2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The momentous vision of justice and dignity initially recognized by governments, has today become the common goal of people everywhere; fought for tirelessly by human rights defenders.
The Declaration reaffirms that human rights are for everyone, everywhere. But 60 years after its adoption, the sad truth is that human rights violations know no boundaries. Based on research from thousands of individual testimonies and visits, the Amnesty International Report 2008 documents torture and other ill-treatment in at least 81 countries, unfair trials in 54, and crackdowns on freedom of expression in at least 77. It shows how a failure to provide global leadership on health has left one million children orphaned by HIV/AIDS-related deaths in Malawi alone.
Six decades on, the promise of the Declaration’s 30 articles – to be free from fear as well as from want – is unrealized for millions of us.
The Declaration was the first time rights and freedoms for all human beings were recognized in an international instrument – from the right to life to the right to freedom of conscience, opinion, expression and association. From the right to life itself, to the right to enjoy that life with health, education and to earn a living; from the right to live in dignity, to the right not to suffer cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.
It recognized the equality of every single human life – whatever our gender, race, ethnic origin or birthplace. It clarified that these rights are not only universal but indivisible – you betray one, you betray them all.
These rights are innate in all of us - that is the essence of our humanity. Each of us has the duty to stand up, not just for our own rights, but also for those of others.
Vibrant social-movements are gaining strength around the globe to make the rights enshrined in the Declaration a reality. Amnesty International is proud to be a part of this movement and dedicates this Amnesty International Report 2008 to all human rights defenders everywhere.