On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms". This Declaration holds true more than ever today.

Every year on the same day, the United Nations celebrate the Human Rights Day. As part of the observance of this special event, the United Nations, Department of Public Information is providing these multimedia web pages with the message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan.