2024 Theme: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.
Human rights can empower individuals and communities to forge a better tomorrow. By embracing and trusting the full power of human rights as the path to the world we want, we can become more peaceful, equal and sustainable.
This Human Rights Day we focus on how human rights are a pathway to solutions, playing a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said, “Human rights are the foundation for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.”
This year’s theme is a call to acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights in our everyday lives. We have an opportunity to change perceptions by speaking up against hate speech, correcting misinformation and countering disinformation. This is the time to mobilize action to reinvigorate a global movement for human rights.
Check out our live coverage of the Day
Film screening in New York
United Nations Human Rights, together with the Permanent Missions of Germany and New Zealand, invites you to join us on TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2024, at 6 PM in the Auditorium of GERMAN HOUSE (871 UN Plaza), for a discussion on human rights, climate action & future generations, followed by a screening of the film High Tide Don’t Hide.
Invitation [pdf] RSVP
Messages - 2024
Secretary-General's Message
On Human Rights Day, we face a harsh truth.
Human rights are under assault. Tens of millions of people are mired in poverty, hunger, poor health and education systems that have not yet fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global inequalities are running rampant. Conflicts are intensifying. International law is wilfully ignored. Authoritarianism is on the march while civic space is shrinking.
Hateful rhetoric is fuelling discrimination, division, and outright violence. And women’s rights continue to be rolled back in law and practice.
This year’s theme reminds us that human rights are about building the future — right now.
All human rights are indivisible. Whether economic, social, civic, cultural or political, when one right is undermined, all rights are undermined.
We must stand up for all rights — always.
Healing divisions and building peace. Tackling the scourges of poverty and hunger. Ensuring health care and education for all. Advancing justice and equality for women, girls and minorities. Standing up for democracy, press freedoms and workers’ rights. Promoting the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. And defending human rights defenders as they carry out their vital work.
The recently adopted Pact for the Future reinforced the world’s commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On this important day, let’s protect, defend and uphold all human rights for all people.
António Guterres
Human rights are under assault [...] This year’s theme reminds us that human rights are about building the future — right now [...] We must stand up for all rights — always."
António Guterres
Other UN senior officials
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay