the Child, on Discrimination against Women, on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and against Torture. Withdraw your reservations that run counter to the letter and spirit of these conventions. Then embark on the road of implementation and respect for these obligations. Stick to the map.

«All Human Rights for All» does not allow for any exceptions. Not for women because they are not men, not for children because they are too young. Not for the poor because they lack resources, not for the imprisoned because they are not free. Not for the disabled because they are weak, nor for the old because their future is short. These and all other discriminatory exceptions imply a denial of the basic worth of every human person.

Yesterday we adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Human Rights Defenders. We recognize that investment in human rights presupposes individuals and groups who know their rights, who know the value of these rights and who know how to fight for them. Let me extend our sincere congratulations to the winners of the human rights prizes. We recognize the need for guides to help us use our map. For we need to stand by our commitments, even when the going is tough.

This is not a new insight. «Humanity owes it to itself to watch over, guard, and protect those who represent it and who devote their lives to beneficent activities». These are the words of René Cassin, the main author of the Universal Declaration, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo thirty years ago today.

In his Nobel lecture Cassin also said that «for the establishment of peace and human dignity, each of us must work and fight to the last».

We must go forth from this meeting to work and fight in our own countries. We must reach all those who are accountable. This requires us to have faith. Never to lose sight of the intrinsic value of every human being. To protect, to care, to save, to give shelter and to give a voice. Not for our own sake. But for the sake of humanity.

Thank you.