Every year on December 10, the world comes together to honor International Human Rights Day, a significant date marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. In 2024, the celebration takes on added significance as the global community reflects on its achievements and the work that remains to ensure universal human rights are respected and upheld.
The theme for this year’s Human Rights Day, “Empowering Every Voice,” emphasizes the importance of inclusion and participation in advancing human rights. It seeks to address the challenges of inequality, discrimination, and exclusion by empowering marginalized communities to have a seat at the table.
This year witnessed notable milestones in the advancement of human rights like expanding digital rights. Several countries introduced legislation protecting citizens’ digital privacy, curbing cybercrime, and promoting internet access as a fundamental right.
There has been a fundamental progress on climate justice. The intersection of human rights and environmental protection gained momentum, with global accords emphasizing the rights of vulnerable populations affected by climate change.
While there is much to celebrate, numerous challenges persist like conflict and displacement. Ongoing wars and crises have led to record levels of displacement, with refugees often denied basic rights. 2024 has also seen a rise in Inequality where economic disparities have widened, exacerbating access to essential services like healthcare and education. Suppression of freedom of expression has also increased this year, In some parts of the world, journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens continue to face persecution for speaking out.
Human Rights Day 2024 calls for collective action to address these issues. As we commemorate International Human Rights Day 2024, let us remember that the journey toward universal human rights is a shared responsibility. By empowering every voice, we can create a future where dignity, equality, and freedom are not just ideals but lived realities for all.