Human Rights Day is an annual recognition of the day on which the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which took place on 10 December 1948. In 30 Articles, the Declaration delineates the fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The Preamble of that document declares the importance of recognizing “the inherent dignity and … the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family” and observes that those rights form “the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” The United Nations staff adds, “This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”[1] The theme for this year’s observance of Human Rights Day is: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now. The United Nations staff explains, “This year’s theme is a call to acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights in our everyday lives. We have an opportunity to change perceptions by speaking up against hate speech, correcting misinformation and countering disinformation. This is the time to mobilize action to reinvigorate a global movement for human rights.”

It’s a sad commentary on human nature that we have to remind ourselves how cruel humanity can be. It’s not good enough to think to oneself: I’m not one of the cruel, unkind people in this world. The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once stated, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” Nor can we wear rose-colored glasses hoping not see abuses taking place around us. Jean Edmond Cyrus Rostand, the late French biologist, historian of science, and philosopher, once observed, “Stupidity, outrage, vanity, cruelty, iniquity, bad faith, falsehood — we fail to see the whole array when it is facing in the same direction as we.” In other words, both King and Rostand encourage us to turn and confront human rights abuses wherever and whenever we find them.

I’m not so naïve as to believe we can rid the world abuse — there are simply too many evil men and women ready to take advantage of others. Nevertheless, doing nothing is not a choice that can be made by people with a moral conscience. The least we can do is acknowledge the problem. The late South African Anglican bishop and theologian, Desmond Tutu, once explained, “It means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant.” If you are interested in helping observe this important day, below you will find suggested ways to get involved:

The staff at National Day Calendar suggests:

● Think about a time your human rights were violated or taken away.
● Discuss with someone or write about the importance of protecting human rights.
● Watch a movie that focuses on human rights, including Selma; Dukhtar; I am Slave; and Beasts of No Nation.
● Learn about the history of human rights.
● Ask your children or other youth what human rights mean to them.
● Read a copy of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The staff at National Today suggests:

● Donate to your favorite Human Rights charity.
● Attend a human rights event.
● Show your support for human rights by posting online or getting involved in online discussions.

The staff at Awareness Days suggests:

● Educate Yourself: Learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its principles. Understand the human rights challenges faced by different communities around the world.
● Advocate for Human Rights: Get involved in advocacy campaigns to promote human rights, support marginalized communities, and fight against discrimination and injustice.
● Volunteer with Human Rights Organizations: Volunteer with organizations that work to protect and defend human rights globally.
● Engage in Social Justice: Advocate for equality, inclusivity, and social justice in your community and workplace. Support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion.

Companies also have an obligation to purge human rights abuses from their supply chains. In today’s connected society, no one can claim ignorance about human rights abuses. And make no mistake, human rights are being challenged across the globe on a daily basis. The late acclaimed lawyer, Clarence Darrow, once observed, “You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom. You can only be free if I am free.” More recently, the Dalai Lama added, “Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.” We can rise above the hatred and divisiveness that dominates today’s political landscape; however, it will take a great deal of effort and courage.

Footnotes
[1] Staff, “Human Rights Day, 10 December,” United Nations.