UN General Assembly
1993

friendly States and organizations for the considerable assistance they gave us. It is clear that there is an organic link between development, on the one hand, and democracy and respect for human rights, on the other. Indeed, what value could be attached to prosperity and economic progress if we do not uphold human rights and safeguard freedoms? What objective for any responsible Government could be more 26 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session noble than having its people participate in an effective way in the management of their own affairs and the mastering of their own destiny? In contrast to the situation we have just seen which prevails in the economic sphere, the past year has seen a tangible improvement and an increased interest in the field of upholding and respecting human rights. That improvement and that heightened interest were made evident in the holding of the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, at which our country was represented by a large high-level delegation headed by our Prime Minister. That high-level representation reflected the great importance our