United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on member states to seize the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as an opportunity to reinforce their commitment to its enduring values.
According to the UN News Center, in a message marking Human Rights Day, which the United Nations observes annually on December 10, 2023, Guterres emphasized the importance of promoting and respecting human rights every day, for every person, everywhere.
He recalled the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
Guterres described the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a “roadmap guiding the way to ending wars, bridging divides, and promoting peaceful and dignified living for all.”
He warned that the world is at risk of straying from this path as conflicts intensify, poverty and hunger rise, inequalities deepen, and the climate crisis poses a human rights challenge, disproportionately harming the most vulnerable. Furthermore, the shrinking civic space and increasing attacks on the media are concerning.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the continuing struggle for gender equality, noting that women’s reproductive rights, once secured, are being eroded again.
He stressed the importance of upholding and respecting all human rights—social, cultural, economic, civil, and political—which are essential for protecting everyone.
