Human Rights Day (HRD)

Human Rights Day (HRD) is celebrated annually around the world on 10 December every year. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit. The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues.

Besides, it is traditionally on 10 December that the five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and the Nobel Peace Prize are awarded. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organizations.

HISTORY

Human Rights Day is an annual observance on December 10 that commemorates the date in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The day was officially established in 1950 to promote awareness and the protection of fundamental human rights worldwide.

Historical Background

The push for a universal declaration of rights came in the immediate aftermath of World War II, which had witnessed horrific atrocities, including the Holocaust. World leaders committed to establishing a global standard of fundamental rights to ensure such events would never happen again. Key milestones in its history:1946: The UN established a Commission on Human Rights to draft a document outlining international human rights.December 10, 1948: The UN General Assembly, meeting in Paris, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”.December 4, 1950: The UN General Assembly formally established Human Rights Day through resolution 423(V), inviting all member states to celebrate the day annually.

Significance

The UDHR was groundbreaking as the first global document to set out fundamental human rights to be universally protected. It established that human rights are inherent to all individuals, regardless of race, religion, gender, or any other status. While not a legally binding treaty itself, the Declaration has inspired more than 60 human rights instruments and countless national constitutions and laws globally, making it a foundational blueprint for international human rights law. On Human Rights Day, various events, conferences, and campaigns are held globally to highlight ongoing human rights issues, educate the public, and mobilize political action. The five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and the Nobel Peace Prize are traditionally awarded on this date.

Past observances

Observances of Human Rights Day often center on a specific global theme set by the UN to draw attention to pressing issues and promote specific aspects of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Here are details of past observances and their themes:

Recent Observances (2019-Present)

Recent themes have focused on various aspects of human rights:

● 2024: “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” emphasizing the urgency of addressing current challenges and empowering youth.

● 2023: “Freedom, Equality and Justice for All,” part of a campaign leading up to the 75th anniversary of the UDHR.

●2022: “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All,” the initial part of the 75th-anniversary campaign, highlighting equality and non-discrimination.

● 2021: “Equality – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights,” linked to COVID-19 recovery and sustainable development.

● 2020: “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights,” focusing on a human rights-centered post-pandemic world.

●2019: “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights,” emphasizing the role of young people in promoting rights.

Earlier Themes (Pre-2019)

Earlier themes include:

● 2017–2018: Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the UDHR with the call “Stand Up for Human Rights”.

●2016: “Stand Up for Someone’s Rights Today,” encouraging individual action.

● 2015: “Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always”.

● 2014: “#Rights365”.

● 2013: “20 Years Working for Your Rights,” marking two decades of the UN Human Rights office.

●2012: “My Voice Counts”.

●2010: “Speak up, Stop Discrimination”.

Common Activities

Common activities include political conferences, educational campaigns, and grassroots events. Educational initiatives like debates and workshops are frequent, as are public events such as rallies and exhibitions. Award ceremonies, including the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and the Nobel Peace Prize, often take place on December 10.

Date variance

While the internationally recognized Human Rights Day is observed annually on December 10 by UN member states, some countries celebrate a national Human Rights Day on a different date to commemorate a significant local event. The globally recognized date of December 10 marks the anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.

Notable Date Variances

● South Africa: Human Rights Day is a national public holiday celebrated on March 21. This date commemorates the Sharpeville massacre of March 21, 1960, when police opened fire on unarmed people protesting against the apartheid government’s pass laws, killing 69 people.

● Kiribati: This Pacific island nation observes its Human Rights Day on December 11, the day after the international observance.

For the vast majority of the world, December 10 remains the single date for observing Human Rights Day, symbolizing a universal commitment to the principles outlined in the UDHR.

Why is “Dec 10 ” considered Human Rights Day?

