WASHINGTON, December 8 – Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in observance of International Human Rights Day, which is recognized on Sunday, Dec 10:
“This Sunday, we recognize International Human Rights Day, an opportunity to renew our call to protect and uphold the principles and ideals on which our country was founded. On this day, we must recommit our promise to protect and promote human rights around the world. We must take action to stop the genocide in Darfur, promote human rights in China, and eradicate extreme poverty and disease in the developing world.
“On this meaningful day, we must take time to remember the genocide in Darfur and pledge to redouble our efforts to bring this horror to an end. We cannot stand idly by as the Sudanese government continues its systematic destruction of the people of Darfur. We are compelled by the conscience of the world to put an end to this humanitarian disaster.
“It is fitting that this day also marks the 17th anniversary of his Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The Dalai Lama has made the human rights situation in Tibet an issue of international concern. Under Chinese occupation, hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have died and religious and political expressions are severely curtailed. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has asked for international support for his efforts to engage the Chinese government. As global citizens, we must double our efforts to bring freedom to the Chinese and Tibetan people.
“This year the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has declared poverty as one of the gravest human rights challenges of our time. We cannot ignore the inextricable links between poverty and the breakdown of human rights. Access to food, health care, and education, opportunities for income, and freedom from discrimination should be universally known as the most basic human rights.
“On International Human Rights Day we recommit ourselves to protecting and promoting human rights around the world.”
Contact: Brendan Daly or Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616, both of the Office of Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi
