10 December 2008
Human Rights: Universal And Indivisible
PSI celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On 10 December 1948 the world's nations came together in Paris to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
recognising that all human beings, regardless of race, colour, creed, age, class and gender, are "born free and equal in
dignity and rights".
60 years after this monumental occasion, PSI General Secretary Peter Waldorff says, "The 60th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights gives us the opportunity to pause for reflection. Whilst much progress has been
made, the world is still ridden by conflicts, poverty, hunger, inequality and discrimination. Basic and fundamental
rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and security of person, the right to an adequate standard of living and the
right to freedom of expression remain unfulfilled in too many parts of the world and for too many people. The
commitments enshrined in the Declaration are as much in need of realisation today as they were 60 years ago. Governments
must act and they must act now".
Public Services International (PSI) is a global trade union federation that represents 20 million women and men working
in the public services around the world. It has some 600 affiliated unions in more than 150 countries. PSI is an
autonomous body, which works in association with federations covering other sectors of the workforce and with the
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). PSI is an officially recognised non-governmental organisation for the
public sector within the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and has consultative status with ECOSOC and observer
status with other UN bodies such as UNCTAD and UNESCO.
Ends