1C Note to the Secretary-General
Declaration of Human Responsibilities sent by Professor Kiing
In the wake of the cartoon episode (10 February 2006), Professor Hans Kiing of Tiibigen University, sent you a letter recalling a proposal for a "Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities" and reaffirming his request for introducing the Declaration in some way into the UN System. The Declaration of Human Responsibilities was prepared in 1997 to "give rights and responsibilities equal importance" and would be a "means of reconciling ideologies, beliefs and political views", thus "establishing an ethical base". Professor Kiing was the academic adviser to the project of preparing the Declaration. The theoretical assumption behind the Declaration, as can be implied from Professor Kiing's paper "The Three Abrahamic Religions", derives from the following: the main cause of conflicts within the religions and between them is the persistence and rivalry of former religious paradigms today (in line with Thomas Kuhn's argument of paradigm shifts). The way towards reconciliation and peace is the preservation of the "essence" of the three religions, which has been conserved in spite of the changes of religious paradigms throughout history. What makes this reconciliation possible is the ethical imperatives that the three religions share, namely (i) the "Golden Rule": "what you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others" and (ii) the rule of humanity, according to which every human being should be treated humanely and not inhumanely. These elementary ethical values are to form the personal moral conviction of the human person and society and signal, as you proposed in your Global Ethic Lecture in Tiibigen in 2003, that the idea of universal values should not be abandoned. It is important to note that the Declaration of Human Responsibilities mostly reproduces the argument of the Doha Statement, i.e. that rights should be exercised responsibly, on the issues contemplated in the Universal Human Rights Declaration. The Declaration of Human Responsibilities goes further in its article 14, which states that "the freedom of the media to inform the public and to criticize institution of society and governmental actions, which is essential for a just society, must be used with responsibility and discretion. Freedom of the media carries a special responsibility for accurate and truthful reporting. Sensational reporting that degrades the human person or dignity must at all times be avoided." As is presented, the Declaration of Human Responsibilities provides an interesting framework to bring rights and responsibilities into balance. The pertinence of such document is significant, especially, as highlighted in Prof. Kiing's letter of February, in the context of the events that followed the publication of the Mohammed cartoons. However, the legal implications of adopting the Declaration, in particular given the bonds it keeps with the Universal Human Rights Declaration, need to be further assessed. I would await your guidance on how you wish to proceed.
rlos Lopes 7 March 2006 ^ *: C E « V E Von/from: PROF, DR. HANS KUNq Waldhauser StraGe 23 MAR - 6 2008 D-72076 Tubingen Tel. 07071 - 62646 EXEOFWE OFFICE ! Fax 0/071 -610140 OF THE SECRETARY j;cMCPM ; e-mail: office@weltethos,org An/to H. E. Kofi Annan Personal/Urent Secretary General United Nations Fax; 001/212/963-3511 C Seiten/pages: 1 + 1 v March 3rd, 2006 Dear Secretary General, dear Kofi, Many thanks for your letter of 28 February 2006 and the very stimulating speech you gave in Doha. I amjiappy to see that it reflects a large number of shared convictions. My letter to you about the responsibility of the press found a very positive echo in the InterActionCouncil of former heads of state and government. At thejrorth- coming meeting of the InterActionCouncil in Amman we may consider how-to relaunch the Declaration of Human Responsibilities on the UN level, and I am •wondering -whether you have some helpful suggestions. Since the presentation of the proposal of the »Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities" to you on September 1st, 1997 significant new developments have occurred: - an increasing global consensus about the necessary connection between rights and responsibilities has developed; — the »caricature dispute« shows that the InterActionCcmncil was right to emphasize that freedom and responsibility of the press go together, as it is also very well expressed in the Doha Statement you sent me; SG OFFICE 03-MRR-2006 16=34 PROF. H. KUNG +49 7071 610140 S.02/02 2 - the present very serious situation of the world shows how important it would be to gain a new consciousness of some etfiical standards in world politics; - the debate of the UN General Assembly on Dialogue of Civilizations on 8/9 November 2001, in which I had the honour to participate, showed that such a debate need not be divisive, but can lead to a consensus among the nations. 