Today is the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  If you’re not familiar with it, here’s a short (and extraordinarily cool) primer, via the Human Rights Action Center:

The Declaration’s opening sentence is “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”  I think that pretty much sums it up.

Ten years ago, I had the privilege of helping to organize the White House’s celebration of the 50th anniversary.  President and Mrs. Clinton attended, as did numerous human rights activists.  And while the Clinton Administration’s human rights record was not perfect, it was far better than what we have now and, for that matter, one of the best ever. (Full disclosure:  I served in the Clinton Administration as Chief of Staff in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, so I’d like to acknowledge that I’m not unbiased on this matter.)

Among the events that day was a ceremony awarding the first-ever Eleanor Roosevelt Awards, which were created by President Clinton to honor Americans who had made major contributions to the cause of human rights both at home and abroad.  Those honored during his term included John Lewis, Bette Bao Lord, Burke Marshall, Dorothy Thomas, Robert Bernstein, and the late Fred Cuny.

Since 2001, the Human Rights Day commemoration has taken place at the State Department.  President Bush ended the tradition of celebrating Human Rights Day at the White House.  As far as I’m aware, the Bush Administration never conferred the Eleanor Roosevelt Award.

Anyone want to guess as to the reasons why?

It’s often overlooked because of the other crises we face (economy, two wars, etc.), but the reality is that President-elect Obama must spend considerable time over his Administration dismantling the torture regime (and rendition regime and indefinite detention regime and. . .) created by his predecessor.  It’s going to take a lot of time and effort, but it’s crucial not only because we as a nation need to return to our ideals, but also because the rest of the world will want to know that we practice what we preach.

Part of that effort is naming and shaming those responsible.  But part also is returning to remembering days like today, where we can recognizing the ideas and values that have helped shape this nation, as well as the role of courageous Americans in ensuring that we live up to our core principles.

Here’s hoping that President-elect Obama restores the tradition of a White House ceremony on Human Rights Day, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Awards.  And let’s also hope that among the earliest honorees are those who have, for the past eight years, fought so courageously to oppose and expose the Bush Administration’s war crimes.

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