UN human rights chief welcomes seven billionth rights holder

The following statement was made on 31 October 2011 by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay to mark the birth of the 7 billionth person in the world

"Today we welcome the seven billionth person born into the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a matter of law, she or he has been born "free and equal in dignity and rights." From the moment the child was born, he or she – like every other child born today or any other day -- should be guaranteed freedom from fear and want, protection from discrimination and abuse, and equal access to security, justice, and respect as a member of the human family.

The child is, simply by virtue of her or his birth, a permanent holder of rights, with an irrevocable claim to freedom. But she or he will also be born into a world where some people, given the chance, will trample on those rights and freedoms in the name of state security, or economic policy, or group chauvinism.

If she was born a girl, she will have fewer choices. If born in the developing world, she or he will have fewer opportunities. If born a descendant of Africans in a non-African country, or as an indigenous person, member of a religious minority, or as a Roma, she or he is likely to face discrimination and marginalization, with a childhood rife with vulnerability, and a future adult life hedged in by exclusion.

But he or she has also been born at a time of great hope. The global awakening of 2011, which began in a town in Tunisia and spread to other towns and cities around the world, promises to restore the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of a life of freedom from fear and want for all, without discrimination.

These demonstrations and mobilizations of civil society in a sense provide a birthday celebration for the seven billionth person on this planet, and also serve as a warning to those who might be inclined to deprive this child, like many others, of his or her birthrights. If governments, companies, communities and international organizations take heed and commit more strongly to uphold his or her rights, then this birth will truly be a cause for celebration.

Today, the seven billionth person was born to the firm promise of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Delivering on that promise, is the responsibility of all of us."

ENDS

Learn more about the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/HighCommissioner.aspx

For media requests, please contact spokesperson Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org) or press officers Ravina Shamdasani (+ 41 22 917 9310 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org) and Xabier Celaya (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org).

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