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O- en o S'^> K) K' 3 sr fa *-TX h ro "2- * s «S O ><~ 0 5" 3 gig; & o_ ^ trt' •— *Tj CT- rt» M (-1 H 1 1 d Q i—i 0\ rn P a" N" n> i •=* rp co -d rj T) ^ D. 0_ o < s 3: ? 3 £ &' n'- " nd s rt !ocen t relati v 3 «S o 5' » «- g" O- £ 3 g,g 2c . aS . na t* ni cHr S on p GESflNT SEITEN 07 INTERACTION COUNCIL Established in 1983 A UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RESPONSIBILITIES Proposed by the Inter Action Council 1 September 1997 © Inter Action Council A UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RESPONSIBILITIES (Proposed by the Inter Action Council) 1 September 1997 Introductory Comment It is time to talk about human responsibilities Globalization of the world economy is matched by global problems, and global problems demand global solutions on the basis of ideas, values and norms respected by all cultures and societies. Recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all the people requires a foundation of freedom, justice and peace - but this also demands that rights and responsibilities be given equal importance to establish an ethical base so that all men and women can live peacefully together and fulfil their potential. A better social order both nationally and internationally cannot be achieved by laws, prescriptions and conventions alone, but needs a global ethic. Human aspirations for progress can only be realised by agreed values and standards applying to all people and institutions at all times. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations. The anniversary would be an opportune time to adopt a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, which would complement the Human Rights Declaration and strengthen it and help lead to a better world. The following draft of human responsibilities seeks to bring freedom and responsibility into balance and to promote a move from the freedom of indifference to the freedom of involvement. If one person or government seeks to maximise freedom but does it at the expense of others, a larger number of people will suffer. If human beings maximise their freedom by plundering the natural resources of the earth, then future generations will suffer. The initiative to draft a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities is not only a way of balancing freedom with responsibility, but also a means of reconciling ideologies, beliefs and political views that were deemed antagonistic in the past. The proposed declaration points out that the exclusive insistence on rights can lead to endless dispute and conflict, that religious groups in pressing for their own freedom have a duty to respect the freedom of others. The basic premise should be to aim at the greatest amount of freedom possible, but also to develop the fullest sense of responsibility that will allow that freedom itself to grow. The InterAction Council has been working to draft a set of human ethical standards since 1987. But its work builds on the wisdom of religious leaders and sages down the ages who have warned that freedom without acceptance of responsibility can destroy the freedom itself, whereas when rights and responsibilities are balanced, then freedom is enhanced and a better world can be created. The InterAction Council commends the following draft Declaration for your examination and support. © InterAction Council Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities (Proposed by the InterAction Council) Preamble Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world and implies obligations or responsibilities, whereas the exclusive insistence on rights can result in conflict, division, and endless dispute, and the neglect of human responsibilities can lead to lawlessness and chaos, whereas the rule of law and the promotion of human rights depend on the readiness of men and women to act justly, whereas global problems demand global solutions which can only be achieved through ideas, values, and norms respected by all cultures and societies, whereas all people, to the best of their knowledge and ability, have a responsibility to foster a better social order, both at home and globally, a goal which cannot be achieved by laws, prescriptions, and conventions alone, whereas human aspirations for progress and improvement can only be realized by agreed values and standards applying to all people and institutions at all times, Now, therefore, The General Assembly proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities as a common standard for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall contribute to the advancement of communities and to the enlightenment of all their members. We, the peoples of the world thus renew and reinforce commitments already proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: namely, the full acceptance of the dignity of all people; their inalienable freedom and equality, and their solidarity with one another. Awareness and acceptance of these responsibilities should be taught and promoted throughout the world. © InterAction Council Fundamental Principles