World Human Rights Day – More Than Mere Celebrations!

The horrors of the Second World War shook the entire world! Besides thousands of precious lives lost, the world witnessed perhaps the most gruesome violation of human rights during the time. In a way the war was a wake up call for the entire world. In 1945, the founding member nations of the then newly formed United Nations came together to draft many radical laws to protect and promote the basic human rights of its citizens. In three years time, in 1948, the combined efforts of these nations paid off when the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” declaring that respect for human rights and human dignity “is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Soon in 1950, the U.N invited all member States and interested organizations across the globe to observe 10th of December every year as World Human Rights Day.

Last year, 2008, marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theme of the campaign was “Dignity and justice for all of us.” In commemoration of this eventful year, the UN launched a year long campaign during which all parts of its family reinforced the vision of the Declaration as a commitment to universal dignity and justice and not something that should be viewed as a luxury or a wish-list.