Human Rights Day, established by the United Nations, is observed annually on Dec. 10, marking the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The UDHR was based on a 1940 resolution adopted by Rotary International at a conference in Havana, calling for “freedom, justice, truth, sanctity of the pledged word, and respect for human rights.”
“Human Rights Day reminds us that a fundamental underlying principle in the law is, and should be, recognizing human rights,” said Joe Richardson, civil rights attorney with McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP. “Article 1 of the the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that ‘(all) human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’
“So many times, our understanding of what is morally right inspires needed changes in the law; i.e what is legally right. The Civil Rights movement, which was getting going about the time of the UDHR, is a prime example. It has to continue to be our goal to walk the path of rooting out inequality and discrimination in our own lives. If we do so, positive change in the law consistent with our principles will follow.”
Joe Richardson is an attorney specializing in civil rights, employment, and racial and economic justice. Reach him at jlr@mccunewright.com or (909) 479-2969.
