Human Rights

Human Rights Day, observed each year on 10th December, marks the anniversary of the  day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). In his 2019 message to mark this day the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres states:

This year, on Human Rights Day, we celebrate the role of young people in bringing human rights to life.

Globally, young people are marching, organizing, and speaking out:

For the right to a healthy environment…
For the equal rights of women and girls…
To participate in decision-making…
And to express their opinions freely…

They are marching for their right to a future of peace, justice and equal opportunities.

Every single person is entitled to all rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural. Regardless of where they live. Regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, social origin, gender, sexual orientation, political or other opinion, disability or income, or any other status.

On this International Day, I call on everyone to support and protect young people who are standing up for human rights.

On this day let us also recall the young people who are not able to access their human rights – young girls and boys who are exploited in child labour or child marriage. What can we do to help these young people? Ethical purchasing is one way to send a message to suppliers that we reject child labour and child marriage. Supporting anti-trafficking organisations such as ACRATH is another positive step in working towards ensuring young people are able to access their human rights.

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