“December 10” is considered Human Rights Day because it is the exact anniversary of the day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The specific sequence of events that cemented this date is

● The Adoption (December 10, 1948): In Paris, France, the newly formed United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution adopting the UDHR, a landmark document that set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

● The Establishment (December 4, 1950): Two years later, the UN General Assembly formally designated December 10 as Human Rights Day through resolution 423(V), inviting all nations to observe it annually.

The date was chosen specifically to honor the creation of the UDHR, which serves as a common global standard for human dignity and rights.

Efforts made in the past for this day?

Efforts to celebrate Human Rights Day have evolved significantly since 1950, transitioning from formal conferences to global, theme-focused campaigns and grassroots activism, involving governments, NGOs, and individuals worldwide.

Key past efforts include:

Global Campaigns and Thematic Focus

The UN assigns a specific theme each year, driving a concentrated global effort on a particular issue:

● “Stand Up for Human Rights” (2017-2018): A large-scale awareness campaign marking the 70th anniversary of the UDHR, encouraging individuals to take action in their daily lives.

● “Recover Better” (2020): Focused on ensuring human rights were central to the global recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

● “Equality” (2021): Focused on addressing deep-rooted inequalities and advancing human rights for all, linking to Article 1 of the UDHR (“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”).

●”Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All” (2022-2023): The beginning of the year-long campaign leading up to the 75th anniversary of the UDHR, which culminated in a high-level meeting where member states made concrete pledges to advance human rights.

● “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights” (2019): Highlighted the crucial role of young people as agents of change in promoting rights and fighting issues like hate speech and climate injustice.

Legal and Institutional Advancements

● Treaty Development: The UDHR, adopted on December 10, 1948, has served as a foundational “blueprint” for over 60 subsequent international human rights treaties and declarations, a major, ongoing effort to codify human rights into international law.

● Establishment of the OHCHR: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights plays a central role in coordinating efforts, supporting field missions, and commenting on global human rights situations.

Grassroots and National Actions

●Protests and Demonstrations: In some cases, Human Rights Day has served as a powerful catalyst for change. The 1979 Kaohsiung demonstration in Taiwan and the 1989 protests in Mongolia were pivotal moments that contributed to democratization processes in those countries.

● Symbolic National Acts In 1983, President Raúl Alfonsín of Argentina chose to assume office on December 10, specifically to symbolize the end of the country’s military dictatorship and its associated human rights violations. Nelson Mandela signed South Africa’s post-apartheid constitution into law on December 10, 1996.

● Educational and Cultural Events: Governments and NGOs frequently organize conferences, art exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops to educate the public and engage youth.

● Awards: The prestigious United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and the Nobel Peace Prize are traditionally awarded on December 10, honoring individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in the field.

Last year’s theme for Human Rights Day?

The theme for Human Rights Day last year (2024) was “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”.

This theme emphasized the importance of human rights in our everyday lives and the need to take action to promote and protect these rights for future generations. The theme for 2023 was “Freedom, Equality, a nd Justice for All”.

Summary

Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10, commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This day highlights the importance of protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to all individuals.

Key Aspects

● Historical Milestone: The day recognizes the UDHR as a groundbreaking document that first outlined fundamental human rights for universal protection.

● Purpose: It aims to raise awareness, promote equality and justice, and encourage action against discrimination.

● Global Significance: The UDHR has influenced numerous treaties and national laws, establishing a basis for international human rights law.

● Annual Themes: A different theme is selected each year to address current global issues and mobilize action, such as the 2024 theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”.

Human Rights Day features diverse events, such as conferences, cultural activities, and campaigns,to promote a world that respects dignity and equality. Human Rights Day is an annual observance on December 10 that commemorates the date in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The day was officially established in 1950 to promote awareness and the protection of fundamental human rights worldwide. Historical Background: The push for a universal declaration of rights came in the immediate aftermath of World War II, which had witnessed horrific atrocities, including the Holocaust. World leaders committed to establishing a global standard of fundamental rights to ensure such events would never happen again.