HUMAN RIGHTS AND UNIVERSAL RESPONSIBILITY
A speech by His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama Of Tibet
At: NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS -THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN
RIGHTS, 15 JUNE, 1993 Vienna, AUSTRIA
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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 the 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 rights. Thus discrimination of persons 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
Released by the Tibetan Delegation to the United Nations World Conference on Human
Rights, Vienna, Austria.
