The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948 was a noble effort to separate morality from religion thereby establishing a framework of ethics that is universal, common to all. Reaffirming their faith in fundamental human rights, states promised to uphold and protect those rights acknowledged in 29 articles. Article 30 of the charter states that "nothing in this declaration may be interpreted as implying for any state, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein."

Next year marks the 60^th anniversary of the adoption of this honourable declaration but it is questionable whether there is any reason to celebrate. Looking around, the world is undeniably in a sad state with people suffering violence, injustice, and oppression. People die and kill in defense of the rights set out in the declaration. States who promised to uphold and protect fundamental rights are gross violators. They are the ones determining whose rights are superior and whose freedoms greater. Whether in the name of national security, counter-terrorism, or simply law and order, states disrespect the most basic rights, condoning acts of extra-judicial killings, torture, disappearances and arbitrary arrests.

August 30 has been declared the International Day for the Disappeared. Over the last 60 years hundreds of thousands of people have been disappeared at the hands of the state, with the majority of disappearances now being reported throughout Asia. Numerous people in Thailand have fallen victim to this atrocious human rights violation. It is hard to determine the time when enforced disappearances first formed part of Thailand's history. But it is impossible to deny that disappearances are a chronic condition of contemporary political affairs. People striving for democracy and justice continue to disappear. This tactic used by the state is meant to create fear and silence those opposing the interests of the powerful who, in turn, see to it that the perpetrators run free. Violating the most basic right, the right to life, this crime against humanity has left families hopeless and lifeless.

Faith in humanity, captured in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has been hijacked by corrupt governments which are only interested in upholding one thing and that is order - the kind of order that maintains their grip on power. Time has come to reclaim what has already been attained. It is time to recapture our rights and to strive for freedom. All we have and need to do so are our principles. A right is a kind of power, not the power over others but the power over oneself. By exercising that power and sticking to our principles, we will gain the strength to believe in ourselves and others, in our capacity to live in truth, to think of alternatives, to bring about change, and to ultimately realize a society which promotes the upside of human nature, cooperation and community, instead of the downside, greed and corruption.

The truth is the future is in our hands. It always has and always will be. Let us live in truth by refusing to deprive anyone of their rights and freedoms! Let us restore our faith in humanity by extending solidarity to the families of the disappeared in their search for truth and justice! Let us take the future in our hands today by speaking out against disappearances! Come and join "Tree for Life" on August 30 at 10 am at Thammasat University's Historical Sculpture, a public event to commemorate all those who have been disappeared and to show support for their families! Activities will include a joint statement by human rights activists, poem reading, songs by Hope Family, and planting of a tree.