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Human Rights Day
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Human Rights Day 2024 - “Our rights, our future, right now”
28 November 2024
© OHCHR
“Human rights are about people. They are about you and your life: your needs and wants and fears; your hopes for the present and the future,” said UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, in his video message to mark Human Rights Day 2024.
On Human Rights Day, 10 December, Türk recalls the simple truth that was enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: that human rights impact and concern everyone, everywhere, every day and, because of their centrality in our lives, they should empower individuals, communities, and peoples to build a better future.
Under the theme “Our rights, our future, right now,” this year’s UN Human Rights campaign focuses on how human rights are a pathway to solutions, as they play a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good, particularly in times of crises.
For Türk, human rights are the common thread that binds us all together to foster peace and stability. By establishing, recognising, and adhering to a common set of values and principles that apply universally, human rights help to avoid violations, conflicts, and abuses before they happen.
Further, human rights are not merely abstract ideas. They offer concrete norms, laws and a vital framework that protect against abuses, violations, and other harms, ensuring everyone, everywhere can live in dignity and respect.
Human rights are a powerful force for good. Upholding human rights isn’t only about addressing present injustices, it’s about driving significant social change by reshaping unjust societies and empowering marginalized groups.
Our rights, our future, right now.
PREVENT: By defending human rights, we can prevent harm before it happens. ©OHCHR
PROTECT: By protecting human rights, we protect our future. ©OHCHR
TRANSFORM: By advancing human rights, we create a fairer world. ©OHCHR
“Previous generations fought and even died for human rights. The right to vote. The right to protest. The right to work, and to equal pay for women. The right to be seen, heard, and counted,” Türk said.
“Our forebears took to the streets, to parliaments and to the courts to fight against colonialism and apartheid, discrimination, inequality, slavery and racism. They built the international human rights system, bringing real improvements to the lives of people around the world.”
On Human Rights Day this year, UN Human Rights hopes to inspire everyone to acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights, change perceptions by countering negative stereotypes and misconceptions, and mobilize action to reinvigorate a global human rights movement.
“The full promise of human rights is still to be fulfilled. The evidence is everywhere. So, I urge you to stay the course. Mobilize. Use your voices and votes,” Türk said.
“Reach out and connect, to build strong social movements that stand up for your rights and those of future generations. Call on your leaders to work for equality, justice, peace – and all your human rights.”
Human Rights Day is marked every year on 10 December to commemorate the day in 1948 the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Communications assets for Human Rights Day 2024, such as campaign visuals and logos, can be downloaded from our Trello Board.
