connotations associated with this issue, Bermuda's Human Rights Commission (HRC) has deliberately chosen a positive theme around which it is encouraging schools, worship centres, workplaces, social clubs and individuals to mark the occasion.

"We decided to celebrate Human Rights Day in a slightly different manner this year,'' explains HRC executive officer Neville Darrell. "The focus is `Let's Celebrate,' and we are asking people to give full expression to having achieved some of the basic levels of human rights.'' Acknowledging that "as a community we have a way to go along the path of community life toward achieving full expression as contained in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)'', Mr. Darrell says "nonetheless we have made significant gains. Therefore, the celebration is about those gains''.

"If you don't understand history you don't understand the richness of what we have,'' he states.

The executive officer explains that by taking a positive approach to celebrating the Day, the Commission hopes Bermudians will accomplish four things: Focus on the gains the community has made thus far.

Recognise our common history, largely characterised by mistreatment and suffering.

Assert that mere differences need not be the basis of conflict and discourse.

Accept that differences in the social community are a necessary part of the full expression of the human family.

"Our differentiation should and must be the basis toward developing an assured understanding and tolerance of all peoples,'' Mr. Darrell stresses.

Explaining the background behind these aims, the executive officer refers to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the United Nations signed in Paris on December 10, 1948, and outlines its precepts.

"The document was a response to what the international community saw in Europe as the result of the Second World War. They saw the atrocities of the death camps, and resolved that ideology and a political agenda must never again be given credence in the world,'' he explains. "So a special committee, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, was charged with determining what every human being's inalienable rights were, and then enshrining them in what is now known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.'' The 30 Articles it contains begin with all humans being born equal and end with denying any State, group or person the right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at destroying any of the rights or freedoms set down in the Declaration.

Among the many rights so enshrined are: nationality; freedom of thought, conscience, religion, employment, travel and movement; the presumption of innocence until proven guilty; democratic government; the right to an education, work and just remuneration; an adequate standard of living; protection of personal privacy, and much, much more.

Mr. Darrell notes that the 1948 UDHR is only the second document in 1000 years to identify and set out the same things: 1. The rights and privileges of the individual. 2. The means to resolve grievances, and 3. Curtailment of the powers of the State. The first document was the Magna Carta in 1215.

"In between these two documents, over hundreds of years all communities of the world have been impacted by the ravages of war, atrocities against each other, and fundamental acts of oppression and unfairness,'' he explains.

"Therefore, we can rightly believe that the entire human family calls out for redress and remedy to our past practice of unfairness.'' Among the examples of these, Mr. Darrell cites the middle passage in African slavery; kidnapping and murders in Guatemala; the massacre of schoolchildren in Soweto and Sharpeville, South Africa; and the continuing religious wars in Ireland and Serbia.

"Therefore, one thing is certain,'' he reasons, "we are all united from our ancestors through acts of unkindness and unfairness. Human Rights Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate our common identity as the family of humanity.'' Friday's Human Rights Day celebrations will kick off at 12.30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall, when the public is invited to hear greetings and readings by community officials, plus entertainment provided by the Post Office Choir, Jamba, Toni Robinson and Toni Bari.

Letters have gone out to schools, workplaces, social clubs and worship centres from the HRC inviting them to design activities and celebrate the day in their own way. Suggestions have been provided, based on relevant Articles of the UDHR.

Already, says Mr. Darrell, the response has been positive. Some schools are planning special assemblies or civics lessons, and all the mainline churches have embraced the concept.

"The Roman Catholic church is going to hold a special human rights mass in which the Portuguese Association is taking part, which I think is really excellent,'' he says. "The Salvation Army is very enthusiastic, as are most of the church communities, who plan to include various activities during the worship experience.

"In the workplace we are celebrating the environment in which the work takes place, and the response there has also been very gratifying.'' Among others supporting the Day are the Bank of Butterfield, HWP Group, American International, Belco and BTC.

Not only is celebration of International Human Rights Day deemed important for adults, but also for children, who are the world's future. Mr. Darrell calls the latter "The Dream Carriers''.

"In looking at children, I often say they are the dream carriers of generations long passed. The UDHR reminds us that we, as a community, are the true carriers for generations of ancestors long passed. They would have wanted for us the highest, best and fullest expression of humanity and emancipation,'' he says.

To that end, the executive officer wants everyone to get behind Friday's celebration and create a better community.

"Let us participate in the shared vision of our ancestors, and create a community that we can all be proud of -- a community characterised by tolerance, understanding, social justice and prosperity,'' he ways. " That is our birthright, really.'' For further information on International Human Rights Day telephone the Human Rights Commission at 295-5859.

Photo courtesy of Government Information Services Happiness and Human Rights: Heritage Day is just one way Bermudians enjoy some of the Articles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These include the right to rest and leisure, peaceful assembly, and participation in the cultural life of the community. On Friday the population is asked to join the rest of the world in celebrating International Human Rights Day.