As December is here, many people are completing their holiday shopping, stores are bustling with excitement, and cash registers are ringing with every transaction. Whilst people are checking twice to make sure their list is complete, some might not be thinking twice about those who face discrimination every day.
Dec. 10 marks National Human Rights day. The day celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was formed nearly 63 years ago in 1948. The holiday also celebrates the United Nations and those who fight for human rights every single day.
The national holiday observes inspiring events all over the world. On Friday, Dec. 9, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will be hosting a global conversation that will be broadcasted throughout the world; the conversation will be hosted by social media.
Everyone is encouraged to take part in the global conversation that will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. New York time. The conversation will be streamed live through the following networks: Facebook, Twitter, and the United Nations webcast.
So how can someone submit a question? Social networking is making it easy. Anyone can visit the Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/unitednationshumanrights) and Twitter by posting their question and using the hash tag, #Askrights. Those who are interested can also watch the conversation on the UN webcast (http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/index.html).
Geneva will also be hosting an event on Dec. 9. The event will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. There will be a conversation about the power of social media and its transformation and influence on broadcasting various events pertaining to human rights around the world. Various other countries around the world and offices of the United Nations are also hosting events for National Human Rights Day.
Activists in Uganda have begun a 16-day campaign that started on Nov. 26 and will end on National Human Rights day. The activists are campaigning to “promote awareness about violence against women and girls,” according to The New Vision, Uganda’s Daily newspaper.
The United Nations described this year as “a year like no other for human rights.”
Angela Thomas is a fourth-year student majoring in English. She can be reached at AT683005@wcupa.edu.