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MC No. _ 01_ s. 2008
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
(Click here for PDF format)
TO : ALL HEADS OF CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES; DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS AND AGENCIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT; LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS; GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS WITH ORIGINAL CHARTER; STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES; AND INTER-AGENCY BODIES AND COUNCILS
SUBJECT :
60th Anniversary Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Republic Act 9201, otherwise known as the “National Human RightsC onsciousness Week Act of 2002,” declares 4 to 10 December as the country’s National Human Rights Consciousness Week. The week culminates on 10 December, which is the International Human Rights Day that commemorates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or UDHR.
This year, UDHR is turning 60.
The 60 th anniversary of UDHR is being commemorated in a year-long campaign by the UN system, providing an opportunity to mobilize the whole of the United Nations and the whole world to evaluate progress in respecting and promoting human rights. The UN slogan of this campaign, “Dignity andJustice for All of Us,” reinforces the vision of UDHR as a commitment to universal dignity and justice. UDHR was the first international recognition that all human beings have fundamental rights and freedoms. It continues to be a living and relevant document today.
To commemorate the UDHR in the Philippines, the Commission on Human Rights ( CHR ) is organizing a 60-day celebration, which shall begin with the launch of the “60-day countdown” at a ceremony on 10 October 2008 at 10:30 a.m., wherein representatives of State institutions, civil society organizations, educators and academia and members of the diplomatic corps shall be gathered at the Quadrangle of the CHR Head Office in Diliman, Quezon City . The 60-day countdown shall lead up to the 60 th anniversary of UDHR on 10 December.
All State institutions and organizations are hereby enjoined to actively participate in the 60-day commemoration of the UDHR. They are directed to use the 60 days to mobilize their networks, and to focus their efforts on helping people everywhere to attain a high level of awareness of their human rights. Particular attention must be paid by each State institution on its plan of action in response to new ethical and social challenges linked to human rights within the context of each organization's mandates and the UN motto. State institutions are encouraged to take the lead in launching an awareness campaign about certain rights enshrined in the UDHR, particularly those that are directly connected to their respective mandates, such as the right to health in relation to the mandate of the Department of Health.
In this vein, all heads of State institutions and organizations are further enjoined to inform and coordinate with the CHR their respective plans of action. By 7 October 2008 , all planned activities for the celebration of the 60-day countdown must be submitted to CHR through telefax nos. 927-6225 and 928-4471, or e-mail address at udhrchr_60@yahoo.com or udhrchr60@gmail.com for consolidation. The consolidated activities shall be printed as the National 60-day Calendar of Activities Celebrating the 60 th Anniversary of the UDHR. The 60-day Calendar shall mainly present “WHAT” is happening, “WHERE” is it happening, “WHEN “is it happening and by “WHOM” or “WHO” is the implementing agency/ies. The national calendar of activities shall be uploaded at the websites of CHR and CSC at www.chr.gov.ph and www.csc.gov.ph, respectively. It shall serve as guide for the whole duration of the celebration.
Also, we urge State institutions and organizations to prepare banners and streamers announcing the celebration, and likewise display the same in their office lobbies, and/or on the façades of their office buildings, to inform their clienteles and to show support for the UDHR celebration. Attached is the design and specifications of the banner/streamer for your guidance.
For smooth implementation, all State institutions and organizations shall designate their respective Focal Persons for easy coordination and communication between and among all concerned parties.
For inquiries and information, please contact Dir. Ana Elzy E. Ofreneo and/or Mr. Hubert V. Ruiz of the Human Rights Education and Research Office (HERO), Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines at telephone numbers 927-6225 and 925-3878.
September 29, 2008
LEILA M. DE LIMA
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
http://www.un.org/events/humanrights/udhr60/
Click this link for more information about the 60th Anniversary of UDHR.
For the banner design, click this link: PDF of UDHR banner or PowerPoint of banner
HERO/Elzy/Hubert