Statement at the First Ministerial Conference on Human Rights

"The challenge for human rights protection entails the collective action of governments, individuals, non-governmental organizations and civil society at large acting towards the same objective. It is, therefore, important that creative partnership or effective working relationship are established between governments and civil society. In this respect NGOs should not view governments as adversaries but rather as partners in pursuit of a common endeavor since all of them are expected to be acting towards the same objectives. Similarly, governments ought to accept that NGOs and other sections of civil society are better placed to act as monitors on human rights abuses or in determining whether human rights standards are being met." - Dr. Salim, April 15, 1999