Our Collective Conscience •
Acknowledging the important role of international cooperation for, and the valuable
work of individuals, groups and associations in contributing to, the effective
elimination of all violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples
and individuals, including in relation to mass, flagrant or systematic violations such as
those resulting from apartheid, all forms of racial discrimination, colonialism, foreign
domination or occupation, aggression or threats to national sovereignty, national
unity or territorial integrity and from the refusal to recognize the right of peoples to
self-determination and the right of every people to exercise full sovereignty over its
wealth and natural resources,
Recognizing the relationship between international peace and security and the
enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and mindful that the absence
of international peace and security does not excuse non-compliance,
Reiterating that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal, indivisible,
interdependent and interrelated and should be promoted and implemented in a fair
and equitable manner, without prejudice to the implementation of each of those rights
and freedoms,
Stressing that the prime responsibility and duty to promote and protect human rights
and fundamental freedoms lie with the State,
Recognizing the right and the responsibility of individuals, groups and associations to
promote respect for and foster knowledge of human rights and fundamental freedoms
at the national and international levels,
Declares:
Article 1
Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to
strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at
the national and international levels.
Article 2
1. Each State has a prime responsibility and duty to protect, promote and implement
all human rights and fundamental freedoms, inter alia, by adopting such steps as may
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