Human Rights Day is celebrated annually all over the world on 10th December. In 1948, it was announced that Human Rights will be celebrated every year by the United Nations General Assembly on the 10th of December. This particular date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly for the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was the first global announcement of Human Rights and also one of the major achievements of the new United Nations. The aim of celebrating this day is to promote and raise awareness about Human Rights.
This day is marked by different political conferences, meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. On the 10th of December every five years two prizes are awarded the United Nations Prize in the field of Human Rights and Nobel Prize.
Theme of Human Rights Day 2024
This year’s Human Rights Day 2024 theme is Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.
Human rights are an issue that affects all of our lives, and this year’s theme is a plea to recognize that. Speak out against hate speech, correct misinformation, and challenge disinformation to shift perceptions. A worldwide movement for human rights needs to be revitalized, and now is the moment to do it.
Human rights have the capacity to enable people and communities to create a better future. We may achieve greater harmony, equity, and sustainability if we fully commit to human rights as a means to our desired world.
Its goal is to raise awareness of the UDHR as a resource for advancing human rights in practice.
After decades of work, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was finally ratified in 1948, marking a watershed moment in the recognition and protection of human rights around the world. Unfortunately, in recent years there has been a concerted effort to undermine the UDHR’s core principles of human dignity and legal equality.
Did you know that the world’s most translated document is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Read more about it here: world’s most translated document
Under the UN General Call for Stand Up for Human Rights, all are committed to involving the public, our allies, and the UN family in order to endorse transformative initiatives and to provide realistic and inspiring examples that can enable better recovery and encourage more resilient and equal communities.
History of Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is a day when, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The formal establishment of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after Resolution 423(V) was passed in the Assembly by inviting all the states and interested organizations to adopt every year 10th December Human Rights Day.
The Declaration is not a binding document that includes the number of political, civil, economic, social, and cultural rights, but it inspired more than 60 human rights instruments, which together make a standard of human rights. According to the general consent today, all the United Nations Member States on the basic human rights laid down in the declaration, which makes it stronger and emphasizes the importance of human rights in our daily lives.
On 10th December 2008, the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Secretary-General launched a campaign for a year to focus on helping people everywhere to make them learn about their rights.
In 1952, Human Rights Day became more popular; in fact, the stamp of Human Rights Day was issued by the United Nations Postal Administration, which also received advance orders for approximately 200,000 orders.
Note: In South Africa, Human Rights Day is celebrated every 21st of March in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre, which took place on 21st March 1960.
Importance of Human Rights Day
The importance of celebrating Human Rights Day is to improve the physical, cultural, and social welfare of people globally. Here are some objectives for why we should celebrate Human Rights Day:
—To spread and promote awareness about human rights among the people.
—To give importance to the endeavors of the United Nations General Assembly for the progress of overall human rights.
—To bring people together through incorporation to discuss the different issues of human rights.
—Encourage different groups of people, like minorities, women, poor people, youth, disabled people, and indigenous people, to take part in the celebration and political discussion.
How to celebrate Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is celebrated across the world to get their real rights. The UN Human Rights Office and partners organize the different events to shed light on human rights and also engage people in enduring the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are different political conferences, exhibitions, meetings, and cultural events to discuss issues of human rights.
Swikriti Dandotia
Nice article
Good article Thanks