Human Rights Day 2008: the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Wednesday 10th December is United Nations Human Rights Day.
Each year, Human Rights Day is celebrated on this day to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Human Rights Day has special significance, as it is 60 years since the Universal Declaration was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.
The Universal Declaration was born in a time when the world was reeling from the human rights atrocities perpetrated by Nazi Germany, yet 60 years on its message of freedom, equality and human dignity continues to have enduring relevance. Violence against women, the most widespread of all human rights abuses, continues across the world. Children continue to suffer from malnutrition and disease and are denied their basic right to education. Millions of people are fleeing persecution and conflict in their homelands.
The Uniting Church believes that one important way it can fulfil its responsibility to contribute to the building of societies in which all people are valued and respected is to support the development of public policy and legislation which respects human rights and reflects our obligations under the international human rights system. The Church has promised to continue its efforts in order that all people are able to participate in community and public life, are treated with respect and accorded dignity without discrimination.
Media Release: International Human Rights Day - Where is God?
Resources
This year, UnitingJustice has produced a series of resources for church members to inspire and inform on Human Rights Day and beyond.
These resources examine the origins of the United Nations and Human Rights Day and the message of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as discussing the Uniting Church’s commitment to human rights and investigating the human rights dimension of such issues as climate change, poverty and the death penalty. Also available to download is a suite of worship resources which can be used in congregations to mark Human Rights Day, or on any other day of the year.
Download the resources:
Human Rights Day, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations
What does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights say?
Human rights and climate change
Human rights and the death penalty
Prayers and resources for worship
Dignity in Humanity: Recognising Christ in Every Person
A Uniting Church in Australia Statement on Human Rights
Dignity in Humanity expresses the Uniting Church's commitment to the upholding of human rights. Adopted at the Eleventh Assembly in 2006, the statement commits the Uniting Church to respect and uphold human rights, and to critically evaluate Government policy in light of the international human rights instruments and Australia’s human rights commitments.
Media Release: Uniting Church stands out on human rights (30 June 2009): The Uniting Church in Australia is the only church formally supporting a Human Rights Act in Australia.
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Submission on to the Inquiry into the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009 and related bills (Senate Standing Committee on Economics)
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The Church, workers and unions: working together for justice in work: statement from the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia to the ACTU National Congress.
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Public comment on North Korea nuclear test by World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia: The World Council of Churches is deeply troubled by North Korea's nuclear test and profoundly concerned for the people of North Korea and surrounding countries, none of whose interests are served by this tragic failure of international relations.
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Songs that Unite 2009 is the inaugural national songwriting competition of the Uniting Church in Australia.
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UCA Minister recognised for work with refugees: Rev. John Jegasothy is the recipient of the ‘Outstanding Australian, Serving Refugees’ award from the NSW Service for the Treatment for Rehabilitation of Torture & Trauma Survivors.
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UnitingWorld Emergency Appeal for Sri Lanka: The civil war in Sri Lanka may have come to an end but for many civilians displaced by the war, the suffering continues. Thousands of civilians have been displaced, injured and subjected to suspected war crimes while as many as 15,000 people have been killed in recent months.
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