Human Rights Day 2024: Theme and What are Universal Human Rights You Need to Know

Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10 to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. This important day reminds us of the fundamental freedoms and rights that belong to everyone in the world, no matter where they live. who they are, where they live, or what they believe. Now is the time to reflect on the progress we have made in protecting human rights and recognize that work still needs to be done to make these rights a reality for everyone.

The theme of Human Rights Day 2024 is inclusion, equality and global solidarity. This year the focus is on encouraging people to come together to address pressing issues of inequality, discrimination and the need for justice and dignity for all. This theme inspires us to create a world where the rights of everyone are respected, regardless of race, gender, religion or economic status.

Understanding human rights is key to cherishing this day. But what exactly are human rights? They are fundamental rights and freedoms that every human being is entitled to simply by virtue of being human. These rights include the right to life, the right to freedom of expression, the right to education and equal treatment under the law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines 30 such rights as the global standard for ensuring that everyone can live with dignity, freedom and equality.

While these rights are universal, meaning they apply to everyone everywhere, the reality is that many people still face violations of their rights. Discrimination, violence, poverty and inequality continue to affect millions of people. Human Rights Day is a reminder that upholding these rights is a shared responsibility and that together we can create a fairer world.

Read | Important dates in December 2024: List of domestic and international dates

Human Rights Day 2024: Theme

This year’s theme for Human Rights Day is “Our Rights, Our Futures, Now”, highlighting the transformative power of human rights in shaping a better future. Human rights are not just ideals; They are tools to empower individuals and communities to create a more peaceful, equal and sustainable world. By embracing these rights and taking action today, we lay the foundation for the future we all deserve.

Human rights hold the key to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges. They are a shield of protection, a force for change and a means of preventing injustice. As United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminds us, “Human rights are the foundation of peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”

This year we are asked to reflect on the daily relevance of human rights to our lives and communities. This is an opportunity to speak out against hate speech, correct harmful misinformation, and counter disinformation. In doing so, we can shift perceptions, inspire change and rebuild trust in the power of human rights.

Related stories

Human Rights Day 2024: What are universal human rights?

According to the United Nations, the following are 30 universal human rights:

“Article 1

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They all have reason and conscience and should treat each other in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, judicial or international status of the country or territory to which the individual belongs, whether that country or territory is independent, trustworthy, non-self-governing or subject to any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4

No one shall be subject to slavery or servitude; all forms of slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited.

Article 5

No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6

Everyone has the right to be recognized everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7

All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law without any discrimination. All persons are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination contrary to this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8

Everyone is entitled to an effective remedy before the competent national courts for violations of the fundamental rights granted him by the Constitution or by law.

Article 9

No one may be arbitrarily arrested, detained or exiled.

Article 10

Everyone has the full and equal right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal to determine his rights and obligations and any criminal charges against him.

Article 11

  • Everyone charged with a criminal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law at a public trial and to be provided with all the guarantees necessary for his defense at a public trial.
  • No person shall be convicted of any criminal offense by reason of any act or omission which, when committed, did not constitute a criminal offense under domestic or international law. The penalty imposed must not be more severe than the penalty applicable at the time the criminal offense was committed.

Article 12

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to legal protection against such interference or attacks.

Article 13

  • Everyone has the right to move and reside freely within the borders of every state.
  • Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and the right to return to his country.

Article 14

  • Everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries from persecution.
  • This right may not be invoked in cases of genuine prosecution for non-political crimes or acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15

  • Everyone has the right to acquire a nationality.
  • No one may be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality or deprived of his right to change his nationality.

Article 16

  • Adult men and women, without any restrictions on race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and start a family. They have equal rights during marriage, during the marriage and on its dissolution.
  • Marriage can only be entered into with the free and full consent of the unmarried couple.
  • The family is the natural basic unit of society and has the right to be protected by society and the state.

Article 17

  • Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as jointly with others.
  • No one may be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his or her religion or belief and to express his or her religion or belief, alone or in community with others, in public or in private, in teaching, practice, worship and observance .

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20

  • Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
  • No one may be forced to join an association.

Article 21

  • Everyone has the right to participate in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives.
  • Everyone has equal access to public services in their country.
  • The will of the people is the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed through periodic and genuine elections, which shall be held by universal and equal suffrage and by secret ballot or equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and has the right to realize the economic, social and cultural rights necessary for social security through national efforts and international cooperation and in accordance with the organizations and resources of each country. His dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23

  • Everyone has the right to work, freely chosen employment, just and favorable conditions of work and protection against unemployment.
  • Everyone has the right to equal pay for equal work without any discrimination.
  • Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration that ensures an existence with human dignity for himself and his family, supplemented when necessary by other means of social protection.
  • Everyone has the right to form and join a trade union to protect his or her interests.

Article 24

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitations on working hours and regular paid time off.

Article 25

  • Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and health care and necessary social services, and to security in case of unemployment, illness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood due to circumstances beyond one’s control.
  • Mothers and children have the right to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, should enjoy equal social protection.

Article 26

  • Everyone has the right to education. Education should be free, at least at the primary and basic levels. Primary education is compulsory. Technical and professional education should be universally available and higher education should be equally available to all on the basis of merit.
  • The purpose of education shall be the full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups and advance the activities of the United Nations in the maintenance of peace.
  • Parents have the right to choose what kind of education their children receive.

Article 27

  • Everyone has the right to freely participate in social and cultural life, enjoy the arts and share in scientific progress and its benefits.
  • Everyone has the right to protection of the moral and material interests arising from any scientific, literary or artistic work of which he is the author.

Article 28

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29

  • Everyone has responsibilities to society, and only in society can his personality be free and fully developed.
  • In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to restrictions provided by law, solely for the purpose of ensuring that the rights and freedoms of others are duly recognized and respected and that they meet the just requirements of morality, public order and the general requirements of a democratic society. Welfare.
  • These rights and freedoms may under no circumstances be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30

Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed as implying the right of any State, group or individual to engage in any activity or conduct aimed at undermining any of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration. “

In conclusion, Human Rights Day 2024 is a time to reflect on the importance of equality, dignity and freedom for everyone everywhere. This year’s theme reminds us that human rights are not just ideas but the foundation of justice and peace in the world. By understanding and supporting universal human rights, such as the right to education, freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination, we take a step towards creating a fairer and more compassionate society.