Today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights which, by elevating fundamental freedoms inherent to all individuals to a universal level, has constituted a turning point in the history of human rights.

Respect for human life and the protection of human rights is the legacy of our state tradition and our culture of tolerance which manifests itself in our inclusive society. As a founding member of the United Nations, the Republic of Turkey cherishes this great heritage and continues to set an example to the international community by the initiatives it takes on against human rights violations all around the world through its enterprising and humanitarian foreign policy.

As a party to core international human rights treaties, Turkey has mobilized its resources in the past year, just as it had done so before, to prevent human rights violations and to respond to humanitarian crisis in all corners of the world while acting in cooperation with international organizations.

Experience of the seventy years since the adoption of the Declaration connotes that, it requires not only the endeavors of individual countries but the joint will and effort of the entire international community to create a world without human rights violations where all individuals can lead lives worthy of their inherent dignity. Accordingly, all states, international organizations, NGOs, and other international actors should act in collaboration and employ their means to prevent human rights violations and to respond to those that have taken place in a timely and efficient manner.

Our country has fought against all threats it has faced since the night of the 15 July terrorist coup attempt, during which our nation had demonstrated its commitment to democracy and human rights, in line with its international obligations and respect for human rights. In the new chapter with the end of the state of emergency and the transition to the Presidential system, we will continue to protect and advance human rights and will keep working towards our goal to establish and maintain peace in our region as well as the entire world.

With these thoughts, I sincerely congratulate the Human Rights Day of our nation and the whole mankind.