His Holiness endorse ‘Principles of Responsibility’

LONDON, December 9 -

Office of Tibet, London. By Tsering Tashi.

At a press conference held here this morning, Rights and Humanity, the international movement for the promotion and realisation of human rights and responsibilities, released a document titled, ‘Principles of Responsibility’ signed by its patrons His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan and Sir Sigmund Sternberg. Other signatories include Chief Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks, Dadi Janki (Co-convenor of Brahma Kumaris), Bianca Jagger (renowned human rights advocate) and Ramon Mullerat (Chair of International Bar Association).

Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe based at the Office of Tibet in London, said that she was pleased to be associated with Rights and Humanity. She read His Holiness’ message for the occasion which read:

“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. Each of us must therefore 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 best foundation for world peace.”

The message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu was read by Rev. Dr. Vladimir Nikiforov, Chaplain of Royal Holloway College, University of London. The message read:

“Let us preserve our planet. Let us humanize it by recognizing the fundamental rights of each person. Let’s make the 21st century the century of respect for human rights. We each can make a difference by acting with integrity, showing compassion and by being tolerant of those who are different. Yes let us celebrate our rich diversity.”

Speaking on the occasion Chief Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks said that the human race as a whole has a responsibility to champion the cause of human rights wherever they are being violated. He lauded the efforts of Rights and Humanity in bringing people from different faiths and cultures to promote human rights and responsibilities.

“This initiative is of the utmost importance in our interconnected world. We must respect the dignity of difference. Difference should be seen not as a threat, but as an enrichment of the collective heritage of humankind,” he said.

Julia Hausermann, President of Rights and Humanity, said that the purpose of launching the document was to let people know what they as individuals can do to prevent and relieve human suffering by the promotion and realisation of human rights and responsibilities.

“We must all learn to practice the art of humanity,” she said while also introducing the Rights and Humanity established in 1986.

She said that the ‘Rights and Humanity Principles of Responsibility’ would form the basis for building an active membership campaign on the global Human Rights Day that falls tomorrow.

The ‘Principles of Responsibility’ reminded that we all share the responsibility to - recognize and respect our common humanity; respect human dignity; revere life; respect and promote the human rights of everyone, everywhere; think and behave with compassion; act with integrity and make peace. It states that by committing ourselves to putting these principles of responsibility into practice in our corporate, professional and daily lives we can each play a significant role in building a more just, equitable, safe and peaceful world.

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