The International Human Rights day is celebrated on 10 December. This year the focus is on non-discrimination.
Article 1 of the Declaration states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. Yet today, the fight against discrimination remains a daily struggle for millions around the globe.
Kerry Kennedy, human rights activist, seventh daughter of Robert Kennedy, Honorary President of the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation of Europe, sends a warning on this day:"We have much to celebrate during the 61st anniversary of the UDHR. Today, most of the world lives under democracies. Apartheid is gone from South Africa, and Eastern Europe has freed itself from Communism while Latin America his no longer under the stranglehold of Military dictatorships. 30 years ago, women’s rights was not on the international agenda, and today CEDAW has been ratified by 185 countries. As we face the challenges presented by our complex world, it is important to keep in mind Robert Kennedy’s immortal words, about the power of one person to make a difference. He said: «Few will have the greatness to bend history; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation... It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is
thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other
from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which
can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance»."
RFK Europe activities
Romania
On December 10, in Romania, the local office of the United Nations organizes a round table where RFK Europe will present the educational programme. The celebrations of Human Rights Day will continue with the premiere of the "Speak Truth To Power - Voices From Beyond the Dark" play, from Ariel Dorfman's text, staged by detainess of Romanian prisons.
Also on December 10, at "Virgilio" high school in Rome, RFK Europe will meet students and teachers, and present the "Speak Truth To Power" educational package, that they have received together with other 160.000 students all around Italy.
Kerry Kennedy's statement on Human Rights Day 2009
