UN General Assembly
1967

29. Since my Government is one which seeks to reflect the deep democratic concerns of its people, it would be inexcusable for me to go on to the next section of this Statement without mentioning the International Year for Human Rights. While it is true that in some countries a sense of respect for human rights has yet to be instilled into certain social classes which have remained intractable in their prejudices, it is primarily certain Governments which the United Nations has in mind in making its general appeal. Unfortunately for mankind, human rights are constantly violated in many parts of the world; what cannot and must not be permitted, however, is complicity on the part of Governments, whether through acts of commission or of omission. I feel compelled once again to express my delegation's condemnation of the policy of apartheid, although, in so doing, I do not wish to narrow the application of my earlier remarks, which referred to matters of world-wide scope. Since the goal of translating democracy from theory to practice is one for which men must constantly struggle, it is our fervent hope that the patient work of the United Nations and the universal exhortations of our peoples will advance our fight for the observance of human rights.