Ambassador Gennady Gatilov on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Gennady Gatilov’s response to a question from TASS on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

(December 12, 2023)

Question: This week, high-ranking representatives from many countries gathered at the Palais des Nations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. How is the international community approaching this landmark date, and what is the role of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today?

Answer: Indeed, two days of high-level events dedicated to the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have concluded earlier today. This truly unique document rose out of the horrors of the most gruesome war in human history. UN member states adopted the Declaration in 1948, driven by their intent to never allow the tragedies of WWII to happen again, to prevent the revival of ideologies based on racial superiority and to strengthen respect for the dignity and rights of individuals. Without exaggeration, the document had a decisive influence on the establishment of the international regime for the promotion and protection of human rights and on the overall development of international law.

Despite the decades passed and many turbulent events in the world, the Universal Declaration fully retains its relevance. This is due to the fact that it is based on values shared by all peoples, such as respect for human life, freedom and personal inviolability, as well as promotion of national, cultural, and religious diversity. It is no exaggeration to say that this document is still a key landmark in the field of human rights, should, of course, it be treated with due respect.

Regrettably, there is little cause for celebration today, despite the anniversary date. 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration, we observe a distressing situation in the field of human rights worldwide. Problems that were inherent to certain historical periods have not only persisted, but also multiplied. Today, the topic of promoting and protecting human rights is being shamelessly manipulated by the Western group of states who consider themselves “paragons” in this area, imposing systems of alien views and values on other countries and peoples. Meanwhile, the West aggressively promotes its lifestyle, while gross human rights violations are taking place in their own countries of the “golden billion”. I must admit that human rights is exactly the area where the division of countries into “friends” or “foes” by the “collective West is most evident. All while the last “pillars of impartiality and justice” represented by international human rights institutions have turned into silent promoters of interests of the self-proclaimed “beacons of democracy.”

The highest value – human life – continues to be selectively interpreted by individual states. This is especially evident through international conflicts and humanitarian catastrophes, when certain lives are deemed “less important”. Take, for example, the unsuccessful attempts to adopt a UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza, which is being consistently blocked by the US. This clearly shows the real attitude towards the right of ordinary Palestinians to life. For many years, the plight of the people of Donbass, who suffered and perished under Ukrainian bombs and shells, also received little to no attention.

Over the past two days, heads of state, ministers and other high-ranking officials from various countries have been giving fine speeches and making strong commitments in Geneva to the principles and spirit of the Universal Declaration. However, the dire situation in the field of human rights cannot be alleviated by competitions in eloquence. Real actions are required, ones that prioritize efforts by the entire international community to build a fair multipolar world, in which the interests of all countries would be equally taken into account, including their national, religious, cultural, historical and other peculiarities.

Unfortunately, this is not the case right now. Therefore, the grand events held this week on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights seem more like a “feast during the plague.” Much talk, little action.