Sarah Ford, CRS senior technical advisor, Partnership & Capacity Strengthening, wrote the following reflection on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Article 25.2
Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Recently I had the honor of spending two weeks in the Dominican Republic, working with an amazing group of CRS partners. These partners work with children living in the streets, forced there by family breakdown, poverty, abuse, loss of parents, or a myriad other horrific life circumstances. Our partners, Acciòn Callejera, Inc., Niños del Camino, Inc., Proyecto Educativo Caminante, Inc., Quèdate con Nostotros — Muchachos y Muchachas con Don Bosco, and Yo Tambièn — Pastoral Juvenil de la Iglesia Catòlica, inspired me every minute I spent with them.
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“They have undoubtedly come a long way but there still remains much to do: the rights to life, liberty and safety for hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters remain threatened; the equality of all and the dignity of each are not always respected while new barriers tied to race, religion, political opinions, and other convictions are being raised.”
– Pope Benedict as reported by the Vatican Information Service.

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CRS protection policy/issues advisor Daisy Francis wrote this reflection to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Just before the stroke of midnight on December 10, 1948, at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, the story goes, weary diplomats from 48 nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) The vote tally was 48 for (including newly independent countries like India, Burma and Pakistan); 0 against and 8 abstentions.

The UDHR, which would eventually be translated into 337 languages, symbolized the hopes, dreams and aspirations of millions who fought and/or survived World War II or overthrew colonial rule. It served as a clarion call to governments everywhere — respect, uphold and fulfill the rights of your citizens. And citizens were equally charged with the responsibility to hold their governments accountable for achieving these rights.

So, how far have we progressed since the drafters noted that “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind”?
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Today is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As part of our recognition of the document, CRS director, staff safety and security, Lara Puglielli wrote the following reflection.

The former CRS office in Baucau, East Timor was burned in post-electoral violence in August 2007. Photo by Jason Belanger/CRS.

Following years of violence and abuse in East Timor, President (and Nobel Peace Prize winner) Jose Ramos Horta came under criticism for pardoning and setting free Timorese citizens associated with groups accused of committing abuses such as kidnapping of civilians. Some among the Timorese population feel that justice will not be served unless compensation is paid to injured parties and those responsible for wrongdoing are held accountable for what they did.

Ramos-Horta responded by saying that getting over a violent past is more important than prosecuting criminals behind the crimes.
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Sixty years ago today, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We’ve run each of the declaration’s 30 articles on this blog over the past month. The following is the declaration’s preamble:

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
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December 10 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each day leading up to that date, we’ve posted one of the thirty articles of the declaration. Today’s is the final post in the series.

Article 30

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

December 10 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each day leading up to that date, we’ll post one of the thirty articles of the declaration.

Article 29

1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

December 10 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each day leading up to that date, we’ll post one of the thirty articles of the declaration.

Article 28

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

December 10 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each day leading up to that date, we’ll post one of the thirty articles of the declaration.

Article 27

1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

December 10 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each day leading up to that date, we’ll post one of the thirty articles of the declaration.

Article 26

1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.