Remarks by Ambassador John E. Herbst
Human Rights Day Reception
Kyiv, Ukraine
December 6, 2005
In 1948, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed December 10 to be "Human Rights Day" in honor of the signing of a truly extraordinary document: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This document has helped make the world freer.
It calls on nations to promote democratic societies that uphold respect for the individual as a basic value.
Protecting freedom and human rights are part of what President Bush has called the "non-negotiable demands of human dignity."
The protection and promotion of human rights has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, and the United States remains a leader in advancing democracy as a protector of human rights -- not only on December 10, but on every day of the year.
It is my great honor to celebrate Human Rights Day in the presence of so many distinguished Ukrainian heroes, patriots who sacrificed dearly for a cause greater than themselves. I know that we have several guests tonight who met with President Reagan in Moscow in 1988.
May I propose a toast: To the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Glory to you, friends. And glory to Ukraine.