Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older persons are at a significantly higher risk of mortality, with those over 80 years old dying at five times the average rate. An estimated 66% of people aged 70 and over have at least one underlying condition, placing them at increased risk of severe impact from COVID-19. The UN General Assembly recognized 15 June as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to bring attention to the harm or distress suffered by older persons.
"Made To Shine" is the theme for this year's International Albinism Awareness Day. The theme was chosen to celebrate the achievements and successes of persons with albinism worldwide. It is also a call to stand in solidarity with people with albinism through their challenges. Recently, in some countries, they have been branded “Corona” or “COVID-19” in an attempt to scapegoat them for the pandemic. On this day we stand together with people with albinism all over the world in their fight to live a life that is free of stigma, discrimination, fear and violence.
On World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO calls on governments, media and civil society to join the global online movement to highlight the importance of a free and independent press at all times, but in particular during this health crisis. It is important to help the media and journalists report on the crisis effectively and safely, and to promote critical thinking to limit the spread of rumours and misinformation. Together, we will ensure that our response to the crisis is effective. This unprecedented health crisis has the potential to rebuild citizens' trust in the media.
The United Nations calls on countries to adopt a more cooperative, global and human rights-based approach to the pandemic, which Secretary-General António Guterres has called “a human crisis”. UN human rights officials stress the importance of protecting the rights of people. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for urgent and detailed action to prevent COVID-19 from creating “even wider inequalities” amid extensive suffering. OHCHR will works to integrate human rights into the UN’s economic and social programs.
Due to COVID-19, the traditional commemorative meeting of the General Assembly to mark the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda was postponed. However, on April 7th, the public is invited to reflect on one of the darkest chapters in human history when more than one million people – overwhelmingly Tutsi, but also moderate Hutu, Twa and others who opposed the genocide – were systematically killed in less than three months. We honour those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering of those who survived. Join the virtual observance and share the UN social media cards along with your own messages of solidarity.
To further build a culture of peace with love and conscience, the General Assembly declared 5 April the International Day of Conscience. The United Nations invites all to promote the culture of peace with love and conscience within your communities, which will contribute to foster sustainable development. Let us commemorate this day by connecting to others through acts of kindness amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with Down syndrome. In December 2011, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day. This year's theme, "We Decide," emphasizes that all people with Down syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to, or affecting, their lives. Effective and meaningful participation is a core human rights principle supported by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Iraqi Jamila Mahdi is a former refugee. Although she was married at 13 and denied the right to education, she still had a strong determination to succeed. Jamila earned her high school diploma as an adult, followed by two university degrees. She now works as a Human Rights Officer in Iraq, for UN Human Rights. "Why did I choose to do this? I have a strong belief in the need to contribute to the protection of human dignity and social justice and the elimination of all types of discrimination," says Jamila in this personal essay.
Monday, 20 January 2020, marks the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates Martin Luther King’s life and legacy. In this article in the UNESCO Courier, Alain Foix reflects on the legacy of the civil rights leader, best known for his “I have a dream” speech.
27 January 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, formed in response to atrocity crimes of the Holocaust and the Second World War, with the aim of building a world that is just and peaceful. The theme of the annual International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust reflects the continued importance of collective action against antisemitism and other forms of bias, to ensure respect for the dignity and human rights of all people everywhere.
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system, based in Geneva. It is made up of 47 States and can discuss all human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It is meeting to adopt its programme of work for the year and to select country rapporteurs for its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group in 2023. One of the main features of the Council, the UPR asks States to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.
For this edition, hosts Sinduja Srinivasan and Jason DeWall talk with Joe Cannataci about the right to privacy. An independent UN expert, Mr. Cannataci is one of the world authorities on data protection and internet regulation.
The Prize was established in June 2014 by the General Assembly to recognize the achievements of those who dedicate their lives to the service of humanity by promoting the purposes and principles of the United Nations, while honouring and paying homage to Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition, and social transformation. The Award is presented every five years to two individuals: one female and one male. The deadline for submitting nominations is 28 February 2020.
Youth Standing Up for Human Rights is the theme of this year’s Human Rights Day (10 December). After a year marked by the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations is capitalising on the momentum and is spotlighting the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future. Under our universal call to action "Stand Up for Human rights," we aim to celebrate the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, to amplify their voices, and to engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights.