“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
Today, PsySSA celebrates International Human Rights Day. This day was designated due to the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on the 10th of December, 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly. It was the first global declaration of human rights which was among the first major achievements of the United Nations.
The Human Rights Day celebration this year will have a special purpose being devoted to the launch of a comprehensive campaign for the 50th anniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights. The two covenants are the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Both were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the 16th of December, 1966.
The celebration’s theme to promote the 50th anniversary campaign will be “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” The campaign will last one year and it will revolve around the theme of freedoms and rights specifically: freedom of speech; freedom of worship; freedom from fear and freedom from want. These freedoms reinforce the International Bill of Human Rights which are as relevant today as when they were initially adopted 50 years ago.
What You Can Do on International Human Rights Day?
Organize a fundraising event to support human rights causes.
Invite human rights personalities to speak in a symposium.
Distribute posters and other informative materials to spread awareness of important human rights issues.
Volunteer for local and international organizations that fight for human rights.
Create an event in your community to help inform the public about vital human rights issues.
Use social media to spread awareness of International Human Rights Day.
Source: Consumer Health Digest