The member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are committed to collaborating to advance and safeguard human rights within the Commonwealth and globally. This is stated in the statement of the members of the CIS Human Rights Commission to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"The members of the Commonwealth of Independent States Human Rights Commission reaffirm their readiness to intensify efforts in promoting and protecting human rights and freedoms in response to new challenges and threats. They emphasize the importance of enhancing national human rights protection systems and declare their intention to unite in utilizing available international legal instruments and relevant universal and regional mechanisms to promote and protect human rights within the Commonwealth of Independent States and beyond," the statement reads.
The statement emphasized that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "serves as a global reference point for legislation and policy at the international, national, and local levels." "It provides a solid basis for the further expansion of fundamental human rights and their realization through the mechanisms available to the global community," the statement said.
"At the same time, the members of the Human Rights Commission of the Commonwealth of Independent States, expressing their commitment to the principles and objectives of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recognizing the difficulties faced by the international system of human rights protection, are convinced that achieving positive results is possible through the establishment and practical strengthening of cooperation," the document said.
CIS Secretary-General Sergei Lebedev has previously remarked that the human rights situation in the West doesn't grant Western politicians the authority to accuse Russia, Belarus, and other CIS countries of human rights violations. He highlighted that recent criticisms against CIS countries regarding alleged human rights violations and disregard for democratic principles are largely unfounded.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on December 10, 1948, was the first universal international act in this field. Although it lacks an article requiring UN member states to sign it, its provisions have evolved into legal norms in international relations. The Declaration serves as a foundational code upon which subsequent human rights documents have been developed under the auspices of the UN.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS