On the occasion of the observance, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his message said that the 'human rights have been one of the three pillars of the United Nations, along with peace and development' and 'one of the world's most profound and far-reaching international agreements' that has 'proclaimed the inalienable rights of every human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status'.

He noted that while human rights abuses did not end when the Universal Declaration was adopted, the instrument has helped countless people to gain greater freedom and security, and has also helped to prevent violations, obtain justice for wrongs, and strengthen national and international human rights laws and safeguards.

"Despite these advances, the fundamental principles of the Universal Declaration are being tested in all regions," he said, citing rising hostility towards human rights and those who defend them by people who want to profit from exploitation and division as per his released message.

Urging people and leaders to stand up for all human rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural – and for the values that underpin hopes for a fairer, safer and better world for all, he reminded that the world still had hatred, intolerance, atrocities and other crimes which imperil us all.

UN informed that the year-long campaign will start at Palais de Chaillot in Paris on Sunday, December 10, 2017 with an event also to be held on Monday at UN Headquarters in New York.