International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10, the day the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948. Then, for the first time in the history of mankind, the right of all people to life, liberty, and security was recognized without distinction.
The Declaration states that each person is entitled to fundamental rights regardless of race, color, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, language, political or another opinion, national or social origin, property or financial status, age, health or another status, as well as other personal qualities.
Human rights are the innate rights of all people just because they are human beings. There are 30 basic human rights recognized around the globe.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights… All have the right to life, liberty, and security… All are equal before the law.” – these are just some of the principles of the Declaration, which are enshrined in the basic legal acts of most modern states of the world.
The full list of basic human rights can be found on this link: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
Human rights are universal, essential, indivisible, and interdependent:
- Universal – Every human being in the world is entitled to be treated with dignity, equality, and fairness.
- Essential – They are based on the recognition of the true value of everyone as a human being. They do not have to be bought, earned, or inherited.
- Interdependent – All human rights apply equally. Violation of one right affects the enjoyment of another. Therefore, human rights are interdependent, indivisible, and all equally important for the protection of human dignity.
While awareness and recognition of human rights have grown in recent decades, there is still a lot to be done. We have witnessed that human rights continue to be violated around the world, especially the human rights of socially vulnerable, elderly and infirm, persons with disabilities, minority communities, women, children, and other “vulnerable” social groups or individuals.
Far too many people continue to be discriminated against and denied their fundamental human rights, simply because of who they are.
Violation of human rights is the abuse of people in the form of a violation of any fundamental human right. Discrimination, in a broader sense, means unequal treatment towards one person or group of persons based on the fact that determines them “different”, or on the basis of a personal characteristic.
On this Human Rights Day, let us stand up for human rights and take collective action for a brighter future.
Respect for the principles of the Declaration, solidarity, tolerance, and the active role of each of us in respecting and promoting human rights is a task that will never be completed. Each of us has a remarkable and significant influence on the lives of others… on people, we don’t even know. Each and every one of us – hold incredible power for positive change. Let us use that power to stand up for each other, for equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination.