Universal Values?

Yesterday I heard an excerpt from a speech that President Obama gave. He was referencing the recent elections in Iran and mentioned the "universal value" of representative government (or something to that effect.)

I disagree with the President's assertion that individual involvement in government is valued universally, or that the concept is even part of every belief set and philosophy. It is apparent that the Supreme Ruler of Iran does not value individual representation in government if it interferes with his reign.

Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro do not value private property rights. The Saudi government does not value the rights or dignity of women. The US Government (separate from the Constitution) does not value many individual liberties in the supposed interest of the greater good. The Hutus of Rwanda did not value human life - if it belonged to a Tutsi. The Nazis did not value diverse sexual orientation or mental illness. The Skinheads of Germany and the US do not value cultural diversity.

But, I think it's an interesting idea. Is there really a set of Universal Values? Will some of you take on the challenge of cataloging the Universal Values?

If you can identify the Universal Values will you please tell me where they came from and why they are Universal?

If there is no set of Universal Values, what is President Obama doing referencing them? (It seems to me this is not the first time he has applied to the Universal Values to support his position.) Does his insistence upon the existence of Universal Values demonstrate wishful thinking, naivete, or a will to misrepresent facts in furthering his interests?