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06 September 2000
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9th International Congress of the World Federation
of Public Health Associations, Beijing, 2 to 6 September 2000
Message from Mary Robinson,
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism
I send my best wishes to all those attending the WFPHA Congress in Beijing.
The world faces formidable challenges in the field of public health. Many of the problems are the direct result of human rights violations. I have witnessed such violations firsthand on my missions to countries as diverse as Colombia, Sierra Leone, the Former Yugoslavia and East Timor. I have met girls and young women who have been abused and raped, children whose limbs were amputated. I have also met many whose economic and social rights were violated: people dying from famine, HIV/AIDS or simply because they were too poor to pay for the medication and treatment they required.
My experience as High Commissioner has brought home to me the interdependence of all human rights - the way in which, for example, the right to food, housing, education, health, and the right to freedom of expression, assembly and movement complement and reinforce each other. Respect for human rights, the standards of which are contained in numerous international human rights instruments, is an important tool for protecting health. It is those who are most vulnerable in society - women, children, the poor, persons with disabilities, the internally displaced, migrants and refugees - who are most exposed to the risk factors which cause ill- health. Discrimination, inequality, violence and poverty exacerbate their vulnerability. It is therefore crucial not only to defend the right to health but to ensure that all human rights are respected and that the root economic, social and cultural factors that lead to ill-health are addressed. Encouraging Governments and public authorities to ensure accessible healthcare for all is vital. But better health depends as much on poverty alleviation, empowerment, participation and non-discrimination.
I commend you for the choice of themes which you have identified for discussion during this Congress. Indeed, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and global tobacco control are key contemporary issues which bring to light the interdependence of health and human rights. My message to you today is that respect for human rights and the dignity of all human beings are important pre-requisites for improving the health of every woman, man and child.
I wish you well in your discussions.
of Public Health Associations, Beijing, 2 to 6 September 2000
Message from Mary Robinson,
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism
I send my best wishes to all those attending the WFPHA Congress in Beijing.
The world faces formidable challenges in the field of public health. Many of the problems are the direct result of human rights violations. I have witnessed such violations firsthand on my missions to countries as diverse as Colombia, Sierra Leone, the Former Yugoslavia and East Timor. I have met girls and young women who have been abused and raped, children whose limbs were amputated. I have also met many whose economic and social rights were violated: people dying from famine, HIV/AIDS or simply because they were too poor to pay for the medication and treatment they required.
My experience as High Commissioner has brought home to me the interdependence of all human rights - the way in which, for example, the right to food, housing, education, health, and the right to freedom of expression, assembly and movement complement and reinforce each other. Respect for human rights, the standards of which are contained in numerous international human rights instruments, is an important tool for protecting health. It is those who are most vulnerable in society - women, children, the poor, persons with disabilities, the internally displaced, migrants and refugees - who are most exposed to the risk factors which cause ill- health. Discrimination, inequality, violence and poverty exacerbate their vulnerability. It is therefore crucial not only to defend the right to health but to ensure that all human rights are respected and that the root economic, social and cultural factors that lead to ill-health are addressed. Encouraging Governments and public authorities to ensure accessible healthcare for all is vital. But better health depends as much on poverty alleviation, empowerment, participation and non-discrimination.
I commend you for the choice of themes which you have identified for discussion during this Congress. Indeed, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and global tobacco control are key contemporary issues which bring to light the interdependence of health and human rights. My message to you today is that respect for human rights and the dignity of all human beings are important pre-requisites for improving the health of every woman, man and child.
I wish you well in your discussions.