International Movement of Catholic Students Asia Pacific

International Human Rights Day Message

Human Rights Month

10 December 2007

The International Movement of Catholic Students Asia Pacific wishes all students and human rights defenders all the best in the uphill and continuous struggle against Human Rights violations. As the world continues to be in chaos and plunder by the few rich and powerful, we must never cease or lessen the intensity in the struggle to bring peace, justice, love and equality for everyone. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document that was adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 10^th December 1948, has been the principle and foundation of Human Rights mechanisms all over the world and hence, the celebration of the International Human Rights Day and December as Human Rights Month. The UDHR also forms the basis of International Law which makes it a legally binding document. It is a simple but a most empowering document if used in HR education. It is indeed sad that time and again, governments (signatories of the UDHR) whose primary task is to uphold Human Rights forget and fail to promote, protect and respect Human Rights of its citizens. And hence, lets all take serious efforts, to enhance and double our efforts to educate the masses about their Human Rights through Human Rights Education for All.

As an International Catholic Student Movement, we have pledged our commitment in Building a Culture of Peace and Solidarity in the next upcoming years, and we will use the UDHR as the fundamental tool to ensure the masses are empowered by knowing about their rights, leading to actions of Solidarity and Advocacy with/for marginalized and oppressed groups.

We urge all government leaders to implement immediately policies for Human Rights Education, especially the Introduction of the UDHR into all levels of formal education. It would mark and be a sign of goodwill of the states sincere and modest concern for/of the Human Rights of its citizens while taking into account the Universality of the Human Rights for All concepts. We urge all religious leaders to inculturated the UDHR as an integral component of theology, religion and spirituality as IMCS strongly believes that faith cannot be separated from daily life and social realities.

We also urge all Human Rights and social action organizations to mainstream Human Rights Education for the Masses as part of your organizations yearly program/activities as we culminate the 60^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 2008.

Let the struggle continue!

The IMCS Asia Pacific Team