ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS
The United Nations:

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights serves as the common proclamation of human rights. But it has yet to serve as a common call to action. Human rights violations remain a widespread reality which the world has not been able - nor in some cases willing - to stamp out. The reasons for the gap between rhetoric and reality are complex, bu they must be addressed if the vision contained in the Declaration is to be realized". (UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the opening session of the Commission on Human Rights, 18 March 1998). 
Head of State: 
"A person involved with high politics is often confronted with a special problem - the conflict between respect for human rights and political or economic interests. As President of the Czech Republic, I have been confronted with this problem several times; after lengthy reflection I have always given precedence to human rights. National leaders who decide that a 'little' failure to observe human rights could bring about large profits were mistaken and misguided; sooner or later, if you did such things, you find that a decline of respect for human rights leads to economic decline as well".  (Vaclav Havel, President of the Czeck Republic, at the opening session of the Commission on Human Rights, 18 March 1998). 
Grassroots: 
"The Asian Human Rights Commission has promoted an Asian Charter on Human Rights (a people's charter) in which these ideas about an enabling environment have been more fully articulated, taking into consideration the special circumstances that exist in Asia. ... The Copenhagen Alternative Declaration produced by many NGOs during the Social Summit in 1995 also gives some valuable suggestions regarding the creation of such an environment. It states that social development can only be achieved if all human rights -- civil, political, economic and cultural -- of all individuals and peoples are fulfilled". (Basil Fernando, Asian Human Rights Commission, speaking at the NGO Forum in preparation for the Manila Ministerial Meeting on Social Development, November 1997.)

Disabled young children of  the Rome School in Tokyo.

ALL HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL 

Women's Rights are Human Rights 
"This year, International Women's Day takes on a particular meaning for us all. In this fiftieth anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Women's Day presents us with a dual call to arms; a call to demonstrate that human rights are inherent in the human person and belong to men and women alike.

The promotion of women's rights means the promotion of freedom, justice and the peaceful resolution of disputes; of social progress and better standards of living; of equality, tolerance and dignity. Two issues take on particular urgency: violence against women, and women and armed conflict.

'Women and children first' used to be a phrase that referred to the seats in the lifeboats of a sinking ship. Now, it seems all too often to refer to the victims of a country in conflict. In all societies, women and girls are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture. But let us not forget that among societies in conflict or crisis, women and children are particularly likely to suffer. Although entire communities bear the consequences of armed conflict, women and girls are especially affected because of their status in society and their sex". (Message of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on International Women's Day, 18 March , 1998).