Let me begin by congratulating the President of Kyiv-Mohyla University as well as Mr. Svatko, as well as the organizers, for setting up this conference. Let me also congratulate all of those who have taken the time to participate today. Mrs. Karpachova, let me thank you in particular for that outstanding overview that you just provided on the human rights situation in Ukraine: it was both very moving and extremely comprehensive.

I have often said that this is a remarkable moment in Ukraine’s history, because it is a chance for Ukraine to define itself as a modern European state. I see this conference today as a sign that Ukraine and Ukrainians are seizing this opportunity to participate in defining the kind of nation that you want to leave for your children. As Ukrainians, you are in the best position to comment on the status and direction of human rights in your country. The administration of these rights affects you directly. Perhaps, where I can best contribute today is highlight the framework against which these rights are assessed and to raise some questions for consideration in your conference.

On December 10th 1948, at the 183rd Plenary of the United Nations General Assembly the nations of the world gave all citizens an astounding gift that has stood the test of time – it is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These are not standards that have been imposed on the United States, Ukraine or any other nation of the world. These are standards that all civilized nations have adopted as their own. From the 30 articles of that Declaration, let me summarize what I feel are seven key principles, which, I hope, can be helpful as you further discuss these issues at the conference over the next two days.

First, all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Rights are not granted by position in life, or political status or, economic status, or by political view, or by race, or by religion, but by birth.

Second, everyone has the right to personal security. No one should be subjected to torture or cruel punishment. No one should be subjected to slavery. This includes the slavery of people trafficked across the borders against their will.

Third, the rule of law is fundamental to a civilized society. Everyone has the right to a fair hearing based on the same standards, and everyone has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Fourth, the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society. No family or home should be subjected to attacks on their honor, or reputation, or have their privacy violated.

Fifth, everyone has the right to freedom of expression and assembly and the right to share information through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Sixth, the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of the government and should be expressed through periodic and genuine elections.

Seventh, everyone has the right to own property, to work, to social security, education, adequate health care and well-being.

These are key principles, I believe, that cover the fundamental components of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The natural question to ask is: why were these principles elaborated? Again, the preamble to declaration itself gives us a good understanding. I believe there are three key factors.

The first is that these principles are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. The second is that countries that follow these principles are the most successful in promoting social progress and standards of life. Third is that these principles are essential to promote friendly relations among nations.

It is not surprising then, that these principles have become philosophical foundations for successful international organizations. Nor is it surprising that as Ukraine pursues these principles, they will also help Ukraine advance its integration with the European Union, with NATO and other key international structures.

Let me speak for a moment about Ukraine and its relationship with NATO, because that is an organization to which the United States is a member. People generally think about NATO as a military alliance, and indeed it is. But it is a military alliance that is based on a common commitment to shared values. And NATO works as an organization that functions on the basis of consensus, because there is a common understanding of democracy and market economics.

If one looks at the history of NATO’s enlargement, consistently, political issues have been the most fundamental and most important in determining a country’s ability to accede to membership. This was true in Spain and hinged on Spain’s ability to overcome fascism. It was true with Greece and Turkey and the importance of the two of those countries reaching a political understanding. It was true in Poland, particularly, the importance of Poland taking a strong stand against anti-Semitism. It is true now in the Baltic countries where critical factor for the accession of these countries will be whether they take strong stand on protecting the minority rights of Russian-speaking citizens. It is true in Romania, where a key factor is the Romanian government’s stance on fighting trafficking and corruption. And, of course, it will be true in Ukraine, as Ukraine determines the kind of steps that it wants to take toward greater integration with NATO. The kinds of issues that will be raised would be freedom of speech, the rule of law, the genuiness of Ukraine’s election process. These will be fundamental to the kind of dialogue that will take place between NATO and Ukraine, not because Ukraine is singled out, but because these are common expectations of all countries in how they treat their citizens, especially if we were to one day be ready to sacrifice American lives for another nation.

With these points in mind about human rights and how they contribute to Ukraine’s success, to Ukraine’s people and to Ukraine’s international goals, let me raise some practical questions, that you might consider in your conference.

How can Ukraine strengthen the ability to prosecute crimes – especially in defense of those who have been tortured, threatened, murdered or traded into slavery – so that clear signals are sent to the perpetrators of these crimes, regardless of who they are, that these crimes will be prosecuted in all circumstances.

How can the state provide for the protection of victims, so that these victims have the courage to testify in criminal cases? We have seen that this is an important factor, of course, in circumstances of torture, or in the trafficking of people. But many legal experts in Ukraine indicated that this was even a factor in the March parliamentary elections, and affected the willingness of individuals to bring cases about election irregularities to the court, because of fear that there may be some retribution against them.

If political demonstrations take place as announced, on September 16th, what steps will government authorities and political parties and non-governmental groups take to guarantee the universal right to peaceful freedom of expression and assembly, as was highlighted earlier by Mrs. Karpachova, while avoiding the tragic violence that we saw on March 9th of last year?

How can partnerships be strengthened between governmental and non-governmental sectors so that there is a greater understanding that they share common goals based on universal principles? We have seen that this is an extremely important factor in advancing Ukraine’s quest to eliminate the trafficking of people, and many individuals engaged in these non-governmental groups are present here today. Such partnerships, as Mrs. Karpachova said, can be crucial in the prosecution of crimes.

In the wake of the numerous tragic accidents in coal mines over the past months, what kind of public dialog and process will support an intensive look at safety conditions for workers?

In the realm of the media, as efforts are made to re-constitute the National Broadcast Council, what steps can be taken to promote transparency and accountability in the issuing of licenses for television and radio, in order to ensure greater public confidence in the media outlets that provide people with the majority of the news that they receive?

And finally, what can be done to change the nature of the debate on whether Ukraine’s performance on human rights good enough, to what more can be done to benefit Ukraine’s people? We have seen that the universal principles of human rights are foundations for prosperity. The precept of all countries, whether it is the United States, or Ukraine, or Russia, or Great Britain, should be how to do more, for that is what the people of each nation deserve.

As you go forward with this conference, we extend to you this wish that you find ways to advance Ukraine’s human rights, because it is in striving to advance that nations and people can realize a better future. Thank you very much.