THE WHITE HOUSE AT WORK



Monday, December 6, 1999

PRESIDENT CLINTON:
COMMEMORATING HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

"Human rights begin in small places close to home. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."

President Bill Clinton quoting Eleanor Roosevelt
Monday, December 6, 1999

Today, at the White House, President Clinton presented the second annual Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award to five distinguished US. citizens for their leadership in human rights. As part of his commemoration of Human Rights Day 1999 (December 10), the President announced new U.S. policy initiatives to address the circumstances of Afghans, especially women and girls, who have suffered serious human rights abuses at the hands of the Taliban.

Honoring Leadership in Human Rights. Eleanor Roosevelt was the driving force behind the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To honor her contribution, President Clinton established the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights. Today, the President presented the Award to five U.S. citizens for their human rights leadership at home and abroad:

Announcing New Support for Afghan Women. The United States is the largest donor of humanitarian relief to victims of conflict in Afghanistan. President Clinton today announced new U.S. policy initiatives to further address the circumstances of Afghans, particularly women and girls, who have suffered human rights abuses under the Taliban:

Commemorating Human Rights Day 1999. December 10 is Human Rights Day 1999, marking the 51st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration, issued by the United Nations General Assembly, affirms fundamental freedoms and human rights for all people. President Clinton called for continued commitment to the cause of human rights around the world, and specifically:



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