December 9 2024

Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10 to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was proclaimed in 1948. It outlines fundamental rights and freedoms attributed to every person and which must be protected everywhere. The declaration was a major milestone for human rights.

And yet, 76 years later, we are seeing fundamental human rights under attack around the world, whether it is violence and wars threatening people’s right to safety and security, or right-wing governments cracking down on immigration. The climate crisis is threatening various rights and freedoms, including those rights to water, food, and health, particularly in the Global South.

In Canada, we continue to see threats to fundamental human rights, including those of Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and workers. Decades of underfunding and the privatization agendas of right-wing governments are undermining our public services, which is jeopardizing our rights to health and education, for example.

“Human Rights Day should serve as a reminder of how far we’ve come to advance human rights, but also how far we still have to go,” said Bert Blundon, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). “We must stay vigilant to stop the erosion of hard-fought gains. NUPGE remains committed to the ongoing struggle to protect and advance human rights—in Canada and around the world.” 

Learn more about Human Rights Day and the 2024 theme.