Human rights are fragile if ethical foundation ignored, says Pope .

(Dec.11,2008): “The foundation upon which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is based will remain fragile if its ethical and divine origins are ignored,” Pope Benedict XVI said Wed. evening (Dec.10) in Paul VI Audience Hall during a Vatican commemoration of the document's 60th anniversary. While much has been done over the past decades to promote and safeguard human rights around the world, hundreds of millions of our brothers and sisters still see their rights to life, liberty, and security threatened,” he said.
The event, sponsored by Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, included a concert by the Frankfurt Brandenburg State Orchestra, which was conducted by the Spanish composer, Inma Shara. Featuring works by Felix Mendelssohn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the musical event marked the first time a woman conducted a concert at the Vatican.
In an address after the concert, the Pope Benedict said : -“Fundamental human rights are based on natural law, which is inscribed by God in every human conscience. Because natural law is a common denominator in all cultures and peoples, it is a universal guide that everyone can recognize and understand. “Human rights,” the Pope said “ ultimately come from God, the creator, who gave everyone reason and freedom. If this solid ethical base is disregarded, human rights remain fragile because they are deprived of a solid foundation."
The Pope said the "60th anniversary of the U.N. human rights declaration offers an opportunity to assess how well the world's nations and individuals are respecting the ideals contained in the document. Unfortunately human equality and dignity are not always respected, while new barriers have been raised for reasons tied to race, religion, political opinion or other convictions," he added.