Wednesday, December 10, is International Human Rights Day. It is a day to reflect on what human rights mean and why they are so important. Here, btw takes a closer look at the history of the day, why it matters, and how we can all find ways to participate.
What is Human Rights Day?
Every year on December 10, Human Rights Day is celebrated around the world. That date is the anniversary of the 1948 signing of an important document: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document states that every human being is guaranteed certain basic rights regardless of their race, gender or gender identity, religion, or national origin. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been translated into 577 languages, making it the most translated document in the world. Every year, Human Rights Day has a different theme. The 2025 theme is “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials.”
What Are Human Rights?
If someone asked you to define human rights, what would you say? For some people, it may be access to clean air and water. For others, it might mean the right to assemble and protest freely. Still others might view it as the right to safety, or access to education, or having enough food to eat.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights contains thirty “articles,” or sections, that outline basic human rights guaranteed to everyone. Some of those rights include the right to life, liberty, and security; freedom from enslavement; freedom from torture or inhumane punishmentand the right to leave one’s country (and return to it). It also states that governments should operate by the will of the people.
Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials
This year’s Human Rights Day celebration asks us to focus on the idea that human rights are an issue that affects all of us daily, whether we realize it or not. It centers around three basic tenets, or principles:
- Human rights are positive: when we feel safe, we are happier and live better lives.
- Human rights are essential: our rights to be safe and speak freely are important to all of us, regardless of our race, gender, beliefs, or background.
- Human rights are attainable: we can all help promote basic human rights every day by treating each other with respect and by speaking up for people who are treated unfairly.
In honor of Human Rights Day, events have been organized around the world, including a film tour, public discussions, art shows, and hybrid events. There is even a Young Activists Summit, which celebrates five young people who have used technology to promote human rights around the globe.
How Can You Get Involved?
This year’s theme reminds us that everyone can play a role in helping to promote basic human rights every day. Even if you can’t attend an official summit or event, you can still honor Human Rights Day by showing respect to others in your daily life. Any time you are kind to someone, or listen to a friend, or help out a stranger, you are promoting human rights in your own community.
Donating to a charitable organization, picking up litter on your street, or shopping at a second-hand store are other small actions that can make a big difference. What other ways can you think of?