US mission recognizes Kazakhstan's civil society on Int'l Human Rights Day
ALMATY. December 10. KAZINFORM On December 10 in Almaty, Consul General Michael Snowden hosted a roundtable to commemorate International Human Rights Day. The event celebrated the work of Kazakhstan's human rights defenders and looked ahead to Kazakhstan's post-OSCE chairmanship future; Kazinform has learnt from the US Embassy's press service.
At the roundtable, representatives from 13 leading Kazakhstani non-governmental organizations and members of other diplomatic missions explored ways to build momentum after the OSCE Summit and Kazakhstan's Chairmanship, which coincided with the 35th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. Using the core set of human values laid out in this act, the group discussed a strategy to move Kazakhstan forward and create better opportunities for all Kazakhstani citizens.
At a November 30 Civil Society Town Hall Discussion, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recognized the importance of collaboration between civil society and the government to the development of strong democracies, thriving economies, and stable societies. "There must be a partnership between governments, vibrant institutions and free societies that work together to solve the problems we face in the 21st century."
International Human Rights Day was established in 1950 to mark the anniversary of the UN General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. American First Lady and human rights activist Eleanor Roosevelt was the chairwoman of the United Nations Committee that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and since its passage, the Universal Declaration has become an internationally recognized standard for the preservation of fundamental freedoms.
The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan supports all of Kazakhstan's human rights defenders who stand up for these principles.