Activities to mark the day

Islamabad: Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10 – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This year, Human Rights Day kicks off a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being -- regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.

This year’s Human Rights Day is devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50th anniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966.

Eleanor Roosevelt sums it up nicely. "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."

The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. Ministry of Human Rights, Pakistan will commemorate International Human Rights Day on Sunday December 10, from 10:30 a.m till 6:00 p.m, in Museum Hall and Upper Deck area, Lok Virsa.

Throughout the day, activities are planned to reflect on the need for awareness regarding human rights and to educate audience about the various means to access these rights, in Pakistan. These activities will include exhibition stalls by various organisations, puppet show, musical performances, cultural dance performances and a theatre on dedicated Human Rights helpline in Pakistan, 1099. This promises to be a very informative and engaging day for the entire family, so make a plan and go for it!