The International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10th. That is the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
© NIKOLETA CHATZIPANAGIOTIDOU, SOME RIGHTS RESERVED 10/12/2020
This is a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is the most translated document in the world with it being available in more than 500 languages,
The aim of the Declaration of Human Rights is to establish a common standard of living for all people across the planet that everyone is entitled to, and to encourage all the humans to strive towards the said standard of living.
Even though we shouldn’t need this day to remind us that every human being is valid and equal, the UDHR has thankfully inspired countries and people alike to start treating every person with the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. On Human Rights Day we stand together once more and acknowledge the importance of this document and the importance of human rights.
WHY HUMAN RIGHTS DAY IS IMPORTANT
1. People deserve to be treated fairly, with dignity, and respect.
We are all born equal and should be treated as such. Every person deserves a set of rights by which they can live their life as they choose, and without being oppressed, suppressed or owned by someone else.
2. It reminds us how far we have come.
Whilst there is still definitely a long way to go, we should take a moment to acknowledge that progress is being made, and the world is a better and fairer place for more people than it was a few hundred years ago. Let’s acknowledge that and then crack on with the improvements that still need to be made.
3. It promotes unity
The Declaration of Human Rights was agreed upon by 48 member states when it was first created. That’s 48 countries sharing a common belief that life should be and can be better for everyone.
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2020
Every year a different theme is selected for Human Rights Day. For example, in 2014 the theme was “Every Day is Human Rights Day” and in 2016 it was “Stand up for someone’s rights today.”
This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and it is “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights”. This year we will focus our united powers into ensuring that the “new world” after Covid-19 will be based upon the fundamental human rights and that equality will be present at all times.
We will reach our common global goals only if we are able to create equal opportunities for all, address the failures exposed and exploited by COVID-19, and apply human rights standards to tackle entrenched, systematic, and intergenerational inequalities, exclusion and discrimination.
CONCLUSION
So, December 10th is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of human rights in re-building the world we want, the need for global solidarity as well as our interconnectedness and shared humanity.
2020 was been a very troubling year for everyone, but with “Stand Up for Human rights”, we aim to engage the general public in one last action to try and end this year on a very positive and hopeful note and showcase practical and inspirational examples that can contribute to making our society safer and more inclusive for the future generations.
We need to stand up for our own rights and those of others. We can take action in our own daily lives, to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the kinship of all human beings. Today and every day from now on!
"Tomorrow, young people will take control of our societies and our planet. Tomorrow, they will take up the task of building a fairer and more sustainable world. However, in focusing on the future of these youth, we must not forget that they are entitled to inherit a world in which they can live – live well, and live decently. This is our duty – the duty we have as adults today. As Malala Yousafzai said, “Adults must understand that when young people speak up, they are thinking of their future.”"
— Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO
E-mail: beingamidwifeblog@gmail.com
Instagram: @beingamidwife.blog
Facebook: The "Being a Midwife" blog
Thank you for your support!
Co-Founder and Co-Writer
The Being A Midwife Team
Reference list
National Awareness Days Calendar 2020 & 2021. (n.d.). Human Rights Day 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/human-rights-day-2020/ [Accessed 5 Dec. 2020].
National Today. (2020). HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - December 10, 2020. [online] Available at: https://nationaltoday.com/human-rights-day/ [Accessed 5 Dec. 2020].
UNESCO (2018). Human Rights Day. [online] UNESCO. Available at: https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/humanrightsday [Accessed 5 Dec. 2020].
United Nations (2019). Human Rights Day | United Nations. [online] Un.org. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day.
Comentários