Human Rights Day, Malala United Nations WHO UNICEF

Skip navigation!

December 10th is Human Rights Day, and many organizations are taking to social media to share how important it is. This year's Human Rights Day is especially of note, as it kicks off a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Started in 1948, the United Nations released the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which explicitly states the rights that all human beings are born with, "regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." The document itself is the most translated document in the world, available in over 500 languages. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt played a key role in the creation of Human Rights Day, as she chaired the committee that wrote the declaration.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

Among the organizations using their platforms to share the importance of this day, and turning to Twitter to share their thoughts and tips on incorporating the message behind Human Rights Day beyond December 10th, are the United Nations, Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and more. The issues they're talking about include reproductive justice, freedom from slavery and oppression , immigration, access to clean water and equality for communities of color (like what's still happening in Flint, MI and Standing Rock, AR), affordable access to health care, access to education, and freedom from persecution or exclusion due to gender, race, ability, or sexual orientation.

Here's what they have to say:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. #HumanRightsDay
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) December 10, 2017

The words Anne Frank wrote in this room still remind us to cherish and defend human rights.

Today, I am thinking of Palestinian and Rohingya children- and all around the world still struggling to achieve Anne’s dream of freedom.#HumanRightsDay pic.twitter.com/jmFcYTkZoR
— Malala (@Malala) December 10, 2017

As #HumanRightsDay approaches, we remember the words of #NelsonMandela: “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion.” #StandUp4HumanRights pic.twitter.com/eKV8wgI01B
— Justice Canada (@JusticeCanadaEN) December 5, 2017

On #HumanRightsDay our message is clear:

HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT#StandUp4HumanRights, stand up for #HealthForAll!https://t.co/0xs5xwkoTg pic.twitter.com/8XWNxYonu2
— WHO (@WHO) December 9, 2017

Education.
Health.
Protection.
Nourishment.
Safety.
Love.
Play.#ForEveryChild, rights.

It’s #HumanRightsDay! #StandUp4HumanRights pic.twitter.com/km3oeSU7fA
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) December 10, 2017

“Where, after all, do universal rights begin? In small places, close to home...Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

International Human Rights Day 10 December pic.twitter.com/CzwgP5JUQF
— The Global Fund (@GlobalFund) December 10, 2017

"Everyone has the right to education.
Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.
Elementary education shall be compulsory" - #HumanRights Declaration, Article 26.

ℹ️ https://t.co/GIhDqdkLzJ #HumanRightsDay #StandUp4HumanRights pic.twitter.com/MNaE1B22qy
— UNESCO (@UNESCO) December 10, 2017

Love.
Courage.
Passion.
Passion.
Passion.

Happy #HumanRightsDay! pic.twitter.com/35siygixzN
— AmnestyInternational (@amnesty) December 10, 2017

"I just wanna have a chill day where I don't have to talk about why these terrorists don't represent me." - @AimaNiqabae #HumanRightsDay pic.twitter.com/hS9pjjAP1d
— Project 1324 (@project1324) December 9, 2017

"My family work in textiles, a world away from the filtered, version of fashion millennials are fed." - Layla Mostaghimi #HumanRightsDay pic.twitter.com/88OLs8g7by
— Project 1324 (@project1324) December 9, 2017

With everything going on in the world, the importance of human rights cannot be overstated. If you would like to take action today, signing the UN's pledge to stand up for human rights is a good way to merge action with intention.

Despite the problems of inequality plaguing the modern world, the good news is that we have a chance everyday to make a difference by raising awareness and committing to action.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT