{"id":87535,"date":"2017-12-21T11:39:35","date_gmt":"2017-12-21T11:39:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=04c3bfd63337a7c93aaf06adeef7b5f5"},"modified":"2017-12-21T11:39:35","modified_gmt":"2017-12-21T11:39:35","slug":"speech-international-human-rights-day-2017-and-the-uks-role-in-promoting-human-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=87535","title":{"rendered":"Speech: International Human Rights Day 2017 and the UK\u2019s role in promoting human rights"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

Due to time constraints in the debate, the Minister\u2019s speech was curtailed. This is the full version of that speech.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I thank the Rt Hon. Member, the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd MP) for initiating this debate, and I commend her for her work as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights. I am grateful for the contributions of other Hon. Members and I will try to respond to all the points raised.<\/p>\n

Why human rights matter<\/h2>\n

It is perhaps trite simply to observe that human rights matter, but human rights do matter because they \u2013 and they alone \u2013 are guardians of fairness and opportunity for all. They reflect a widespread belief in freedom, in non-discrimination, and in the innate dignity of every human being.<\/p>\n

Human rights are more than simply articles of international law \u2013 though that in itself would be reason enough to defend them. They also protect collective opportunities and freedoms that are the key to achieving long-term prosperity and security.<\/p>\n

UN Declaration on Human Rights<\/h2>\n

International Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the UN Declaration on Human Rights<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That Declaration was signed threescore and 9 years ago last week, by 48 sovereign states, from Britain to Brazil, Chile to China, and India to Iran. Setting aside widespread cultural and historical differences, these countries came together to pledge their support for universal human rights.<\/p>\n

The very diversity of the signatories disproves the notion that these rights are a set of values imposed by one part of the world on another. Instead, the Declaration represents a global consensus on the rights and freedoms that everyone should enjoy, wherever they live in the world.<\/p>\n

Today, the UK remains as committed as ever to those universal principles, but the rights and freedoms we enjoy here in the UK are not enjoyed everywhere.<\/p>\n

Recent events in Burma are only the most recent but shocking reminder of the gulf that continues to exist between the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration and the everyday reality for millions of our fellow humans.<\/p>\n

We continue to urge all states to comply with the commitments they have made, not only by endorsing the UN Declaration on Human Rights \u2013 but also by ratifying the many fundamental human rights treaties that have evolved in the decades since the Declaration was first adopted. These treaties have codified the principles of the Declaration into international law and hence carry legal obligations.<\/p>\n

Human Rights Day<\/h2>\n

In recognition of the importance of universal human rights to individuals and societies, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office marks International Human Rights Day on 10 December every year.<\/p>\n

On that day we customarily reflect on how far the world has come, but we also remember all those whose human rights are still being violated and abused. We pay tribute to the human rights defenders who stand up for them, often at great personal risk, and we renew our determination to support them and to fight for universal rights.<\/p>\n

Government policy on human rights<\/h2>\n

That fight is central to this Government\u2019s foreign policy. Indeed it would be unthinkable for UK foreign policy not to have human rights at its core. Promoting and defending human rights is integral to the work of our staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.<\/p>\n

We recognise that all rights set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights, and in international law, are of equal importance, but to achieve maximum impact we prioritise certain issues. Our current priorities are:<\/p>\n