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In May, The Carter Center hosted a consultation of some 30 human rights experts including Mary Robinson, (right) U.N. high commissioner for human rights. They discussed how to increase the United Nations' capacity to protect rights in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. Ms. Robinson, the former president of Ireland, shared her thoughts about the Declaration and human rights today:

Q: WHY IS THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS SO IMPORTANT?

A: It represents the vision of 50 years ago, after two devastating world wars. That vision was shaped by a few people, including Eleanor Roosevelt, who recognized the importance of setting down the rights of all people at the international level. It was the first time this was done.The Declaration addresses a broad range of rights—civil, political, economic, social, and cultural.

Q: WHAT IMPACT HAS THE DECLARATION HAD DURING THE 50 YEARS IT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT?

A: It has had a huge impact. On the international level, there are two human rights Covenants, (footnote 1) the core Conventions, (footnote 2) and U.N. treaty bodies, which monitor implementation of the Conventions and Covenants. Also, many constitutions, including those of developing countries, refer to and incorporate the Declaration's principles. It's a wonderful standard.

Q: What would you like to see happen to strengthen human rights and the work of human rights advocates?

A: A short time ago, the U.N. Com-mission on Human Rights in Geneva passed the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders, which will go to the U.N. General Assembly for consideration. It took 13 years of discussion, and it is very important because it recognizes the role of individuals, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and others in protecting and promoting human rights.

Sadly, just as the Commission passed that Declaration, we had to observe a minute of silence for a well-known Colombian human rights lawyer who was brutally killed in his home. We also had the equally brutal death of the Roman Catholic bishop in Guatemala. So it's not an abstraction; there is a need, at the international level, to protect human rights defenders. That's part of reinvigorating the debate on human rights.

Q: WHAT ROLE DO NGOS SUCH AS THE CARTER CENTER PLAY IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS ARENA?

A: NGOs have been very important in promoting the Universal Declaration. They also play a critical role leading up to, during, and following the Com-mission's annual session. Each U.N. World Conference was hugely influenced by NGOs. Look at our preparations for this summer's Conference on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court in Rome: It's the network of human rights NGOs pressing for standards, principles, and values in the Court that's leading the debate. I see NGOs as partners in human rights work and as a huge resource to me and my office.

Q: HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR ROLE AS HIGH COMMISSIONER, AND HOW DOES THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PERCEIVE IT?

A: I have a very broad mandate. I maintain a working dialogue with all governments, regional organizations, and the NGO and academic communities for promoting and protecting human rights. The mandate makes very clear that there must be a balance among all human rights.

When I visit a country—I've been to South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Cambodia, Iran, and most recently, Morocco—I meet my colleagues working for the various U.N. agencies—UNICEF, the United Nations Development Program, the World Food Program. We discuss how together we are promoting human rights in that country. This is serving to re-energize the United Nations.

Footnote 2: The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; the Convention on the Rights of the Child; The Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.