Celebrating Human Rights Day in India
Today, Human Rights Day is being celebrated across the world. To celebrate it in India, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has organized a multitude of events. A range of NHRC publications will be released and a short film focusing on human rights will be screened and prizes will be awarded. Let's take a look at how it's being commemorated the world over.
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10 to commemorate the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' (The Declaration') adopted by the United Nations in 1948. The Declaration was considered a milestone document as it set out for the first time fundamental human rights that needed to be protected universally. The theme for this Human Rights Day campaign is "Stand up for someone's rights today."
The Declaration: World's most translated document
The Declaration is now available in more than 500 languages. It was most recently translated into a dialect of the indigenous Quechua language. It is spoken in north-western Bolivia by around 116,000 people.
The 2016 Human Rights Day campaign
In spirit of 'Stand Up for someone's rights' the United Nations has urged everyone in their individual capacity to protect the vulnerable. Individuals must help defend rights of a migrant or refugee, a member of a minority community, a person with disabilities, an LGBT individual, a child or woman, a child, indigenous people and anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence.
How 'Human Rights Day' is being marked worldwide
Renowned author Salman Rushdie would lead a protest along with dozens of authors to end China's crackdown' on dissent which has seen activists, lawyers, and academics detained and jailed. In India, a petition to ban practice of 'Female Genital Mutilation' (FGM) was launched by women from Bohra community who underwent 'FGM'. In Philippines, hundreds protested on streets against President Duterte's war against illegal drugs.
NHRC
The NHRC was formed in 1998. It is an autonomous public body and over the years has made key interventions on human rights issues including child labour, prison reforms, illegal drug trials, pricing of drugs, manual scavenging and more.
Europe and US urge China
EU Representative, Federica Mogherini issued a statement that reiterated the EU's commitment to defending human rights of all especially in light of increasing challenges in conflict ridden countries. The US and EU have called on China to release 250 'political prisoners'; they have particularly called out for Nobel Peace prize laureate and democracy activist Liu Xiaobo, in prison since 2008, to be released.
