If someone walked up to you and asked you what human rights were, could you tell them? Human rights are the universal rights guaranteed by law to every person, no exceptions. These rights include the freedoms to life, to be free of cruel punishment, to thought, and to education. Senior Chloe Starr says, “Human rights are not a privilege in my mind. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full and happy and there is no room for argument about that.” The Declaration of Human Rights is the document that assures everyone these and many other freedoms. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. Human Rights Day celebrates this anniversary and has a different focus every year. This year the focus is freedom, highlighting freedom of speech, religion, from want, and from fear.

 The day the Declaration was adopted in the general assembly; it was voted in with forty eight countries in favor and eight abstinences. One of the declaration’s most important sponsors was Eleanor Roosevelt. This first lady, and a leader in the UN at the time, took it upon herself to become a Human Rights, Children’s Causes, and Women’s Rights Activist. She used her leadership and power within the UN to draft and work toward of the adoption of the declaration. As a woman she received both criticism and praise for her dedication to human rights and her other causes.  The declaration would go on to inspire over six decades of battling for every person to have all basic human rights. Sophomore Noah Showalter said, “It is important to celebrate Human Rights Day to encourage and respect others.”

 This year the UN will launch the year long campaign, “Our rights. Ours freedoms. Always.” to raise awareness of these human rights of all global citizens now and forever. The leader of the branch of UN that deals with human rights is encouraging the people to reflect on what freedom really is, which is where the slogan came from. Despite the efforts of the UN, there are still currently over forty five human rights issues they are battling, everything from privacy to slavery.  Anywhere a human right is being violated, the UN is working to stop it. The United Nations is fighting a just and ultimately never ending battle against oppression, discrimination, and lack of freedom. The UN uses partnerships, standard setting, monitoring, field work and over all raising awareness to work toward their cause.