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When is Human Rights Day? |  |
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What is Human Rights Day? | |
Human Rights Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950. The purpose of the day of observation on December 10th is to promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a set of principles, ideals, and values that should apply to all people in every community around the world. The rights outlined in the document are designed to address key issues such as poverty and discrimination.
The Declaration has no legal force or status, but does provide a standard for member states to strive to achieve. After the Bible, the UDHR is the document that has been translated into the greatest number of languages. Cultural festivities, exhibitions with a human rights theme, civil and social actions, and political conferences typically mark the day. The Nobel Peace Prize and several UN Human Rights Prizes are typically awarded on this day as well.
