Human Rights Day 2015
10 December
Fifty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted two international treaties that would forever shape international human rights: The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Created in the aftermath of WWII, the two Covenants along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights became the International Bill of Human Rights setting out the civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that are the birth right of all human beings.
Since that time a fundamental sea change has occurred across the world, with many countries recognizing human rights and the rule of law as the basis for truly resilient and stable societies.
The Two Covenants - More Relevant Today Than Ever
Yet, challenges remain.
FREEDOM, underpins the International Bill of Human Rights – freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom from want.
Fifty years on, many people are still unaware of the existence of the International Bill of Human Rights and many countries around the world still have much to do to build political institutions, judicial systems, and economies that allow ordinary people to live with dignity. The growth of hate speech against religious and racial minorities, the justification of rights violations in the name of combatting terrorism, the clawing back of economic and social rights in the name of economic crises or security, and the failure to respect the right to privacy in the digital age, show the relevance of the two Covenants and the need to respect them.
To promote and raise awareness of the two Covenants on their 50th anniversary, the UN Human Rights Office is launching on Human Rights Day “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always." a year-long campaign to shine a light on the inalienable and inherent rights of global citizens -- now, and always.
“Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” revolves around the timeless themes of rights and freedom and the relevance of the work that continues in securing and ensuring them. At its core, FREEDOM, underpins the International Bill of Human Rights – freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom from want.
On Human Rights Day, we invite you to join in celebrating 50 years of freedom as embodied in the
International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These four freedoms are as relevant today as they were when the Covenants were adopted.
Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.
High Commissioner Video Statement — Human Rights Day 2015
Please note that subtitles for this video are available in Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. An Arabic version of the video is also available.
Transcripts: Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Press Release: For Human Rights Day 10 December Zeid calls for universal ratification and respect for the ‘bedrock’ human rights treaties
English | French | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese | Russian