Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Human Rights Day kicks off a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being -- regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

It is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages. Drafted by representatives of diverse legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration sets out universal values and a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

It establishes the equal dignity and worth of every person. Thanks to the Declaration, and States’ commitments to its principles, the dignity of millions has been uplifted and the foundation for a more just world has been laid. While its promise is yet to be fully realized, the very fact that it has stood the test of time is testament to the enduring universality of its perennial values of equality, justice and human dignity.

Some of the rights enshrined in the Declaration are: Right to Equality, Freedom from Discrimination, Right to Life, Liberty, Personal Security, Freedom from Slavery, Freedom from Torture and Degrading Treatment, Right to Recognition as a Person before the Law,

Right to Equality before the Law, Right to Remedy by Competent Tribunal, Right to Fair Public Hearing, Right to be Considered Innocent until Proven Guilty, Freedom from Interference with Privacy, Family, Home and Correspondence, Right to Free Movement in and out of the Country, Right to Asylum in other Countries from Persecution, Right to Own Property, Freedom of Belief and Religion, Right of Peaceful Assembly and Association, Right to Education etc.