Stand up for someone’s rights today!

Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

This year’s Human Rights Day slogan, "Stand up for someone's rights today!", is based on the Declaration's fundamental proposition that each one of us -- everywhere and at all times -- is entitled to the full range of human rights, and that it's everyone's responsibility to uphold them. Take a stand. Defend someone's rights. Human rights belong equally to each of us. They bind us together as a global community. Each one of us can make a difference.

This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights! Many of us are fearful about the way the world is heading. Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be widespread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack.

We must reaffirm our common humanity. Wherever we are, we can make a real difference. In the street, in school, at work, in public transport; in the voting booth, on social media.

The time for this is now. “We the peoples” can take a stand for rights. And together, we can take a stand for more humanity.

It starts with each of us. Step forward and defend the rights of a refugee or migrant, a person with disabilities, an LGBT person, a woman, a child, indigenous peoples, a minority group, or anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence.

Ways that you can stand up for human rights:

1. Inform yourself and others about why human rights matter. Read and share the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights.

2. Speak out/up when another’s rights are at risk or under attack. If you see someone being harassed, bullied or ridiculed on the street, on public transportation, while shopping or at school, stand with them.

3. Stand with others’ human rights. Join public events in support of human rights - online and/or in the street.

4. Call on leaders to uphold human rights. Lobby your government to uphold rights: sign related petitions; lobby your legislators to pass human rights friendly laws and to repeal unfriendly ones.

5. In everyday life action, combat myths with facts: in online and daily conversations, challenge harmful stereotypes. Speak up for tolerance and against prejudice. Keep yourself in check, challenge your own views and prejudices.

First Lady, and Human Rights activist Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world." 

Copyright The Gayly - 12/10/2016 @ 8:00 a.m. CDT.