Fifty-three years ago this week, the world's leaders assembled at the United Nations to affirm in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.

Yesterday, President Bush issued the proclamation for Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week. The proclamation cites the universal principles of democracy, justice and individual liberty embodied in our Constitution's Bill of Rights and the support and encouragement of civilized people worldwide in our mutual fight against terrorism.

Human rights has played and continues to play a central role in U.S. foreign policy, development assistance, and trade relations. Since the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United States has worked to promote and protect human rights through joint efforts with its allies worldwide, as well as with non-governmental
and other international organizations, recognizing that the respect for human rights contributes to security, stability, and prosperity.