New York, Decemer 12, 2007--A new campaign to combat human rights abuses worldwide was launched this month by group of African elders.

The campaign was announced in Cape Town this week, timed to commemorate International Human Rights Day.

“The Elders,” a group of global leaders, were convened by Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel in July 1997 to address global challenges. They include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela former President of South Africa; Graca Machel rights campaigner and wife of Nelson Mandela; Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States; former UN chief Kofi Annan, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, a medical doctor and former Prime Minister of Norway; Ela R. Bhatt of India, one of the world’s most remarkable pioneers and entrepreneurial forces in grassroots development; Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi of Algeria, international relations, conflict and conflict resolution guru; Fernando Henrique Cardoso former President of Brazil; Ambassador Li Zhaoxing of China; Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland; Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Ph. D. of Bangladesh; Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced Daw Aung Sawn Sue Chee) of Burma, one of the world's most renowned freedom fighters and advocates of non-violence

"As Elders, it is our responsibility to listen to and amplify people's voices. The biggest enemy of human rights is silence," said Graca Machel.

The campaign, called "Every human has rights", aims to collect at least a billion signatures worldwide in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Machel called for specific attention to the rights of women and children.

"We would like to feel the pulse of the world - from the most remote areas of our globe, from those who believe they are forgotten - to come forward and be part of this large movement of people who speak out to protect their rights, to advance their rights, and to speak out against abuses."

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, plain language version, states the followings;

# 1. When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner.
# 2. Everyone can claim the following rights, despite
    * - a different sex
    * - a different skin colour
    * - speaking a different language
    * - thinking different things
    * - believing in another religion
    * - owning more or less
    * - being born in another social group
# 3. You have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety.
# 4. Nobody has the right to treat you as his/her slave and you should not make anyone your slave.
# 5. Nobody has the right to torture you.
# 6. You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else.

The declaration can be signed online at www.everyhumanhasrights.org