[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THIS WEEK WE COMMEMORATE HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK

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                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this week, we commemorate Human Rights 
Week. On December 10, 1945, haunted by the cruelties uncovered 
throughout the Second World War, a group of U.N. delegates, including 
first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, joined together in San Francisco to write 
what has become the internationally recognized standard for the 
protection of human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  The opening paragraph of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
refers to the ``inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights 
of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, 
justice and peace in the world.'' These words are a reminder to us all 
that when one people suffer, we all suffer. When one group is 
oppressed, it erodes the fabric of humanity and, thus, endangers the 
freedom and liberty of all. These words are a call for vigilance and 
action.
  The struggle for the protection of universal freedoms has always been 
an arduous one and this year has presented new challenges and 
hardships, but also opportunities, for those of us in the human rights 
community, which have only served to strengthen our resolve.
  A truly disappointing turn of events was the exclusion of the United 
States from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights aggravated by 
the participation of such abominable human rights violators as China, 
Sudan, Libya, Cuba, and Vietnam. This increased concerns that the 
continual imprisonment of human rights defenders would go unnoticed 
despite international pressure for their release.
  In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, as the U.S.'s values 
of liberty and democracy came under attack, the world once again 
recognized the need to focus on the plight of oppressed people 
everywhere. It is my hope that we are ushering in a new era in the 
human rights struggle marked by a renewed commitment and understanding.
  Noting the overwhelming support given to the Afghan people in their 
battle to free themselves from the shackles the Taliban imposed on 
them, I am filled with hope and optimism about the future.
  As a refugee from an oppressive regime, the struggle for freedom is 
central to my commitment to human rights. I stand today during Human 
Rights Week, in admiration and gratitude of those who have perished and 
currently languish in suffering because they choose to fight for the 
values of freedom and democracy in their own country. Today we honor 
them. For them we celebrate Human Rights Week.

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