[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 51 (Monday, December 27, 1993)]
[Page 2618]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.