The Houses of Parliament were lit up this year to mark Human Rights Day (Photo: Getty Images)

The day is usually marked by high-level political conferences and rallies, as well as exhibitions and cultural events – while governments often hold their own events to commemorate the day.

This year’s kick-off marks the 75th anniversary of the events leading up to the start of next year’s Human Rights Day.

It is also traditionally the day on which the annual Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.

But why was December 10 chosen as the occasion – and what is the theme of Human Rights Day this year?

Why is it Human Rights Day today?

Today has been chosen as Human Rights Day because it commemorates the day in 1948 that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to the UN website, the document proclaims the inalienable rights to which every human being is entitled — regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other condition. .

Since then it has been available in more than 500 languages ​​and is the most translated document in the world.

Human Rights Day was officially adopted in 1950 after the General Assembly passed Resolution 423 inviting all organizations and interested states to celebrate the day on December 10.

The United Nations Postal Administration subsequently issued a commemorative Stamp of the Day in 1952, which received over 200,000 pre-orders, demonstrating the popularity of the idea.

What is the theme of Human Rights Day this year?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75 in 2023 (Photo: Getty Images)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75 in 2023 (Photo: Getty Images)

This year’s Human Rights Day theme is “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All”.

As the Declaration turns 75 next year, the day of 2022 marks the start of a year-long campaign to publicize the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by focusing on its legacy, activism and relevance .

“As the world faces new and continuing challenges – pandemics, conflicts, skyrocketing inequalities, a morally bankrupt global financial system, racism, climate change – the values ​​and rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provide guidelines for our collective action that leaves no one behind. says the UN on its website.

“The year-long campaign aims to shift the needle of understanding and action toward greater knowledge of the universality of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the activism that comes with it.”