An Annual Event that Takes Place Every December 10 to celebrate Human Rights Day to Remember That the Basic Rights of Millions Need to Be Protected From Violation. irrespective of Nationality, Race, Gender, or Even Beliefs. This is not only a celebration but also a call to continue the campaign to open up human rights to everyone, everywhere. These rights include the changing global battles between inequality, oppression and injustice. and Human Rights Day remains an enduring reminder of that collective responsibility to stand for justice and change.
A Historical Interlude on Human Rights Day
It was introduced by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950. It draws its historic significance from the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations Assembly on December 10, 1948. This historic document, drafted by an international committee, set the universal common norm on the human rights of all people, regardless of borders, cultures, and religions. The 30 articles that constitute the UDHR revolve around essential rights and freedoms, especially the right to life, liberty, and security; the right to education; and the right to live without torture and discrimination.
Such a document becomes the result of World War II atrocities and horrors, such as Holocaust murders, to reveal the violent results of omnipotent power and prejudice. The formal adoption of UDHR turned out to be a landmark event in the global commitment towards never allowing such human rights violations to occur again. Such principles have since operated in framing national constitutions, international treaties, and the policies of numerous governments and organizations.
The Theme of Human Rights Day in the year 2024: “Justice for All”
Every year, Human Rights Day carries a specific theme touching on human rights, which are pressing at any particular time. In 2024, Human Rights Day will be celebrated with the theme, “Justice for All”. It urges an effort towards justice existing as a right, not as a privilege of a select few. Whether the injustices are racial, about gender, economic, or simply a lack of accountability for those in power, Justice for All speaks fiercely about fairness, equality, and the protection of human dignity against all forms of current injustices.
Facing such growing challenges as authoritarianism, discrimination, and the erosion of civil liberties, justice resonates as an ever louder call. From movements like Black Lives Matter to the ongoing struggle for gender equality, justice is a continuing fight in every corner of the world. It creates the remembrance that justice is more than laws being enacted, but includes – accessibility to those laws; effectiveness of laws for all individuals despite their position, and fair treatment for an individual regardless of status or level of life.
Individual Responsibility for Human Rights Fulfillment
Aside from being a day of reflection as to the performance of the governments and organizations regarding the issue, Human Rights Day is a question to self that “What can I do to further the cause of human rights?” So, every person has a responsibility to protect human dignity. Without exception, he may involve himself too in learning, advocating, or taking direct actions to effect social change.
Awareness-raising is a powerful weapon in the human rights struggle. Awareness-raising by self and others about what had happened on the violation of human rights worldwide can really generate groundswell support for positive change. Social networking for spreading knowledge, for peaceful protests, or through campaigns and human rights organizations can amplify a voice that otherwise cannot be heard.
A Vision for the Future
Human Rights Day holds one up to the past and over the future when promises of the UDHR are finally achieved. It means that the fight for human rights is neither for the oppressor alone nor even for the one who frees the oppressed because it will also carry forward the promises made for the future, towards preventing injustices yet to come. In a time of change, the most constant factor must always be our adaptation and reformulation of new ideas to deal with those problems that will arise, be they in digital rights, climate justice, or inequities in health on a global scale.
Let this serve as our inspiration to move to action: “Justice for All”-to speak for ourselves and advocate for others whose voices are muffled because of denied rights. Action must be put into place because the time is ripe for change. Rights are not for some; they are for all.
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Writer
Mahmud Hasan Srabonto
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE