Human Rights Day – 10th December

We are human beings. From birth we have fundamental rights that guarantee us dignity and equality. Human rights are principles and regulations that testify that we are all equal in rights regardless of personal differences. We are all born free and equal. We all have the right to life, liberty and security, and to basic necessities such as water, food and shelter, no matter where we live, who our parents are, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, political or other belief, national or social origin, education or other status.

Human rights are based on values: dignity, equality, freedom, respect, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, responsibility, cooperation and acceptance. By advocating for these values, we respect others and ourselves. When these values ​​are understandable, generally accepted and respected, there is no unequal treatment or discrimination. Human rights are universal, they are always the same for all human beings anywhere in the world. They are inalienable, we cannot lose them just as we cannot stop being a human being. Indivisible and interdependent, no one can take away any of the rights because it is "less important" or "not necessary", they are connected and cannot be viewed separately from each other.

During the First and Second World War, in which millions of people in Europe and Asia were wounded, starved, homeless or died. While in 1948 world leaders said ENOUGH! They came together to sign a declaration of 30 rules, articles, called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With this Declaration, they tried to precisely define and protect the human rights of all people, regardless of where and how they lived. Most of the world's countries have promised to abide by these fundamental human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948 (UN), marking this date as International Human Rights Day.

Personal human rights: the right to life, the right to free development of the person, the right to protection from attack. Political and civil rights: the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to freedom of information, the right to unhindered participation in political life. Social, economic and cultural rights: the right to education, the right to social security, fair remuneration, an adequate standard of living and health. Third generation rights: the right to peace, the right to development and the right to a healthy environment.

Respect, protection and promotion of human rights is the obligation and responsibility of every state. Independent commissions and courts ensure the protection of human rights. Protection is provided at the international, regional and national levels.

Human rights start with us. Social engagement in advocating for positive change, activism, is key to the protection of human rights and social solidarity.

"Don't wait for me to do something for your rights. It's your world and you can change it."  Malala Yousafzai

By Zenajda Karadza