The International Human Rights Day on 10th December annually marks the occasion of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. In this article, we will read about the background of Human Rights Day, and some of the notable actions taken in the context.
Background of Human Rights Day
It was on 10th December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly ratified and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights day was officially started on the 4th December in the 1950 meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. In South Africa, the Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March, in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which occurred as a result of protests against the Apartheid regime.
According to the United Nations, Human rights are inalienable for all human beings, whatever our place of residence, sex, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, language, religion, or any other status. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.
Human Rights Day is an important day for the Government of India as India is one of the founding members of the UN as well as an original signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
India also abides by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as benchmarks for human development. Human Rights are the core of the Sustainable Development goals as in the absence of human rights and dignity, no sustainable development is possible. Sustainable development and human rights are interdependent as human rights are dependent on progress and progress, in turn, depends on advancement in human rights. In this context, India strives to be a role model by guaranteeing human rights to all.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The fundamental human rights were protected for the first time under UNGA resolution 217 A in Paris
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
It is an expression of freedom and rights and not a treaty with legal obligations. But one is expected to follow these ethically
Other important rights under this declaration include:
Right To Nationality
Right against Arbitrary Arrest
Prohibition of slavery in any form
Right to freedom of Movement and Residence, and many more
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was established in 1993 and is headquartered in Geneva. It is a part of the United Nations Secretariat and a leading UN entity for human rights.
There are three interconnected pillars of the United Nations including peace and security, human rights and development and UN Human Rights plays a crucial role in safeguarding the same.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
In India, the National Human Rights Commission was established in 1993 under the statute of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was introduced in Lok Sabha which seeks to amend the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The amendments were made to strengthen the Human Rights Institutions of India.
Frequently Asked Questions on Human Rights Day:
Q 1. When in Human Rights Day celebrated?
Ans. The International Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10.
Q 2. Why is December 10th celebrated as Human Rights Day?
Ans. December 10th is celebrated as Human Rights Day as on this day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Q 3. What are the different human rights?
Ans. Human rights comprise of civil and political rights, social, cultural and economic rights. These include the right to education, right to freedom os expression, right to work and many more.
Q 4. Why is Human Rights Day important?
Ans. Human Rights Day is celebrated to mark the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to encourage and promote the idea of equal rights and opportunity for all across the world.
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