for Humanity Article 1 Every person, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, social status, political opinion, language, age, nationality, or religion, has a responsibility to treat all people in a humane way. Article 2 No person should lend support to any form of inhumane behavior, but all people have a responsibility to strive for the dignity and self-esteem of all others. Article 3 No person, no group or organization, no state, no army or police stands above good and evil; all are subject to ethical standards. Everyone has a responsibility to promote good and to avoid evil in all things. Article 4 All people, endowed with reason and conscience, must accept a responsibility to each and all, to families and communities, to races, nations, and religions in a spirit of solidarity: What you do not wish to be done to yourself, do not do to others. Non-Violence and Respect for Life Afticle 5 Every person has a responsibility to respect life. No one has the right to injure, to torture or to kill another human person. This does not exclude the right of justified self-defense of individuals or communities. Article 6 Disputes between states, groups or individuals should be resolved without violence. No government should tolerate or participate in acts of genocide or terrorism, nor should it abuse women, children, or any other civilians as instruments of war. Every citizen and public official has a responsibility to act in a peaceful, non-violent way. Article 7 Every person is infinitely precious and must be protected unconditionally. The animals and the natural environment also demand protection. All people have a responsibility to protect the air, water and soil of die earth for the sake of present inhabitants and future generations. © InterAction Council Justice and Solidarity Article 8 Every person has a responsibility to behave with integrity, honesty and fairness. No person or group should rob or arbitrarily deprive any other person or group of their property. Article 9 All people, given the necessary tools, have a responsibility to make serious efforts to overcome poverty, malnutrition, ignorance, and inequality. They should promote sustainable development all over the world in order to assure dignity, freedom, security and justice for all people. Article 10 All people have a responsibility to develop their talents through diligent endeavor; they should have equal access to education and to meaningful work. Everyone should lend support to the needy, the disadvantaged, the disabled and to the victims of discrimination. Article 11 All property and wealth must be used responsibly in accordance with justice and for the advancement of the human race. Economic and political power must not be handled as an instrument of domination, but in the service of economic justice and of the social order. Truthfulness and Tolerance Article 12 Every person has a responsibility to speak and act truthfully. No one, however high or mighty, should speak lies. The right to privacy and to personal and professional confidentiality is to be respected. No one is obliged to tell all the truth to everyone all the time. Article 13 No politicians, public servants, business leaders, scientists, writers or artists are exempt from general ethical standards, nor are physicians, lawyers and other professionals who have special duties to clients. Professional and other codes of ethics should reflect the priority of general standards such as those of truthfulness and fairness. © InterAction Council Article 14 The freedom of the media to inform the public and to criticize institutions of society and governmental actions, which is essential for a just society, must be used with responsibility and discretion. Freedom of the media carries a special responsibility for accurate and truthful reporting. Sensational reporting that degrades the human person or dignity must at all times be avoided. Article 15 While religious freedom must be guaranteed, the representatives of religions have a special responsibility to avoid expressions of prejudice and acts of discrimination toward those of different beliefs. They should not incite or legitimize hatred, fanaticism and religious wars, but should foster tolerance and mutual respect between all people. Mutual Respect and Partnership Article 16 All men and all women have a responsibility to show respect to one another and understanding in their partnership. No one should subject another person to sexual exploitation or dependence. Rather, sexual partners should accept the responsibility of caring for each other's well-being. Article 17 In all its cultural and religious varieties, marriage requires love, loyalty and forgiveness and should aim at guaranteeing security and mutual support. Article 18 Sensible family planning is the responsibility of every couple. The relationship between parents and children should reflect mutual love, respect, appreciation and concern. No parents or other adults should exploit, abuse or maltreat children. Conclusion Article 19 Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any state, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the responsibilities, rights and freedom set forth in this Declaration and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. © Inter Action Council A UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RESPONSIBILITIES Report on the Conclusions and Recommendations by a High-level Expert Group Meeting, Vienna, Austria (20-22 April 1997) Chaired by Helmut Schmidt It is time to talk about human responsibilities The call by the InterAction Council for a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities is timely. Although traditionally we have spoken of human rights, and indeed die world has gone a long way in dieir international recognition and protection since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948, it is time now to initiate an equally important quest for die acceptance of human duties or obligations. This emphasis of human obligations is necessary for several reasons. Of course, this idea is new only to some regions of the world; many societies have traditionally conceived of human relations in terms of obligations ratiier than rights. This is true, in general terms, for instance, for much of Eastern thought. While traditionally in the West, at least since the 17th Century age of enlightenment, the concepts of freedom and individuality have been emphasized, in the East, the notions of responsibility and community have prevailed. The fact that a Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted instead of a Universal Declaration of Human Duties undoubtedly reflects the philosophical and cultural background of the document's drafters who, as is known, represented the Western powers who emerged victorious from the Second World War. The concept of human obligations also serves to balance the notions of freedom and responsibility: while rights relate more to freedom, obligations are associated with responsibility. Despite this distinction, freedom and responsibility are interdependent. Responsibility, as a moral quality, serves as a natural, voluntary check for freedom. In any society, freedom can never be exercised without limits. Thus, the more freedom we enjoy, the greater me responsibility we bear, toward others as well as ourselves. The more talents we possess, the bigger the responsibility we have to develop them to their fullest capacity. We must move away from the freedom of indifference towards the freedom of involvement. The opposite is also true: as we develop our sense of responsibility, we increase our internal freedom by fortifying our moral character. When freedom presents us with different possibilities for action, including the choice to do right or wrong, a responsible moral character will ensure that the former will prevail. Sadly, this relationship between freedom and responsibility is not always understood clearly. Some ideologies have placed greater importance on the concept of individual freedom, while others concentrate on an unquestioning commitment to the social group. © Interaction Council Without a proper balance, unrestricted freedom is as dangerous as imposed social responsibility. Great social injustices have resulted from extreme economic freedom and capitalist greed, while at the same time cruel oppression of people's basic liberties has been justified in the name of society's interests or communist ideals. Either extreme is undesirable. At present, with the disappearance of the East- West conflict and the end of the Cold War, humankind seems closer to the desired balance between freedom and responsibility. We have struggled for freedom and rights. It is now time to foster responsibility and human obligations. The InterAction Council believes that globalization of the world economy is matched by globalization of the world's problems. Because global interdependence demands that we must live with each other in harmony, human beings need rules and constraints. Ethics are the minimum standards that make a collective life possible. Without ethics and self-restraint that are their result, humankind would revert to the survival of the fittest. The world is in need of an ethical base on which to stand. Recognizing this need, the InterAction Council began its search for universal ethical standards with a meeting of spiritual leaders and political leaders in March 1987 at La Civilta Cattolica in Rome, Italy. The initiative was taken by the late Takeo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan who founded the InterAction Council in 1983. Again in 1996, the Council requested a report by a high-level expert group on the subject of global ethical standards. The Council, at its Vancouver Plenary Meeting in May 1996, welcomed the report of this Group, which consisted of religious leaders from several faiths and experts drawn from across the globe. The findings of this report "In Search of Global Ethical Standards" demonstrated that the world faiths have much in common and the Council endorsed the