Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Message to the International Conference
on "Universal Rights and Human Values"
A Blueprint for Peace, Justice and Freedom Edmonton, Canada, 26-28 November May
I begin by expressing my sincere regrets that I am unable to join you here today. I would have wished to take part in the discussions at this conference which, I have little doubt, will provide valuable ideas and suggestions for making our planet a safer, happier home for all of us. Largely due to the sad situation of human rights in my own country, I am unable to attend this conference in person and must therefore be content with sending a short message.
The title of this conference could well be turned inside out without distorting its true sense or diminishing its potency: peace, justice and freedom could be viewed as universal values which form the foundation of our demand for those basic human rights that should be recognized by the international community and guaranteed by every state in the world.
Few rational human beings anywhere, regardless of their race, religion or culture, would deny the supreme value of peace, justice and freedom in their positive, vigorous aspects. It is now widely seen that peace should be more than the mere absence of war: it should be a positive force that counters violence as a means of resolving the problems of human society. Justice should not only aim at controlling the negative traits in human nature, it should work to promote a sense of fairness, compassion and universal brotherhood. Freedom should be more than a lack of shackles, it should mean an environment where the right to develop one's own potential, without curbing that of others, can be exercised without fear.
The articles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights are aimed at creating a human environment which will foster peace, justice and freedom. Its preamble spells out the indissoluble link between universal rights and human values, or between universal values and human rights. This link will surely become better established as a result of the endeavors of conferences such as this, where scholars and statesmen, international human rights activists and representatives of the United Nations agencies gather to focus attention on this most important of subjects: the right of all people to live full lives, secure in their dignity as free and respected members of human race.
May I conclude by thanking those who have made it possible for me to send this message and by extending my warm wishes for the success of this conference to the conference organizers and to the participants.
Aung San Suu Kyi
