    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [December 20, 1993]
    [Page 2194]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Establishment of the United Nations High Commissioner for
    Human Rights
    December 20, 1993

        I welcome the decision today by the United Nations General Assembly
    to establish a High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since Eleanor
    Roosevelt first fought for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
    1948, the United States has led the way to ensure that the United
    Nations is a strong force for human dignity and respect for basic civil
    and political rights. The High Commissioner will be an influential and
    persuasive advocate for human rights around the world.
        The High Commissioner's mandate to promote human rights worldwide
    will include coordinating human rights activities within the United
    Nations system, providing advisory services and technical assistance to
    governments and regional human rights organizations, and engaging in
    dialog with governments on promotion of human rights.
        Today's action achieves one of my key goals for this year's U.N.
    General Assembly and advances an enduring goal of American foreign
    policy. The United States will lend its full support to the High
    Commissioner's efforts to ensure that the citizens of the world are able
    to live free from repression and fear.