December 10th is International Human Rights Day. This year will mark the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the document stands to universally protect the inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to, regardless of race, skin color, religion, sex, gender, language, political opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. Since 1948, the Human Rights movement has made many advancements. However, the fight for equality is not yet over.
This year, the day is especially important due to the ongoing conflicts in Israel and Gaza, as well as in Ukraine. The oppression of human rights in some parts of the world can be devastating, so we take this day to recognize the importance of human rights.
“It is very disheartening to see what’s happening in Palestine right now. We’re seeing a lot of human rights under attack. Thousands are being killed, and I think we need to draw more attention to that issue,” said senior, Christian Jordan.
The global campaign’s theme for 2023 is “Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All.” Liberty students elaborate on what this year’s theme means to them.
“I think they are trying to be more inclusive, but I do believe it is something we all should have had in the first place. I don’t think it is something anyone should have to fight for,” said senior, Liz Montecinos.
Human Rights Day serves as a day of honoring the people who have been a part of the movement and the progress made in the human rights movement. It is a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality.
“It’s a good time to think about the different backgrounds that people might be coming from and how we can protect them and make sure that we all understand that we’re all together, even if we come from different places we all want similar things, so everybody should have the opportunity to get those things… I think it’s important that we all recognize each other and promote equality as much as possible,” said Mr. Schoen.
We must recognize and honor the importance of human rights and the purpose of International Human Rights Day. People may come from different backgrounds, look different, and have different opinions and beliefs, but everyone has one thing in common. Despite all the differences, everyone is a human being, which is one of the most important things to remember. Although a good amount of progress has been made since the UDHR’s establishment, there is still a long way to go in the process of universally ensuring the protection of human rights. The best thing to help the movement is to get involved. Educate yourself on human rights issues, advocate for human rights, and attend human rights events.
