Nelson Mandela International Day

Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
Ambassador Minty
Distinguished Colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure to welcome you today as we join together to mark Nelson Mandela International Day. The commemoration this year comes at a trying time for Mr. Mandela’s family, the South African people – and the world. However, it is also a most appropriate time to honour the legacy of a revered leader for justice, peace and human rights.

I would like to now deliver the message of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for this occasion:

“This year’s commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day comes at a moment of deep reflection on the life and work of Madiba, as the universally revered leader remains in the hospital.

As we extend our best wishes to President Mandela on his 95th birthday, let us also give tangible meaning to our feelings of concern by taking action on behalf of others.

Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life to the struggle for human rights and social justice. In marking this Day, the United Nations is joining the Mandela Foundation in asking people around the world to devote at least 67 minutes of their time on 18 July to community service.

The heart of Nelson Mandela International Day is good works for people and the planet. Its theme -- “take action, inspire change” -- is meant to mobilize the human family to do more to build a peaceful, sustainable and equitable world. This is the best tribute we can pay to an extraordinary man who embodies the highest values of humanity.

At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Mandela, his family and with all the people of South Africa. We are united in admiration for a giant of our times.”

That was the end of the Secretary-General’s message.

As the Secretary-General mentioned, today, the United Nations asks if you can spare 67 minutes of time in service of others. This is to honour a man who devoted 67 years of his life to the service of humanity - as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

The Nelson Mandela International Day, proclaimed by the General Assembly in 2009, is therefore but a modest tribute to the sacrifices offered by Mr. Mandela and by the many anti-apartheid campaigners who spoke out for justice.

I invite all Member States, organizations of the UN system, and communities and individuals worldwide, to observe this day and to continue to promote his message of freedom and unity.

I had the privilege to meet with then President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in 1997 in Johannesburg. I hope that you will carry his spirit with you and continue to honour his legacy of reconciliation, compassion and strength.

Thank you very much.