“Self-censorship as a result of intimidation or social pressures, sometimes referred to as "political correctness", constitutes a serious obstacle to the proper functioning of democracy. It is important to hear the views of all persons,including the "silent majority", and to give heed to the weaker voices.” GivingPersonsImportantSelfSometimesPoliticalSocialVoiceResultsViewsDemocracySeriousPressureMajoritySilentIncludingObstaclesCensorshipPolitical CorrectnessHeedCorrectnessIntimidationSocial PressureSelf CensorshipSilent Majority Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“No country has a perfect report card. While some countries have strong points in specific areas, they may have serious lacunae in other areas. For instance, some countries have made enormous progress on civil and political rights, but lag in the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights.” MayMadeCountryPoliticalStrongSocialPerfectRightsProgressEconomicSeriousAreasEnormousCardsInstanceReportsImplementationLagPolitical RightsReport Cards Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Without peace and the rule of law, civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights cannot be enjoyed, when killing, maiming and mutual poisoning prevail.” LawPoliticalSocialRightsEconomicKillingEnjoyedMutualRule Of LawPoisoning Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Peace is not the silence of cemeteries, but the song of social justice.” SongSocialJusticeSilenceSocial JusticeCemetery Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“A ten per cent reduction in military expenditures per year would be reasonable, coupled with a programme of retraining the workforce and redirecting the resources in a manner that creates employment and advances social welfare. I also encourage all States to contribute to the UN's annual Report on Military Expenditures by submitting complete data on national defence budgets.” YearsStatesWould BeSocialMilitaryTenResourcesEmploymentDataBudgetsWelfareReasonableReportsCentsDefenceReductionProgrammesAnnualsWorkforceExpendituresSocial WelfareAll StateAnnual Reports Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Bearing in mind that "the market" is not an invention of capitalism but that it has existed for thousands of years in many different societies, social justice logically requires that the profits resulting from the operation of markets and infrastructures created by society be equitably shared within societies and in a larger context within the human family.” YearsMindHumansDifferentSocialJusticeCapitalismSocial JusticeProfitInventionOperationsInfrastructureHuman Family Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“The mandate entails a generous synthesis of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. The title requires the expert to be truly independent, keep an open mind, conduct his/her research objectively and without ideological prejudices, listen to all sides of an argument and seek the opinion of all stakeholders. The essence of an independent expert is not merely his/her expertise - which must be considered a given - but the faculty of thinking outside the box, while rigorously respecting the terms of reference laid down in the resolution establishing the mandate, and observing the code of conduct of rapporteurs.” MindPoliticalSocialSidesOpinionRightsEconomicResearchArgumentPrejudiceIndependentTitlesGenerousExpertsOpen MindIdeologicalMandatesSynthesisKeep An Open MindStakeholder Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Respect for human rights requires transparent and accountable institutions and governance as well as the effective participation of all individuals and civil society, who are an essential part of realizing social and people-centred sustainable development.” PeopleHumansWellsIndividualSocialRealizingRightsDevelopmentEssentialsInstitutionsHuman RightsParticipationGovernanceTransparentSustainable DevelopmentCivil Society Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“I urge Governments to considerably reduce funds allocated to the military, not only as a disarmament issue, but also as a potential contributor to social and environmental protection and call for the holding of referenda on this issue worldwide.” GovernmentSocialIssuesMilitaryEnvironmentalProtectionUrgesFundDisarmamentEnvironmental ProtectionContributors Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
