Today countries across the world are celebrating Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.
Human rights refer to the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. They include civil and political rights such as the right to life and liberty, freedom of expression and equality before the law. They also include social, cultural and economic rights, including the right to food, work, education and culture.
These freedoms are denied in many countries through politically motivated violence, perpetrated by ruling parties against those who peacefully advocate their rights, with reports of widespread torture, looting, assault, abductions and rape. In Zimbabwe and other countries, for instance, the peoples’ basic rights and freedoms have not only been denied, but the level of repression, state-sponsored violence and subversion of the ends of justice has reached unprecedented proportions.
Over the last year, Liberia seems to have made tremendous strides to improve its human rights records as there were no alarming reports of restrictions on the fundamental rights of the people.
As we join the men and women around the globe in observing International Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, we wish to recognize the noble work of human rights defenders who risk harassment, beatings, arrest and even death for seeking to secure the rights of their fellow citizens. We wish to applaud their hard-won gains by playing a crucial role in monitoring and documenting politically motivated violence. In some countries, these watchdogs are building an archive of crimes that could be crucial in prosecuting perpetrators of human rights abuses in the future.
Several nations commemorating the Human Rights Day 2009 will focus on the fight against discrimination which remains a daily struggle for millions around the globe. The idea is to help promote discrimination-free societies and a world of equal treatment for all. We, therefore, encourage people everywhere - including the UN family, governments, civil society, national human rights institutions, the media, educators, and individuals - to seize the opportunity of Human Rights Day 2009 to join hands to embrace unity in diversity and end discrimination.
There is no denying the fact that the realization of all human rights – social, economic and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights – is hampered by discrimination. All too often, when faced with prejudice and discrimination, political leaders, governments and ordinary citizens are silent or complacent. Yet everyone can make a difference. We should celebrate Human Rights Day by advocating non-discrimination, organizing activities, raising awareness and reaching the communities this week and throughout 2010.
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Updated: December 10, 2009 - 5:37pm
Today countries across the world are celebrating Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.
Human rights refer to the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. They include civil and political rights such as the right to life and liberty, freedom of expression and equality before the law. They also include social, cultural and economic rights, including the right to food, work, education and culture.
These freedoms are denied in many countries through politically motivated violence, perpetrated by ruling parties against those who peacefully advocate their rights, with reports of widespread torture, looting, assault, abductions and rape. In Zimbabwe and other countries, for instance, the peoples’ basic rights and freedoms have not only been denied, but the level of repression, state-sponsored violence and subversion of the ends of justice has reached unprecedented proportions.
Over the last year, Liberia seems to have made tremendous strides to improve its human rights records as there were no alarming reports of restrictions on the fundamental rights of the people.
As we join the men and women around the globe in observing International Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week, we wish to recognize the noble work of human rights defenders who risk harassment, beatings, arrest and even death for seeking to secure the rights of their fellow citizens. We wish to applaud their hard-won gains by playing a crucial role in monitoring and documenting politically motivated violence. In some countries, these watchdogs are building an archive of crimes that could be crucial in prosecuting perpetrators of human rights abuses in the future.
Several nations commemorating the Human Rights Day 2009 will focus on the fight against discrimination which remains a daily struggle for millions around the globe. The idea is to help promote discrimination-free societies and a world of equal treatment for all. We, therefore, encourage people everywhere - including the UN family, governments, civil society, national human rights institutions, the media, educators, and individuals - to seize the opportunity of Human Rights Day 2009 to join hands to embrace unity in diversity and end discrimination.
There is no denying the fact that the realization of all human rights – social, economic and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights – is hampered by discrimination. All too often, when faced with prejudice and discrimination, political leaders, governments and ordinary citizens are silent or complacent. Yet everyone can make a difference. We should celebrate Human Rights Day by advocating non-discrimination, organizing activities, raising awareness and reaching the communities this week and throughout 2010.