On the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia once again expresses its commitment to the achievements and values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted on this day in 1948.

The principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were the basis for building international law in this area, as well as the international system of promotion and protection of human rights, as a unique civilizational heritage of modern times. Our obligation today is to preserve and strengthen the international system for respect for human rights, the development of human rights standards, control over the fulfillment of commitments, as well as the continuation of cooperation with international and regional institutions for the protection of human rights.

Serbia is fully committed to the universal values of human rights and the implementation in practice of international human rights instruments. Our continued cooperation with the instruments of the Human Rights Council within the United Nations, as well as with the Council of Europe and the OSCE human dimension mechanisms, is an important part of the activities of all state bodies and illustrates our consistent commitment to meeting international human rights standards.

International Human Rights Day is an occasion to once again point out the disenfranchisement of the Serb and other non-Albanian populations in Kosovo and Metohija and reiterate the call to the international community to respect guaranteed international human rights norms and contribute to creating conditions for the return of internally displaced persons, as well as return of their usurped property.