Human Rights Day - 2019

                Last Tuesday, 10th of December, all over the world the importance of human rights was remembered. This post is a summary of three articles, the first was published at  https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day. The second was published at   https://www.state.gov/international-human-rights-day-2/. The third was published at   https://en.unesco.org/events/human-rights-day-0. The fourth was punlished at   https://www.eset.com/blog/consumer/human-rights-day-2019-the-power-of-the-internet-3/

             Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December, the day the U.N. General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, nation or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world. 2019 Theme is: Youth Standing Up for Human Rights. After a year marked by the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which culminated on 20th November, 2019, our plan is to capitalise on the current momentum and spotlight the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future. Under our universal call to action "Stand Up for Human Rights," we aim to celebrate the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, amplify their voice, and engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights. The campaign, led by the Office of the High Commissioner foe Human Rights, is designed to encourage, galvanise, and showcase how youth all over the world stand up for rights and against racism, hate speech, bullying, discrimination, and climate change, to name a few. Youth participation is essential to achieve sustainable development for all. Participation in public life is a fundamental principle of human rights. Young people are seeking to participate in all decisions that have an impact upon their wellbeing. Youth can play a crucial role in positive change. Young people have been at the forefront of grassroots mobilizations for positive change and bring fresh ideas and solutions for a better world.  Young people often encounter difficulties in accessing and emjoying their rights because of their age. Upholding their rights and empowering them to better know and claim them will generate benefits globally. 

                   In 1948, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to identify common rights and freedoms for all people in all nations. Eleanor Roosevelt, chaired the U.N. human rights commission that drafted this document. She needed only to look at our own American traditions as inspirations for naming these inalienable rights. Thanks to the UDHR, more persons around the world enjoy these rights and freedoms than was the case before the Declaration's adoption. Indeed, it is widely recognized that a government's moral authority is derived in large measure by its willingness to protect the rights and freedoms enumerated in the UDHR. The chinese government continues to repress members of religious and ethnic minority groups. The regimes in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela commit gross human rights violations every day that shock the conscience. In order for countries such as China, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela to regain moral authority in the eyes of freedom-loving nations, they must rededicate themselves to protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. Today, we celebrate the rights outlined in the UDHR, and recommit ourselves to protecting and promoting these essential freedoms. The U.S. will always remain a staunch supporter of those who strive for their unalienable rights and human dignity.

                  Every year, human rights day provides an opportunity for all to renew with the spirit of humanity's long struggle for rights and dignity and to mobilise against old and new challenges, in the shape of poverty and inequality, violence, exclusion and discrimination. 

                 This Tuesday, 10 December, is Human Rights Day, marking the day on which the UDHR was adopted by the U.N. in 1948. This year, the Theme is 'Youth Standing Up for Human Rights' which celebrates the potential of youth as constructive agents of change and aims to showcase how youth across the globe are standing up for human rights. While the fight for human rights is still as important as ever, the world around us has changed a lot since 1948, due in large part to technology. The advancement of technology has fundamentally changed the way we live: From health to education and leisure to work, digital technology and the internet are at the core of our lives. The internet also plays a vital role in standing up for human rights, and is perhaps most pertinent to youth, many of whom have been interacting with internet their entire lives. From Greta Thunberg's Fridays for Future movement, to the #MeToo movement, on to exposing many instances of states sponsored violence, the internet has been vital to empowering those whose rights have been infringed upon. In fact, not only is the internet a central tool in standing up for human rights, many consider access to the internet to be a human rights in itself. Although not formally declared by the U.N. yet, several countries across the world have implemented laws or policies that require internet access to be available to all. As our lives becomes increasingly digitized, it is not simply access to the internet that could be deemed a human right. While the internet can be used as a tool for upholding human rights, it is unfortunately not always used as a tool for good. From threats to national infrastructure to violations of privacy, ensuring that individuals are safe online is just as vital as being able to access the internet. This Human Rights Day, not only should we celebrate the power of youth in standing up for human rights, but we should also encourage them to pave the way for a safe and more just internet for all.