CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

to Commemorate

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

The Ithaca Chapter of Amnesty International joined by the Ithaca Workers' Rights Center invite everyone to a candlelight vigil to commemorate International Human Rights Day on Friday, December 10, 2004 from 5PM to 6PM at the Bernie Milton (Central) Pavilion on the Commons, Ithaca, NY. (Candles will be provided)

This year marks the 56th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. The Declaration's 30 articles list rights that belong to everyone in the world.

The focus of this year's vigil will be the economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights enshrined in the UDHR's Articles 22, 23, 24 and 25. There will be brief presentations by members of the Living Wage Coalition/Workers' Rights Center and others, and petitions to sign in defense of those imprisoned for the peaceful exercise of ESC rights.

For information call 607-257-3156.

Success in human rights work is not possible without publicity. We thank you all for reporting on human rights issues. Without you, our work would be much harder and far less successful.

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* The Ithaca chapter was formed in 1973, however the number "73" means that the Ithaca chapter was the 73rd Amnesty International chapter founded in the U.S.

Articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 22 Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23 1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. 2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. 3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. 4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24 Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.