At the invitation of the United Nations Secretary-General, four distinguished recipients of the Nobel Prize, in different areas of human endeavour and achievement, share their thoughts on the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UN Chronicle is privileged to share the perceptions of Nadine Gordimer, who was awarded the Prize for Literature in 1991, Dr. M.F. Perutz, the Chemistry awardee in 1962, Prof. John C. Polanyi, who received the Chemistry award in 1986, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Peace Laureate of 1984.

Disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people. —Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Essay Menu:

Nadine Gordimer Dr. M.F. Perutz Prof. John C. Polanyi Archbishop Desmond Tutu