Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is celebrated worldwide on the 10th of December every year. On the 10th of December 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adapted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The day is celebrated with events to commemorate this day by different organisations. There are speeches, seminars, promotion and discussions organised by several institutions and organisations. The Nobel Peace Prize is also awarded on this day.
In South Africa the Human Rights day is celebrated on 21st March in memory of the Sharpeville massacre which occurred while the protests against apartheid were being held, on the same day in 1960.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human stresses the need for every individual to be aware of and spread the awareness about the rights that they entitled to. It acknowledges some of the following rights for all individuals irrespective of caste creed, colour race and gender.
- Every individual has the right to live and be free.
- Each one has the right to move anywhere in a public space within the territories of their state.
- Individuals have the right to take up any lawful occupation of his or her choice.
- Everyone is entitled to receive education and to practice their own culture.
- Each individual has the right to speak and express themselves within boundaries.
- Each individual can form assemblies and no one can be forced into being a part of an organisation.
- Any individual can leave any country including their own at any time, and go back to their country.
- Each individual has a right to seek asylum into another country.
- Nobody can be detained without their will, except by law with the proper evidence of the requirement to detain one.
- If anyone’s right has been breached, he or she can resort to remedial measures by the law of the state.
- In case of supposed criminal offence, each individual has the right to face a fair trial and seek a lawyer to represent him.
- Nobody can be forced into any exploitative situation, such as human trafficking, child labour and slavery.
The above is not a complete but a rough list of the rights listed in the Declaration.
Conclusion
The Human Rights Day is a reminder to everyone what kind of dignity and hope everyone is entitled to. On this day we must all make an effort to spread this awareness.
By Janhavi
EdgeArticles 