- The Day also aims to remind governments of all countries to respect their commitments to international agreements.
Background:
i.The UN Millennium Declaration”, adopted by the UNGA in 2000 identifies Solidarity as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st Century.
- The declaration was adopted after the UN Millennium Summit on 8 September 2000.
ii.On 22 December 2005, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/60/209 and proclaimed 20 December each year as International Human Solidarity Day.
- The first-ever International Human Solidarity Day was observed on 20 December 2006.
Why December 20?
20th december marks the day on which UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/57/265 to establish the World Solidarity Fund. The resolution was adopted on 20th December 2002.
World Solidarity Fund:
It was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Objective: To eradicate poverty and foster human and social development, particularly among the most vulnerable populations in developing countries.
Significance of the observance:
- To celebrate our unity in diversity;
- To encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including poverty eradication;
- Observed as a day of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.
Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity:
i.It is one of the thematic special procedures overseen by the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC).
ii.Purpose: To develop a draft declaration on the right of people and individuals to international solidarity.
iii.Duties: Developing further the guidelines, standards, norms, and principles related to the right to international solidarity.
Mandate:
The UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) established the mandate of the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity in 2005 with Resolution 2005/55.
- The Human Rights Council extended the mandate in 2008 (Resolution 7/5), 2011 (Resolution 17/6), 2014 (Resolution 26/6), and 2020 (resolution 44/11).
Current mandate holder:
Cecilia M. Bailliet (Argentina) assumed her role as an Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity on November 1, 2023.
About UN Human Rights Council:
The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
President– Václav Bálek(Czech Republic)
Established in 2006
Members– 47 member states
