Former U.S. Ambassador Heather M. Hodges Speeches

Ambassador Heather Hodges' op-ed on Human Rights Day

(published on December 9, 2005, in newspapers Flux and Vremea)

Tomorrow is Human Rights Day, the 57th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly. In 1948, emerging from the horrors of World War II, the nations of the world came together to craft the first international agreement on the rights of humankind. Soon after the Republic of Moldova became an independent state, this country too committed itself to the principles outlined in the Declaration.

Over the last year Moldova has taken some essential and noteworthy steps to improve respect for human rights in this county. For example, the Parliament passed amendments to laws on the judiciary that will increase its transparency and independence. It also approved a comprehensive law to prevent and combat trafficking in persons that provides better protection for victims of this crime.

Also this year, Moldova reiterated its commitment to upholding fundamental human rights when it made European integration its highest priority and signed an Action Plan with the European Union. The European and Euro-Atlantic structures, which have proven so enduring and successful, are built on a shared commitment to uphold the freedom of the individual as a basic value.

No country is perfect. In the United States we have many shortcomings still, almost 230 years after our independence from Great Britain and 140 years after our Civil War finally ended the terrible institution of slavery in America. Like Moldova, we are committed to recognizing and addressing our shortcomings in a spirit of openness and democracy.

In that spirit, and as a friend of Moldova, I would like to mention one of the areas where Moldova can and should do more to protect human rights. This is in the area of religious freedom. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right … in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." There are several religious organizations here that have been unable to register with the authorities and, therefore, are not free to practice their faiths openly without interference from government.

This has been an issue of concern to us for several years, and I am surprised that a problem, which seems so simple (and cost-free) to fix remains unresolved. A new draft law on religion may soon be considered by the Parliament. I sincerely hope that it will be in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and take into account the recommendations of the Council of Europe as called for in the EU Action Plan. But respecting the right to religious freedom should not have to wait for a new law. Those religious organizations that have submitted applications in accordance with the current law should be registered without delay.

In the years since it gained independence, Moldova has made great strides towards developing a fully democratic government accountable to its people. As we celebrate Human Rights Day tomorrow, let us think of how far we, as a community of nations, have come in the 57 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But let us not lose sight of the tasks still ahead of us. All nations still have much to do to meet the ideals enshrined in that document. In America, as in Moldova, we must do more to end poverty, discrimination, and violence. I look forward to working with the government, civil society organizations and citizens of Moldova to help make both our countries better places to live.