UNMIK/PR/1459
PRISTINA - SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen today issued the following statement on the occasion of International Human Rights Day tomorrow, 10 December:
“Today marks an important day as the world joins together to celebrate, promote and honour human rights. This day is poignant for Kosovo as it remembers the past and looks forward to the future. There is still much that needs to be done and Human Rights Day should never lose its significance in Kosovo.
There have been some dark periods over the last fifteen years and longer in this region when human rights have not been respected. Human rights and fundamental freedoms are profoundly tied to and lie at the heart of a stable and prosperous future for Kosovo. Today we should remember that respect for human rights is the peaceful foundation upon which Kosovan society can build its future and its people move forward together.
The road to Europe also goes through the respect of human rights. The international community, the government and people of Kosovo need to keep the protection of human rights high on their agenda. There is a need to deepen efforts to educate the whole society about human rights protection and rule of law.
I would like to encourage you – the people of Kosovo – to continue your contributions to human rights in the future. I would like to encourage you to keep advancing the culture of respect for human rights.
It is essential to live up to commitments, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and UNMIK will stand beside you and support you throughout this endeavour.
On this international Human Rights Day, UNMIK renews its commitments to work on these issues with its local and international partners and all the people of Kosovo in support of efforts to promote and protect human rights for all.