recommendation that "in 1998, the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations should convene a conference to consider a Declaration of Human Obligations to complement the earlier crucial work on rights." The initiative to draft a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities is not only a way of balancing freedom with responsibility, but also a means of reconciling ideologies and political views that were deemed antagonistic in the past. The basic premise, then, should be that humans deserve the greatest possible amount of freedom, but also should develop their sense of responsibility to its fullest in order to correctly administer their freedom. This is hardly a new idea. Throughout the millennia prophets, saints and sages have implored mankind to take its responsibilities seriously. In our century, for example, Mahatma Gandhi preached on the seven social sins. 1. Politics without principles 2. Commerce without morality 3. Wealth without work 4. Education without character 5. Science without humanity 6. Pleasure without conscience 7. Worship without sacrifice © InterAction Council Globalization, however, has given new urgency to the teaching of Gandhi and other ethical leaders. Violence on our television screens is now transmitted by satellites across the planet. Speculation in far away financial markets can devastate local communities. The influence of private tycoons now approaches the power of governments and unlike elected politicians, there is no accountability for this private power except for their own personal sense of responsibility. Never has the world needed a declaration of human responsibilities more. From Rights to Obligations Because rights and duties are inextricably linked, the idea of a human right only makes sense if we acknowledge the duty of all people to respect it. Regardless of a particular society's values, human relations are universally based on the existence of both rights and duties. There is no need for a complex system of ethics to guide human action. There is one ancient rule that, if truly followed, would ensure just human relations: the Golden Rule. In its negative form, the Golden Rule mandates that we not do to others what we do not wish be done to us. The positive form implies a more active and solidary role: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Bearing in mind the Golden Rule, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides an ideal starting point from which to consider some of the main obligations which are a necessary complement to those rights. * If we have a right to life, then we have the obligation to respect life. * If we have a right to liberty, then we have the obligation to respect other people's liberty. * If we have a right to security, then we have the obligation to create the conditions for every human being to enjoy human security. * If we have a right to partake in our country's political process and elect our leaders, then we have the obligation to participate and ensure that the best leaders are chosen. * If we have a right to work under just and favorable conditions to provide a decent standard of living for ourselves and our families, we also have the obligation to perform to the best of our capacities. * If we have a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, we also have the obligation to respect odier's thoughts or religious principles. © InterAction Council • If we have a right to be educated, then we have the obligation to learn as much as our capabilities allow us and, where possible, share our knowledge and experience with others. * If we have a right to benefit from the earth's bounty, then we have the obligation to respect, care for and restore the earth and its natural resources. As human beings, we have unlimited potential for self-fulfilment. Thus we have the obligation to develop our physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual capacities to their fullest. The importance of the concept of responsibility towards attaining self-realization cannot be overlooked. The expert-group, which was convened in Vienna in April 1997, worked on a declaration of human responsibilities. The results of this work were summarized and condensed by the three academic advisors; Prof. Thomas Axworthy, Prof. Kim Kyong-dong and Prof. Hans Kiing. Prof. Kiing provided a very helpful first draft as the starting point for the discussion. They made recommendations to Helmut Schmidt, who chaired the meeting, Andries van Agt and Miguel de la Madrid. Oscar Arias, a member of the Council, who could not be present, contributed a welcome substantive paper. The results of this work are contained in the draft proposal for the United Nations entitled "A Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities." The group submits with pleasure the attached draft to the InterAction Council and the world community at large. & InterAction Council List of Participants InterAction Council Members H. E. Mr. Helmut Schmidt H. E. Mr. Andries van Agt H. E. Mr. Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado Academic Advisors Prof. Hans Kiing, Tubingen University Prof. Thomas Axworthy, Adjunct Faculty in Public Policy at Harvard University Prof. Kim Kyong-dong, Seoul National University High-level Experts Cardinal Franz Koenig, Vienna, Austria Prof. Hassan Hanafi, University of Cairo Dr. Ariyararne, President of the Sarvodaya Movement of Sri Lanka The Rt. Rev. James H. Ottley , Anglican observer at the United Nations Dr. M. Aram, President, World Conference on Religion & Peace (MP, India) Dr. Julia Ching (Representing Confucianism) Dr. Anna-Marie Aagaard, World Council of Churches Dr. Teri McLuhan, Author Prof. Yersu Kim, Director of the Division of Philosophy and Ethics, UNESCO Prof. Richard Rorry, Stanford Humanities Center Prof. Peter Landesmann, European Academy of Sciences, Salzburg Ambassador Koji Watanabe, Former Japanese Ambassador to Russia Journalists Ms. Flora Lewis, International Herald Tribune Mr. Woo Seung-yong, Munhwa Ilbo Project coordinator (IAC Tokyo Secretariat) Keiko Atsumi © InterAction Council ENDORSEMENT OF THE DECLARATION The proposed Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities have the endorsement of the following individuals: I. The InterActio n Council Members Helmut Schmidt (Honorary Chairman) Former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Malcolm Fraser (Chairman) Former Prime Minister of Australia Andries A. M. van Agt Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Anand Panyarachun Former Prime Minister of Thailand Oscar Arias Sanchez Former President to of Costa Rica Lord Callaghan of Cardiff Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Jimmy Carter Former President of the United States Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado Former President of Mexico Kurt Furgler Former President of Switzerland Valery Giscard d'Estaing Former President of France Felipe Gonzalez Marquez Former Prime Minister of Spain Mikhail S. Gorbachev Chairman of the Supreme Soviet and President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Selim Hoss Former Prime Minister of Lebanon Kenneth Kaunda Former President of Zambia Lee Kuan Yew Former Prime Minister of Singapore Kiichi Miyazawa Former Prime Minister of Japan Misael Pastrana Borrero Former President of Colombia (deceased in August) Shimon Peres Former Prime Minister of Israel Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo Former Prime Minister of Portugal Jose Sarney Former President of Brazil © Inter Action Council Shin Hyon Hwak Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Kalevi Sorsa Former Prime Minister of Finland Pierre Elliott Trudeau Former Prime Minister of Canada Ola Ullsten Former Prime Minister of Sweden George Vassiliou Former President of Cyprus Franz Vranitzky Former President of Austria II. Supporters Ali Alatas, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Indonesia Abdulaziz Al-Quraishi, former Chairman of SAMA Lester Brown, President, WorldWatch Institute Andre Chouraqui, Professor in Israel John B. Cobb Jr., Claremont School of Theology Takako Doi, President, Japan Socialist Democratic Party Kan Kato, President, Chiba University of Commerce Henry A. Kissinger, Former U.S. Secretary of State Teddy Kollek, Mayor of Jerusalem William Laughlin, American entrepreneur Chwasan Lee Kwang Jung, Head Dharma Master, Won Buddhism Federico Mayor, Director-General, UNESCO Robert S. McNamara, former President, World Bank Rabbi Dr. J.Magonet, Principal, Leo Baek College Robert Muller, Rector, University For Peace Konrad Raiser, World Council of Churches Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the U.K. Seijuro Shiokawa, former Ministers of Home Affairs, Education and Transportation of Japan Rene Samuel Sirat, Grand Rabbi of France Sir Sigmund Sternberg, International Council of Christians and Jews Masayoshi Takemura, former Finance Minister of Japan Gaston Thorn, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg Paul Volcker, Chairman, James D. Wolfensohn Inc. Carl Friedrich v.Weizsacker, Scientist Richard v. Weizsacker, former President of the Federal Republic of Germany Mahmoud Zakzouk, Minister of Religion, Egypt © InterAction Council III. Participants (in preparatory meetings in Vienna, Austria in March 1996 and April 1997 ) and special guests ( at the 15th Plenary Session in Noordwijk, The Netherlands in June 1997) Hans Kueng, Tubingen University (academic advisor to the project) Thomas Axworthy, CRB Foundation (academic advisor to the project) Kim, Kyong-dong , Seoul National University (academic advisor to the project) Cardinal Franz Koenig, Vienna, Austria Anna-Marie Aagaard, World Council of Churches A.A. Mughram Al-Ghamdi, The King Fahad Academy M. Aram, World Conference on Religion & Peace, (deceased in June) A.T. Ariyaratne, Sarvodaya Movement of Sri Lanka Julia Ching, University of Toronto Hassan Hanafi, University of Cairo Nagaharu Hayabusa, The Asahi Shimbun Yersu Kim, Division of Philosophy and Ethics, UNESCO Peter Landesmann, European Academy of Sciences