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National Human Rights Day – December 10

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DEC 08 - Human Rights Day is observed by the international community on December 10, every year honoring the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

Human Rights Day is observed by the international community on December 10, every year honoring the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Declaration was proclaimed as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations,” towards which individuals and societies should “strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance.”

The Declaration undertook a strong approach towards guaranteeing rights without distinction based on nationality, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.

Since that time recognition of the day has grown to include age, race, political views, or social status. It encourages all of us to take the time and learn each other’s cultures and try to see things through their eyes. Arguably, a need for tolerance, inclusion, recognition, and empathy towards anyone who is different, or who has different beliefs, than us is now.

The organization Stand Up for Human Rights sets forth a goal of a year-long campaign to showcase the UDHR by focusing on its legacy, relevance and activism. The encouragement is to participate in and encourage others to join the movement, including on social media with #NationalHumanRights and #HumanRights.

While December 10th is the official day of observance, the month of December is recognized as National Human Rights Month as a reminder to do more and do better. It offers an opportunity to give thought to our own views and behaviors and evaluate what we can personally do in the fight for equality, in no small consideration of the disparity people of color are subjected in more societies than not.

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” - Eleanor Roosevelt