Bidyot Bhowmik
10th December is celebrated as World Human RightsDay globally ||||| Bidyot Bhowmik
10th December is celebrated as World Human Rights Day globally every year. 75 years ago it was on 10 December 1948 that United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the glorious Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which was one of the first major achievements of the then new the United Nations after U.N.O was founded in 1945. 10 December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most ground-breaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1948 is regarded as a milestone document proclaiming 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. We must respect all human beings as equal. Love and respect are mutual and reciprocal. It was Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of great American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Term as President 1933-1945) played a leading role as Chairperson of the drafting committee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which has been well documented. But other women also played essential parts in shaping the document. Human Rights Day 2023 theme is “Equality, Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.” Under our universal call to action “Stand Up for Human rights,” we aim to celebrate the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, amplify their voices, and engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights. The campaign, led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is designed to encourage, galvanise, and showcase how youth all over the world stand up for rights and against racism, hate speech, bullying, discrimination, and climate change, to name a few. In 2023, United Nations Human rights commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
For 75 years, the core ambition of the Declaration has been to infuse societies with equality, fundamental freedoms and justice. It enshrines the rights of all human beings and is a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies and a bedrock of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
On Human Rights Day, 10 December 2023, United Nations Human rights Commission will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Declaration, a milestone celebration called Human Rights 75 (HR 75). Human Rights Day will capture all the moments from this year’s commemoration and seeks to increase knowledge on the universality and indivisibility of human rights, especially among young people, inspire people to create a movement of shared humanity while empowering them to fight for their rights and take action.
On 75th anniversary in 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers a message on Human Rights Day: “ ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ The iconic opening sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is as important today as it was when it was adopted 75 years ago. The Universal Declaration is a roadmap, helping to end wars, heal divisions and promote lives of peace and dignity for all. But the world is losing its way. Conflicts are raging. Poverty and hunger are increasing. Inequalities are deepening. The climate crisis is a human rights crisis that is hitting the most vulnerable hardest. Authoritarianism is on the rise. Civic space is shrinking and the media is under attack from all sides. Gender equality remains a distant dream and women’s reproductive rights are being rolled back. Today, it is more important than ever to promote and respect all human rights – social, cultural, economic, civil and political – which protect us all. The Universal Declaration shows the way to common values and approaches that can help resolve tensions and create the security and stability our world craves. As we work to update global frameworks and make them more effective in the 21st century, human rights must have a unique and central role. I call on Member States to use this 75th anniversary, and the Summit of the Future next year, to strengthen their commitment to the timeless values of the Universal Declaration. And on Human Rights Day, I urge people around the world to promote and respect human rights, every day, for everyone, everywhere.”
Source: United Nations Human rights
Bidyot Bhowmik -Former professor, writer, columnist and advisor to CBNA. Montreal, Canada | 10th December 2023
