World Human Rights Day 2023 is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December every year. The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10th, 1948. The day is usually marked by high-level political conferences and meetings, as well as cultural events and exhibitions that address human rights issues.
Theme of Human Rights Day 2023
Every year Human Rights Day is celebrated with a special theme. This is done to raise awareness and in still the importance of human rights in the minds of the people. The themes for the last seven years are listed below:
2023 Theme: Freedom, Equality and Justice for All
2022: Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All
2021: Equality: Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights
2020: Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights
2019: Youth Standing Up for Human Rights
2018: Stand Up for Human Rights
2017: Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity
How is the day celebrated?
Human Rights Day is celebrated by organizing various programs, including political conferences, meetings, exhibitions, cultural events, debates, and more, to discuss human rights issues. Many events on this day aim to educate people, children, and teenagers about their human rights. Additionally, protest activities are held to raise awareness in areas where human rights are unrecognized or violated.
Objectives of celebrating Human Rights Day 2023
The day is celebrated across the world to:
- Promote awareness about human rights among the people
- Emphasize the endeavours of the United Nations General Assembly in order to progress the overall human rights conditions.
- Get together and celebrate in co-operation to discuss and highlight the specific issues of the human rights.
- Encourage the vulnerable group of people like women, minorities, youth, poor, disabled person, indigenous people etc. to take part in this event and political decision-making.
How to Participate in Human Rights Day 2023?
Participating in Human Rights Day involves taking actions to promote human rights, raise awareness, and support organizations dedicated to advancing social justice. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Attend Human Rights Events: Participate in local or virtual events, seminars, and conferences that focus on human rights issues and discussions.
- 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.
- Donate to Human Rights Organizations: Contribute to or 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.
Human Rights Day 2023: History
Human Rights Day was formally established in 1950, following the adoption of UNGA Resolution 423. (V). According to the resolution, all states (members and non-members) and interested organisations were invited to observe this day to commemorate the proclamation of the UDHR and to increase their efforts in this field of human progress. Human Rights Day has addressed issues such as discrimination, diversity, education, freedom, poverty, torture, and equality over the last decade.
Human Rights Day: Significance
The UDHR contains 30 articles that outline a wide range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all people from across the world are entitled. The UDHR serves as a guidepost for what all nations must strive for in order to meet basic human needs, whether socioeconomic or political.
Find out more about these 12 remarkable young people
1.Venus Aves: LGBTIQ+ activist, human rights master’s student, and program assistant. Leader at UP Babaylan, co-founder of Balur-Kanlungan. Advocate for anti-discrimination laws and global solidarity.
2. Mario Galbert: Environmental advocate with 5+ years in sustainable development. Believes in the right to a clean environment and advocates for justice for people of African descent. Pursuing a master’s at the University of the West Indies, actively involved in various impactful roles.
3. Allyson, a 22-year-old activist and journalism student, has championed human rights with organizations like Amnesty International since age 16. Board member of Amnesty Chile, she focuses on sexual and reproductive rights, LGBTIQ+ issues, and climate activism, participating in global programs like UNAOC Young Peacebuilders and Women@Dior by UNESCO.
4.Vancouver-raised David is committed to fostering inclusivity in Canada. Founder of The Global Spotlight, he empowers youth through stories and mentorship. As Canada’s G20 Youth Representative, he advocates for an inclusive pandemic recovery, combining community projects and TEDx talks to inspire action.
5. Stephanie Cohen, a South London legal activist, co-founded The Halo Collective in 2020, addressing racialized hair discrimination with the widely adopted ‘Halo Code.’ As a 2022 UN Fellow, she contributes an international perspective to advancing racial justice.
6. Human rights advocate Roger Kodzo Klomegah, a champion at Amnesty International Togo, actively engages in issues of active citizenship and youth empowerment. A Yali Accra graduate, he’s currently pursuing a master’s degree while assisting Amnesty International Togo in human rights monitoring and youth activism.
7. Rachel Kalinaki, a passionate disability rights advocate from Uganda, brings over eight years of experience advocating for the rights of young people with disabilities at national and international levels.
8. Courteney Mukoyi, Zimbabwean CivicTech founder of Justice Code Foundation, a Mandela Washington Fellow, and recipient of the 2022 Democracy Innovation Award, pioneers technology for human rights and civic engagement.
9. Tala Odeh, a Jordanian human rights defender and founder of NAMA Network, focuses on empowering youth in the Middle East, working as a human rights educator and serving as Jordan’s Ambassador for Peace since 2021.
10. Safayet Zamil Nowshan, a dedicated child rights activist and International Relations student, champions equality, human rights, and youth engagement, notably working on SRHR literacy and girls’ rights in Bangladesh.
11. At 16, Milena Rusu founded Feminismd in Moldova, securing funding and partnerships to advance gender equality, becoming a Youth Ambassador for WAVE and co-president of the UN Moldova Youth Advisory Panel, and is set to attend Vanderbilt University as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 2023.
12. Kaeden Watts, a climate advocate from Aotearoa New Zealand, focuses on the intersection of climate change and Indigenous sovereignty, engaging from grassroots to the United Nations for transformative change.
FAQs
Q. Who secures your rights?
A. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the leading UN entity in the field of human rights, with the singular mandate of promoting and protecting all human rights for all people.
Q. Why are fundamental rights so important?
A. Fundamental Rights safeguard citizens’ liberties and freedoms against state invasion and prevent the establishment of authoritarian and dictatorial rule in the country. They are important for the overall development of individuals and the country.
Relevant Hashtags
When sharing your support for human rights and participating in discussions related to Human Rights Day, consider using these relevant hashtags:
- #HumanRights
- #Equality
- #SocialJustice
- #UDHR
- #StandUpForRights
- #Inclusion
Using these hashtags can help you connect with others who are passionate about human rights and create awareness about the importance of upholding these rights for all.