united nations

‘Politics and sport don’t mix’

In South Africa before 1948 the white minority enjoyed a privileged position, reinforced by a number of laws and practices that ensured there was extensive segregation of the races. When Daniel Malan’s Nationalist Party came to power that year, this separation was intensified with a policy known as ‘apartheid’ (‘apartness’ in Afrikaans) that aimed to strictly divide the races.

Britain's loss of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942 was the largest surrender in British military history and its greatest defeat since it lost its colonies in the American War of Independence. This defeat seriously undermined New Zealand's confidence in Britain to protect the far flung parts of its Empire.

A vulnerable New Zealand began to look elsewhere for its security.

On 10 December 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration set out 30 articles or statements about human rights and freedoms. In 1950 the assembly passed a resolution inviting all states and interested organisations to adopt 10 December as Human Rights Day.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

In broad terms the declaration states that:

This United Nations flag was presented to Signalman Arthur Lyall Philip, Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals, by Captain R.J. Smith, Royal Army Service Corps. Smith was Officer Commanding (OC) at the Inchon Rest Centre, South Korea. The presentation took place on 9 July 1952.

Carl August Berendsen addressing the United Nations Assembly in 1946.

On 16 March 1944 Berendsen had been appointed, somewhat to his surprise, as New Zealand minister in Washington.  In 1948 the legation was raised to an embassy and Berendsen became ambassador. Although appointed initially for three years, he had his term extended by a year in 1947; this became a yearly ritual until 31 January 1952.

On 10 December 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration set out 30 articles or statements about human rights and freedoms. As a member of the United Nations New Zealand adopted this declaration. In 1950 the assembly passed a resolution inviting all states and interested organisations to adopt 10 December as Human Rights Day.

Private Leonard Manning became New Zealand’s first combat death since the Vietnam War. Manning was part of New Zealand’s contribution to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force in the fledgling nation of Timor-Leste (East Timor).