The doctrine of human rights has been highly influential within international law, global and regional institutions.
NEW DELHI: Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10, the day when the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The basic principle of the day is that we need to stand for our own rights and those of others. The theme for Human Rights Day 2018 is ‘Stand Up For Human Rights’.
The Declaration, which is available in more than 500 languages, sets out universal values and a common standard of achievement for peoples across nations.
Human Rights Day has witnessed non-violent protests and peace marches by NGOs, open debates, political conferences and cultural events — all driving the point of respecting individual freedom and liberty.
Acting alone or in groups within their communities, every day human rights defenders work to end discrimination by campaigning for equitable and effective laws, reporting and investigating human rights violations and supporting victims.
While some human rights defenders are internationally renowned, many remain anonymous and undertake their work often at great personal risk and their families.
The five-yearly “United Nations Prize in the field of Human Rights”, constituted in 1966, is also awarded on this day.
Taking to Twitter and other social media handles, leaders across the world have been posting about the significance of the day and pledging their support and protection for the rights of fellow humans.
The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues.
In addition it is traditionally on 10 December that the five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded.
Many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organizations.
