Human Rights Day is an international event celebrated annually across the world on December 10 every year. The significance of this date is that on this date in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. To honor the same this event is celebrated.
The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred on December 4, 1950, at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423 (V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day.
This day is celebrated by organizing high-level political conferences and meetings and cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. Also, on this day, United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day.
The formal inception of Human Rights Day occurred in 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423(V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, as the main United Nations rights official, and his Office play a major role in coordinating efforts for the yearly observation of Human Rights Day.
The theme for observing the Human Rights Day 2016 was “Stand up for Someone’s Rights Today!” In this year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence and humane values are under attack. Therefore, joint efforts are required to combat this attack and reaffirm the common humanity.