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Russia regrets US, EU stance on resolution on traditional human values

The discouraging position of these two international actors, as well as their lack of readiness to work at the text of the resolution

MOSCOW, September 27 (Itar-Tass) — Moscow regrets the fact that the U.S. and the European Union did not support a draft Resolution on Promoting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms through a Better Understanding of Traditional Values of Humankind which Russia submitted to the UN Council on Human Rights, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

The document adopted by a vote of 25 in favor versus 15 against and 7 abstentions ”reaffirms that a better understanding and appreciation of traditional values shared by all humanity and embodied in universal human rights instruments contributes to promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide,” the UN said at its official website.

The resolution also “recalls the important role of family, community, society and educational institutions in upholding and transmitting these values, stresses that human rights derive from the dignity and worth inherent in the human person, and notes that traditional values can be practically applied, particularly in human rights education.”

In addition, “it requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to collect information from the United Nations Member States and other relevant stakeholders on the best practices of applying traditional values while promoting and protecting human rights and upholding human dignity.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesman pointed out the collective nature of drafting the document, which pooled the efforts of more than 60 countries and organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League.

“In spite of Russia’s position aimed at dialogue and cooperation and the due accounting of positions expressed by a number of other countries, the U.S. and the EU were among those who voted against the resolution,” the spokesman said.

“The discouraging position of these two international actors, as well as their lack of readiness to work at the text of the resolution and contrived arguments against it can only stir a feeling of regret,” he said.