Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights to begin on International Human Rights Day
Press release 275/2007
7 December 2007
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Celebration of International Human Rights Day on 10 December thus marks the beginning of the 60th anniversary festivities, which will culminate a year from now. This important day will also be noted during the 6th session of the Human Rights Council, which will start at the same time in Geneva.
Compilation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations after the Second World War was a historic step in the protection and promotion of human rights. It was followed by the drafting of several legally binding Conventions and other international standards, such as the most recently adopted Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention against Enforced Disappearance and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, all of which were adopted last year.
Following the drafting of international standards, effort is now made to ensure that these instruments are implemented more effectively. This is an important aspect of the Finnish Human Rights Policy Report now being compiled and of Finland’s preparations for the first peer review of member states to be carried out by UN Human Rights Council in April 2008.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is at least as necessary today as it was in 1948. The universality of human rights should receive particular attention on International Human Rights Day. Everyone is entitled to human rights. States are responsible for honouring and ensuring human rights. On International Human Rights Day, however, we should especially remember the significant work done every day by international organisations, citizens’ organisations and individuals to defend human rights.
Additional information: Deputy Director General Anu Laamanen, Political Department, tel. +358 9 1605 5519; First Secretary Kirsti Pohjankukka, Unit for Human Rights Policy, tel. +358 9 1605 5068