DECLARATION OF INTERNATIONAL YOUNG CATHOLIC STUDENTS (IYCS) FOR THE HUMAN RIGHT DAY

The initiators of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in embodying the rules of equality
and justice for all men on earth without any exception, have confirmed their realistic and just
vision for the human race. Today, the fundamental freedom of people and nations has improved
although some significant efforts are still to be done.

Like every year, this December 10, will offer to us once again the opportunity to commemorate
the true values of a perfect humanity, provided in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
However, addressing the political, security, economic and sometimes the social, human rights
which is supposed to be given every person individually, at any time and any where seems to be
relegated to second rank priority including by some governments.

Today, it should also be noted that certain realities in our modern world begin creating limits on
the realization of human rights. We can mention among those: the rise of fundamentalism,
religious discrimination and certain policies against migration.
Since the engagement of the international war against terrorism, we have seen the rising of the
phenomenon of fundamentalism, especially in some Islamic circles. In Afghanistan, despite
significant resources provided, no one seems to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda. At the contrary,
poor and innocent people who are the victims. Facing poverty and misery arising from political
and military instability, the civilian population, for their survival, seems have the choice between
migration and the mobilization alongside the Taliban or the military to perpetuate violence.
Besides Afghanistan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iraq and, Maghreb (North of Africa), Mauritania, in
northern Mali, northern Nigeria, the actions of fundamentalist groups is increasing and in some of
these countries discrimination against religious minorities is arising and seems to be
institutionalized.
In Nepal, the Maoists fundamentalist group acting and directing attacks against religious
minorities1, especially Christians. Despite some evidence that the government holds on the
perpetrators, efforts to neutralize this group and protect their targets remain largely inefficient.
Recently, in northern Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India the excesses of fundamentalism
has plunged the region into war and violence leaving innocent civilian victims who already faced
the harsh reality of extreme poverty. Often, the responsibility of people in power is challenging.

1
Human Right Report: Nepal; 2008. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/sca/119138.htm
JECI-IYCS International Secretariat : 7 Impasse Reille, 75014 Paris France. Tel: + 33145481472 Fax: +33142840453 Email:mail@iycs-jeci.org website:
ww.iycs-jeci.org
Despite the proclamation of a secular state in the constitution2, the fundamentalism is still acting and no
further measure is really taken to ensure the freedom of worship and religion. We want to remind in the
wake of Pope Benedict XVI's latest encyclical Caritas Veritate that "Discernment is needed on the
contributions of cultures and religions, especially by those who wield political power if the social
community must be built in a spirit of respect for the common good.''3

The other aspect on which IYCS would draw the attention of the international community and
organizations defending human rights remains the ''institutionalized'' discrimination of the migration. The
various policies practiced in this area in several Western and developed countries, are contrary to the
Articles 2 and 13 (paragraph 2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, some international
conventions and regional charters that their states have ratified. This applies to the conditions imposed at
the consulates to obtain visas, which even if they are met sometimes didn’t give right to endorse the visa (
many representatives of NGOs in the South countries have failed to attend international conferences while
some were even organized in close collaboration with UN agencies that countries have voluntarily agreed
to host.)

The study of immigrant groups shows that they are vulnerable in their countries of origin as well as in the
hosting country, as being unable to dispose of certain basic life conditions as described in the Article 3 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In host countries, it is unknown to the violence, climate
degradation that deprive people of their core activities (agriculture, livestock), extreme poverty (which, far
from diminishing in accordance with promises of the Millennium Goals for Development) and the
inability to enjoy their fundamental freedoms that led these people on the path of migration.

In host countries, it is unclear that it is the violence, climate change that deprive people of their core
activities (agriculture, livestock), extreme poverty ( far from diminishing in accordance with the promises
of the Goals Millennium Development4) and the inability to enjoy their fundamental freedoms that led
these people on the path of migration. At the time of technology where the earth has become a "global
village", it is important that the mechanisms that regulate the rights and freedom of human meet progress
in its implementation.

Religious freedom and migration must be taken into account as factors of personal and social
development. It is human nature to be in constant search of safety, security and better living conditions.

The political management of migration must take into account the realities and the vulnerability of
immigrants. More developed countries should go beyond the decisions to regulate the migration on their
territory. Rather, they must work towards the establishment of political, economic and social adequate
environment in sending countries through the strengthening of democracy, multi-party system and
enhancement of local skills.

Paris, December 03, 2009.

Mr. Edouard KOUTSAVA
Secretary General, JECI-IYCS

2
Interim Constitution of Nepal promulgated on 15 January 2007
3
Caritas in Veritatae, N° 55 # 2
4
Eradicate the extreme poverty by 2015 according to the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations

JECI-IYCS International Secretariat : 7 Impasse Reille, 75014 Paris France. Tel: + 33145481472 Fax: +33142840453 Email:mail@iycs-jeci.org
website: ww.iycs-jeci.org