December 10 marks the anniversary of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which urges basic rights for workers including the right to organise.

"We call upon every nation on this International Human Rights Day to abide by the Universal Declaration and at long last, truly protect and defend workers' rights, including the right to form unions and bargain collectively," said a statement signed by the Nobel laureates.

The statement said protecting the right to form unions is vital to promoting economic prosperity and democracy.

In addition to Carter, the statement was signed by Lech Walesa, the former Polish president who led Solidarity, Poland's first independent trade union.

Other signatories were the Dalai Lama (Tibet), Dr Shirin Ebadi (Iran), John Hume (Northern Ireland), the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Mairead Corrigan Maguire (Northern Ireland), Dr Jose Ramos-Horta (East Timor), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (South Africa), Betty Williams (Ireland) and Professor Jody Williams (United States).

- Nampa-Reuters

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