The United Nations (UN)’s International Human Solidarity Day is annually observed across the globe on 20th December to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity in addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and injustice.
- International Solidarity Day reminds governments and non-state actors, including businesses, to uphold their commitments to international agreements and human rights.
- Solidarity refers to unity or mutual support within a group or among individuals, especially in times of difficulty or challenge and collective action to promote human rights and social justice worldwide.
Background:
i.The “UN Millennium Declaration”, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (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 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.
World Solidarity Fund(WSF):
The WSF was established by the UNGA through Resolution 57/265 on 20th December 2002.
- It was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- Its primary objective is to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing countries, especially among the poorest segments of their populations.
HeForShe :
i.UN Women marks International Human Solidarity Day with a message on gender equality. “HeForShe” is the United Nations’ global solidarity movement for gender equality.
ii.The HeForShe movement, launched by UN Women in 2014, is a global solidarity campaign aimed at engaging men and boys in the fight for gender equality.
Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity
The Independent Expert (IE) on Human Rights and International Solidarity (HRIS) is an individual appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to address and promote human rights and international solidarity.
Mandate of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity:-
i.The mandate defines the responsibilities and functions of the Independent Expert.It was established in 2005 by the UNHRC through Resolution 2005/55. This mandate focuses on promoting and protecting human rights and international solidarity.
ii.The mandate has been extended multiple times:
- In 2014 (Resolution 26/6)
- In 2017 (Resolution 35/3)
- In 2020 (Resolution 44/11)
- In 2023 (Resolution 53/5)
iii.Current mandate holder : Cecilia M. Bailliet(Argentina) assumed her functions as Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity on 1 November 2023.
About the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) :
President– Omar Zniber
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 2006
Members– 47 member states
