The 38th floor.

• Position: On Human Rights Day - Editorial

This year, Human Rights Day comes soon after the observance of the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In the assessments made of the achievements of the Organization, the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was generally recognized as a landmark event in the process of human advancement and of realizing the goals of our Charter. This is confirmed by the many contacts with world leaders I have had this year. There can be no rational dissent from the goal of building a world in which every individual member of the human family can lead a life in freedom and in dignity.

It is important to note that it is only in this century and principally under United Nations auspices that the promotion of human rights has received such emphasis as an issue of universal concern. But the challenge of translating respect for principle into universal practice still remains. It gains in poignant urgency with every instance of the violation of human rights.

There exists an almost universal indignation at the persistence of racial discrimination which should have no place in human society in this age. The policy of apartheid in South Africa, which represents an extreme instance of it, has already caused massive human tragedy. Further suffering as a result of this abhorrent system can be averted only through genuine and open dialogue between all elements in that strife-torn country.

The responsibility for the observance of the Charter obligations and the tenets of the Universal Declaration and the instruments that flowed from it rests primarily with Governments. However, we should recognize that the efforts of individuals also have an important role to play in the promotion of respect for fundamental rights. The Universal Declaration assigns a key role in this regard to "every individual and every organ of society". The Declaration calls upon them to strive by teaching and education to promote respect for the rights and freedoms listed in it. This can engender the climate for the progressive national and international measures necessary in this regard...