2003 Press Releases

U.S. Ambassador's Statement in Honor of International Human Rights Day

Dec. 10, 2003

Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson made a statement on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. She praised the ideals set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights promulgated in 1948, 55 years ago. The U.S. Ambassador expressed her belief that "these are not just American ideals, but human ones desired by all people of the world". "The people of the United States look forward to working with the people of Turkmenistan to promote human rights, in every place throughout the world," Ambassador Jacobson reiterated. The following is the full text of the Ambassador's statement:

For the past fifty-five years, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has presented the nations of the world with a bold vision of liberty that we all hope to achieve. This vital document outlines what all people should expect from their governments, from their communities, and from themselves. Most importantly, it is a document accepted by all members of the United Nations.

We, as Americans, take pride in our nation's key role in the formation of this document, especially as the Universal Declaration becomes an ever more important emblem of the international movement towards freedom. The United States was founded on an idea of human rights, on a dream of freedom and equality for all people. President Bush has identified several nonnegotiable demands of human dignity. They are the rule of law, free speech, equal justice, limits on power of the state, respect for women and religious tolerance. We believe that these are not just American ideals, but human ones desired by all people of the world.

Like all things of value, human rights are not quickly or easily attained. Americans know from our own history that democracy is a journey, and liberty a work in progress. Rights will always require defense. Equality and freedom will always need to be strengthened. Neither is this solely the work of government. We as individuals and as communities must work to expand human rights in our daily lives. Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States, and chairperson of the UN Human Rights Commission that drafted the Universal Declaration said, "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person: the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world." The people of the United States look forward to working with the people of Turkmenistan to promote human rights, in every place throughout the world.