Democracy is not the end product, but the means to the end, which is the enjoyment of human rights by all.
Alfred-Maurice de ZayasThe diagnosis is clear, but changing the status quo has proven difficult, because often those who are elected do not govern, and those who do govern are not elected.
Alfred-Maurice de ZayasGlobal military spending levels constitute an unconscionable use of resources and remain at an all-time high, reaching a total of USD 1.75 trillion in 2012, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Alfred-Maurice de ZayasNo 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.
Alfred-Maurice de ZayasThe drafting of a legally binding instrument concerning the human rights impacts of the activities of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises has been proposed. Such a treaty or convention should strengthen the United Nations โprotect, respect and remedyโ framework of the Guiding Principles, which were unanimously endorsed by the Human Rights Council in 2011.
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas