Human Rights Day is commemorated on December 10th in observance of the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (site includes the full-text of the Declaration as well as historical information and research guides). This was a historic moment when fundamental human rights were clearly established and the need to protect those rights acknowledged. The world has changed a great deal in the last 68 years, but the need for the active protection of human rights remains as urgent as ever.
The website for Human Rights Day 2016 includes historical information, contemporary messages, and social media connections to promote human rights. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has a video message calling on individuals to stand up for the rights of others and share your stories so that the UN can amplify the message of hope.
Protecting human rights starts with us but, where do individuals begin? The UN High Commission on Human Rights has compiled specific actions that individuals can take to stand up for human rights, including:
- Inform yourself and others about why human rights matter, including reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Speak out/up when another’s rights are at risk or under attack.
- Stand with others’ human rights.
- Call on leaders to uphold human rights.
(See the Take Action website for more information.)
Find out more at www.standup4humanrights.org
Twitter #standup4humanrights