Universal Human Rights Month
By Medina Birani, BSW Placement Student in the Office of EDID
December is recognized to be Universal Human Rights Month. This year December 10 marks the 75th anniversary of the global pledges which is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document honors the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status. The UDHR has served as the foundation for an expansive system of human rights protection that today focuses on vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and migrants.
The theme for 2023 is Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All. The world faces many challenges, new and ongoing. The values and rights enshrined in the UDHR provide guideposts to collective actions that do not leave anyone behind.
This year, I challenge you to reflect on your social location and position, along with doing research about the importance of Human Rights to be able to advocate and help in any way that is possible.
Some ways to participate in Universal Human Rights Month:
- Volunteer at a local human rights organization
- Donate to a human rights cause
- Attend a local (or online) Human Rights Day event
- Attend a vigil
- Read books or online sources dedicated to Human Rights
Movies on Netflix available to watch:
- Born in Gaza
- Born in Syria
- Children of Somalia
- In Her Hands
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
- The Life Ahead
- Trees of Peace
- The Endless Trench
- The Photographer of Mauthausen
75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATu9Pnq5838
References