December 10: Every Day should be Human Rights Day

Marking the Every Human Has rights Campaign in Paris

I had the privilege of attending the Every Human Has Rights (www.everyhumanhasrights) media awards in Paris on Saturday last where thirty incredible and brave men and women were honoured for their reporting on human rights abuses. You can see the details of the nominees and winners at http://media-awards.everyhumanhasrights.org/.

There were several speakers that night including ex-Presidents Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson, but the person who stood out for me was Stephane Hessel who was involved in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago today. Stephane is now 91 but as he reminded us of the global context in which this document was written, he still exudes an air of hope and passion for justice that generated renewed enthusiasm among all present at last weekend’s event.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

 That night really bought home for me the importance of the universal declaration (http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/) which is now available in 337 languages making it the most translated document in history.

The rights being abused today

Today, we celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the UDHR, although perhaps celebrate is not the right word. Today it is vital that we remember the millions of people who are not aware of their rights, and whose rights to life, to liberty, to freedom from torture and slavery are abused every day. From the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Zimbabwe, and from the United States to India, human rights are violated.  Some of these abuses are documented on the incredible new web site from Witness - http://hub.witness.org/.

GCAP marks December 10^th around the world

That is why GCAP activists, and many others who believe in human rights are taking action today.

In India, activists will remember those who lost their lives in Mumbai recently at a major conference under the heading Peace, Dignity and Justice in New Delhi followed by a cultural event with music and poetry. More than 30 organizations have come together to co-host this programme, showing the new energy that exists for linking rights and development work.  They will focus on:

• Rights of People with Disabilities

• Rights of Sexual Minorities
• Rights of Unorganized Workers

• Rights of Political Refugees

• Rights of Homeless People
• Rights of People Affected By Violence & Conflict
• Right to Land & Livelihoods
• Right to A Life With Dignity
• Media & Human Rights

In Peru, GCAP Peru and Amnesty Peru are screebing the documentary film Poverty of Justice and taking their message to the media and politicians with a candlelight act.

In Hungary, activists will hold a one -day festival in Budapest with a special focus on Freedom from Want.

GCAP has been keeping the focus on poverty and Human Rights all year as partners in the Every Human Has Rights Campaign, from encouraging members to sign and online pledge to including a strong rights focus in events around the MDGs in New York in September and during the Stand up mobilisation in October.

There is a real risk that the financial crisis, the climate crisis and the ensuing battle for limited resources will lead to even greater human rights abuses in the future. That is why it is critical that today, and every day, we remember the powerful Universal Declaration and fight to ensure it is upheld in every country, every day.

Read more about Human Rights day, click on links:

Kumi's blog "Five things to advance the Human Declaration"

Marivic Raquiza’s article “Poverty and Human Rights Violations Are Two Sides of the Same Coin”

Written by Ben Margolis, GCAP Mobilisation and Outreach Coordinator