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A small candle is lit at the UN

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Anniversary
Vonnie Solace

December 10, 2018 marked the 70th Anniversary Of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights that each of the member nations had signed

At that time they asked, no demanded that each of the thirty articles of the declaration should be the primary focus of the member nations -one for each of the next 30 years.  They were anticipating a ceremony at years end. The top three countries that have shown the most effort at publicizing and attempting to promote the article would receive global recognition.

 For the first time the UN has made public recognition that global corporations not only have the power of countries but the civic responsibilities of countries.  They are including and listing major global corporations as contestants in the annual contest.   Last year in 2018 the first article was promoted:Article 1.All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. 

Despite naysayers, many countries for political reasons and to bow to local pressures made some attempts to promote brotherhood.  The first prize went to Kenya, for a new cross-tribal council composed of the many major, minor and non-Kenyan ethnic groups in Kenya.  The goal of the council was simple, the Article 1 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. 

 

The second prize went to Belgium.  Belgium took this opportunity to pass economic laws that guaranteed equal employment opportunities for Flemings, Walloons and other ethnic groups in the country. 

 

However it was the third prize that really astounded the world.  It went to Acer and Fujitsu Siemens Computers - long a pariah of NGA's that research unethical business practices.  The horrible conditions that existed in subcontractor factories were well known in Asia.  Their people worked 70 hours or more a week for a pathetic wage even by local standards.  The environment was unhealthy in the extreme.

 

This type of outsourcing to second world countries with no accountability has long been a thorn in the side of UN activities for 30 years.  In 2018 Acer and Fujitsu Siemens Computers developed a Bill of Accountability for all subcontractors irrespective of the country in which the subcontractor was located.  For the first time they accepted global responsibility for the welfare of the workers that create it's products.   

 

In 2019 Article 2 will be the focus of the work of the UN:

Article 2.Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this 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. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

There is a push on in western Europe this year to use the language of Article 2 to end the blockage of the Gaza strip.  

Jan 06


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