Lee, Seung-Yun, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Planning Board of the Republic of Korea Flora Lewis, International Herald Tribune Liu, Xiao-feng, Institute of Sino-Christian Studies Teri McLuhan, Canadian author Isamu Miyazaki, Former State Minister, Economic Planning Agency of Japan J.J.N.Rost Onnes, Executive Vice President, ABN AMRO Bank James Ottley, Anglican observer at the United Nations Richard Rorty, Stanford Humanities Center L. M. Singhvi, High Commissioner for India Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, Claremont School of Theology Seiken Sugiura, House of Representatives of Japan Koji Watanabe, Former Japanese Ambassador to Russia Woo, Seong-yong, Munhwa Ilbo Wu Xuequian, Vice Chairman, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Alexander Yakovlev, Former Member, Presidential Council of the Soviet Union © Inter Action Council INTERACTION COUNCIL Tokyo Secretariat Address: 3-16-13-609 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan Tel: 81-3-5549-2950 Fax:81-3-5549-2955 e-mail: [email protected] website: http://www.interactioricouncil.ors; © Inter Action Council InterAction Council Website Page 1 of 1 Language Menu I SELECT... '*! INTRODUCTION MEMBERS Established in 1983 HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY EXPERT-MEETINGS MEETINGS > Chairman's Report on the High-level Expert Group COMMUNIQUE SPEECHES UPCOMING EVENTS DISSEMINATION OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RESPONSIBILITIES Peace and security World economic Chaired by Malcolm Fraser revltalization March 20-21, 1998 Universal ethical Frankfurt, Germany standards 1. The preparatory meeting for the 16th Plenary Session of the InterAction Council took place in Frankfurt on March 20-21 to consider how the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities can be further disseminated. The Copyright (c)1983- participants were aware that it will take years before the moral appeal of the InterAction Council. All right reserved. document will be accepted by the multitude of people around the world. The Council's objective is to present the core message of the Declaration to entice people around the world to accept moral principles. Members also realized that there will be alterations before the document is broadly accepted. 2. Global reactions to the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities have been mixed and wide-ranging from the very encouraging and strong support from numerous prominent individuals and several governments (the Declaration is now in 17 languages); to hesitancy on the part of several major Western governments despite their endorsement of the moral principles themselves; to the outright opposition from some corners of the Western press. SUMMARY OF REACTIONS Governments 3. Supporters recognize that the Declaration is a moral appeal trying to set ethical standards essential in a globalized age, and they understand that responsibilities are required in exerting rights. The governments of Finland, Greece, Cyprus, and Brazil (where the Declaration is well known and there are no heavy opposition) plus a host of Asian governments have indicated their willingness to sponsor the document in the United Nations, provided a major Western government is also involved. Finland, for example, would consider the introduction of the Declaration into the United Nations, if a group of countries with a good record of human rights issues can jointly co-sponsor it. The question was whether these governments would be able to edit the document and whether the Responsibilities Declaration could be introduced to the United Nations for a debate as a subordinate document to the Human Rights Declaration. http://www.interactioncouncil.org/ 15/02/2006 Dayal/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Manoel de Almeida e Silva/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Mark Suzman/NY/UNO@UNHQ, [email protected], [email protected] Subject Re: Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities^ Many thanks, Sue. I believe MMB has talked him out of it. Susan Markham/NY/UNO Susan Markham /NY/UNO 20/02/2006 02'51 PM "*"° [email protected], Mark Suzman/NY/UNO@UNHQ cc Jaya Dayal/NY/UNO, Corinne Momal-Vanian/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Chris de Bono/NY/UNO@UNHQ, [email protected], Manoel de Almeida e Silva/NY/UNO@UNHQ, [email protected] Subject Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities As requested last week, below are some arguments that could be used to dissuade the SG from again raising the extremely controversial and divisive idea of a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities. FYI, the text of such a declaration first surfaced as the result of a meeting of a "committee of philosophers" convened by UNESCO in 1997. Hans Kung provided a first draft of the text. It was taken up by the Inter Action Council who proposed that the UN adopt it as a set of human ethical standards. It has never been adopted by the UN. [I am seeking confirmation that