Human Rights Day | 10 Dec 2024

Source: IE

Human Rights Day, observed every year on 10th December highlights the importance of human rights as a foundation for justice, peace, and equality.

2024 Theme: "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now" emphasizes the relevance of human rights in shaping a peaceful and sustainable future.
Historical Significance: Human Rights Day was established in 1950 to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations on 10th December, 1948, which outlined fundamental human rights for all.
- The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, promotes global human rights protection through its 47 member States(including India) and works on addressing violations and emergencies.
  - The Council's secretariat is the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Advocacy and Action: The day calls for collective action to counter hate speech, misinformation, and human rights abuses, while promoting equality and non-discrimination.
Human Rights and India: The Indian Constitution enshrines human rights through Fundamental Rights (Part III) and Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV).
- The Preamble's commitment to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity reflects the spirit of the UDHR.
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), oversees human rights adherence in India.