Recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

December 11, 2023 | by Amnesty International USA

These children of United Nations staff members are getting a closer look at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is two years old on 10 December. All nations in the world have been invited to set aside 10 December of every year as Human Rights Day and through programs in schools and community centers to pay hommage to the principles of freedom and of the dignity of men...01 December 1950..United Nations (Lake Success), New York..Photo # 123898
(UN PHOTO)
This week, we recognize the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, upholding dignity, equality, and justice for all.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A Foundation for Justice. Adopted in 1948 by the United Nations, it proclaims the inherent rights and freedoms of all individuals. It was the first time countries agreed on the freedoms and rights that deserve universal protection.

It opens with a powerful reminder: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

Actor, activist and Amnesty supporter George Takei explains why fighting to protect human rights is so personal to him:

“Drafted by representatives from all regions of the world, the Declaration set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. Each year on December 10, we honor the anniversary by marking Human Rights Day.

“I want to share why this is so important to me: long before I became Mr. Sulu on Star Trek, I spent part of my childhood in a Japanese American internment camp. When people hear this, they react with horror that such a thing ever existed right here in the United States. The truth is: These seemingly unimaginable human rights violations continue to take place around the world today.

“If we look away, abuses will continue and history will repeat itself. That’s why it’s so important that you and I do our part to strengthen this movement for human rights.

Learn more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.