When do people celebrate Human Rights Day?
Human Rights Day 2021 is observed on December 10, every year. Every individual living on Earth has a basic right which they must be aware of.
The UN, along with the ruling government in any member country, plays a huge role in educating people about their Basic rights. People observe this day on December 10 since the year 1948.
History of this day
Human Rights Day is the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of these rights. The formal inception of this day dates from 1950 after the Assembly passed resolution 423(V). It invited all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as a special day.
The popularity of the day can be shown by the fact that the commemorative stamp of this day issued by the United Nations Postal Administration in 1952, received approximately 200,000 advance orders.
When the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, with 48 states in favor and eight abstentions, it 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 measure was received by both advocates and critics alike as “being more declarative than legislative, more suggestive than binding.”
The Declaration with its broad range of political, civil, economic, social, and cultural rights is not a binding document. But it inspired more than 60 rights instruments which together constitute an international standard of these rights.
Today the general consent of all United Nations Member States on the basic rights laid down in the Declaration makes it even stronger and emphasizes the relevance of these rights in our daily lives.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, as the main United Nations rights official and his Office plays a major role in coordinating efforts for the yearly observation of this day:
“Today, poverty prevails as the gravest human rights challenge in the world. Combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, and it does not depend on how rich a country is. By tackling poverty as a matter of human rights obligation, the world will have a better chance of abolishing this scourge in our lifetime. Poverty eradication is an achievable goal.” This was said by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour. He said this on the 10th of December 2006.
The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights occurred on 10 December 2008, and the UN Secretary-General launched a year-long campaign leading up to this anniversary.
Because the UDHR holds the world record as the most translated document (except for the Bible), organizations around the globe used the year to focus on helping people everywhere learn about their rights.
What is this day about?
The Human Rights Council comprises 47 elected United Nations Member States, which are empowered to prevent inequality, abuses, and discrimination, protect the most vulnerable and punish the perpetrators of these rights violations.
These rights are protected and upheld by international and national laws, and treaties globally.
What is the significance of the day in 2021?
This day is important, especially after covid-19, which has deepened poverty, raised inequality, discrimination, and other gaps in these rights protection.
It is possible to close these gaps and advance human rights by ensuring to build a world that is better, more resilient, and also sustainable.
What is the theme of Human Rights Day 2021?
The theme of this day 2021 is “reducing inequalities and advancing human rights”. This year’s theme relates to ‘Equality’ and Article 1 of UDHR which says ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ The principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of these rights.
The UN approach set out in the document includes addressing and finding solutions for discrimination that has affected several people in society. Equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination- a human rights-based approach to development is the only best way to reduce inequality.