The United Nations (UN)’s Human Rights Day also known as International or World Human Rights Day is annually observed across the globe on 10 December to create awareness and mobilise political will to promote respect for rights and freedoms.
- The day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.
2023 marks the 75th anniversary of UDHR, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
- The theme of Human Rights Day 2023 is, “Freedom, Equality and Justice for All.”
Background:
i.On 4 December 1950, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/423(V) and proclaimed the 10 December of every year as Human Rights Day.
ii.The 1st UN Human Rights Day was observed on 10 December 1950.
Why December 10?
In the aftermath of World War II, on 10th December 1948 in Paris, France, the UNGA adopted the resolution 217 A (III) and proclaimed the UDHR which articulates fundamental rights and freedoms for all.
- UDHR is proclaimed as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.
About UDHR:
i.UDHR is a milestone document in the history of human rights that preserves the rights and freedom of all human beings.
ii.The 30 articles define basic civil, political, and social rights to which every person is entitled regardless of origin, sex, or religion.
iii.UDHR holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated document and is available in more than 500 languages.
Human Rights 75 (HR 75):
i.HR 75 is a year-long campaign launched by the UN Human Rights Office on Human Rights Day 2022 to mark the 75th anniversary of UDHR
ii.It is an initiative whose 3 main goals focus on universality, progress, and engagement under the leadership of UN Human Rights, together with its partners.
iii.The initiative culminates in a high-level event on 11-12 December 2023 that will announce global pledges and ideas for a vision for the future of human rights.
2023 Events:
i.OHCHR celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Declaration, a milestone celebration called Human Rights 75 (HR 75) on the occasion of Human Rights Day with a series of events:
ii.The 10th edition of the Human Rights Day Concert took place on 10 December 2023, in the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room of the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
- The concert is the 10th in a series that began in 2014 under the partnership between ONUART Foundation and UN Geneva.
iii.HR 75 Youth Dialogue: Amplifying the HR75 initiative among young people organized on 11 December 2023 in Geneva.
iv.A 2-day hybrid HR 75 high-level event has been organised in Geneva, with regional hubs connected in Panama, Nairobi, and Bangkok on 11 and 12 December 2023.
Events in India:
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India organised a programme on the 10th December 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi) to celebrate Human Rights Day.
- Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Note: NHRC is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
About United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):
UNHRC is an intergovernmental body within the UN system whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world and has 47 members.
President– Václav Bálek
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Founded in– 2006
