Human Rights Day

“Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” ~UDHR Article II                                                                                                                                                                                            

Today is Human Rights Day, marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Though not all its articles are fulfilled by the governments of the world, it is a document that stands for what all of us are fighting for today.  Many have suffered.  Many have died.  Women, men, and children around the world in large and small ways have stood up to defend that which they are born with: the indefeasible right to live free from discrimination, oppression, violence, slavery, and war.  Be inspired.  Take action.  Start with yourself.

 You are member of the human race.  You are endowed with rights that no one has the right to take away.  Defend your rights.  Defend the rights of others.  There are small things, and big things you can do.

 Now, more than ever, this is the work that matters.  We cannot depend on our leaders.  We must depend on ourselves.  We must stand together.  The struggle for women’s rights is no different than the struggle for gay rights is no different than the struggle for indigenous rights is no different than the struggle to end slavery, genocide, poverty, torture, or war.  All want equality.  All want respect.  All want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  When you stand up for one, you stand for all.

Start with yourself.  Embrace the UDHR and uphold its principles.  Fight for your rights, and defend the rights of others.

Eleanor Roosevelt, President and Chair of the Commission on Human RIghts, holds a Spanish copy of the UDHC.

The following statement is from the UDHR website.

 It was the UDHR, 60 years ago, that first recognized what have become nowadays universal values: human rights are inherent to all and the concern of the whole of the international community. Drafted by representatives of all regions and legal traditions, the UDHR has stood the test of time and resisted attacks based on “relativism”. The Declaration and its core values, including non-discrimination, equality, fairness and universality, apply to everyone, everywhere and always. The UDHR belongs to all of us.

 More than ever, in a world threatened by racial, economic and religious divides, we must defend and proclaim the universal principles –first enshrined in the UDHR– of justice, fairness and equality that people across all boundaries hold so deeply.

 Human rights are not only a common inheritance of universal values that transcend cultures and traditions, but are quintessentially local values and nationally-owned commitments grounded in international treaties and national constitutions and laws.

 The Declaration represents a contract between governments and their peoples, who have a right to demand that this document be respected. Not all governments have become parties to all human rights treaties. All countries, however, have accepted the UDHR. The Declaration continues to affirm the inherent human dignity and worth of every person in the world, without distinction of any kind.

 The UDHR protects all of us, and it also enshrines the gamut of human rights. The drafters of the UDHR saw a future of freedom from fear, but also of freedom from want. They put all human rights on an equal footing and confirmed human rights are essential to a life of dignity.

The UDHR drafters’ vision has inspired many human rights defenders who have struggled over the last six decades to make that vision a reality. The contemporary international human rights edifice that originates in the UDHR is to be celebrated. But it has yet to benefit all of humanity equally. 

The struggle is far from over. As the Declaration’s custodians and beneficiaries, all of us must reclaim the UDHR, make it our own. While we are entitled to our human rights, we should also respect the human rights of others and help make universal human rights a reality for all of us. In our efforts lies the power of the UHDR: it is a living document that will continue to inspire generations to come.

cross-posted at Oh…My Valve!