UN Human Rights Day 2024 - ‘Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now’

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10 December 2024

Every year the adoption, by the United Nations General Assembly, of the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ in 1948 is celebrated across the world on December 10th.

Though this Declaration is not a binding legal document it has inspired more than 50 countries to adopt legislation which encompasses most if not all of the principles of the Universal Declaration; including the European Convention on Human Rights and the UK Human Rights Act.

For those new to the idea of human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. It guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere, without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.

However, the protection of human rights is often seen in the UK as something that is important for people outside of the UK. It is applied to those in war torn countries, those subject to droughts and famines, those subject to political or legal persecution, and those unable to preserve their cultural identities because of repressive State activities.

It is vital to understand that, without constant vigilance, human rights within the UK can be, have been, and in many cases still are, under threat. Wherever there is discrimination, repression or exploitation there is potentially a human rights abuse. Where there are human rights abuses there are threats to the quality of all our lives.

Citizens Advice deals on a daily basis with clients unable to exercise their legal rights, excluded from services others can access freely, and subject to discrimination at work, at home or in the community.

Even though few people in the UK talk in terms of the abuse of human rights, there remains a constant struggle to balance the rights of governments to act effectively with the rights of citizens to be free from unfair, unjust or illegal restrictions on their freedom to pursue productive and fulfilling lives.

If you want to know more about ‘World Human Rights Day’ click here .

If you want to learn more about human rights in the UK click here .

If you are interested in supporting groups working to protect human rights in the UK click here .

Human rights are for everyone. Take a minute to find out more.

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