Chairperson, cultural diversity is one of the key challenges to the application and practice of human rights. When people are brought together voluntarily or involuntarily by the integration of markets and new political orders, tensions are sure to arise. Without a secure sense of identity amidst the turmoil of transition, people may resort to isolationism, ethnocentrism, racism, tribalism and intolerance.
The question therefore is how human rights can be reconciled with the clash of cultures that has come to characterise our time. Cultural background is the source of a great deal of self-definition, expression and a sense of group belonging.
Everyone is entitled to human rights without discrimination of any kind, with the fundamental principle being nondiscrimination. Human rights are intended for everyone in every culture. Nondiscrimination protects individuals from the violation of their rights by authoritative bodies.
If we are to unite in our diversity and still protect inherent human rights, we must accept that human rights are neither representative of nor oriented towards one culture to the exclusion of others. The practice and application of human rights must reflect a dynamic, co-ordinated effort to achieve common standards towards the protection of human dignity. No right can be used at the expense of or to the destruction of another.
To uphold human rights we should love, respect, serve, consult and be tolerant of all humankind. The brotherhood of man should be our guiding principle. No right can be invoked or interpreted in such a way as to justify any act leading to the denial or violation of other human rights or fundamental freedoms.