- Human rights and universal responsibility
- His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet
Non-governmental organizations the United Nations World Conference on human rights 15
June, 1993 Vienna, Austria
Released by the Tibetan Delegation to the United Nations
World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, Austria.
Our world is becoming smaller and ever more interdependent with the rapid growth in
population and increasing contact between people and governments. In this light, it is
important to reassess the rights and responsibilities of individuals, peoples and nations
in relation to each other and to the planet as a whole. This World Conference of
organizations and governments concerned about the rights and freedoms of people throughout
the world reflects the appreciation of our interdependence. No matter what country or
continent we come from we are all basically the same human beings. We have the common
human needs and concerns. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering regardless of
our race, religion, sex or political status. Human beings, indeed all sentient beings,
have the right to pursue happiness and live in peace and in freedom. As free human beings
we can use our unique intelligence to try to understand ourselves and our world. But if we
are prevented from using our creative potential, we are deprived of one of the basic
characteristics of a human being. It is very often the most gifted, dedicated and creative
members of our society who become victims of human rights abuses. Thus the political,
social, cultural and economic developments of a society are obstructed by the violations
of human rights. Therefore, the protection of these rights and freedoms are of immense
importance both for the individuals affected and for the development of t! he society as a
whole. It is my belief that the lack of understanding of the true cause of happiness is
the principal reason why people inflict suffering on others. Some people think that
causing pain to others may lead to their own happiness or that their own happiness is of
such importance that the pain of others is of no significance. But this is clearly
shortsighted. No one truly benefits from causing harm to another being. Whatever immediate
advantage is gained at the expense of someone else is short-lived. In the long run causing
others misery and infringing upon their peace and happiness creates anxiety, fear and
suspicion for oneself. The key to creating a better and more peaceful world is the
development of love and compassion for others. This naturally means we must develop
concern for our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than we are. In this respect,
the non-governmental organizations have a key role to play. You not only create awareness
for the need to respect the rights of all human beings, but also give the victims of human
rights violations hope for a better future. When I travelled to Europe for the first time
in 1973, I talked about the increasing interdependence of the world and the need to
develop a sense of universal responsibility. We need to think in global terms because the
effects of one nation's actions are felt far beyond its borders. The acceptance of
universally binding standards of Human Rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and in the International Covenants of Human Rights is essential in today's
shrinking world. Respect for fundamental human rights should not remain an ideal to be
achieved but a requisite foundation for every human society. When we demand the rights and
freedoms we so cherish we should also be aware of our responsibilities. If we accept that
others have an equal right to peace and happiness as ourselves do we not have a
responsibility to help those in need? Respect for fundamental human rights is as important
to the people of Africa and Asia as it is to those in Europe or the Americas. All human
beings, whatever their cultural or historical background, suffer when they are
intimidated, imprisoned or tortured. The question of human rights is so fundamentally
important that there should be no difference of views on this. We must therefore insist on
a global consensus not only on the need to respect human rights world wide but more
importantly on the definition of these rights. Recently some Asian governments have
contended that the standards of human rights laid down in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights are those advocated by the West and cannot be applied to Asia and others
parts of the Third World because of differences in culture and differences in social and
economic development. I do not share this view and I am convinced that the majority of
Asian people do not support this view either, for it is the inherent nature of all human
beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they have an equal to achieve that.
I do not see any contradiction between the need for economic development and the need for
respect of human rights. The rich diversity of cultures and religions should help to
strengthen the fundamental human rights in all communities. Because underlying this
diversity are fundamental principles that bind us all as members of the same human family.
