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Quoted from a
speech to
Non-Governmental Organizations
The United Nations World Conference
on Human Rights
Vienna, Austria
15 June, 1993 |
Human Rights and Universal Responsibility
Our world is becoming smaller and ever more
interdependent with the rapid growth in population and increasing
contact between people and governments. In this light, it is
important to reassess the rights and responsibilities of individuals,
peoples and nations in relation to each other and to the planet
as a whole. This World Conference of organizations and governments
concerned about the rights and freedoms of people throughout
the world reflects the appreciation of our interdependence.
No matter what country or continent we come
from we are all basically the same human beings. We have the
common human needs and concerns. We all seek happiness and
try to avoid suffering regardless of our race, religion, sex
or political status. Human beings, indeed all sentient beings,
have the right to pursue happiness and live in peace and in
freedom. As free human beings we can use our unique intelligence
to try to understand ourselves and our world. But if we are
prevented from using our creative potential, we are deprived
of one of the basic characteristics of a human being. It is
very often the most gifted, dedicated and creative members
of our society who become victims of human rights abuses. Thus
the political, social, cultural and economic developments of
a society are obstructed by the violations of human rights.
Therefore, the protection of these rights and freedoms are
of immense importance both for the individuals affected and
for the development of the society as a whole.
It is my belief that the lack of understanding
of the true cause of happiness is the principal reason why
people inflict suffering on others. Some people think that
causing pain to others may lead to their own happiness or that
their own happiness is of such importance that the pain of
others is of no significance. But this is clearly shortsighted.
No one truly benefits from causing harm to another being. Whatever
immediate advantage is gained at the expense of someone else
is short-lived. In the long run causing others misery and infringing
upon their peace and happiness creates anxiety, fear and suspicion
for oneself.
The key to creating a better and more peaceful
world is the development of love and compassion for others.
This naturally means we must develop concern for our brothers
and sisters who are less fortunate than we are. In this respect,
the non-governmental organizations have a key role to play.
You not only create awareness for the need to respect the rights
of all human beings, but also give the victims of human rights
violations hope for a better future.
When I travelled to Europe for the first
time in 1973, I talked about the increasing interdependence
of the world and the need to develop a sense of universal responsibility.
We need to think in global terms because the effects of one
nation's actions are felt far beyond its borders. The acceptance
of universally binding standards of Human Rights as laid down
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International
Covenants of Human Rights is essential in today's shrinking
world. Respect for fundamental human rights should not remain
an ideal to be achieved but a requisite foundation for every
human society.
When we demand the rights and freedoms we
so cherish we should also be aware of our responsibilities.
If we accept that others have an equal right to peace and happiness
as ourselves do we not have a responsibility to help those
in need? Respect for fundamental human rights is as important
to the people of Africa and Asia as it is to those in Europe
or the Americas. All human beings, whatever their cultural
or historical background, suffer when they are intimidated,
imprisoned or tortured. The question of human rights is so
fundamentally important that there should be no difference
of views on this. We must therefore insist on a global consensus
not only on the need to respect human rights world wide but
more importantly on the definition of these rights.
Recently some Asian governments have contended
that the standards of human rights laid down in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights are those advocated by the West
and cannot be applied to Asia and others parts of the Third
World because of differences in culture and differences in
social and economic development. I do not share this view and
I am convinced that the majority of Asian people do not support
this view either, for it is the inherent nature of all human
beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they
have an equal to achieve that. I do not see any contradiction
between the need for economic development and the need for
respect of human rights. The rich diversity of cultures and
religions should help to strengthen the fundamental human rights
in all communities. Because underlying this diversity are fundamental
principles that bind us all as members of the same human family.
Diversity and traditions can never justify the violations of
human rights. Thus discrimination of persons from a different
race, of women, and of weaker sections of society may be traditional
in some regions, but if they are inconsistent with universally
recognized human rights, these forms of behavior must change.
The universal principles of equality of all human beings must
take precedence.
It is mainly the authoritarian and totalitarian
regimes who are opposed to the universality of human rights.
