Res. No. 586
Title
Resolution declaring December 10 as Human Rights Day in New York City in commemoration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.
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By Council Members DeBlasio, Brewer, Davis, Felder, Gennaro, Gerson, Jackson, McMahon, Perkins, Recchia, Sanders, Serrano, Stewart, Vann and Weprin; also Council Member Boyland
Whereas, On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed Resolution 217 A (III), entitled the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights;" and
Whereas, The Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins by stating that the "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
Whereas, The Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights also indicates that "Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;" and
Whereas, Among the thirty Articles found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are Articles that state that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," that "everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person," and that "all are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law;" and
Whereas, Article two in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status;" and
Whereas, The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of member states themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction;" and
Whereas, Following the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the General Assembly called upon all member nations to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories;" and
Whereas, December 10, 2002, marks the 54th Anniversary of the passage of this historic act by the General Assembly of the United Nations; and
Whereas, New York City is home to the United Nations, and as such has been referred by many as the capital of the world, and should therefore commemorate in some official capacity the anniversary of this historic act; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares December 10, 2002 as Human Rights Day in New York City in commemoration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.
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LS# 1458
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11/14/2002
H:/word/resolutions/deblasio/ls#1458
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