The world observes Human Rights Day today

News: Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on 10th December

Facts:

About Human Rights Day

  •  Human Rights Day marks the day on which the United Nations General Assembly, in 1948, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
  • The theme for 2019 Human Rights Day is – Youth Standing up for Human Rights.

Additional Information:

About the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

  • The UDHR urges member nations to promote a number of human, civil, economic and social rights. It is not legally binding.
  • The Declaration has served as the foundation for two binding UN human rights covenants: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
  • These treaties were adopted in 1966, and, together with the UDHR, are known as the International Bill of Human Rights.

About the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

  • It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States. It was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
  •  It is responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the world.

UNHRC elections:

  • UNHRC member states are elected yearly by the General Assembly for staggered three-year terms.
  • Members are selected via the basis of equitable geographic rotation. Council seats are allocated to the five regional groups as follows: 
    • African States:
    •  Asia-Pacific States:
    •  Eastern European States:
    • Latin American and Caribbean States: 
    • Western European and other States: