Human Rights Day Programme 09 Dec 1977

Filed under Thoughts from the UN community. | UN Anniversaries

On 9 December 1977 the  Meditation Group sponsored an observance at U.N. Headquarters of Human Rights Day, featuring the dedication of the song “O Human Rights,” written by Sri Chinmoy. Following are brief excerpts from each of the speakers.

Sri Chinmoy, Leader of the Meditation Group at the United Nations:

Human Rights Day, what is it? Is it a day of hope? If so, what is hope? Hope is tomorrow’s earth-illumining reality founded upon humanity’s purity-heart.

 Human Rights Day, what is it? Is it a day of promise? If so, what is promise? Promise is constant self-giving.

Human Rights Day, what is it? Is it a day of achievement? If so, what is achievement? Achievement is man’s complete perfection in the inner
world and man’s total satisfaction in the outer world.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Statement Statement from Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, presented by Mr. Virendra Dayal, Regional Representative for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees:

I remember back in the early sixties when I was on mission in what was then still called the Congo. At that time a group of refugees from Rwanda had arrived in the province of North Kuvu in the most isolated and inaccessible area covered with virgin forest.

We traveled hundreds of kilometers over dirt track in our Land Rovers with their United Nations symbols. When we finally arrived, what struck me was not only their extreme need and their tragedy, but their reaction to us.

They could not believe that someone had come all that way, had found them, that an organisation called the United Nations which was so far away was there to help them.

Fortunately, we were able to help, just as we have been able to help millions in all parts of the world who through no fault of their own have been forced to flee their homes.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

I think that we ha ve to seriously examine, at the present juncture, whether or not it is more important to follow what I choose to call the quiet approach in the question of human rights. I am of the considered view that we ma ke best progress in the area of human rights when we act in a quiet manner and when we can talk to each other rather than confronting each other politically.

I think that the United Nations might also think more and more these days about whether the traditional forms and  methods of diplomacy ought to be applied to human rights here. By acting diplomatically, and by that very fact alone, very often we are denying the human element which we should be emphasizing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Congressman Charles W. Whelan. Jr. United States delegate to the 32nd General Assembly:

The efforts of both the executive and legislative branches of the United States government in the field of human rights have the overwhelming support of the American people. We in the United States, however, feel that our bilateral initiatives undoubtedly would be more effective if international bodies were to conduct complementary activities.

Thus, we hope the global institutions such as the United Nations will expand their undertakings in the area of human rights. The efforts of the Meditation Group and similar organizations must be continued and indeed accelerated if this objective is to be realized. You are to be congratulated on the fine work you already have done in generating awareness for human rights. But our concern must never flag for those who have been arbitrarily imprisoned, tortured or discriminated against in any country of the world.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Brady Tyson , Advisor, United States Mission to the United Nations:

Before such a cosmopolitan and international group, I am sure you will forgive me if I address you in the Meditation Group not only in the accents of an American Texan, but also in the language of a Methodist preacher, because, like my boss, Andrew Young, I am first and foremost a preacher.

Father, after we have been assured once again, by Thy Spirit bearing witness with our spirit, that we are sons and daughters of Thine, we know that Thy Will once again will send us out into this world, that we might there promote and protect the dignity of all persons, that we might never be insensitive, that we might always be open to the hurts of others-even though those hurts become ours also and we must once again cry unto Thee for help and for strength. It is Thy Grace that has brought us safe thus far; it is Thy Grace that will sustain us in the days and weeks and years to come; it is Thy Grace that will give us the tranquility and the peace and the strength to overcome the evil in this world with the power of Thy Love.

Brady Tyson and David Rowe of the USA Mission to the U.N. with Sri Chinmoy

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dr. Robert Muller. Deputy Under-Secretary-General:

We must establish reverence for life as the cornerstone of all future civilization: reverence for life not only by individuals, but also institutions, foremost among them nations. Institutions were created originally for the good of the people. This is their main merit and the justification of their existence. And yet nations are developing and stockpiling incredible arsenals of murderous weapons meant for millions and millions of people, possibly for all human beings. The same nations come to this house and speak about human rights. Well, then they must be reminded of the first and most sacred of all human rights: the right to life and the right not to kill. Perhaps if we approach the whole question of human rights and disarmament from the fundamental principle of reverence for life, we might achieve some progress.

As a humanist and as a member of the human race who has seen so many killings and violations of basic human rights during his life, I just cannot conceive and accept the idea of a peaceful and orderly planet of armed nations. As we approach the special session of the General Assembly on disarmament, I would therefore hope that nations will be reminded most forcefully of this foremost, fundamental, sacred and inalienable right and obligation of all human beings on this planet: “Thou shall not kill, not even in the name of a nation.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Winston Frost, Attorney-at-Law, Chairman of the Board, Suffolk Industrial Development Agency:

“World peace through world trade” is a slogan for our 300-acre industrial park, located adjacent to the Suffolk County Airport, 0n the eastern end of Long Island, in an area endowed with many natural resources and with an enlightened work force.

It may seem far-fetched to relate an industrial park to human rights. However there is in fact a relation.

One of the human rights seldom mentioned is the right to work, and while it is all well and good to talk about guaranteeing human rights in the undeveloped parts of the world, we must not overlook conditions as they exist in our own backyard.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

              

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Music Scores:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Page Images from 1977 Devoted Report to the Secretary-General:

GalleryL

 

Download:

Click on image below for larger or different resolution  photo – images.

Gallery 2: special booklet

– 2 page jpg format