Asia and the Drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Robin Ramcharan is Professor of International Relations at Webster University Thailand.  He is Executive Director of the Asia Centre, a neutral and independent think-tank in Bangkok that conducts evidence-based research on human rights in Asia. Previously, he was Professor of International Relations and Law at Alliance University, Bangalore. He has worked in international development cooperation with the Academy of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Bertrand Ramcharan served as High Commissioner for Human Rights 2003-2004, following the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello in August 2003. Over his three decades with the UN, he served, inter alia, as Special Assistant to the Director of the Centre for Human Rights. He held many senior positions including Chief Speechwriter of the UN Secretary-General, Director of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in UNPROFOR, Director of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, political adviser to the peace negotiators in the Yugoslav conflict, and Director in the United Nations Political Department, focusing on conflicts in Africa. He has been Professor of Human Rights at the Geneva Graduate Institute and Chancellor of the University of Guyana.

• 1. Introduction.- 2. Asian Visions.- 3. Asian Drafters.- 4. Asian Foundations.- 5. The Principle of Humanity.- 6. Dignity and Equitable Life Chances.- 7. Equality and Non-Discrimination.- 8. Implementation.- 9. Education About Human Rights.- 10. The Future.- 11. Conclusion.