It would be absolutely wrong to concede to this view. On the
contrary, such regimes must be made to respect and conform
to the universally accepted principles in the larger and long
term interests of their own peoples. The dramatic changes in
the past few years clearly indicate that the triumph of human
rights is inevitable.
There is a growing awareness of peoples'
responsibilities to each other and to the planet we share.
This is encouraging even though so much suffering continues
to be inflicted based on chauvinism, race, religion, ideology
and history. A new hope is emerging for the downtrodden, and
people everywhere are displaying a willingness to champion
and defend the rights and freedoms of their fellow human beings.
Brute force, no matter how strongly applied,
can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity.
It is not enough, as communist systems have assumed, merely
to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. The deeper
human nature needs to breathe the precious air of liberty.
However, some governments still consider the fundamental human
rights of its citizens an internal matter of the state. They
do not accept that the fate of a people in any country is the
legitimate concern of the entire human family and that claims
to sovereignty are not a license to mistreat one's citizens.
It is not only our right as members of the global human family
to protest when our brothers and sisters are being treated
brutally, but it is also our duty to do whatever we can to
help them.
Artificial barriers that have divided nations
and peoples have fallen in recent times. With the dismantling
of Berlin wall the East - West division which has polarized
the whole world for decades has now come to an end. We are
experiencing a time filled with hope and expectations. Yet
there still remains a major gulf at the heart of the human
family. By this I am referring to the North-South divide. If
we are serious in our commitment to the fundamental principles
of equality, principles which, I believe, lie at the heart
of the concept of human rights, today's economic disparity
can no longer be ignored. It is not enough to merely state
that all human beings must enjoy equal dignity. This must be
translated into action. We have a responsibility to find ways
to achieve a more equitable distribution of world's resources.
We are witnessing a tremendous popular movement
for the advancement of human rights and democratic freedom
in the world. This movement must become an even more powerful
moral force, so that even the most obstructive governments
and armies are incapable of suppressing it. This conference
is an occasion for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to
this goal. It is natural and just for nations, peoples and
individuals to demand respect for their rights and freedoms
and to struggle to end repression, racism, economic exploitation,
military occupation, and various forms of colonialism and alien
domination. Governments should actively support such demands
instead of only paying lip service to them.
As we approach the end of the Twentieth
Century, we find that the world is becoming one community.
We are being drawn together by the grave problems of over population,
dwindling natural resources, and an environmental crisis that
threaten the very foundation of our existence on this planet.
Human rights, environmental protection and great social and
economic equality, are all interrelated. I believe that to
meet the challenges of our times, human beings will have to
develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of
us must learn to work not just for one self, one's own family
or one's nation, but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal
responsibility is the is the best foundation for world peace.
This need for co-operation can only strengthen
humankind, because it helps us to recognize that the most secure
foundation for a new world order is not simply broader political
and economic alliances, but each individual's genuine practice
of love and compassion. These qualities are the ultimate source
of human happiness, and our need for them lies at the very
core of our being. The practice of compassion is not idealistic,
but the most effective way to pursue the best interests of
others as well as our own. The more we become interdependent
the more it is in our own interest to ensure the well-being
of others.
I believe that one of the principal factors
that hinder us from fully appreciating our interdependence
is our undue emphasis on material development. We have become
so engrossed in its pursuit that, unknowingly, we have neglected
the most basic qualities of compassion, caring and cooperation.
When we do not know someone or do not feel connected to an
individual or group, we tend to overlook their needs. Yet,
the development of human society requires that people help
each other.
I, for one, strongly believe that individuals
can make a difference in society. Every individual has a responsibility
to help more our global family in the right direction and we
must each assume that responsibility. As a Buddhist monk, I
try to develop compassion within myself, not simply as a religious
practice, but on a human level as well. To encourage myself
in this altruistic attitude, I sometimes find it helpful to
imagine myself standing as a single individual on one side,
facing a huge gathering of all other human beings on the other
side. Then I ask myself, 'Whose interests are more important?'
To me it is quite clear that however important I may feel I
am, I am just one individual while others are infinite in number
and importance.
Thank you.
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