A/HRC/24/22 61. Instituto Uruguayo de Formación Familiar, Uruguay, pointed out that human dignity was promoted through strengthening universal values which provided the stability for a family of free citizens. It recommended the protection of the fundamental right to decent work which allowed the formation and maintenance of a stable family as well as to insist on achieving well-being of individuals and society through prosperity of the conjugal and family community. 62. The International Service for Human Rights was guided by the existing United Nations understanding that the traditional values of humankind were those enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that the latter represented a concerted effort to identify values common to all humankind. Focusing on the promotion of the universal values of humankind through human rights education, the universal values contained in the Declaration and the principles of non-discrimination, equality and universality should guide the framework in which particular attention is paid to marginalized and minority groups. Those groups should be empowered to overcome negative traditional power structures, practices, and values. 63. KELIN, Kenya, stated that, although women in Kenya had statutory rights to own property, those rights were rarely upheld due to a patriarchal system, and resulted in economic dependence of women on men or disinheritance. That also had effects on women’s ability to negotiate the terms of sex, fidelity and condom use and, thus, HIVprevention mechanisms and the highest attainable standard of health in general. In this context the KELIN Cultural Structures Project and the Constitution of Kenya 2010, especially article 44 (3), upholding the rights of women to own and inherit property and not to be discriminated against on grounds of cultural practices, were pertinent. 64. Association Relwendé pour le Développement, Burkina Faso, pointed to several projects aimed at safeguarding the rights of women, children and disabled persons. 65. Natural Justice, South Africa, – working against harmful traditional values and practices that were inconsistent with human rights by ensuring the representation of women and youth in all meetings and at all stages – described how community protocols, a participatory tool for empowering indigenous peoples and local communities, promoted human rights and fundamental freedoms through the enhancement of traditional values. 66. The Khwe community was vulnerable, having lost most of its knowledge of sustainable use and management of the natural resources within Bwabwata National Park and owing to lack of intergenerational transfer of traditional knowledge. Community protocols played a key role with particular regard to affirming the dignity of the community, and upholding and enhancing traditional community values like healing, respect and sustainable use of natural resources. 67. Nazra for Feminist Studies, Egypt, pointed to the history of the use of traditional values to undermine the rights of women human rights defenders in Egypt, as the violations were based largely on traditional, patriarchal values regarding what it meant to be a respectable woman. The contribution provided examples of traditional and religious values creating a particularly precarious situation for women in several instances. Reference was made to violations against women’s rights defenders and the use of traditional, religious values as a pretext to justify grave violations including sexual harassment. 68. The Peoples’ Welfare and Development Society, India, stated that all traditional values, also enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments, were based on respect and care of parents, women and help for the poor and deprived and were not related to any particular religion. Variations in traditional values and customs could occur due to change in perceptions over time. The Society underlined the positive contribution of traditional values such as faith, cooperation, simplicity and mutual respect on happiness, development, the environment, respect towards older persons, children and 13