Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day on December 10th annually seeks to honor the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Representatives from different cultural backgrounds all over the world drafted the UDHR. Once the United Nations formed, it was one of its first significant achievements. The UDHR contains a preamble along with 30 articles that discuss specific human rights. The entire document discusses universal values for all peoples and all nations.

Some of the rights discussed include:

Right to:

• equality
• life, liberty, personal security
• be considered innocent until proven guilty
• marriage and family
• own property
• rest and leisure
• education

Freedom from:

• discrimination
• slavery
• torture
• arbitrary arrest and exile

Freedom to:

• belief and religion
• opinion and information

Another right, freedom from the state or personal interference, protects all the other rights.

Many of the promises included in the UDHR have yet to be realized. However, the document has stood the test of time. The document’s importance empowers every human being in the world. Along with empowering individuals to stand up for their own human rights, it seeks to enable them to stand up for the rights of others.

HOW TO OBSERVE #HumanRightsDay

Traditionally, the five-yearly United Nations Prizes in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded on Human Rights Day. High-level political conferences and meetings meet on this day. Additionally, organizations host cultural events and exhibitions focusing on human rights issues. Around the world, many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day. 

To participate:

• Think about a time your human rights were violated or taken away
• Discuss with someone or write about the importance of protecting human rights
• Watch a movie that focuses on human rights, including Selma; Dukhtar; I am Slave; and Beasts of No Nation.
• Learn about the history of human rights
• Ask your children or other youth what human rights mean to them
• Read a copy of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Use #HumanRightsDay to post on social media.