MANILA -- A Palace official on Tuesday appealed to Filipinos to do their part in creating a discrimination-free world as the United Nations (UN) commemorates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
“We are one with the United Nations and the rest of the international community in commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.
Andanar recognized the landmark international agreement as crucial to upholding rights, regardless of race, color, nationality, religion, sex, political opinions, and social status.
“The Declaration has revolutionized our societies work in a way so that most of us could exercise our freedom and liberty on different matters and generate equitable and sustainable progress and development,” Andanar said.
“It has also continuously empowered all of us to be constructive agents for change towards the creation of a more just and fair world,” he added.
He, however, acknowledged the need to overcome challenges to human rights that hinder the progress already made worldwide.
“There is still a lot to be done to fully realize the freedom of everyone, not just the Filipino people. Let’s all work together, strive, and stand up for justice, equality, and human dignity,” Andanar said.
“The Duterte Administration will continue to support and promote everyone’s human rights and freedom as we uphold our cause of saving human lives,” he added.
The UDHR is a foundational document of international human rights law which was drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world.
It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as “a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.”
Today, the declaration is observed every year as Human Rights Day. (PNA)
