On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly issued the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which established a set of principles regarding equality, fairness, and fundamental human rights that must be universally protected. These principles recognize our freedom to make choices about our lives and develop our human potential. The principles are about living free from fear, harassment, and discrimination. -National Institute of Corrections
President George W. Bush first declared Human Rights Week in December 2001, and it has since become a month-long worldwide holiday. This year we commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is available in more than 500 languages and is the most translated document in the world. It consists of 30 articles, which include basic human rights to equality, life, liberty, personal security, freedom from slavery, freedom from torture and degrading treatment, the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty, the right to own property, the right to education, and freedom of belief and religion. -National Institute of Corrections
This month provides us with the opportunity to reflect on how we treat one another, to stand up for our individual rights and the rights of others, to think about what these freedoms mean to you, and to volunteer or donate to local, statewide, national, and/or global organizations that support and fight for human rights. -National Institute of Corrections
Universal Human Rights Month celebrates the landmark document that “enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” This month strives to promote this declaration and the continuing struggles people face throughout the world, encouraging us not to leave anyone behind. -The Grace Museum
Discrimination and violence against LGBTI people were widespread and anti-LGBTI legislation increased. Bills were introduced to address reparations regarding slavery and its legacies. Multiple states implemented total bans on abortion or severely limited access to it. Gender-based violence disproportionately affected Indigenous women. Access to the USA for asylum seekers and migrants was still fraught with obstacles, but some nationalities continued to enjoy Temporary Protected Status. Moves were made to restrict the freedom to protest in a number of states. Black people were disproportionately affected by the use of lethal force by police. No progress was made in the abolition of the death penalty, apart from in Washington. Arbitrary and indefinite detention in the US naval base Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, continued. Despite extensive gun violence, no further firearm reform policies were considered, but President Biden did announce the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The USA continued to use lethal force in countries around the world. Black people, other racialized groups, and low-income people bore the brunt of the health impacts of the petrochemical industry, and the use of fossil fuels continued unabated. -Amnesty International
