David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Wednesday 03 December, 2008

60 years of the UN Declaration on Human Rights

Contrary to John Pilger's variously partial and wrongheaded attack in the Guardian yesterday it is wholly appropriate for the FCO to host a day of debate about the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights. That is not just because of history. In our diplomacy around the world, in our aid programme, in our deployment of troops, and in our defence of international law we uphold the values of the UN declaration.

There were three priorities at Monday's conference. First taking justice to the international question to tackle impunity - through the international criminal court. Second the scope of human rights, highlighting the importance of lesbian and gay rights. And third the links between human rights and conflict.

There are people around the world benefitting from UK engagement. We don't need to pretend we are perfect to be proud that we make a difference.

Posted at 12:35 03 December 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[10]

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Hi David I don't think that John Pilger's comments in the Guardian yesterday were "partial and wrong-headed" and am disappointed that you dismiss them without any reasons. He talks about the High Court's descriptions of the Foreign Office's treatment of the evicted Chagos Islanders – “outrageous", "repugnant" and "illegal". He talks about our "systemic British policy of exporting arms and military equipment to 10 of Africa's most war-bloodied and impoverished countries." Our use of cluster bombs and depleted uranium in Iraq? And much else. It's a long list. Grave charges which I want to see the Foreign Office take seriously. The media generally gives the FCO a very easy ride on all of this. Which is why it is all the more important to take John's article on board and take action on these areas that make the world a more dangerous and unjust place. I certainly don't want a leadership that does these kind of things - who does actually? They need to be stopped. NOW.

Posted by Mike Bennett on December 03, 2008 at 02:40 PM GMT #

We make a difference alright. The High Court described the Foreign Office's treatment of the evicted Chagos Islanders as "outrageous", "repugnant" and "illegal", and our "systemic British policy of exporting arms and military equipment to 10 of Africa's most war-bloodied and impoverished countries." is hardly something to be proud of.

Posted by Simon Harpham on December 03, 2008 at 04:32 PM GMT #

You still haven't said anything about China and Tibet. So, surprise, surprise, for the modern FCO human rights is still a matter of convenience.

Posted by OwenE2 on December 04, 2008 at 08:11 AM GMT #

Hi David It strikes me that the way that politicians get away with leading us into the kinds of "outrageous", "repugnant" and "illegal" situations that John describes so well in his Guardian blog - is that they just don't reply to criticism. Obama is talking about a new era of transparency in the US's dealings with the world. I'd like to see that here too. So, as a Citizen, I demand that you respond clearly and truthfully to John Pilger’s Guardian blog.

Posted by Mike Bennett on December 04, 2008 at 09:59 AM GMT #

I bet Zimbabweans aren't celebrating 60yrs of the UN Declaration of Human Rights ! What good has it done them? What good does it do anyone if there is no way of bringing about positive international action against dictators who could care less what the rest of the world think or say? It's obvious Mugabe has made sure those who could remove him have a very strong personal interest in not doing so. Yet the international community, particularly the UN continue to entertain him and his inflated entourage at conferences around the world as if he is still the legitimate President. He should be arrested. It is sickening.

Posted by C Skittrall on December 06, 2008 at 06:07 PM GMT #

Well, Sir, from down here in Europe it seems that UK are walking in the worst US footsteps' ever. One super-power playing as ruler of the planet is more than enough for us.

Posted by Francesco on December 06, 2008 at 07:00 PM GMT #

Answer please - are you going to give the Chagos islanders their home back or not? Or is that not the kind of difference you're interested in making?

Posted by Richard Morgan on December 07, 2008 at 10:11 PM GMT #

How exactly do you go about dismissing Pilger's argument and then proceed to blather on about HUMAN rights? I mean really.

Posted by Markus Heaton on December 08, 2008 at 02:55 AM GMT #

Answer please - do you plan to prosecute or otherwise challenge the impunity of all those British politicians and policymakers responsible for the ethnic cleansing of the Chagos Islands population? Or is that not the kind of impunity you're interested in tackling?

Posted by Richard Morgan on December 08, 2008 at 12:28 PM GMT #

John Pilger is man of truth and reports news that western mainstream news channels and papers limit and to undermine him without just reason sums up British politics today. Which people around the world are benefitting from UK engagement? Yes,the Gazans are from the arms the UK supplied to Israel to slaughter them; the Iraqis must be happy with the economic sanctions causing half a million deaths of civilians; or perhaps the world benefits from this so called war on terror taking away civil liberties and human rights. You are not having a "war on terror" - you are the "war of terror" It's no wonder there's a global finanancial crisis. The people of the UK certainly aren't benefitting from this government and broad statements like yours will not fool most people.

Posted by Renee on January 15, 2009 at 10:59 AM GMT #

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