Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ernst Sucharipa Permanent Representative of Austria on behalf of the European Union

New York, December 10, 1998

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the associated country Cyprus align themselves with this statement. [...]

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is truly a milestone in history; it establishes a common understanding of human rights for mankind and is the first comprehensive international proclamation of the basic rights of the individual. It was the basis for subsequent human rights instruments at universal but also at regional level. For many countries, the Universal Declaration served as guidance in the formulation of national bills of rights. The Universal Declaration is as relevant today as when it was drafted and remains the centerpiece in the edifice built over the last 50 years for the protection and promotion of human rights. In this context, the EU welcomes the adoption of the Rome Statute for an International Criminal Court as a crucial step in combating impunity and calls on all States to sign and ratify the Statute as soon as possible. [...]

ANNEX

DECLARATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE OCCASION OF THE

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS,

VIENNA, 10 DECEMBER, 1998

Council of Luxembourg 1991 and 1997, and adopts the following Declaration:

[...] The Union particularly welcomes the adoption of the Statute of a permanent International Criminal Court to try the most serious crimes and violations of humanitarian law of concern to the international community and calls for an early ratification of this statute. [...]