UN charges individuals on human rights

UN Secretary General, Ban ki-Moon

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has charged the global community to rise up individually and collectively for the protection and promotion of the rights of people around them at all times.

Ban, who made the remarks in his message to mark the 2016 Human Rights Day, observed on Dec. 10, said “upholding human rights is in the interest of all”.

“All of us must act in our daily lives to advance the human rights of the people around us. All of us can act in our daily lives to advance the human rights of the people around us.

“This is the driving force behind a new global campaign being launched by the United Nations Human Rights Office “Stand Up for Someone’s Rights Today”.

“Wherever we are, each of us can make a difference for human rights: in our neighbourhoods, in school, at work, on social media, at home and even in sporting arenas across the world.

“Together, let us stand up for someone’s rights today, tomorrow and every day.” The UN Chief said

Ban pointed out that he had also underscored that human rights were at the heart of the work and identity of the UN, adding that this understanding is at the core of its ‘Human Rights Up Front’ initiative.

He said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminded us that recognition of “the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family was the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”.

“Step by step, we can build a future based on our shared values of equality and human dignity.

“That is the spirit that underlies our recently launched “Together” campaign to fight the xenophobia faced by so many refugees and migrants.

“That is also the spirit we will need to combat extremism, halt the erosion of respect for international humanitarian law, and defend civil society groups facing increasingly harsh measures aimed at preventing them from fulfilling their vital role.

“The United Nations, along with partners around the globe, must continue to strengthen responses to abuses, and work better to prevent human rights crises.”

He said he had repeatedly stressed the interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations: peace, sustainable development and human rights over the last eight years.