December is a widely known host to many celebrations. Still, no holiday compares to that of celebrating the basic rights of every human. This Human Rights Day, we commit to celebrate this year’s theme of freedom, equality, and justice for all.
Human Rights Day is a world annual celebration observed on December 10th. The date is in honor of the adoption and proclamation of the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948. The holiday was formally established via The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, two years later on December 10th, 1950.
Political activist, Eleanor Roosevelt who chaired the committee in 1946, was instrumental in drafting the Declaration to successful completion. Additional key figures include Hansa Mehta, Minerva Bernardino, and Evdokia Uralova.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a 30-article international document that preserves the freedoms of every individual. The declaration is recognized as one of the first major achievements of the UN, and the first global statement executed on human rights.
In over 500 languages, The UDHR holds the Guinness World Record (next to the Bible), as the most translated document in history.
Human Rights Day is normally commemorated by both political conferences and cultural events related to liberty and equality.
Past key observances have included:
- The 2004 Joint Press Release commending the European Union for their endorsement of protecting human rights.
- The 2014 Every Day is Human Rights Day campaign in 2014 to celebrate the Universal Declaration.
- The 2019 Civil Front Rally organized in Hong Kong with a call to end “universal suffrage.”
2023 Theme: Freedom, Equality and Justice for All
Since its inception in 1948, The UDHR has since served as the establishment for an expanding system of human rights protection today that centers on vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and migrants.
With the new and ongoing world challenges of today, —pandemics, conflicts, inequalities, racism, climate change – the moral values, and rights encompassed in the UDHR provide enlightenment for our collective actions that commit to leave no one behind.
The year-long Human Rights 75 initiative seeks to shift understanding and action towards greater knowledge of universality and activism.
The Universal Declaration turns 75!
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed on December 10th, 1948. In honor of this milestone, the United Nations launched a year long campaign in 2022 to highlight its focus on the declaration’s legacy, relevance, and activism.
The initiative includes promoting universality, forging the future, and supporting engagement to help commemorate and strengthen more rights throughout the world.
“Together, let’s rejuvenate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, demonstrate how it can meet the needs of our time AND advance its promise of freedom, equality and justice for all”.— United Nations of Human Rights, December 2022
Upcoming Events:
- Human Rights 75 Concert: Will take place December 10th at the Alhambra in Geneva, Switzerland starting at noon.
- Human Rights 75 Conference: Will take place from December 11–12 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland starting 9 am.
- Human Rights Declaration Signage: On December 12th in New York
- Human Rights Award Ceremony: On December 15th, 2023 UN General Assembly Hall in New York.
This Human Rights Day, we urge you to get inspired, involved, and informed about your basic rights. The time is always now.
If you would like to learn more about The HR Initiative and organization, please visit: https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights-75/human-rights-75-countdown
