The theme of Human Rights Day 2024 is, ‘Our rights, our future, right now.’ The theme highlights the continued relevance of human rights to global challenges.
This year, the United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) aims to change people’s minds about human rights and inspire action. Here are five facts about human rights that everyone needs to know: 1. Human rights are universal and indivisible. Human rights are not granted by any country; As a human being, this is the right of every person everywhere. These rights transcend race, sex, nationality or beliefs and ensure equality and dignity for all people. These include fundamental rights, such as the right to life as enshrined in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the right to access to facilities such as education and health. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an important document that has been translated into the most languages. It is available in over 500 languages. Human rights are also inalienable, meaning that they cannot be taken away except in certain legal circumstances, such as a prison sentence after due process of law. 2. Human rights of all people are equal, indivisible and interdependent. Human rights are indivisible and interdependent. This means that the fulfillment of one right is often linked to another right. For example, the right to education is essential for exercising political rights such as voting in elections. Similarly, the right to health and the right to access to clean water are essential to the right to life and dignity. Understanding the interrelationship of these rights is essential to addressing complex global issues. Progress may also be made in other areas, such as gender equality or poverty alleviation. At the same time, neglecting any one right can have adverse effects on individuals and communities in countless ways.3. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A Turning Point GloballyHuman rights are not just abstract ideas; These have been transformed into practical standards through various declarations, treaties and bills. Born out of the atrocities of World War II, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in 1948. It was the world’s first comprehensive statement on universal human rights. As the foundation of international human rights law, the 30 articles of the UDHR define core freedoms such as equality, liberty and protection from torture. This declaration has become a source of inspiration for more than 80 international treaties. Together with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it has created the International Bill of Human Rights.4. States have obligations and the rights of individuals All countries have ratified at least one of the nine core human rights treaties, and one of their Optional Protocols. This means that countries have an obligation to respect, protect and fulfill human rights under international law. At the same time, these treaties provide a framework for individuals and communities to demand the fulfillment of their rights and advocate for change. For policy changes Grassroots movements like youth-led Fridays for the Future show how human rights can strengthen calls for climate justice.5. Human Rights Day: Platform for ActionHuman Rights Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Human Rights Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and current struggles in the field of human rights. On the occasion of Human Rights Day, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said in his video message, “Human rights are about people. It is about you and It is about each of your lives: about your needs, desires and fears, and about your hopes for the present and the future.” This year marks the 76th anniversary of the UDHR, emphasizing that It has been said that especially in times of crisis, human rights can act as a preventive, protective and transformative force.