Human Rights Day 2023: History, Significance, Celebrations, and Key Facts

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2023: The world observes Human Rights Day every year on December 10. This year marks the 75th anniversary of this important day, which aims at promoting and celebrating the fundamental rights and freedoms every individual is entitled to, regardless of their gender, nationality, race, religion, or background.

Human Rights Day History

Human Rights Day traces its roots to the year 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This document, comprising 30 articles, served as a landmark commitment to safeguarding the inherent dignity and equal rights of all human beings. The formal recognition and celebration of Human Rights Day began in 1950 with the adoption of resolution 423 (V) by the UN General Assembly, designating December 10 as an annual day of observance.

The UDHR, though not legally binding, has inspired over 60 human rights instruments, creating an international framework for the protection and promotion of human rights.

Human Rights Day Significance

The aftermath of world war two underscored the need for a global commitment to human rights. The UDHR emerged as a beacon of hope and justice, emphasizing that human rights are not a privilege but a universal entitlement.

The UDHR, with its comprehensive articulation of fundamental rights and freedoms, serves as a compass guiding nations toward meeting the basic needs of their citizens, whether they be of a socioeconomic or political nature.

Human Rights Day 2023 Theme

The theme for the 2023 Human Rights Day is ‘Consolidating and Sustaining Human Rights Culture into the Future.’

Celebration of Human Rights Day

In India, the National Human Rights Commission is organising a programme at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on December 10, 2023, at 10 am. The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Chief Guest, will deliver an address to the audience.

Various dignitaries, including NHRC Chairperson Justice Arun Mishra, and representatives from diplomatic circles, civil society, academia, NGOs, and human rights defenders, will also be in attendance.

Human Rights Day 2023: Key Facts

1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated document.
2. In 1979, the Kaohsiung incident in Taiwan was a response to a human rights campaign, leading to arrests and mock trials of political opponents.
3. In 1983, Raul Alfonsin assumed office as the President of Argentina on December 10, marking the end of a military dictatorship linked to human rights violations.
4. In 2004, International Human Rights Day was officially recognized by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU).
5. While International Human Rights Day is observed on December 10 globally, South Africa commemorates it on March 21, acknowledging a massacre in 1960 where peaceful protesters were fired upon, resulting in 69 deaths and 180 injuries.