Amnesty launches human rights petition

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) lists the basic rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to. December 10 will be the 50th anniversary of the document's drafting.

Many Australians are probably unaware of the existence of this list of rights and freedoms simply because we are permitted to exercise them. However, this is not the case in many countries.

In Indonesia, you can't have a meeting without permission. In Burma, you can't tell jokes about the government. In Afghanistan, you can't play football or dance. In Greece, you don't have the right not to serve in the army. In some parts of Malaysia, you can't go out on a date.

Amnesty International's largest worldwide campaign this year is to collect the signatures of 10 million people who support the UDHR. On Human Rights Day (December 10), these signatures will be delivered to the United Nations by 1 million people who will march through the streets of Paris.

If you can help collect signatures, please contact our Canberra office. You can also record your support by sending an e-mail to <udhr50th@amnesty.org.au>. Put your name in the subject area and the following text in the message area: "I support the rights and freedoms in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all people, everywhere."

From GLW issue 337