Human Rights Day is celebrated annually on December 10th to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This landmark document set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
Significance:
- Universal Values: The UDHR established a common standard of human rights for all people, regardless of their race, religion, nationality, or any other status. It enshrined principles such as the right to life, liberty, and security of person, freedom from torture and slavery, and the right to education and work.
- Global Commitment: The UDHR has been translated into over 500 languages and inspired numerous international human rights treaties and national laws. It serves as a powerful tool for advocacy and action, reminding states of their obligations to respect and protect human rights.
- Continuous Journey: Despite significant progress in human rights protection, many challenges remain. Discrimination, inequality, and violence continue to plague societies around the world. Human Rights Day serves as a reminder to continuously work towards achieving a world where the rights of all individuals are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
75th Anniversary
In 2023, we mark the 75th anniversary of the UDHR, highlighting its enduring legacy and ongoing importance. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in human rights, identify remaining gaps, and recommit ourselves to achieving a world where human dignity is upheld for all.
Ways to Celebrate:
- Learn about the UDHR: Read the document and familiarize yourself with the 30 fundamental rights it outlines.
- Organize or participate in events: Attend workshops, conferences, film screenings, or other activities that raise awareness about human rights issues.
- Support human rights organizations: Donate your time or resources to organizations working to protect and promote human rights around the world.
- Speak out against human rights violations: Use your voice to condemn discrimination, injustice, and abuse wherever it occurs.
Human Rights for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The blind and visually impaired are individuals who have a significant loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. They face unique challenges in participating fully in society, and it is important to ensure their human rights are protected and promoted.
Here are some key human rights for the blind and visually impaired:
- Right to life, liberty, and security of person. This includes the right to be free from violence, torture, and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
- Right to equality and non-discrimination. This means that the blind and visually impaired should not be discriminated against on the basis of their disability, and they should have equal access to all aspects of society, such as education, employment, healthcare, and transportation.
- Right to education. The blind and visually impaired have the right to education on an equal basis with others, including access to inclusive education and accessible educational materials.
- Right to work. The blind and visually impaired have the right to equal opportunity in the workplace, including reasonable accommodations.
- Right to independent living. The blind and visually impaired have the right to live independently and participate in the community. This includes access to assistive technology and support services.
- Right to freedom of expression and communication. This includes the right to use Braille, sign language, and other accessible communication methods.
- Right to participation in political and public life. The blind and visually impaired have the right to vote, stand for election, and participate in the political process.
International human rights treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognize and protect the rights of the blind and visually impaired. States that have ratified the CRPD are obligated to take steps to ensure that the rights of the blind and visually impaired are respected, protected, and promoted.
Here are some organizations working to promote the human rights of the blind and visually impaired:
World Blind Union (WBU): https://worldblindunion.org/
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): https://www.afb.org/
International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI): https://icevi.org/
Vision Loss Alliance of Canada: https://www.cnib.ca/en/event/diabetes-vision-loss-group
RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People): https://www.rnib.org.uk/
These organizations work to educate the public, advocate for the rights of the blind and visually impaired, and provide support services.
In addition to the above, here are some specific ways to support the human rights of the blind and visually impaired:
- Learn about the rights of the blind and visually impaired.
- Support organizations that work to promote the rights of the blind and visually impaired.Speak out against discrimination against the blind and visually impaired.
- Make your home, business, and community more accessible to the blind and visually impaired.Use inclusive language when referring to the blind and visually impaired.
- By working together, we can create a world where the human rights of the blind and visually impaired are respected, protected, and promoted.
Resources:
UN Human Rights Office: https://www.ohchr.org/en/ohchr_homepage
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
Human Rights Day: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day
Count down to Human Rights Day: https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights-75/human-rights-75-countdown
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Disabilities: https://www.ohchr.org/en/disabilities
World Health Organization: Blindness and Vision Impairment: https://www.who.int/health-topics/blindness-and-vision-loss
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Vision Health Initiative: https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/
