Today, Friday 10th December, the world celebrates International Human Rights Day. This year Human Rights Day recognizes the work of human rights defenders worldwide who act to end discrimination.

 Acting alone or in groups within their communities, every day human rights defenders work to end discrimination by campaigning for equitable and effective laws, reporting and investigating human rights violations and supporting victims. While some human rights defenders are internationally renowned, many remain anonymous and undertake their work often at great personal risk to themselves and their families.

“On Human Rights Day 2010 we are declaring our solidarity with, and our admiration for, people of conscience: the men and women, young and old, of all nationalities and from endlessly diverse backgrounds who stand their ground and speak up for human rights.” (Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)

From speaking out for indigenous rights in Guatemala, to defending communities from land grabs in Cambodia and using the law to combat racial discrimination in USA, human rights defenders galvanize action and spur change. In many countries, history has proved to be on the side of defenders. Often, however, defenders’ actions are met with hostile, negative reactions from individuals, groups, and authorities. This can be true in both emerging democracies and States with long established democratic traditions.

The Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1998.

Human Rights Day 2010 website UN website for the Day
Video messages by Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights watch video messages

Human Rights Information Note (PDF 601.78 kb)

Opening Remarks by Sonam Yangchen Rana, United Nations Resident Coordinator

Under-Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka

"Violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance" said UN Under-Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka in an exclusive interview with UN Radio on the occasion of the launch of 16 days of activism to end sexual violence against women.   Every year at this time, people all over the world take part in "16 Days of Activism" to protect women and girls against violence. The campaign starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and continues through December 10th, International Human Rights Day: Read more and listen to the UN Radio interview with Under-Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka in English.

 

 

Village reporter Khamboun captures the drama

At sunset in Houay Jaek village, Xieng Khouang Province, a group of villagers are performing a role play about the importance of good hygiene. Recording their voices is 30-year old Khamboun, a fellow villager and volunteer with the local Khoun Community Radio station. Read more

 

 

 

 

 

Vientiane 12 November: The United Nations has hailed the outcome of this week's high-level meeting in Laos of signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, describing it as an important step towards ridding the world of an abhorrent weapon.

The First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention – the largest international gathering ever hosted by the Government of Lao PDR – brought together delegates from 118 states and more than 560 civil society representatives. Read more

United Nation's Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro visits Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Photo: UN Lao PDR/Laophoto

The United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, departed Lao PDR late Tuesday 9 th November after a two day visit. On her first trip to the country, Dr. Migiro addressed delegates from over 120 states, UN agencies, civil society and cluster munition survivors at the opening ceremony of the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The Government of Lao PDR played a leading role in developing the Convention that entered into force in August 2010 and bans the use, production and stockpiling of cluster munitions. To date the treaty has been signed by 108 states and ratified by 46. Lao PDR will hold the Presidency for the treaties inaugural year. Read more

 

The 20th anniversary edition of the Human Development Report, The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development, highlights Asian countries in leading development progress over the past 40-years. But ‘multidimensional’ poverty, gender gaps and rising inequality are identified as the region’s big challenges.  

The report was launched November 4 in New York by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen in New York and spotlights countries that made the greatest progress in recent decades as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI analyzes health, education and income data over the past 40-years.  

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