Roosevelt, Eleanor, (1884-1962) Remarks by Mrs. [Eleanor] Roosevelt to the Seminar Group at Hyde Park, Sunday, July 18, 1948

One speech entitled "Remarks by Mrs. [Eleanor] Roosevelt to the Seminar Group at Hyde Park, Sunday, July 18, 1948." The speech concerns, the drafting, creation, and implementation of the Covenant on Human Rights. She discusses the difficulties in writing covenant and ensuring the phrasing used was legal, and held the same meaning for all nations. There is also a discussion section with two questions and answers. The first question concerns the emphasis the San Francisco Conference put on the Commission on Human Rights. The answer was it was mentioned in the Charter as one of the first things to be done. Later in the answer Eleanor comments that a question she often is asked is, "Why don't you try to create a world government?" Her response is "I have a feeling that people don't get accustomed to the idea of giving up sovereignty any more then nations do." She also states, "the thing most people worry about today is the trouble with Russia and ourselves. Russia has always been suspicious and still is suspicious." Eleanor goes on to remark that Americans aren't the most tactful people. Although we are worthy of trust and like to do the fair and just thing. The second question in the section refers to the documents the commission had to refer to on human rights during the meeting. Eleanor explained which nations brought material, and how it was compiled and tracked by the Human Rights Division Secretariat as a comparative digest for all.