Human Rights Day Programme 1978 Dec 08

Filed under 2 or more | UN Anniversaries

On 8 December 1978, Sri Chinmoy Meditation at the United Nations sponsored an observance of Human Rights Day in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium.

Shraddha

The programme was opened with silent meditation led by Sri Chinmoy and the singing of the song “O Human Rights” by the Meditation Group singers.

The guest speakers included

Ambassador Rikhi Jaipal of India,
Mr. K. F. Nyamekye of the Mission of Ghana to the United Nations and
Mr. B. Ramcharan, Assistant to the Director of the United Nations Division of Human Rights in Geneva.

The programme closed with

the song “All Men Are Created Equal” performed by the singers and
a reading from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Following are excerpts from the programme.

His Excellency Mr. Rikhi Jaipal, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations:
One feels a sense of exhilaration every time one reads the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is a great landmark in the evolution of man. At the same time one also wonders whether the entire range of human rights promised to us can be realised fully. I have no doubt that the human rights movement has acquired a logic and momentum of its own that could lead on to the building of one interdependent world, a world where reason and justice will prevail. Of course, on the way to that world man may have to make heavy sacrifices, because it is not yet in the nature of man to make the right choices by peaceful means.

This makes one ask a fundamental question about the nature of the human being and his potential. I do believe that if one tries to preserve one’s rights at the expense of others’ rights, it leads to violations of human rights .

The only way to promote a general respect for human rights is to become aware of oneself and to identify oneself with others. This deeper awareness can come only through regular meditation. The most important human right is the right to be human.

Without it, other rights cannot have any real value or meaning.

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Shraddha

Mr. K.F. Nyamekye, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations:

The celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be an occasion for re-examination of our method for achieving the goals of the Declaration, especially in Southern Africa.

It is our view that it is the responsibility of the international community to ensure the elimination of the gross violation of human rights on our continent.

This year’s celebrations should offer us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the cause of our unfortunate brothers and sisters and join in the international mobilization for the eradication of apartheid and racial discrimination once and for all.

Our emphasis on the human rights in Southern Africa does not imply that we do not appreciate problems in that field in other areas.

We believe that the denial of all forms of rights and fundamental freedoms everywhere and under whatever circumstances is intolerable.

Every individual is a complete entity and should have the right to enjoy the basic human rights for the fulfilment of his or her full self .

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Shraddha

Mr. B. Ramcharan, Assistant to the Director, United Nations Division of Human Rights, Geneva:

I think that on this occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we should ask ourselves what we can do, or how we can approach the situation before us, when we see so many clear instances of
man’s inhumanity to man.

It is imperative for us to recognize our common humanity. Tolerance and understanding flow naturally from the recognition and acceptance of our common humanity.

We should also pledge ourselves to the concept of human solidarity, because it cannot be the conception of our Maker that some of us should live in luxury and some in squalor.

We should try to develop ourselves and by personal standards of conduct be an example to others.

If there are violations of human rights in any parts of the world, we should concern ourselves with them and speak out; we should not be members of the silent majority in the face of glaring violations of human rights .

When we speak about human rights, we are not talking in general terms about vague problems or ideas. We are talking about individual human beings who have problems that are real to them . I think this occasion is a time for individual commitment and action. It is a time not merely to rededicate ourselves to the principles of the Universal Declaration, but also to go out in the world and strive by example and by effort to bring about the full realisation of the Declaration’s objectives and principles.

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Today’s United Nations offers hopeful and soulful advice to mankind.

Tomorrow’s United Nations will offer fruitful and fulfilling peace to mankind.
Today’s United Nations feels Truth, Light and Delight in its loving heart.

Tomorrow’s United Nations will manifest Truth, Light and Delight with its all-embracing soul.
Today’s United Nations sees the nations as its true friends.

Tomorrow’s United Nations will see the nations as its real sisters and brothers. [*1]

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for fuller report see “Meditation at the UN” Periodic Bulletin: Dec 1978 in PDF

meditation-at-un-vo-06-no-12-27-dec-1978-bulletin/

or related page images 24 – 32 in Gallery 3 Below

Reference Notes:

[*1] excerpt from talk “A Spiritual Goal For The United Nations: Is It Practical?“, by Sri Chinmoy in Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, United Nations, New York, August 5, 1971. Talk appears in, The Garland Of Nation-Souls, Agni Press, 1972.

Galery 1;

Page Images from Devoted Report to the S-G: