International Human Rights Day is December 10

2011-12-09

On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted at the UN General Assembly. Since then, the 10th of December is celebrated around the world as a time to remember our common struggle to improve the condition of men, women and children everywhere. Today, we join RFK Human Rights Award Laureates from around the world to celebrate the noble work of advancing human rights and recommit ourselves to an international community that respects, protects and fulfills the full spectrum of rights included in the Universal Declaration.

This December, we remember and celebrate the work of Sonia Pierre – founder and director of the Movement for Dominican Women of Haitian Descent (MUDHA) and 2006 RFK Human Rights Laureate – who passed earlier this week. Sonia was a courageous voice for the dispossessed and marginalized in the Dominican Republic and her life’s work is an example to celebrate on Human Rights Day.

This year, the focus of Human Rights Day activities is inspired by the broad progress made throughout this monumental year through public mobilizations and direct action. The day is focused on the important role that social media played in these movements and how it has facilitated the advancing of global human rights. From the Arab and North African Spring to the Occupy Movement in the United States, social media has been an essential tool to coordinate action, inform the public, and garner support.

On this occasion, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released a message about planned activities and will host a global conversation on human rights through social media on December 9 at 9:30am ET.

Let’s celebrate December 10th by joining leading human rights defenders online and expanding the community of human rights supporters—follow them on twitter, friend them on facebook, and link their stories on your blogs! And make sure you’re following the RFK Center!

Stand up for LGBTI rights with Frank Mugisha

Join Mexico’s indigenous peoples and follow the Center for Human Rights of the MountainTlachinollan

Demand the rights of women everywhere with Women of Zimbabwe Arise

Tweet in support of fundamental rights in Western Sahara #Saharawi

Celebrate Sonia and MUDHA’s work and stand against discrimination in the Dominican Republic

Build justice in U.S. agriculture with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Blog in support of NOMADESC and displaced communities in Colombia