Diversity and traditions can never justify the violations of human righ! ts. Thus
discrimination of person s from a different race, of women, and of weaker sections of
society may be traditional in some regions, but if they are inconsistent with universally
recognized human rights, these forms of behavior must change. The universal principles of
equality of all human beings must take precedence. It is mainly the authoritarian and
totalitarian regimes who are opposed to the universality of human rights. It would be
absolutely wrong to concede to this view. On the contrary, such regimes must be made to
respect and conform to the universally accepted principles in the larger and long term
interests of their own peoples. The dramatic changes in the past few years clearly
indicate that the triumph of human rights is inevitable. There is a growing awareness of
peoples' responsibilities to each other and to the planet we share. This is encouraging
even though so much suffering continues to be inflicted based on chauvinism, race,
religion, ideology and history. A new hope is emerging for the downtrodden, and people
everywhere are displaying a willingness to champion and defend the rights and freedoms of
their fellow human beings. Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue
the basic human desire for freedom and dignity. It is not enough, as communist systems
have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. The deeper human
nature needs to breathe the precious air of liberty. However, some governments still
consider the fundamental human rights of its citizens an internal matter of the state.
They do not accept that the fate of a people in any country is the legitimate concern of
the entire human family and that claims to sovereignty are not a license to mistreat one's
citizens. It is not only our right as members of the global human family to protest when
our brothers and sisters are being treated brutally, but it is also our duty to do
whatever we can to help them. Artificial barriers that have divided nations and peoples
have fallen in recent times. With the dismantling of Berlin wall the East - West division
which has polarized the whole world for decades has now come to an end. We are
experiencing a time filled with hope and expectations. Yet there still remains a major
gulf at the heart of the human family. By this I am referring to the North-South divide.
If we are serious in our commitment to the fundamental principles of equality, principles
which, I believe, lie at the heart of the concept of human rights, today's economic
disparity can no longer be ignored. It is not enough to merely state that all human beings
must enjoy equal dignity. This must be translated into action. We have a responsibility to
find ways to achieve a more equitable distribution of world's resources. We are witnessing
a tremendous popular movement for the advancement of human rights and democratic freedom
in the world. This movement must become an even more powerful moral force, so that even
the most obstructive governments and armies are incapable of suppressing it. This
conference is an occasion for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to this goal. It is
natural and just for nations, peoples and individuals to demand respect for their rights
and freedoms and to struggle to end repression, racism, economic exploitation, military
occupation, and various forms of colonialism and alien domination. Governments should
actively support such demands instead of only paying lip service to them. As we approach
the end of the Twentieth Century, we find that the world is becoming one community. We are
being drawn together by the grave problems of over population, dwindling natural
resources, and an environmental crisis that threaten the very foundation of our existence
on this planet. Human rights, environmental protection and great social and economic
equality, are all interrelated. I believe that to meet the challenges of our times, human
beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must
learn to work not just for one self, one's own family or one's nation, but for the benefit
of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best
foundation for world peace. This need for co-operation can only strengthen humankind,
because it helps us to recognize that the most secure foundation for a new world order is
not simply broader political and economic alliances, but each individual's genuine
practice of love and compassion. These qualities are the ultimate source of human
happiness, and our need for them lies at the very core of our being. The practice of
compassion is not idealistic, but the most effective way to pursue the best interests of
others as well as our own. The more we become interdependent the more it is in our own
interest to ensure the well-being of others. I believe that one of the principal factors
that hinder us from fully appreciating our interdependence is our undue emphasis on
material development. We have become so engrossed in its pursuit that, unknowingly, we
have neglected the most basic qualities of compassion, caring and cooperation. When we do
not know someone or do not feel connected to an individual or group, we tend to overlook
their needs. Yet, the development of human society requires that people help each other.
I, for one, strongly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Every
individual has a responsibility to help more our global family in the right direction and
we must each assume that responsibility. As a Buddhist monk, I try to develop compassion
within myself, not simply as a religious practice, but on a human level as well. To
encourage myself in this altruistic attitude, I sometimes find it helpful to imagine
myself standing as a single individual on one side, facing a huge gathering of all other
human beings on the other side. Then I ask myself, 'Whose interests are more important?'
To me it is quite clear that however important I may feel I am, I am just one individual
while others are infinite in number and importance. Thank you !