UNESCO did not adopt it] Arguments against the SG proposing such a Declaration : • OHCHR is opposed to anything that would be read as placing any duty on human rights holders. • The current human rights regime already extensively address duties in a general way. • There is good reason not to be specific in outlining what those duties are: a debate about defining such duties would be controversial and there would be no agreement. • Duties could be used in the hands of oppressive thinkers and oppressive governments to undermine and undercut human rights. • It is not the experience of human rights organizations that activists exercise human rights irresponsibly. On the contrary, human rights activists emphasize protection of the most vulnerable. • The duties and responsibilities of the media are better address by professional codes of conduct, rather than by UN legislation. Such codes of conduct do exist and professional media organizations could be encouraged to look at them to make sure they take due account of the need to balance freedom of expression with the responsibility not to degrade others. • Article 29 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights allows provision for limiting individual rights in the interests of the broader social context. It says "Everyone has duties to the community in which alone free and full development of his personality is possible". It goes on to say that in exercising these rights, "everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others, and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare of a democratic society." This is interpreted as limiting the rights of individuals by allowing states to limit rights if those limitations are for the purpose of securing recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others etc. as outlined above. • When the text of this Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities was first proposed in 1997, it generated opposition at the time from human rights groups, eg. the World Press Freedom Committee sent a letter to the SG (Nov 1997) saying that while the text might have been well intentioned, the results could be unintended and negative if its provisions were taken literally. • The WPFC was particularly worried that the proposed text would undercut existing human rights and in particular its Article 14 which says that freedom of the media "must be used with responsibility and discretion". "One person's 'discretion' in news can be another person's censorship", the WPFC said. • OHCHR was opposed to the UN adopting a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities. They felt that the international community should reaffirm and support the exercise of those rights inscribed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, rather than adopting something else that could be perceived as limiting those rights. • Since 1997, the Commission on Human Rights has apparently adopted new texts (submitted by Cuba) on human duties and responsibilities. OHCHR declined to support any of these. Carlos Lopes/NY/UNO To Corinne Momal-Vanian/NY/UNO@UNHQ 09/03/2006 07:50 PM cc Camila Teixeira/NY/UNO bcc Subject Re: Fw: Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities^ many thanks Corinne. C Corinne Momal-Vanian/NY/UNO Corinne Momal-Vanian/NY/UNO To Carlos Lopes/NY/UNO@UNHQ 09/03/2006 05:23 PM cc Subject Fw: Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities Carlos, Since the SG has asked you to look into this matter, I thought you should see the exchange below. Please see in particular the extensive e-mail sent by Sue on 20 February. Strong caution advised! Corinne Momal-Vanian Special Assistant to the Secretary-General of the United Nations New York (917)3679213 Forwarded by Corinne Momal-Vanian/NY/UNO on 09/03/2006 05:21 PM Susan Markham/NY/UNO 21/02/2006 08:56 AM To Edward Mortimer/NY/UNO@UNHQ cc Chris de Bono/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Corinne Momal-Vanian/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Jaya Dayal/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Manoel de Almeida e Silva/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Mark Suzman/NY/UNO@UNHQ, [email protected], [email protected] Subject Re: Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities^ For the record (you never know when such issues will come up again), the last bullet is not quite correct. The Commission on HR has had a study done on human rights and human responsibilities but has not adopted a text of a declaration on this issue. At the Commission's session last year, they requested "a new initial version of the pre-draft declaration on human social responsibilities" for submission to this year's session. This decision was passed by a vote of 26 in favour, 25 against and 1 abstention. Edward Mortimer/NY/UNO Edward Mortimer/NY/UNO 20/02/2006 03:20 PM To Susan Markham/NY/UNO@UNHQ cc Chris de Bono/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Corinne Momal-Vanian/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Jaya