This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to recovery efforts according to a release by the United Nations. “We will reach our common global goals only if we are able to create equal opportunities for all, address the failures exposed and exploited by COVID-19, and apply human rights standards to tackle entrenched, systematic, and intergenerational inequalities, exclusion and discrimination,” says the UN release.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
“10 December is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of Human Rights in re-building the world we want, the need for global solidarity as well as our interconnectedness and shared humanity,” says the release. “Under UN Human Rights’ generic call to action ‘Stand Up for Human rights’, we aim to engage the general public, our partners and the UN family to bolster transformative action and showcase practical and inspirational examples that can contr ibute to recovering better and fostering more resilient and just societies,” the release concludes.
Human Rights Day is about solidarity. Join us today to celebrate and act.
Today is International Human Rights Day, a special moment to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to thank you for being part of this global movement.
It’s also an opportunity to act, alongside millions around the world, to defend human rights for all. With Write for Rights happening in 200 countries – including 180+ events in Canada – we know we’ll be heard today.
The people you are supporting today are making the world a better place, often at great danger to themselves. Many have been imprisoned, disappeared and attacked.
From Jani risking her life to protect the Amazon, to Nassima in jail for defending women’s rights, to students on trial for holding a Pride event, to Germain facing 32 years in prison for his anti-torture work – they are under attack for demanding dignity and justice.
Today it’s our turn to speak out for them. You can help amplify their voices today, even if you only have a few minutes!
- Take Action: Send a letter, email, tweet or solidarity message
- Find an Event: Search for a local virtual or socially distanced event
- Join the Virtual Marathon: Drop-in between 12:00-8:30 pm EST TODAY for letter-writing and speakers, including a fireside chat with Alex Neve and me starting at 7:30 pm EST! Today’s agenda is here >>
Today is about solidarity – an expression of our shared humanity that has never been more important and relevant. When we all act together, we are more powerful.
On behalf of our entire team and members, please accept my deepest gratitude for everything you do for humanity, every day. I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful International Human Rights Day.
Warmly,
Ketty Nivyabandi
Secretary General
Amnesty International Canada
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