杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

On Human Rights Day, 杏MAP导航 Francis makes an appeal to 鈥減lace human rights at the heart of all policies, including development cooperation policies, even when this means going against the tide.鈥�

Equal human dignity in every person

These words came in a message to the International Conference: entitled 鈥淗uman Rights in the Contemporary World: Achievements, Omissions, Negations鈥� promoted by the Dicastery for Integral Human Development and the Pontifical Gregorian University. The two-day conference is being held to mark the 70th anniversary since the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25^th Anniversary since the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Rights: rooted in the nature of each person

In his message, read by Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, 杏MAP导航 Francis recognises that through the two documents being celebrated, 鈥渢he family of Nations wanted to recognise the equal dignity of every human person鈥�. He explains that these rights are 鈥渦niversal, indivisible, interdependent and interconnected鈥� and that they are rooted in the nature of the human person, as an 鈥渋nseparable unity of body and soul鈥�.

This year, marking two important anniversaries, is an opportunity for us to reflect upon the respect that we must have for the human rights of every person in contemporary society, says the 杏MAP导航. He stresses that 鈥渟pecial attention must be payed to the more vulnerable members of our communities鈥�. Saying, in fact, that in observing our contemporary society, we encounter numerous contradictions that lead us to ask ourselves if this United Nations Declaration is 鈥渞ecognised, respected, protected and promoted under every circumstance鈥�.

Human diginity cannot be ignored

The 杏MAP导航 goes on to say that today many forms of injustice persist 鈥渘ourished by reductive anthropological visions, and by an economic model based on profit that does not hesitate to exploit, discard and even kill man鈥�. Whilst many live in wealth, says the 杏MAP导航, many others 鈥渟ee their dignity ignored, despised or trampled on and their most basic rights ignored or violated.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis says that his thoughts are with those who 鈥渁re subject to acts of intolerance, discrimination and violence because of their racial, ethnic, national or religious affiliation鈥�, and stresses that he cannot forget those who are victims of the tragedy that is armed conflict, 鈥渨hile unscrupulous death merchants are enriched at the price of the blood of their brothers and sisters鈥�.

Each of us are called to help

鈥淲e are all called into question鈥� says the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渢o contribute with courage and determination鈥� within the realm of our respective positions. 鈥淓specially we Christians鈥� continues the 杏MAP导航, for whom this 鈥渘ecessity for justice and solidarity鈥� has a special meaning. He explains that the Gospel invites us to 鈥渕ove with compassion鈥� as we look towards our more vulnerable brothers and sisters and to 鈥渕ake a real effort to alleviate their suffering鈥�.

Inspire protection

杏MAP导航 Francis ends his message by expressing his hope that 鈥渢hese days of reflection may awaken consciences and inspire initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting human dignity鈥�.

With this, the 杏MAP导航 says, 鈥淚 entrust each of you, your families and your people.鈥