“Everyone can advance the struggle against injustice, intolerance and extremism. I call on States to honor their obligation to protect human rights every day of the year. I call on people to hold their governments to account. And I call for special protections for the human rights defenders who courageously serve our collective cause. Let us respond to the cries of the exploited, and uphold the right to human dignity for all.” – the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his video addressing to the general public on Tuesday, December 2, as the introduction to this year’s Human Rights Day (December 10, 2014) that bears the slogan: “Human Rights 365”.
The EU is a world leader in upholding human rights, in principle and in practice. In a declaration on behalf of the European Union, High Representative Catherine Ashton said: “The EU remains determined to promote the respect for and protection of all human rights of all persons around the world. We are concerned by the increasing level of intimidation, violence and censorship that the media and human rights defenders face in many countries. Our thoughts go out today to all those who are subject to persecution because they defend human rights. The EU will continue to offer unwavering support for human rights and democracy, and those who defend them.”
In the light of the upcoming 64th international Human Rights Day, we should turn back to past years and see how and why it has come to existance of this organization and better understand its importance for the world as we know it. We might have taken it for granted. To quote Anna Lindh: “Human rights are praised more than ever – and violated as much as ever.”
It was in 1950 that December 10 was proclaimed as a day for all the people of the world to accept the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard and achievement. 64 years have passed since, and the struggle still remains. We are all involved and invited to participate, for the goal is mutual. No matter where you come from, no matter your age, ethnicity, religion. This is everyone’s concern, bridging us together and making us a global community.
Everyone is at least marginally aware of Human Rights existence. Not everyone knows enough so as to care enough to see them fully supported, not even in their home country. As long as this is not corrected, and corrected on a global level, we will witness the violation of human rights on a global level. Before you know it, you or someone close and dear to you could fall victim of human rights violation.
The whole idea of human rights grew strong after World War II. The extermination of more than six million Jews, Romani, homosexuals, and persons with disabilities by Nazi Germans shook the world. In Nuremberg and Tokyo trials after WW II, many officials from the defeated countries were pursued on account of crimes against peace, crimes against humanity and other war crimes.
The world governments then committed to establishing today’s United Nations, whose primary goal is upholding worldwide peace and preventing conflicts. All to ensure that never again anyone gets unjustly denied of rights to live, be free, have food, shelter and national identity. The pillar of these human rights principles was chiseled out of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s State of the Union address in 1941, when he spoke of a world founded on four essential freedoms, pillars if you will: freedom of speech and religion and freedom from want and fear. You can read the Universal Declaration online here.
The calls for help arrived from all around the globe. Calls for human rights standards to protect citizens and end abuses by their governments, standards against which nations could be held accountable for the treatment of those living within their borders. These calls were critical in the San Francisco meetings in June 1945, when the United Nations Charter was drafted by decision from officials of 50 countries. That is how it all started. But it is nowhere near the goal.
This site is a good place to start informing yourself on the topic and do it not only before this December 10, but keep expanding your knowledge and interest after that, so that the next year’s Human Rights Day sees you as a bona fide fighter for humanity and its rights.
The goal of setting up universal and protective rights for all the persons living in this world is best helped by ordinary people who care, and take actions every day, and spread the word. Help unto thy neighbor. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a young boy’s shoulders to let him know that the world hadn’t ended. You have seen the movies with heroes fighting for the goals that usually make them seem out of their depth. You do not have to leave your place to be a hero, and a hero you can be. A discrete hero. Starting a group, putting out a petition, joining the local activity group, raising some funds. Try this site for starters – http://www.humanrights.com/take-action/get-active.html – and be someone’s hero.
The right to defend human rights is enshrined in the U.N. declaration on human rights defenders, which was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in December 1998. The United States has long viewed human rights defenders as an essential component of strong civil societies and a key to stable democratic governance.
If you feel like engaging yourself in the field, joining the activist in everyday struggles in the hotspot you are more than welcome to join some of the famed names, such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Sting, Bono, Paul McCartney and Ellen DeGeneres. You may have seen that they have been spending time in Africa, promoting and fighting for human rights and thought of joining the cause yourself.
It is not all that difficult to engage. My Travels Map can be an easy way for you to get to the center of the events in Africa, where you would bring your support, by means of funds or volunteering somewhere. You might join soccer player Yaya Toure or actor Idris Elba, fighting the outbreak of ebola in West Africa.
Be a hero any day, or be a hero every day. Everyone will feel your effort.