Letter of Request to the Secretary General of the United Nations on the UN Decade for Human Rights Education

We have sent the letter to Mr. Kofi A. Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, on the UN Decade for Human Rights Education.

October 15, 2003

Junichi Kasahara
Secretary General
Asia- Pacific Human Rights Information Center (HURIGHTS OSAKA)


Asia Pacific Human Rights Information Center (HURIGHTS OSAKA) is a public interest organization based in Osaka and established in July 1994 with the support of local governments of Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and civic groups. Its objectives include realization of regional protection of human rights in the Asia-Pacific. July 2004 will be its 10th anniversary. HURIGHTS OSAKA has been actively promoting human rights education in Japan and the rest of Asia-Pacific, in cooperation with such organizations as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO, to contribute to the significance of the UN Decade for Human Rights Education, which began in January 1995, pursuant to the General Assembly Resolution. Our activities include the organization of the Asia Regional Human Rights Education Conference (1997, with 10 countries participating), human rights education workshops in 3 regions (1998, North-east Asia, South-east Asia, South Asia) and promotion of regional activities in the region regarding human rights education in Asian schools. Consequently, HURIGHTS OSAKA was awarded the honorable mention of the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education 2000 . The award recognizes the achievements of the human rights education work that HURIGHTS OSAKA has been doing for the previous five years.

As is noted in the Report of the Study by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Follow-up for the UN Decade for Human Rights Education (E/CN.4/2003/101) as well as the Mid-term Report on the UN Decade (A/55/360) in 2000, some significant progress has been made, particularly after the mid-term. With one year remaining until the end of the Decade in December 2004, we believe that it is vital for a second Decade for Human Rights Education to begin in January 2005 following the first Decade.

In the 55th Session of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held from July 28 to August 15 2003 in Geneva, a resolution on the UN Decade for human rights education was adopted on August 13. The resolution calls on the Human Rights Commission to adopt a resolution in its Session in 2004 which recommends "proclamation of a second Decade for Human Rights Education to begin on 1 January 2005."

We strongly call upon you to further strengthen the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which has been central in the promotion of the Decade as well as work towards the realization of a second Decade starting from January 2005, as recommended by the Sub-Commission,

We are aware of the huge workload you face, but we would be most grateful if you could consider our request.


Yours sincerely,

October 15, 2003


Kinhide Mushakoji
Chairperson
Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center