Human Rights Day: Human rights are one of three pillars of United Nations along with peace and development, says UN chief Guterres
The observance of Human Rights Day is held by the United Nations and its agencies on December 10 each year since 1950. This year, the UN has launched campaign in Paris for 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration of human rights that will last till December 10, 2018. The UN Information Centres around the world will also launch commemorative activities on December 10 round the year.
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.