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December 03, 2024 06:30
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Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10 to emphasize the importance of global unity and justice. Learn more about Human Rights Day 2024, its theme, and its significance.
Human Rights Day 2024 will be observed on December 10, marking the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This global observance celebrates the principles of equality, dignity, and freedom for all individuals and reminds us of the ongoing struggle to uphold and protect human rights worldwide. In 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark document outlining the inalienable rights every human being is entitled to, regardless of race, religion, or nationality.
The Human Rights Day 2024 theme is Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now. The theme focuses on the 76th Anniversary of the UDHR, emphasizing the importance of global unity in upholding human dignity, equality, and justice. The theme calls for strengthening mechanisms to address human rights violations and promoting awareness of fundamental freedoms as defined in the UDHR.
The year-long campaign aims to foster a culture of respect, accountability, and inclusivity, ensuring that no one is left behind.
| Highlights of Human Rights Day 2024 | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Date | December 10, 2024 |
| Anniversary | 76th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
| Theme | Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now |
| Established By | United Nations |
| Key Document | Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) |
| Significance | Promotes global equality, dignity, and justice |
Human Rights Day traces its origins to December 10, 1948, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This was the first global document to codify human rights principles, serving as a guiding framework for nations to promote equality and justice.
Over the years, Human Rights Day has been a platform for raising awareness, commemorating progress, and addressing human rights challenges globally. It reminds governments and individuals of their collective responsibility to protect these fundamental rights.
It serves as a global reminder that protecting human dignity is a universal responsibility. Human Rights Day is celebrated to:
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a key international body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. Established in 2006, the UNHRC:
The council consists of 47 member states elected by the United Nations General Assembly, representing diverse regions of the world.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), was adopted on December 10, 1948. It is a foundational document that outlines inalienable rights that every individual is entitled to, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or other differences. It was drafted by representatives from diverse legal and cultural backgrounds to emphasize dignity, equality, and freedom as universal principles. With 30 articles, it has inspired over 70 human rights treaties and remains a cornerstone of international law.
| Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) | ||
| Article | Key Right | Explanation |
| 1 | Right to Equality | All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights. |
| 2 | Freedom from Discrimination | Everyone is entitled to rights without discrimination of any kind. |
| 3 | Right to Life, Liberty, and Security | Everyone has the right to life and personal security. |
| 4 | Freedom from Slavery | Slavery and the slave trade are prohibited in all forms. |
| 5 | Freedom from Torture | No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman treatment. |
| 6 | Right to Recognition Before the Law | Everyone has the right to be recognized as a person before the law. |
| 7 | Equality Before the Law | All are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection without discrimination. |
| 8 | Right to Effective Remedy | Everyone has the right to legal remedies for rights violations. |
| 9 | Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest | No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile. |
| 10 | Right to Fair Public Hearing | Everyone is entitled to a fair and public trial by an independent tribunal. |
| 11 | Presumption of Innocence | Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. |
| 12 | Freedom from Interference in Privacy | Protection against arbitrary interference with privacy, family, or correspondence. |
| 13 | Freedom of Movement | Right to move freely within a country and leave/return to one’s own country. |
| 14 | Right to Asylum | Right to seek asylum from persecution in other countries. |
| 15 | Right to Nationality | Everyone has the right to a nationality and to change it. |
| 16 | Right to Marriage and Family | Men and women have equal rights to marry and found a family with free consent. |
| 17 | Right to Own Property | Everyone has the right to own property alone or in association with others. |
| 18 | Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion | Right to freedom of thought, religion, and belief, including practice and worship. |
| 19 | Freedom of Opinion and Expression | Everyone has the right to hold opinions and share ideas freely. |
| 20 | Right to Peaceful Assembly | Right to peaceful assembly and association. |
| 21 | Right to Participate in Government | Right to take part in government directly or through freely chosen representatives. |
| 22 | Right to Social Security | Right to social security and the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights. |
| 23 | Right to Work | Right to work, free choice of employment, just conditions, and protection against unemployment. |
| 24 | Right to Rest and Leisure | Everyone has the right to rest, leisure, and reasonable working hours. |
| 25 | Right to Adequate Living Standards | Right to an adequate standard of living, including food, clothing, housing, and healthcare. |
| 26 | Right to Education | Right to free and compulsory elementary education and access to higher education based on merit. |
| 27 | Right to Cultural Participation | Right to participate in cultural life and benefit from scientific advancements. |
| 28 | Right to a Social and International Order | Everyone is entitled to an order that enables the realization of these rights. |
| 29 | Duties to the Community | Rights come with responsibilities to the community and the need to respect others’ freedoms. |
| 30 | Protection from Misuse of Rights | No one has the right to destroy or infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others. |
In India, human rights are protected by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and various legal frameworks. An Act of Parliament set it up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 for the protection and promotion of human rights. The headquarters of the Commission is in New Delhi.
1. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The NHRC was established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
2. State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs): SHRCs are led by a former Chief Justice or High Court Judge, along with two other members from the judiciary or civil organizations. They promote human rights and cultural diversity.
3. NGOs: Non-government entities, particularly NGOs, play a crucial role in protecting human rights by addressing governmental deficits and supporting citizens’ rights.
Human Rights Day 2024 reaffirms the global commitment to equality, justice, and dignity for all, calling on individuals and nations to uphold these values in their policies and practices.
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