HUMAN RIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22612, 17 May 1945, Page 5

HUMAN RIGHTS

DRAFTING DOCUMENT UNITED NATIONS TASK FOUR FREEDOMS BASIS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SAN FRANCISCO, May 15 The drafting of an international bill of rights, based on the four freedoms, should become the first task of the new United Nations world organisation. said Mr Stettinius at a press conference. He asserted that the issue of human rights might weLl be the most important part of the San Francisco Conference. “The provision on human rights is a far-reaching step,” he stated, “because it would pledge the members of the world organisation to cooperate in promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individual peoples, regardless of race, language, religion or sex. The peoples of the world will not be satisfied simply to return to an order which offers only worn-out answers to their hopes. Right of Self-Government “The United States will continue to exert its full influences on behalf of the right of all peoples to govern themselves according to their own desires whenever they are prepared and able to assume the responsibilities of freedom, as well as to enjoy its rights. “We believe that it is the special obligation of the greater and more powerful nations to respect the right of self-government, not only in their relationship to peoples of dependent areas, but to the peoples of small nations who are already independent and wish to remain so.

“The proposed provisions will not, of course, assure by themselves the realisation of human rights, and they cannot be enforced by international machinery. The responsibility rests with member Governments to carry them out. We can here make only a beginning, but we believe it is a good and substantial beginning.” Preparation Later

Mr Stettinius added that the four sponsoring Powers had agreed that the enumeration of individual and collective human rights and freedoms in the charter could not be attempted at this conference. It would take too long to obtain agreement among so many differing social systems, environments and traditions.

“When the organisation is established,” he continued, “the Economic and Social Council should promptly undertake to prepare an international bill of rights which can be accepted by member nations as an integral part of their own systems of law. The four freedoms, as stated by the late President Roosevelt, freedom of speech, freedom from want, freedom from fear, and freedom of worship, are the fundamental freedoms which encompass all other rights and freedoms. Freedoms Outlined “For instance, the freedom of speech encompasses the freedom of the press, freedom of information and freedom of communications. Freedom from want encompasses the right to work, social security and the right to opportunity of advancement. Freedom from fear, encompasses protection from persecution and discrimination, regardless of race, language, religion and sex. “As long as rights and freedoms are denied to some,” Mr Stettinius concluded, “the rights and freedoms of all are endangered. I believe the charter should and will provide means for the full consideration of the views and interests of ' all branches of organised labour, agriculture and business without which an effective performance by the organisation in economic and social matters would be impossible.”

The death occurred toCay after an illness of the Vichy Minister cf Justice, Joseph Barthelcmy. The Paris radio reports that Baitheletny was to be tried as an alleged war criminal.