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Human rights are universal. They are the birthright of every human being, whatever their sex, whatever their color, whatever their ethnic, religious or social origins may be.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Acceptance speech for the 1990 Sakharov Prize (delivered in absentia), awarded by the European Parliament. · Gecheckt op 2 maart 2026
Human rights are universal. They are the birthright of every human being, whatever their sex, whatever their color, whatever their ethnic, religious or social origins may be.

Analyse

The statement aligns verbatim with **Article 2 of the UDHR (1948)**, which declares rights apply to all without distinction—including race, sex, religion, or social origin. Her phrasing mirrors core tenets of the **UN Charter** and **International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)**, both legally binding frameworks. While her later political actions (e.g., Rohingya crisis) sparked controversy, the *1990 speech itself* is factually consistent with established human rights doctrine. No credible evidence suggests the quote was fabricated or misattributed.

Achtergrond

The **Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought**, awarded by the European Parliament, honors individuals defending human rights. Suu Kyi received it in 1990 while under house arrest in Myanmar (then Burma), unable to attend. Her speech—delivered in absentia by her son—emphasized democracy and universal rights amid Myanmar’s military dictatorship, resonating with her **1991 Nobel Peace Prize** citation for nonviolent resistance.

Samenvatting verdict

Aung San Suu Kyi’s 1990 Sakharov Prize speech accurately reflects the universalist principles of human rights as enshrined in foundational international documents like the **Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).**

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— United Nations. (1948). *Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)*, Article 2. [https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights](https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights)
— European Parliament. (1990). *Sakharov Prize 1990: Aung San Suu Kyi – Acceptance Speech* (delivered by Alexander Aris). [https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sakharov/en/sakharov-prize/laureates/aung-san-suu-kyi](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sakharov/en/sakharov-prize/laureates/aung-san-suu-kyi)
— United Nations. (1966). *International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)*, Article 2. [https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights](https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights)
— Nobel Prize. (1991). *Aung San Suu Kyi – Nobel Lecture*. [https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1991/suu-kyi/lecture/](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1991/suu-kyi/lecture/)